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THE 



HISTORY 



OF 



COLUMBIA County, 



WISCONSIN, 



CONTAINING 



AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES ; AN EXTENSIVE AND 
MINUTE SKETCH OF ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES— THEIR IMPROVEMENTS, INDUSTRIES, 
MANUFACTORIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES; ITS WAR RECORD, BIOGRAPH- 
ICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND EARLY SETTLERS; THE 
THE WHOLE PRECEDED BY A HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, STATISTICS 
OF THE STATE, AND AN ABSTRACT OF ITS LAWS AND CON- 
STITITION AND OF THE CONSTITUTION 
OF THE rXITED STATES. 



iXjXjTjst:£?.j^t:exd- 




CHICAGO: 
WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY. 

MDCCCIXXX. 



V 



PREFACE. 



rpHE object of this work is to place upon record in a reliable manner and in a permanent 
J- form, whatever incidents of importance have transpired within the limits of Columbia 
County since its first settlement. As preliminary to this, a brief history of Wisconsin is 
given, including, respectively, the Antiquities of the State; an account of its Indian tribes : :. 
sketch of pre-Territorial times ; an outline of Wisconsin when a Territory ; and a narrative of 
each Administration since the admission of the State into the Union. This is followed by arti- 
cles on the Topography and. Geology of the State ; on its Climatology; on its Trees, Shrubs, 
and Vines ; on the Fauna of Wisconsin ; on the Educational Interests of the State ; on its 
Agriculture, Mineral Resources, and Railroads; on Lumber Manufacture, Banking, Commerce 
and Manufactures; and on the Public? Domain and Health. These are from the pens of able 
and well-known Wisconsin writers. Following these articles, are Statistics of the State, and 
an Abstract of its Laws and Constitution, allcJ (Vf the Constitution of the United States. 

In the history of the county, facts and figures, incidents and reminiscences, anecdotes and 
sketches are given, with a variety and completeness, it h thought, commensurate with their 
importance. This has necessitated, on the part of the editor-Jn-ehief and his assistants, a per- 
severing effort: but their labor has been cheered by the cordial assistance and good will of 
many friends to the enterprise T^ithin the county, to all of whom grateful acknowledgements 
are tendered. They .have enabled us to give to the present generation a valuable reflex, it is 
believed, of the times and deeds of pioTieer days, and to crept to pioneer men and women of 
Columbia County a lasting monument. We desire, also, to express our sincere thanks to Prof. 
R. D. Irving, of the University of WisCofisJn, for assistance rendered in furnishing articles 
upon the geology of the county and its various fotfrnsi and to the officers of the State Historical 
Society for numerous favors received at their hands.- 

July, 1880. ^y_ jj_ ^^,_ 



CON-TENTS. 



Pagf.. 

Antiquities '... 19 

Indian Tribes 21 

Pre-Territorial Annals 29 

Wisconsin Territory 41 

Wisconsin :isaStatc 52 

First Administration 52 

SecoD"! Administration 57 

Third Administration 59 

Fourth Administration G2 

Fifth Administration * 64 

Sixth Administration 66 

Seventh Administration 67 

War of Secession Commenced 69 

Eighth Administration 76 

Ninth Administration 85 

Statistics of Volunteers 90 

Tenth Administration 92 

"Eleventh Administration 9Z 

Twelfth Administration 94 

Thirteenth Administration 97 

Fourteenth Administration 99 

Fifteenth Administration 104 

Sixteenth Administration 109 

Topography and Geology 110 

The Archaean Age 112 

Paleozoic Time — Silurian Age 115 

Devonian Age IIU 

Glacial Period 120 

Climatology 121 

STrees, Shrubs and Vines 128 

Fauna IM 

Fish and Fish (Culture i:J4 

Large Animals — Time of their Disap- 

pearanco 13s 

Peculiarities of the Bird Fauna i:i9 

Educational .- 140 

Original School Code 140 

ARitatioafar Free Schools 141 

School. Systeiju under State Govern- 
ment ■..^ 141 

School Fund Income 142 

■ State Universityvr-^ 14:i 

Agricultural College 144 

Normal Schools 144 

Teachers' Institutes 146 

-Graded Schools , 146 



HISTORY OF WIvSCOIVSIX. 

Page. 
Educational : 

Township System 146 

Free High Schools 147 

School Offices 147 

State Teachers' Certificates 147 

Teachers' Associations 148 

Libraries 148 

State Superintendents T48 

College Sketches 149 

Female Colleges 150 

Academies and Seminaries 151 

Commercial Schools 151 I 

Agriculture 151 

Mineral Resources 162 ' 

Lead and Zinc 162 

Iron 1G5 ! 

Copper 168 

Gold and Silver 168 j 

Brick Clavs 168 

Cement Rock 170 | 

Limestone— Glass Sand 171 / 

Feat— Building Stones 172 ; 

Railroads 173 I 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 173 ' 

Chicago & Northwestern 176 I 

Wisconsin Central 178 | 

Western Union 179 | 

West Wisconsin 180 [ 

Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western 180 

Green Bay & Minnesota 181 | 

Wisconsin Valley 181 , 

Sheboygan & Fond du Lac 181 i 

Mineral Point 182 I 

Madison & Portage 182 ' 

North Wisconsin 183 ■ 

Praitie du Chien & McGregor 183 | 

Chippewa Falls & Western 183 

Narrow Gauge 183 ! 

Conclusion 184 

Lumber 185 

Banking 191 

Commerce and Manufactures 198 

Furs 199 

Lead and Zinc — Iron 200 

Lumber 201 

Grain 202 



Page. 

Commerce and Manufactures: 

Pairy Products 203 

Pork and Beef. 203 

Hops 2W 

Tobacco — Cranberries 205 

Liquors 205 

Miscellaneous 206 

Water Powers 206 

Manufactures 208 

Conclusion 20S 

The Public Domain 21U 

Health 230 

Geographical Position 230 

Physical Features 230 

Geology 231 

Drainage 232 

Climatology 232 

Rain Character 233 

Isotherms 234 

Barometrical 234 

Winds 235 

Climatological Changes from Settling 

in the State 235 

Influence of Nationalities 2;i7 

Occupations— Food — Education, etc 238 

History of Diseasi- 238 

Ratio of Sickness, Ft. Howard and Win- 
nebago 239 

Education of the Blind 241 

Institute of Di*af and Dumb 241 

Industrial School for Boys 242 

State Prison 242 

State Hospital for the Insane 242 

Northern Hospital for the Insane 243 

Citj- of Milwaukee 243 

Health Resorts 244 

Change of Diseases 246 

Pulmonarj' Diseases 248 

Statistics 249 

Population, 1875, of Townships, Alpha- 
betically Arranged by Counties 249 

Population by Counties 258 

Nativity by Counties 259 

Valuation of Property 260 

Acreage of Principal Crops 261,262 



ABSTRACT OF ^%'IS€OXSi:V STATE liAWS. 



Page. 

Action^ : 283 

Arrest 2S3 

Attocbment 284 

Adoption of Children 276 

Assignm^'nt of Mortgage 274 

Assessment and Collection of Taxes 267 

AssesBDientof Taxes 268 

Bills of Exchange or Promissory Notes 272 

Borrowed Money 267 

Capital Punishment 278 

Collection of Taxes 270 

Commercial Terms 285 

Common Schools 266 

IMmages for Trespass 279 



Page. 

Elections and General Elections 263 

Estrays 279 

Exemptions 2S4 

Fences 280 

Forms of Conveyances 273 

Forms of Mortgages 274 

Garnishment 284 

Highways and Bridges 270 

Hours of Labor 273 

Interest 277 

Intoxicating Liquors 271 

Judgments 284 

Jurisdiction of Courts 277 

Jurors 278 



I Page. 

j Landlord and Tenant 281 

I Limitation of Actions 285 

Marks and Brands 281 

I Married Women 283 

I Stay Law 284 

I Surveyora and Surveys 282 

! Support of Poor 282 

j Suggestions to Persons Purchasing Books 

I by Subscription 285 

i Title of Real Property by Descent 27."> 

' Weights and Pleasures 278 

Wills 276 

Wolf Scalps 278 



PORTRAITS. 

Pagk.. Page. 

Wm. Armstrong 397 J" J. J. GuppeyV, 379 

John t^. Adams oO-'i * Jos. HartmauL 703 

Josiah Arnold 469 ' M. C. Hobart...v-. 919 

A. Bryte .- .5.')9 [Carl Haertel....^ 361 

S. M. Carr 847 Geo. W. Jenkins.^ 811 

'F. C. Curtis 793 i Hugh Jamiesonje^ 775 

W.W. Coming 613 ' T. L. Kennan..^ 649 

C. ColHpp 415J R. O. Loomis....i/. 901 

Jeremiah Drake 523 '^ J. T. Lewie k/ 487 

Reea Evans 721-' Jas. McCloud «tf. 577 

Wm. E. Field 739/ Hugh McFarlane 433 



Pa^e. 

W. Meacher 631 

G. H. Merrell .,; 325 

II. L. Merrell j^ 307 

W. H. Proctor y. 937 

H. W. Roblier i^ 86.5 

L. A. Squire {^ 829 

S. M.Smith \^ 541 

A.J. Turner ^^*... 461 

R. B, Wentworth u. 595 



IV 



CONTENTS. 



p HISTOKY OF COMMBIA COCWTV 

CHAPTER I, Pa8». I ^-''•JXHW. 

GwlogicHi Formalione of Countv ..,,. I CHAPTER VII Paoe 



RWe?f!':!'/""'°""""«°fTo"n; 

Watersheds......'.*.*. 

Artesian Wells..... 

Altitudes. 

CHAPTER II. 

Surface Features 

Mound-Builders 

Indian Occupancy ii 

John Nicolct... ■"" 

Firet White Man..* 

Karl.v Visits 

The Portage froni*i*79*3"to**im vj, 

ninnebago War " ">" 330 

fort Winnebago ■'^ 

<'I1APTKR III, ^ :"' 

Black Hawk W 



329 
.BS 

•■535 I 



495 
497 



347 



353 I 
.3.-J 
360 1 



Episode of the Black**Haw|i ■'»:;■' 
.'"I ed States Land Surveys . 3n,, 

I u.ted States Land Districts ?,S 

TSoo'-^^'^^^o'-^WaCoun*;,.*''* 

cHA!iiSiV:"*""'^^'^"^p^-"-^ 



366 



.... 371 



S81 
383 
385 

, 386 



First .Settler in the County, 
Pioneer Life.. 

??Tr'j;V™ °f''''^"'<^"nty.*.*.".*.*.*;;: Sg 

■'cijjr;;<^:^'^'«''c™"";.;d***^i; 

Territorial State and'congres'sionai* 
Hej.resontation.... B"»"'onai 

cwAi!^^'?':!^;^^: ''^^"••■••■••■■•■•~ ^^ 

>..v Thos. .;.McKrnn"" l'*^""^"-*""- „,„ 

Mrs. Margaret C. Lo*\v... . . ! ^ 

John T. I)e LaRonde lf,\ 

.>atterlee Clark... J"'* 

Mrs. John H. Kenzi;^":;:*"*:::;:::;:; m 

412 

427 

429 

430 

432 

4.36 

439 



CHAPTER VII 

The Dells 

County Statistics 

County Map and Atl*^".*: 

Curling 

S?i,"?,'''?^'° Bii'ie"sMi*e;y:;:::: 

Fish Culture.... ' 

Railroads 

Dark Deeds ** 

Abstract Ofhce ^"^ 

chaptfVvm?'^t*'°''^''°™''-----'.^ 

" P^VuVu'euJ'*"-"-'- !>"- ^ , 

Elbert Dickeson:;:::::;;; tf^J 

La Fayette Hill "'» I 

John A. Brown..*; ' ™' 

Jeremiah Drake °"' 

Joseph M. Doty *" 

Baroa Steuben Do*t*y.*.*.'.*.*.*.*.*.*.* tl' 

William T. Whirry ?'? 

Emmons Taylor ..'. ■'}'?, 

Jacob Low °1'' 

Carl Ha.rtel...*. 5''' 

William Wier ^'^ 

516 

SIC 

517 

617 



Squire .Sherwood faae! 
John Converse 

Alfieil Topliff.. 

Harrison S. Haskeil"** 

.Samu.-l Stephen Brannaa'.*.*.*.;: rL 

Andrew Dunn ''"' 

Thomas J. l;merion *'"" 

.'oseph Bailey 

Henry Merrell.. 

i«!i"" f'l!"f'^'' •''"indler.*.*.*.'.*.*.*.*.*.* ,1^ 

ToZ^! t """'•" ■■•■■■■■•■-« 

John Pard 



The Schuize Band ^^''^■ 

Post Office.. 651 

Hotels 6.52 

Public Halls...*.'.* 653 

Local Militia..........* '^^ 

Orders and Societies *'' 

Cemeteries ®66 

Portage of To*d*«'v ''^^ 

Twenty.flve year;*A*g*o':::.*: ^^ 

I'overnment "69 

Plats and Additions* "70 

Post Office.... 073 

Schools 67S 

Keiigious 'in*8ii*t*ui'i*ons:;';.;;; liZ* 

Manufacturing Interests "* 

Banks ^ 'nierests „g^ 

Library Assoc'i'a't'i'oil'.*.*.*;:.*.*.';;; fl 

Hotels "88 

Opera House.. ''^^ 

Fire Department*.*.;*.*.;*.*.*. Ji* 

Lodge.sand .Societies "J" 

Cemeteries... "'U' 

.... 692 

.... 693 
... 69G 

Town of Arlington „„„ 

tillage of Arlington . S.^* 

Town of Caled.inia ;; I!!? 



Local Reminiscences 
CHA'pTEitlT""'' '""'"' 



,.r,.'\!l^''™' S«eany,, 
CHAPTER IX. 



Henry Merrell... 

•i, 1'- Kingston .*.* 

Robert L. Ream.. 
Hugh McFarlane... 

.V. II. Wood 

Wni. T. Whirry..;; 

•^,'"P'i''» Chamberlain .„„ 

Moses M Strong S? 

Charles Whittlesey.. Jf' 

Freedom Simons..".. j*^ 

Political Divisions... 

i,"'"">' p«i«rN is-16 io"*i*8*8n.;; ill 

Probate and Co'i*i*n*t*y* *Oou*rii il? 

IV'Unty Buildings .„. t?5 

Agriculture *^'' 

Agriciiliural .Societies.*;;.;;.".* T?^ 

'-■ie'ty... .!!.".'..':'°''' K'"'g"'ti*o'n**si; 



529 

529 

529 

Columbia County Press... ■;.,, 

Common Schools °'" 

County Board of :Supe*rvi*8*o*re;.*.*:*: ?!« 

Authors and Artists •'** 

Presideut Hayes and Pa,^;;;::;-;;:|=^ 

Roster of Volunteers.*.*;; ?S 

chapter'x- ''T'-" "f ■^"■""y 

Early Settlement... 

Growth of Portage...;; t'?' 

Portage Thirtv Year, ir ?«? I 

I ortag. 



Claim T' 



.Thirty Years Ago*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*; if, 

in 1S60 ??' 



1860. 
wenty.i.ne 



599 
600 



1 Veeder.*.*.* „!!? „,, 'i''''""rn City 

and Veele-r/;;;;,"*" S" CH.U>TER XV."^ 



601 
603 
filO 



Richard Freeman 

The Ouppey Plat and Veeder 'cTaim 

Tr^ar:?."-''''''"'-""-'™^ 

The Schools... 

Religious instit*u*t*ioii*8;;;;;;*.;;;; S.J^ 

Manufacturers "^'' 

Ferries and Bridges.;;; *.?^ 

Fire^Departmentand Fi;e**Rec*oi.d;,*.';.: 640 

W^nsin^l^li, -Hi^r:^-;-;;;^-;.;;... «» 

646 



Town of Columbus. l?l 

lown of Courlland....;;; ™I 

>■ age of Cambria .*.*; 4\f 

I'Uageor Randolph / l]i 

Town of Dekoria ■ I" 

Village of Dekorra.*.*.*;;;;;;;: Ifi 

tillage of Poynelte ™ 

cH^fey;-;;' ^*'"'-i«6«...::::;;:;;;;;;;; J^? 

Town of Fountain Prairie 747 

^,ili»ge of Fall River l" 

lown of Hampden Z?i 

lown of Leeds i'» 

Town of l.ewiston ....;*.*.*.*.*.;'.'.'. ?»» 

Town of Lodi "''- 

Village of Lodi .;;;*.*.*.*.;;;;;;;;; 4«j 

Village of Okee ''* 

CH.\PTER XIV '^'^ 

Town of Lowrille ,„, 

Town of Marcellon J'f 

Town of .Vewport... VI 

Village of NewDort.___* °^ 



port.. 



. 807 



8:i3 
837 

837 
839 



Arlington 

Columbus ;;; 

courtiand ";;;;;;;;; 

Caledonia ;;;; 

I'ekorra ;;;;;;;; 

Fonntain Prairie...; 

Hampden 

Lewiston .; ' 



Paoe. 

1018 

9,'.5 

1021 

106B 

1(189 

1064 



BKMJHAPHICAt SKETCHES. 

Page. 

■■■1085 ; Randolph 

.. 988 I Se.... 



Town of Otsego 

Village of Otsem.; "" 

Village of Rio.. ... 

pillage of Doyleetown.. 

Town of Pac lie ^,., 

Town of Randolph ;*. JJi 

Town of Scott..... "" 

Town of Springvaie.. 

Town of West Point 

Village of W.vocena 

Village of Pardeeville 



844 

853 
857 
860 
863 
871 



Lowville.... 

Lodi 

Leeds ; 

Marcellon .; 

Newport 

Otsego , 



982 Portage**ciiy*;;; 
015 I Pacific 



..1015 



...1007 
... 94C I 
...1009 
... 997 I 
... 875 
..1093 ' 



I Scott.. 

Springvaie ; ;;;.".*;' 

Winnebago ;;;;; 

Wyocena 

West Point .*.*.*;**** 



Page. 

1039 

104'.» 

939 

1081 

1070 

1002 



* ' '^- ^- ••^rhulze, residence ;.'.'.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.;*.*.*.*.*.*; |^ 



. 067 



r'r'i??!".*^:? Constitution ^?J; 



IIISCKM.,AlVIi:oi78. 



V. S. Constitution;;-:::"::::-;;:— :;;;;:;;;g^ | ^'»'-f Wlsconsm ^r Cvemor and Pre^"^ 

Errata "" 306-307] 



C. D. Stiles, residence ^""^ 

Geo. 8. Tillottson, residence...*.*.*:™:.:;::;::*; 75? 



Population of the State ^^^^ 

■ 873 



V 



J 



R.6.E. 



^DA.M S 



CO. i 



3r^« Q (J ^ T T E 




Igreejv i^ake 

J R.ll.E. 




HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. 

BY C. W. BUTTERFIELD. 



I.— WISCONSIN ANTIQUITIES. 

The first explorers of the valleys of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi and its tributaries. 
seem not to have noticed, to any considerable extent, the existence within these vast areas of 
monuments of an extinct race. Gradually, however, as the tide of emigration broke through the 
barriers of the Alleghanies and spread in a widely extended flow over what are now the States of 
the Northwest, these prehistoric vestiges attracted more and more the attention of the curious 
and the learned, until, at the present time, almost every person is presumed to have some general 
knowledge, not only of their existence, but of some of their striking peculiarities. Unfortunately, 
these signs of a long since departed people are fast disappearing by the never ceasing operations 
of the elements, and the constant encroachments of civilization. The earliest notices of the 
animal and vegetable kingdom of this region are to be found in its rocks ; but Wisconsin's earli- 
est records of men can only be traced in here and there a crumbling earth-work, in the fragment 
of a skeleton, or in a few stone and copper implements — dim and shadowy relics of their 
handicraft. 

The ancient dwellers in these valleys, whose history is lost in the lapse of ages, are desig- 
nated, usually, as the Mound-Builders; not that building mounds was probably their distinctive 
employment, but that such artificial elevations of the earth are, to a great extent, the only evi- 
dences remaining of their actual occupation of the country. As to the origin of these people, 
all knowledge must, possibly, continue to rest upon conjecture alone. Nor were the habitations 
of this race confined to the territory o-f which Wisconsin now forms a part, At one time, they 
must have been located in many ulterior regions. The earth- works, tumuli, or "mounds," as they 
are generally designated, are usually symmetrically raised and often inclosed in mathematical 
figures, such as the square, the octagon, and the circle, with long lines of circumvallation. 
Besides these earth-works, there are pits dug in the solid rock ; rubbish heaps formed in the 
prosecution of mining operations ; and a variety of implements and utensils, wrought in copper 
or stone, or moulded in clay. Whence came the inhabitants who left these evidences to succeed- 
ing generations ? In other words, who were the Mound-Buflders ? Did they m'igrate from the 
Old World, or is their origin to be sought for elsewhere.' And as to their manners and customs 
and civilization — what of these things ? Was the race finally swept from the New World to give 
place to Red men, or was it the one from which the latter descended .' These momentous ques- 
tions are left for the ethnologist, the archseologist, and the antiquarian of the future to answer — 
if they can. 



20 HISTORY or WISCONSIN. 

Inclosures and mounds of the prehistoric people, it is generally believed, constituted but 
parts of one system ; the former being, in the main, intended for purposes of defense or religion ; 
the latter, for sacrifice, for temple sites, for burial places, or for observatories. In selecting sites 
for many of these earth-works, the Mound-Builders appear to have been influenced by motives 
which prompt civilized men to choose localities for their great marts; hence, Cincinnati, St. 
Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities of the West are founded on ruins of pre-existing 
structures. River terraces and river bottoms seem to have been the favorite places for these 
earth-works. In such localities, the natural advantages of the country could be made available 
with much less trouble than in portions of the country lying at a distance from water-courses. 
In Wisconsin, therefore, as in other parts, the same general idea of selecting points contiguous 
to the principal natural thoroughfares is found to have prevailed with the Mound-Builders ; for 
their works are seen in the basin of the Fox river of the Illinois, in that of Rock river and its 
branches, in the valley of Fox river of Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as near 
the waters of the Mississippi. 

While a few circumvallations and immense mounds, such as are common to certain other 
portions of the United States, are discoverable in Wisconsin, yet by far the largest number of 
earthworks have one peculiarity not observable, except m a few instances, outside the State. 
This characteristic is a very striking one The fact is revealed that they are imitative in form- 
resembling beasts, reptiles, birds, fish, man. All these, for convenience, are usually classed 
under the general name of "animal mounds," although some are in the similitude of trees, some 
of war clubs, others of tobacco pipes. Generally, these figures are in groups, though sometimes 
they are seen alone. For what purpose these earth-works were heaped up— they rise above the 
surface two, four, and sometimes six feet— or what particular uses they were intended to subserve, 
is unknown It is, however, safe to affirm that they had some significance. A number resemble 
the bear- a few, the buffalo; others, the raccoon. Lizards, turtles, and even tadpoles, are out- 
lined in the forms of some. The war eagle, and the war club has each its representative. All 
this of course, could not have been a mere happening-the work of chance. The sizes of these 
mounds are as various as their forms. One near CassviUe, in Grant county, very complete in 
its representation of an animal, supposed to be of the elephant species, was found, upon measure- 
ment to have a total length of one hundred and thirty-five feet. Another in Sauk county, quite 
perfect in its resemblance to the form of a man, was of equal length-a veritable colossus; 
prone, it is true, and soon to disappear, if it has not already been destroyed, by ravages of a 

superior civilization. r j i. i 

In portions of Wisconsin, as well as in a few places outside the State, are found earth-works 
of another kind, but quite as remarkable as the "animal mounds," which, from their supposed 
use have been styled "garden beds." They are ridges, or beds, about six inches m height and 
four feet in width, ranged, with much apparent method, in parallel rows, sometimes rectangular 
in shape, sometimes of various but regular and symmetrical curves, and occupying fields of from 

ten to a hundred acres. . 

The Mound-Builders have left many relics, besides their earthworks, to attest their presence 
in Wisconsin in ages past. Scattered widely are found stone and copper axes, spear-heads, and 
arrow-heads, also various other implements— evidently their handiwork. As these articles are 
frequently discovered many feet beneath the surface, it argues a high antiquity for the artificers. 
Whether they had the skill to mould their copper implements is doubtful. Such as plainly show 
the work of hammering, indicate an art beyond that possessed by the Red men who peopled 
America upon its first discovery by Europeans. In a few instances, fragments of human skulls 
have been found so well preserved as to enable a comparison to be drawn bet>^en the crania of 



THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 21 

this ancient race and those of modern ones ; the results, however, of these comparisons throw 
tittle, if any, light upon " the dark backward and abysm " of mound-building times. 

The evidences of an extinct people of superior intelligence is very strikingly exhibited in 
the ancient copper mines of the Lake Superior region. Here are to be found excavations in the 
solid rock; heaps of rubble and dirt; copper utensils fashioned into knives, chisels, and spear 
and arrow-heads; stone hammers; wooden bowls and shovels; props and levers for raising and 
supporting the mass copper; and ladders for ascending and descending the pits. These mines 
were probably worked by people not only inhabiting what is now the State of Wisconsin, but 
territory farther to the southward. The copper was here obtained, it is believed, which has been 
found in many places, even as far away as the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, wrought 
into various implements and utensils. But there are no traces in Wisconsin of a " copper age " 
succeeding a " stone age," discernadle in any prehistoric relics. They all refer alike to one 
age — the indefinite past ; to one people — the Mound-Builders. 

II.— THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 

When, as early, it is believed, as 1634, civilized man first set foot upon the territory now 
included within the boundaries of Wisconsin, he discovered, to his surprise, that upon this wide 
area met and mingled clans of two distinct and wide-spread families — the Algonquins and 
Sioux. The tribes of the former, moving westward, checked the advance of the latter in their 
excursions eastward. As yet there had been no representatives of the Huron-Iroquois seen west 
of Lake Michigan — the members of this great family, at that date dwelling in safety in the 
extensive regions northward and southward of the Erie and Ontario lakes. Already had the 
French secured a foot-hold in the extensive valley of the St. Lawrence ; and, naturally enough, 
the chain of the Great Lakes led their explorers to the mouth of Green bay, and up that water- 
course and its principal tributary. Fox river, to the Wisconsin, an affluent of the Mississippi. 
On the right, in ascending this bay, was seen, for the first time, a nation of Indians, lighter in 
complexion than neighboring tribes, and remarkably well formed, now well known as the 
Menomonees. 

This nation is of Algonquin stock, but their dialect differed so much from the surrounding 
tribes of the same family, it having strange guttural sounds and accents, as well as peculiar inflec- 
tions of verbs and other parts of speech, that, for a long time, they were supposed to have a 
distinct language. Their traditions point to an emigration from the East at some remote 
period. When first visited by the French missionaries, these Indians subsisted largely upon wild 
rice, from which they took their name. The harvest time of this grain was in the month of 
September. It grew spontaneously in little streams with slimy bottoms, and in marshy places. 
The harvesters went in their canoes across these watery fields, shaking the ears right and left as 
they advanced, the grain falling easily, if ripe, into the bark receptacle beneath. To clear it 
from chaff and strip it of a pellicle inclosing it, they put it to dry on a wooden lattice above a 
small fire, which was kept up for several days. When the rice was well dried, it was placed 
in a skin of the form of a bag, which was then forced into a hole, made on purpose, in the 
ground. They then tread it out so long and so well, that the grain being freed from the chaff, 
was easily winnowed. After this, it was pounded to meal, or left unpounded, and boiled in 
water seasoned with grease. It thus became a very palatable diet. It must not be inferred that 
this was the only food of the Menomonees; they were adepts in fishing, and hunted with skill 
the game which abounded" in the forests. 

For many years after their discovery, the Menomonees had their homes and hunting 



22 HISTORY OF WISCOJ^'SIN. 

grounds upon, or adjacent to, the Menomonee river. Finally, after the lapse of a century and a 
quarter, down to 1760, when the French yielded to the English all claims to the country, the 
territory of the Menomonees had shifted somewhat to the westward and southward, and their 
principal village was found at the head of Green bay, while a smaller one was still in existence 
at the mouth of their favorite stream. So slight, however, had been this change, that the country 
of no other of the surrounding tribes had been encroached upon by the movement. 

In 1634, the Menomonees probably took part in a treaty with a representative of the French, 
who had thus early ventured so far into the wilds of the lake regions. More than a score of 
years elapsed before the tribe was agam visited by white men, — that is to say, there are no 
authentic accounts of earlier visitations. In 1660, Father Rene Menard had penetrated the Lake 
Superior country as far, at least, as Kewenaw, in what is now the northern part of Michigan, 
whence some of his French companions probably passed down the Menomonee river to the 
waters of Green bay the following year ; but no record of the Indians, through whose territory 
fhey passed, was made by these voyagers. Ten years more — 1670 — brought to the Menomonees 
(who doubtless had already been visited by French fur-traders) Father Claudius Allouez, to win 
them to Christianity. He had previously founded a mission upon the bay of Chegoimegon, now 
Chaquamegon, or Ashland bay, an arm of Lake Superior, within the present State of Wisconsin, 
in charge of which, at that date, was Father James Marquette. Proceeding from the " Sault" on 
the third of November, Allouez, early in December, 1669, reached the mouth of Green bay, where, 
on the third, in an Indian village of Sacs, Pottawattamies, Foxes and Winnebagoes, containing about 
six hundred souls, he celebrated the holy mass for the first time upon this new field of his labors, 
— eight Frenchmen, traders with the Indians, whom the missionary found there upon his arrival, 
taking part in the devotions. His first Christian work with the Menomonees was performed in 
May of the next year. Allouez found this tribe a feeble one, almost exterminated by war. He 
spent but little time with them, embarking, on the twentieth of that month, after a visit to some 
Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes, " with a Frenchman and a savage to go to Sainte Mary of the 
Sault." His place was filled by Father Louis Andr(5, who, not long after, erected a cabin upon 
the Menomonee river, which, with one at a village where his predecessor had already raised the 
standard of the cross, was soon burned by the savages; but the missionary, living almost con- 
stantly in his canoe, continued for some time to labor with the Menomonees and surrounding 
tribes. The efforts of Andr6 were rewarded with some conversions among the former ; for Mar- 
quette, who visited them in 1673, found many good Christians among them. 

The record of ninety years of French domination in Wisconsin — beginning in June, 167 1, 
and ending in October, 1761 — brings to light but little of interest so far as the Menomonees are 
concerned. Gradually they extended their intercourse with the white fur traders. Gradually 
and with few interruptions (one in 1728, and one in 1747 of a serious character) they were 
drawn under the banner of France, joining with that government in its wars with the Iroquois; 
in its contests, in 1712, 1729, 1730, and 1751, with the Foxes; and. subsequently, in its conflicts 
with the English. 

The French post, at what is now Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, was, along with the 
residue of the western forts, surrendered to the British in 1760, although actual possession of the 
former was not taken until the Fall of the next year. The land on which the fort stood was 
claimed by the Menomonees. Here, at that date, was their upper and principal village, the 
lower one being at the mouth of the Menomonee river. These Indians soon became reconciled 
to the English occupation of their territory, notwithstanding the machinations of French traders 
who endeavored to prejudice them against the new comers. The Menomonees, at this time, 
were very much reduced, having, but a short time previous, lost three hundred of their warriors 



23 

THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 



r , • 1 Vf. in the late war in which they had been engaged by the 
by the small pox, and most of the.rchexnU^^^^^^^^^^ J ^^ ^^^^.^^^^ ^^^,,^^ f,, 

,h'en French commander there, ^^^^^^f^l^^^^^^^ one half the price they had previously 

French traders; as they could purchase upphsonie, ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^_ p^^^^^^,^ 

naid It was not long before the sincerity of the ^e"°" The garrison, however, at Green 

V r'of 1763 broke out. and the post of ^-^7;^;;\Vo:rd"'' Jm elomone'es and other tribes, 
bay was not only not attacked by the ^^f ^'^^/l^^^Xfcroche ; thence making their way to 
croULakeMichiganinsafetytotl^vdlg^ f^^^^^^^^^ .^.^^.^^ ^^,, ,, 

:SrteSor=r;.:K="crand «g.tin^ on the same .Side during the war of 

'^^^;L,in July, .Sr. an -r- ^^ .rrv. ^^^ ^:^'l^r^-' ^ 

country, the Menomonees were ^^-^\2^'J ^^^ZZ, to b'lild a fort. " My Brother -•> was 

commander of the troops asked P™ °;;/,;^^ ^^.^eil-fire among us? You are too strong 

the response, " how can we oppose Y^^J 1°^;'';^^^ , o^der and ball to make the 

for us. Even if we wanted to «??-; J°;^;7^,';;;rers shall not be disturbed. You can choose 
attempt. One favor we ask is, that our French bo ^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ anticipated 

any place you please for your fort, and ^^f ^^j^^^'^^^^.^^ent of the United States in that 
f.om the Menomonees, --^ ^^ ^^^^.tTruch o the'^^^^^ now springing up between the 

regard were fully realized, ^^hat added muc ,8,^-thc annual contribution, 

Menomonees and the An^encans was the fact thathe^^ ^^.^^^ ^^^^.^^^ breech-clout, 

iSlrtTr ir niror^^tfe^S:"^^ for eLch family a copper kettle, knives, axes, guns 
and ammunition, was withheld by them ^,, ^on of the Menomonee territory, that 

It was found by the Americans, ^VO^ '^I'l' ° ? ^ ^^^atmen who had settled at t.ie 
some of the women of that tribe were mam d o -j-s a"^ ^, ,,^,, ,,,,e Canadians of 

head of the bay, there being no whi e -™- ^ ^^^^^^ ,,n treated, which was expressed by 
French extraction; hence the -^^ >' ' ^^^J^,, ,,,,,_ At this period there was a consider- 
the Menomonees upon the arrival of the Anienca ^^ ^^^^^^ frequently wm- 

abie trade carried on with ^^^"^"f'.urarUey with this ribe was " made and concluded" on 
tered on the Mississippi. ^^^ «" ^ VnT^ iL William Clark, Ninian Edwards, and 
the thirtieth day of March, 1817, J "^^^^^^ behalf of the United States of America, of the 
Auguste Chouteau, commissioners on the Par ^nd b ^, ^,^ „,her part. By the 

one'part,'- and the chiefs and warrior. Reputed by he ^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ 

terms of this compact all injuries -Jj;;^ ^^ "^^^.^^^.i ,, tbe United States ; all prisoners to be 
lands, heretofore ceded to other g^"^^"' ' 7;^,'^,„ ,f the United States, " and of no other 
deliv;red up ; and the tribe placed -fjV'^'^ll'^lll^,,,,, ,,ere now fully and fairly, and for 
nation, power, or sovereign whats ever. Th Me ^^ ......distinction to the term 

the first time, entitled to be ^-wn - ^^/^^^^.^ f^^„,,, allegiance-" British Indians" 
which had been so long vised as descr'ptive ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^,^^ ^^^^^ .f .^, Gen- 

The territory of the Menomonees when the tn ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^,^^ „ 

eral Government, had become g-^^fy^'^^^^^^-^.i^r and those flowing south into Green bay and 
ridge between the waters f^"-"/;"^^" ^tliga'T on the south, by the Milwaukee nver, and on 
the Mississippi; on the east, by Lake Michiga ^ ^,^^y ^^^^^ p 

the west by the Mississippi and Black -er- 1 h s wa U.^ ^^^^ ^y ^^^^^^^ ^^.^^ ^^^^^^^ 
tically restricted to the occupation of the western s ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^^^^,,, 

mouth of Green bay on the north and the M^^^^^f ^^^^ ,,„,th to the Chippewa country: 
indefinite area west. Their general claim, as late i«-S, 



24 

HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

east to Green bay and Lake Michigan; south to the Milwaukee river, and west to Black river 
And what IS most surprising is that the feeble tribe of 176 1 had now, in less than three quarters 
of a century, become a powerful nation, numbering between three and four thousand 

The Menomoriee territory, as late as ,831, still preserved its large proportions. Its eastern 
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay Fox 
river, and Winnebago lake; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the 
west ; Fox river on the south ; Green bay on the east, and the high lands whence flow the streams 
into Lake Superior, on the north. This year, however, it was shorn of a valuable and large part 
by the tnbe ceding to the United States all the eastern division, estimated at two and one half 
million acres. The following year, the Menomonees aided the General Government in the Black 
Hawk war. 

That the Menomonees might, as much as possible, be weaned from their wandering habits 
^eir permanent home was designated to be a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of 

. T'' Ti'"" '""""'■^ '"""'"■ """'' ''^' '■""•■""^ ^°' '^"'''' '^""''»g g™"nds until such time 
as the General Government should desire to purchase it. In .836, another portion, amounting to 
four m. hon acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was dis- 
posed of to the United States, besides a strip three miles in width from near the portage north 
on each side of the Wisconsin river and forty-eight miles long -still leaving them in peace! 
ablejossession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty 

Finally, in 1848, the Menomonees sold all their lands in Wisconsin to the General Govern 
ment, preparatory to their movement to a reservation beyond the Mississippi cf six hundred 
housand acres; but the latter tract was afterward re-ceded to the United States; for, no'twith- 
standing there were treaty stipulations for the removal of the tribe to that tract, there were 
obstacles in the way of their speedy migration, resulting, finally, in their being permitted to remain 
m Wisconsin. Lands, to the amount of twelve townships, were granted them fortheir permanen" 
homes, on the upper Wolf nver, in what is now Shawano and Oconto counties- a portion bu 
a very small one, of what was once their extensive possessions. To this reservation they rem'oved 
m October 1852. I hus are the Menomonees, the only one of the original tribes of Wisconsin 
who, as a whole, have a local habitation within its limits. This tribe refused to join the Sioux in 
theiroutbreakini86i, and several of their warriors served as volunteers in the United States 
army during the late civil war. 

It is now over two centuries since the civilized world began to gain knowledge of the exist- 
ence, in the far West, of a tribe of Indians known as the W.NNK.BAOoES-that is, .:.« o/^AeZ- 
pointing, possibly, to their early migration from the shores of the Mexican gulf, or the Pacific' 
The territory now included within the limits of Wisconsin, and so much of the State of Michigan 
as lies north of Green bay. Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron were in 
early times inhabited by several tribes of the Algonquin race, forming a barrier to the Dako'tas 
or Sioux, who had advanced eastward to the Mississippi. But the Winnebagoes, although one of 
the tribes belonging to the family of the latter, had passed the great river, at some unknown 
period, and settled upon the head waters of Green bay. Here, this "sea-tribe," as early it is 
believed as 1634, was visited by an agent of France and a treaty concluded with them The tribe 
afterward called themselves Hochungara, or Ochunkoraw, but were styled by the Sioux, Hotanke 
or Sturgeon. Nothing more is heard of the Ouenibigoutz, or Winnebegouk (as the Winnebagoes 
were early called by the Jesuit missionaries, and the Algonquin tribes, meaning men from the 
fetid or salt water, translated by the French, Puants) for the next thirty-five years, although 
there is no doubt that the tribe had been visited meanwhile by adventurous Frenchmen, when on 
the second of December, 1669, some of that nation were noted at a Sac (Sauk or Saukis) village 
on Green bay, by Father .\liouez. - ° 



25 
THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 



A, .arlv at least as 1670, the French were actively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading_ 

" W fold affai- says one of the Jesuit missionaries, who arrived among them tn September of 

hlVr-'v^foinkirs there in a pretty bad posture, and the minds of the -ages much 

rLinst the French who were there trading ; ill-treating them m deeds and words, p.llag- 

soured agamst the frencn, M.u c .„;t, ^f them ind conducting themselves toward 

„(■ tUp Winnphaffoes over two hundred years ago. 
^'^ ^TTe Fox r er o G een biy was found at that' date a difficult stream to nav.gate. Two 

The Fox "ver 01 > ^, ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^„^je„d with, 

Jesuits who amended the m er m 67 ^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ .. ^^^^^ ^.^^^^^ ,^^,^ ^,„ 

when they had advanced o'^e day s journey which " they had to walk with 

.that the sivags honored; "never failing, in passing, to make him some sacrifice of 
an idol that the savages no assistance, they had, m 

""''T °^ r:ed :i;eTnTefsVf t^? vV,^^;^^^^^^ wlllrLe in this'strU ; or else, if they had to 
"' H7o\lthim toatd le^^ this perilous navigation." The devout missionaries caused 
Tetol "to be Ul^ed 1:;; by the strength'of arm, and cast into the depths of the river, to appear 

no more " to ^1-; J^^^ --JJ^.^^^ ,^,,„,,, i„ December, 1669, by AUouez, was a roving one 
The missK)n of S^- Franc's xa ^^^ ^^^^^^.^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^_.^^ ^^^ ^^^^ P^^ 

among the tribes inhabiting '^^j'^;;™',,,,/;,, A,,, niission-house was erected at what is 

Z:^:'Z:T:^r^^'^^^^^^ ^oon a^er destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt 

-^J^eWim^ebago^l^Uns^J.^^^^^ 

the J^^^/tf^^^'^*^'^^;^"; "^f-t jrLt tepsof the missionaries, and sometimes preceding them, 
with white men; for, following he footepo ^^ ^^^^^_^^.^^ ^^^.^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^.^^^^^ 

-^::^X2^^:^Z^^-- early dLe, farther than that they lived near the head 

''"Tdirrct' trade with the French upon the St. Lawrence was not carried on by the Winne- 
bago^ tl^ g:^ ex.. untU.e.g.^ 
an advance party «I ^^ .ff ^ J' J^^^^^t^Lr" t^^ to them; generally, however, the 

-:^s^:t;r:or^r^^^^^^ 

s-t w^ f:™::::^^ -traded ^4.^.- . -; --.^^^^ 

six hundred. They were afterward found to have moved up F- ^--'J°^;; ^^^ ,^^„ ,,,,, 
bago lake, which stream and lake were their ancient ^f ' ^"^/^^j'^^'^wLt. Their inter- 
either by fear or the prowess of more powerful tr.bes of ^^^^ ^^ °^^^;^°" ,„ , ,,, ,Uvays so. 



^^ HISTORY OF WrSCOXSEN-. 

Green bay the Winnebagoes were found to number one hundred and fifty warriors o^.ly ■ their 
nearest vdlage being at the lower end of Winnebago lake. They had in all not less than' three 
towns The,r country, at th.s period, included not only that lake, but all the streams flowing 
.nto t,esi,ec,aly Fox nver; afterward extended to the Wisconsin and Rock rivers They 
read.iychangedthe.rcourseoftrade-asking now of the commandant at the fort forEn-WisJ 
traders to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak under Pontiac in 1763, they iuined 
with the Menomonees and other tribes to befriend the British garrison at the hefd of the bay 
assisting mconducnng them to a place of safety. They continued their friendship to the En^^lish 
during the Revolution, by joining with them against the colonies, and were active in the Indian 
war of ,790-4, taking part in the attack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in the present 
State of Ohio, m 1793. They fought also on the side of the British in the war of 1812-1V 
aiding, ,n 1S14, to reduce Prairie du Chien. They were then estimated at 4.500 When in 
1816 the government of the United States sent troops to take possession of the Green bay 
country by establishing a garrison there, some trouble was anticipated from these Indians, who 
at that date, had the reputation of being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation from the nation 
came do^y,I Fox nver and remonstrated with the American commandant at what was thought 
to be an intrusion. 1 hey were desirous of knowing why a fort was to be established so near 
them. The reply was that, although the troops were armed for war if necessary, their purpose 
was peace. Their response was an old one : " If your object is peace, you have too many men ■ 
If war, you have too few. However, the display of a number of cannon which had not yet been' 
mounted, satisfied the Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters of the situation and the 
deputation gave the garrison no farther trouble. On the 3d of June, 1816, at St. Louis, the tribe 
made a treaty of peace and friendship with the General Government; but they continued to levy 
tribute on all white people who passed up Fox river. English annuities also kept up a bad 
•feeling. At this time, a portion of the tribe was living upon the Wisconsin river, away from the 
rest of the nation, which was still seated upon the waters flowing into Green bay In ,820 
they had five villages on Winnebago lake and fourteen on Rock river. In 18-5 the claim of 
the Winnebagoes was an extensive one, so far as territory was concerned, 'its southeast 
boundary stretched away from the source of Rock river to within forty miles of its moutli in 
Illinois, where they had a village. On the west it extended to the heads of the small stream, 
flowing into the Mississippi. To the northward, it reached Black river and the upper Wis 
consul, in other words, to the Chippewa territory, but did not extend across Fox river although 
they contended for the whole of Winnebago lake. In 1S29, a large part of their territory in 
southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the Wis- 
consin nver, was sold to the General Government ; and, three years later all the residue lying 
south and east of the \Visconsin and the Fox river of Green bay ; the Winnebago prophet having 
before t .atdate supported the Sacs in their hostility. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty 
between this tribe (which had l^ecome unsettled and wasteful) and the United States of the first 
of November, 1S37," The Winnebago Nation of Indians " ceded to the General Government 
all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed 
that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of " the areat river " This 
arrangement, however, was not carried out fully. In 1S42, there were only 756 at Turkey river 
Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands e' ewhere. All had become 
lawless and roving. Some removed in 1848; while a party to the number of over eight hun- 
dred left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they 
have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Omahas, containing over one hundred thousand 
—^ However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times 



acres 



27 
THE IISTDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 



changed their place of abode. Their number, all told, is less than twenty-five hundred. 

Whe 1 e territory, now constituting the northern portion of W.sconsm, became very 
,eneIllkn-no the' civilized inhabitants of the eastern part of the Unxted Spates, U was 
So be occupied by Indians called the Ch.ppewas. Their hunfng-grounds extended south 
Z Lake Superior to [he heads of the Menomonee, the Wisconsin and Ch.ppewa rwers ; also 
r he^ eastwa d and westward. At an early day they were engaged ,n a war wUh the S.oux- 
a war indtld which was long continued. The Chippewas, however, persistently mamtamed 
thr posit on -still occupying the same region when the General Government extended Us 

rtdi'uon over the whole country south of the Great Lakes and west to the M.ss.ss.ppu 
^ By r aties with the Chippewas at different periods, down to the y^^ ^'^ fl^^^^" ^^ 
ernment had recognized them as the owners of about one quarter of which i. now the entire 
Sta^ Tl e same policy was pursued toward this tribe as with neighboring ones, in the purchase 
o their lands by the United States. Gradually they parted with their extensive possessions, until 
^n 84 the last'acre within what is now Wisconsin was disposed of. It was the intention o the 
Genera Government to remove the several bands of the Chippewas who had thus ceded their 
knds to a tract reserved for them beyond the Mississippi; but this determination was afterward 
Chan, d so as o" now t^^ remain upon certain reservations within the limits of their old- 

tehuntTng grounds. These reservations they continue to occupy. They are located m Bay 
Zd \shland Chippewa and Lincoln counties. The clans are known, respectively, as the Red 
C ff band it Bd River band, the Lac Courte Oreille band, and the Lac de Flambeau band. 

Of all the tribes inhabiting what is now Wisconsin when its territory was first visited by 
white men, the S.^cs (Sauks or Saukies) and Foxes (Outagamies) are, in history, the most noted. 
They are <;f the Algonquin family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by Father Allouez, but as 
separate tribes. Afterward, however, because of the identity of their language, and their asso- 
c at ons thev were and still are considered as one nation. In December, 1 69, Allouez found 
upon the shores of Green bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members of other tribes; and 
Tw n r67o he visited a villlge of the same Indians located upon the Fox nver of Green bay 
atadistance offour leagues from its mouth. Here a device of these Indians for ca ching fish 
a rest d the attention of the missionary. "From one side of the river to the other," he writes 
"they n-de a barricade, planting great stakes, two fathoms from the water, ,n such a manner 
tl at Ihere is, as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by the aid of a little bow-net, easily 
take sturgeons and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops, although the water does not 
cea e to flow between the stakes." When the Jesuit father first obtained, five years previous a 
knowledge of this tribe, they were represented as savage above all others, great in numbers, and 
wXut any permanent dwelling place. The Foxes were of two stocks : one calling hernselves 
Ou agamiel or Foxes, whence our English name; the other, Musquak.nk, or men of red clay 
the na^Tie now used by the tribe. They lived in early times with their kindred he Sacs east of 
DetroT and as some lay near the St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and settled at Saginaw 
a rre derived from the Sacs. Thence they were forced by the Iroquo.s to Green bay; but 
were romDelled to leave that place and settle on Fox river. 

Allouez on the twenty-fourth of April, 1670, arrived at a village of the Foxes, situated on 
Wolf Hver, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The nation," he declares, "is -nowned for 
being numerous ; they have more than four hundred men bearing arms ; the number of women 
and child en is greater, on account of polygamy which exists among them-each man hav ng 
ommoX four wives, some of them six, and others as high as ten." The missionary found that 
, e Foxt ad retrelted to those parts to escape the persecutions of the Iroquois. Allouez 
1 tabUshed among these Indians his mission of St. Mark, rejoicing in the fact that in less than 



° HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, 

two years he had baptized "sixty children and some adults " Th. Fn 

la Barre, m 1684, sent warriors aga.nst the Five Nations Th ^*'',^°""'/' '^e summons of De 
more serious campaign ; but soo'n after bee me tsZ to The V \ /"' '" Denonville's 
had plundered several on their way to trade with the Si„. v n ? ""' ""^'^ '' '^93, they 

and ammunition to their ancient enemies- nuntfj; '"'".'"' ^'^^ ""^ ^^"^'"S "™^ 
southward in crossing from Lake Michigan tHhe MU. ' !? '" "^'^ P°^'^g- '« 'he 

ciied to the French; but the reconciliation w^ f M.ss.ss.pp,. Afterward they became recon- 

defended by only L handful of me^ as atTack^dt^he"^ •'" '^'-'' '""' °^^-^- ^'^- 

tens and Kickapoos. However, in t e end bTLL^ i f H, ^^i""""" "'^'^ '''' ^^ ^- 
protected themselves but were e;abled to act on the oV .' *"""'' ^'^ garrison not only 

besieging force. '"' °" '^' °'^""^'^^' destroymg the greater part of the 

The nation continued their ill will to the French Ti,» 
m j;,6 had been invaded and they were reduced tsueTopeTcr^B^tr J'" \'f '^"'^^^ 
of long contmuance. In 17 18, the Foxes nnmh.r.^ fi u ! ''^"' '^"™dship was not 

and children.- They are spoken of at 4^^^^ 1 ' '"^'"'^ "'" ""'^ "abounded in women 
or lnd,an corn. In U, ^noZ:i:^^J:::'^!^Z^:'-T^ T"^ ^"^^ ^"-''-" 
the Menomonees had also become hostile so too he s" ^ ' "'^^""^i'^ 

Foxes. The result of the enterorise wn^' ' ' "^^^ '^^'^ "°^^ 'he allies of the 

Menomonees; the burninrofTeT::a:r;f "LT T" T." ''^ '^^'^^^ °^ '^ ""-her of 
of the Sacs upon the Fox river) thafuibe a si lli""'.'"! ^''''' P'"'"^ '''' ^""'^d village 
of the fields of the Foxes. Th ^ .^e a' 1 lick H V' ""^ '°^"^ ' ^"'^ ''^'^ •^"'-^'-n 
X 30, and defeated. I„ ,734. bo^the Sa and Fo! " °"" ^'""'^^ '^ ^'^^ ^^-'^h, in 

this time the French were no as successfu as on "e " '" .'"'"' "''' ''^ ^""^ '"^^^ hut 

Foxes were "connected with the TernmL of Car/'M "'''■'""'• '" ''''' '"'^ ^acs and 
being friendly to the French. °°'""'^'"' °^ ^^^^^'^ = hut ,t .s certain they were far from 

The conflict between P"rance Tnn' rr«.,f u -^ ■ 
Foxes allied with the formerTowertat 'heT"r?"^r""^ ■" ''''' '"^""^ 'he Sacs and 
they were the bitter enemies o7 Ihe Sncl \t ^ e ^ Tf "°' '°"^ P^^^'°"^ '« 'h.s time 
interests of France in North America these trLc °>'^ ''°"'"' '° disastrous to the 

querors.askingthatEnglishtrade:;m/ghTes t hlL 11 '" 'f ^'!"^'°" ^° ^^^ '^- 

d.v,ded numbered, in ,76:, about seven hundr d wa "ors NeiZr" '^h' IT ''°"' ^'^"^"^ 
Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English The sL^ ^^-^ ^^e tubes took part m 

ward ; but the Foxes-at least a portion of them Itill ■ . ""^''''"^ ^^''^'' '"^ 'he west- 

Green bay, which perpetuates thdr name rfrw t Lrra't:: hT°" ''' ^Tl °' ''' ^'^" °'' 
occupants of the upper Wisconsin- also tn 7 """^ .y^^"^'^/^'"' however, and the former were 
their chief town wa^c^ate" FunheT'd^/r'f "''^ ''^'^"" ^^'-^ 'he portage, where 
Foxes, while their lower one was sitt ted neaHts t. ,"' V' ""^ ''' "P^^^ ^'"^^^ °f 'he 
du Chien. At this date, 1766, th northern To t on"r T' " "'' °' ^'^ P"""^"' ^''^ «'" Po- 
part watered by the strelm's flawing nothTnto Lke S " ""^ )'''"°"""' '"'^'"^'"^ ^" 'hat 
The country around nearly the who^o Green b 't"T' ""' ''' ^"""^ "' "^^ Ch.ppewas. 
The territory of Winnebago lake and L ^ "? ^' ''""''"^ ^'"^""'^ ''^ 'h^ Menomonees 
Of the Wisconsin river Js the dlSm^pTa;::? Z ^ts^Td^r """"-^^- '^'^^ --" 

Eng,S."lttZ:it;l7:ft':tt'^"th^" '°^^^ continued the firm friends of the 
was included in what is now Wi^con n a d tlTt ""'"7' °"'' ' ^""" P^" °' "^^^ '""'-^ 
ceded this to the Un.ted States so t It the nlT" " " "'""" ^°""^""'- ^" '«°4. they 
State. From that date, there.re! the:::;i;:::--r ^r^^^- ^^ -:::S 



29 
PEE-TEREITOEIAL ANNALS OV WISCONSIN^ 

,...„ „uo„s . W.CO... A ""----:. iir^-r:;::;:,;: i;r ^"" ;; 

War- comes in, notwithstanding, as a par , "^~ J^ Wisconsin is the nation known as the 
Deserving a place in a notice of the Ind n "bes f ^^ ^^^ ^^^^.^agoes upon Green 

POTTAWATTAMIES. As early as 1639, they were he n ^^^ ^^^ subsequent 

bay They were still upon its southern shore, m ^-^JJ^^S^;- ^ • ^. At the expiration of the 
o'that date they occupied, at least in °-; f/ j^, ^^ ^n te- ^^ '^^ vicinity- upon the 
first quarter of the eighteenth century, a P^^ o" Y » ' ^^ ^^^^ Pottawattamie islands, 

islands at the mouth of the bay^ ^^'''^l^^^^^^^Z Already had a large portion of thrs tnbe 
and considered as the ancient abode °f ^^^f- ^"^'^^"^pj^ „f Lake Michigan, the other near Detroit, 
emigrated southward, one band -J^-S ^ f^^^ ; ^^^^ii^^ ,, ,,hat is now Wisconsin - was their 
One peculiarity of this tribe -at least of such ^ res ^ ^^ ^^^ Pottawattarmes. 

intimate association with neighboring band^^ When ^9 ^^^^^^^_ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^.^, Sacs 

located upon tha southeast shore of Green bay w^^^^^ .Sequent to that date, a band of 

and Foxes and Winnebagoes. l°'^^'X'^'''^'2 2el were Ottawas and Chippewas. These 
these Indians were located at f'^^^'^^^J^'^'^.'^.'.e tribes and of other nations, giving the 
"united tribes" claimed all the ''-^]°l'^^ 2'^'^"^,,,^^ country by the General Government, 
United States, when possession was taken of th we t ^^^^^^ ^^^. ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ 

no little trouble. F-^^^y- ^^^ ^^^^'[' ^^^ Ilfch gan, within the present State of Wisconsin 

:tX t^.i^ -- ^{HS;t^: ^::^:^i - :•-==: 

southeastern Wisconsin or in other portions ^^^^^ ^'^ ^^ (,,,,,,, Sacs and Foxes, and 

Besides the five bribes - Menomoe - ^^^^^^^^^ .Hr'terntory now constituting the 

Pottawattamies-many others, -l-''^ "J^^^P^^J ^'^ ',, Us territory. Of these, some are only 
State was first visited by white --' ^ "" "^^^nsin ; others -such as the Hurons, lU.no.s, 
known as having once lived in ^v^Iat ^ J^^'^^Zd Sioux, are recognized as Indians once 
Kickapoos, Mascouten. Miarnis, N^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^,^,,, ,, ,, ,,,, .s known of their 

dwelling m this region , yet ^^ ^ransi y ^1^^ State. 

history, that they scarcely can be claimed ^ /^^^""^ f ^^^^ 3o^e of the following years, was 
Commencing in 18.3, and -^^^o NY k of the remains or portions of four tribes : 
the migration to Wisconsin from the State of Ne ^^^.^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ , ( 

the Oneidas, Stockbridges, Munsees and Jro ^eno- ^^^^^_^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ 

Green Bay, where they still reside. Their^rese ^^_^ ^^^^ Stockbridges and Munsees 

wholly within the present counties of Br°-n and U ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ , 

who first located above Green Bay, ^ , ^;;f ^^^ ^: Ji,„ ^,i,ing the southwest township of the 
side of Winnebago lake. They now occupy a reserva j ^^^^, ^_^.^^^^ ^^^ Brothertowns 

Menomenee reservation, in ^b-ano county and are * ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^.^^ ^^ Winnebago 

first located on the east .de of Fox r.vr,b^ and became citizens of Wisconsin 

lake, where, m 1839, they oroKc up ^ 
''"'''''■ i„ _pRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 

When, in .3. - first white rn. setj^t upon ^ port.n ^^^^^^^Z^If^^ 
luting Ihe State of Wisconsm, the who . <;°°""' " , .d o,e, all th. eountty^ J.»" «-""'. 

.•-"-"-»>■ \'''™::::r:tarS"Xt. ... .ent ..,.,. ,.>,. a™., the 

a Frenchman, who had Deen 



30 

HISTORY OP WISCONSIN. 



had heard strange stories. On his outwar'^d oyl^^Zt^T^^^^^^^ °^ ^^'^"^ '^ 

-a tr.be seated upon the eastern side of the lake which ''^'^,""^°"^~^»'« of the French 

empowered to negotiate a peace with them '• When e In [' if" "^"''' ""^ ^'^°^^' ^'^^ 

some of his Indian attendants to announce hi clin IToltT 'r'T '°"-' '''^^^- 
to meet the expectant crowd with a pistol in each hand' Th" °f^^^™^^l<. ^nd advanced 

ing that it was a manito, or spirit, armed whh Ider and ith '"" k"' f"'"" '''' ^"-'"- 
regaled him with so bountiful a hospitality that a hundred 'h.'"^ ' 'l"' "'^ ''''''' ^"^ ^^-"''o" 
a single feast." Such was the advent of ^hlri" ten \ ""'' '"" ""^ '"""-'^ ^' 
Wisconsin. ^^''"^ Frenchman mto what is now the State of 

" Upon the borders of Green bay," wrote the Tesuit Pn„i i t 
monees; still farther on, the Winn Lgoes, a "ed/m^^^^^^^^^^ 

Frenchmen," he continues, " call them U,e ' NatTon of f. ^^^^ '"'^ "''^' ""^'^^""s. Some 
word Winipeg signifies ' sticking wa e.' Now ley hus calf tf^' '"^"" ''' ^'S^^-" 
these people call themselves MvLebagoes'bTcauseU,^ T" °' '''' '^^ ' therefore, 

we have no knowledge; consequentlyle ;.ust no c ^ther!,^^^^^^^ 

'Nation of the Sea.' - From tl'ese Men of tL Sea Nicol/ ^f'°" ^^ Stinkards,' but the 
river of Green Bay, until nigh the portage to th! W . ^'"''"^ westward, ascended Fox 

floated easily to the Missislpp, the < g'reat .fa e^'"of"h"' T ^'"^"^ '^ '^^"''^ ^-^ 

sea. This adventurous Fren^h.an, wfe^'sr r r d^^f e"; mj' tl '^' '" T "°°' ^°^ '^^ 
.mmortality to De Soto, turned his face to the eastward ret "I . '""■ '^' ^'' -'"^" 
finally returned in safety to Quebec This was the f r.^ ' T '''^' '° ^'■^^" bay, and 

only fourteen years after^he landing of the Srii 3^ n'Th:"^^^^ '^ "°^^- ^^— "- 

Wisconsin, for twenty-four yea^s after iudiscoverv 7' '' °' '''"■ ^"S'^"'^" 

length, in ,658, two daring fur traders p ne te^ to I I ? ^'^ '''''' inhabitants. At 

probably set foot upon what is now W's" s ^t as hi Zd'"' ^"^^""^"^'^ ''--• They 
rounding tribes. They saw, among other thinalt . 7 "^^ ''''■""' ^'"'P^ ^"^^^g the sur- 
the southwest, Indians that t'he Iroquo had Rn from thT T""' ''^""'^ ''' '^'^^' '°"-d 
Lake Huron. These Frenchmen heard of the ^r. us So," an^d" f "'°" ''' ""'"" ^"^^^^^ °^ 
as Nicolet had supposed-on which they dwelt This wa'th: M ''""' "^'"~"°' '^^ -^' 

.s the world indebted for a knowledge o'f its existence as De So :';T" ' '"' '° '"" '''"''' 
and soon became well-nigh, if not entirely, forgotten ' Fron. he e ' "'' "'^'' "^^'^' 

mer of x66o, the two returned to Quebec, with 'he hundred H "PP^^^°""'"*^^' i" the Sum- 
peltry. This was, indeed, the dawn-th^ugl e edi y fit trV^.^''^'^ '"""' '''^'^ ^^'"'^ 
the great Northwest. Nineteen years after flaXdn r^l-' ''"' "^"' ''^"^ ^°"^™ef« of 

"Griffin," laden with furs, left on! of thf :i;df a the^Tnl irrGr'^'b^ '"^' '" '^^^' '^^ 
spreading her sails for Niagara, but never more to be heard of ''' °" "' ^'^'"^"- 

probably, as Kewenaw, in th'e ;r:::*:t S a tf M Tctln "tI" " ^'°" ^^ '" " '^^ ^---^' 
that he or his French companions visited anv nnr.Vn r , "° P°""^'" "^''^^"«' however, 

.vear, r66r, some of his aLociate; r itbly^'ass^^r^^^^^^^^^ "m"^ '''"°'"'"= ^'"'^"^'^ ^'^--' 
Following Menard came Father Claude ' llouez arri^ ^,^"°"^°"^^ ■"'->■ to Green bay. 



PRE-TERRITOEIAL ANJTALS OF WISCONSIN. 31 

first structure erected by civilized man in Wisconsin. At La Pointe, in the present Ashland 
county, he established the mission of the Holy Ghost. 

The next Catholic mission in what is now Wisconsin was that of St. Francis Xavier, founded 
also by Allouez. Upon the second of December, 1669, he first attended to his priestly devotions 
upon the waters of Green bay. This mission, for the first two years of its existence, was a 
migratory one. The surrounding tribes were all visited, including the Pottawattamies, Menom- 
onees, Winnebagoes, and Sacs and Foxes. However, in i67i,one hundred and five years before 
the Declaration of Independence, there was erected, at what is now Depere, Brown coun^, a 
chapel for the mission of St. Francis Xavier. Thus early did the Jesuit Fathers, in their plain 
garbs and unarmed, carry the cross to many of the benighted heathen occupying the country 
circumscribed by Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior, and the "great river" — the Mississippi. 

French domination in Wisconsin dates from the year 1671, the very year in which it seems 
the indomitable LaSalle, upon his first expedition, passed the mouth of Green bay, but did not 
enter it. France then took formal possession of the whole of the country of the upper lakes. 
By this time, the commerce with the western tribes had so attached them to her interests that 
she determined to extend her power to the utmost limits — vague and indeterminate as they 
were — of Canada. An agent — Daumont de St. Lusson — was dispatched to the distant tribes, 
proposing a congress of Indian nations at the Falls of Ste. Mary, between Lake Huron and Lake 
Superior. The invitation was extended far and near. The principal chiefs of Wisconsin tribes, 
gathered by Nicolas Perrot in Green bay, were present at the meeting. Then and there, with 
due ceremony, it was announced that the great Northwest was placed under the protection of 
the French government. And why not.' She had discovered it — had to a certain extent 
explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had 
proclaimed the faith to the wondering savages. But none of her agents — none of the fur- 
traders— none of the missionaries — had yet reached the Mississippi, the "great river," concerning 
which so many marvels had been heard, although it is claimed that, in 1669, it had been seen 
by the intrepid La Salle. But the time for its discovery, or properly re-discovery, was at hand, if, 
indeed, it can be called, with propriety, a re-discovery, since its existence to the westward was 
already known to every white man particularly interested in matters appertaining to the North- 
west. Now, however, for the first time, its upper half was to be, to a certain extent, explored. 
For the first time, a white man was to behold its vast tribute, above the Illinois river, rolling 
onward toward the Mexican gulf. Who was that man .'' His name was Louis Joliet ; with him 
was Father James Marquette. 

Born at Quebec, in 1645, educated by the Jesuits, and first resolving to be a priest, then 
turning fur-trader, Joliet had, finally, been sent with an associate to explore the copper mines of 
Lake Superior. He was a man of close and intelligent observation, and possessed considerable 
mathematical acquirements. At this time, 1673, he was a merchant, courageous, hardy, enter- 
prising. He was appointed by French authorities at Quebec to " discover " the Mississippi. He 
passed up the lakes to Mackinaw, and found at Point St. Ignace, on the north side of the strait. 
Father James Marquette, who readily agreed to accompany him. Their outfit was very simple: 
two birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat and Indian corn. They had a company of 
five men with them, beginning their voyage on the seventeenth of May, 1673. Passing the straits, 
they coasted the northern shores of Lake Michigan, moved up Green bay and Fox river to the 
portage. They crossed to the Wisconsin, down which they paddled their frail canoes, until, on 
the seventeenth of June, they entered— " discovered " — the Mississippi. So the northern, the 
eastern and the western boundary of what is now Wisconsin had been reached at this date ; 
therefore, it maybe said that its territory had been explor,.d sufficiently for the forming of a 



32 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

pretty correct idea of its general features as well as of its savage inhabitants. After dropping 
down the Mississippi many miles, Joliet and Marquette returned to Green bay, where the latter 
remained to recruit his e.xhausted strength, while Joliet descended to Quebec, to report his 
"discoveries" to his superiors. 

Then followed the expedition of LaSalle to the west, from the St. Lawrence, when, in 1679, 
he and Father Louis Hennepin coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, frequently 
landing ; then, the return of Henri de Tonty, one of LaSalle's party down the same coast to Green 
bay, in 1680, from the Illinois; the return, also, the same year, of Hennepin, from up the Mis- 
sissippi, whither he had made his way from the Illinois, across what is now Wisconsin, by the 
Wisconsin and Fox rivers to Green bay, in company with DuLhut, or DuLuth, who, on his way 
down the " great river " from Lake Superior, had met the friar ; and then, the voyage, in 1683, from 
Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river, by the same route, of LeSueur, and his subsequent 
establishment at La Pointe, in what is now Ashland county, Wisconsin, followed several years 
after by a trip up the Mississippi. The act of Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Sault Sainte Mary, 
in 167 1, in taking possession of the country beyond Lake Michigan, not being regarded as suffi- 
ciently definite, Nicolas Perrot, in 1689, at Green bay, again took possession of that territory, as 
well as of the valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending the dominion of New 
France over the country on the Upper Mississippi, and "to other places more remote." The 
voyage of St. Cosme, in 1699, when he and his companions frequently landed on the west coast 
of Lake Michigan, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin, completed the explorations in the 
west for the seventeenth century. 

Following in the footsteps of early explorations, of self sacrificing attempts of the Jesuits to 
carry the cross to the wild tribes of the West, of the first visits of the lawless coureurs de bois, 
was the military occupation — if such it can be called — of what is now Wisconsin by the French. 
The ninety years of domination by France in this region were years of only nominal possession. 
The record of this occupation is made up of facts concerning the Indian policy of the French 
rulers; their contests with the Sacs and Foxes; their treaties, at various times, with different 
tribes ; their interest m, and protection of, the fur trade , and kindred subjects. The Indian 
tribes were, at most, only the allies of France. Posts — mere stockades without cannon, more for 
protection to fur-traders than for any other purpose — were erected upon the Mississippi at two 
points at least, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin. On the west side of Fox river of 
Green bay, "half a league from its mouth," was a French post, as early as 1721, where resided, 
besides the commandant and an uncouth scj^uad of soldiers, a Jesuit missionary ; and near by 
were collected Indians of different tribes. Of course, the omnipresent fur-trader helped to 
augment the sum-total of its occupants. This post was, not long after, destroyed, but another 
was established there. When, however, France yielded her inchoate rights in the West to Great 
Britain — when, in 1761, the latter took possession of the country — there was not a French post 
within what is now Wisconsin. The "fort" near the head of Green bay, had been vacated for 
some years; it was found "rotten, the stockade ready to fall, and the houses without cover;" 
emblematic of the decay — the fast-crumbling and perishing state — of French supremacy, at that 
date, in America. Wisconsin, when England's control began, was little better than a howling 
wilderness. There was not within the broad limits of what is now the State, a single bona fide 
settler, at the time the French Government yielded up its possession to the English ; that is to 
say, there were none according to the present acceptation of the term "settler." 

The military occupation of Wisconsin by the British, after the Seven Years' War, was a brief 
one. La Bay — as the post at what is now the city of Fort Howard, Brown county, was called — 
was, on the twelfth of October, 1761, taken possession of by English troops, under Captain 
Belfour, of the Eightieth regiment. Two dnys after, that officer departed, leaving Lieutenant 



PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISC0NSI2S. 33 

James Gorrell, in command, with one sergeant, one corporal and fifteen privates. There also 
remained at the post a French interpreter and two English traders. The name of the fortifica- 
tion was changed to Fort Edward Augustus. This post was abandoned by the commandant on 
the twenty-first of June, 1763, on account of the breaking out of Pontiac's War and the capture 
of the fort at Mackinaw by the savages. The cause of this war was this : The Indian tribes 
saw the danger which the downfall of the French interests in Canada was sure to bring to them. 
They banded together under Pontiac to avert their ruin. The- struggle was short but fierce — 
full of " scenes of tragic interest, with marvels of suffering and vicissitude, of heroism and endur- 
ance;" but t'.ie white man conquered. The moving incidents in this bloody drama were enacted 
to the eastward of what is now Wisconsin, coming no nearer than Mackinaw, which, as just 
mentioned, the savages captured; but it resulted in the evacuation of its territory by British 
troops, who never after took possession of it, though they continued until 1796 a nominal 
military rule over it, after Mackinaw was again occupied by them. 

An early French Canadian trading station at the head of Green bay assumed finally the 
form of a permanent settlement — the first one in Wisconsin. To claim, however that any 
French Canadian is entitled to the honor of being the first permanent white settler is assuming 
for him more than the facts seem to warrant. The title of " The Father and Founder of Wis- 
consin " belongs to no man. 

After Pontiac's War, one of the noted events in this region was the journey of Jonathan 
Carver, who, in 1766, passed up Fox river to the portage, and descended the Wisconsin to the 
Mississippi. He noticed the tumbling-down post at what is now Green Bay, Brown county. 
He saw a few families living in the fort, and some French settlers, who cultivated the land 
opposite, and appeared to live very comfortably. That was the whole e.xtent of improvements 
in what is now Wisconsin. The organization of the Northwest Fur Company ; the passage of 
an act by the British Parliament by which the whole Northwest was included in the Province of 
Quebec; the joining of the Indians in this region with the British, against the Americans, in the 
War of the Revolution; the exploration of the lead region of the Upper Mississippi by Julian 
Dubuque; the passage of the ordinance of 1787; the first settlement of the territory northwest 
of the River Ohio; and the Indian war which followed, are all incidents, during British occu- 
pation, of more or less interest for the student of Wisconsin history. He will find that, by the 
treaty of 1783 and of 1795, with Great Britain, all the inhabitants residing in this region were to 
be protected by the United States in the full and peaceable possession of their property, with the 
right to remain in, or to withdraw from it, with their effects, within one year. All who did not 
leave were to be deemed American citizens, allowed to enjoy all the privileges of citizenship, and 
to be under the protection of the General Government. He will also find that less than two 
years was the whole time of actual military occupation of what is now Wisconsin by British 
soldiers, and that English domination, which should have ended at the close of the Revolu- 
tion, was arbitrarily continued until the Summer of 1796, when the western posts, none of which 
were upon territory circumscribed by Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Mississippi river, 
were delivered into the keeping of the United States. Thus the supremacy of Great Britain over 
the Northwest was, after an actual continuance of thirty-five years, at an end. 

Although the General Government did not get possession of the region northwest of the Ohio, 
throughout its full extent, for thirteen years subsequent to its acquirement by the treaty of peace 
of 1783 with Great Britain, nevertheless, steps were taken, very soon, to obtain concessions from 
such of the colonies as had declared an ownership in any portion of it. None of the claimants, 
seemingly, had better rights than Virginia, who, by virtue of conquests, largely her own, of the 
Illinois settlements and posts, extended her jurisdiction over that country, erecting into a county 



34 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

so much of the region northwest of the Ohio, as had been settled by Virginians or might after- 
ward be settled by them. But as, previous to her yielding all rights to territory beyond that 
river, she had not carried her arms into the region north of the Illinois or made settlements upon 
what is now the soil of Wisconsin, nor included any portion of it within the bounds of an organ- 
ized county, it follows that her dominion was not actually extended over any part of the area 
included within the present boundaries of this State; nor did she then claim jurisdiction north 
of the Illinois river, but on the other hand expressly disclaimed it. 

Virginia and all the other claimants finally ceded to the United States their rights, such as 
they were, beyond the Ohio, except two reservations of limited extent ; and the General Govern- 
ment became the undisputed owner of the "Great West," without any internal claims to posses- 
sion save those of the Indians. Meanwhile, the United States took measures to extend its juris- 
diction over the whole country by the passage of the famous ordinance of 1 787, which established 
a government over "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio." But this 
organic law was, of course, nugatory over that portion of the region occupied by the British, 
until their yielding possession in 1796, when, for the first time, Anglo-American rule commenced, 
though nominally, in what is now Wisconsin. By the ordinance just mentioned, "the United 
States, in congress assembled," declared that the territory northwest of the Ohio should, for the 
purposes of temporary government, be one district , subject, however, to be divided into districts, 
as future circumstances might, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. It was ordained 
that a governor, secretary and three judges should be appointed for the Territory; a general 
assembly was also provided for; and it was declared that religion, morality, and knowledge, 
being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education should forever be encouraged. It was also ordained that there should be neither 
slaTery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory, " otherwise than in the punishment of 
crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Thus was established the first Magna 
Charta for the five great States since that tine formed out of " the territory northwest of the 
River Ohio," and the first rules and regulations for their government. 

Under this act of Congress, Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of the Northwestern 
Territory, as it was called, and Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Armstrong, 
judges, — the latter not accepting the office, John Cleves Symmes was appointed in his place. 
Winthrop Sargeant was appointed secretary. At different periods, counties were erected to 
include various portions of the Territory. By the governor's proclamation of the 15th of 
August, 1796, one was formed to include the whole of the present area of Northern Ohio, west of 
Cleveland ; also, all of what is now the State of Indiana, north of a line drawn from Fort Wayne 
" west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan ; " the whole of the present State of 
Michigan, except its extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior; a small corner in the north- 
east, part of what is now Illinois, including Chicago; and so much of the present State of Wis- 
consin as is watered by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, which of course included an 
extensive portion, taking in many of its eastern and interior counties as now constituted. This 
vast county was named Wayne. So the few settlers then at the head of Green bay had their 
local habitations, constructively at least, in " Wayne county. Northwestern Territory." It was 
just at that date that Great Britain vacated the western posts, and the United States took quiet 
possession of them. But the western portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all its territory 
watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into 
the Mississippi, was as yet without any county organization ; as the county of St. Clair, including 
the Illinois country to the southwatrd, reached no farther north than the mouth of Little Macki- 
naw creek, where it empties into the River Illinois, in what is now the State of Illinois. The 



PRE-TERRITOEIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 35 

" law of Paris," which was in force under French domination in Canada, and which by the 
British Parliament in 1774, had been continued in force under English supremacy, was still " the 
law of the land " west of Lake Michigan, practically at least. 

From and after the fourth day of July, 1800, all that part of the territory of the United 
States northwest of the Ohio river, which lay to the westward of a line beginning upon that 
stream opposite to the mouth of Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort 
Recovery in Mercer county, Ohio ; thence north until it intersected the territorial line between 
the United States and Canada, was, for the purposes of temporary government, constituted a 
separate territory called Indiana. It included not only the whole of the present State of Illinois 
and nearly all of what is now Indiana, but more than half of the State of Michigan as now 
defined, also a considerable part of the present Minnesota, and the whole of what is now Wis- 
consin. 

The seat of government was established at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash," now the city 
of Vincennes, Indiana. To this extensive area was added " from and after " the admission of 
Ohio into the Union, all the territory west of that State, and east of the eastern boundary line of 
the Territory of Indiana as originally established ; so that now all " the territory of the United 
States, northwest of the River Ohio," was, excepting the State of Ohio, included in Indiana Ter- 
ritory. On the thirtieth day of June, 1805, so much of Indiana Territory as lay to the north of 
a lihe drawn east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east 
of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its north- 
ern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States, was, for the 
purpose of temporary government, constituted a separate Territory called Michigan. Of course 
no part of the present State of Wisconsin was included therein ; but the whole remained in the 
Territory of Indiana until the second day of March, 1809, when all that part of the last men- 
tioned Territory which lay west of the Wabash river, and a direct line drawn from that stream 
and " Post Vincennes," due north to the territorial line' between the United States and Canada, 
was, by an act approved on the third of February previous, constituted a separate Territory, called 
Illinois. Meanwhile jurisdiction had been extended by the authorities of Indiana Territory 
over the country lying west of Lake Michigan, to the extent, at least, of appointing a justice of 
the peace for each of the settlements of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. All of what is now 
Wisconsin was transferred to the Territory of Illinois, upon the organization of the latter, except 
a small portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vincennes, which remained a part 
of Indiana Territory. This fraction included nearly the whole area between Green bay and 
Lake Michigan. 

When, in 1816, Indiana became a State, "the territory of the United States northwest of the 
River Ohio," contained, besides Ohio and Indiana, the Territories of Illinois and Michigan, only ; 
so the narrow strip, formerly a part of Indiana Territory, lying east of a line drawn due north 
from Vincennes, and west of the western boundary line of Michigan Territory, belonged to nei- 
ther, and was left without any organization. However, upon tlw admission of Illinois into the 
Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west 
of Michigan Territory and north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made 
a part of Michigan Territory ; by which act the whole of the present State of Wisconsin came 
under the jurisdiction of the latter. During the existence of the Territory of Illinois, a kind of 
jurisdiction was had over the two settlements in what is now Wisconsin — rather more ideal than 
real, however. 

In 1834, Congress greatly increased the limits of the Territory of Michigan, by adding to it, 
for judicial purposes, a large extent of country west of the Mississippi- — reaching south as far as 



36 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". 

the present boundary line between the present States of Iowa and Missouri ; north, to the terri- 
torial line between the United States and Canada ; and west, to the Missouri and White Earth 
rivers. It so continued down to the fourth of July, 1836. 

A retrospective glance at the history of this region for forty years previous to the last men- 
tioned year, including the time which elapsed after the surrender of the western posts, in 1796, 
by the British, discloses many facts of interest and importance. 

The Anglo-Americans, not long after the region of country west of Lake Michigan became 
a part of Indiana Territory, began now and then to cast an eye, either through the opening of 
the Great Lakes or the Mississippi, upon its rolling rivers, its outspread prairies, and its dense 
forests, and to covet the goodly land ; but the settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were 
mostly French Canadians at this date, although a few were Americans. The General Govtrn- 
inent, however, began to take measures preparatory to its occupation, by purchasing, in 1804, a 
tract in what is now the southwest portion of the State, of the Indians, and by holding the various 
tribes to a strict account for any murders committed by them on American citizens i)assing 
through their territories or trading with them. Comparative peace reigned in the incipient settle- 
ments at the head of Green bay and at the mouth of the Wisconsin, which was changed by the 
breaking out of the war of 1812, with Great Britain. 

The English early succeeded in securing the Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this 
war; and the taking of Mackinaw by the British in July, 1812, virtually put the latter in posses- 
sion of what is now the eastern portion of the State. Early in 1814, the government authorities 
of the United States caused to be fitted out at St. Louis a large boat, having on board all the 
men that could be mustered and spared from the lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to 
protect the upper region and the few settlers therein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chien, 
•and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not long after, Colonel McKay, of the British army, 
crossing the country by course of the Fo.\ and Wisconsin rivers, with over five hundred British 
and Indians, received the surrender of the whole force. The officers and men were paroled and 
sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war 
with England. The post at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two compa- 
nies from Mackinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 1815, when the place was 
evacuated by the British. 

When it became generally known to the Indian tribes in what is now Wisconsin, that the 
contest between the United States and Great Britain was at an end, they generally e.xpressed 
themselves as ready and willing to make treaties with the General Government — eager, in fact, 
to establish friendly relations with the power they had so recently been hostile to. This was, 
therefore, a favorable moment for taking actual possession of the country between the Missis- 
sippi and Lake Michigan ; and United States troops were soon ordered to occupy the two prom- 
inent points between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. At the former place was erected Fort 
Howard ; at the latter Fort Crawford. At Green Bay, half a hundred (or less) French Cana- 
dians cultivated the soil; at Prairie du Chien, there were not more than thirty houses, mostly 
occupied by traders, while on the prairie outside the village, a number of farms were cultivated. 
Such was Wisconsin when, at the close of the last war with Great Britain, it began in earnest to 
be occupied by Americans. The latter were few in number, but in 1818, they began to feel, now 
that the country was attached to Michigan Territory and the laws of the United States were 
extended over them, that they were not altogether beyond the protection of a government of their 
own, notwithstanding they were surrounded by savage tribes. Their happiness was increased 
upon the erection, by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor of the Territory of Michigan, of 
three Territorial counties: Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford. Their establishment dates 



PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 37 

the twenty-sixth of October, iSiS. The county of Michilimackinac not only included all of the 
present State of Wisconsin lying north of a line drawn due west from near the head of the Little 
Noquet bay, but territory east and west of it, so as to reach from Lake Huron to the Missis- 
si[)pi river. Its county seat was established "at the Borough of Michilimackinac." The whole 
area in Michigan Territory south of the county of Michilimackinac and west of Lake Michigan 
formed the two counties of Brown and Crawford: the former to include the area east of a line 
drawn due north and south through the middle of the portage between the Fox river of Green 
bay and the Wisconsin ; the latter to include the whole region west of that line. Prairie du 
Chien was designated as the county seat of Crawford; Green Bay, of Brown county. On the 
22d of December, 1826, a county named Chippewa was formed from the northern portions of 
Michilimackinac, including the southern shores of Lake Superior throughout its entire length, 
and extending from the straits leading from that lake into Lake Huron, west to the western 
boundary line of Michigan Territory, with the county seat " at such point in the vicinity of the 
Sault de Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county commissioners to be appointed shall designate." 
Embraced within this county, — its southern boundary being the ])arallel 46° 31' north latitude, — 
was all the territory of the present State of Wisconsin now bordering on Lake Superior. 

Immediately upon the erection of Brown and Crawford counties, they were organized, and 
their offices filled by appointment of the governor. County courts were established, consisting 
of one chief and two associate justices, either of whom formed"^ quorum. They were required 
to hold one term of court annually in their respective counties. These county courts had origi- 
nal and exclusive jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the matter in dis- 
pute exceeded the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace, and did not exceed the value of one 
thousand dollars. They had, however, no jurisdiction in ejectment. They had exclusive cog- 
nizance of all offenses the punishment whereof was not capital, and the same power to issue 
remedial and other process, writs of error and mandamus excepted, that the supreme court had 
at Detroit. Appeals from justices of the peace were made to the county courts. 

The establishing of Indian agencies by the General Government ; the holding of treaties 
with some of the Indian tribes ; the adjustment of land claims at Green Bay and Prairie du 
Chien ; the appointment of postmasters at these two points, were all indications of a proper 
interest being taken by the United States in the affairs of the country. But a drawback to this 
region, was the fact that, in all civil cases of over a thousand dollars, and in criminal cases that 
were capital, as well as in actions of ejectment, and in the allowance of writs of error, and man- 
damus, recourse must be had to the supreme court at Detroit ; the latter place being the seat of 
government of Michigan Territory. However, in January, 1S23, an act of congress provided 
for a district court, and for the appointment of a judge, for the counties of Brown, Crawford, 
and Michilimackinac. This court had concurrent jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with the 
supreme court of the Territory, in most cases, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the 
latter tribunal by a writ of error. The law provided for holding one term of court in each year, 
in each of the counties named in the act ; so, at last, there was to be an administration of justice 
at home, and the people were to be relieved from all military arbitrations, which frequently had 
been imposed upon them. James Duane Doty was appointed judge of this court at its organiza- 
tion. A May term of the court was held in Prairie du Chien; a June term in Green Bay; a 
July term in " the Borough of Michilimackinac," in each year. In 1824, Henry S. Baird, of 
Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until May, 1832, 
when he was succeeded by David Irvin. This court continued until 1S36, when it was abrogated 
by the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin. 

For a long time it had been known that there were lead mines in what is now the south- 



38 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. * 

western portion of the State; but it was not until the year 1825, and the two following years, that 
very general attention was attracted to them, which eventuated in the settlement of different 
places in that region, by Americans, who came to dig for lead ore. This rapid increase of 
settlers awakened the jealousy of the Winnebago Indians, at what they deemed an unauthorized 
intrusion upon their lands, which, with other causes operating unfavorably upon their minds, 
aroused them in June, 1S27, to open acts of hostility. Murders became frequent. Finally, the 
militia of Prairie du Chien were called out. On the twenty-ninth of August, Brigadier-General 
Henry Atkinson, of the United States army, with a strong force of regulars, ascended the Wis- 
consin river to put an end to any further spread of Winnebago disturbances. He was joined on 
the first of September, by one hundred and thirty Galena volunteers, mounted, and under com- 
mand of General Henry Dodge. The Winnebagoes were awed into submission. Thus ended 
the " Winnebago War.'' It was followed by the erection at the portage of Fort Winnebago, bv 
the United States. 

After the restoration of tranquillity, the United States proceeded by treaty with the Indians, 
to secure the right to occupy the lead regions. This was in 1828. The next year, the General 
Government purchased of the Winnebagoes, Southwestern Wisconsin, which put an end to all 
trouble on account of mining operations. On the ninth of October, 1829, a county was formed, 
by the legislative council of the Territory of Michigan, comprising all that part of Crawford 
county lying south of the Wisconsin river. This new county was called Iowa. The county 
seat was temporarily established at Mineral Point. Following this was a treaty in 1831, with the 
Menomonees, for all their lands east of Green bay, Winnebago lake, and the Fo.x and Milwaukee 
rivers. 

There was now a crisis at hand. The most prominent event to be recorded in the pre-Ter- 
ritorial annals of Wisconsin is known as the Black Hawk War. This conflict of arms between 
the Sacs and Fo.xes and the United States arose from a controversy in regard to lands. By a 
treaty made at Fort Harmar, just across the River Muskingum from Marietta, Ohio, in January, 
1789, the Pottawattamie and Sac tribes of Indians, among others, were received into the friend- 
ship of the General Government, and a league of peace and unity established between the con- 
tracting parties On the third of November, 1804, a treaty at St. Louis stipulated that the 
united Sac and Fox tribes should be received into the friendship of the United States, and also 
be placed under their protection. These tribes also agreed to consider themselves under the pro- 
tection of the General Government and of no other power whatsoever. At this treaty lands were 
ceded which were circumscribed by a bouridary beginning at a point on the Missouri river 
opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, and running thence in a direct course so as to strike the 
River Jefferson at the distance of thirty miles from its mouth, and down that stream to the Missis- 
sippi. It then ran up the latter river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, and up that stream to a 
point thirty-six miles in a direct line from its mouth ; thence by a straight course to a point 
where the Fox river of the Illinois leaves the small lake then called Sakaegan, and from that 
point down the Fox to the Illinois, and down the latter to the Mississippi. The consideration for 
this cession was the payment of goods to the value of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four 
dollars and fifty cents, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars — six hundred to be paid to 
the Sacs and four hundred to the Foxes — to be liquidated in goods valued at first cost. After- 
ward, Fort Madison was erected just above the Des Moines rapids in the Mississippi, on the ter- 
ritory ceded at the last mentioned treaty. Then followed the war with Great Britain, and the 
Sacs and Foxes agreed to take no part therein. However, a portion afterward joined the 
English against the Americans along with other Western tribes. At the restoration of peace the 
Sacs and Foxes held treaties with the United States. There was a renewal of the treaty of 1804. 



PKE-TEKRITORIAL AKNALS OF WISCONSIN. 39 

Such in brief is a general outline of affairs, so far as those two tribes were concerned, down to the 
close of the last war with England. From this time, to the year 1830, several additional treaties 
were made with the Sacs and Foxes by the General Government: one in 1822, by whicli they relin- 
quished their right to have the United States establish a trading house or factory at a convenient 
point at which the Indians could trade and save themselves from the imposition of traders, for 
which they were paid the sum of one thousand dollars in merchandise. Again, in 1824, they 
sold to the General Government all their lands in Missouri, north of Missouri river, for which 
they received one thousand dollars the same year, and an annuity of one thousand dollars for ten 
years. In 1830, they ceded to the United States a strip of land twenty miles wide from the Mis- 
sissippi to the Des Moines, on the north side of their territory. The time had now come for the 
two tribes to leave the eastern shore of the Mississippi and retire across the " great water." 
Keokuk, the Watchful Fox, erected his wigwam on the west side of the river, and was followed 
by a large part of the two tribes. But a band headed by Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or the 
Black Sparrow Hawk, commonly called Black Hawk, refused to leave their village near Rock 
Island. They contended that they had not sold their town to the United States ; and, upon 
their return early in 1831, from a hunt across the Mississippi, finding their village and fields in 
possession of the whites, they determined to repossess their homes at all hazards. This was 
looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the settlers ; so the governor of Illinois took the 
responsibility of declaring the State invaded, and asked the United States to drive the refractory 
Indians beyond the Mississippi. The result was, the Indian village was destroyed by Illinois 
volunteers. This and the threatened advance across the river by the United States commander, 
brought Black Hawk and his followers to terms. They sued for peace — agreeing to remain 
forever on the west side of the Mississippi. But this truce was of short duration. 

Early in the Spring of 1832, Black Hawk having assembled his forces on the Mississippi, in 
the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison had stood, crossed that stream and ascended 
Rock river. This was the signal for war. The governor of Illinois made a call for volunteers ; 
and, in a brief space of time, eighteen hundred had assembled at Beardstown, Cass county. 
They marched for the mouth of Rock river, where a council of war was held by their officers 
and Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the regular force.s. The Indians were sent word by 
General Atkinson that they must return and recross the Mississippi, or they would be driven 
back by force. " If you wish to fight us, come on," was the laconic but defiant reply of the Sac 
chief. When the attempt was made to compel these Indians to go back across the " great river," 
a collision occurred between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's braves, resulting in the dis- 
comfiture of the former with the loss of eleven men. Soon afterward the volunteers were dis- 
charged, and the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at an end. This was in May, 1832. 

In June following, a new force had been raised and put under the command of General 
.\tkinson, who commenced his inarch up Rock river. Before this, there had been a general 
"forting" in the lead region, including the whole country in Southwest Wisconsin, notwithstand- 
ing which, a number of settlers had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illinois. Squads of 
volunteers, in two or three instances, had encountered the Indians ; and in one with entire suc- 
cess — upon the Pecatonica, in what is now Lafayette county, Wisconsin — every savage (and 
there were seventeen of them) being killed. The loss of the volunteers was three killed and 
wounded. Atkinson's march up Rock river was attended with some skirmishing; when, being 
informed that Black Hawk and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, in the southwest corner of 
what is now Jefferson county, Wisconsin, he immediately moved thither with a portion of his 
army, where the whole force was ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief with his people had 
flown. Colonels Henry Dodge and James D. Henry, with the forces under them, discovered the 



40 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

trail of the savages, leading in the direction of the Wisconsin river. It was evident that the 
retreating force was largef and that it had but recently passed. The pursuing troops hastened 
their march. On the twenty-first of July, 1832, they arrived at the hills which skirt the left bank 
of that stream, in what is now Roxbury town (township), Dane county. Here was Black 
Hawk's whole force, including women and children, the aged and infirm, hastening by every 
effort to escape across the river. But that this might nov/ be effected, it became necessary for 
that chief to make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The Indians were in the bottom lands 
when the pursuing whites made their appearance upon the heights in their rear. Colonel Dodge 
occupied the front and sustained the first attack of the Indians. He was soon joined by Henry 
with his force, when they obtained a complete victory. The action commenced about five 
o'clock in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The enemy, numbering not less than five hundred, 
sustained a loss of about sixty killed and a large number wounded. The loss of the Americans 
was one killed and eight wounded. This conflict has since been known as the battle of Wis- 
consin Heights. 

During the night following the battle. Black Hawk made his escape with his remaining force 
and people down the Wisconsin river. The women and children made their way down stream 
in canoes, while the warriors marched on foot along the shore. The Indians were pursued in 
their flight, and were finally brought to a stand on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the 
Bad Axe, on the west boundary of what is now Vernon county, Wisconsin. About two o'clock 
on the morning of the second of August, the line of march began to the scene of the lust con- 
flict in the Black Hawk War. Dodge's command formed the advance, supported by regular 
troops, under Colonel Zachary Taylor, afterward president of the United States. Meanwhile an 
armed steamboat had moved up the Mississippi and lay in front of the savages; so they were 
attacked on all sides by the exasperated Americans. The battle lasted about two hours, and 
was a complete victory for the whites. Black Hawk fled, but was soon after captured. This 
ended the war. 

The survey of public lands by the General Government ; the locating and opening of land 
offices at Mineral Point and Green Bay; the erection of Milwaukee county from a part of 
Brown, to include all the territory bounded on the east and south by the east and south lines of 
the present State, on the north by what is now the north boundary of Washington and Ozaukee 
counties and farther westward on the north line of township numbered twelve, and on the west 
by the dividing line between ranges eight and nine ; and the changing of the eastern boundary 
of Iowa county to correspond with the western one of Milwaukee county; — are some of the 
important events following the close of the Black Hawk war. There was an immediate and 
rapid increase of immigration, not only in the mining region but in various other parts of what 
is now Wisconsin, more especially in that portion bordering on Lake Michigan. The interior 
was yet sparsely settled. By the act of June 28, 1S34, congress having attached to the Territory 
of Michigan, for judicial purposes, all the country "west of the Mississippi river, and north of 
the State of Missouri," comprising the whole of what is now the State of Iowa, all of the present 
State of Minnesota west of the Mississippi river, and more than half of what is now the Terri- 
tory of Dakota, the legislative council of Michigan Territory extended her laws over the whole 
area, dividing it on the 6th of September, 1834, by a line drawn due west from the lower end of 
Rock island to the Missouri river into two counties: the country south of that line constituting 
the county of Des Moines; north of the line, to be known as the county of Dubuque. This 
whole region west of the Mississippi was known as the Iowa district. Immediately after the 
treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and Foxes, the United States having come into ownership of a large 
tract in this district, several families crossed the Mississippi, and settled on the purchase, but as 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 41 

the time provided for the Indians to give possession was the first of June, 1S33, these settlers 
were dispossessed by order of the General Government. So soon, however, as the Indians yielded 
possession, settlements began, but, from the date just mentioned until September, 1834, after the 
district was attached, for judicial purposes, to Michigan Territory, it was without any municipal 
law whatever. The organization of the counties of Dubuque and Des Moines on the sixth of 
that month, secured, of course a regular administration of justice. In 1835, in order to facili- 
tate intercourse between the two remote military posts of Fort Howard at Green Bay, and Fort 
Crawford at Prairie du Chien, a military road was commenced to connect the two points ; so, 
one improvement followed another. On the 9th of January, 1836, a session (the first one) of 
the seventh legislative council of Michigan Territory • — that is, of so much of it as lay to the 
westward of Lake Michigan — was held at Green Bay, and a memorial adopted, asking Congress 
for the formation of a new Territory west of that lake ; to include all of Michigan Territory not 
embraced in the proposed State of Michigan. Congress, as will now be shown, very soon com- 
plied with the request of the memorialists. 

IV.— WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 

The establishing of a separate and distinct Territory west of Lake Michigan, was the result 
of the prospective admission of Michigan into the Union (an event which took place not until 
the twenty-sixth of January, 1837), as the population, in all the region outside of the boundaries 
determined upon by the people for that State, would otherwise be left without a government, or, 
at least, it would be necessary to change the capital of the old Michigan Territory farther to the 
westward ; so it was thought best to erect a new territory, to be called Wisconsin (an Indian 
word signifying wild rushing water, or channel, so called from the principal eastern tributary of 
the Mississippi within its borders), which was done by an act of congress, approved April 20, 
1836, to take effect from and after the third day of July following. The Territory was made to 
include all that is now embraced within the States of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a part of 
the Territory of Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries commencing at the north- 
east corner of the State of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a 
point opposite the main channel of Green bay ; thence through that channel and the bay to the 
mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the lake of the 
Desert ; thence to the middle of that lake ; thence down the Montreal river to its mouth ; thence 
with a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches 
the lake'northwest; thence on the north, with the territorial line, to the White Earth river; on the 
west by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri ri\^er, 
and down the middle of the main channel of the last mentioned stream to the northwest corner of 
the State of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the States of Missouri and Illinois, as 
already fixed by act of congress, to the place or point of beginning. Its counties were Brovvn, 
Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford, Dubuque, and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michili- 
mackinac left unorganized. Although, at this time, the State of Michigan was only engaged, so 
to speak, to the Union, to include the two peninsulas (many of its citizens preferring in lieu 
thereof the lower one only, with a small slice off the northern boundary of the State of Ohio as 
now constituted), yet the marriage ceremony was performed, as has been stated, a few months 
afterward. 

The act of congress establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin was very full and 
complete. It first determined its boundaries ; then it declared that all authority of the govern- 
ment of Michigan over the new Territory should cease on the fourth day of July, 1836, with a 



42 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

proper reservation of rights in favor of the Indians. It provided for subsequently dividing tne 
Territory into one or more, should congress deem it wise so to do. It also declared that the 
executive power and authority in and over the Territory should be vested in a governor, at the same 
time defining his powers. It provided for the appointment of a secretary, stating what his duties 
should be. The legislative power was vested in the governor and legislative assembly, the latter 
to consist of a council and house of representatives, answering respectively to the senate and 
assembly, as states are usually organized. There was a provision for taking the census of the 
several. counties, and one giving the governor power to name the time, place, and manner of 
holding the first election, and to declare the number of members of the council and house of 
representatives to which each county should be entitled. He was also to determine where the 
first legislative assembly should meet, and a wise provision was that the latter should not be in 
session in any one year more than seventy-five days. 

One section of the act declared who should be entitled to vote and hold office; another 
defined the extent of the powers of the legislature, and a third provided that all laws should be 
submitted to congress for their approval or rejection. There was a section designating what 
offices should be elective and what ones should be filled by the governor. There were others 
regulating the judiciary for the Territory and declaring what offices should be appointed by the 
United States, providing for their taking the proper oaths of office and regulating their salaries. 
One, perhaps the most important of all, declared that the Territory should be entitled to and enjoy 
all the rights, privileges, and advantages granted by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. There 
was also a provision for the election of a delegate to the house of representatives of the United 
States ; and a declaration that all suits and indictments pending in the old courts should be con- 
tinued in the new ones. Five thousand dollars were appropriated for a library for the accommo- 
dation of the legislative assembly of the Territory and of its supreme court. 

For the new Territory, Henry Dodge was, on the 30th of April, 1S36, by Andrew Jackson, 
then President of the United States, commissioned governor. John S. Horner was commissioned 
secretary ; Charles Dunn, chief justice ; David Irvin and William C. Frazer, associate judges ; 
W. W. Chapman, attorney, and Francis Gehon, marshal. The machinery of a territorial gov- 
ernment was thus formed, which was set in motion by these officers taking the prescribed oath of 
office. The next important step to be taken was to organize the Territorial legislature. The 
provisions of the organic act relative to the enumeration of the population of the Territory were 
that previously to the first election, the governor should cause the ceusus of the inhabitants of 
the several counties to be taken by the several sheriffs, and that the latter should make returns of 
the same to the Executive. These figures gave to Des Moines county, 6,257 ; Iowa county, 
5,234; Dubuque county, 4,274; Milwaukee county, 2,893; Brown county, 2,706; Crawford 
county, 850. The entire population, therefore, of Wisconsin Territory in the summer of 1836, 
as given by the first census was, in precise numbers, twenty-two thousand two hundred and four- 
teen, of which the two counties west of the Mississippi furnished nearly one half. The apportion- 
ment, after the census had been taken, made by the governor, gave to the different counties thir- 
teen councilmen and twenty-six representatives. Brown county got two councilmen and three 
representatives; Crawford, two representatives, but no councilmen; Milwaukee, two councilmen 
and three representatives ; Iowa, Dubuque and Des Moines, each three councilmen ; but of repre- 
sentatives, Iowa got six ; Dubuque, five, and Des Moines, seven. The election was held on the 
tenth of October, 1836, exciting considerable interest, growing out, chiefly, of local considera- 
tions. The permanent location of the capital, the division of counties, and the location of county 
seats, were the principal questions influencing the voters. There were elected from the county 
of Brown, Henry S. Baird and John P. Arndt, members of the council; Ebenezer Childs, Albert 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 43 

G. Ellis and Alexander J. Irwin, members of the house of representatives; from Milwaukee, 
the councilmen were Gilbert Knapp and Alanson Sweet ; representatives, William B. Sheldon, 
Madison W. Cornwall and Charles Durkee : from Iowa, councilmen, EbenezerBrigham, John B. 
Terry and James R. Vineyard ; representatives, William Boyles, G. F. Smith, D. M. Parkinson, 
Thomas McKnight, T. Shanley and J. P. Cox : from Dubuque, councilmen, John Foley, Thomas 
McCraney and Thomas McKnight ; representatives, Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlin, Hosea T, 
Camp, P. H. Engle and Patrick Quigley : from Des Moines, councilmen, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., 
Joseph B. Teas and Arthur B. Inghram ; representatives, Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, Warren L. 
Jenkins, John Box, George W. 'Feas, Eli Reynolds and David R. Chance : from Crawford, repre- 
sentatives, James H. Lockwood and James B. Dallam. 

Belmont, in the present county of LaFayette, then in Iowa county, was, by the governor, 
appointed the place for the meeting of the legislature ; he also fixed the time — the twenty-fifth 
of October. A quorum was in attendance in both branches at the time decided upon for their 
assembling, and the two houses were speedily organized by the election of Peter Hill Fngle, of 
Dubuque, speaker of the house, and Henry S. Baird, of Brown, president of the council. Each 
of the separate divisions of the government — the executive, the judicial, and the legislative — 
was now in working order, except that it remained for the legislature to divide the Territory into 
judicial districts, and make an assignment of the judges ; and for the governor to appoint a Ter- 
ritorial treasurer, auditor and attorney general. The act of congress establishing the Terri- 
tory required that it should be divided into three judicial districts. The counties of Crawford 
and Iowa were constitued by the legislature the first district, to which was assigned Chief Justice 
Dunn. The second district was composed of the counties of Des Moines and Dubuque ; to it 
was assigned Associate Judge Irvin. The third district was formed of the counties of Brown 
and Milwaukee, to which was assigned Associate Judge Frazer. 

Governor Dodge, in his first message to the Territorial legislature, directed attention to the 
necessity for defining the jurisdiction and powers of the several courts, and recommended that 
congress should be memorialized to extend the right of pre-emption to actual settlers upon the 
public lands and to miners on mineral lands; also, to remove the obstructions in the rapids 
of the Upper Mississippi, to construct harbors and light-houses on Lake Michigan, to improve 
the navigation of Fox river and to survey the same from its mouth to Fort Winnebago, to 
increase the amount of lands granted to the Territory for school purposes, and to organize and 
arm the militia for the protection of the frontier settlements. The first act passed by the legis- 
lature was one privileging members from arrest in certain cases and conferring on themselves 
power to punish parties for contempt. The second one established the three judicial districts 
and assigned the judges thereto. One was passed to borrow money to defray the expenses 
of the session ; others protecting ad lands donated to the Territory by the United States in aid 
of sc~hools, and creating a common school fund. A memorial to congress was adopted request- 
ing authorization to sell the school-section in each township, and appropriate the money arising 
therefrom for increasing the fund for schools. 

During this session, five counties were "set off" west of the Mississippi river: Lee, Van 
Buren, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine, and Cook; and fifteen east of that stream : Walworth, Racine, 
Jefferson, Dane, Portage, Dodge, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Manitowoc, 
Marquette, Rock, Grant and Green. 

The principal question agitating the legislature at its first session was the location of the 
capital. Already the people west of the Mississippi were speculating upon the establishment of 
a Territory on that side the river, prospects for which would be enhanced evidently, by placing 
the seat of government somewhat in a central position east of that stream, for Wisconsin 



44 . HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

Territory. Now, as Madison waS a point answering such requirements she triumphed over all 
competitors; and the latter numbered a dozen or more — including, among others, Fond du Lac, 
Milwaukee, Racine, Relmont, Mineral Point, Green Bay, and Cassville. The struggle over this 
question was one of the most exciting ever witnessed in the Territorial legislature. Madison 
was fixed upon as the seat of government, but it was provided that sessions of the legislature 
should be held at Burlington, in Des Aloines county, until the fourth of March, 1839, unless the 
public buildings in the new capital should be sooner completed. After an enactment that the 
legislature should thereafter meet on the first Monday of November of each year, both houses, 
on the ninth day of December, 1836, adjourned sine die. 

In the act of congress establishing the Territory of Wisconsin it was provided that a delegate 
to the house of representatives of the United States, to serve for the term of two years, should 
be elected by the voters qualified to elect members of the legislative assembly-, and that the 
first election should be held at such time and place or places, and be conducted in such manner 
as the governor of the Territory should appoint and direct. In pursuance of this enactment. 
Governor Dodge directed that the election for delegate should be at the time and places 
appointed for the election of members of the legislative assembly — the loth of October, 1836. 
The successful candidate for that office was George W. Jones, of Sinsinawa Mound, Iowa 
county — in that portion which was afterward "set off" as (irant county. Jones, under the act 
of 1819, had been elected a delegate for Michigan Territory, in October, 1835, and took his 
seat at the ensuing session, in December of that year. By the act of June 15, 1836, the consti- 
tution and State government which the people of Michigan had formed for themselves was 
accepted, ratified and confirmed, and she was declared to be one of the United States of 
America, so that the term of two years for which Jones had been elected was cut short, as, in 
the nature of the case, his term could not survive the existence of the Territory he represented. 
But, as he was a candidate for election to represent the new Territory of Wisconsin in congress 
as a delegate, and was successful, he took his seat at the commencement of the second session of 
the twenty-fourth congress — December 12, 1836, notwithstanding he had been elected only a 
little over two months. 

The first term of the supreme court of the Territory was held at Belmont on the 8th day of 
December. There were present, Charles Dunn, chief justice, and David Irvin, associate judge. 
John Catlin was appointed clerk, and Henry S. Baird having previously been commissioned 
attorney general for the Territory by Governor Dodge, appeared before the court and took the 
oath of office. Causes in which the United States was party or interested were looked after by 
the United States attorney, who received his appointment from the president; while all cases 
in which the Territory was interested was attended to by the attorney general, whose commission 
was signed by the governor. The appointing of a crier and reporter and the admission of 
several attorneys to jiractice, completed the business for the term. The annual term appointed 
for the third Monday of July of the following year, at Madison, was not held; as no business for 
the action of the court had matured. 

At the time of the complete organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, when the whole 
machinery had been put fairly in motion ; when its first legislature at its first session had, after 
passing forty-two laws and three joint resolutions, in forty-six days, adjourned; — at this time, 
the entire portion west of the Mississippi had, in round numbers, a population of only eleven 
thousand; while the sparsely settled mineral region, the military establishments — Fort Craw- 
ford, Fort Winnebago, and Fort Howard — and the settlements at or near them, with the village 
of Milwaukee, constituted about all there was of the Territory east of that river, aggregating 
about twelve thousand inhabitants. There was no land in market, except a narrow strip along 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 45 

the shore of Lake Michigan, and in the vicinity of Green bay. The residue of the country 
south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers was open only to preemption by actual settlers. 
The Indian tribes still claimed a large portion of the lands. On the north and as far west as 
the Red river of the north were located the Chippewas. The southern limits of their posses- 
sions were defined by a line drawn from a point on that stream in about latitude 46° 30' in a 
southeasterly direction to the head of Lake St. Croix ; thence in the same general direction to 
what is now Stevens Point, in the present Portage county, Wisconsin ; thence nearly east to 
Wolf river; and thence in a direction nearly northeast to the Menomonee river. The whole 
country bounded by the Red river and Mississippi on the east ; the parallel of about 43° of 
latitude on the south; the Missouri and White Earth river on the west; and the Territorial line 
on the north, was occupied by the Sioux. In the southwest part of the Territory, lying mostly 
south of latitude 43° — in the country reaching to the Missouri State boundary line south, and 
to the Missouri river west — were the homes of the Pottawattamies, the lowas, and the Sacs and 
Foxes. Between the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi, and extending north to the south 
line of the Chippewas was the territory of the Wmnebagoes. East of the Winnebagoes in the 
country north of the Fox river of Green bay were located the Menomonees, their lands 
extending to Wolf river. Such was the general outline of Indian occupancy in Wisconsin 
Territory at its organization. A portion of the country east of Wolf river and north of Green 
bay and the Fox river ; the whole of the area lying south of Green bay, Fox river and the 
Wisconsin ; and a strip of territory immediately west of the Mississippi, about fifty miles in 
width, and extending from the Missouri State line as far north as the northern boundary of the 
present State of Iowa, constituted the whole extent of country over which the Indians had 
no claim. 

The second session of the first legislative assembly of the Territory began at Burlington, 
now the county seat of Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 6th of November, 1837. The governor, 
in his message, recommended a codification of the laws, the organization of the militia, and other 
measures of interest to the people. An act was passed providing for taking another census, and 
one abolishing imprisonment for debt. By a Joint resolution, congress was urged to make an 
appropriation of twenty thousand dollars in money, and two townships of land for a " University 
of the Territory of Wisconsin." The money was not appropriated, but the land was granted — 
forty-six thousand and eighty acres. This was the fundamental endowment of the present State 
university, at Madison. A bill was also passed to regulate the sale of school lands, and to 
prepare for organizing, regulating and perfecting schools. Another act, which passed the 
legislature at this session, proved an apple of discord to the people of the Territory. The 
measure was intended to provide ways and means whereby to connect, by canals and slack- 
water, the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Mississippi, by way of Rock river, the 
Catfish, the four lakes and the Wisconsin, by the incorporation of the Milwaukee and Rock 
river canal company. This company was given authority to apply to congress for an appro- 
priation in money or lands to aid in the construction of the work, which was to have its eastern 
outlet in the Milwaukee river, and to unite at its western terminus with Rock river, near the 
present village of Jefferson, in Jefferson county. The result was that a grant of land of odd- 
numbered sections in a strip of territory five miles on each side of the line of the proposed canal 
was secured, and in July, 1S39, over forty thousand acres were sold at the minimum price 'Of 
two dollars and fifty cents per acre. However, owing mainly to the fact that purchasers were 
compelled to pay double the government price for their lands — owing also to the circumstance 
of an antagonism growing up between the officers of the canal company and the Territorial 
■officers intrusted with the disposition of the lands, and to conflicts between'the beneficiaries of 



46 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

the grant and some of the leading politicians of the time — the whole scheme proved a curse 
and a blight rather than a blessing, and eventuating, of course, in the total failure of the project. 
There had been much Territorial and State legislation concerning the matter ; but very little 
work, meanwhile, was done on the canal. It is only within the year 1875 that an apparent 
quietus has been given to the subject, and legislative enactments forever put at rest. 

Fourteen counties were set off during this session of the legislature at Burlington — all 
west of the Mississippi. They were Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette, 
Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Slaughter, Scott and Clayton. One hundred and five 
acts and twenty joint resolutions were passed. On the 20th of January, 1838, both houses 
adjourned until the second Monday of June following. 

The census of the Territory having been taken in May, the special session of the first legis- 
lature commenced on the eleventh of June, 1838, at Burlington, pursuant to adjournment, mainly 
for the purpose of making a new apportionment of members of the house. This was effected by 
giving twelve members to the counties east of the Mississippi, and fourteen to those west of that 
stream, to be contingent, however, upon the division of the Territory, which measure was not 
only then before congress, but had been actually passed by that body, though unknown to the 
Territorial legislature. The law made it incumbent on the governor, in the event of the Terri- 
tory being divided before the next general election, to make an apportionment for the part 
remaining, — enacting that the one made by the act of the legislature should, in that case, have 
no effect. Having provided that the next session should be held at Madison, the legislative body 
adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of June, 1838, the public buildings at the new capital 
having been put under contract in April, previous. Up to this time, the officers of the Territory 
at large, appointed by the president of the United States at its organization, had remained 
unchanged, except that the secretary, John S. Horner, had been removed and his place given to 
William B. Slaughter, by appointment, dated February 16, 1837. Now there were two other 
changes made. On the nineteenth of June, Edward James was commissioned marshal, and on 
the fifth of July, Moses M. Strong was commissioned attorney of the United States for the Ter- 
ritory. By an act of congress, approved June 12, 183S, to divide the Territory of Wisconsin, 
and to establish a Territorial government west of the Mississippi, it was provided that from and 
after the third day of July following, all that part of Wisconsin Territory lying west of that river 
and west of a line drawn due north from its headwaters or sources to the Territorial line, for the 
purposes of a Territorial government should be set apart and known by the name of Iowa. It 
was further enacted that the Territory of Wisconsin should thereafter extend westward only to 
the Mississippi. It will be seen therefore that all that portion of the present State of Minnesota, 
extending eastward from the Mississippi to the St. Croix and northward to the United States 
boundary line, was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, even after the organization of the Terri- 
tory of Iowa. The census taken in May, just previous to the passage of this act, gave a total 
population to the several counties of the Territory, east of the Mississippi, of 18,149. 

On the third Monday of July, 1838, the annual terms of the supreme court — the first one 
after the re-organization of the Territory of Wisconsin — was held at Madison. There were 
present Chief Justice Dunn and Associate Judge Frazer. After admitting five attorneys to 
practice, hearing several motions, and granting several rules, the court adjourned. All the terms 
of the Supreme Court thereafter were held at Madison. 

At an election held in the Territory on the tenth day of September, 1838, James Duane Doty 
received the highest number of votes for the office of delegate to congress, and was declared by 
Governor Dodge duly elected, by a certificate of election, issued on the twenty-seventh day of 
October following. Upon the commencement of the third session of the twenty- fifth congress 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 47 

on Monday, December lo, 1838, Isaac E. Crary, member from Michigan, announced to the chair 
of the house of representatives that Doty was in attendance as delegate from Wisconsin Terri- 
tory, and moved that he be qualified. Jones, the former delegate, then rose and protested 
against Doty's right to the seat, claiming that his (Jones') term had not expired. The basis for 
his claim was that under the act of 1817, a delegate must be elected only for one congress, and 
not for parts of two congressional terms; that his term as a delegate from Wisconsin did not 
commence until the fourth of March, 1837, and consequently would not expire until the fourth 
of March, 1839. The subject was finally referred to the committee of elections. This com- 
mittee, on the fourteenth of January, 1839, reported in favor of Doty's right to his seat as dele- 
gate, submitting a resolution to that effect which passed the house by a vote of one hundred and 
sixty-five to twenty-five. Whereupon Doty was qualified as delegate from Wisconsin Territory, 
and took his seat at the date last mentioned. 

On the 8th of November, Andrew G. Miller was appointed by Martin Van Buren, then 
president of the United States, associate judge of the supreme court, to succeed Judge Frazer, 
who died at Milwaukee, on the i8th of October. During this year, Moses M. Strong succeeded 
W. W. Chapman as United States attorney for the Territory. 

On the 26th day of November, 1838, the legislature of the re-organized Territory of Wis- 
consin — being the first session of the second legislative assembly — met at Madison. Governor 
Dodge, in his message, recommended an investigation of the banks then in operation, memorial- 
izing congress for a grant of lands for the improvement of the Fox river of Green bay and the 
Wisconsin; the revision of the laws; the division of the Territory into judicial districts; the 
justice of granting to all miners who have obtained the ownership of mineral grounds under the 
regulations of the superintendent of the United States lead mines, either by discovery or pur- 
chase, the right of pre-emption; and the improvement of the harbors on Lake Michigan. 

The attention of this Legislature was directed to the mode in which the commissioners of 
public buildings had discharged their duties There was an investigation of the three banks 
then in operation in the Territory — one at Green Bay, one at Mineral Point, and the other at 
Milwaukee. A plan, also, for the revision of the laws of the Territory was considered. A new 
assignment was made for the holding of district courts. Chief Justice Dunn was assigned to the 
first district, composed of the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford ; Judge Irvin to the second, 
composed of the counties of Dane, Jefierson, Rock, Walworth and Green; while Judge Miller 
was assigned to the third district, composed of Milwaukee, Brown and Racine counties — includ- 
ing therein the unorganized counties of Washington and Dodge, which, for judicial purposes, 
were, when constituted by name and boundary, attached to Milwaukee county, and had so 
remained since that date. The legislature adjourned on the 22d of December, to meet again on 
the 2ist of the following month, ".\lthough," said the president of the council, upon the occasion 
of the adjournment, "but few acts of a general character have been passed, as the discussions and 
action of this body have been chiefly confined to bills of a local nature, and to the passage of 
memorials to the parent government in behalf of the great interests of the Territory; yet it is 
believed that the concurrent resolutions of the two houses authorizing a revision of the laws, is a 
measure of infinite importance to the true interests of the people, and to the credit and charac- 
ter of the Territory." 

Tbe census of the Territory having been taken during the year 1838, showed a population 
of 18,130, an increase in two years of 6,447. 

The second session of the second legislative assembly commenced on the twenty-first day of 
January, 1839, agreeable to adjournment. The most important work was the revision of the laws 
which had been perfected during the recess, by the committee to whom the work was intrusted. 



48 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

consisting of three members from each house : from the council, M. L. Martin, Marshall M. 
Strong, and James Collins ; from the house of representatives, Edward V. Whiton, Augustus 
Story, and Barlow Shackleford. The act legalizing the revision, took effect on the fourth day of 
July following. The laws as revised, composed the principal part of those forming the Revised 
Statutes of 1839, a valuable volume for all classes in the territory — and especially so for the 
courts and lawyers — during the next ten years. The sine die adjournment of this legislature took 
place on the nth of March, 1839. 

On the 8th of March of this year, Henry Dodge, whose term for three years as governor 
was about to expire, was again commissioned by the president of the United States, as governor 
of the Territory of Wisconsin. At the July term of the supreme court, all the judges were pre- 
sent, and several cases were heard and decided. A seal for the court was also adopted. The 
attorney general of the Territory at this time was H. N. Wells, who had been commissioned by 
Governor Dodge, on the 30th of March previous, in place of H. S. Baird, resigned. Wells not 
being in attendance at this term of the court, Franklin J. Munger was appointed by the judge 
attorney general for that session. The clerk, John Collin having resigned, Simeon Mills was 
selected by the court to fill his place. From this time, the supreme court met annually, as pro- 
vided by law, until Wisconsin became a State. 

The next legislature assembled at Madison, on the second of December, 1839. This was 
the third session of the second legislative assembly of the Territory. The term for which mem- 
bers of the house were elected, would soon expire ; it was therefore desirable that a new appor- 
tionment should be made. As the census would be taken the ensuing June, by the United States, 
it would be unnecessary for the Territory to make an additional enumeration. A short session 
was resolved upon, and then an adjournment until after the completion of the census. One of 
the subjects occupying largely the attention of the members, was the condition of the capitol, 
and the conduct of the commissioners intrusted with the money appropriated by congress to 
defray the cost of its construction. The legislature adjourned on the thirteenth of January, 
1840, to meet again on the third of the ensuing August. The completion of the census showed 
a population for the Territory of thirty thousand seven hundred and forty-four, against eighteen 
thousand one hundred and thirty, two years previous. Upon the re-assembling of the legisla- 
ture — which is known as the extra session of the second legi-lative assembly — at the time agreed 
upon, some changes were made in the apportionment of members to the house of representa- 
tives ; the session lasted but a few days, a final adjournment taking place on the fourteenth of 
August, 1840. At the July term of the supreme court, Simeon Mills resigned the office of 
clerk, and La Fayette Kellogg was appointed in his place. Kellogg continued to hold the posi- 
tion until the state judiciary was organized. At the ensuing election, James Duane Doty was 
re-elected Territorial delegate, taking his seat for the first time under his second term, on the 
eighth day of December, 1840, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-sixth 
congress. 

The first session of the third legislative assembly commenccv- on the seventh of December, 
1840, with all new members in the house except three. .^11 had recently been elected under the 
new apportionment. Most of the session was devoted to the ordinary routine of legislation. 
There was, however, a departure, in the passage of two acts granting divorces, from the usual 
current of legislative proceedings in the Territory. There was, also, a very interesting contested 
election case between two members from Brown county. Such was the backwardness in regard 
to the building of the capitol, at this date, that a large majority of the members stood ready to 
remove the seat of government to some other place. However, as no particular point could be 
agreed upon, it remained at Madison. The legislature adjourned on the nineteenth of February, 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 49 

1841, having continued a term of seventy-five days, the maximum time limited by the organic act. 
Francis J. Dunn, appointed by Martin Van Buren, was commissioned in place of William 
B. Slaughter, as secretary of the Territory, on the 25th of January, 1841, but was himself super- 
ce"ded by the appointment of A. P. Field, on the 23d day of April following. On the 15th of 
March, Daniel Hugunin was commissioned as marshal in place of Edward James, and on the 
27th of April, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. Strong as United States attorney 
for the Territory. On the 26th of June, Governor Dodge commissioned as attorney general of 
the Territory, M. M. Jackson. On the 13th of September following. Dodge was removed from 
office by John Tyler, then president of the United States, and James Duane Doty appointed in 
his place. The appointment of Doty, then the delegate of the Territory in congress, by the 
president of the United States as governor, and the consequent resignation of the latter of his 
seat in the house of representatives, caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Henry 
Dodge to that office, on the 27th of September, 1841; so that Doty and Dodge changed places. 
Dodge took his seat for the first time, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty- 
fifth congress — Monday, December 7, 1841. 

About this time, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal imbroglio broke out afresh. The 
loan agent appointed by the governor to negotiate a loan of one hundred thousand dollars for 
the work, reported that he had negotiated fifty-six thousand dollars of bonds, which had been 
issued ; but he did not report what kind of money was to be received for them. Now, the canal 
commissioners claimed that it was their right and duty not to recognize any loan which was to 
be paid in such currency as they disapproved of. This dispute defeated the loan, and stopped 
all work on the canal. During the year 184T, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. 
Strong as United States attorney. The second session of the third legislative assembly began 
at Madison, on the sixth of December, 1841. Governor Doty, in his message to that body, 
boldly avowed the'doctrine that no law of the Territory was effective, until expressly approved 
by congress. "The act," said he, "establishing the government of Wisconsin, in the third sec- 
tion, requires the secretary of the Territory to transmit annually, on or before the first Monday 
in December, ' two copies of the laws to the speaker of the house of representatives, for the 
use of congress.' The sixth section provides that 'all laws of the governor and legislative 
assembly shall be submitted to, and, if disapproved by the congress of the United States, the 
same shall be null and of no effect.' " "These provisions," he added, "it seems to me, require 
the laws to be actually submitted to congress before they take effect. They change the law by 
which this country was governed while it was a part of Michigan. That law provided that 
the laws should be reported to congress, and that they should ' be in force in the district until 
the organization of the general assembly therein, unless disapproved of by congress.' " The 
governor concluded in these words : " The opinion of my predecessor, which was expressed to 
the first legislature assembled after the organization of this government, in his message delivered 
at Belmont on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1836, fully sustains this view of the subject which 
I have presented. He said: 'We have convened under an act of congress of the United States 
establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin, for the purpose of enacting such laws as 
may be required for the government of the people of this Territory, after their approval by con- 
gress.'" This construction of the organic act resulted in a lengthy warfare between the gov- 
ernor and the legislative assembly. 

At this session, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal again raised a tumult. " Congress 
had made a valuable grant of land to the Territory in trust. The Territory was the trustee; 
the canal company the cestui que trust. The trust had been accepted, and a large portion of 
the lands had been sold, one tenth of the purchase money received, and ample securities held 



60 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

for the balance." The Territory now, by its legislature, repealed, all the laws authorizing a . 
loan, and all which contemplated the e.tpenditure of any money on its part in constructing the 
canal. The legislature resolved that all connection ought to be dissolved, and the work on 
the canal by the Territory abandoned, and that the latter ought not further to execute the 
trust. They resolved also that the congress be requested to divert the grant to such other 
internal improvements as should be desigiiated by the Territory, subject to the approval of 
congress; and that, if the latter should decline to make this diversion, it was requested to take 
back the grant, and dispose of the unsold lands. On the eleventh of February, 1S42, a tragedy 
was enacted in the legislative council, causing great e.xcitement over the whole Territory. On 
that day, Charles C. P. Arndt, a member from Brown county, was, while that body was in 
session, shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a member from Grant county. The difficulty grew 
out of a debate on motion to lay on the table the nomination of Enos S. Baker to the office of 
sheriff of Grant co\inty. Immediately before adjournment of the council, the parties who had 
come together, after loud and angry words had been spoken, were separated by the by-standers. 
When an adjournment had been announced, they met again ; whereupon Arndt struck at Vine- 
yard. The latter then drew a pistol and shot Arndt. He died in a few moments. Vineyard 
immediately surrendered himself to the sheriff of the county, waived an examination, and was 
committed to jail. After a short confinement, he was brought before the chief justice of the 
Territory, on a writ oi /labcas corpus, and admitted to bail. He was afterward indicted for man- 
slaughter, was tried and acquitted. Three days after shooting Arndt, Vineyard sent in his 
resignation as member of the council. That body refused to receive it, or to have it read even ; 
but at once expelled him. The second and last session of the third legislative assembly came 
to a close on the eighteenth of February, 1842. 

The first session of the fourth legislative assembly commenced on the fifth day of Decem- 
ber, 1842. The members had been elected under a new apportionment based upon a census 
taken in the previous June, which showed a total population for the Territory of forty-six thou- 
sand six hundred and seventy-eight — an increase of nearly ten thousand in two years. A politi- 
cal count showed a decided democratic majority in each house. Governor Doty's political 
proclivities were with the whig party. The contest between him and the legislature now 
assumed a serious character. He refused to "hold converse " with it, for the reason that, in his 
opinion, no appropriation had been made by congress to defray the expenses of the session, and, 
as a consequence, none could be held. The legislature made a representation to congress, then 
in session, of the objections of the governor, and adjourned on the tenth of December, to meet 
again on the thirteenth of January, 1843. It was not until the fourth of February following that 
a quorum in both houses had assembled, when the legislature, through a joint committee, waited 
on the governor, and informed him that they had again met according to adjournment, and were 
then ready to proceed to business. Previous to this time, congress had made an appropriation 
to cover the expenses of the legislature now in session, which it was supposed would remove all 
conflict about its legality. But the governor had, on the thirtieth day of January previous, issued 
a proclamation, convening a special session of the legislature on the sixth of March, and still 
refused to recognize the present one as legal. Both houses then adjourned to the day fixed by 
the executive. A final adjournment took place on the seventeenth of April following. 

The term of two years for which Henry Dodge was elected as delegate, having expired at 
the close of the third session of the twenty-seventh congress, he was, on the twenty-fifth of Sep- 
tember, 1843, re-elected, taking his seat for the first time on his second term at the commence- 
ment of the first session of the twenty-eighth congress, Monday, December 4, 1843. On 
the thirtieth of October of this year, George Floyd was commissioned by President Tyler as 



WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 51 

secretary of the Territory, in place of A. P. Field. 

The second session of the fourth legislative assembly of the Territory, commencing on the 
fourth of December, 1843, and terminating on the thirty-first of January, 1844 — a period of fifty- 
nine days — accomplished but little worthy of especial mention, except the submission of the 
question of the formation of a State government to a vote of the people, to be taken at the gene- 
ral election to be held in September following. The proposition did not succeed at the ballot- 
box. The third session of the fourth legislative assembly did not commence until the sixth of 
January, 1845, as the time had been changed to the first Monday in that month for annual meet- 
ings. Governor Doty having persisted in spelling Wisconsin with a "k" and an "a" — Wis- 
/Jonsan — and some of the people having adopted his method, it was thought by this legislature 
a matter of sufficient importance to be checked. So, by a joint resolution, the orthography — 
WisiTons/n — employed in the organic act, was adopted as the true one for the Territory, and has 
ever since been used. Before the commencement of this session Doty's term of office had 
expired. He was superseded as governor of the Territory by N. P. Tallmadge, the latter having 
been appointed on the twenty-first of June, 1S44. On the thirty-first of August, Charles M. 
Prevost was appointed marshal of the Territory, in place of Daniel Hugunin. There was the 
utmost harmony between Governor Tallmadge and the legislature of the Territory at its session 
in 1845. 

His message, which was delivered to the two houses in person, on the seventeenth of January, 
was well received. Among other items of interest to which he called the attention of the legis- 
lative assembly, was one concerning the construction of a railroad to connect Lake Michigan with 
the Mississippi. "The interests of the Territory," said he, " seem inperiously to demand the con- 
struction of a railroad, or other communication, from some suitable point on Lake Michigan to 
the Mississippi river. Much difference of opinion seems to exist as to what it shall be, and how 
it is to be accomplished. There is a general impression," continued the governor, "that the con- 
struction of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, which was intended to connect those waters, is 
abandoned. It remains to be seen what shall be substituted for it." The session terminated on 
the twenty-fourth of February, 1845. 

James K. Polk having been inaugurated president of the United States on the fourth of 
March, 1845, Henry Dodge was again put into the gubernatorial chair of the Territory, receiving 
his appointment on the eighth of April, 1845. Other changes were made by the president during 
the same year, John B. Rockwell being, on the fourteenth of March, appointed marshal, and W. 
P. Lynde, on the fourteenth of July, United States attorney for the Territory, Governor Tall^ 
madge, on the twenty-second of January of this year, having commissioned the latter also as 
attorney general. On the twenty-second of September, Morgan L. Martin was elected delegate 
to the twenty-ninth congress, as the successor of Henry Dodge. 

The fourth and last session of the fourth legislative assembly was organized on the fifth of 
January, 1846. This session, although a short one, proved very important. Preliminary steps 
were taken for the formation of a State government. The first Tuesday in April next succeeding 
was the day fixed upon for the people to vote for or against the proposition. When taken it 
resulted in a large majority voting in favor of the measure. An act was passed providing for taking 
the census of the Territory, and for the apportionment by the governor of delegates to form a 
State constitution, based upon the new enumeration. The delegates were to be elected on the first 
Monday in September, and the convention was to assemble on the first Monday in October, 1846. 
The constitution when formed was to be submitted to the vote of the people for adoption or 
rejection, as, at the close of the session, the terms of members of the council who had been elected 
for four years, and of the house, who had been elected for two years, all ended. The legislature 



52 HISTORY OF "wiscoxsm. 

re-organized the election districts, and conferred on the governor the power and duty of making 
an apportionment, based on the census to be taken, for the next legislative assembly, when, on 
the third of February, 1846, both houses adjourned sine die. On the twenty-second of January, 
Governor Dodge appointed A. Hyatt Smith attorney general of the Territory. On tlie twenty- 
fourth of February, John Catlin was appointed Territorial secretary by the president. 

The census taken in the following June showed a population for the Territory of one hun- 
dred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and seventy-seven. Delegates having been elected to 
form a constitution for the proposed new State, met at Madison on the fifth day of October. 
After completing their labors, they adjourned. This event took place on the sixteenth of 
December, 1846. The constitution thus formed was submitted to a popular vote on the first 
Tuesday of April, 1847, and rejected. The first session of the fifth legislative assembly com- 
menced on the fourth of January of that year. But little was done. Both houses finally 
adjourned on the eleventh of February, 1847. John H. Tweedy was elected as the successor 
of Morgan L. Martin, delegate to the thirtieth congress, on the sixth of September following. On 
the twenty-seventh of that month, Governor Dodge issued a proclamation for a special session 
of the legislature, to commence on the eighteenth of the ensuing month, to take action concern- 
ing the admission of Wisconsin into the Union. The two houses assembled on the day named 
in the proclamation, and a law was passed for the holding of another convention to frame a 
constitution ; when, after nine days' labor, they adjourned. Delegates to the new convention 
were elected on the last Monday of November, and that body met at Madison on the fifteenth 
of December, 1847. A census of the Territory was taken. this year, which showed a population 
of two hundred and ten thousand five hundred and forty-six. The result of the labors of the 
second constitutional convention was the formation of a constitution, which, being submitted 
to the people on the second Monday of March, 184S, was duly ratified. 

The second and last session of the fifth legislative assembly — the last legislative assembly 
of Wisconsin Territory — commenced on the seventh of February, 1848, and adjourned «'«<• <//> 
on the thirteenth of March following. On the twentieth of the same month, J. H. Tweedy, 
delegate from Wisconsin, introduced a bill in congress for its admission into the Union. The 
bill was finally passed; and on the twenty-ninth of May, 1S48, Wisconsin became a State. 
There had been seventeen sessions of the legislative assembly of the Territory, of an average 
duration of forty days each : the longest one lasted seventy-six days ; the shortest, ten days. So 
long as the Territory had an'existence, the apportionment of thirteen members for the council, and 
twenty-six for the house of representatives, was continued, as provided in the organic act. 
There had been, besides those previously mentioned, nine additional counties " set off " by the 
legislative assembly of the Territory, so that they now numbered in all twenty-eight : Milwaukee, 
Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Green, Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calu- 
met, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, 
La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe. 

v.— WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 

First Administration. — Nelson Dewey, Governor — 1848, 1849. 

The boundaries prescribed in the act of congress, entitled "An Act to enable the people of 
Wisconsin Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such 
State into tlie Union," approved August 6, 1846, were accepted by the convention which formed 
the constitution of Wisconsin, and are described in that instrument as " beginning at the north- 
east corner of the State of Illinois — that is to say, at a point in the center of Lake Michigan 



WISCOKSIX AS A STATE. 53 

where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses the same ; thence 
running with the boundary line of the State of Michigan, through Lake Michigan [and] Green 
bay to the mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule 
river ; thence up said last mentioned river to Lake Brule ; thence along the southern shore of 
Lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in 
the Lake of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as 
marked upon the survey made by Captain Cram ; thence down the main channel of the Mon- 
treal river to the middle of Lake Superior; thence through the center of Lake Superior to the 
mouth of the St. Louis river ; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the 
same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollett's map ; thence due south to the main 
branch of the River St. Croix ; thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi ; 
thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the State 
of Illinois; thence due east with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois to the place of 
beginning " The territory included within these lines constitutes the State of Wisconsin, 
familiarly known as the "Badger State." All that portion of Wisconsin Territory, as formerly 
constituted, lying west of so much of the above mentioned boundary as e.xtends from the middle 
of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Croix river, not being included in Wisconsin, the limits 
of the State are, of course, not identical with those of the Territory as they previously existed. 

The State of Wisconsin, thus bounded, is situated between the parallel of forty-two degrees 
thirty minutes and that of forty-seven degrees, north latitude, and between the eighty-seventh 
and ninety-third degrees west longitude, nearly. For a portion of its northern border it has 
Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world ; for a part of its eastern boundary it 
has Lake Michigan, almost equal in size to Lake Superior ; while the Mississippi, the largest 
river in the world but one, forms a large portion of its western boundary. The State of Michi- 
gan lies on the east ; Illinois on the south ; Iowa and Minnesota on the west. Wisconsin has an 
average length of about two hundred and sixty miles; an average breadth of two hundred and 
fifteen miles. 

The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by the people on the second Monday of March, 
1848, provided for the election of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, 
attorney general, members of the State legislature, and members of congress, on the second 
Monday of the ensuing May. On that day — the 8th of the month — the election was held, 
which resulted in the choice of Nelson Dewey, for governor ; John E. Holmes, for lieutenant 
governor; Thomas McHugh, for secretary of state; Jairus C. Fairchild, for state treasurer; 
and James S. Brown, for attorney general. The State was divided into nineteen senatorial, and 
sixty-six assembly districts, in each of which one member was elected ; it was also divided into 
two congressional districts, in each of which one member of congress was elected — -William 
Pitt Lynde in the first district, composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, 
Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green ; Mason C. Darling, in the second district, composed of the 
counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, 
Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Craw- 
ford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe — the counties of Richland, Chippewa and La Pointe 
being unorganized. 

The first session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced at Madison, the seat of govern- 
ment for the State, on Monday, the 5th day of June, 1848. Ninean E. Whiteside was elected 
speaker of the assembly, and Henry Billings president of the senate, /r«; tempore. The democrats 
were largely in the majority in both houses. The legislature, in joint convention, on the 7th of 
June, canvassed, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the votes given on the 
8th of May previous, for the State officers and the two representatives in congress. On the same 



54 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

day, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary ot state, treasurer, and attorney general, were 
sworn into office in presence of both houses. All these officers, as well as the representatives in 
congress, were democrats. Dewey's majority over John H. Tweedy, whig, was five thousand and 
eighty-nine. William P. Lynde's majority in the first district, for congress, over Edward V. 
Whiten, whig, was two thousand four hundred and forty-seven. Mason C. Darling's majority in 
the second district, over Alexander L. Collins, whig, was two thousand eight hundred and forty- 
six. As the thirtieth congress, to which Lynde and Darling were elected would expire on the 4th 
of March, 1849, their terms of office would, of course, end on that day. The former took his 
seat on the 5th of June, the latter on the 9th of June, 184S. 

The constitution vested the judicial power of the State in a supreme court, circuit courts, 
courts of probate, and in justices of the peace, giving the legislature power to vest such juris- 
diction as should be deemed necessary in municipal courts ; also, conferring upon it the power 
to establish inferior courts in the several counties, with limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. 
The State was divided into five judicial circuits; and judges were to be elected at a time to be 
provided for by the legislature at its first session. It was provided that there should be no 
election for a judge or judges, at any general election for State or county officers, nor within 
thirty days either before or after such election. 

On the 8th of June, 1848, Governor Dewey delivered his first message to a joint convention 
of the two houses. It was clear, concise, and definite upon such subjects as, in his opinion 
demanded immediate attention. His views were generally regarded as sound and statesmanlike 
by the people of the State. " You have convened," said he, "under the provisions of the con- 
stitution of the State of Wisconsin, to perform as representatives of the people, the important 
duties contemplated by that instrument." " The first session of the legislature of a free people," 
continued the governor, " after assuming the political identity of a sovereign State, is an event of 
no ordinary character in its history, and will be fraught with consequences of the highest 
importance to its future welfare and prosperity. Wisconsin possesses the natural elements, 
fostered by the judicious system of legislation," the governor added, " to become one of the 
most populous and prosperous States of the American Union. With a soil unequaled in fertility, 
and productive of all the necessary comforts of life, rich in mineral wealth, with commercial 
advantages unsurpassed by any inland State, possessing extensive manufacturing facilities, with a 
salubrious climate, and peopled with a population enterprising, industrious, and intelligent, the 
course of the State of Wisconsin must be onward, until she ranks among the first of the States 
of the Great West. It is," concluded the speaker, "under the most favorable auspices that the 
State of Wisconsin has taken her position among the families of States. With a population 
numbering nearly one quarter of a million, and rapidly increasing, free from the incubus of a 
State debt, and rich in the return yielded as the reward of labor in all the branches of industrial 
pursuits, our State occupies an enviable position abroad, that is highly gratifying to the pride of 
our people." Governor Dewey then recommended a number of measures necessary, in his 
judgment, to be made upon changing from a Territorial to a State government. 

The first important business of the legislature, was the election of two United States 
senators. The successful candidates were Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, both democrats, 
Their election took place on the 8th of June, 1848, Dodge taking his seat in the senate on the 
23d of June, and Walker on the 26th of June, 1848. The latter drew the short term ; so that 
his office would expire on the 4th day of March, 1849, at the end of the thirtieth congress : 
Dodge drew the long term, his office to expire on the 4th day of March, 1851, at the end of the 
thirty-first congress. The residue of the session was taken up in passing such acts as were 
deemed necessary to put the machinery of the new State government, in all its branches, in fair 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 55 

running order. One was passed providing for the annual meeting of the legislature, on the 
second Wednesday of January of each year ; another prescribing the duties of State officers ; 
one dividing the State into three congressional districts. The first district was composed of the 
counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine ; the second, of the counties of Rock, 
Green, La Fayette, Grant, Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Richland, Crawford, Adams, Portage, Chippewa, La 
Pointe, and St. Croix; the third, of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, 
Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson, and Columbia. Another act 
provided for the election of judges of the circuit courts, on the first Monday of August, 1848. 
By the same act, it was provided that the first term of the supreme court should be held in' 
Madison on the second Monday of January, 1849, and thereafter at the same place on the same 
day, yearly ; afterward changed so as to hold a January and June term in each year. An act 
was also passed providing for the election, and defining the duties of State superintendent of 
public instruction. That officer was to be elected at the general election to be holden in each 
year, his term of office to commence on the first Monday of January succeeding his election. 
Another act established a State university; another exempted a homestead from a forced sale; 
another provided for a revision of the statutes. The legislature, after a session of eighty-five 
days, adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of August, 1848. 

The State, as previously stated, was divided into five judicial circuits : Edward V. Whiton 
being chosen judge at the election on the first Monday in August, 1848, of the first circuit, com- 
posed of the counties of Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green, as then constituted ; Levi Hubbell 
of the second, composed of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane ; Charles H. Larrabee, 
of the third, composed of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, Sauk, and Portage, as then 
formed; Alexander W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown, Manitowoc,. Sheboygan, Fond 
du Lac, Winnebago, and Calumet ; and Mortimer M. Jackson, of the fifth circuit, composed of 
the counties of Iowa, LaFayette, Grant, Crawford and St. Croix, as then organized ; the county 
of Richland being attached to Iowa county; the county of Chippewa to the county of Craw- 
ford; and the county of LaPointe to the county of St. Croix, for judicial purposes. 

In the ensuing Fall there was a presidential election. There were then three organized 
political parties in the State : whig, democratic, and free-soil — each of which had a ticket in 
the field. The democrats were in the majority, and their four electors cast their votes for Lewis 
Cass and William O. Butler. At this election, Eleazer Root was the successful candidate for State 
superintendent of public instruction. In his election party politics were not considered. There 
were also three members for the thirty-first congress chosen : Charles Durkee, to represent the 
first district; Orsamus Cole, the second; and James D. Dotv, the third district. Durkee 
was a free-soiler; Cole, a whig ; Doty, a democrat — with somewhat decided Doty proclivities. 
The act of the legislature, exempting a homestead from forced sale of any debt or liability 
contracted after January i, 1849, approved the twenty-ninth of July previous, and another act 
for a like exemption of certain personal property, approved August 10, 1848, were laws the most 
liberal in their nature passed by any State of the Union previous to those dates. It was prophe- 
sied that they would work wonderful changes in the business transactions of the new State— for 
the worse; but time passed, and their utility were soon evident: it was soon very generally 
acknowledged that proper exemption laws were highly beneficial — a real "good to the greatest 
number of the citizens of a State. 

So much of Wisconsin Territory as lay west of the St. Croix and the State boundary north 
of it, was, upon the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, left, for the time being, without a 
government — unless it was still "Wisconsin Territory." Henry Dodge, upon being elected to the 
United States senate from Wisconsin, vacated, of course, the office of governor of this fraction. 
John H. Tweedy, delegate in congress at the time Wisconsin became a State, made a formal 



66 



HISTORY OF WISCOSTSIN. 



resignation of his office, thus leaving the fractional Territory unrepresented. Thereupon John 
Catlin, secretary of the Territory of Wisconsin as a whole, and now claiming, by virtue of that 
office, to be acting governor of the fractional part, issued a proclamation as such officer for an 
election on the thirtieth of October, 1848, of a delegate in congress. Nearly four hundred votes 
were polled in the district, showing "Wisconsin Territory" still to l-.ave a population of not less 
than two thousand. H. H. Sibley was elected to that office. On the fifteenth of January, 1849, 
he was admitted to a seat as "delegate from Wisconsin Territory." This hastened the formation 
of the Territory of Minnesota — a bill for that purpose having become a law on the third of 
March, when " Wisconsin Territory" ceased finally to exist, being included in the new Territory. 

The year 1848 — the first year of the existence of Wisconsin as a State — was one of general 
prosperity to its rapidly increasing population. The National Government effected a treaty with 
the Menomoneee Indians, by which their title was extinguished to the country north of the Fox 
river of Green bay, embracing all their lands in the State. This was an important acquisition, 
as it opened a large tract of country to civilization and settlement, which had been for a consid- 
erable time greatly desired by the jjeople. The State government at the close of the year had 
been in existence long enough to demonstrate its successful operation. The electric telegraph 
had already reached the ca[)ital ; and Wisconsin entered its second year upon a flood tide of 
prosperity. 

Under the constitution, the circuit judges were also judges of the supreme court. An act 
of the legislature, approved June 29, 1848, providing for the election of judges, and for the 
classification and organization of the judiciary of the State, authorized the election, by the judges, 
of one of their number as chief justice. Judge Alexander W. Stow was chosen to that office, 
and, as chief justice, held, in conjunction with Associate Judges Whiton, Jackson, Larrabee, and 
Hubbell, the first session of the supreme court at Madison, commencing on the eighth day of 
January, 1849. 

The second session of the State legislature commenced, according to law, on the tenth of 
January, 1849, Harrison C. Hobart being elected speaker of the assembly. Governor Dewey, in 
his message, sent to both houses on the nth, referred to the rapidly increasing population of the 
State, and the indomitable energy displayed in the development of its productive capacity. He 
recommended the sale of the university lands on a long credit, the erection of a State prison, 
and the modification of certain laws. On the seventeenth of January, the two houses met in 
joint convention to elect an United States senator in place of Isaac P Walker, who had drawn 
the short term. The democrats had a small majority on joint ballot, ^\'alker was re-elected; 
this time, for a full term of six years, from the 4th of March, 1849. The legislature at this 
session passed many acts of public utility; some relating to the boundaries of counties; others, 
to the laying out of roads ; eighteen, to the organization of towns. The courts were cared for ; 
school districts were organized; special tax: were authorized, and an act passed relative to the 
sale and superintendence of the school and university lands, prescribing the powers and duties 
of the commissioners who were to have charge of the same. These commissioners, consisting 
of the secretary of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, were not only put in charge 
of the school and university lands held by the State, but also of funds arising from the sale of 
them. This law has been many times amended and portions of it repealed. The lands at 
present subject to sale are classified as school lands, university lands, agricultural college lands, 
Marathon county lands, normal school lands, and drainage lands, and are Subject to sale at 
private entry on terms fixed by law. Regulations concerning the apportionment and investment 
of trust funds are made by the commissioners in pursuance of law. All lands now the property 
of the State subject to sale, or that have been State lands and sold, were derived from the Gen- 



WISCONSIN" AS A STATE. 57 

eral Government. Lands owned by the State amount, at the present time, to about one and one 
half million acres. 

A joint resolution passed the legislature on the 31st of March, 1849, instructing Isaac P. 
Walker to resign his seat as United States senator, for " presenting and voting for an amend- 
ment to the general appropriation bill, providing for a government in California and New Mexico, 
west of the Rio Grande, which did not contain a provision forever prohibiting the introduction 
of slavery or involuntary "servitude " in those Territories. The senator refused to regard these 
instructions. The legislature adjourned on the second of April, 1849, after a session of eighty- 
three days. 

In July, 1848, the legislature of Wisconsin elected M. Frank, Charles C. Jordan, and A. W. 
Randall, commissioners to collate and revise all the public acts of the State, of a general and 
permanent nature in force at the close of the session. Randall declining to act, Charles M. 
Baker was appointed by the governor in his place. The commissioners commenced their labors 
in August, 1848, and were engaged in the revision the greater part of the time until the close of 
the session of the legislature of 1S49. It was found impossible for the revisers to conclude their 
labors within the time contemplated by the act authorizing their appointment ; so a Joint select 
committee of the two houses at their second session was appointed to assist in the work. The 
laws revised by this committee and by the commissioners, were submitted to, and approved by, 
the legislature. These laws, with a few passed by that body, which were introduced by individual 
members, formed the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin of 1849 — a volume of over nine hundred 
pages. 

At the general election held in November of this year, Dewey was re-elected governor. 
S. W. Beall was elected lieutenant governor; William A. Barstow, secretary of state; Jairus C. 
Fairchild was re-elected treasurer ; S. Park Coon was elected attorney general ; and Eleazer 
Root, re-elected superintendent of public instruction. All these officers were chosen as dem- 
ocrats, except Root, who ran as an independent candidate, the term of his office having been 
changed so as to continue two years from the first day of January next succeeding his election. 
By the revised statutes of 1849, all State officers elected for a full term went into office on the 
first of January next succeeding their election. 

The year 1849 developed in an increased ratio the productive capacity of the State in every 
department of labor. The agriculturist, the artisan, the miner, reaped the well-earned reward of 
his honest labor. The commercial and manufacturing interests were extended in a manner 
highly creditable to the enterprise of the people. The educational interest of the State began to 
assume a more systematic organization. The tide of immigration suffered no decrease during 
the year. Within the limits of Wisconsin, the oppressed of other climes continued to find 
welcome and happy homes. 

Second Administration. — Nelson Dewey, Governor (Second Term) — 1850, 1851. 

On the first day of January, 1850, Nelson Dewey took the oath of office, and quietly entered 
upon his duties as governor, for the second term. The third legislature convened on the ninth. 
Moses M. Strong was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses had democratic majorities. 
Most of the business transacted was of a local character. By an act approved the fifth of Feb- 
ruary, the " January term " of the supreme court was changed to December. The legislature 
adjourned after a session of only thirty-four days. An act was passed organizing a sixth judicial 
circuit, from and after the first Monday in July, 1850, consisting of the counties of Crawford, 
Chippewa, Bad Axe, St. Croix and La Pointe, an election for judge to be holden on the same 
day. Wiram Knowlton was elected judge of that circuit. 



58 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The first charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated by the State, was the "Wisconsin 
Institute for the Education of the Blind." A school for that unfortunate class had been opened 
in Janesville, in the latter part of 1859, receiving its support from the citizens of that place and 
vicinity. By an act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1850, this school was taken under 
the care of the Institute, to continue and maintain it, at Janesville, and to qualify, as far as might 
be, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government; for obtaining 
the means of subsistence ; and for the discharge of those duties, social and political, devolving 
upon American citizens. It has since been supported from the treasury of the State. On the 
seventh of October, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils, under the direction of a 
board of trustees, appointed by the governor. The Institute, at the present time, has three 
departments: in one is given instruction such as is usually taught in common schools; in 
another, musical training is imparted ; in a third, broom-making is taught to the boys, — sewing, 
knitting and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane-bottomed chairs to both 
boys and girls. On the thirteenth of April, 1874, the building of the Institute was destroyed by 
fire. A new building has since been erected. 

The taking of the census by the United States, this year, showed a population for Wisconsin 
of over three hundred and five thousand — the astonishing increase in two years of nearly ninety- 
five thousand! In 1840, the population of Wisconsin Territory was only thirty thousand. This 
addition, in ten years, of two hundred and seventy-five thousand transcended all previous 
experience in the settlement of any portion of the New World, of the same extent of territory. 
It was the result of a steady and persistent flow of men and their families, seeking permanent 
homes in the young and rising State. Many were German, Scandinavian and Irish ; but 
the larger proportion were, of course, from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The 
principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valuable 
mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine, and the unlimited wa'.er-power of its numerous 
streams. 

By the Revised Statutes of 1849, Wisconsin was divided into three congressional districts — 
the second congressional apportionment — each of which was entitled to elect one representative 
in the congress of the United States. The counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth and 
Racine constituted the first district; the counties of Rock, Green, La Fayette, Grant, Iowa, 
Dane, Sauk, Adams, Portage, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe, the second 
district; the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond 
du Lac, Marquette, Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson, the third district. At the general election 
in the Autumn of this year, Charles Durkee, of the first district ; Benjamin C. Eastman, of the 
second ; and John B. Macy, of the third district, were elected to represent the State in the 
thirty-second congress of the United States. Durkee, it will be remembered, represented the 
same district in the previous congress : he ran the second time as an independent candidate. 
Eastman and Macy were elected upon democratic tickets. The General Government this year 
donated to the State all the swamp and overflowed lands within its boundaries. 

The year 1850 to the agriculturist of Wisconsin was not one of unbounded prosperity, 
owing to the partial failure of the wheat crop. In the other branches of agriculture there were 
fair returns. The State was visited during the year by cholera ; not, however, to a very alarming 
extent. 

The fourth session of the legislature of the State commenced on the 8th of January, 
1851. Frederick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in the legisla- 
ture was democratic. Governor Dewey, in his message, referred to the death of the president of 
the United States, Zachary Taylor; said that the treasury and finances of the State were in a 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 69 

sound condition ; and then adverted to many topics of interest and importance to the people of 
Wisconsin. It was an able document. One of the important measures of the session was the 
election of an United States senator, in the place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would 
expire on the 4th of March, next ensuing. In joint convention of the legislature held on the 
20th of January, Dodge was re-elected for a full term of six years. On the 2 2d, the governor 
approved a joint resolution of the legislature, rescinding not only so much of the joint resolu- 
tion of the legislative assembly of Wisconsin, passed March 31, 1849, as censured Isaac J. 
Walker, but also the instructions in those resolutions relative to his resigning his seat in the 
senate of the United States, 

Among the important bills passed at this session of the legislature was one providing for 
the location and erection of a State prison. Another one — the apportionment bill — was vetoed 
by the governor, and having been passed on the last day of the session, failed to become a law. 
The legislature adjourned on the eighteenth of March, 185 1, after a session of seventy days. 

On the I St day of January, 185 1, Timothy O. Howe took his seat as one of the associate 
judges of the supreme court, he having been elected judge of the fourth circuit in place of Alex- 
ander W. Stow. The office of chief justice of the supreme court, which had been filled by Judge 
Stow, therefore became vacant, and so remained until the commencement of the next term — June 
18, 1851 — when Levi Hubbell, judge of the second circuit, was, by the judges present, pursuant 
to the statute, elected to that office. 

By an act of the legislature approved March 14, 185 1, the location and erection of a State 
prison for Wisconsin was provided for — the point afterward determined upon as a suitable 
place for its establishment being Waupun, Dodge county. By a subsequent act, the prison was 
declared to be the general penitentiary and prison of the State for the reformation as well as for 
the punisliment of offenders, in which were to be confined, employed at hard labor, and governed 
as provided for by the legislature, all offenders who might be committed and sentenced accord- 
ing to law, to the punishment of solitary imprisonment, or imprisonment therein at hard labor. 
The organization and management of this the first reformatory and penal State institution in 
Wisconsin, commenced and has been continued in accordance with the demands of an advanced 
civilization and an enlightened humanity. 

On the 29th of September, 185 1, Judge Hubbell was re-elected for the full term of six years 
as judge of the second judicial circuit, to commence January i, 1852. 

At the general election in November, 1851, Leonard J. Farwell was chosen governor; 
Timothy Burns, lieutenant governor; Charles D. Robinson, secretary of State ; E. H. Janssen, 
State treasurer; E. Estabrook, attorney general; and Azel P. Ladd, superintendent of public 
instruction. All these officers were elected as democrats except Farwell, who ran as a whig ; 
his majority over D. A. J. Upham, democrat, was a little rising of five hundred. 

Third Administration.— L. J. Farwell, Governor — 1852-1853. 

Governor Farwell's administration commenced on the fifth day of January, 1852. Previous 
to this — on the third day of the month — Edward V. Whiton was chosen by the judges of the 
supreme court, chief justice, to succeed Judge Hubbell. On the fourteenth of that month, the 
legislature assembled at Madison. This was the beginning of the fifth annual session. James 
McM. Shafter was elected speaker of the assembly. In the senate, the democrats had a 
majority; in the assembly, the whigs. The governor, in his message, recommended the memorial- 
izing of congress to cause the agricultural lands within the State to be surveyed and brought 
into market; to cause, also, the mineral lands to be surveyed and geologically examined, and 
offered for sale; and to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of rivers and harbors. 
The question of " bank or no bank " having been submitted to the people in November previous, 



60 HISTOr.Y OF WISCONSIN. 

and decided in favor of banks, under the constitution, the power was thereby given to the legis- 
lature then in session to grant bank charters, or to pass a general banking law. Farwell recom- 
mended that necessary measures be taken to carry into effect this constitutional provision. A 
larger number of laws was passed at this session than at any previous one. By a provision of 
the constitution, the legislature was given power to provide by law, if they should think it expe- 
dient and necessary, for the organization of a separate supreme court, to consist of one chief 
justice and two associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at such 
time and in such manner as the legislature might provide. Under this authority, an act was 
passed at this session providing for the election of a chief justice and two associates, on the last 
Monday of the September following, to form a supreme court of the State, to supplant the old 
one, provision for the change being inserted in the constitution. There was also an act passed 
to apportion and district anew the members of the senate and assembly, by which the number 
was increased from eighty-five to one hundred and seven: twenty-five for the senate; eighty- 
two for the assembly. An act authorizing the business of banking passed the legislature and 
was approved by the governor, on the 19th of April. By this law, the ofiice of bank-comptroller 
was created — the officer to be first appointed by the governor, and to hold his office until the first 
Monday in January, 1854. At the general election in the Fall of 1853, and every two years 
thereafter, the office was to be filled by vote of the people. Governor Farwell afterward, on the 
20th of November, appointed James S. Baker to that office. The legislature adjourned on the 
nineteenth of April, 1852. 

The second charitable institution incorporated by the State was the " Wisconsin Institute 
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb." It was originally a private school for deaf mutes, 
near, and subsequently in, the village of Delavan, Walworth county.' By an act of the legislature 
approved April 19, 1852, it was made the object and duty of the corporation to establish, con- 
tinue and maintain this school for the education of the deaf and dumb, " at or near the village 
of Delavan, to qualify, as near as might be, that unfortunate class of persons for the enjoyment 
of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discharge of 
those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens." It has since been sup- 
ported by annual appropriations made by the legislature. A complete organization of the 
school was effected in June, 1852, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the 
governor of the State. The institute has for its design the education of such children of the 
State as, on account of deafness, can not be instructed in common schools. Instruction is given 
by signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and to one class by articulation. Two 
trades are taught: cabinet-making and shoe-making. 

During this year, considerable interest was manifested in the projecting of railroads. At 
the September election, E. V. A\'hiton was elected chief justice of the new supreme court and 
Samud Crawford and Abram D. Smith associate justices. Under the law, the chief justice was 
to serve a term of four years from the first day of June ne.\t ensuing; while the two associates 
were to cast lots — one to serve for six years, the other for two years, from June i, 1853. Craw- 
ford drew the short term — Smith the long term. At the subsequent general election for mem- 
bers to the thirty-third congress, Daniel Wells, Jr., was chosen from the first district , B. C. 
Eastman from the second.- and J. B. Macy from the third district. All were democrats. A 
democratic electoral ticket was chosen at the same time. The electors cast their votes for Pierce 
and Butler. 

During 1852, the citizens of Wisconsin enjoyed unusual prosperity in the ample products 
and remuneration of their industry and enterprise. Abundant harvests and high markets; an 
increase in moneyed circulation, and the downward tendency of the rates of interest; a prevail- 
ing confidence among business men and in business enterprises; a continual accession to the 



WISCONSIiSr AS A STATE. 61 

population of the State by immigration ; the energetic prosecution of internal improvements 
under the skillful management of companies; the extension of permanent agricultural improve- 
ments; and the rapid growth of the various cities and villages; were among the encouraging 
prospects of the year. 

The sixth session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1853. 
On the twenty-sixth of the same montli, William K. Wilson, of Milwaukee, preferred charges 
in the assembly against Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of the State, of 
divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the discharge of the duties of his office. A resolu- 
tion followed appointing a committee to report articles of impeachment, directing the members 
thereof to go to the senate and impeach Hubbell. Upon the trial of the judge before the 
senate, he was acquitted. An act was passed to provide for the election of a State prison commis- 
sioner by the legislature at that session — to hold his office until the first day of the ensuing 
January. The office was then to be filled by popular vote at the general election in November, 
1853 — and afterwards biennially — the term of office to be two years from the first day of Jan- 
uary next succeeding the election by the people. On the 28th of March, the legislature, in 
joint convention, elected John Taylor to that office. The legislature adjourned on the fourth 
day of April until the sixth of the following June, when it again met, and adjourned sine die on 
the thirteenth of July, both sessions aggregating one hundred and thirty-one days. 

By an act of the legislature approved February 9, 1853, the "Wisconsin State Agricultural 
Society," which had been organized in March, 1851, was incorporated, its object being to promote 
and improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical, manufacturing and 
household arts. It was soon after taken under the fostering care of the State by an appropria- 
tion made by the legislature, to be expended by the society in such manner as it might deem 
best calculated to promote the objects of its incorporation; State aid was continued down to the 
commencement of the rebellion. No help was extended during the war nor until 1873 ; since 
which time there has been realized annually from the State a sum commensurate with its most 
pressino' needs. The society has printed seventeen volumes of transactions and has held annually 
a State fair, except during the civil war. Besides these fairs, its most important work is the 
holding annually, at the capital of the State, a convention for the promotion of agriculture gen- 
erally. The meetings are largely participated in by men representing the educational and 
industrial interests of Wisconsin. 

By an act of the legislature approved March 4, 1853, the "State Historical Society of 
AVisconsin " was incorporated — having been previously organized — the object being to collect, 
embody, arrange and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts, 
manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of the 
State; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers., and to obtain and preserve 
narratives of their exploits, perils, and hardy adventures ; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities, 
and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin. The society was also author- 
ized to take proper steps to promote the study of history by lectures, and to diffuse and publish 
information relating to the description and history of the State. The legislature soon after took 
the society under its fostering care by voting a respectable sum for its benefit. Liberal State 
aid has been continued to the present time. The society, besides collecting a library of historical 
books and pamphlets the largest in the West, has published eight volumes of collections and a 
catalogue of four volumes. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, and none of its property 
can be alienated without the consent of the State. It has a valuable collection of painted por- 
traits and bound newspaper'files; and in its cabinet are to be found many prehistoric relics. 

On the first day of June, 1853, the justices of the new supreme court went into office: Associate 



62 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Justice Crawford, for two years; Chief Justice Whiton, for four years, Associate Justice Smith 
for six years as previously mentioned. The first (June) term was held at Madison. La Fayette 
Kellogg was appointed and qualified as clerk. On the 21st of September, Timothy Burns, lieu- 
tenant governor of Wisconsin, died at La Crosse. As a testimonial of respect for the deceased 
the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of the governor, were closed 
for one day — October 3, 1853. In the Fall of this year, democrats, whigs and free-soilers, each 
called a convention to nominate candidates for the various State offices to be supported by them 
at the ensuing election in November. The successful ticket was, for governor, William A. Bars- 
tow ; for lieutenant governor, James T. Lewis , for secretary of State, Alexander T. Gray, for 
State treasurer, Edward H. Janssen; for attorney general, George B. Smith ; for superintendent 
of public instruction, Hiram A. Wright; for State prison commissioner, A. W. Starks; and 
for bank comptroller, William M. Dennis. They were all democrats. 

The year 1853 was, to the agriculturists of the State, one of prosperity. Every branch of 
industry prospered. The increase of commerce and manufactures more than realized the expec- 
tations of the most sanguine. 

Fourth Administration. — William A. Barstow, Governor — 1854-1855. 

On Monday, the second of January, 1S54, William A. Barstow took the oath of ofifice as 
governor of Wisconsin. 

The legislature commenced its seventh regular session on the eleventh of January. Fred* 
erick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses were democratic. The 
legislature adjourned on the 3d of April following, after a session of eighty-three days. 

In the early part of March, a fugitive slave case greatly excited the people of Wisconsin. 
A slave named Joshua Glover, belonging to B. S. Garland of Missouri, had escaped from his 
master and made his way to the vicinity of Racine. Garland, learning the whereabouts of his 
personal chattel, came to the State, obtained, on the 9th of March, 1854, from the judges of the 
district court of the United States for the district of Wisconsin, a warrant for the apprehension 
of Glover, which was put into the hands of the deputy marshal of the United States. Glover 
was secured and lodged in jail in Milwaukee. A number of persons afterward assembled and 
rescued the fugitive. Among those who took an active part in this proceeding was Sherman M. 
Booth, who was arrested therefor and committed by a United States commissioner, but was 
released from custody by Abram D. Smith, one of the associate justices of the supreme court 
of Wisconsin, upon a writ of habeas corpus. The record of the proceedings was thereupon 
taken to that court in full bench by a writ of certiorari to correct any error that might have been 
committed before the associate justice. At the June term, 1854, the justices held that Booth 
was entitled to be discharged, because the commitment set forth no cause for detention. 

Booth was afterward indicted in the United States district court and a warrant issued for 
his arrest. He was again imprisoned; and again he applied to the supreme court — then, in 
term time — for a writ of habeas corpus. This was in July, 1S54. In his petition to the supreme 
court. Booth set forth that he was in confinement upon a warrant issued by the district court of 
the United States and that the object of the imprisonment was to compel him to answer an 
indictment then pending against him therein. The supreme court of the State held that these 
facts showed that the district court of the United States had obtained jurisdiction of the case 
and that it was apparent that the indictment was for an offense of which the federal courts had 
exclusive jurisdiction. They could not therefore interfere; and his application for a discharge 
was denied. 

Upon the indictment, Booth was tried and convicted, fined and imprisoned, for a violation 
of th-; fugitive slave law. Again the prisoner applied to the supreme court of Wisconsin, — his 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 63 

last application bearing date January 26, 1855. He claimed discharge on the ground of the 
unconstitutionality of the law under which he had been indicted. The supreme court held that 
the indictment upon which he had been tried and convicted contained three counts, the first of 
which was to be considered as properly charging an offense within the act of congress of Septem- 
ber 18, 1850, known as the "fugitive slave law," while the second and third counts did not set 
forth or charge an offense punishable by any statute of the United States ; and as, upon these last- 
mentioned counts he was found guilty and not upon the first, he must be discharged. 

The action of the supreme court of Wisconsin in a second time discharging Booth, was 
afterward reversed by the supreme court of the United States ; and, its decision being respected 
by the State court. Booth was re-arrested in i860, and the sentence of the district court of the 
United States executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the president. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1854, a " State Lunatic Asylum " was directed 
to be built at or in the vicinity of Madison, the capital of the State, upon land to be donated or 
purchased for that purpose. By a subsequent act, the name of the asylum was changed to the 
" Wisconsin State Hospitalfor the Insane.' This was the third charitable institution established 
by the State. The hospital was Opened for patients in July, i860, under the direction of a 
board of trustees appointed by the governor. All insane persons, residents of Wisconsin, who, 
under the law providing for admission of patients into the hospital for treatment, become resi- 
dents therein, are maintained at the expense of the State, provided the county in which such 
patient resided before being brought to the hospital pays the sum of one dollar and fifty cents a 
week for his or her support. Any patient can be supported by relatives, friends or guardians, if 
the latter desire to relieve the county and State from the burden, and can have special care and 
be provided with a special attendant, if the expense of the same be borne by parties interested. 
The hospital is beautifully located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane county, about 
four miles from Madison. 

At the general election in the Fall of 1854, for members from Wisconsin to the thirty-fourth 
congress, Daniel Wells, Jr. was chosen from the first district ; C. C. Washburn, from the second, 
and Charles Billinghurst from the third district. Billinghurst and Washburn were elected as 
republicans^that party having been organized in the Summer previous. Wells was a democrat. 

The year 1854 was one of prosperity for-Wisconsin, to all its industrial occupations. Abund- 
ant crops and increased prices were generally realized by the agriculturist. It was a year also of 
general health. It was ascertained that the amount of exports during the year, including lumber 
and mineral, exceeded thirteen millions of dollars. 

The eighth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the loth of January, 
1855. C. C. Sholes was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate was democratic ; the 
assembly, republican. On joint ballot, the republicans had but one majority. On the istof 
February, Charles Durkee, a republican, was elected United States senator for a full term of six 
years from the 4th of March next ensuing, to fill the place of Isaac P. Walker whose term would 
expireVJn that day. Among the bills passed of a general nature, was one relative to the rights of 
married women, providing that any married woman, whose husband, either frOm drunkenness or 
profligacy, should neglect or refuse to provide for her support, should have the right, in her own 
name, to transact business, receive and collect her own earnings, and apply the same for her own 
support, and education of her children, free from the control and interference of her husband. 
The legislature adjourned sine die on the second of April, after a session of eighty-three days. 
Orsamus Cole having been elected in this month an associate justice of the supreme court in 
place of Judge Samuel Crawford, whose term of office would expire on the thirty-first of May of 
that year, went into office on the first day of June following, for a term of six years. His office 
would therefore end on the thirty-first of May, 1861. 



64 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 

On the 27th of May, 1S55, Hiram A. Wright, sujierintendent of public instruction, died at 
Prairie du Chien. On the 18th of June following, the governor appointed A. Constantine Barry to 
fill his place. On the sth of July, Garland, the owner of the rescued fugitive slave Glover, 
having brought suit in the United States district court for the loss of his slave, against Booth, 
the trial came on at Madison, resulting in the jury bringing in a verdict under instructions from 
the judge, of one thousand dollars, the value of a negro slave as fixed by act of congress of 1850. 

The constitution of the State requiring the legislature to provide by law for an enumeration 
of the inhabitants in the year 1855, an act was passed by that body, approved March 31, of this 
year, for that purpose. The result showed a population for Wisconsin of over five hundred and 
fifty-two thousand. In November, at the general election, the democratic ticket for State offi- 
cers was declared elected: William A. Barstow, for governor; Arthur McArthur, for lieutenant 
governor; David W. Jones, for secretary of State; Charles Kuehn, for State treasurer ; Wil- 
liam R. Smith, for attorney general; A. C. Barry, for superintendent of public instruction; 
William M. Dennis, for bank comptroller; and Edward McGarry for State prison commissioner. 
The vote for governor was very close; but the State canvassers declared Barstow elected by a 
small majority. The opposing candidate for that office was Coles Bashford, who ran as a 
republican 

The year 1855 was a prosperous one to the farmers of Wisconsin as well as to all industrial 
occupations. There were abundant crops and unexampled prices were realized. 

Fifth Administration. — Coles Bashford, Governor — i856-i8:;7. 

On the seventh day of January, 1856. William A. Barstow took and subscribed an oath of 
office as governor of Wisconsin, while Coles Bashford, who had determined to contest the right 
of Barstow to the governorship, went, on the same day, to the supreme court room, in Madison, 
and had the oath of office administered to him by Chief Justice Whiton. Bashford afterward 
called at the executive office and made a formal demand of Barstow that he should vacate the 
gubernatorial chair; but the latter respectfully declined the invitation. These were the initiatory 
Steps of " Bashford 7's. Barstow," for the office of governor of Wisconsin. 

The fight now commenced in earnest. Oa the eleventh, the counsel for Bashford called 
upon the attorney general and requested him to file an information in the nature of a ^uo 
7t:'a/-/-<7«fe against Barstow. On the fifteenth that officer complied with the request. Thereupon 
a summons was issued to Barstow to appear and answer. On the twenty-second, Bashford, by 
his attorney, asked the court that the information filed by the attorney general be discontinued 
and that he be allowed to file one, which request was denied by the court. While the motion 
was being argued, Barstow, by his attorneys, entered his appearance in the case. 

On the second of February, Barstow moved to quash all proceedings for the reason that the 
court had no jurisdiction in the matter. This motion was denied by the court ; that tribunal at 
the same time deciding that the filing of the motion was an admission by Barstow that the alle- 
gations contained in the information filed by the attorney general were true. 4 

On the twenty-first of Febiuary, the time appointed for pleading to the information, Bar- 
stow, by his attorneys, presented to the court a stipulation signed by all the parties in the case, to 
the effect that the board of canvassers had determined Barstow elected governor; that the secre- 
tary of State had certified to his election ; and that he had taken the oath of office. They submit- 
ted to the court whether it had jurisdiction, beyond the certificates, of those facts and the canvass 
SO made to inquire as to the number of votes actually given for Barstow, — Bashford offering to 
prove that the certificates were made and issued through mistake and fraud, and that he, instead 
of Barstow, received the greatest number of votes. This stipulation the court declined to enter- 
tain or to pass upon the questions suggested ; as they were not presented in legal form. Barstow 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 65 

was thereupon given until the twenty-fifth of February to answer the information that had been 
filed against him by the attorney general. 

On the day appointed, Barstow filed his plea to the effect that, by the laws of Wisconsin 
regulating the conducting of general election for State officers, it was the duty of the board of 
canvassers to determine who was elected to the office of governor; and that the board had found 
that he was duly elected to that office. It was a plea to the jurisdiction of the court. A demurrer 
was interposed to this plea, setting forth that the matters therein contained were not sufficient in 
law to take the case out of court ; asking, also, for a judgment against Barstow, or that he answer 
further the information filed against him. The demurrer was sustained ; and Barstow was 
required to answer over within four days ; at the e.xpiration of which time the counsel for Barstow 
withdrew from the case, on the ground, as they alleged, that they had appeared at the bar of the 
court to object to the jurisdiction of that tribunal in the matter., and the court had determined 
to proceed with the case, holding and e.xercising full and final jurisdiction over it; and that thej 
could take no further steps without conceding the right of that tribunal so to hold. Thereupon, 
on the eighth of March, Barstow entered a protest, by a communication to the supreme court, 
against any further interference with the department under his charge by that tribunal, " either 
by attempting to transfer its powers to another or direct the course of executive action." The 
counsel for Bashford then moved for judgment upon the default of Barstow. 

A further hearing of the case was postponed until March i8, when the attorney general 
filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings ; against which Bashford. by his counsel, protested as 
being prejudicial to his rights. It was the opinion of the court that the attorney general could 
not dismiss the case, that every thing which was well pleaded for Bashford in his information was 
confessed by the default of Barstow. By strict usage, a final judgment ought then to have fol- 
lowed ; but the court came to the conclusion to call upon Bashford to bring forward proof, showing 
his right to the office. Testimony was then adduced at length, touching the character of the 
returns made to the State canvassers; after hearing of which it was the' opinion of the court that 
Bashford had received a plurality of votes for governor and that there must be a judgment in 
his favor and one of ouster against Barstow ; which were rendered accordingly. 

The ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced on the ninth of 
January, 1856. William Hull was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate had a repub- 
lican majority, but the assembly was democratic. On the eleventh Barstow sent in a message to 
a joint convention of the two houses. On the twenty-first of March he tendered to the legisla- 
ture his resignation as governor, giving for reasons the action of the supreme court in " Bashford 
vs. Barstow," which tribunal was then hearing testimony in the case. On the same day Arthur 
McArthur, lieutenant governor, took and subscribed an oath of office as governor of the State, 
afterwards sending a message to the legislature, announcing that the resignation of Barstow 
made it his duty to take the. reins of government. On the twenty-fifth, Bashford called on 
McArthur, then occupying the executive office, and demanded possession — at the same time 
intimating that he preferred peaceable measures to force, but that the latter would be employed 
if necessary. The lieutenant governor thereupon vacated the chair, when the former took the 
gubernatorial seat, exercising thereafter the functions of the office until his successor was elected 
and qualified. His right to the seat was recognized by the senate on the twenty-fifth, and by the 
assembly on the twenty-seventh of March, 1856. This ended the famous case of " Bashford vs. 
Barstow," the first and only " war of succession " ever indulged in by Wisconsin. 

The legislature, on the thirty-first of March, adjourned over to the third of September, to 
dispose of a congressional land grant to the State. Upon re-assembling, an important measure 
was taken up — that of a new apportionment for the legislature. It was determined to increase the 



66 HISTORY OF WTSrONSTN. 

number of members from one hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-seven. The session 
closed on the thirteenth of October. The general election for members to the thirty-fifth congress, 
held in November, resulted in the choice of John H. Potter, from the first district ; C. C. Washburn 
from the second ; and Charles Billinghurst, from the third district. They were all elected as 
republicans. The presidential canvass of this year was an exciting one in the State. The 
republicans were successful. Electors of that party cast their five votes for Fremont and 
Dayton. 

The year 1856 was not an unprosperous one, agriculturally speaking, although in some 
respects decidedly unfavorable. In many districts the earlier part of the season was exceedingly 
dry, which materially diminished the wheat crop. Other industrial interests were every where 
in a flourishing condition. 

The legislature commenced its tenth regular session at Madison, on the fourteenth day of 
January, 1857, with a republican majority in both houses. Wyman Spooner was elected speaker 
of the assembly. For the first time since the admission of the State into the Union, a majority of 
the members of both houses, together with the governor, were opposed to the democratic party. 
On the twenty-third the senate and assembly met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing 
a United States senator in place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would expire on the 
fourth of March next ensuing. James R. Doolittle, republican, was the successful candidate for 
that office, for a full term of six years, from the fourth of March, 1857. The legislature 
adjourned on the ninth of March, 1857. At the Spring election. Judge Whiton was re-elected 
chief justice of the supreme court for a term of six years. 

The second reformatory State institution established in Wisconsin, was, by an act of the 
legislature, approved March 7, 1857, denominated a House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents, 
afterward called the State Reform School, now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for 
Boys, and is located at Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha county. The courts and 
several magistrates in any county in \Visconsin may, in their discretion, sentence to this school 
any male child between the ages of ten and sixteen years, convicted of vagrancy, petit larceny, 
or any rnisdemeanor ; also of any offense which would otherwise be punishable by imprisonment 
in the State prison ; or, of incorrigible or vicious conduct in certam cases. The term of commit- 
ment must be to the age of twenty-one years. 

At the State election held in November of this year, the republicans elected A. W. Randall 
governor; S. D. Hastings, State treasurer, and Edward M. McGraw, State prison commis- 
sioner. The democrats elected E. D. Campbell, lieutenant governor ; D. W. Jones, secretary 
of State ; Gabriel Bouck, attorney general ; L. C. Draper, superintendent of public instruc- 
tion, and J. C. Squires, bank comptroller. 

The year 1857 was a disastrous one to Wisconsin, as well as to the whole country, in a finan- 
cial point of view. Early in the Fall a monetary panic swept over the land. A number of 
prominent operators in the leading industrial pursuits were obliged to succumb. Agriculturally 
the year was a fair one for the State. 

Sixth .Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor — 1858-1859. 

Randall's administration began on the fourth day of January, 1858, when for the first time 
he was inaugurated governor of the State. On the eleventh, of January the legislature 
commenced its eleventh regular session, with a republican majority in both houses. Frederick 
S. Lovell was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 
seventeenth of March, after an unusually long session of one hundred and twenty-five days. " That 
a large majority of the members were men of integrity, and disposed for the public weal, can not 



"WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 67 

be doubted ; but they were nearly all new mambers, and without former legislative experience. 
They set out to accomplish a great good, by holding up to public scorn and execration the whole- 
sale briberies and iniquities of the immediate past ; but they lacked concentration of effort, and. 
for want of union and preconcerted action, they failed to achieve the great triumph they sought, 
by providing a ' sovereign remedy ' for the evils they exposed." 

At the regular session of the legislature of 1856, an act was passed for a general revisi-n of 
the laws of the State. Under this, and a subsequent act of the adjourned session of that year, 
three commissioners — David Taylor, Samuel J. Todd, and F. S. Lovell — were appointed "to 
collect, compile and digest the general laws " of Wisconsin. Their report was submitted to the 
legislature of 1858, and acted upon at a late day of the session. The laws revised, which received 
the sanction of the legislature, were published in one volume, and constitute what is know as the 
Revised Statutes of iSj8. 

At the Fall election, John F. Potter from the first district, and C. C. Washburn from the 
second district, both republicans, were elected to the thirty-sixth congress ; while C. H. 
Larrabee, democrat, was elected to represent the third district. 

The twelfth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of 
January, 1859, with a republican majority in both houses. William P. Lyon was elected speaker 
of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of March, 1859, after a 
session of sixty-nine days. At the regular spring election, Byron Paine was chosen associate 
justice of the supreme court, for a full term of six years, as the successor of Associate Justice 
Smith. As it was a question when the term of the latter ended — whether on the 31st day of 
May, 1859, or on the first Monday in January, i860 — he went through with the formality of 
resigning his office, and the governor of appointing Paine as his successor, on the 20th of June, 
1859. On the twelfth of April, 1859, Edward V. \^'hiton, chief justice of the supreme court 
died at his residence in Janesville. The office was filled by executive appointment on the 19th 
of the same month — the successor of Judge Whiton being Luther S. Dixon. Late in the Sum- 
mer both political parties put into the field a full state ticket. The republicans were successful 
— electing for governor, Alexander W. Randall; for lieutenant governor, B. G. Noble; for 
secretary of state, L. P. Harvey; for state treasurer, S. D. Hastings, for attorney general, James 
H. Howe ; for bank comptroller, G. Van Steenwyck ; for superintendent of public instruction, 
J. L. Pickard ; for state prison commissioner, H. C. Heg. 

Seventh Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor (second term), 1860-1861. 

Alexander W. Randall was inaugurated the second time as governor of Wisconsin, on 
Monday, January 2, 'i860. One week subsequent, the thirteenth regular session of the legis- 
lature commenced at Madison. For the first time the republicans had control, not only of all 
the State offices, but also of both branches of the legislature. William P. Lyon was elected 
speaker of the assembly. A new assessment law was among the most important of the acts 
passed at this session. The legislature adjourned on the second of April. At the sprints elec- 
tion, Luther S. Dixon, as an independent candidate, was elected chief justice of the supreme 
court for the unexpired term of the late Chief Justice Whiton. In the presidential election which 
followed, republican electors were chosen — casting their five votes, in the electoral college, for 
Lincoln and Hamlin. At the same election, John F. Potter, from the first district ; Luther 
Hanchett, from the second, and A. Scott Sloan, from the third district, were elected members of 
the thirty-seventh congress. Hanchett died on the twenty-fourth of November, 1862, when, 
on the twentieth of December following, W. D. Mclndoe was elected to fill the vacancy. All 
these congressional representatives were republicans. Wisconsin, in i860, was a strong repub- 



68 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

lican State. According to the census of this year, it had a population of over seven hundred 
and seventy-seven thousand. 

On the ninth of January, 1861, the fourteenth regular session of the State legislature com- 
menced at Madison. Both branches were republican. Amasa Cobb was elected speaker of the 
assembly. On the tenth, both houses met in joint convention to hear the governor read his 
annual message. It was a remarkable document. Besides giving an excellent synopsis of the 
operations of the State government for i860, the governor entered largely into a discussion of 
the question of secession and disunion, as then proposed by some of the southern states of the 
Union. These are his closing words : 

" The right of a State to secede from the Union can never be admitted. . The National 
Gfovernment can not treat with a State while it is in the Union, and particularly while it stands 
in an attitude hostile to the Union. So long as any State assumes a position foreign, inde- 
pendent and hostile to the government, there can be no reconciliation. The government of the 
United States can not treat with one of its own States as a foreign power. The constitutional 
laws extend over every Stat? alike. They are to be enforced in every State alike. A State can 
not come into the Union as it pleases, and go out when it pleases. Once in, it must stay until 
the Union is destroyed. There is no coercion of a State. But where a faction of a people arrays 
itself, not against one act, but against all laws, and against all government, there is but one 
answer to be made : ' The Government must be sustained ; the lazvs shall be enforced .' ' " 

On the twenty-third of January the legislature met in joint convention to elect a United 
States senator to fill the place of Charles Durkee, whose term of office would expire on the 
fourth of March next ensuing. The successful candidate was Timothy O. Howe, republican, 
who was elected for a full term of six ypars from the 4th of March, 18^1. One of the important 
acts passed at this session of the legislature apportioned the State into senate and assembly 
districts, by which the whole number of members in both houses was increased from one hun- 
dred and twenty-seven to one hundred and thirty-three. Another act apportioned the State into 
six congressional districts instead of three. By this — the third congressional apportionment — 
each district was to elect one representative. The first district was composed of the counties 
of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha ; the second, of the counties of Rock, 
Jefferson, Dane, and Columbia; the third, of Green, La Fayette, Iowa, Grant, Crawford, Rich- 
land, and Sauk; the fourth, of Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan; the 
fifth, Manitowoc, Calumet, Winnebago, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Outa- 
gamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Oconto, and Shawano ; and the sixth, of the counties of Bad 
Axe, La Crosse, M.nroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, Wood, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, 
Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Chippewa, Dallas, Polk, Burnett, Douglas, 
La Pointe, and Ashland. The legislature adjourned on the seventeenth of April, 1861. 

At the spring elections of this year, Orsamus Cole was re-elected as associate justice of the 
supreme court. On the ninth of May following. Governor Randall issued a proclamation convening 
the legislature in extra session on the fifteenth of the same month. " The extraordinary condition 
of the country," said he, " growing out of the rebellion against the government of the United 
States, makes it necessary that the legislature of this State be convened in special session, to 
provide more completely for making the power of the State useful to the government and to 
other loyal States." The fifteenth or extra session began on the fifteenth of May, as designated 
in the governor's proclamation. The message of the governor was devoted entirely to the war. 
'' At the close of the last annual session of the legislature,'' said he, " to meet a sudden emer- 
gency, an act was passed authorizing me to respond to the call of the president of the United 
States, ' for aid in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws, or to suppress rebellion 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 69 

or insurrection, or to repel !nva ion witiiin the United States,' and I was authorized, and it was 
made my duty, to take such measures as, in my judgment, should provide in the speediest and 
most efficient manner for responding to such call : and to this end I was authorized to accept 
the services of volunteers for active service, to be enrolled in companies of not less than 
seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each. I was also 
authorized to provide for uniforming and equipping such companies as were not provided with 
uniforms and equipments." " The first call of the president for immediate active service," con- 
tinued the governor, " was for one regiment of men. My proclamation, issued immediately after the 
pas-sage of the act of the legislature, was answered within less than ten days, by companies enough, 
each containing the requisite number of men, to make up at least five regiments instead of o.-e. 
I then issued another proclamation, announcing the offers that had been made, and advising 
that thereafter companies might be enrolled to stand as minute men, ready to answer further 
calls, as they might be made, but without expense to the State, except as they were mustered 
into service. In less than one month from the date of my first proclamation, at least five thou- 
sand men, either as individuals or enrolled companies, have offered their services for the war, 
and all appear anxious for active service in the field." " The time for deliberation," concludes 
the governor, '• must give way to the time for action. The constitution of the United States 
must be sustained in all its first intent and wholeness. The right of the people of every State 
to go into every other State and engage in any lawful pursuit, without unlawful interference or 
molestation; the freedom of speech and of the press; the right of trial by jury; security from 
unjustifiable seizure of persons or papers, and all constitutional privileges and immunities, must 
receive new guarantees of safety." 

The extra session of the legislature passed, wtih a single exception, no acts except such as 
appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Both houses adjourned sine die on the 
twenty-seventh of May, 1861. As the administration of Governor Randall would close with the 
year, and as he was not a candidate for re-election, there was much interest felt throughout the 
State as to who his successor should be. Three State tickets were put in nomination : union, 
republican, and democratic. The republican ticket was successful, electing Louis P. Harvey, 
governor; Edward Salomon, lieutenant governor; James T. Lewis, secretary of state; S. D. 
Hastings, state treasurer; James H. Howe, attorney general; W. H. Ramsey, bank comp- 
troller; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of public instruction; and A. P. Hodges, state prison 
commissioner. 

The War of Secession — L.\st Year of Randall's Ad.ministration. 

When Wisconsin was first called upon to aid the General Government in its efforts to 
sustain itself against the designs of the secession conspirators, the commercial affairs of the 
State were embarrassed to a considerable degree by the depreciation of the currency. The 
designs of the secessionists were so far developed at the ending of the year i860 as to show that 
resistance to the national authority had been fully determined on. It is not a matter of wonder, 
then, that Governor Randall in his message to the legislature, early in January, 1861, should 
have set forth the dangers which threatened the Union, or should have denied the right of a 
State to secede from it. "Secession," said he, "is revolution; revolution is war ; war against 
the government of the United States is treason." "It is time," he continued, " now, to know 
whether we have any government, and if so, whether it has any strength. Is our written 
constitution more than a sheet of parchment .'' The nation must be lost or preserved by its own 
strength. Its strength is in the patriotism of the people. It is time now that politicians became 
patriots; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of principle, and by 



"^^ HISTOBY OF "WISCONSIN. 

unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity." "The hopes," added the governor, most 
eloquently, " of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question 
of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government is to pass its ordeal, 
and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and all 
along, the skeletons of nations have been strewn, as warnings and land-marks, upon the great 
highway of historic overnment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast. She will not 
destroy the Union, nor consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good 
men, in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas 
break their angry floods, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have 
rattled — strong, unmoved, immovable — so may our Union be, wiiile treason surges at its base, 
and passions rage around it, unmoved, immovable — here let it stand forever." These are the 
words of an exalted and genuine patriotism. But the governor did not content himself with 
eloquence alone. He came down to matters of business as well. He urged the necessity of 
legislation that would give more efficient organization to the militia of the State. He warned 
the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men. 
" The signs of the times," said he, " indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition 
of the government, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National Government 
for men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of men 
engaged in organized treason. While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the 
part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times, to be prepared to defend 
our institutions to the last extremity." It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the 
members of both houses that he " scented the battle afar off." 

On the 1 6th of January, a joint resolution of the legislature was passed, declaring that the 
people of Wisconsin are ready to co-operate with the friends of the Union every where for its 
preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and to demand a like obedience 
from all others ; that the legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of the 
Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and 
patriotic special message of the president of the United States ; that they tender to him, through 
the chief magistrate of their own State, whatever aid, in men and money, may be required to 
enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and in 
defense of the more perfect Union, which has conferred prosperity and happiness on the 
American people. " Renewing," said they, " the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we 
are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors in upholding the Union and 
the constitution." 

The legislature, in order to put the State upon a kind of " war footing," passed an act for 
its defense, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the General 
Government. It was under this act that Governor Randall was enabled to organize the earlier 
regiments of Wisconsin. By it, in case of a call from the president of the United States to aid 
in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws to suppress rebellion or insurrection, or 
to repel invasion within the United States, the governor was authorized to provide, in the most 
efficient manner, for responding to such call — to accept the services of volunteers for service, 
in companies of seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each, 
and to commission officers for them. The governor was also authorized to contract for 
uniforms and equipments necessary for putting such companies into active service. One 
hundred thousand dollars were appropriated for war purposes; and bonds were authorized to 
be issued for that amount, to be negotiated by the governor, for raising funds. It will be seen, 
therefore, that the exigencies of the times — for Fort Su.nter had not yet been surrendered — 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 71 

were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they then under- 
stood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union. 

Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, 
the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, 
and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only 
being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the first 
artillery. United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, 
marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth of April, 1861, with colors flying 
and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns. 
This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion. 
" Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, president, in his proclamation of the next day, " the 
laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution 
thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of 
judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Now, in view of that 
fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 
seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly 
executed. " A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate 
service," telegraphed the secretary of war to Randall, on the same day. 

In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of 
Sumter. " The dangers which surrounded the nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of 
patriotism and devotion. For the time, party fealty was forgotten in the general desire to save 
the nation. The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at 
hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National Government, and the principles upon which 
it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of any 
country, they rushed to its defense. On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed, 
and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds; in city, town, and hamlet, the burden on every 
tongue was war." "We have never been accustomed," said Governor Randall, " to consider the 
military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen 
that demands its employment." "The time has come," he continued, " when parties and plat- 
forms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rebels 
and traitors." "What is money,'' he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such a crisis.''" 
Such utterances and such enthusiasm could but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it 
will be remembered, was still in session ; so, although that body had already voted to adjourn, 
sine die, on the fifteenth of April, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor 
was received, announcing that, owing to the extraordinary exigencies which had arisen, an amend- 
ment of the law of the thirteenth instant was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once 
rescinded. The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to 
two hundred thousand dollars, but they also passed a law exempting from civil process, during 
the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wis- 
consin. When, on the seventeenth, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one. 
Nine cheers were given for the star spangled banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who 
had just then tendered their services — the first in the State — under the call for a regiment of 
men for three months' duty. 

" For the first time in the history of this federal government," are the words of the gover- 
nor, in a proclamation issued on the sixteenth of April, "organized treason has manifested itself 
within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it." " The 
treasuries of the country," said he, " must no longer be plundered ; the public property must be 



72 HISTOKY OF WISCOXSTN 

protected from aggressive violence ; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must 
be executed in every State of the Union alike." "A demand," he added, " made upon Wiscon- 
sin by the president of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a 
prompt response." The patriotism of the State was abundantly exhibited in their filling up 
a regiment before some of the remote settlements had any knowledge of the call. On the twenty- 
second, Governor Randall reported to the secretary of war that the First regiment was ready 
to go into rendezvous. The place designated was "Camp Scott," at Milwaukee; the day, the 
twenty-seventh of April. Then and there the several companies assembled — the regiment after- 
ward completing its organization. 

With a wise foresight. Governor Randall ordered, as a reserve force and in advance of another 
call for troops by the president, the formation of two more regiments — the Second and Third, 
and, eventually, the Fourth. Camps at Madison, Fond 'du Lac, and Racine, were formed for 
their reception, where suitable buildings were erected for their accommodation. Companies 
assjcrned to the Second regiment were ordered to commence moving into "Camp Randall," at 
Madison, on the first day of May. On the seventh, the secretary of war, under call of the presi- 
dent of the United States for forty-two thousand additional volunteers — this time for three years, 
or during tlie war — telegraphed Governor Randall that no more three months' volunteers were 
wanted; that such companies as were recruited must re-enlist for the new term or be disbanded. 

At the extra session of the legislature of Wisconsin, which, as already mentioned, com- 
menced on the fifteenth of May, called by Governor Randall immediately upon his being notified 
of the second call of the president for troops, on the third of May, the law hurriedly passed at 
the close of the regular session, and under which the governor had organized the First regi- 
ment, was found inadequate to meet the second call for troop.s. " A bill was introduced, and became 
a law, authorizing the governor to raise six regiments of infantry, inclusive of tliose he had organ- 
ized or placed at quarters. When the six regiments were mustered into the United States service, 
he was authorized to raise two additional regiments, and thus to keep two regiments continually 
in reserve to meet any future call of the General Government. He was authorized to quarter 
and subsist volunteers at rendezvous — to transport, clothe, subsist and quarter them in camp at 
the expense of the State. Arms and munitions were to be furnished by the United States. 
Recruits were to be mustered into State service, and into United States service, for three years. 
Two assistant surgeons to eacli regiment were to be appointed, and paid by the State. The regi- 
ments, as they came into camp, were to be instructed in drill and various camp duties, to secure 
efficiency in the field. The troops, so called in, were to be paid monthly by the State, the same 
pay and emoluments as the soldiers in the United States army, from the date of enlistment. The 
paymaster general was authorized to draw funds irom the State treasury for the payment of 
the State troops, and the expense incurred in subsisting, transporting and clothing them. The 
governor was authorized to jmrchase military stores, subsistence, clothing, medicine, field and 
camp equipage, and the sum of one million dollars was appropriated to enable the governor to 
carry out the law." 

Other laws were passed relating to military matters. One authorized the governor to pur- 
chase two thousand stand of arms; and fifty thousand dollars were appropriated to pay lor the 
same. Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorporated villages to levy taxes for 
the purpose of providing for the support of families of volunteers residing in their respective 
limits. The one i)assed at the previous session, exempting volunteers from civil process yhile in 
the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted five dollars 
per month as extra pay to enlisted volunteers having families dependent upon them for support, 
payable to their families. Another authorized the governor to employ such aids, clerks and 



1' 



1 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 73 

messengers, as he deemed necessary for the public interests. Still another authorized the pay- 
ment of those who had enlisted for three months, but had declined to go in for three years. 
The expenses of the extra session were ordered to be paid out of the " war fund." One million 
dollars in bonds were authorized to be issued for war purposes to form that fund. The governor, 
secretary of state and state treasurer were empowered to negotiate them. By a joint resolu- 
tion approved the twenty-first of May, the consent of the legislature was given to the governor 
to be absent from the State during the war, for as long a time as in his discretion he might think 
proper or advisable, in connection with the military forces of the State. For liberality, zeal and 
genuine patriotism, the members of the Wisconsin legislature, for the year 1861, deserve a high 
commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjournment at the close of the extra 
session to place the State upon a " vvar footing," was the organization by the governor of the 
various military departments. These he effected by appointing Brigadier General William L. 
Utley, adjutant general; Brigadier General W. W. Tredway, quartermaster general; Colonel 
Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general; Brigadier General Simeon Mills, jsaymaster gen- 
eral; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; "Major E. L. Buttrick, judge advocate; 
and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. 

On the seventeenth of May, the First regiment, at "Camp Scott," was mustered into the 
United States service, and the war department informed that it awaited marching orders. The 
regimental officers were not all in accordance with the law and mode adopted afterwards. On 
the seventh of the month Governor Randall had appointed Rufus King a brigadier general, and 
assigned the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments to his command as the Wisconsin 
brigade ; although at that date only the First and Second had been called into camp. This 
brigade organization was not recognized by the General Government. The secretary of war 
telegraphed the governor of Wisconsin that the quota of the State, under the second call of the 
president, was two regiments — so that the whole number under both calls was only three — one 
(the First) for three months, two (the Second and Third) for three years. Notwithstanding this, 
Governor Randall proceeded to organize the Fourth. 

As a number of the companies ordered into " Camp Randall " on the first day of May to 
form the Second regiment had only enlisted for three months, the order of the secretary of vi^ar 
of the seventh of that month making it imperative that all such companies must re-enlist for 
three years or during the war, or be disbanded, the question of extending their term of enlist- 
ment was submitted to the companies of the regiment, when about five hundred consented to 
the change. The quota of the regiment was afterward made up, and the whole mustered into 
the service of the United States for three years or during the war, under the president's second 
call for troops. This was on the eleventh of June, 1S61. The Third regiment having had its 
companies assigned early in May, they were ordered in June into "Camp Hamilton" at Fond 
du Lac, where the regiment was organized, and, on the twenty-ninth of June, mustered into the 
United States' service as a three years regiment. This filled Wisconsin's quota under the second 
call of President Lincoln. By this time war matters in the State began to assume a systematic 
course of procedure — thanks to the patriotism of the people, the wisdom of the legislature, and 
the untiring energy and exertions of the governor and his subordinates. 

The determination of the secretary of war to accept from Wisconsin only two three-years 
regiments under the second call for troops was soon changed, and three more were authorized, 
making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The Fourth was called into " Camp 
Utley " at Racine on the sixth of June, and was mustered into the service of the United States 
on the ninth of the foUov/ing month. By the twenty-eighth of June, all the companies of the 
Fifth had assembled at " Camp Randall," and on the thirteenth of July were mustered in as 



74 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



United States troops. By the first of July, at the same place, the complement for the Sixth 
regiment had been made up, and the companies were mustered for three years into the service 
of the General Government, on the sixteenth of the same month. Governor Randall did not 
stop the good work when six regiments had been accepted, but assigned the necessary companies 
•to form two more regiments — the Seventh and Eighth; however, he wisely concluded not to call 
them into camp until after harvest, unless specially required to do so. " If they are needed 
sooner," said the governor, in a letter to the president on the first of July, " a call will be imme- 
diately responded to, and we shall have their uniforms and equipments ready for them." "By 
the authority of our legislature," added the writer, 'I shall, after the middle of August, keep 
two regiments equipped and in camp ready for a call to service, and will have them ready at an 
earlier day if needed." 

About the latter part of June, W. P. Alexander, of Beloit, a good marksman, was commis- 
sioned captain to raise a company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment. He at once engaged 
in the work. The company was filled to one hundred and three privates and three officers. It 
left the State about the middle of September under Captain Alexander, and was mustered into 
the service at Wehawken on the twenty-third day of that month, as Company "G " of Berdan's 
regiment of sharpshooters. On the twenty-sixth of July, a commission was issued to G. Van 
Deutsch, of Milwaukee, to raise a company of cavalry. He succeeded in filling his company to 
eighty-four men. He left the State in September, joining Fremont. The company was after- 
ward attached to the fifth cavalry regiment of Missouri. 

About the 20th of August, Governor Randall was authorized to organize and equip as rapidly 
as possible five regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and procure for them necessary 
clothing and equipments according to United States regulations and prices, subject to the inspec- 
tion of officers of the General Government. The five regiments were to be additional to the 
eight already raised. One regiment was to be German. During the last week of August the 
companies of the Seventh regiment were ordered into " Camp Randall," at Madison. They were 
mustered into the service soon after arrival. On the 28th of August orders were issued for the 
reorganization of the First regiment for three years, its term of three months having expired. 
The secretary of war having signified his acceptance of the regiment for the new term, its mus- 
tering into the service was completed on the nineteenth of October. This made six infantry regi- 
ments in addition to the eight already accepted, or fourteen in all. On the same day orders were 
issued assigning companies to the Eighth regiment, — the whole moving to " Camp Randall," at 
Madison, the first week in September, where their mustering in was finished on the thirteenth. 

The Ninth, a German reginent, was recruited in squads, and sent into camp, where they were 
formed into companies, and the whole mustered in on the 26th of October, i86i,at " Camp Sigel," 
Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the iSth of September, and 
ordered into camp at Milwaukee, where it was fully organized about the first of October, being 
mustered into the service on the fourteenth of that month. The Tenth infantry was enlisted in 
September, 1861, and mustered in on the fourteenth of October, 1861, at "Camp Holton," Mil- 
waukee. The Eleventh regiment was called by companies into " Camp Randall " the latter part 
of September and first of October, 1861, and mustered in on the eighteenth. The Twelfth was 
called in to the same camp and mustered in by comp-nies between the twenty-eighth of October 
and the fifth of November, 1861. The Thirteenth rendezvoused at "Camp Treadway," Janes- 
ville, being mustered into the United States service on tlie seventeenth of October, 1S61. These 
thirteen regiments were all that had been accepted and mustered into the United States serv'oe 
while Randall was governor. 

From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the organ- 



wiscoNsnir as a state. • 75 

ization of artillery companies in Wisconsin, and this desire was finally gratified. Each battery 
was to number one hundred and fifty men, and, as has been shown, five had been authorized by 
the General Government to be raised in Wisconsin. The First battery was recruited at La 
Crosse, under the superintendence of Captain Jacob T. Foster, and was known as the " La Crosse 
Artillery." It rendezvoused at Racine^early in October, 1861, where on the tenth of that month, 
it was mustered into the United States service. The Second battery. Captain Ernest Herzberg, 
assembled at " Camp Utley," Racine, and was mustered in with the First battery on the tenth. 
The Third, known as the " Badger Battery," was organized by Captain L. H. Drury, at Madison 
and Berlin, and was mustered into the service on the same day and at the same place as the First 
and Second. The Fourth battery, recruited and organized at Beloit, under the supervision of 
Captain John F. Vallee, was mustered in on the first of October, 1S61, at Racine. The Fifth 
battery was recruited at Monroe, Green county, under the superintendence of Captain Oscar F- 
Pinney, moving afterward to " Camp Utley," Racine, where, on the first of October, it was mus- 
tered in, along with the Fourth. So brisk had been the recruiting, it was ascertained by the 
governor that seven companies had been raised instead of five, when the secretary of war was 
telegraphed to, and the extra companies — the Sixth and Seventh accepted ; the Sixth, known as 
the " Buena Vista Artillery," being recruited at Lone Rock, Richland county, in September, 
Captain Henry Dillon, and mustered in on the second of October, 1861, at Racine; the Seventh, 
known as the "Badger State Flying Artillery," having organized at Milwaukee, Captain Richard 
R. Griffiths, and mustered in on the fourth of the same month, going into camp at Racine on the 
eighth. This completed the mustering in of the first seven batteries, during Governor Randall's 
administration ; the whole mustered force being thirteen regiments of infantry ; one company of 
cavalry ; one of sharpshooters ; and these seven artillery companies. " Wisconsin," said the gov- 
ernor, in response to a request as to the number of regiments organized, " sent one regiment 
for three months, — officers and men eight hundred and ten. The other regiments f jt the war up 
to the Thirteenth (including the First, re-organized), will average one thousand men each; one 
company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment, one hundred and three men ; and seven 
companies of light artillery." Of cavalry from Wisconsin, only Deutsch's company had been 
mustered into the United States, although three regiments had been authorized by the General 
Government before the close of Randall's administration. The governor, before the expiration 
of his office, was empowered to organize more artillery companies — ten in all ; and five additional 
regiments of infantry — making the whole number eighteen. On the tenth of December, he 
wrote : " Our Fourteenth infantry is full and in camp. * * * Fifteenth has five companies 
in camp, and filling up. Sixteenth has eight companies in camp, and will be full by the 25th of 
December. Seventeenth Has some four hundred men enlisted. Eighteenth will be in camp, full, 
by January i. Seven maximum companies of artillery in camp. * * * Three regiments of 
cavalry — two full above the ma.ximum ; the third, about eight hundred men in camp." It 
will be seen, therefore, that a considerable number of men in the three branches of the service 
was then in camp that had not been mustered into the service ; and this number was considerably- 
increased by the 6th of January, 1862, the day that Randall's official term expired; but no more 
men were mustered in, until his successor came into office, than those previously mentioned. 

The First regiment — three months'— left " Camp Scott," Milwaukee, on the ninth of June, 
1 86 1, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — eight hundred and ten in number; John C. Starkweather, 
colonel. The regiment returned to Milwaukee on the seventeenth of August, 1861, and was 
mustered out on the twenty-second. 

The First regiment re-organized at "Camp Scott," Milwaukee. Its mustering into the 
service, as previously mentioned, was completed on the nineteenth of October. On the twenty- 



76 ■ HISTORY OF WTSCONSIK. 

eighth, it started for Louisville, Kentucky — nine hundred and forty-five strong — under command 
of its former colonel, John C. Starkweather. The Second regiment, with S. Park Coon as 
colonel, left "Camp Randall," Madison, for Washington city, on the eleventh of June, 1861 — 
numbering, in all, one thousand and fifty-one. The Third regiment started from " Camp 
Hamilton," Fond du Lac, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under command of Charles S. Hamilton, 
as colonel, on the twelfth of July, 1861, with a numerical strength of nine hundred and seventy- 
nine. The Fourth regiment — Colonel Halbert E. Payne — with a numerical strength of one 
thousand and fifty-three, departed on the fifteenth of July, 1861, from "Camp Utley," Racine, 
for Baltimore, Maryland. The Fifth regiment left " Camp Randall," Madison, one thousand 
and fifty-eight strong, commanded by Colonel Amasa Cobb, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1861, 
for Washington city. On the twenty-eighth of July, 1861, the Sixth regiment, numbering one 
thousand and eighty-four, moved from Madison, having been ordered to Washington city. It 
was commanded by Colonel Lysander Cutter. The Seventh regiment — Joseph Van Dor, Colonel 
— with a numerical strength of one thousand and sixteen men — officers and privates, received 
orders, as did the Fifth and Sixth, to move forward to Washington. They started from Madison 
on the morning of the twenty-first of September, 1861, for active service. The Eighth infantry, 
nine hundred and seventy-three strong, commanded by Colonel Robert C. Murphy, left Madison, 
en route for St. Louis, Missouri, on the morning of the twelfth of October, 1861. The Ninth, or 
German regiment, with Frederick Salomon in command as colonel, did not leave "Camp Sigel," 
for active service, while Randall was governor. The Tenth infantry moved from " Camp 
Holton," Milwaukee, commanded by Colonel Alfred R. Chapin, on the ninth of November, i86i, 
destined for Louisville, Kentucky, with a total number of nine hundred and sixteen officers and 
privates. On the twentieth of November, 1861, the Eleventh regiment "broke camp" at 
Madison, starting for St. Louis, under command of Charles L. Harris, as colonel. Its whole 
number of men was nine hundred and sixteen. The Twelfth regiment, at " Camp Randall," 
Madison — Colonel George E. Bryant, and the Thirteenth, at " Camp Tredway," Janesville — 
Colonel Maurice Maloney — were still in camp at the expiration of the administration of Governor 
Randall: these, with the Ninth, were all that had not moved out of the State for active service, 
of those mustered in previous to January 6, 1S61, — making a grand total of infantry sent from 
Wisconsin, up to that date, by the governor, to answer calls of the General Government, for 
three years' service or during the war, of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-one men, in ten 
regiments, averaging very nearly one thousand to each regiment. Besides these ten regiments 
of infantry for three years' service, Wisconsin had also sent into the field the First regiment, for 
three months' service, numbering eight hundred and ten men ; Alexander's company of sharp- 
shooters, one hundred and six; and Deutsch's company of cavalry, eighty-four: in all, one 
thousand. Adding these to the three years' regiments, and the whole force, in round numbers, 
was eleven thousand men, furnished by the State in 1861. 

Eighth Administration. — L()Uis P. Harvey and Edward Salomon, Governors — 1862-1863. 

Louis P. Harvey was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the sixth of January, 1862. 
The fifteenth regular session of the legislature of the State began on the eighth of the same 
month. In the senate, the republicans were in the majority; but in the assembly they had 
only a plurality of members, there being a number of" Union" men- in that branch — enough, 
indeed, to elect, by outside aid, J. W. Beardsley, who ran for the assembly, upon the " Union " 
ticket, as speaker. Governor Harvey, on the tenth, read his message to the legislature in joint 
convention. " No previous legislature," are his opening words, " has convened under equal 
incentives to a disinterested zeal in the public service The occasion," he adds, "pleads 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 77 

with you in rebuke of all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exercise of a conscientious 
patriotism, becoming the representatives of a Christian people, called in God's providence to 
pass through the furnace of a great trial of their virtue, and of the strength of the Government." 
On the seventh of April following, the legislature adjourned until the third of June next ensuing. 
Before it again assembled, an event occurred, casting a gloom over the whole State. The 
occasion was the accidental drowning of Governor Harve}'. 

Soon after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, on the seventh of April, 1862, the certainty 
that some of the Wisconsin regiments had suffered severely, induced the governor to organize 
a reli.'f party, to aid the wounded and suffering soldiers from the State. On the tenth, Harvey 
and others started on their tour of benevolence. Arriving at Chicago, they found a large num- 
ber of boxes had been forwarded there from different points in the State, containing supplies of 
various kinds. At Mound City, Paducah, and Savannah, the governor and his party adminis- 
tered to the wants of the sick and wounded Wisconsin soldiers. Having completed their mission 
of mercy, they repaired to a boat in the harbor of Savannah, to avvait the arrival of the Minne- 
haha^ which was to convey them to Cairo, on their homeward trip. It was late in the evening of 
the nineteenth of April, 1862, and very dark when the boat arrived which was to take the 
governor and his friends on board ; and as she rounded to, the bow touching the Dunleith, on 
which was congregated the party ready to depart, Governor Harvey, by a misstep, fell overboard 
between the two boats, into the Tennessee river. The current was strong, and the water more 
than thirty feet deep. Every thing was done that could be, to save his life, but all to no 
purpose. His body was subsequently found and brought to Madison for interment. Edward 
Salomon, lieutenant governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, upon the 
death of Harvey, succeeded to the office of governor of Wisconsin. On the third day of June, 
the legislature re-assembled in accordance with adjournment on the seventh of April previous, 
Governor Salomon, in his message of that day, to the senate and assembly, after announcing 
the sad event of the death of the late governor, said: " The last among the governors elected 
by the people of this State, he is the first who has been removed by death from our midst. The 
circumstances leading to and surrounding the tragic and melancholy end of the honored and 
lamented deceased, are well known to the people, and are, with his memory, treasured up in 
their hearts." He died," added Salomon, " while in the exercise of the highest duties of philan- 
thropy and humanity, that a noble impulse had imposed upon him." The legislature, on the 
thirteenth of June, by a joint resolution, declared that in the death of Governor Harvey, the 
State had " lost an honest, faithful, and efficient public officer, a high-toned gentleman, a warm- 
hearted philanthropist, and a sincere friend." Both houses adjourned sine die, on the seventeuth 
of June, 1862. 

Business of great public importance, in the judgment of the governor, rendering a special 
session of the legislature necessary, he issued, on the twenty-ninth of August, 1S62, his proc- 
lamation to that effect, convening both houses on the tenth of September following. On that 
day he sent in his message, relating wholly to war matters. He referred to the fact that since 
the adjournment of the previous session, six hundred thousand more men had been called for by 
the president of the United States, to suppress the rebellion. "It is evident," said he, "that to 
meet further calls, it is necessary to rely upon a system of drafting or conscription, in Wisconsin." 
The governor then proceeded to recommend such measures as he deemed necessary to meet 
the exigencies of the times. The legislature levied a tax to aid volunteering, and passed a law 
giving the right of suffrage to soldiers in the military service. They also authorized the raising 
of money for payment of bounties to volunteers. The legislature adjourned on the twenty- 
sixth of September, 1S62, after a session of sixteen days, and the enacting of seventeen laws. 



78 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

On the 7th of October, James H. Howe, attorney general, resigned his office to enter the 
army. On the 14th of that month, Winfield Smith was appointed by the governor to fill the 
vacancy. 

At the general election in the Fall of this year, six congressmen were elected to the thirty- 
eighth congress: James S. Brown from the first district; I. C. Sloan, from the second; Amasa 
Cobb, from the third ; Charles A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Ezra Wheeler, from the fifth ; and 
W. D. Mclndoe, from the sixth district. Sloan, Cobb, and Mclndoe, were elected as republi- 
cans ; Brown, Eldridge, and Wheeler, as democrats. 

The sixteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature, commenced on the fourteenth of 
January, 1S63. J. Allen Barber was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in both 
houses was republican. Governor Salomon read his message on the fifteenth, to the joint 
convention, referring, at length, to matters connected with the war of the rebellion. A large 
number of bills were passed by the legislature for the benefit of soldiers and their families. On 
the twenty-second, the legislature re-elected James R. Doolittle, to the United States senate for 
six years, from the fourth of March next ensuing. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 
second of April following. In the Spring of this year, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected chief 
justice of the supreme court, running as an independent candidate. 

By a provision of the Revised Statutes of 185S, as amended by an act passed in 1S62, and 
interpreted by another act passed in 1875, the terms of the justices of the supreme court, 
elected for a full term, commence on the first Monday in January next succeeding their election. 

At the Fall election there were two tickets in the field : democratic and union republican. 
The latter was successful, electing James T. Lewis, governor ; Wyman Spooner, lieutenant 
governor; Lucius Fairchild, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; Winfield 
Smith, attorney general ; J. L. Pickard, state superintendent ; W. H. Ramsay, bank comp- 
troller ; and Henry Cordier, state prison commissioner. 

War of Secession — Harvey and Salomon's Administration. 

When Governor Randall turned over to his successor in the gubernatorial chair, the military- 
matters of Wisconsin, he had remaining in the State, either already organized or in process of 
formation, the Ninth infantry, also the Twelfth up to the Nineteenth inclusive; three regiments 
of cavalry ; and ten batteries — First to Tenth inclusive. Colonel Edward Daniels, in the Summer 
of 1 86 1, was authorized by the war department to recruit and organize one battalion of cavalry 
in Wisconsin. He was subsequently authorized to raise two more companies. -Governor Ran- 
dall, in October, was authorized to complete the regiment — the First cavalry — by the organiza- 
tion of six additional companies. The organization of the Second cavalry regiment was author- 
ized in the Fall of 1861, as an "independent acceptance," but was finally turned over to the 
State authorities. Early in November, 1861, the war department issued an order discontinuing 
enlistments for the cavalry service, and circulars were sent to the different State executives to 
consolidate all incomplete regiments. Ex-Governor Barstow, by authority of General Fremont, 
which authority was confirmed by the General Government, had commenced the organization of 
a cavalry regiment — the Third Wisconsin — when Governor Randall received information that 
the authority of Barstow had been revoked. The latter, however, soon had his authority 
restored. In October, Governor Randall was authorized .by the war department to raise three 
additional companies of artillery — Eighth to Tenth inclusive. These three batteries were all 
filled and went into camp by the close of 1861. Governor Randall, therefore, besides sending 
out of the State eleven thousand men, had in process of formation, or fully organized, nine 
regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, and ten companies of artillery, left behind in 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 79 

various camps in the State, to be turned over to his successor. 

The military officers of Wisconsin were the governor, Louis P. Harvey, commander-in- 
chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general ; Brigadier General W. W. Tred- 
way, quartermaster general ; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier Gen- 
eral Simeon Mills, paymaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major 
M. H. Carpenter, judge advocate ; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. As the 
General Government had taken the recruiting service out of the hands of the executives of the 
States, and appointed superintendents in their place, the offices of commissary general and 
paymaster general were no longer necessary; and their time, after the commencement of the 
administration in Wisconsin of 1862, was employed, so long as they continued their respective 
offices, in settling up the business of each. The office of commissary general was closed about 
the first of June, 1862; that of paymaster general on the tenth of July following. On the last 
of August, 1S62, Brigadier General Tredway resigned the position of quartermaster general, and 
Nathaniel F. Lund was appointed to fill his place. 

Upon the convening of the legislature of the State in its regular January session of this 
year — 1862, Governor Harvey gave, in his message to that body, a full statement of what had 
been done by Wisconsin in matters appertaining to the war, under the administration of his 
predecessor. He stated that the State furnished to the service of the General Government 
under the call for volunteers for three months, one regiment — First Wisconsin ; under the call 
for volunteers for tliree years, or the war, ten regiments, numbering from the First re-organized 
to the Eleventh, excluding the Ninth or German regiment. He gave as the whole number of 
officers, musicians and privates, in these ten three-year regiments, ten thousand one hundred and 
seventeen. He further stated that there were then organized and awaiting orders, the Ninth, in 
" Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, numbering nine hundred and forty men, under Colonel Frederick 
Salomon ; the Twelfth, in " Camp Randall," one thousand and thirty-nine men, under Colonel 
George E. Bryant ; the Thirteenth, in " Camp Tredway," Janesville, having nine hundred and 
nineteen men, commanded by Colonel M. Maloncy ; and the Fourteenth, at " Camp Wood," 
Fond du Lac, eight hundred and fifty men, under Colonel D. E. Wood. 

The Fifteenth or Scandinavian regiment, Colonel H. C. Hag, seven hundred men, and the 
Sixteenth, Colonel Benjamin Allen, nine hundred men, were at that time at "Camp Randall," in 
near readiness for marching orders. The Seventeenth (Irish) regiment. Colonel J. L. Doran, and 
the Eighteenth, Colonel James S. Alban, had their full number of companies in readiness, lacking 
one, and had been notified to go into camp — the former at Madison, the latter at Milwaukee. 
Seven companies of artillery, numbering togetlier one thousand and fifty men, had remained for 
a considerable time in " Camp Utley," Racine, impatient of the delays of the General Govern- 
ment in calling them to move forward. Three additional companies of artillery were about 
going into camp, numbering three hundred and thirty-four men. Besides these, the State had 
furnished, as already mentioned, an independent company of cavalry, then in Missouri,_raised 
by Captain Von Deutsch, of eighty-one men ; a company of one hundred and four men for Ber- 
dan's sharpshooters; and an additional company for the Second regiment, of about eighty men. 
Three regiments of cavalry — the First, Colonel E. Daniels ; the Second, Colonel C. C. Washburn ; 
and the Third, Colonel W. A. Barstow ; were being organized. They numbered together, two thou- 
sand four hundred and fifty men. The Nineteenth (independent) regiment was rapidly organ- 
izing under the direction of the General Government, by Colonel H. T. Sanders, Racine. Not 
bringing this last regiment into view, the State had, at the commencement of Governor Harvey's 
administration, including the First, three-months' regiment, either in the service of the United 
States or organizing for it, a total of twenty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three men. 



80 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The legislature at its regular session of 1862, passed a law making it necessary to present 
all claims which were made payable out of the war fund, within twelve months from the time they 
accrued ; a law was also passed authorizing the investment of the principal of the school fund in 
the bonds of the state issued for war purposes ; another, amendatory of the act of the extra session 
of 1861, granting exemption to persons enrolled in the military service, so as to except persons 
acting as fiduciary agents, either as executors or administrators, or guardians or trustees, or 
persons defrauding the State, or any school district of moneys belonging to the same ; also author- 
izing a stay of proceedings in foreclosures of mortgages, by advertisements. " The State Aid 
Law" was amended so as to apply to all regiments of infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooters, 
defining the rights of families, fixing penalties for the issue of false papers, and imposing duties on 
military officers in the field to make certain reports. These amendments only included regi- 
ments and companies organized up to and including the Twentieth, which was in process of 
organization before the close of the session. A law was also passed suspending the sale of lands 
mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers ; another defining the duties of the allotment com- 
missioners appointed by the president of the United States, and fixing their compensation. One 
authorized the issuing of bonds for two hundred thousand dollars for war purposes ; one author- 
ized a temporary loan from the general fund to pay State aid to volunteers ; and one, the appoint- 
ment of a joint committee to investigate the sale of war bonds; while another authorized the 
governor to appoint surgeons to batteries, and assistant surgeons to cavalry regiments. 

The legislature, it will be remembered, took a recess from the seventh of April to the third 
of June, 1862. Upon its re-assembling, «.. ict was passed providing ur the discontinuance of the 
active services of the paymaster general, quartermaster general and commissary general. 
Another act appropriated twenty thousand dollars to enable the governor to care for the sick 
and wounded soldiers of the State. There was also another act passed authorizing the auditing, 
by the quartermaster general, of bills for subsistence and transportation of the Wisconsin cavalry 
regiments. At the extra session called by Governor Salomon, for the tenth of September, 1862, 
an amendment was made to the law granting aid to families of volunteers, by including all regi- 
ments of cavalry, infantry, or batteries of artillery before that time raised in the State, or that 
might afterward be raised and mustered into the United States service. It also authorized the 
levying of a State tax of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to be placed to the credit 
of the war fund and used in the payment of warrants for "State Aid" to families of volunteers. 
.\nother law authorized commissioned officers out of the State to administer oaths and take 
acknowledgments of deeds and other papers. One act authorized soldiers in the field, although 
out of the State, to exercise the right of suffrage ; and another gave towns, cities, incorporated 
villages and counties the authority to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers. 

On the fifth of August, 1862, Governor Salomon received from the war department a dispatch 
stating that orders had been issued for a draft of three hundred thousand men to be immediately 
called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged ; 
that if the State quota under a call made July 2, of th.it year, for three hundred thousand vol- 
unteers, was not filled by the fifteenth of August, the deficiency would be made up by draft ; and 
that the secretary of war would assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the 
draft. On the eighth of that month, the governor of the Stale was ordered to immediately cause 
an enrollment of all able-bodied citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age, by counties. 
Governor Salomon was authorized to appoint proper officers, and the United States promised to 
pay all reasonable expenses. The quota for Wisconsin, under the call for nine months' men, was 
eleven thousand nine hundred and four. The draft was made by the governor in obedience to 
the order he had received from Washington ; but such had been the volunteering under the stim- 



"WISCONSIN" AS A STATE. 81 

iilus caused by a fear of it, that only four thousand five hundred and thirty-seven men were 
drafted. This was the first and only draft made in Wisconsin by the State authorities. 
Subsequent ones were made under the direction of the provost marshal general at Wash- 
ington. 

The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randall's 
administration of thirteen regiments of infantry — the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the 
marching of ten of them out of the State before the close of 1861, also, of one company of cavalry 
under Captain "Von Deutsch and one company of sharpshooters under Captain Alexander, con- 
stituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsi'i during that year to suppress the rebellion. But for 
the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organizations, was more than doubled, as will now be 
shown. 

The Ninth regiment left " Camp Sigel,'' Milwaukee, under command of Colonel Frederick 
Salomon, on the twenty-second of January, 1862, numbering thirty-nine officers and eight hun 
dred and eighty-four men, to report at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

The Twelfth infantry left Wisconsin under command of Colonel George E. Bryant, ten 
hundred and forty-five strong, the eleventh of January, 1862, with orders to report at Weston, 
Missouri. 

The Thirteenth regiment — Colonel Maurice Maloney — left "Camp Tredway," Janesville, on 
the eighteenth of January, 1862, nine hundred and seventy strong, under orders to report at 
Leavenworth, Kansas, where it arrived on the twenty-third. 

The Fourteenth regiment of infantry departed from " Camp Wood," Fond du Lac, under 
command of Colonel David E. Wood, for St. Louis, Missouri, on the eighth of March, 1S62, it 
having been mustered into the United States service on the thirtieth of January previous. Its 
total strength was nine hundred and seventy officers and men. It arrived at its destination on 
the tenth of March, and went into quarters at " Benton Barracks." 

The Fifteenth regiment, mostly recruited from the Scandinavian population of Wisconsin, 
was organized at " Camp Randall," Madison — Hans C. Heg as colonel. Its muster into the 
United States service was completed on the fourteenth of February, 1862, it leaving the State for 
St. Louis, Missouri, on the second of March following, with a total strength of eight hundred and 
one officers and men. 

The Sixteenth regiment was organized at "Camp Randall," and was mustered into the 
service on the last day of January, 1862, leaving the State, with Benjamin Allen as colonel, for 
St. Louis on the thirteenth of March ensuing, having a total strength of one thousand and 
sixty-six. 

The reg.mental organization of the Seventeenth infantry (Irish), Colonel John L. Doran, 
was effected at " Camp Randall," and the mustering in of the men completed on the fifteenth of 
March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State on the twenty-third for St. Louis 

The Eighteenth regiment organized at " Camp Trowbridge," Milwaukee — James S. Alban, 
colonel — completed its muster into the United States service on the fifteenth of March, 1862, 
and left the State for St. Louis on the thirtieth, reaching their point of destination on the thirty- 
first. 

The Nineteenth infantry rendezvoused at Racine as an independent regiment, its colonel, 
Horace T. Sanders, being commissioned by the war department. The men were mustered into 
the service as fast as they were enlisted. Independent organizations being abolished, by an 
order from Washington, the Nineteenth was placed on the same footing as other regiments in the 
State. On the twentieth of April, 1862, the regiment w4s ordered to " Camp Randall " to guard 
rebel prisoners. Here the mustering in was completed, numbering in all nine hundred and 
seventy-three. They left the State for Washington on the second of June. 



82 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The muster into the United States service of the Twentieth regiment^Bertine Pinckney, 
colonel — was completed on the twenty-third of August, iS6?, at "Camp Randall," the original 
strength being nine hundred and ninety. On the thirtieth of August the regiment left the State 
for St. Louis. 

The Twenty-first infantry was organized at Oslikosh, being mustered in on the fifth of Sep- 
tember, 1S62, with a force of one thousand and two, all told — Benjamin J. Sweet, colonel — 
leaving the State for Cincinnati on the eleventh. 

The Twenty-second regiment — Colonel William L. Utley — was organized at " Camp Utiey," 
Racine, and mustered in on the second of September, 1862. Its original strength was one thou- 
sand and nine. It left the State for Cincinnati on the si.xteenth. 

On the thirtieth of .August, 1862, the Twenty-third regiment — Colonel Joshua J. Guppey — 
was mustered in at "Camp Randall," leaving Madison for Cincinnati on the fifteenth. 

The Twenty-fourth infantry rendezvoused at "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Its muster in was 
completed on the twenty-first of .August, 1862, the regiment leaving the State under Colonel 
Charles H. Larrabee, for Kentucky, on the fifth of September, one thousand strong. 

On the fourteenth of September, 1862, at " Camp Salomon," LaCrosse, the Twenty-fifth 
regiment was mustered into the service — Milton Montgomery, colonel. They left the State on 
the nineteenth with orders to report to General Pope, at St. Paul, Minnesota, to aid in suppress- 
ing the Indian difficulties in that State. Their entire strength was one thousand and eighteen. 
The regiment, after contributing to the preservation of tranquillity among the settlers, and 
deterring the Indians from hostilities, returned to Wisconsin, arriving at " Camp Randall " on the 
eighteenth of December, 1862. 

The Twenty-sixth — almost wholly a German regiment — was mustered into the service at 
''Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on the seventeenth of September, 1862. The regiment, under com- 
mand of Colonel William H. Jacobs, left the State for Washington city on the sixth of October, 
one thousand strong. 

The Twenty-seventh infantry was ordered to rendezvous at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on 
the seventeenth of September, 1862 ; but the discontinuance of recruiting for new regiments in 
August left the Twenty-seventh with only seven companies full. An order authorizing the 
recruiting of three more companies was received, and under the supervision of Colonel Conrad 
Krez the organization was completed, but the regiment at the close of the year had not been 
mustered into the service. 

On the twenty-fourth of October, 1862, the Twenty-eighth regiment — James M. Lewis, of 
Oconomowoc, colonel — was mustered into the United States service at "Camp Washburn," Mil- 
waukee. Its strength was nine hundred and sixty-one. In November, the regiment was 
employed in arresting and guarding the draft rioters in Ozaukee county. It left the State for 
Columbus, Kentucky, on the twentieth of December, where they arrived on the twenty-second; 
remaining there until the fifth of January, 1863. 

The Twenty-ninth infantry — -Colonel Ciiarles R. Gill — was organized at " Camp Randall," 
where its muster into the United States service was completed on the twenty-seventh of Sep- 
tember, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for Cairo, Illinois, on the second of November. 

The Thirtieth regiment, organized at "Camp Randall" under the supervision of Colonel 
Daniel J. Dill, completed its muster into the United States service on the twenty-first of October, 
1862, with a strength of nine hundred and six. On the sixteenth of November, one company of 
the Thirtieth was sent to Green Bay to protect the draft commissioner, remaining several weeks. 
On the eighteenth, seven companies moved to Milwaukee to assist in enforcing the draft in Mil- 
waukee county, while two companies remained in "Camp Randall" to guard Ozaukee rioters. 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 83 

On the twenty-second, six companies from Milwaukee went to West Bend, Washington county, 
one company returning to "Camp Randall." After the completion of the draft in Washington 
county, four companies returned to camp, while two companies were engaged in gathering up 
the drafted men. 

The final and complete organization of the Thirty-first infantry — Colonel Isaac E. Mess- 
more — was not concluded during the year 1862. 

The Thirty-second regiment, organized at " Camp Bragg," Oshkosh, with James H. Howe 
as colonel, was mustered into the service on the twenty-fifth of September, 1862 ; and, on the 
thirtieth of October, leaving the State, it proceeded by way of Chicago and Cairo to Memphis, 
Tennessee, going into camp on the third of November. The original strength of the Thirty- 
second was nine hundred and ninety-three. 

The Thirty-third infantry — Colonel Jonathan B. Moore — mustered in on the eighteenth of 
October, 1862, at " Camp Utley," Racine, left the State, eight hundred and ninety-two strong, 
moving by way of Chicago to Cairo. 

The Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted men, original strength nine hundred and sixty-one — 
Colonel Fritz Anneke — had its muster into service for nine months completed at "Camp Wash- 
burn," Milwaukee, on the last day of the year 1862. 

Of the twenty-four infantry regiments, numbered from the Twelfth to the Thirty-fourth 
inclusive, and including also the Ninth, three — the Ninth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth — were mus- 
tered into the United States service in 1861. The whole of the residue were mustered in during 
the year 1862, except the Twenty-seventh and the Thirty-first. All were sent out of the State 
during 1862, except the last two mentioned and the Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-fourth. 
The First regiment of cavalry — Colonel Edward Daniels — perfected its organization at 
" Camp Harvey," Kenosha. Its muster into the United States service was comjjleted on the 
eighth of March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the seventeenth, with a 
strength of eleven hundred and twenty-four. 

The muster of the Second Wisconsin cavalry was completed on the twelftli of March, 1862, 
at "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the twenty- 
fourth, eleven hundred and twenty-seven strong. It was under the command of Cadwallader C. 
Washburn as colonel. 

The Third Wisconsin cavalry — Colonel William A. Barstow — was mustered in at " Camp 
Barstow," Janesville. The muster was completed on the 31st of January, 1862, the regiment 
leaving the State on the 26th of March for St. Louis, with a strength of eleven hundred and 
eighty-six. 

The original project of forming a regiment of light artillery in Wisconsin was overruled 
by the war department, and the several batteries were sent from the State as independent 
organizations. 

The First battery — Captain Jacob T. Foster — perfected its organization at "Camp Utley," 
where the company was mustered in, it leaving the State with a strength of one hundred and 
fifty-five, on the 23d of January, 1862, for Louisville, where the battery went into "Camp 
Irvine," near that city. The Second battery — Captain Ernest F. Herzberg — was mustered into 
the service at "Camp Utley," October 10, iS6r, the company numbering one hundred and fifty- 
three. It left the State for Baltimore, on the 21st of January, 1862. The Third battery — Cap- 
tain L. H. Drury — completed its organization of one hundred and seventy at "Camp Utley," and 
was mustered in October 10, 1861, leaving the State for Louisville, on the 23d of January, 
1862. The Fourth battery — Captain John F. Vallee — rendezvoused at "Camp Utley." Its 
muster in was completed on the istof October, 1861, its wliole force being one hundred and fifty 
one. The company left the State for Baltimore on the 21st of January, 1862. The Fifth bat- 



84 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

tery, commanded by Captain Oscar F. Pinney, was mustered in on the ist of October, 1861, at 
"Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, on the 15th of March, 1862, one hundred and 
fifty-five strong. The Sixth battery^Captain Henry Dillon — was mustered in on the 2d of 
October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, March 15, 1862, with a numer- 
ical strength of one hundred and fifty-seven. The Seventh battery — Captain Richard R. Grif- 
fiths — was mustered in on the 4th of October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," and proceeded on the 15th 
of March, 1862, with the Fifth and Sixth batteries to St. Louis. The Eighth battery, com- 
manded by Captain Stephen J. Carpenter, was mustered in on the 8th of January, 1862, at 
"Camp Utley," and left the State on the iSth of March following, for St. Louis, one hundred and 
sixty-one strong. The Ninth battery, under command of Captain Cyrus H. Johnson, was organ- 
ized at Burlington, Racine county. It was mustered in on the 7th of January, 1862, leaving 
" Camp Utley " for St. Louis, on the i8th of March. At St. Louis, their complement of men — 
one hundred and fifty-five — was made up by the transfer of forty-five from another battery. The 
Tenth battery — Captain Yates V. Bebee — after being mustered in at Milwaukee, on the loth of 
February, 1862, left " Camp Utley," Racine, on the i8th of March for St. Louis, one hundred and 
seventeen strong. The Eleventh battery — Captain John O'Rourke — was made up of the " Oconto 
Irish Guards " and a detachment of Illinois recruits. The company was organized at " Camp 
Douglas," Chicago, in the Spring of 1862. Early in 1862, William A. Pile succeeded in enlisting 
ninety-nine men as a company to be known as the Twelfth battery. The men were mustered in 
and sent forward in squads to St. Louis. Captain Pile's commission was revoked on the i8th 
of July. His place was filled by William Zickrick. These twelve batteries were all that left the 
State in 1862. To these are to be added the three regiments of cavalry and the nineteen regi- 
ments of infantry, as the effective force sent out during the year by Wisconsin. 

The military officers of the State, at the commencement of 1863, were Edward Salomon, 
governor and commander-in-chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; 
Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adjutant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, 
quartermaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; and Colonel W. H. 
Watson, military secretary. The two incomplete regiments of 1862 — the Twenty-seventh and 
Thirty-first volunteers — were completed and in the field in March, 1863. The former was 
mustered in at "Camp Sigel " — Colonel Conrad Krez — on the 7th of March, and left the State, 
eight hundred and sixty-five strong, on the 16th for Columbus, Kentucky ; the latter, under 
command of Colonel Isaac E. Messmore, with a strength of eight hundred and seventy-eight, 
left Wisconsin on the ist of March, for Cairo, Illinois. The Thirty-fourth (drafted) regiment 
left "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, on the 31st of January, 1863, for Columbus, Kentucky, 
numbering nine hundred and sixty-one, commanded by Colonel Fritz Anneke. On the 17th of 
February, 1863, the Twenty-fifth regiment left "Camp Randall" for Cairo, Illinois. The 
Thirtieth regiment remained in Wisconsin during the whole of 1863, performing various 
duties — the only one of the whole thirty-four that, at the end of that year, had not left the State. 

On the 14th of January, 1863, the legislature of Wisconsin, as before stated, convened 
at Madison. Governor Salomon, in his message to that body, gave a summary of the transac- 
tions of the war fund during the calendar year; also of what was done in 1862, in the recruiting 
of military forces, and the manner in which the calls of the president were responded to. There 
were a number of military laws passed at this session. A multitude of special acts authorizing 
towns to raise bounties for volunteers, were also passed. 

No additional regiments of infantry besides those already mentioned were organized in 
1863, although recruiting for old regiments continued. On the 3d of March, 1863, the congress 
of the United States passed the "Conscription Act." Under this act, Wisconsin was divided 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 85 

into six districts. In the first district, I. M. Bean was appointed provost marshal; C. M. Baker, 
commissioner; and J. B. Dousman, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this district was at 
Milwaukee. In the second district, S. J. M. Putnam was appointed provost marshal ; L. B. 
Caswell, commissioner; and Dr. C. R. Head, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this 
district was at Janesville. In the third district, J. G. Clark was appointed provost marshal ; E. 
E. Byant, commissioner; and John H. Vivian, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Prairie 
du Chien. In the fourth district, E. L. Phillips was appointed provost marshal ; Charles 
Burchard, commissioner; and L. H. Cary, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Fond du 
Lac. In the fifth district, C. R. Merrill was appointed provost marshal ; William A. Bugh, 
commissioner ; and H. O. Crane, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Green Bay. In the 
sixth district, B. F. Cooper was appointed provost marshal; L. S. Fisher, commissioner; and 
D. D. Cameron, examining surgeon. Headquarters at LaCrosse. The task of enrolling the 
State was commenced in the month of May, and was proceeded with to its completion. The 
nine months' term of service of the Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted militia, having expired, the 
regiment was mustered out of service on the 8th of September. 

The enrollment in Wisconsin of all persons liable to the "Conscription" amounted to 
121,202. A draft was ordered to take place in November. Nearly fifteen thousand were 
drafted, only six hundred and twenty-eight of whom were mustered in ; the residue either 
furnished substitutes, were discharged, failed to report, or paid commutation. 

In the Summer of 1861, Company " K," Captain Langworthy, of the Second Wisconsin 
infantry, was detached and placed on duty as heavy artillery. His company was designated as 
"A," First Regiment Heavy Artillery. This was the only one organized until the Summer of 
1863; but its organization was effected outside the State. Three companies were necessary to 
add to company " A " to complete the battalion. Batteries " B," " C " and " D " were, therefore, 
organized in Wisconsin, all leaving the State in October and November, 1863. 

Ninth Administration — James T. Lewis, Governor — 1864-1865. 

James T. Lewis, of Columbia county, was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the fourth 
of January, 1864. In an inaugural address, the incoming governor pledged himself to use no 
executive patronage for a re-election ; declared he would administer the government without 
prejudice or partiality ; and committed himself to an economical administration of affairs con- 
nected with the State. On the thirteenth the legislature met in its seventeenth regular session. 
W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The republican and union men were in 
the majority in this legislature. A number of acts were passed relative to military matters. 

On the 1st day of October, J. L. Pickard having resigned as superintendent of public 
instruction, J. G. McMynn was, by the governor, appointed to fill the vacancy. On the fif- 
teenth of November, Governor Lewis appointed Jason Downer an associate justice of the 
supreme court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Byron Paine, who had 
resigned his position to take effect on that day, in order to accept the position of lieutenant 
colonel of one of the regiments of Wisconsin, to which he had been commissioned on the tenth 
of August previous. The November elections of this year were entered into with great zeal by 
the two parties, owing to the fact that a president and vice president of the United States were 
to be chosen. The republicans were victorious. Electors of that party cast their eight votes 
for Lincoln and Johnson. The members elected to the thirty - ninth congress from Wisconsin 
at this election were : from the first district, H. E. Paine ; from the second, I. C. Sloan ; from 
the third, Amasa Cobb; from the fourth, C. .\. Eldredge; from the fifth, Philetus Sawyer; and 



86 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

from the sixth district, W. D. Mclndoe. All were republicans except Eldredge, who was 
elected as a democrat. 

The Eighteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature began in Madison on the elev- 
enth of January, 1865. W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature 
was, as to its political complexion, "Republican Union." On the tenth of April, the last day of 
the session, Governor Lewis informed the legislature that General Lee and his army had sur- 
rendered. " Four years ago," said he, " on the day fixed for adjournment, the sad news of the 
fall of Fort Sumter was transmitted to the legislature. To-day, thank God! and next to Him 
the brave officers and soldiers of our army and navy, I am permitted to transmit to you the 
official intelligence, just received, of the surrender of General Lee and his army, the last prop 
of the rebellion. Let us rejoice, and thank the Ruler of the Universe for victory and the pros- 
pects of an honorable peace." In February preceding, both houses ratified the constitutional 
amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. At the Spring election, Jason Downer was 
chosen associate justice of the supreme court for a full term of six years. The twentieth of 
April was set apart by the governor as a day of thanksgiving for the overthrow of the rebellion 
and restoration of peace. At the Fall election both parties, republican and democratic, had 
tickets in the field. The republicans were victorious, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor; 
Wyman Spooner, lieutenant governor; Thomas S. Allen, secretary of state; William E. Smith, 
state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, attorney general; John G. McMynn, superintendent of 
public instruction; J. M. Rusk, bank comptroller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commis- 
sioner. 

War of Secession — Lewis' Administration. 

The military officers for 1864 were besides the governor (who was commander-in-chief) 
Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adju- 
tant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, quartermaster and commissary general, 
and chief of ordnance; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; and Colonel Frank 
H. Firmin, military secretary. The legislature met at Madison on the 13th of January, 1864. 
"In response to the call of the General Government," said the governor, in his message to that 
body, " Wisconsin had sent to the field on the first day of November last, exclusive of three 
months' men, thirty - four regiments of infantry, three regiments and one company of cavalry, 
twelve batteries of light artillery, three batteries of heavy artillery, and one company of sharp- 
shooters, making an aggregate of forty-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five men." 

Quite a number of laws were passed at this session of the legislature relative to military 
matters : three were acts to authorize towns, cities and villages to raise money by tax for the 
payment of bounties to volunteers; one revised, amended and consolidated all laws relative to 
extra pay to Wisconsin soldiers in the service of the United States ; one provided for the proper 
reception by the State, of Wisconsin volunteers returning from the field of service; another 
repealed the law relative to allotment commissioners. One was passed authorizing the gov- 
ernor to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost or destroyed in the 
service: another was passed amending the law suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the 
State or held by volunteers, so as to apply to drafted men; another provided for levying a State 
tax of $200,000 for the support of families of volunteers. A law was passed authorizing the 
governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of Wisconsin, and appropriated ten 
thousand dollars for that purpose. Twu other acts authorized the borrowing of money for repel- 
ling invasion, suppressing insurrection, and defending the State in time of war. One act pro- 
hibited the taking of fees for procuring volunteers' extra bounty ; another one defined the resi- 
dence of certain soldiers from this S: te in the service of the United States, who had received 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. ,87 

local bounties from towns other than their proper places of residence. 

At the commencement of 1864, there were recruiting in the State the Thirty- fifth regiment 
of infantry and the Thirteenth battery. The latter was mustered in on the 29th of December, 
1863, and left the State for New Orleans on the 28th of January, 1864. In February, authority 
was given by the war department to organize the Thirty-sixth regiment of infantry. On the 
27th of that month, the mustering 'n of the Thirty-fifth was completed at " Camp Washburn " 
— Colonel Henry Orff — the regiment, one thousand and sixty-six strong, leaving the State on the 
1 8th of April, 1864, for Alexandria, Louisiana. The other regiments, recruited and mustered 
into the service of the United States during the year 1864, were: the Thirty-sixth — Colonel 
Frank A. Haskell; the Thirty-seventh — Colonel Sam Harriman ; the Thirty-eighth — Colonel 
James Bintliff; the Thirty -ninth — Colonel Edwin L. Buttrick; the Fortieth — Colonel W. 
Augustus Ray; the Forty-first — Lieutenant Colonel George B. Goodwin; the Forty-second — 
Colonel Ezra T. Sprague ; the Forty-third — Colonel Amasa Cobb. 

The regiments mustered into the service of the United States during the year 1865 were: 
the Forty-fourth — Colonel George C. Symes ; the Forty-fifth — Colonel Henry F. Belitz; Forty- 
sixth — Colonel Frederick S. Lovell ; Forty-seventh — Colonel George C. Ginty ; Forty-eighth — 
Colonel Uri B. Pearsall; Forty-ninth — Colonel Samuel Fallows; Fiftieth — Colonel John G. 
Clark; Fifty-first — Colonel Leonard Martin; Fifty-second — Lieutenant Colonel Hiram J. Lewis ; 
and Fifty-third — Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Pugh. 

All of the fifty-three regiments of infantry raised in Wisconsin during the war, sooner or 
later moved to the South and were engaged there in one way or other, in aiding to suppress the 
rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eas'.ern division, which con- 
stituted the territory on both sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to 
Savannah. These twelve regiments were: the First (three months), Second, Third, Fourth, 
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, and Thirty-eighth. 
Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern 
Alabama, and Georgia. These ten were: the Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty- 
fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh. Added 
to these was the First (re-organized). Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division, 
embracing the country west and northwest of the central division. These were : the Eighth, 
Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, 
Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-first, 
Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty- 
second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third. During the 
war several transfers were made from one district to another. There were taken from the eastern 
division, the Third and Twenty-sixth, and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which 
was sent to the department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seven- 
teenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred fronn 
the western to the central department. 

The four regiments of cavelry were assigned to the western division — the First regiment 
being afterward transferred to the central division. Of the thirteen batteries of light artillery, the 
Second, Fourth, and Eleventh, were assigned to the eastern division ; the First and Third, to 
the central division ; the Fiftli, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth, 
to the western division. During the war, the First was transferred to the western division ; while 
the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Twelfth, were transferred to the central division. Of the 
twelve batteries of the First regiment of heavy artillery — "A," "E," "F," "G," H, ' I,' 
"K," "L," and "M," were assigned to duty in the eastern division ; "B" and "C," to the central 



88 HISTORY or WISCONSIN. 

division; and "D." to tlie western division. Company "G," First regiment Berdan's sharp- 
shooters, was assigntii to the eastern division. 

The military officers of the State for 1865 were the same as the previous year, except that 
Brigadier General Lund resigned his position as quartermaster general, James M. Lynch being 
appointed in his place. The legislature of this year met in Madison on the nth of January. 
"To the calls of the Government for troops," said Governor Lewis, in his message, "no State 
has responded with greater alacrity than has Wisconsin. She has sent to the field, since the 
commencement of the war, forty-four regiments of infantry, four regiments and one company of 
cavalry, one regim.ent of heavy artillery, thirteen batteries of light artillery, and one company of 
sharpshooters, making an aggregate (exclusive of hundred day men) of seventy-five thousand 
one hundred and thirty-three men." 

Several military laws were passed at this session: one authorizing cities, towns, and villages 
to pay bounties to volunteers; another, incorporating the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home; two others, 
amending the act relative "to the commencement and prosecution of civil actions against persons 
in the military service of the country." One was passed authorizing the payment of salaries, 
clerk hire, and expenses, of the offices of the adjutant general and quartermaster general from 
the war fund ; another, amending the act authorizing commissioned officers to take acknowledg- 
ment of deeds, affidavits and depositions; another, amending the act extending the right of 
suffrage to soldiers in the field. One act provides for correcting and completing the records of 
the adjutant general's office, relative to the military history of the individual members of the 
several military organizations of this State ; another fixes the salary of the adjutant general and 
the quartermaster general, and their clerks and assistants; another prohibits volunteer or sub- 
stitute brokerage. One act was passed supplementary and explanatory of a previous one of the 
same session, authorizing towns, cities, or villages, to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers; 
another, amending a law of 1864, relating to the relief of soldiers' families; and another, pro- 
viding for the establishment of State agencies for the relief and care of sick, wounded, and 
disabled Wisconsin soldiers. There was an act also passed, authorizing the borrowing of money 
for a period not exceeding seven months, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the 
State in time of war, — the amount not to exceed $850,000. 

On the 13th of April, 1865, orders were received to discontinue recruiting in Wisconsin, and 
to discharge all drafted men who had not been mustered in. About the first of May, orders 
were issued for the muster out of all organizations whose term of service would expire on or 
before the first of the ensuing October. As a consequence, many Wisconsin soldiers were soon 
on their way home. State military officers devoted their time to the reception of returning 
regiments, to their payment by the United States, and to settling with those who were entitled to 
extra pay from the State. Finally, their employment ceased — the last soldier was mustered out 
—the War of the Rebellion was at an end. Wisconsin had furnished to the federal army during 
the conflict over ninety thousand men, a considerable number more than the several requisitions 
of the General Government called for. Nearly eleven thousand of these were killed or died of 
wounds received in battle, or fell victims to diseases contracted in the military service, to say 
nothing of those who died after their discharge, and whose deaths do not appear upon the mili- 
tary records. Nearly twelve million dollars were expended by the State authorities, and the 
people of the several counties and towns throughout the State, in their efforts to sustain the 
National Government. 

Wisconsin feels, as well she may, proud of her record made in defense of national existence. 
Shoulder to shoulder with the other loyal States of the Union, she stood — always ranking among 
the foremost. From her workshops, her farms, her extensive pineries, she poured forth stalwart 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 89 

men, to fill up the organizations which she sent to the field. The blood of these brave men 
drenched almost every battle-field from Pennsylvania to the Rio Grande, from Missouri to 
Georgia. To chronicle the deeds and exploits — the heroic achievements — the noble enthusiasm 
— of the various regiments and military organizations sent by her to do battle against the hydra- 
headed monster secession — would be a lengthy but pleasant task ; but these stirring annals 
belong to the history of our whole country. Therein will be told the story which, to the latest 
time in the existence of this republic, will be read with wonder and astonishment. But an out- 
line of the action of the State authorities and their labors, and of the origin of the various 
military organizations, in Wisconsin, to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, must needs 
contain a reference to other helps employed — mostly incidental, in many cases wholly charitable, 
but none the less effective : the sanitary operations of the State during the rebellion. 

Foremost among the sanitary operations of Wisconsin during the war of the rebellion was 
the organization of the surgeon general's department — - to the end that the troops sent to the 
field from the State should have a complete and adequate supply of medicine and instruments as 
well as an efficient medical staff. In 1861, Governor Randall introduced the practice of appoint- 
ing agents to travel with the regiments to the field, who were to take charge of the sick. The 
practice was not continued by Governor Harvey. On the 17th of June, 1862, an act of the 
legislature became a law authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers 
of Wisconsin, and appropriated twenty thousand dollars for that purpose. Under this law 
several expeditions were sent out of the State to look after the unfortunate sons who were 
suffering from disease or wounds. Soldiers' aid societies were formed throughout the State soon 
after the opening scenes of the rebellion. When temporary sanitary operations were no longer 
a necessity in Wisconsin, there followed two military benevolent institutions intended to be of a 
permanent character : the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, and the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at 
Madison. The latter, however, has been discontinued. The former, started as a State institu- 
tion, is now wholly under the direction and support of the General Government. 

Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the General Govern- 
ment, in the courage or constancy of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with 
which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the war of the 
rebellion, Wisconsin proved herself the peer of any loyal State. 

TABULAR STATEMENT. 

We publish on the following pages the report of the Adjutant General at the dose of the war, 
but before all the Wisconsin organizations had been mustered out. It shows how many brave men 
courageously forsook homes, friends and the comforts of peaceful avocations, offering their lives 
in defense of their country's honor. Twenty-two out of every hundred either died, were killed or 
wounded. Thirteen out of every hundred found a soldier's grave, while only 60 per cent of them 
marched home at the end of the war. Monuments may crumble, cities fall into decay, the tooth 
of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the 
army of the Union in the great war of the rebellion, in which the sons of Wisconsin bore so 
conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time and civilized governments endure. 



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92 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Tenth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor — 1866-1867. 

The inauguration of the newly elected State officers took place on Monday, January i, 
1866. The legislature, in its nineteenth regular session, convened on the tenth. H. U. Barron 
was elected speaker of the assembly. The " Union " and " Republican " members were in a 
majority in both branches of the legislature. " Our first duty," said Governor Fairchild in his 
message, "is to give thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies during the year that is past." 
" The people of no nation on earth," he continued, " have greater cause to be thankful than 
have our people. The enemies of the country have been overthrown in battle. The war has 
settled finally great questions at issue between ourselves." Among the joint resolutions passed 
at this session was one submitting the question of a constitutional convention to frame a new 
constitution for the State, to the people. The legislature adjourned on the twelfth of April, 
having been in session ninety-three days. .\t the general election in November of this year, 
there were elected to the Fortieth congress : H. E. Paine, from the first district ; B. F. Hopkins, 
from the second; Amasa Cobb, from the third; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth; Philetus 
Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, from the sixth district. All were republicans 
except Eldredge, who was elected as a democrat. The proposition for a constitutional conven- 
tion was voted upon by the people at this election, but was defeated. 

The twentieth session of the legislature commenced on the ninth of January, 1867. 
Angus Cameron was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature was strongly " Repub- 
lican-Union." The message of Governor Fairchild was read by him in person, on the tenth. 
On the twenty-third, the two houses, in joint convention, elected Timothy O. Howe United 
States senator for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth of March next ensuing. 
This legislature p issed an act submitting to the people at the next Fall election an amendment 
to section twenty-one of article four of the constitution of the State, providing for paying a 
salary of three hundred and fifty dollars to each member of the legislature, instead of a per 
diem allowance, as previously given. A sitie die adjournment took place on the eleventh of April, 
after a service of ninety-three days. 

To provide for the more efficient collection of license fees due the State, an act, approved 
on the day of adjournment, authorized the governor to appoint an agent of the treasury, to 
superintend and enforce the collection of fees due for licenses fixed by law. This law is still in 
force, the agent holding his office at the pleasure of the executive of the State. 

On the 27th of March, Chief Justice Dixon resigned his office but was immediately 
appointed by the governor to the same position. At the election in April following, associate 
Justice Cole was re-elected, without opposition, for six years from the first Monday in January 
following. On the i6tli of August, Associate Justice Downer having resigned, Byron Paine was 
appointed by the governor in his place. 

The republican State ticket, in the Fall, was elected over the democratic — resulting in the 
choice of Lucius Fairchild for governor; Wyman Spooner, for lieutenant governor; Thomas 
S. Allen, Jr., secretary of state; William E. Smith, for state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, for 
attorney general ; A. J. Craig, for superintendent of public instruction ; Jeremiah M. Rusk, 
for bank comptroller, and Henry Cordier, for state prison commissioner. E.xcept Craig, all 
these officers were the former incumbents. The amendment to section 21 of article 4 of the 
constitution of the State, giving the members a salary instead of a per diem allowance, was 
adopted at this election. As it now stands, each member of the legislature receives, for 
his services, three hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and ten cents for every mile he 
travels in going to and returning from the place of the meetings of the legislature, on the most 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 93 

■usual route. In case of any extra session of the legislature, no additional compensation shall 
be allowed to any member thereof, either directly or indirectly. 

Eleventh Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (second term) — 1868-1869. 

The Eleventh Administration in Wisconsin commenced at noon on the 6th day of January, 
1868. This was the commencement of Governor Fairchild's second term. On the eighth of 
January, 1868, began the twenty-first regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin. A. M. 
Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. Of the laws of a general nature passed by this 
legislature, was one abolishing the office of bank comptroller, transferring his duties to the 
state treasurer, and another providing for the establishing of libraries in the various townships 
of the State. A visible effect was produced by the constitutional amendment allowing members 
a salary, in abreviating this session, though not materially diminishing the amount of bfnsiness 
transacted. A sine die adjournment took place on the sixth of March. 

At the election in April, 1868, Chief Justice Dixon was chosen for the unexpired balance of 
his own term, ending on the first Monday of January, 1870. At the same election, Byron Paine 
was chosen associate justice for the unexpired balance of Associate Justice Downer's term, 
ending the ist day of January, 1872. 

At the Fall election in this year, republican electors were chosen over those upon the 
democratic ticket, for president and vice president ; and, as a consequence. Grant and Colfax 
received the vote 'of Wisconsin. Of the members elected at the same time, to the forty-first 
congress, all but one were republicans — Eldredge being a democrat. The successful ticket 
was : H. E. Paine, from the first district ; B. F. Hopkins, from the second ; Amasa Cobb, from 
the third ; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, 
from the sixth district. These were all members, form their respective districts, in the previous 
congress — the only instance since Wisconsin became a State of a re-election of all the incum- 
bents. 

On the thirteenth of January, 1869, began the twenty-second regular session of the State 
legislature. A. M. Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. A very important duty 
imposed upon both houses was the election of a United States senator in the place of James R. 
Doolittle. The republicans having a majority in the legislature on joint ballot, the excitement 
among the members belonging to that party rose to a high pitch. The candidates for nomina- 
tion were Matthew H. Carpenter and C. C. Washburn. The contest was, up to that time, 
unparalleled in Wisconsin for the amount of personal interest manifested. Both gentlemen had 
a large lobby influence assembled at Madison. Carpenter was successful before the republican 
nominating convention, on the sixth ballot. On the twenty-seventh of January, the two houses 
proceeded to ratify the nomination by electing him United States senator for six years, from the 
fourth of March following. One of the most important transactions entered into by the legis- 
lature of 1869 was the ratification of the suffrage amendment to the constitution of the United 
States. Both houses adjourned sine die on the eleventh of March — a very short session. At the 
spring election, on the 6th of April, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected without opposition, chief 
justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years, from the first Monday in January next 
ensuing. In the Fall, both democrats and republicans put a State ticket in the field for the 
ensuing election : the republicans were successful, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor ; Thad- 
deus C. Pound, lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, state 
treasurer ; S. S. Barlow, attorney general ; george F. Wheeler, state prison commissioner ; 
and A. L. Craig, superintendent of public instruction. The office of bank comptroller expired 
on the 31st day of December, 1869, the duties of the office being transferred to the state 
treasurer. 



94 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

At this election, an amendment to sections 5 and 9 of article five of the constitution of 
the Slate was ratified and adopted by the people. Under this amendment, the governor 
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of five thousand dollars, which 
is in full for all traveling or other expenses incident to his duties. The lieutenant governor 
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of one thousand dollars. 

Twelfth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (third ierm) — 1870-1871. 

On the third of January, 1870, commenced the twelfth administration in Wisconsin, Gov- 
ernor Fairchild thus entering upon liis third term as chief executive of the State ; the only 
instance since the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, of the same person being twice 
re-elected to that office. It was an emphatic recognition of the value of his services in the 
gubernatorial chair. On the twelfth of January, the twenty-third regular session of the legis- 
lature of the State commenced at Madison. James M. Bingham was elected speaker of the 
assembly. Before the expiration of the month, Governor Fairchild received official information 
that over two hundred thousand dollars of the war claim of Wisconsin upon the General Govern- 
ment had been audited, considerable more than one hundred thousand having the previous year 
been allowed. In the month of March, an energetic effort was made in the legislature, by 
members from Milwaukee, to remove the seat of government from Madison to their city; but 
the project was defeated by a considerable majority in the assembly voting to postpone the 
matter indefinitely. According to section eight of article one of the constitution, as originally 
adopted, no person could be held to answer for a criminal offense unless on the presentment or 
indictment of a grand jury, except in certain cases therein specified. The legislature of 1869 
proposed an amendment against the " grand jury system " of the constitution, and referred it to the 
legislature of 1870 for their approval or rejection. The latter took up the proposition and 
agreed to it by the proper majority, and submitted it to the people at the next election for their 
ratification. The sine die adjournment of both houses took place on the seventeenth of March, 
1870. On the first day of January, previous, the member of congress from the second district 
of the State, B. F. Hopkins, died, and David Alwood, republican, was elected to fill the 
vacancy on the fifteenth of February following. 

Early in 1870, was organized the " Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters." By 
an act of the legislature approved March 16, of that year, it was incorporated, having among its 
specific objects, researches and investigations in the various departments of the material, meta- 
physical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences; a progressive and thorough scientific survey 
of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources; the 
advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science, and by the encouragement 
of original invention; tlie encouragement of the fine arts, by means of honors and prizes 
awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of scientific, economical 
and art museums ; the encouragement of philological and historical research ; the collection and 
preservation of historic records, and the formation of a general library; and the diffusion of 
knowledge by the publication of original contributions to science, literature and the arts. The 
academy has already published four volumes of transactions, under authority of the State. 

The fourth charitable institution established by Wisconsin was the " Northern Hospital for 
the Insane," located at Oshkosh, Winnebago county. It was authorized by an act of the legis- 
lature approved March 10, 1870. The law governing the admission of patients to this hospital 
is the same as to the Wisconsin State Hospital. 



WISCONSrjJ' AS A STATE. 95 

On the third day of July, 1870, A. J. Craig, superintendent of public instruction, died of 
consumption, and Samuel Fallows was, on the 6th of that month, appointed by the governor 
to fill the place made vacant by his death. The census taken this year by the General Govern- 
ment, showed the population of Wisconsin to be over one million sixty-four thousand. At the 
Fall election for members to the forty-second congress, Alexander Mitchell was chosen to 
represent the first district; G. W. Hazelton, the second; J. A. Barber, the third; C. A. 
Eldredge, the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, the fifth; and J. M. Rusk, the sixth district. Mitchell 
and Eldredge were democrats; the residue were republicans. The amendment to section 8, of 
article 7 of the constitution of the State, abolishing the grand jury system was ratified by a 
large majority. Under it, no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due 
process of law, and no person, for the same offense, sliall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment, 
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. All persons shall, 
before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is 
evident and the presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be 
suspended unless, vi^hen in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. 

Governor Fairchild, in his last annual message to the legislature, delivered to that body at 
its twenty-fourth regular session beginning on the eleventh of January, 187 1, said that Wisconsin 
State polity was so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so favorable to the growth 
and prosperity of the commonwealth, as to require but few changes at the hands of the legisla- 
ture, and those rather of detail than of system. At the commencement of this session, William 
E. Smith was elected speaker of the assembly. A very carefully-perfected measure of this 
legislature vvas one providing for the trial of criminal offenses on information, without the inter- 
vention of a Grand Jury. A state commissioner of immigration, to be elected by the people, was 
provided for. Both bodies adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of March. On the thirteenth 
of January preceding. Associate Justice Ryro 1 Paine, of the supreme court, died; whereupon 
tlie governor, on the 20th of the same month, appointed in his place, until the Spring election 
should be held, William Penn Lyon. The latter, at the election in April, was chosen by the 
people to serve the unexpired time of Associate Justice Paine, ending the first Monday of Jan- 
uary, 1872, and for a full term of six years from the same date. On the 3d of April, Ole C. 
Johnson was appointed by the governor state commissioner of immigration, to serve until his 
successor at the next general election could be chosen by the people. To the end that the 
administration of public charity and correction should thereafter be conducted upon sound 
principles of economy, justice and humanity, and that the relations existing between the State 
and its dependent and criminal classes might be better understood, there was, by an act of the 
legislature, approved March 23, 1871, a "state board of charities and reform'' created — to 
consist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the members 
being to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional institutions 
supported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury, and on or before the first day of 
December in each year to report their proceedings to the executive of the State. This board 
was thereafter duly organized and its members have since reported annually to the governor 
their proceedings and the amount of their expenses, as required by law. 

The "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society,'' although previously organized, first under the 
name of the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association," was not incorporated until the 24th of 
March, 1871 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural 
adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 1868, provision was made for the publication 
of the society's transactions in connection with the State agricultural society ; but by the act 



96 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 

of 1871, this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate 
form; resulting in the issuing, up to the present time, of nine volumes. The society holds 
annual meetings at Madison. 

At the November election both republicans and democrats had a full ticket for the suffrages 
of the people. The republicans were successful, electing for governor, C. C. Washburn; M. H. 
Pettitt, for lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, for secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, for state 
treasurer; Samuel Fallows, for superintendent of public instruction; S. S. Barlow, for attorney 
general ; G. F. Wheeler, for state prison commissioner ; and O. C. Johnson, for state commis- 
sioner of immigration. At this election an amendment to article four of the constitution of the 
State was ratified and adopted by the people. As it now stands, the legislature is prohibited 
from enacting any special or private laws in the following cases : 1st. For changing the names of 
persons or constituting one person the heir-at-law of another. 2d. For laying out, opening, or 
altering highways, except in cases of State roads extending into more than one county, and mili- 
tary roads to aid in the construction of which lands may be granted by congress. 3d. For 
authorizing persons to keep ferries across streams, at points wholly within this State. 4th. For 
authorizing the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors or others under disability. 
5th. For locating or changing any county seat. 6th. For assessment or collection of taxes or for 
extending the time for the collection thereof 7th. For granting corporate powers or privileges, 
except to cities. 8th. For authorizing the apportionment of any part of the school fund. 9th. 
For incorporating any town or village, or to amend the charter thereof The legislature shall 
provide general laws for the transaction of any business that may be prohibited in the foregoing 
cases, and all such laws shall be uniform in their operation throughout the State. 

Industrially considered, the year 1871 had but little to distinguish it from the average of 
previous years in the State, except^hat the late frosts of Spring and the drouth of Summer dimin- 
ished somewhat the yield of certain crops. With the exception of slight showers of only an hour 
or two's duration, in the month of September, no rain fell in Wisconsin from the eighth of July to 
the ninth of October — a period of three months. The consequence was a most calamitous event 
which will render the year 1871 memorable in the history of the State. 

The great drouth of the Summer and Fall dried up the streams and swamps in Northern 
Wisconsin. In the forests, the fallen leaves and underbrush which covered the ground became 
very ignitable. The ground itself, especially in cases of alluvial or bottom lands, was so dry and 
parched as to burn readily to the depth of a foot or more. For many days preceding the com- 
mencement of the second week in October fires swept through the timbered country, and in some 
instances over prairies and " openings." Farmers, saw-mill owners, railroad men and all others 
interested in exposed property, labored day and night in contending against the advance of 
devouring fires, which were destroying, notwithstanding the ceaseless energies of the people, an 
occasional mill or house and sweeping off, here and there, fences, haystacks and barns. Over the 
counties lying upon Green bay and a portion of those contiguous thereto on the south, southwest 
and west, hung a general gloom. No rain came. All energies were exhausted from " fighting 
fire." The atmosphere was every where permeated with smoke. The waters of the bay and 
even Lake Michigan, in places, were so enveloped as to render navigation difficult and in some 
instances dangerous. It finally became very difficult to travel upon highways and on railroads. 
Time drew on — but there came no rain. The ground in very many places was burned over. 
Persons sought refuge — some in excavations in the earth, others in wells. 

The counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagamie and Shawano 
were all more or less swept by this besom of destruction ; but in Oconto county, and for some 
distance into Menomonee county, Michigan, across the Menomonee river, on the west shore of 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 97 

the bay and throughout the whole length and breadth of the peninsula, — that is, the territory 
lying between the bay and Lake Michigan, — the fires were the most devastating. The first week 
in October passed ; then came an actual whirlwind of fire — ten or more miles in width and of 
indefinite length. The manner of its progress was extraordinary. It destroyed a vast amount of 
property and many lives. It has been described as a tempestuous sea of flame, accompanied by 
a most violent hurricane, which multiplied the force of the destructive element. Forests, farm 
improvements and entire villages were consumed. Men, women and children perished — awfully 
perished. Even those who fled and sought refuge from the fire in cleared fields, in swamps, 
lakes and rivers, found, many of them, no safety there, but were burned to death or died of suf- 
focation. 

This dreadful and consuming fire was heralded by a sound likened to that of a railroad 
train — to the roar of a waterfall- — to the noise of a battle at a distance. Not human beings 
only, but horses, oxen, cows, dogs, swine — every thing that had life — ran to escape the impend- 
ing destruction. The smoke was suffocating and blinding ; the roar of the tempest deafening ; 
the atmosphere scorching. Children were separated from their parents, and trampled upon by 
crazed beasts. Husbands and wives rushed in wild dismay, they knew not where. Death rode 
triumphantly upon that devastating, fiery flood. More than one thousand men, women and 
children perished. More than three thousand were rendered destitute — utterly beggared. 
Mothers were left with fatherless children ; fathers with motherless children. Every where were 
homeless orphans. All around lay suff"ering, helpless humanity, burned and maimed. Such was 
the sickening spectacle after the impetuous and irresistible wave of fire swept over that portion 
of the State. This appalling calamity happened on the 8th and 9th of October. The loss of 
property has been estimated at four million dollars. 

At the tidings of this fearful visitation. Governor Fairchild hastened to the burnt district, to 
assist, as much as was in his power, the distressed sufferers. He issued, on the 13th of the 
month, a stirring appeal to the citizens of Wisconsin, for aid. It was promptly responded to 
from all portions of the State outside the devastated region. Liberal contributions in money, 
clothing and provisions were sent — some from other States, and even from foreign countries. 
Northwestern Wisconsin also suffered severely, during these months of drouth, from large fires. 

A compilation of the public statutes of Wisconsin was prepared during the year 1871, by 
David Taylor, and published in two volumes, generally known as the Revised Statutes of 187 1. 
It was wholly a private undertaking ; but the legislature authorized the secretary of state to 
purchase five hundred copies for the use of the State, at its regular session in 1872. 

Thirteenth Administration. — C. C. Washburn, Governor — 1872-1873. 

The thirteenth gubernatorial administration in Wisconsin commenced on Monday, January 
I, 1872. The only changes made, in the present administration from the previous one, were in 
the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. 

The twenty-fifth regular session of the legislature began on the loth of January, with a 
republican majority in both houses. Daniel Hall was elected speaker of the assembly. The 
next day the governor delivered to a joint convention of the legislature his first annual message 
— a lengthy document, setting forth in detail the general condition of State affairs. The recent 
great conflagrations were referred to, and relief suggested. The work of this session of the Leg- 
islature was peculiarly difficult, owing to the many general laws which the last constitutional 
amendment made necessary. The apportionment of the State into new congressional districts 
was another perplexing and onerous task. Eight districts were formed instead of six, as at the 
commencement of the last decade. By this, the fourth congressional apportionment, each district 



98 IirSTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

elects one member. The first district consists of the counties of Rock, Racme, Kenosha, Wal- 
worth, and Waukesha; the second, of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk, and Columbia; the thirds of Grant, 
Iowa, LaFayette, Green, Richland, and Crawford ; the fourth, of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Wash- 
ington ; the fifth, of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc; the sixth, of Green Lake, 
Waushara, Waupaca, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Brown, Kewaunee and Door ; the sev- 
enth, of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Eau 
Claire, and Clark ; the eighth, of Oconto, Shawano, Portage, Wood, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, 
Marathon, Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, Polk, Burnett, Bayfield, Douglas, and Ashland. To this 
district have since been added the new counties of Lincoln, Taylor, Price, Marinette and New. 

After a session of seventy-seven days, the legislature finished its work, adjourning on the 
twenty-seventh of March. At the ensuing November election, the republican ticket for presi- 
dent and vice president of the United States was successful. The ten electors chosen cast their 
votes in the electoral college for Grant and Wilson. In the eight congressional districts, six 
republicans and two democrats were elected to the forty-third congress ; the last mentioned 
from the fourth and fifth districts. C. G. Williams represented the first district; G. W. Hazel- 
ton the second; J. Allen Barber the third; Alexander Mitchell the fourth; C. A. Eldredge the 
fifth ; Philetus Sawyer the sixth ; J. M. Rusk the seventh ; and A. G. McDill the eighth district. 

Throughout Wisconsin, as in all portions of the Union outside the State, a singular pesti- 
lence prevailed among horses in the months of November and December, 1872, very few escap- 
ing. Horses kept in warm, well ventilated stables, avoiding currents of air, with little or no 
medicine, and fed upon nutritious and laxative food, soon recovered. Although but few died, 
yet the loss to the State was considerable, especially in villages and cities, resulting from the diffi- 
culty to substitute other animals in the place of the horse during the continuance of the disease. 

The twenty-sixth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the eighth day of 
January, 1873, with a republican majority in both houses. Henry D. Barron was elected 
speaker of the assembly. On the ninth, Governor Washburn's message — his second annual 
one — was delivered to the two houses. It opened with a brief reference to the abundant returns 
from agricultural pursuits, to the developments of the industries of the state, to the advance in 
manufacturing, to the rapid extension in railways, and to the general and satisfactory progress in 
education, throughout Wisconsin. He followed with several recommendations- — claiming that 
"many vast and overshadowing corporations in the United States are justly a source of alarm," 
and that " the legislature can not scan too closely every measure that should come before it 
which proposed to give additional rights and privileges to the railways of the state." He also 
recommended that the " granting of passes to the class of state officials who, through their public 
office, have power to confer or withhold benefits to a railroad company, be prohibited." The 
message was favorably commented upon by the press of the state, of all parties. " If Governor 
Washburn," says one of the opposition papers of his administration, " is not a great statesman, 
he is certainly not a small politician." One of the first measures of this legislature was the elec- 
tion of United States senator, to fill the place of Timothy O. Howe, whose term of office weuld 
expire on the fourth of March next ensuing On the twenty-second of January the two houses 
met in joint convention, when it was announced that by the previous action of the senate and 
assembly, Timothy O. Howe was again elected to that office for the term of six years. On the 
twentieth of March, the legislature adjourned sine die, after a session of seventy-two days. 

Milton H. Pettit:, the lieutenant governor, died on the 23d day of March following the 
adjournment. By this sudden and unexpected death, the State lost an upright and conscientious 
jniblic officer. 



WISCOlSrSTN' AS A STATE. 99 

Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one providing for a geological sur- 
vey of the State, to be begun in Ashland and Douglas counties, and completed within four years, 
by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be appointed by the governor, appropriating for the 
work an annual payment of thirteen thousand dollars. An act providing for a geological survey, 
of the State, passed by the legislature, and approved March 25, 1853, authorized the governor to 
appoint a state geologist, who was to select a suitable person as assistant geologist. Their 
duties were to make a geological and mineralogical survey of the State. Under this law Edward 
Daniels, on the first day of April, 1853, was appointed state geologist, superseded on the 12th 
day of August, 1854, by James G. Percival, who died in office on the 2d of May, 1856, at Hazel 
Green. By an act approved March 3, 1857, James Hall, Ezra Carr and Edward Daniels were 
appointed by the legislature geological commissioners. By an act approved April 2, r86o. Hall 
was made principal of the commission. The survey was interrupted by a repeal, March 21, 1862, 
of previous laws promoting it. However, to complete the survey, the matter was reinstated by 
the act of this legislature, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief 
geologist Increase A. Lapham, April 10, 1873. 

Another act changed the management of the state prison — providing for the appointment 
by the governor of three directors; one for two years, one for four years, and one for six years, 
in place of a state prison commissioner, who had been elected by the people every two years, 
along with other officers of the State. 

At the Spring election, Orsamus Cole, who had been eighteen years upon the bench, was 
re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years 
from the first Monday in January following. The two tickets in the field at the Fall election 
were the republican and the people's reform. The latter was successful ; the political scepter 
passing out of the hands of the republicans, after a supremacy in the State continuing unbroken 
since the beginning of the seventh administration, when A. W. Randall (governor for a second 
term) and the residue of the State officers were elected — all republicans. 

The general success among the cultivators of the soil throughout the state during the year, 
notwithstanding "the crisis," was marked and satisfactory; but the financial disturbances during 
the latter part of the Fall and the first part of the Winter, resulted in a general depreciation of 
prices. 

Fourteenth Administration. — William R. Taylor, Governor — 1874-75. 

The fourteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, the fifth day 
of January, 1874, by the inauguration of William R. Taylor as governor; Charles D. Parker, 
lieutenant governor; Peter Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, state treasurer; 
A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction; 
and Martin J. Argard, state commissioner of immigration. These officers were not 
elected by any distinctive political party as such, but as the representatives of a new 
political organization, including " all Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and other electors 
of Wisconsin, friendly to genuine reform through equal and impartial legislation, honesty 
in office, and rigid economy in the administration of affairs." Among the marked characteristics 
of the platform agreed upon by the convention nominating the above-mentioned ticket was a 
declaration by the members that they would " vote for no candidate for office whose nomination 
is the fruit of his own importunity, or of a corrupt combination among partisan leaders ;" 
another, " that the sovereignty of the State over corporations of its own creation shall be sacredly 
respected, to the full extent of protecting the people against every form of monopoly or extor- 
tion," not denying, however, an encouragement to wholesome enterprise on the part of aggre- 



100 HISTORY or WISCONSIN. 

gated capital — this "plank" having special reference to a long series of alleged grievances 
assumed to have been endured by the people on account of discriminations in railroad charges 
and a consequent burdensome taxation upon labor — especially upon the agricultural industry of 
the State. 

The twenty-seventh regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced at Madison on 
the fourteenth of January. The two houses were politically antagonistic in their majorities ; the 
senate was republican, while the assembly had a "reform" majority. In the latter branch, 
Gabriel Bouck was elected speaker. Governor Taylor, on the fifteenth, met the legislature in 
joint convention and delivered his message. " An era," said he, "of apparent prosperity without 
parallel in the previous history of the nation, has been succeeded by financial reverses affecting 
all classes of industry, and largely modifying the standard of values." "Accompanying these 
financial disturbances," added the governor, " has come an imperative demand from the people 
for a purer political morality, a more equitable apportionment of the burdens and blessings of 
government, and a more rigid economy in the administration of public affairs." 

Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one generally known as the 
" Potter Law," from the circumstance of the bill being introduced by Robert L. D. Potter, sen- 
ator, representing the twenty-fifth senatorial district of the state. The railroad companies for 
a number of years had, as before intimated, been complained of by the people, who charged them 
with unjust discriminations and e.xorbitantly high rates for the transportation of passengers and 
merchandize. All the railroad charters were granted by acts at different times of the State leg- 
islature, under the constitution which declares that " corporations may be formed under general 
laws, but shall not be created by a special act, exeept for municipal purposes and in cases 
where, in the judgment of the legislature, the objects of the corporations can not be attained 
under general laws. All general laws, or special acts, enacted under the provisions of this 
section, may be altered or repealed by the legislature at any time after their passage." The 
complaints of the people seem to have remained unheeded, resulting in the passage of the 
"Potter Law." This law limited the compensation for the transportation of passengers, classi- 
fied freight, and regulated prices for its transportation within the State. It also required the 
governor on or before the first of May, 1874, by and with the consent of the senate, to appoint 
three railroad commissioners ; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, 
whose terms of office should commence on the fourteenth day of May, and that the governor, 
thereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissioner for three 
years. Under this law, the governor appointed J. H. Osborn, for three years; George H. Paul, 
for two years ; and J. W. Hoyt, for one year. Under executive direction, this commission inau- 
gurated its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for 
the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State. 

At the outset the two chief railroad corporations of the State — the Chicago, Milwaukee and 
St. Paul, and the Chicago and Northwestern — served formal notice upon the governor of Wis- 
consin that they would not respect the provisions of the new railroad law. Under his oath of 
office, to support the constitution of the State, it was the duty of Governor Taylor to expedite 
all such measures as should be resolved upon by the legislature, and to take care that the laws 
be faithfully executed. No alternative, therefore, was le*'t the chief executive but to enforce the 
law by all the means placed in his hands for that purpose. He promptly responded to the noti- 
fication of the railroad companies by a proclamation, dated May i, 1874, in which he enjoined 
compliance with the statute, declaring that all the functions of his office would be exercised in 
faithfully executing the laws, and invoking the aid of all good citizens thereto. " The law of the 
land," said Governor Taylor, "must be respected and obeyed." " While none," continued he, 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 101 

" are so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to be above its restraints. If 
provisions of the law be deemed oppressive, resistance to its mandates will not abate, but rather 
multiply the anticipated evils." '"It is the right," he added, ''of all to test its validity through 
the constituted channels, but with that right is coupled the duty of yielding a general obedience 
to its requirements until it has been pronounced invalid by competent authority," 

The railroad companies claimed not merely the unconstitutionality of the law, but that its 
enforcement would bankrupt the companies, and suspend the operation of their lines. The 
governor, in reply, pleaded the inviolability of his oath of office and his pledged faith to the people. 
The result was an appeal to the courts, in which the State, under the direction of its governor, 
was compelled to confront an array of the most formidable legal talent of the country. Upon 
the result in Wisconsin depended the vitality of much similar legislation in neighboring Slates, 
and Governor Taylor and his associate representatives of State authority were thus compelled 
to bear the brunt of a controversy of national extent and consequence. The contention extended 
both to State and United States courts, the main question involved being the constitutional 
power of the State over corporations of its own creation. In all respects, the Siate was fully 
sustained in its position, and, ultimately, judgments were rendered against the corporations in 
all the State and federal courts, including the supreme court of the United States, and estab- 
lishing finally the complete and absolute power of the people, through the legislature, to modify 
or altogether repeal the charters of corporations. 

Another act of the session of 1874 abolished the office of State commissioner of immigra- 
tion, "on and after " the first Monday of January, 1876. The legislature adjourned on the 
twelfth of March, 1874, after a session of fifty-eight days. 

The office of state prison commissioner having, by operation of law, become vacant on the 
fifth day of January, 1874, the governor, on the twenty-third of that month, appointed for State 
prison directors, Joel Rich, for twj years; William E. Smith, for four years; and Nelson Dewey, 
for six years: these to take the place of that officer. 

On the sixteenth of June, Chief Justice Dixon, whose term of office would have expired on 
the first Monday in January, 1876, resigned. his seat upon the bench of the supreme court, 
Governor Taylor appointing Edward G. Ryan in his place until his successor should be elected 
and qualified. At the November election of this year, the members chosen to the forty-fourth 
congress were — Charles G. Williams, from the first district; Lucian B. Caswell, from the 
second; Henry S. Magoon, from the third ; William Pitt Lynde, from the fourth; Samuel D. 
Burchard, from the fifth; A. M. Kimball, from the sixth; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from the seventh, 
and George W. Cate, from the eighth district. Lynde, Burchard and Cate were " reform ; " the 
residue were republican. 

At the same election, an amendment to section 3 of article 11 of the constitution of the 
State was duly ratified and adopted by the people. Under this section, as it now stands, it is 
the duty of the legislature, and they are by it empowered, to provide for the organization of 
cities and incorporated villages, and to restrict their power of taxation, assessment, borrowing 
money, contracting debts, and loaning their credit, so as to prevent abuses in assessments and 
taxation, and in contracting debts, by such municipal corporations. No county, city, town, 
village, school district, or other municipal corporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in 
any manner, or for any purpose, to any amount, including existing indebtedness in the aggregate, 
exceeding five per centum on the value of the taxable property therein, to be ascertained by the 
last assessment for State and county taxes previous to the incurring of such indebtedness. Any 
county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, incurring any indebt- 
edness as aforesaid, shall, before, or at the time of doing so, provide for the collection of a direct 



102 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

annual tax sufficient to pay fhe interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge 
the principal thereof within twenty years from the time of contracting the same. 

In 1872, the first appropriation for fish culture in Wisconsin was made by the legislature, 
subject to the direction of the United States commissioner of fisheries. In 1874, a further sum 
was appropriated, and the governor of the State authorized to appoint three commissioners, 
whose duties were, upon receiving any spawn or fish, by or through the United States commis- 
sioner of fish and fisheries, to immediately place such spawn in the care of responsible pisci- 
culturists of the State, to be hatched and distributed in the different waters in and surrounding 
Wisconsin. Two more members have since been added by law to the commission ; their labors 
have been much extended, and liberal appropriations made to further the object they have in 
view — with flattering prospects of their finally being able to stock the streams and lakes of the 
State with the best varieties of food fish. 

The year 1874, in Wisconsin, was characterized as one of general prosperity among farmers, 
excepting the growers of wheat. The crop of that cereal was light, and, in places, entirely 
destroyed by the chinch-bug. As a consequence, considerable depression e.xisted in business in 
the wheat-growing districts. Trade and commerce continued throughout the year at a low ebb, 
the direct result of the monetary crisis of 1873. 

The legislature commenced its twenty-eighth regular session on the thirteenth of January, 
1875, with a republican majority in both houses. F. W. Horn was elected speaker of the 
assembly. The governor delivered his message in person, on the fourteenth, to the two houses. 
" Thanking God for all His mercies," are his opening words, " I congratulate you that order and 
peace reign throughout the length and breadth of our State. Our material prosperity has not 
fulfilled our anticipations But let us remember that we bear no burden of financial depression 
not common to all the States, and that the penalties of folly are the foundation of wisdom." In 
regard to the " Potter Law," the governor said, " It is not my opinion that this law expressed the 
best judgment of the legislature which enacted it. While the general principles upon which it 
is founded command our unqualified approbation, and can never be surrendered, it must be 

conceded that the law is defective in some of its details The great object sought to be 

accomplished by our people," continued the speaker, "is not the management of railroad property 
by themselves, but to prevent its mismanagement by others." Concerning the charge that 
Wisconsin was warring upon railways within her limits, the governor added, " She has never 
proposed such a war. She proposes none now. She asks only honesty, justice and the peace of 
mutual good will. To all men concerned, her people say in sincerity and in truth that every 
dollar invested in our State shall be lawfully entitled to its just protection, whencesoever the 
danger comes. In demanding justice for all, the State will deny justice to none. In forbidding 
mismanagement, the State will impose no restraints upon any management that is hjnest and 
just. In this, the moral and hereditary instincts of our people furnish a stronger bond of good 
faith than the judgments of courts or the obligations of paper constitutions. Honest capital 
may be timid and easily frightened; yet it is more certain to seek investment among a people 
whose laws are at all times a shield for the weak and a reliance for the strong — where the 
wholesome restnints of judicious legislation are felt alike by the exalted and the humble, the 
rich and the poor." 

The first important business to be transacted by this legislature was the election of a United 
States senator, as the term for which M. H Carpenter had been elected would expire on the 
fourth of March ensuing. Much interest was manifested in the matter, not only in the two 
houses, but throughout the State. There was an especial reason for this; for, although the then 



"WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 103 

incumbent was a candidate for re-election, with a republican majority in the legislature, yet it 
was well known that enough members of that party were pledged, before the commencement of 
the session, to vote against him, to secure his defeat, should they stand firm to their pledges. 
The republicans met in caucus and nominated Carpenter for re-election; but the recalcitrant 
members held themselves aloof. Now, according to usual precedents, a nomination by the domi- 
nant party was equivalent to an election; not so, however, in this case, notwithstanding the friends 
of the nominee felt sanguine of his election in the end. The result of the first ballot, on the 
twenty-sixth of January, was, in the senate, thirteen for the republican candidate ; in the 
assembly, forty-six votes, an aggregate of only fifty-nine. He lacked four votes in the assembly 
and an equal number in the senate, of having a majority i.i each house. On the twenty-seventh, 
the two houses, in joint convention, h.iving met to compare the record of the voting the day 
previous, and it appearing that no one person had received a majority of the votes in each house 
for United States senator, they proceeded to their first joint ballot. The result was, no election. 
The balloting was continued each day, until the third of February, when, on the eleventh joint 
trial, Angus Cameron, of LaCJrosse, having received sitxty-eight votes, to Carpenter's fifty-nine, 
with five scattering, was declared elected. 

As in the previous session so in this, — one of the most absorbing subjects before the legisla- 
ture was that of railroads; the " Potter Law" receiving a due share of attention in both houses. 
The result was an amendment in some important particulars without changing the right of State 
control : rates were modified. The law as amended was more favorable to the railroad compa- 
nies and was regarded as a compromise. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 6th of March. 
This was the shortest session ever held in the State except one of twenty-five years previous. 

On the i6th of February, O. W. Wight was appomted by the governor chief geologist of 
Wisconsin, in place of I. A. Lapham, whose appointment had not been acted upon by the Senate. 
On the 24th of the same month, J. \V. Hoyt was appointed railroad commissioner for three 
years from the first day of May following, on which day his one-year term in the same office would 
expire. At the regular Spring election on the 6th of April following, Edward G. Ryan was 
elected, without opposition, chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired term of Chief 
Justice Dixon, ending the first Monday in January, 1876, and for a full term of six years from 
the last mentioned date; so that his present term of office will expire on the 1st Monday in Jan- 
uary, 1882. An act providing for taking the census of Wisconsin on or before the ist of July, 
1875, was passed by the legislature and approved the 4th of March pievious. It required an 
enumeration of all the inhabitants of the State except Indians, who were not entitled to the right 
of suffrage. The result of this enumeration gave a total population to Wisconsin of one million 
two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine. 

At the November election, republican and " reform ' tickets were in the field for State 
officers, resulting in the success of the latter, except as to governor. For this office Harrison 
Ludington was chosen by a majority, according to the State board of canvassers, over William 
R. Taylor, of eight hundred and forty-one. The rest of the candidates elected were : Charles 
D. Parker, lieutenant governor; Petei Doyle, secretary of state, Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer 
of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; and Edward Searing, superintendent of public 
instruction. The act abolishing the office of state commissionei of immigration was to take 
effect "on and after" the close of this administration; so, 01 course, no person was voted for to 
fill that position at the Fall election of 1S75. 

During this administration the principle involved in -a long-pending controversy between the 
State and Minnesota relating to valuable harbor privileges at the head of Lake Superior, was suc- 
cessfully and finally settled in favor of Wisconsin. The influence of the executive was largely 



104 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". 

instrumental in initiating a movement which resulted in securing congressional appropriaiions 
amounting to $800,000 to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement. A change was inaugu- 
rated in the whole system of timber agencies over State and railroad lands, by which the duties of 
agents were localized, and efficiency was so well established that many important trespasses were 
brought to light from which over $60,000 in penalties was collected and paid into the Treasury, 
while as much more was subsequently realized from settlements agreed upon and proceedings 
instituted. By decisive action on the part of the governor an unsettled printing claim of nearly 
a hundred thousand dollars was met and defeated in the courts. During this period also appro- 
priations were cut down, and the rate of taxation diminished. Governor Taylor bestowed unre- 
mitting personal attention to details of business with a view of promoting the public interests 
with strict economy, while his countenance and support was extended to all legitimate enter- 
prises. He required the Wisconsin Central railroad company to give substantial assurance that 
it would construct a branch line from Stevens Point to Portage City as contemplated by congress, 
before issuing certificates for its land grants. 

The closing year of the century of our national existence — 1S75, was one somewhat discour- 
aging to certain branches of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin. The previous Winter had 
been an unusually severe one. A greater breadth of corn was planted than in any previous year 
in the State, but the unusually late season, followed by frosts in August and September, entirely 
ruined thousands of acres of that staple. 

Fifteenth Administration. — ^Harrison Ludington, Covernor— 1876-1877. 

The fifteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, January 3, 1876, 
by the inauguration of State officers — Harrison Ludington, as previously stated, having been 
elected upon the republican ticket, to fill the chief executive office of the State ; the others, to 
the residue of the offices, upon the democratic reform ticket : the governor, like three of his 
predecessors — Farwell, Bashford, and Randall (first term) — having been chosen by a majority 
less than one thousand ; and, like two of his predecessors — Farwell and Bashford — when all the 
other State officers differed with him in politics. 

The twenty-ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin began on the 12th of Janu- 
ary, 1876, at Madison. The republicans were in the majority in both houses. Samuel S. 
Fifield was elected speaker of the assembly. On the 13th, Governor Ludington delivered in 
person, to a joint convention of that body, his message, communicating the condition of affairs of 
the State, and recommending such matters for the consideration of the legislators as were thought 
expedient : it was brief; its style condensed ; its striking peculiarity, a manly frankness. " It is 
not the part of wisdom," said he, in his concluding remarks, "to disguise the fact that the people 
of this State, in common with those of all sections of the Union, have suffered some abatement of 
the prosperity that they have enjoyed in the past.'' "We have entered," he continued, "upon 
the centennial of our existence as an independent nation. It is fit that we should renew the spirit 
in which the Republic had its birth, and our determination that it shall endure to fulfill the great 
purposes of its existence, and to justify the noble sacrifices of its founders." The legislature 
adjourned .f/«f <//V on the 14th of March, 1876, after a session of sixty-three days. The chief 
measures of the session were; The amendment of the railroad laws, maintaining salutary restric- 
tions while modifying those features which were crippling and crushing an important interest of 
the State ; and the apportionment of the State into senate and assembly districts. It is a pro- 
vision of the constitution of the State that the number of the members of the assembly shall 
never be less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred ; and that the senate shall consist of a 
number not more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of the members of the 



WfSCONSIN AS A STATE. , 105 

assembly. Since the year 1862, the aggregate allotted to both houses had been one hundred and 
thirty-three, the maximum allowed by the constitution ; one hundred in the assembly and thirty- 
three in the senate. The number of this representation was not diminished by the apportion- 
ment of 1876. One of the railroad laws abolished the board of railroad commissioners, confer- 
ring its duties upon a railroad commissioner to be appointed by the governor every two years. 
Under this law. DanaC. J^amb was appointed to that office, on the loth of March, 1876. On the 
2d day of February, previous, George W. Burchard was by the governor appointed state prison 
director for six years, in place of Joel Rich, whose term of office had expired. On the same day 
T. C. Chamberlin was appointed chief geologist of Wisconsin in place of O. W. Wight. 

The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell, for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was 
rejected by the supreme court of the State, at its January term, 1876. "We can not but think," 
iaid Chief Justice Ryan, in the decree of refusal, " we can not but think the common law wise 
in e.xcluding women from the profession of the law." "The profession," he added, "enters 
largely into the well-being of society, and, to be honorably filled,, and safely to society, exacts 
the devotion of life. The law of nature destines and qualifies the female sex for the bearing 
and nurture of the children of our race, and for the custody of the homes of the world, and 
their maintenance in love and honor. And all life-long callings of women inconsistent with 
these radical and social duties of their sex, as is the profession of the law, are departures from 
the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, are treason against it." By a law since passed, no 
person can be denied admission to any court in the State on account of sex j and Miss Goodell 
has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 13, 1876, a State board of health was estab- 
lished, the appointment of a superintendent of vital statistics, was provided for, and certain 
duties were assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organized soon after; 
the governor having previously appointed seven persons as its members. The object of the 
organization, which is supported by the State, is, to educate the people of Wisconsin into a better 
knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of 
hygienic laws. 

By a law passed in 1868, as amended in 1870 and 1873, the secretary of state, state 
treasurer, and attorney general, were constituted a State board of assessment, to meet in the 
city of Madison, on the third Wednesday in May, 1874, and biennally thereafter, to make an 
equalized valuation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation. In the 
tables of equalized valuations compiled by this board in 1876, the whole amount of taxable 
property in Wisconsin, is set down at $423,596,290 ; of which sum $337,073,148, represents real 
estate and $86,523,142 personal property. 

This being the year for the election of president and vice president of the United States, 
the two political parties in Wisconsin — republican and democratic — had tickets in the field. 
At the election on Tuesday, November 7, the republican presidential electors received a 
majority of the votei cast in the State, securing Wisconsin for Hayes and Wheeler. The eight 
congressional districts elected the same day their members to the forty-fifth congress, whose 
terms of office would expire on the 4th of March, 1879. Charles G. Williams was elected in the 
first district; Lucien B. Caswell, in the second; George C. Hazelton, in the third; William P. 
Lynde, in the fourth; Edward S. Bragg, in the fifth; Gabriel Bouck, in the sixth; H. L. 
Humphrey, in the seventh ; and Thad. C. Pound, in the eighth district. A majority of the 
delegation was republican, the representatives from the fourth, fifth and sixth districts only, being 
democrats. 



106 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN'. 



There was a general and spontaneous exhibition of patriotic impulses throughout the length 
and breadth of Wisconsin, on the part of both native and foreign-born citizens, at the com- 
mencement of the centennial year, and upon the fourth of July. The interest of the people of 
the State generally, in the Exposition at Philadelphia, was manifested in a somewhat remarkable 
manner from its inception to its close. By an act of congress, approved March 3, 187 1, pro- 
vision was made for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence, by 
holding in that city, in 1876, an exhibition of arts, manufactures, and the products of the soil 
and mines of the country. A centennial commission, consisting of one commissioner and one 
alternate commissioner, from each State and Territory, was authorized to be appointed, to carry 
out the provisions of the act. David Atwood, as commissioner, and E. D. Holton, as alternate, 
were commissioned by the president of the United States, from Wisconsin. This commission 
gradually made progress in preparing for an international exposition. " The commission has 
been organized," said Governor Washburn, in his message to the legislature in January, 1873, 
" and has made considerable progress in its work. The occasion will be one to which I'hc 
American people can not fail to respond in the most enthusiastic manner." The president of 
the United States, by proclamation, in July, 1873, announced the exhibition and national celebra- 
tion, and commended them to the people of the Union, and of all nations. " It seems fitting," 
said Governor Taylor, in his message to the Wisconsin legislature in 1874, " that such a cele- 
bration of this important event, should be held, and it is hoped it will be carried out in a manner 
worthy of a great and enlightened nation." By the close of 1874, a large number of foreign 
governments had signified their intention to participate in the exhibition. 

The legislature of Wisconsin, at its session in 1875, deeming it essential that the State, 
with its vast resources in agricultural, mineral, lumbering, manufacturing, and other products 
and industries, should be fully represented at Philadelphia, passed an act which was approved 
March 3, 1875, to provide for a "Board of State Centennial Managers." Two thousand dollars 
were appropriated to pay its necessary expenses. The board was to consist of five members to 
be appointed by the governor ; and there were added thereto, as ex-officio members, the United 
States centennial commissioner and his alternate. The duties of the members were to dis- 
seminate information regarding the Exhibition; to secure the co-operation of mdustrial, scien- 
tific, agricultural, and other associations in tlie State; to appoint co-operative local committees, 
representing the different industries of the State ; to stimulate local action on all measures 
intended to render the exhibition successful, and a worthy representation of the industries of 
the country ; to encourage the production of articles suitable for the Exhibition ; to distribute 
documents issued by the centennial commission among manufacturers and others in the State ; 
to render assistance in furthering the financial and other interests of the exhibition ; to furnish 
information to the commission on subjects that might be referred to the board ; to care for the 
interests of the State and of its citizens in matters relating to the exhibition ; to receive and 
pronounce upon applications for space ; to apportion the space placed at its disposal among the 
exhibitors from the State ; and to supervise such other details relating to the representation of 
citizens of Wisconsin in the Exhibition, as might from time to time be delegated by the United 
States centennial commission. 

The board was required to meet on the first Wednesday of April, 1875, at the capitol, in 
Madison, to organize and adopt such by-laws and regulations as might be deemed necessary for 
the successful prosecution of the work committed to their charge Governor Taylor appointed 
Eli Stilson, J. I. Case, J. B. Parkinson, T. C. Pound, and E. A. Calkins, members of the board. 
Its organization was perfected, at the appointed time, by the election of J. B. Parkinson as pre- 
sident, and W. W. Field, secretary. The ex-officio members of the board, were David Atwood, 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. lOT 

United States commissioner, and E. D. Helton, alternate From this time forward, the board 
was untiring in its efforts to secure a full and proper representation of the varied interests of 
Wisconsin in the centennial exhibition of 1876. E. A. Calkins having resigned his position as 
member of the board, Adolph Meinecke took his place by appointment of the governor July 
24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1876, spoke in 
commendation of the coming exhibition. "The occasion," said he, "will afford an excellent 
opportunity to display the resources and products of the State, and to attract hither capital and 
immigration." 

Soon after the organization of the United States centennial commission, a national organ- 
ization of the women of the country was perfected. A lady of Philadelphia was placed at its 
head; and a presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp assumed the 
duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1875, appointing assistants in various parts of the 
State, when active work was commenced. This organization was efficient in Wisconsin in 
arousing an interest in the general purposes and objects of the exhibition. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1876, the sum of twenty thousand dollars 
was appropriated to the use of the board of centennial managers, for the purpose of arranging 
for, and making a proper exhibition of, the products, resources, and advantages of the State at 
the exposition. The treasurer of Wisconsin was, by this act, made an ex-officio member of the 
board. By this and previous action of the legislature — by efforts put forth by the board of 
managers — by individual enterprise — by the untiring labors of the "Women's Centennial Execu- 
tive Committee," to whom, by an act of the legislature, approved the 4th of March, 1875, one 
thousand dollars were appropriated — Wisconsin was enabled to take a proud and honorable 
position in the Centennial Exposition — a gratification not only to the thousands of her citizens 
who visited Philadelphia during its continuance, but to the people generally, throughout the 
State. 

In Wisconsin, throughout the centennial year, those engaged in the various branches of 
agriculture and other useful avocations, were reasonably prosperous. The crop of wheat and 
oats was a light yield, and of poor quality ; but the corn crop was the largest ever before raised 
in the State, and of superior quality. The dairy and hog product was large, and commanded 
remunerative prices. Fruits were unusually plenty. Trade and business enterprises, however, 
generally remained depressed. 

By section five of article seven of the constitution of Wisconsin, the counties of the State 
were apportioned into five judicial circuits : the county of Richland being attached to Iowa, 
Chippewa to Crawford, and La Pointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a 
sixth circuit formed. In 1864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. By 
an act which took effect in 1854, a seventh circuit was formed. On the first day of January, 
1855, the sixth circuit was divided, and an eighth and ninth circuit formed, the county of 
Columbia being made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a 
tenth circuit; and, in 1858, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was 
attached to the third circuit. In 1858, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit. 
An eleventh circuit was formed in 1864, from which, in 1865, Dallas county was detached, and 
made part of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January, 187 1, the 
twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876, a thirteenth circuit was " constituted and re-organized." 

At that time, the whole sixty counties of the State stood apportioned in the thirteen judicial 
circuits as follows: First circuit, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; second circuit, Milwaukee, 
and Waukesha; third circuit, Green Lake, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and Winnebago; 
fourth circuit, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc ; fifth circuit. 



108 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Grant, Iowa, La Fayette, Richland, and Crawford ; sixth circuit, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, La 
Crosse, and Vernon; seventh circuit, Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln, 
and Taylor; eighth circuit, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; ninth circuit, Adams, Columbia, 
Dane, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette ; tenth circuit, Outagamie, Oconto, Shawano, Door, and 
Brown eleventh circuit, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, and Polk ; 
twelfth circuit, Rock, Green, and Jefferson; and the thirteenth circuit, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and 
Trempeleau, Marinette and New are now in the tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit. 

The thirtieth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law, 
on the loth of January, 1877. The republicans had working majorities in both houses. J. B. 
Cassoday was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Ludington delivered his message to 
the joint convention of the legislature the following day. " We should not seek," said he, in 
his concluding remarks, "to conceal from ourselves the fact that the prosperity which our people 
have enjoyed for a number of years past, has suffered some interruption. Agriculture has ren- 
dered less return ; labor in all departments has been less productive, and trade has consequently 
been less active, and has realized a reduced percentage of profit." " These adverse circum- 
stances," continued the governor, "will not be wholly a misfortune if we heed the lesson that 
they convey. This lesson is the necessity of strict economy in public and private affairs. We 
have been living upon a false basis ; and the time has now come when we must return to a solid 
foundation." The legislature adjourned sine <&• on the 8th of March, after a session of fifty- 
eight days, passing three hundred and one acts — one hundred and thirteen less than at the 
session of 1876 The most important of these, as claimed by the dominant party which passed 
it, is one for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot box, known as the " Registry Law." On 
the 3d day of April, at the regular Spring election, William P. Lyon was re-elected, without 
opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court for six years from the first Monday in 
January, 1878, his term of office expiring on the first Monday of January, 1884. 

Under a law of 1876, to provide for the revision of the statutes of the State, the justices of 
the supreme court were authorized to appoint three revisors. The persons receiving the appoint- 
ment were David Taylor, William F. Vilas and J. P. C. Cottrill. By an amendatory law of 1877, 
for the purpose of having the revision completed for the session of 1878, the justices of the 
supreme court were authorized to appoint two additional revisors, and assign them special duties 
on the commission. H. S. Orton was appointed to revise the criminal law and proceedings, and 
J. H. Carpenter to revise the probate laws. 

Governor Ludington declined being a candidate for renomination. His administration was 
characterized as one of practical efficiency. As the chief executive officer of Wisconsin, he kept 
in view the best interests of the State. In matters coming under his control, a rigid system of 
economy prevailed. 

There were three tickets in the field presented to the electors of Wisconsin for their suffrages 
at the general election lield on the sixth of November, 1877 : republican, democratic, and the 
"greenback" ticket. The republicans were successful, electing William E. Smith, governor ; 
James M. Bingham, lieutenant governor; Hans B. Warner, secretary of state; Richard Guenther, 
treasurer; Alexander Wilson, attorney general ; and William C. Whitford, state superintendent 
of public instruction. At the same election two amendments to the constitution of the State 
were voted upon and both adopted. The first one amends section four of article seven ; so that, 
hereafter, " the supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and four associate justices, to be 
elected by the qualified electors of the State. The legislature shall, at its first session after the 
adoption of this amendment, provide by law for the election of two associa e justices of said 
court, to hold their offices respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 109 

end of the term of the justice of the said court then last to expire. And thereafter the chief 
justices and associate justices of said court shall be elected and hold their offices respectively 
for the term of ten years." The second one amends section two of article eight ; so that, heie- 
after, " no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation by 
law. No appropriation shall be made for the payment of any claim against the State, except 
claims of the United States, and judgments, unless filed within six years after the claim accrued." 
The year 1S77, in Wisconsin, was notable for excellent crops. A depression in monetary 
matters continued, it is true, but not without a reasonable prospect of a change for the better 
within the near future. 

Sixteenth Administration. — William E. Smith, Governor — 1878 — 1879. 

At noon, on Monday, January 7, 1878, began the sixteenth administration of Wisconsin, by 
the inauguration of the State officers elect. On the 9th of the same month, commenced the 
thirty-first regular session of the Legislature. A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. 
On the day following. Governor Smith delivered his message — a calm, business-like document — to 
the Legislature. Both Houses adjourned sine die on the 21st of March following. On the ist day 
of April, Harlow S. Orton and David Taylor were elected Associate Justices of the Supreme Court; 
the term of the first named to expire on the first Monday of January, 1888 ; that of the last men- 
tioned, on the first Monday of January, 1SS6. In obedience to a proclamation of the Governor, 
the Legislature convened on the 4th day of June, A. D. 1878, in extra session, to revise the statutes, 
A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 
7th of the same month. In November following, the members chosen to the Forty-sixth Congress 
were C. G. Williams, in the First District ; L. B. Caswell, in the Second ; George C. Hazelton, in 
the Third ; P, V. Deuster, in the Fourth ; E. S. Bragg, in the Fifth ; Gabriel Bouck, in the Sixth ; 
H. L. Humphrey, in the Seventh ; and T. C. Pound, in the Eighth. The thirty-second regular 
session of the Legislature commenced on the 8th day of January, 1879. D. M. Kelly was elected 
Speaker of the Assembly ; the next day, the message of the Governor — a brief, but able State 
paper — was delivered to both Houses. On the 21st, Matthew H. Carpenter was elected United 
States Senator for six years, from the 4th of March thereafter, in place of Timothy O. Howe. 
The Legislature adjourned st7ie die on the 5th of March, 1S79. ^'^ 'he ist day of April following, 
Orsamus Cole was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, for a term of ten years. 

Wisconsin has many attractive features. It is a healthy, fertile, well-watered and well-wooded 
State. Every where within its borders the rights of each citizen are held sacred. Intelligence and 
education are prominent characteristics of its people. All the necessaries and many of the comforts 
and luxuries of life are easily to be obtained. Agriculture, the chief source of wealth to so many 
nations, is here conducted with profit and success. Generally speaking, the farmer owns the 
land he cultivates. Here, the laboring man, if honest and industrious, is most certain to secure 
a competence for himself and family. Few States have made more ample provisions for the 
unfortunate — the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the insane — than has Wisconsin. Nor has she 
been less interested in her reformatory and penal institutions. In her educational facilities, she 
already rivals the most advanced of her sister States. Her markets are easily reached by rail- 
ways and water-navigation, so that the products of the country find ready sale. Her commerce 
is extensive ; her manufactures remunerative; her natural resources great and manifold. In 
morality and religion, her standard is high. Her laws are lenient, but not lax, securing the 
greatest good to those who are disposed to live up to their requirements. Wisconsin has, in 
fact, all the essential elements of prosperity and good government. Exalted and noble, there- 
fore, must be her future career. 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



By T. C. CHAMBERLIN, A. M., State Geologist. 



The surface features of Wisconsin are simple and symmetrical in character, and present a con- 
figuration intermediate between the mountainous, on the one hand, and a monotonous level, on the 
other. The highest summits within the state rise a little more than 1,200 leet above its lowest sur- 
faces. A few exceptional peaks rise from 400 to 600 feet above their bases, but abrupt elevations of 
more than 200 or 300 feet are not common. Viewed as a whole, the state may be regarded as oc- 
cupying a swell of land lying between three notable depressions; Lake Michigan on the east, about 
578 feet above the mean tide of the ocean. Lake Superior on the north, about 600 feet above the 
sea, and the valley of the Mississippi river, whose elevation at the Illinois state line is slightly below 
that of Lake Michigan. From these depressions the surface slopes upward to the summit altitudes 
of the state. But the rate of ascent is unequal. From Lake Michigan the surface rises by a long, 
gentle acclivity westward and northward. A similar slope ascends from the Mississippi valley to 
meet this, and their junction forms a north and south arch extending nearly the entire length of th*; 
state. From Lake Superior the surface ascends rapidly to the watershed, which it reaches within 
about thirty miles of the lake. 

If we include the contiguous portion of the upper peninsula of Michigan, the whole elevation 
maybe looked upon as a very low, rude, three-sided pyramid, with rounded angles. The apex is 
near the Michigan line, between the headwaters of the Montreal and Brule rivers. The 
northern side is short and abrupt. The southeastward and southwestward sides are long, and 
decline gently. The base of this pyramid may be considered as, in round numbers, 600 feet 
above the sea, and its extreme apex 1,800 feet. 

Under the waters of Lake Michigan the surface of the land passes below the sea level 
before the limits of the state are reached. Under Lake Superior the land-surface descends to 
even greater depths, but probably not within the boundaries of the state. The regularity of the 
southward slopes is interrupted in a very interesting way by a remarkable diagonal valley 
occupied by Green bay and the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. This is a great groove, traversing 
the state obliquely, and cutting down the central elevation half its height. A line passing across 
the surface, from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, at any other point, would arch upward from 
about 400 to 1,000 feet, according to the location, while .-xlong the trough of this valley it would 
reach an elevation barely exceeding 200 feet. On the northwest side of this trough, in general, 
the surface rises somewhat gradually, giving at most points much amplitude to the valley, but 
on the opposite side, the slope ascends rapidly to a well marked watershed that stretches across 
the state parallel to the valley. At Lake Winnebago, this diagonal valley is connected with a 
scarcely less notable one, occupied by the Rock river. Geologically, this Green-bay-Rock- 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. Ill 

river valley is even more noticeable, since it lies along the trend of the underlying strata, and 
was in large measure plowed out of a soft stratum by glacial action. Where it crosses the water- 
shed, near Horicon marsh, it presents the same general features that are seen at other points, 
and in an almost equally conspicuous degree. Except in the southern part of the state, this 
valley is confined on the east by an abrupt ascent, and, at many points, by a precipitous, rocky 
acclivity, known as "The Ledge" — which is the projecting edge of the strata of the Niagara 
limestone. On the watershed referred to — between the St. Lawrence and Mississippi basins — ■ 
this ledge is as conspicuous and continuous as at other points, so that we have here again the 
phenomenon of a valley formed by excavation, running up over an elevation of 300 feet, and 
connecting two great systems of drainage. 

On the east side of this valley, as already indicated, there is a sharp ascent of 200 feet, 
on an average, from the crest of which the surface slopes gently down to Lake Michigan. The 
uniformity of this slope is broken by an extended line of drift hills, lying obliquely along it and 
extending from Kewaunee county southward to the Illinois line and known as the Kettle range. 
A less conspicuous range of similar character branches off from this in the northwest corner of 
Walworth county and passes across the Rock river valley, where it curves northward, passing 
west of Madison, crossing the great bend in the Wisconsin river, and bearing northeastward 
into Oconto county, where it swings round to the westward and crosses the northern part of the 
state. As a general topographical feature it is not conspicuous and is rather to be conceived as 
a peculiar chain of drift hills winding over the surface of the state, merely interrupting in some 
degree the regularity of its slopes There will be occasion to return to this feature in our 
discussion of the drift. It will be observed that the southeastward slope is interrupted by 
valleys running Mross it, rudely parallel to Lake Michigan, and directing its drainage northward 
and southward, instead of directing it down the slope into the lake. 

The Mississippi slope presents several conspicuous ridges and valleys, but their trend is 
toward the great river, and they are all due, essentially, to the erosion of the streams that 
channel the slope. One of these ridges constitutes the divide south of the Wisconsin river, 
already referred to. Another of these, conspicuous by reason of its narrowness and sharpness, 
lies between the Kickapoo and the Mississippi, and extends through Crawford, Vernon and 
Monroe counties. Still another is formed by the quartzite ranges of Sauk county and others 
of less prominence give a highly diversified chaiacter to the slope. 

Scattered over the surface of the state are prominent hills, some swelling upward into rounded 
domes, some rising symmetrically into conical peaks, some ascending precipitously into castel- 
lated towers, and some reaching prominence without regard to beauty of form or convenience of 
description. A part of these hills were formed by the removal by erosion of the surrounding 
strata, and a part by the heaping up of drift material by the glacial forces. In the former case, 
they are composed of rock; in the latter, of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders. The two forms 
are often combined. The highest peak in the southwestern part of the state is the West 
Blue mound, which is 1,151 feet above Lake Michigan; in the eastern part, Lapham's peak, 824 
feet, and in the central part, Rib hill, 1263 feet. The crest of Penokee range in the northern 
part of the state rises 1,000 feet, and upwards, above Lake Michigan. 

The drainage systems correspond in general to these topograpical features, though several 
minor eccentricities are to be observed. The streams of the Lake Superior system plunge 
rapidly down their steep slopes, forming numerous falls, some of them possessing great beauty, 
prominent among which are those of the Montreal river. On the southern slope, the rivers, in the 
upper portion of their courses, likewise descend rapidly, though less so, producing a succession 
of rapids and cascades, and an occasional cataract. In the lower part of their courses, the 



112 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 

descent becomes much more gentle and many of them are navigable to a greater or less extent. 
The rivers west of the Wisconsin pursue an essentially direct course to the Mississippi, 
attended of course with minor flexures. The Wisconsin river lies, for the greater part of its 
course, upon the north and south arch of the state, but on encountering the diagonal valley 
above mentioned it turns southwestward to the " Father of Waters." The streams east of the 
Wisconsin flow southerly and southeasterly until they likewise encounter this valley when they 
turn in the opposite direction and discharge northeasterly into Lake Michigan, through Green 
bay. Between the Green-bay-Rock-river valley and Lake Michigan, the drainage is again in 
the normal southeasterly direction. In the southern part of the state, the rivers flow in a gen- 
eral southerly direction, but, beyond the state, turn westward toward the Mississippi. 

If the courses of the streams be studied in detail, many e.Kceedingly interesting and instruc- 
tive features will be observed, due chiefly to peculiarities of geological structure, some of which 
will 1)6 apiiarent by inspecting the accompanying geological map. Our space, however, 
forbids our entering upon the subject here. 

The position of the watershed between the great basins of the Mississippi and the St. Law- 
rence is somewhat peculiar. On the Illinois line, it lies only three and one half miles from Lake 
Michigan and about i6o feet above its surface. As traced northward from this point, it retires 
from the lake and ascends in elevation till it approaches the vicinity of Lake Winnebago, when 
it recurves upon itself and descends to the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin rivers, 
whence it pursues a northerly course to the heights of Michigan, when it turns westward and 
passes in an undulating course across the northern part of the state. It will be observed that 
much the greater area of the state is drained by the Mississippi system. 

The relationship which the drainage channels have been observed to sustain to the topo- 
graphical features is partly that of cause and partly that of eff'ect. The general arching of the 
surface, giving rise to the main slopes, is due to deep-seated geological causes that produce an 
upward swelling of the center of the state. This determined the general drainage systems. On 
the other hand, the streams, acting upon strata of varying hardness, and presenting different atti- 
tudes, wore away the surface unequally and cut for themselves anomalous channels, leaving 
corresponding divides between, which gave origin to the minor irregularities that diversify the 
surface. In addition to this, the glacier — that great ice stream, the father of the drift — planed 
and plowed the surface and heaped up its debris upon it, modifying both the surface and drainage 
features Looked at from a causal standpoint, we see the results of internal forces elevating, and 
external agencies cutting down, or, in a word, the face of the state is the growth of geologic ages 
furrowed by the teardrops of the skies. 



GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

In harmony with the liistorical character of this atlas, it may be most, acceptable to weave 
our brief sketch of the geological structure of the state into the form of a narrative of its growth. 

THE ARCH^AN AGE. 

I.AURKNTIAN PERIOD. 

The physical history of Wisconsin can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete 
submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, by which the material of our oldest and 
deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but shallow sea, covering the whole of the 
present territory of the state, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing 



TOPOGKAPHY AND GEOLOGY 113 

mud and sand, as at the present day. and we have before us the first authentic stage of the history 
under consideration. Back of that, the history is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The 
thickness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured 
by thousands of feet. These sediments occupied of course an essentially horizontal position, and 
were, doubtless, in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale, and other sedi- 
mentary rock. But in the progress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, was brought 
to bear upon them laterally, or edgewise, by which they were folded and crumpled, and forced 
up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force which pro-, 
duced this upheaval is believed to have arisen from the cooling and consequent contraction of 
the globe. The foldings may be imaged as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But the contor- 
tion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the character of the 
rock which seems to have taken place simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the 
heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previoysly taken the form of 
impure sandstone and shale for the most part, underwent a change, in which re-arrangement and 
crystalization of the ingredients played a conspicuous part. By this metamorphism, granite, gneiss,- 
mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other crystalline rocks were formed. 
These constitute the Laurentian formation and belong to the most ancient period yet distinctly 
recognized in geology, although there were undoubtedly more ancient rocks. They are therefore 
very fittingly termed Archa;an — ancient — rocks (formerly Azoic.) No remains of life have been 
found in this formation in Wisconsin, but from the nature of rocks elsewhere, believed to be of the 
same age, it is probable that the lowest forms of life existed at this time. It is not strange that 
the great changes through which the rocks have passed should have so nearly obliterated all 
traces of them. The original extent of this Laurentian island can not now be accurately ascer- 
tained, but it will be sufficiently near the truth for our present purposes to consider the formation 
as it is now exposed, and as it is represented on the maps of the geological survey, as showing 
approximately the original extent. This will make it include a large area in the north-central 
portion of the state and a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All the rest of the state 
was beneath the ocean, and the same may be said of the greater portion of the United States 
The height of this island was doubtless considerable, as it has since been very much cut down by 
denuding agencies. The strata, as now exposed, mostly stand in highly inclined attitudes and 
present their worn edges to view. The tops of the folds, of which they are the remnants, seem 
to have been cut away, and we have the nearly vertical sides remaining. 

HURONIAN PERIOD. 

As soon as the Laurentian island had been elevated, the waves of the almost shoreless 
ccean began to beat against it, the elements to disintegrate it, and the rains of the then tropical 
climate to wash it; and the sand, clay and other debris, thus formed, were deposited beneath the 
waters around its base, giving rise to a new sedimentary formation. There is no evidence that 
there was any vegetation on the island : the air and water were, doubtless, heavily charged with 
carbonic acid, an efficient agent of disintegration : the climate was warm and doubtless very 
moist — circumstances which combined to hasten the erosion of the island and increase the 
deposition in the surrounding sea. \\\ addition to these agencies, we Judge from the large amount 
of carbonaceous matter contained in some of the beds, that there must have been an abundance 
of marine vegetation, and, from the limestone beds that accuiaiulated, it is probable that there 
was marine animal life also, since in later ages that was the chief source of limestone strata. 
The joint accumulations from these several sources gave rise to a series of shales, sandstones 
and limestones, whose combined thickness was several thousand feet. 



114 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

At length the process of upheaval and metamorphism that closed the Laurentian period 
was repeated, and these sandstones became quartzites; tlic limestones were crystalized, the 
shales were changed to slates or schists, and intermediate grades of sediments became diorites, 
quartz- porphyries and other forms of crystalline rocks. The carbonaceous matter was changed 
in part to graphite. There were also associated with these deposits extensive beds of iron ore, 
which we now find chiefly in the form of magnetite, hematite and specular ore. These constitute 
the Huronian rocks. From the amount of iron ore they contain, they are also fittingly termed 
the iron-bearing series. As in the preceding case, the strata were contorted, flexed and folded, 
and the whole island was further elevated, carrying with it these circumjacent strata, by which 
its e.xtent was much enlarged. The area of the island after receiving this increment was con- 
siderably greater than the surface represented as Laurentian and Huronian on the accompanying 
map, since it was subsequently covered to a considerable extent by later formations. Penokee 
range, in Ashland county, is the most conspicuous development of the Huronian rocks in the 
state. The upturned edge of the formation forms a bold rampart, extending across the country 
for sixty miles, making the nearest approach to a mountain range to be found within the state. 
A belt of magnetic schist may be traced nearly its entire length. In tlie northern part of 
Oconto county , there is also an important development of this formation, being an extension 
of the Menomonee iron-bearing series. A third area is found in Barron county, which includes 
deposits of pipestone. In the south central part of the state there are a considerable number 
of small areas and isolated outliers of quartzite and quartz-porphyry, that, without much doubt, 
belong to this series. The most conspicuous of these are the Baraboo quartzite ranges, in 
Sauk and Columbia counties, and from thence a chain of detached outliers extends northeasterly 
through several counties. The most southerly exposure of the formation is near Lake Mills, in 
Jefferson county. 

THE COPPER-BEARING SERIES. 

Previous to the upheaval of the Huronian strata, there occurred in the Lake Superior region 
events of peculiar and striking interest. If we may not speak with absolute assurance, we may 
at least say with reasonable probability, that the crust of the earth was fissured in that region, 
and thaf there issued from beneath an immense mass of molten rock, that spread itself over an 
area of more than three hundred miles in length and one hundred miles in width. The action 
was not confined to a single overflow, but eruption followed eruption, sometimes apparently in 
quick succession, sometimes evidently at long intervals. Each outpouring, when solidified, 
formed a stratum of trap rock, and where these followed each other without any intervening 
deposit, a series of trappean beds were formed. In some cases, however, an interval occurred, 
during which the waves, acting upon the rock previously formed, produced a bed of sand, gravel 
and clay, which afterward solidified into sandstone, conglomerate and shale. The history of 
these beds is lithographed on their surface in beautiful ripple-marks and other evidences of wave- 
action. After the cessation of the igneous eruptions, there accumulated a vast thickness of 
sandstone, shale and conglomerate, so that the whole series is literally miles in thickness. 

The eruptive portions have been spoken of as traps, for convenience; but they do not now 
possess the usual characteristics of igneous rocks, and appear to have undergone a chemical 
metamorphism by which the mineral ingredients have been changed, the leading ones now being 
an iron chlorite and a feldspar, with which are associated, as accessory minerals, quartz, epidote, 
prenite, calcite, laumontite, analcite, datolite, magnetite, native copper and silver, and, more 
r.irely, other minerals. The rock, as a whole, is now known as a melaphyr. The upper portion 
of each bed is usually characterized by almond-sized cells filled with the minerals above men- 
tioned, giving to the rock an amygdaloidal nature. The native copper was not injected in a 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 115 

molten state, as has very generally been supposed, but was deposited by chemical means after 
the beds were formed and after a portion of the chemical change of the minerals above mentioned 
had been accomplished. The same is true of the silver. The copper occurs in all the different 
forms of rock — the melaphyrs, amygdaloids, sandstones, shales and conglomerates, but most 
abundantly in the amygdaloids and certain conglomerates. 

This series extends across the northern portion of the state, occupying portions of Ashland, 
Bayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk counties. When the Huronian rocks were elevated, they 
carried these up with them, and they partook of the folding in some measure. The copper- 
bearing range of Keweenaw Point, Michigan, extends southwestward through Ashland, Burnett 
and Polk counties, and throughout this whole extent the beds dip north-norlhwesterly toward 
Lake Superior, at a high angle; but in Douglas and Bayfield counties there is a parallel range 
in which the beds incline in the opposite direction, and undoubtedly form the opposite side of a 
trough formed by a downward flexure of the strata. 

PALEOZOIC T I M E — SI LU RIAN AGE. 

Potsdam Sandstone. 

After the great Archaean upheaval, there followed a long period, concerning wnich very little 
is known — a " lost interval" in geological history. It is only certain that immense erosion of 
the Archaean strata took place, and that in time the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its 
strata and redepositing the wash and wear beneath its surface. The more resisting beds with- 
stood this advance, and formed reefs and rocky islands off the ancient shore, about whose bases 
the sands and sediments accumulated, as they did over the bottom of the surrounding ocean. 
The breakers, dashing against the rocky cliffs, threw down masses of rock, which imbedded them- 
selves in the sands, or were rolled and rounded on the beach, and at length were buried, in 
either case, to tell their own history, when they should be again disclosed by the ceaseless gnaw- 
ings of the very elements that had buried them. In addition to the accumulations of wash and 
wear that have previously been the main agents of rock-formations, abundant life now swarms in 
the ocean, and the sands become the great cemetery of its dead. Thoiigh the contribution'bf each 
little being was small, the myriad millions that the waters brought forth, yielded by their remains, 
a large contribution to the accumulating sediments. Among plants, there were sea-weeds, and 
among animals, protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates, all the sub-kingdoms except the 
vertebrates. Among these, the most remarkable, both in nature and number, were the trilobites, 
who have left their casts in countless multitudes in certain localities. The result of the action 
of these several agencies was the formation of extensive beds of sandstone, with interstratified 
layers of limestone and shale. These surrounded the Archaean nucleus on all sides, and reposed 
on its flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea acted mainly upon the copper and iron- 
bearing series, which are highly ferruginous, and the result wa, the red Lake Superior sandstone. 
On the opposite side of the island, the wave-action was mainly upon quartzites, porphyries and 
granites, and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The former is confined to the immediate 
vicinity of Lake Superior; the latter occupies a broad, irregular belt bordering the Archaean 
area on the south, and, being widest in the central part of the state, is often likened to a rude 
crescent. The form and position of the area will be best apprehended by referring to the 
accompanying map. It will be understood from the foregoing description, that the strata of this 
formation lie in a nearly horizontal position, and repose unconformably upon the worn surface 
of the crystalline rocks. The close of this period was not marked by any great upheaval; there 



116 HISTORY OF WISCOKSIN. 

was no crumpling or metamorphism of the strata, and they have remained to the present day 
very much as they were originally deposited, save a slight arching upward in the central 
porti jn of the state. The beds have been somewhat compacted by the pressure of superin- 
cumbent strata and solidified by the cementing action of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and 
by their own coherence, but the original character of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has not 
been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-marks, cross-lamination, worm-burrows, and similar 
markings that characterize a sandy beach. Its thickness is very irregular, owing to the uneven- 
ness of its Archaean bottom, and may be said to range from i,ooo feet downward. The strata 
slope gently away from the Archaean core of the state and underlie all the later formations, and 
may be reached at any point in southern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufficient depth, which 
can be calculated with an approximate correctness. As it is a water-bearing formation, and the 
source of fine Artesian wells, this is a fact of much importance. The interbedded layers of lime- 
stone and shale, by supplying impervious strata, very much enhance its value as a source of 

fountains. 

Lower Magnesian Limestone. 

During the previous period, the accumulation of sandstone gave place for a time to the 
formation of limestone, and afterward the deposit of sandstone was resumed. At its close, with- 
out any very marked disturbance of existing conditions, the formation of limestone was resumed, 
and progressed with little interruption till a thickness ranging from 50 to 250 feet was attained. 
This variation is due mainly to irregularities of the upper surface of the formation, which is 
undulating, and in some localities, may appropriately be termed billowy, the surface rising and 
falling 100 feet, in some cases, within a short distance. This, and the preceding similar deposit, 
have been spoken of as limestones simply, but they are really dolomites, or magnesian limestones, 
since they contain a large proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock also contains a 
notable quantity of silica, which occurs disseminated through the mass of the rock; or, variously, 
as nodules or masses erf chert ; as crystals of quartz, filling or lining drusy cavities, forming 
beautiful miniature grottos; as the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand. Some argillaceous 
matter also enters into its composition, and small quantities of the ores of iron, lead and copper, 
are sometimes found, but they give little promise of value. The evidences of life are very 
scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few mollusks, and an occasional indication of other forms of life 
embrace the known list, except at a few favored localities where a somewhat ampler fauna is 
found. But it is not, therefore, safe to assume the absence of life in the depositing seas, for it 
is certain that most limestone has orignated from the remains of animals and plants that secrete 
calcareous material, and it is most consistent to believe that such was the case in the present 
instance, and that the distinct traces of life were mostly obliterated. This formation occupies an 
irregular belt skirting the Potsdam area. It was, doubtless, originally a somewhat uniform band 
swinging around the nucleus of the state already formed, but it has since been eroded by 
streams to its present jagged outline. 

St. Peter's Sandstone. 

At the close of this limestone-making period, there appears to have been an interval of which 
we have no record, and the next chapter of the history introduces us to another era of sand 
accumulation. The work began by the leveling up of the inequalities of the surface of the Lower 
Magnesian limestone, and it ceased before that was entirely accomplished in all parts of the 
State, for a few prominences were left projecting through the sand deposits. The material laid 
down consisted of a silicious sand, of uniform, well-rounded — doubtless well-rolled — grains. This 
was evidently deposited horizontally upon the uneven limestone surface, and so rests in a sense 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 117 

unconformably upon it. Where the sandstone abuts against the sides of the limestone promi- 
nences, it is mingled with material derived by wave action from them, which tells the story of 
its formation. But aside from these and other exceptional impurities, the formation is a very 
pure sandstone, and is used for glass manufacture. At most points, the sandstone has never become 
firmly cemented and readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar, the simple handling with pick 
and shovel being sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the unevenness of its bottom, it 
varies greatly in thickness, the greatest yet observed being 212 feet, but the average is less than 
100 feet. Until recently, no organic remains had ever been found in it, and the traces now col- 
lected are very meager indeed, but they are sufficient to show the existence of marine life, and 
demonstrate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity of fossils is to be attributed to the porous 
nature of the rock, which is unfavorable to their preservation. This porosity, however, subserves 
a very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-eminently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies some 
of the finest Artesian fountains in the state, and is competent to furnish many more. It occupies 
but a narrow area at the surface, fringing that of the Lower Magnesian limestone on the south. 

Trenton Limestone. 
A slight change in the oceanic conditions caused a return to limestone formation, accompa- 
nied with the deposit of considerable clayey material, which formed shale. The origin of the 
limestone is made evident by a close examination of it, which shows it to be full of fragments of 
shells, corals, and other organic remains, or the impressions they have left. Countless numbers 
of the lower forms of life flourished in the seas, and left their remains to be comminuted and 
consolidated into limestone. A part of the time, the accumulation of clayey matter predominated, 
and so layers of shale alternate with the limestone beds, and shaly leaves and partings occur in 
the limestone layers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and below, a portion of these are true 
limestone, containing but a very small proportion of magnesia. A sufficient amount of carbon- 
aceous matter is present in some layers to cause them to burn readily. This formation is quite 
highly metalliferous in certain portions of the lead region, containing zinc especially, and con- 
siderable lead, with less quantities of other metals. The formation abounds in fossils, many of 
them well preserved, and, from their great antiquity, they possess uncommon interest. All the 
animal sub-kingdoms, except vertebrates, are represented. The surface area of this rock borders 
the St. Peter's sandstone, but, to avoid too great complexity on the map, it is not distinguished from 
the next formation to which it is closely allied. Its thickness reaches 120 feet. 

The Galena Limestone. 

With scarcely a change of oceanic conditions, limestone dei)osit continued, so that we find 
reposing upon the surface of the Trenton limestone, 250 feet, or less, of a light gray or buff 
colored highly magnesian limestone, occurring in heavy beds, and having a sub-crystalline struc- 
ture. In the southern portion of the state, it contains but little shaly matter, but in the north- 
eastern part, it is modified by the addition of argillaceous layers and leaves, and presents a bluish 
ur greenish-gray aspect. It receives its name from the sulphide of lead, — galena, of which it 
contains large quantities, in the southwestern part of the state. Zinc ore is also abundant, and 
these minerals give to this and the underlying formation great importance in that region. Else- 
where, although these ores are present in small quantities, they have nfct developed economic 
importance. This limestone, though changing its nature, as above stated, occupies a large area in 
the southwestern part of the state, and a broad north and south belt in east-central Wisconsin. 
It will be seen that our island is growing apace by concentric additions, and that, as the several 
formations sweep around the central nucleus of Arch»an rocks, they swing off into adjoining 
states, whose formation was somewhat more tardy than that of Wisconsin 



118 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 

Cincinnati Shales. 

A change ensued upon the formation of the Galena Uniestone, by virtue of which there fol- 
lowed the deposition of large quantities of clay, accompanied by some calcareous material, the 
whole reaching at some points a thickness of more than 200 feet. The sediment has never 
become more than partially indurated, and a portion of it is now only a bed of compact clay. 
Other portions hardened to shale or limestone according to the material. The shales are of 
various gray, green, blue, purple and other hues, so that where vertical cliffs are exposed, as along 
Green bay, a beautiful appearance is presented. As a whole, this is a very soft formation, and 
hence easily eroded. Owing to this fact, along the east side of the Green-bay-Rock-river val- 
ley, it has been extensively carried away, leaving the hard overlying Niagara limestone projecting 
in the bold cliffs known as " The Ledge." The prominence of the mounds in the southwestern 
part of the state are due to a like cause. Certain portions of this formation abound in astonish- 
ing numbers of well preserved fossils, among which corals, bryozoans, and brachiopods, pre- 
dominate, the first named being especially abundant. A little intelligent attention to these might 
have saved a considerable waste of time and means in an idle search for coal, to which a slight 
resemlilance to some of the shales of the coal measures has led. This formation underlies the 
mounds of the lead region, and forms a narrow belt on the eastern margin of the Green-bay-Rock- 
river valley. This was the closing period of the Lower Silurian Age. 

Clinton Iron Ore. 

On the surface of the shales just described, there were accumulated, here and there, beds of pecu- 
liar lenticular iron ore. It is probable that it was deposited in detached basins, but the evidence 
of this is not conclusive. In our own state, this is chiefly known as Iron Ridge ore, from the 
remarkable development it attains at that point. It is made up of little concretions, which from 
their size and color are fancied to resemble flax seed, and hence the name " seed ore," or the 
roe of fish, and hence oolitic ore. "Shot ore" is also a common term. This is a soft ore occur- 
ring in regular horizontal beds which are quarried with more ease than ordinary limestone. This 
deposit attains, at Iron Ridge, the unusual thickness of twenty-five feet, and affords a readily 
accessible supply of ore, adequate to all demands for a long time to come. Similar, but much 
less extensive beds, occur at Hartford, and near Depere, besides some feeble deposits elsewhere. 
Large quantities of ore from Iron Ridge have been shipped to various points in this and neigh- 
boring States for reduction, in addition to that smelted in the vicinity of the mines. 

Niagara Limestone. 

Following the period of iron deposit, there ensued the greatest limestone-forming era in the 
history of Wisconsin. During its progress a series of beds, summing up, at their points of great- 
est thickness, scaicely less th;n eight hundred feet, vvere laid down. The process of formation 
was essentially that already described, the accumulation of the calcareous secretions of marine 
life. Toward the close of the period, reefs appeared, that closely resemble the coral reefs of the 
present seas, and doubtless have a similar history. Corals fo;m a very prominent element in the 
life of this period, and with them were associated great numbers of mollusks, one of which 
{Pentamerus oblongus) sometimes occurs in beds not unlike certain bivalves of to-day, and may 
be said to have been the oyster of the Silurian seas. At certain points, those wonderful animals, 
the stone lilies {Cn'nou/s), grew in remarkable abundance, mounted on stems like a plant, yet 
true animals. Those unique crustaceans, the trilobites, were conspicuous in numbers and variety, 
while the gigantic cephalopods held sway over the life of the seas. In the vicinity of thi reefs, 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 119 

there seem to have been extensive calcareous sand flats and areas over which fine calcareous mud 
settled, the former resulting in a pure granular dolomite, the latter in a compact close-textured 
stone. Thi rock of the reefs is of very irregular structure. Of other portions of the formation, 
some are coarse heavy beds, some fine, even-bedded, close-grained layers, and some, again, irregu- 
lar, impure and cherty. All are highly magnesian, and some are amo.ig the purest dolomites 
known. The Niagara limestone occupies a broad belt lying adjacent to Lake Michigan. 

Lower Helderberg Limestone. 

On Mud creek, near Milwaukee, there is found a thin-bedded slaty limestone, that is 
believed to represent this period. It has negle:ted, however, to leave us an unequivocal record 
of its history, as fossils are extremely rare, and its stratigraphical relations and lithographical 
character are capable of more than one interpretation. Near the village of Waubeka in 
Ozaukee county, there is a similar formation, somewhat more fossiliferous, that seems to repre- 
sent the same period. The area which these occupy is very small and they play a most insignifi- 
cant part in the geology of the state. They close the record of the Silurian age in Wisconsin. 
During its progress the land had been gradually emerging from the ocean and increasing its 
amplitude by concentric belts of limestone, sandstone and shale. There had been no general 
disturbance, only those slight oscillations which changed the nature of the forming rock and 
facilitated deposition. At its close the waters retired from the borders of the state, and an 
interval supervened, during which no additions are known to have been made to its substructure. 

DEVONL's^N AGE. 
Hamilton Ce.ment Rock. 

After a lapse of time, during which the uppermost Silurian and the lowest Devonian strata, 
as found elsewhere, were formed, the waters again advanced slightly upon the eastern margin of 
the state and deposited a magnesian limestone mingled with silicious and almuninous material, 
forming a combination of which a portion has recently been shown to possess hydraulic 
properties of a high degree of excellence. With this deposition there dawned a new -era in the 
life-history of Wisconsin. While multitudes of protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates 
swarmed in the previous seas, no trace of a vertebrate has been found. The Hamilton period 
witnessed the introduction of the highest type of the animal kingdom into the Wisconsin series. 
But even then only the lowest class was represented — the fishes. The lower orders of life, as 
before, were present, but the species were of the less ancient Devonian type. Precisely how far 
the deposit originally extended is not now known, as it has undoubtedly been much reduced by 
the eroding agencies that have acted upon it. That portion which remains, occupies a limited 
area on the lake shore immediately north of Milwaukee, extending inland half a dozen miles. 
The cement rock proper is found on the Milwaukee river just above the ci y. At the close of 
the Hamilton period the oceanic waters retired, and, if they ever subsequently encroached upon 
our territory, they have left us no permanent record of their intrusion. 

The history of the formation of the substructure of the state was, it will be observed, in an 
unusual degree, simple and progresuve. Starting with a firm core of most ancient crystalline 
rocks, leaf upon leaf of stony strata were piled around it, adding belt after belt to the margin of 
the growing island until it extended itself far beyond the limits of our state, and coalesced with 
the forming continent. An ideal map of the state would show the Archcean nucleus surrounded 
by concentric bands of the later formations in the order of their deposition. But during all the 



120 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

vast lapse of time consumed in their growth, the elements were gnawing, carving and channeling 
the surface, and the outcropping edges of the formations were becoming more and more jagged, 
and now, after the last stratum had been added, and the whole had been lifted from the waters 
that gave it birth, there ensued perhaps a still vaster era, during which the history was simply 
that of surface erosion. The face of the state became creased with the wrinkles of age. The 
edges of her rocky wrappings became ragged with the wear of time. The remaining Devonian 
periods, the great Carboniferous age, the Mesozoic era, and the earlier Tertiary periods passed, 
leaving no other record than that of denudation. 



THE GLACIAL PERIOD. 

With the approach of the great Ice Age, a new chapter was opened. An immense sheet of 
ice moved slowly, but irresistibly, down from the north, planing down the prominences, filling up 
the \alleys, polishing and grooving the strata, and heaping up its rubbish of sand, gravel, clay and 
bowlders over the face of the country. It engraved the lines of its progress on the rocks, and, by 
reading these, we learn that one prodigious tongue of ice plowed along the bed of Lake Michi- 
gan, and a smaller one pushed through the valley of Green bay and Rock river, while another 
immense ice-stream flowed southwestward through the trough of Lake Superior and onward 
into Minnesota. The diversion of the glacier through these great channels seems to have left 
the southwestern portion of the state intact, and over it we find no drift accumulations. With 
the approach of a warmer climate, the ice-streams were melted backward, leaving their debris 
heaped promiscuously over the surface, giving it a new configuration. In the midst of this 
retreat, a series of halts and advances seem to have taken place in close succession, by which the 
drift was pushed up into ridges and hills along the foot of tlie ice, after which a more rapid 
retreat ensued. The effect of this action was to produce that remarkable chain of drift hills and 
ridges, known as the Kettle range, which we have already described as winding over the 
surface of the state in a very peculiar manner. It is a great historic rampart, recording the 
position of the edge of the glacier at a certain stage of its retreat, and doubtless at the same time 
noting a great climatic or dynamic change. 

The melting of the glacier gave rise to large quantities of water, and hence to numerous 
torrents, as well as lakes. There occurred about this time a depression of the land to the north- 
ward, which was perhaps the cause, in part or in whole, of the retreat of the ice. This gave 
origin to the great lakes. The waters advanced somewhat upon the land and deposited the red 
clay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior and occupies the Green bay valley as far up as 
the vicinity of Fond du Lac. After several oscillations, the lakes settled down into their present 
positions. Wherever the glacier plowed over the land, it left an irregular sheet of commingled 
clay, sand, gravel and bowlders spread unevenly over the surface. The depressions formed by 
its irregularities soon filled with water and gave origin to numerous lakelets. Probably not one 
of the thousands of Wisconsin lakes had an existence before the glacial period. Wherever the 
great lakes advanced upon the land, they leveled its surface and left their record in lacustine 
clays and sandy beach lines. 

With the retreat of the glacier, vegetation covered the surface, and by its aid and the action 
of the elements our fertile drift soils, among the last and best of Wisconsin's formations, were 
produced. And the work still goes on-, 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 

By Prof. H. H. OLDENHAGE. 

The climate of a country, or that peculiar state of the atmosphere in regard to heat and 
moisture which prevails in any given place, and which directly affects the growth of plants and 
animals, is determined by the following causes: ist. Distance from the equator. 2d. Distance 
from the sea. 3d. Height above the sea. 4th. Prevailing winds; and 5th. Local influences, 
such as soil, vegetation, and proximity to lakes and mountains. 

Of these causes, the firsts distance from the equator, is by far the most important. The 
warmest climates are necessarily those of tropical regions where the sun's rays are vertical. But 
in proceeding from the equator toward the poles, less and less heat continues to be received by 
the same extent of surface, because the rays fall more and more obliquely, and the same amount 
of heat-rays therefore spread over an increasing breadth of surface; while, however, with the 
increase of obliquity, more and more heat is absorbed by the atmosphere, as the amount of air 
to be penetrated is greater. If the earth's surface were either wholly land or water, and its 
atmosphere motionless, the gradations of climate would run parallel with the latitudes from the 
equator to the poles. But owing to the irregular distribution of land and water, and the prevail- 
ing winds, such an arrangement is impossible, and the determination of the real climate of a given 
region, and its causes, is one of the most difficult problems of science. 

On the second of these causes, distance from the sea, depends the difference between oce- 
anic and continental climates. Water is more slowly heated and cooled than land ; the climates 
of the sea and the adjacent land are therefore much more equable and moist than those of the 
interior. 

A decrease of temperature is noticeable in ascending high mountains. The rate at which 
the temperature falls with the height above the sea is a very variable quantity, and is influenced 
by a variety of causes, such as latitude, situation, moisture, or dryness, hour of the day and season 
of the year. As a rough approximation, however, the fall of 1° of the thermometer for every 
300 feet is usually adopted. 

Air in contact with any part of the earth's surface, tends to acquire the temperature of that 
surface. Hence, winds from the north are cold ; those from the south are warm. Winds from 
the sea are moist, and winds from the land are usually dry. Prevailing winds are the result of 
the relative distribution of atmospheric pressure blowing from places where the pressure is high- 
est, toward places where it is lowest. As climate practically depends on the temperature and 
moisture of the air, and as these again depend on the prevailing winds which come charged with 
the temperature and moisture of the regions they have traversed, it is evident that charts show- 
ing the mean pressure of the atmosphere give us the key to the climates of the different regions 
of the world. The effect of prevailing winds is seen in the moist and equable climate of West- 
ern Europe, especially Great Britain, owing to the warm and moist southwest winds; and in the 
extremes of the eastern part of North America, due to the warm and moist winds prevailing in 
summer and the Arctic blasts of winter. 



122 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Among local influences which modify climate, the nature of the soil is one of the most 
important. As water absorbs much heat, wet, marshy ground usually lowers the mean tempera- 
ture. A sandy waste presents the greatest extremes. The extremes of temperature are also modi- 
fied by extensive forests, which prevent the soil from being as much warmed and cooled as it 
would be if bare. Evaporation goes on more slowly under the trees, since the soil is screened 
from the sun. And as the air among the trees is little agitated by the wind, the vapor is left to 
accumulate, and hence the humidity of the air is increased. Climate is modified in a similar man- 
ner by lakes and other large surfaces of water. During summer the water cools the air and 
reduces the temperature cf the locality. In winter, on the other hand, the opposite effect is pro- 
duced. The surface water which is cooled sinks to lower levels; the warmer water rising to the 
surface, radiates heat into the air and thus raises the temperature of the neighboring region. 
This influence is well illustrated, on a great scale, in our own state by Lake Michigan. 

It is, lastly, of importance whether a given tract of country is diversified by hills, valleys and 
mountains. Winds with their warm vapor strike the sides of mountains and are forced up into 
higher levels of the atmosphere, where the vapor is condensed into clouds. Air coming in con- 
tact, during the night or in winter, with the cooled declivities of hills and rising grounds becomes 
cooled and consequently denser and sinks to the low-lying grounds, displacing the warmer and 
lighter air. Hence, frosts often occur at these places, when no trace of them can be found at 
higher levels. For the same reason the cold of winter is generally more intense in ravines and 
valleys than on hill tops and high grounds, the valleys being a receptacle for the cold-air currents 
which descend from all sides. These currents give rise to gusts and blasts of cold wind, which 
are simply the out-rush of cold air from such basins. This is a subject of great practical impor- 
tance to fruit-growers. 

In order to understand the principal features of the climate of Wisconsin, and the conditions 
on which these depend, it is necessary to consider the general climatology of the eastern United 
States. The chief characteristic of this area as a whole is, that it is subject to great extremes — to 
all those variations of temperature which prevail from the tropical to the Arctic regions. This 
is principally due to the topographical conditions of our continent. The Rocky mountains con- 
densing the moisture of the warm winds from the Pacific and preventing them from reaching far 
inland, separate the climateof the Mississippi valley widely from that of the Pacific slope. Between 
the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic sea there is no elevation to exceed 2,000 feet to arrest the 
flow of the hot southerly winds of summer, or the cold northerly winds of winter. From this 
results a variation of temperature hardly equaled in any part of the world. 

In determining the climates of the United States, western Europe is usually taken as the 
basis of comparison. The contrast between these regions is indeed very great. New York is in 
the same latitude with Madrid, Naples and Constantinople. Quebec is not so far north as Paris. 
London and Labrador are equi-distant from the equator ; but while England, with her mild, moist 
climate, produces an abundance of vegetation, in Labrador all cultivation ceases. In the latitude 
of Stockholm and St. Petersburg, at the 6oth parallel, we find in eastern North America vast ice- 
fields which seldom melt. The moist and equable climate of western Europe in high latitudes 
is due to the Gulf Stream and the southwest winds of the Atlantic, which spread their warmth 
and moisture over the western coast. Comparison, however, shows that the climate of the Pacific 
coast of North America is quite as mild as that of western Europe ; and this is due to the same 
kind of influences, namely, to the warm, moist winds and the currents oi the Pacific. And to con- 
tinue the comparisoi. still further, in proceeding on both continents from west to east, or from 
ocean into the interior, we find a general resemblance of climatic conditions, modified greatly, it 
is true, by local influences. 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 123 

The extreme summer climate of the eastern United States is owing to the southerly and 
southwesterly winds, which blow with great regularity during this season, and, after traversing 
great areas of tropical seas, bear the warmth and moisture of these seas far inland, and give this 
region the peculiar semi-tropical character of its summers. The average temperature of summer 
varies between 80° for the Gulf states, and 60'' for the extreme north. While in the Gulf states 
the thermometer often rises to 100°, in the latitude of Wisconsin this occurs very seldom. During 
winter the prevailing winds are from the northwest. These cold blasts from the Arctic sea are 
deflected by the Rocky mountains, sweep down unopposed into lower latitudes, and produce all 
the rigors of an arctic winter. The mean temperature for this season varies between 60° for the 
Gulf coast and 15° for the extreme northern part of Wisconsin. In the northern part of the 
valley the cold is sometimes so intense that the thermometer sinks to the freezing point of 
mercury. 

The extreme of heat and cold would give a continental climate if this extreme were not accom^ 
panied by a profusion of rain. The southerly winds, laden with moisture, distribute this moist- 
ure with great regularity over the valley. The amount of rainfall, greater in summer than in 
winter, varies, from the Gulf of Mexico to Wisconsin, from 63 inches to 30 inches. On the At- 
lantic coast, where the distribution is more equal throughout the year on account of its proximity 
to the ocean, the amount varies, from Florida to Maine, from 63 to 40 inches. The atmospheric 
movements on which, to a great extent, the climatic conditions of the eastern United States 
depend, may be summed up as follows : 

"i. That the northeast trades, deflected in their course to south and southeast winds in 
their passage through the Carribean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are the warm and moist winds 
which communicate to the Mississippi valley and the Atlantic slope their fertility. 

"2. That the prevalence of these winds from May to October communicates to this region 
a sub-tropical climate. 

" 3. That in the region bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, the atmospheric disturbances are 
propagated from south to north ; but in the northern and middle states, owing to a prevailing 
upper current, from west to east. 

" 4. That while this upper current is cool and dry, and we have the apparent anomaly of 
rain storms traveling from west to east, at the same time the moisture supplying them comes from 
the south. 

"5. That, in the winter, the south and southeast winds rise into the upper current, while 
the west and northwest winds descend and blow as surface winds, accompanied by an extraor-. 
dinary depression of temperature, creating, as it were, an almost arctic climate. 

" 6. That the propagation of the cold winds from west to east is due to the existence of a 
warmer and lighter air to the eastward. 

"7. That in summer the westerly currents seldom blow with violence, because, in passing 
over the heated plains, they acquire nearly the same temperature as the southerly currents, but in 
winter the conditions are reversed." 

The line of conflict of these aerial currents, produced by unequal atmospheric pressure, 
shift so rapidly that the greatest changes of temperature, moisture, and wind, are experienced 
within a few hours, these changes usually affecting areas of great extent. In the old world, on 
the other hand, the mountain systems, generally running from east to west, offer an impediment, 
especially to the polar currents, and the weather is therefore not so changeable. 

Wisconsin, situated in the upper and central part of the Mississippi valley, is subject to the 
same general climatic conditions which give this whole area its peculiar climate. 

The highest mean summer temperature is 72° Fahrenheit in the southwestern part of the 



124 HISTORY OF AVTSCONSIN. 

state, and the lowest 64° at Bayfield, Lake Superior. During the months of June, July and 
August, the thermometer often rises as hig^i as 90", seldom to 100". In 1874 the mercury reached 
this high point twice at LaCrosse, and three times at Dubuque, Iowa. There are usually two or 
three of these " heated terms " during the summer, terminated by abrupt changes of temperature. 

The isotherm of 70° (an isotherm being a line connecting places having the same mean tem- 
perature) enters this state from the west, in the northern part of Grantcounty, touches Madison, takes 
a southerly direction through Walworth county, passes through southern Michigan, Cleveland, and 
Pittsburg, reaching the Atlantic ocean a little north of New York city. From this it is seen that 
southern Wisconsin, southern and central Michigan, northern Ohio, central Pennsylvania, and 
southern New York have nearly the same summer temperature. Northwestward this line runs 
through southern Minnesota and along the Missouri to the foot of the mountains. Eastern Ore- 
gon, at 47° 30' north latitude, has the same average summer temperature ; the line then returns 
and touches the Pacific coast at San Diego. 

The remarkable manner in which so large a body of water as Lake Michigan modifies the 
temperature has been carefully determined, so far as it relates to Wisconsin, by the late Dr. Lap- 
ham, of Milwaukee. It is seen by the map that the average summer temperature of Racine is 
the same as that of St. Paul. The weather map for July, 1875, in the signal service report for 
1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the souihern 
part of the state, as that of Breckenridge, Minn., north of St. Paul. The moderating efifect of 
tlic lake during hot weather is felt in the adjacent region during both day and night. 

Countries in the higher latitudes having an e.xtreme summer temperature are usually charac- 
terized by a small amount of rain-fall. The Mississippi valley, however, is directly e.xposed in 
spring and summer to the warm and moist winds from the south, and as these winds condense 
their moisture by coming in contact with colder upper currents from the north and west, it has a 
profusion of rain which deprives the climite largely of its continental features. As already 
stated, the average amount of rain-fall in Wisconsin is about 30 inches annually. Of this amount 
about one-eighth is precipitated in winter, three-eighths in summer, and the rest is equally dis- 
tributed between spring and autumn — in other words, rain is abundant at the time of the year 
when it is most needed. In Wisconsin the rainfall is greatest in the southwestern part of the 
state ; the least on and along the shore of Lake Michigan. This shows that the humidity of the 
air of a given area can be greater, and the rainfall less, than that of some other. 

In comparison with western Europe, even where the mean temperature is higher than in the 
Mississippi valley, the most striking fact in the climatic conditions of the United States is the 
great range of plants of tropical or sub-tropical origin, such as Indian corn, tobacco, etc. The 
conditions on which the character of the vegetation depends are temperature and moisture, and 
the mechanical and chemical composition of the soil. 

"The basis of this great capacity (the great range of plants) is the high curve of heat and 
moisture for the summer, and the fact that the measure of heat and of rain are almost or quite 
tropical for a period in duration from one to five months, in the range from Quebec to the coast 
of the Gulf." Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72^ and 77°, 
in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas ; but it may be grown up to the line of 65", which includes 
the whole of Wisconsin. The successful cultivation of this important staple is due to the mtense 
heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen. 

While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 45°, that of 
southern Ireland and central England is 50° ; the line of 72°, the average temperature for July, 
runs from Walworth county to St. Paul, while during the same month Ireland and England have 
■a mean temperature of only 60"^. In Wisconsin the thermometer rises as high as 90*^ and above. 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 125 

while the range above the mean in England is very small. It is the tropical element of our sum- 
mers, then, that causes the grape, the corn, etc., to ripen, while England, with a higher mean 
temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where southern plants may remain 
out-doors, unfrosted, the whole winter, can not mature those fruits and grasses which ripen in 
Wisconsin. In England a depression of 2" below the mean of 60° will greatly reduce the quan- 
tity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 60" being essential to a good crop. Wheat, re- 
quiring a lower temperature than corn, is better adapted to the climate of Wisconsin. This grain 
may be grown as far north as Hudson bay. 

Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin. 
North of the 42d parallel, or the southern boundary line of the state, November belongs properly 
to the winter months, its mean temperature being about 32°. The decrease of heat from August to 
September is generally from 8° to 9°; 11° from September tfo October, and 14° from October to 
November. The average temperature for these three months is about 45°. A beautiful season, 
commonly known as Indian summer, frequently occurs in the latter part of October and in No- 
vember. This period is characterized by a mild temperature and a hazy, calm atmosphere. 
According to Loomis, this appears to be due to "an uncommonly tranquil condition of the atmos- 
phere, during which the air becomes filled with dust and smoke, arising from numerous fires, by 
which its transparency is greatl)' impaired." This phenomenon extends as far north as Lake 
Superior, but it is more conspicuous and protracted in Kansas and Missouri, and is not observed 
in the southern states. 

Destructive frosts generally occur in September, and sometimes in August. " A. temperature 
of 36" to 40° at sunrise is usually attended with frosts destructive to vegetation, the position of 
the thermometer being usually such as to represent less than the actual refrigeration at the open 
surface." In 1875, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times below the freez- 
ing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 14°. 

The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow. 
The mean winter temperature varies between 23° in the southeastern part of the state, and 16° at 
Ashland, m the northern. For this season the e.xtremes are great. The line of 20° is of im- 
portance, as it marks the average temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tender trees, 
such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1875 and 1876, the mean temperature for De- 
cember, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 4° above the average mean 
for many years, while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and Feb- 
ruary was about 12° below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and 
mild winters. In the same winter, i875-'76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only six times 
below zero, the lowest being 12°, while during the preceding winter the mercury sank thirty-six 
times below zero, the lowest being 23". In the northern and northwestern part of the state the 
temperature sometimes falls to the freezing point of mercury. During the exceptionally cold 
Winter of 1872-3, at La Crosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero; on Decem- 
ber 24, it indicated 37° below, and on January 18, 43° below zero, averaging about 12° below 
the usual mean for those months. The moderating effect of Lake Michigan can be seen 
by observing how the lines indicating the mean winter temperature curve northward as they 
approach the lake. Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and the Grand Traverse 
region of Michigan, have the same average wintei temperature. The same is true regarding 
Galena, 111., Beloit, and Kewaunee. A similar influence is noticed in all parts of the state. Dr. 
Lapham concludes that this is not wholly due to the presence of Lake Michigan, but that the 
mountain range which extends from a little west of Lake Superior to the coast of Labrador (from 
1,100 to 2,240 feet high) protects the lake region in no inconsiderable degree from the excessive 
cold of winter. 



126 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIK. 

According to the same authority, the time at which the Milwaukee river was closed wi h ice, 
for a period of nine years, varied between November 15 and December 1 ; the time at which it 
became free from ice, between March 3 and April 13. In the lake district, snow and rain are 
interspersed through all the winter months, rain being sometimes as profuse as at any other sea- 
son. In the northwestern part the winter is more rigid and dry. Northern New York and the 
New England states usually have snow lying on the ground the whole winter, but in the southern 
lake district it rarely remains so long. In i842-'43, however, sleighing commenced about the 
middle of November, and lasted till about the same time in April — five months. 

The average temperature for the three months of spring, March, April and May, from Wal- 
worth county to St. Paul, is about 45°. In central Wisconsin the mean for March is about 27°, 
which is an increase of nearly 7*^ from February. The lowest temperature of this month in 
1876 was 40° above zero. April shows an average increase of about 9" over March. In 1876 
the line of 45° for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, 111., touching Lake Erie at 
Toledo, showing that the interior west of Lake Michigan is warmer than the lake region. The 
change from winter to spring is more sudden in the interior than in the vicinity of the lakes. 
"In the town of Lisbon, fifteen miles from Lake Michigan," says Dr. Laphani, " early spring 
flowers show themselves about ten days earlier than on the lake. In spring vegetation, in places 
remote from the lakes, shoots up in a very short time, and flowers show their petals, while on the 
lake shore the cool air retards them and brings them more gradually into existence." The in- 
crease from April to May is about 15^. In May, 1876, Pembina and Milwaukee had nearly the 
same mean temperature, about 55°. 

The extremes of our climate and the sadden changes of temperature no doubt have a 
marked influence, both physically and mentally, on the American people. And though a more 
equable climate may be more conducive to perfect health, the great range of our climate from 
arctic to tropical, and the consequent variety and abundance of vegetable products, combine to 
make the Mississippi valley perhaps one of the most favorable areas in the world for the develop- 
tient of a strong and wealthy nation. 

During the months of summer, in the interior of the eastern United States, at least three- 
fourths of the rain-fall is in showers usually accompanied by electrical discharges and limited to 
small areas. But in autumn, winter, and spring nearly the whole precipitation takes place in 
general storms extending over areas of 300, 500 and sometimes over 1,000 miles in diameter, and 
generally lasting two or three days. An area of low atmospheric pressure causes the wind to blow 
toward that area from all sides, and when the depression is sudden and great, it is accompanied 
by much rain or snow. On account of the earth's rotation, the wind blowing toward this region 
of low pressure is deflected to the right, causing the air to circulate around the center with a 
motion spirally inward. In our latitude the storm commences with east winds. When the storm 
center, or area of lowest barometer, is to the south of us, the wind gradually veers, as the storm 
passes from west to east with the upper current, round to the northwest by the north point. 
On the south side of the storm center, the wind veers from southeast to southwest, by the south 
point. The phenomena attending such a storm when we are in or near the part of its center are 
usually as follows : After the sky has become overcast with clouds, the wind from the northeast 
generally begins to rise and blows in the opposing direction to fhe march of the storm. The 
clouds which are now moving over us, discharge rain or snow according to circumstances. The 
barometer continues to fall, and the rain or snow is brought obliquely down from the northern 
quarter by the prevailing wind. After a while the wind changes slightly in diiection and then 
ceases. The thermometer rises and the barometer has reached its lowest point. This is the center 
of the storm. After the calm the wind has changed its direction to northwest or west. The 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. ^ 127 

wind blows again, usually more violently than before, accompanied by rain or snow, which is now 
generally of short duration. The sky clears, and the storm is suddenly succeeded by a tempera, 
ture ID or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east winds, or 
before the center passes a given point. The path of these storms is from west to east, or nearly 
so, and only seldom in other directions. These autumn, winter, and spring rains are generally 
first noticed on the western plains, but may originate at any point along their path, and move 
eastward with an average velocity of about 20 miles an hour in summer and 30 miles in winter, 
but sometimes attaining a velocity of over 50 miles, doing great damage on the lakes. In pre- 
dicting these storms, the signal service of the army is of incalculable practical benefit, as well 
as in collecting data for scientific conclusions. 

A subject of the greatest importance to every inhabitant of Wisconsin is the influence of 
forests on climate and the effects of disrobing a county of its trees. The general influence of 
forests in modifying the extremes of temperature, retarding evaporation and the increased 
humidity of the air, has already been mentioned. That clearing the land of trees increases the 
temperature of the ground in summer, is so readily noticed that it is scarcely necessary to men- 
tion it ; while in winter the sensible cold is never so extreme in woods as on an open surface 
exposed to the full force of the winds. " The lumbermen in Canada and the northern United 
States labor in the woods without inconvenience: when the mercury stands many degrees below 
Eero, while in the open grounds, with only a moderate breeze, the same temperature is almost 
insupportable." " In the state of Michigan it has been found that the winters have greatly 
increased in severity within the last forty years, and that this increased severity seems to move 
along even-paced with the destruction of the forests. Thirty years ago the peach was one of the 
most abundant fruits of that State; at that time frost, injurious to corn at any time from May to 
October, was a thing unknown. Now the peach is an uncertain crop, and frost often injures the 
corn.'' The precise influence of forests on temperature may not at present admit of definite solu- 
tion, yet the mechanical screen which they furnish to the soil often far to the leeward of them, 
is sufficiently established, and this alone is enough to encourage extensive planting wherever this 
protection is wanting. 

With regard to the quantity of rain-fall, " we can not positively affirm that the total annual 
quantity of rain is even locally diminished or mcreased by the destruction of the woods, though 
both theoretical considerations and the balance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more 
rain falls in wooded than in open countries. One important conclusion, at least, upon the 
meteorological influence of forests is certain and undisputed: the proposition, namely, that, 
within their own limits, and near their own borders, they maintain a more uniform degree of 
humidity in the atmosphere than is observed in cleared grounds. Scarcely less can it be 
questioned that they tend to promote the frequency of showers, and, if they do not augment the 
amount of precipitation, they probably equalize its distribution through the different seasons." 

There is abundant and undoubted evidence that the amount of water existing on the surface 
in lakes and rivers, in many parts of the world, is constantly diminishing. In Germany, observa- 
tions of the Rhine, Oder, Danube, and the Elbe, in the latter case going back for a period of 142 
years, demonstrate beyond doubt, that each of these rivers has much deci'eased in volume, and 
there is reason to fear that they will eventually disappear from the list of navigable rivers. 

" The ' Blue-Grass ' region of Kentucky, once the pride of the West, has now districts of 
such barren and arid nature that their stock farmers are moving toward the Cumberland mount- 
ains, because the creeks and old springs dried up, and their wells became too low to furnish 
water for their cattle." In our own state ' such has been the change in the flow of the Milwau- 



128 . HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

kee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the 
proprietor? of most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of 
steam, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry seasons 
of the year." " What has happened to the Milwaukee river, has happened to all the other water 
courses in the state from whose banks the forest has been removed ; and many farmers who 
selected land uqon which there was a living brook of clear, pure water, now find these brooks 
dried up during a considerable portion of the year.'' 

Districts stripped of their forest are said to be more exposed than before to loss of harvests, 
to droughts and frost. " Hurricanes, before unknown, sweep unopposed over the regions thus 
denuded, carrying terror and devastation in their track." Parts of Asia Minor, North Africa, 
and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean, now almost deserts, were once densely 
populated and the granaries of the world. And there is good reason to believe " that it is the 
destruction of the forests which has produced this devastation." From such facts Wisconsin, 
already largely robbed of its forests, should take warning before it is too late. 



TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 

By p. R. hoy, M.D. 

It is not the purpose of this article to give a botanical description, but merely lirief notes on 
the economical value of the woods, and the fitness of the various indigenous trees, shrubs and 
vines for the purpose of ornament, to be found in Wisconsin. 

White Oak — Qucrcus Alba. — This noble tree is the largest and most important of the 
American oaks. The excellent properties of the wood render it eminently valuable for a great 
variety of uses. Wherever strength and durability are required, the white oak stands in the first 
rank. It is employed in making wagons, coaches and sleds ; staves and hoops of the best quality 
for barrels and casks are obtained from this tree; it is extensively used in architecture, ship- 
building, etc.; vast quantities are used forfencmg; the bark is employed in tanning. The domes- 
tic consumption of this tree is so great that it is of the first importance to preserve the young 
trees wherever it is practicable, and to make young plantations where the tree is not found. The 
white oak is a graceful, ornamental tree, and worthy of particular attention as such ; found abun- 
dantly in most of the timbered districts. 

Burr Oak — Q. Macrocarpa. — This is perhaps the most ornamental of our oaks. Nothing 
can exceed the graceful beauty of these trees, when not crowded or cramped in their growth, but 
left free to follow the laws of their development. Who has not admired these trees in our exten- 
sive burr oak openings .^ The large leaves are a dark green above and a bright silvery white 
beneath, which gives the tree a singularly fine appearance when agitated by the wind. The wood 
is tough, close-grained, and more durable than the white oak, especially when exposed to frequent 
changes of moisture and drying; did the tree grow to the same size, it would be preferred for 
most uses. Abundant, and richly worthy of cultivation, both for utility and ornament. 

Swamp White Oak — Q. Bicotor. — Is a valuable and ornamental tree, not quite so large or 
as common as the burr oak. The wood is close-grained, durable, splits freely, and is well worthy 
of cultivation in wet, swampy grounds, where it will thrive. 

Post Oak — Q. Obtiisiloha. — Is a scraggy, small tree, found sparingly in this state. The tim- 
ber is durable, and makes good fuel. Not worthy of cultivation. 



TBEES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 129 

Swamp Chestnut Oak — Q. Pn'nus. — This species of chestnut oak is a large, graceful tree, 
wood rather open-grained, yet valuable for most purposes to which the oaks are applied ; makes 
the best fuel of any of this family. A rare tree, found at Janesville and Brown's lake, near Bur- 
lington. Worthy of cultivation. ' 

Red Oak — Q. Rubra. — The red oak is a well-known, common, large tree. The wood is 
coarse-grained, and the least durable of the oaks, nearly worthless for fuel, and scarcely worthy 
of cultivation, even for ornament. 

Pin Oak — Q. Palustn's. — This is one of the most common trees in many sections of the 
state. The wood is of little value except for fuel. The tree is quite ornamental, and should be 
sparingly cultivated for this purpose. 

Shingle Oak — Q. Imbricaria. — Is a tree of medium size, found sparingly as far north as 
Wisconsin. It is ornamental, and the wood is used for shingles and staves. 

Scarlet Oak — Q. Coccinea. — This is an ornamental tree, especially in autumn, when its 
leaves turn scarlet, hence the name. Wood of little value ; common. 

Sugar Maple — -Acer Saccharium. — This well-known and noble tree is found growing abun- 
dantly in many sections of the state. The wood is close-grained and susceptible of a beautiful 
polish, which renders it valuable for many kinds of furniture, more especially the varieties known 
as bird's-eye and curled maples. The wood lacks the durability of the oak ; consequently is not 
valuable for purposes where it will be exposed to the weather. For fuel it ranks next to hickory. 
The sugar manufactured from this tree affords no inconsiderable resource for the comfort and 
even wealth of many sections of the northern states, especially those newly settled, where it 
would be difficult and expensive to procure their supply from a distance. As an ornamental tree 
it stands almost at the head of the catalogue. The foliage is beautiful, compact, and free from 
the attacks of insects. It puts forth its yellow blossoms early, and in the autumn the leaves 
change in color and show the most beautiful tints of red and yellow long before they fall. Worthy 
of especial attention for fuel and ornament, and well adapted to street-planting. 

Red Maple — A. Rubrum. — Is another fine maple of more rapid growth than the foregoing 
species. With wood rather lighter, but quite as valuable for cabinet-work — for fuel not quite so 
good. The young trees bear transplanting even better than other maples. Though highly orna- 
mental, this tree hardly equals the first-named species. It puts forth, in early spring, its scarlet 
blossoms before a leaf has yet appeared. Well adapted to street-planting. 

Mountain Maple — A. Spicatum. — Is a small branching tree, or rather shrub, found grow- 
ing in clumps. Not worthy of much attention. 

Silver' Maple — A. Dasycarpum. — This is a common tree growing on the banks of streams, 
especially in the western part of the state, grown largely for ornament, yet for the purpose it is 
the least valuable of the maples. The branches are long and straggling, and so brittle that they 
are liable to be injured by winds. 

Box Maple — Negiindo Aceroides. — This tree is frequently called box elder. It is of a rapid 
growth and quite ornamental. The wood is not much used in the arts, but is good fuel. Should 
be cultivated. It grows on Sugar and Rock rivers. 

White Elm — Ulmus Americana. — This large and graceful tree stands confessedly at the 
head of the list of ornamental deciduous trees. Its wide-spreading branches and long, pendu- 
lous branchlets form a beautiful and conspicuous head. It grows rapidly, is free from disease 
and the destructive attacks of insects, will thrive on most soils, and for planting along streets, in 
public grounds or lawns, is unsurpassed by any American tree. The wood is but little used in 
the arts ; makes good firewood ; should be planted along all the roads and streets, near every 
dwelling, and on all public grounds. 



^^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Slippery Elm — V. Fulva. — This smaller and less ornamental species is also common. The 
wood, however, is much more valuable than the white elm, being durable and splitting readily. 
It makes excellent rails, and is much used for the framework of buildings ; valuable for fuel ; 
should be cultivated. 

Wild Bl.-\ck Cherry — Cerasus Serotina. — This large and beautiful species of cherry is one 
of the most valuable of American trees. The wood is compact, fine-grained, and of a brilliant 
reddish color, not liable to warp, or shrink and swell with atmospheric changes ; extensively em- 
ployed by cabinet-makers for every species of furnishing. It is exceedingly durable, hence is 
valuable for fencing, building, etc. Richly deserves a place in the lawn or timber plantation. 

Bird Cherry — C. Pennsylvanica. — Is a small northern species, common in the state and 
Worthy of cultivation for ornament. 

Choke Cherry — C. Virginiana. — This diminutive tree is of little value, not worth the trouble 
of cultivation. 

Wild Plum — Prunus Americana. — The common wild plum when in full bloom is one of the 
most ornamental of small flowering trees, and as such should not be neglected. The fruit is 
rather agreeable, but not to be compared to fine cultivated varieties, which may be engrafted on 
the wild stock to the very best advantage. It is best to select small trees, and work them on the 
roots. The grafts should be inserted about the middle of April. 

Hackderry — CeltisOccidentalis. — This is an ornamental tree of medium size ; wood hard, 
close-grained and elastic ; makes the best of hoops, whip-stalks, and thills for carriages. The 
Indians formerly made great use of the hackbeiry wood for their bows. A tree worthy of a lim- 
ited share of attention. 

American Linden or Basswood — Tilia Americana.- — Is one of the finest ornamental trees for 
public grounds, parks, etc., but will not thrive where the roots are exposed to bruises; for this 
reason it is not adapted to planting along the streets of populous towns. The wood is light and 
tough, susceptible of being bent to almost any curve ; durable if kept from the weather; takes 
paint well, and is considerably used in the arts ; for fuel it is of little value. This tree will 
flourish in almost any moderately rich, damp soil; bears transplanting well; can be propagated 
readily from layers. 

White Thorn — Crataegus Coccinea, and Dotted Thorn — C. Punctata. — These two species 
of thorn are found everywhere on the rich bottom lands. When in bloom they are beautiful, and 
should be cultivated for ornament. The wood is remarkably compact and hard, and were it not 
for the small size of the tree, would be valuable. 

Crab Apple — Pyrus Corotiaria. — This common small tree is attractive when covered with 
its highly fragrant rose-colored blossoms. Wood briui, fine, compact grain, but the tree is too 
small for the wood to be of much practical value. Well worthy of a place in extensive grounds. 

Mountain Ash — P. Americana. — This popular ornament to our yards is found growing in 
the northern part of the state and as far south as 43°. The wood is useless. 

White Ash — Fraxihus Acuminata. — Is a large, interesting tree, which combines utility with 
beauty in an eminent degree. The wood possesses strength, suppleness and elasticity, which 
renders it valuable for a great variety of uses. It is extensively employed in carriage manufact- 
uring; for various agricultural implements ; is esteemed superior to any other wood for oars; 
excellent for fuel. The white ash grows rapidly, and in open ground forms one of the most 
lovely trees that is to be found. The foliage is clean and handsome, and in autumn turns from 
its bright green to a violet purple hue, which adds materially to the beauty of our autumnal syl- 
van scenery. It is richly deserving our especial care and protection, and will amply repay all 
labor and expense bestowed on its cultivation. 



TKEES, SHRUBS AND VIKES. 131 

Black Ash — F Sambucifolia. — This is another tall, graceful and well-known species of ash. 
The wood is used for making baskets, hoops, etc.; when thoroughly dry, affords a good article of 
fuel. Deserves to ^e cultivated in low, rich, swampy situations, where more useful trees will not 
thrive. 

Black Walnut — Juglans Nigra. — This giant of the rich alluvial bottom lands claims 
special attention for its valuable timber. It is among the most durable and beautiful of Ameri- 
can woods ; susceptible of a fine polish ; not liable to shrink and swell by heat and moisture. 
It is extensively employed by the cabinet-makers for every variety of furniture. Walnut forks, 
are frequently found which rival in richness and beauty the far-famed mahogany. This tree, 
in favorable situations, grows rapidly ; is highly ornamental, and produces annually an abundant 
crop of nuts. 

Butternut — J. Cinerea. — This species of walnut is not as valuable as the above, yet for its 
beauty, and the durability of its wood, it should claim a small portion of attention. The wood 
is rather soft for most purposes to which it otherwise might be applied. When grown near 
streams, or on moist side-hills, it produces regularly an ample crop of excellent nuts. It grows 
rapidly. 

Shell-Bark Hickory — Carya Alba. — This, the largest and finest of American hickories, 
grows abundantly throughout the state. Hickory wood possesses probably the greatest strength 
and tenacity of any of our indigenous trees, and is used for a variety of purposes, but, 
unfortunately, it is liable to be eaten by worms, and lacks durability. For fuel, the shell-bark 
hickory stands unrivaled. The tree is ornamental and produces every alternate year an ample 
crop of the best of nuts. 

Shag-Bark Hickory^C Indata. — Is a magnificent tree, the wood of which is nearly as 
valuable as the above. The nuts are large, thick-shelled and coarse, not to be compared to the 
C. alba. A rare tree in Wisconsin ; abundant further south. 

Pignut Hickory — C. Glabra. — This species possesses all the bad and but few of the good 
qualities of the shell-bark. The nuts are smaller and not so good. The tree should be pre- 
served and cultivated in common with the shell-bark. Not abundant. 

BiTTERNUT — C. Amara. — Is an abundant tree, valuable for fuel, but lacking the strength and 
elasticity of the preceding species. It is, however, quite as ornamental as any of the hickories. 
Red Beech — Fagus Ferruginea. — This is a common tree, with brilliant, shining light-green 
leaves, and long, flexible branches. It is highly ornamental, and should be cultivated for this 
purpose, as well as for its useful wood, which is tough, close-grained and compact. It is much 
used for plane-stocks, tool handles, etc., and as an article of fuel is nearly equal to maple. 

Water Beech — Carpinus Americana. — Is a small tree, called hornbeam by many. The 
wood is exceedingly hard and compact, but the small size of the tree renders it almost 
useless. 

Iron Wood — Ostrya Virginica. — This small tree is found disseminated throughout most of 
our woodlands. It is, to a considerable degree, ornamental, but of remarkably slow growth. The 
wood possesses valuable properties, being heavy and strong, as the name would indicate ; yet, 
from its small size, it is of but little use. 

Balsam Poplar — Populus Candicans. — This tree is of medium size, and is known by sev- 
eral names : Wild balm of Gilead, cottonwood, etc. It grows in moist, sandy soil, on river bot- 
toms. It has broad, heart-shaped leaves, which turn a fine yellow after the autumn frosts. It 
grows more rapidly than any other of our trees ; can be transplanted with entire success when 
eight or nine inches in diameter, and makes a beatiful shade tree — the most ornamental of pop- 
lars. The wood' is soft, spongy, and nearly useless. 



132 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN- 

Quaking Aspen — P. Tremuloides. — Is a well-known, small tree. It is rather ornamental, 
but scarcely worth cultivating. • 

Large Aspen — P. Grandidentata.- — Is the largest of our poplars. It frequently grows to 
the height of sixty or seventy feet, with a diameter of two and one-half feet. The wood is soft, 
easily split, and used for frame buildings. It is the most durable of our poplars. 

Cotton Wood — P. MoiwUfera. — This is the largest of all the poplars ; abundant on the 
Mississippi river. Used largely for fuel on the steamboats. The timber is of but little use in 
the arts. 

Sycamore or Buttonwood — Plaianus Occidentalis. — This, the largest and most majestic 
of our trees, is found growing only on the rich alluvial river bottoms. The tree is readily 
known, even at a considerable distance, by its whitish smooth branches. The foliage is large 
and beautiful, and the tree one of the most ornamental known. The wood speedily decays, and 
when sawed into lumber warps badly; on these accounts it is but little used, although susceptible 
of a fine finish. As an article of fuel it is of inferior merit. 

Canoe Birch — Bdula Papyracea. — Is a rather elegant and interesting tree. It grows abund- 
antly in nearly every part of the state. The wood is of a fine glossy grain, susceptible of a good 
finish, but lacks durability and strength, and, therefore, is but little used in the mechanical arts. 
For fuel it is justly prized. It bears transplanting without difficulty. The Indians manufacture 
their celebrated bark canoes from the bark of this tree. 

Cherry Birch— .5. Lenta. — This is a rather large, handsome tree, growing along streams. 
Leaves and bark fragrant. Wood, fine-grained, rose-colored ; used largely by the cabinet- 
makers. 

Yellow Birch — B. Lutea. — This beautiful tree occasionally attains a large size. It is 
highly ornamental, and is of value for fuel; but is less prized than the preceding species for cab- 
inet work. 

Kentucky Coffee Tree — Gytnnodadus Canadensis. — This singularly beautiful tree is only 
found sparingly, and on rich alluvial lands. I met with it growing near the Peccatonica, in 
Green county. The wood is fine-grained, and of a rosy hue ; is exceedingly durable, and well 
worth cultivating. 

June Berry — Ainelanchier Canadensis. — Is a small tree which adds materially to the beauty 
of our woods in early spring, at which time it is in full bloom. The wood is of no particular 
value, and the tree interesting only when covered with its white blossoms. 

White Pine — Piims Stro^us. — This is the largest and most valuable of our indigenous pines. 
The wood is soft, free from resin, and works easily. It is extensively employed in the mechan- 
ical arts. It is found in great profusion in the northern parts of the state. This species is 
readily known by the leaves being 'm fives. It is highly ornamental, but in common with all 
pines, will hardly bear transplanting. Only small plants should be moved. 

Norway or Red Pine — P. Pesinosa, and Yellow Pine — P. yJ///«.— These are two large 
trees, but little inferior in size to the white pine. The wood contains more resin, and is conse- 
quently more durable. The leaves of both these species are in twos. Vast quantities of lumber 
are yearly manufactured from these two varieties and the white pine. The extensive pineries 
of the state are rapidly diminishing. 

Shrub Pine — P. Banksiana. — Is a small, low tree ; only worthy of notice here for the orna- 
mental shade it produces. It is found in the northern sections of the state. 

Balsam Fir — Abies Balsamea. — This beautiful evergreen is multiplied to a great extent on 
the shores of Lake Superior, where it grows forty or fifty feet in height. The wood is of but 



'XEEES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 133 

little value The balsam of fir, or Canadian balsam, is obtained from this tree. 

Double Spruce—^. JVigm— This grows in the same localities with the balsam fir, and 
assumes the same pyramidal form, but is considerably larger. The wood is light and possesses 
considerable strength and elasticity, which renders it one of the best materials for yards and top- 
masts for shippmg. It is extensively cultivated for ornament. 

Hemlock— .4. CaMdensis.— The hemlock is the largest of the genus. It is gracefully orna- 
mental, but the wood is of little value. The baik is extensively employed in tanning. 

Tamarack— Zarix Americana— This beautiful tree grows abundantly in swampy situations 
throughout the state. It is not quite an evergreen It drops its leaves in winter, but quickly 
recovers them in early spring. The wood is remarkably durable and valuable for a variety of 
uses. The tree grows rapidly, and can be successfully cultivated in peaty situations, where other 

trees would not thrive. 

Arbor Yi-tj^— Thuja Ocddentalis— This tree is called the white or flat cedar. It grows 
abundantly in many parts of the state. The wood is durable, furnishing better fence posts than 
any other tree, excepting the red cedar. Shingles and staves of a superior quality are obtained 
from these trees. A beautiful evergreen hedge is made from the young plants, which bear trans- 
planting better than most evergreens. It will grow on most soils if sufficiently damp. 

Red C-E.-DAK-Ju,!ipcrus Virgimafia. — ls a well known tree that furnishes those celebrated 
fence posts that " last forever."' The wood is highly f«grant, of a rich red color, and fine 
grained ; hence it is valuable for a variety of uses. It should be extensively cultivated. 

Dwarf Juniper—/. Sabi mi. —This is a low trailing shrub. Is conside-ably prized for 
ornament. Especially worthy of cultivation in large grounds. 

Sassafras — Sassafras officinale.— Is a small tree of fine appearance, with fragrant leaves 
bark. Grows in Kenosha county. Should be cultivated. 

Willows.— There are many species of willows growing in every part of the state, several of 
which are worthy of cultivation near streams and ponds. 

White Willow — J«/w alba.— \s a fine tree, often reaching sixty feet in height. The wood 
is soft, and makes the best charcoal for the manufacture of gun-powder. Grows rapidly. 

Black Willow — .S". Nigra.— This is also a fine tree, but not quite so large as the foregoing. 
It is used for similar purposes. 

There are many shrubs and vines indigenous to the state worthy of note. I shall, however, 
call attention to only a few of the best. 

Dogwoods. — There are several species found in our forests and thickets. All are ornamen- 
tal when covered with a profusion of white blossoms. I would especially recommend : corus 
sericea, C. stolonifcra, C. panicidata, and C. alternifolia. All these will repay the labor of trans- 
planting to ornamental grounds. 

Viburnums.— These are very beautiful. We have viburnum kntago, V.prunifolium, V. nudum, 
V. dentatum, V. pubescens, V. acerifolium, V. paucijlorum, and V. opulus. The last is known as 
the cranberry tree, and is a most beautiful shrub when in bloom, and also when covered with its 
red, acid fruit. The common snow-ball tree is a cultivated variety of the V. opulus. 

' Witch \{ az^\. — Hanmmelis Virginica.— ls an interesting, tall shrub that flowers late in 
autumn, when the leaves are falling, and matures the fruit the next summer. It deserves more 

attention than it receives. 

Burning -Qi^sH-Euonymus atropurpureus. — This fine shrub is called the American straw- 
berry, and is exceedingly beautiful when covered with its load of crimson fruit, which remains 
during winter. 



134 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Sumach — Rhus typhina. — Is a tall shrub, 11 known, but seldom cultivated. When well 
grown it is ornamental and well adapted for planting in clumps. 

Hop Tree — Ptclea trifoliata. — This is a showy shrub with shining leaves, which should be 
cultivated. Common in rich, alluvial ground. 

Bladder Nut — Staphylea trifolia. — Is a fine, upright, showy shrub, found sparingly all over 
the state. Is ornamental, with greenish striped branches and showy leaves. 

Vines. 

Virginia Creeper — Ampelopsis quinquefoUa. — This is a noble vine, climbing extensively by 
disc-bearing tendrils, so well known as to require no eulogy. Especially beautiful in its fall 
colors. 

Bitter Sweet — Celastrus scandens. — Is a stout twining vine, which would be an ornament to 
any grounds. In the fall and early winter it is noticeable for its bright fruit. Common. 

Yellow Honeysuckle — Lonicera flava. — Is a fine native vine, which is found climbing over 
tall shrubs and trees. Ornamental. There are several other species of honeysuckle ; none, how- 
ever, worthy of special mention. 

Frost Grape — Vita cordifolia. — This tall-growing vine has deliciously sweet blossoms, 
which perfume the air for a great distance around. For use as a screen, this hardy species will 
be found highly satisfactory. 



FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 

By p. R. hoy, M.D. 
FISH AND FISH CULTURE. 

Fish are cold blooded aquatic vertebrates, having fins as organs of progression. They have 
a two-chambered heart; their bodies are mostly covered with scales, yet a few are entirely naked, 
like catfish and eels ; others again are covered with curious plates, such as the sturgeon. Fish 
inhabit both salt and fresh water. It is admitted by all authority that fresh-water fish are more 
universally edible than those inhabiting tlie ocean. Marine fish are said to be more highly 
flavored than those inhabiting fresh waters ; an assertion I am by no means prepared to admit. 
As a rule, fish are better the colder and purer the water in which they are found, and where can 
you find those ccnditions more favorable than in the cold depths of our great lakes 1 We have 
tasted, under the most favorable conditions, about every one of the celebrated salt-water fish, and 
can say that whoever eats a whitefish just taken from the pure, cold water of Lake Michigan will 
have no reason to be envious of the dwellers by the sea. 

Fish are inconceivably prolific; a single female deposits at one spawn from one thousand to 
one million eggs, varying according to species. 

Fish afford a valuable article of food for man, being highly nutritious and easy of digestion ; 
they abound in phosphates, hence are valuable as affording nutrition to the osseous and nervous sys- 
tem, hence they have been termed, not inappropriately, brain food — certainly a very desirable article 
of diet for some people. They are more savory, nutritious and easy of digestion when just taken 
from the water ; in fact, the sooner they are cooked after being caught the better. No fish should 
be more than a few hours from its watery element before being placed upon the table. For con- 
venience, I will group our fish into families as a basis for what I shall offer. Our bony fish. 



FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 135 

having spine rays and covered with comb-like scales, belong to the perch family — a valuable 
family ; all take the hook, are gamey, and spawn in the summer. 

The yellow perch and at least four species of black or striped bass have a wide range, being 
found in all the rivers and lakes in the state. There is a large species of fish known as Wall- 
eyed pike {Leiicoperca americana) belonging to this family, which is found sparingly in most of our 
rivers and lakes. The pike is an active and most rapacious animal, devouring fish of consider- 
able size. The flesh is firm and of good flavor. It would probably be economical to propagate 
it to a moderate extent. 

The six-spined bass {Pomoxys hexacantkus, Agas.) is one of the most desirable of the spine- 
rayed fish found in the State. The flesh is fine flavored, and as the fish is hardy and takes the 
hook with avidity, it should be protected during the spawning season and artificially propagated. 
I have examined the stomachs of a large number of these fish and in every instance found small 
crawfish, furnishing an additional evidence in its favor. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, the veteran ichthy- 
ologist of Ohio, says that this so-callea " grass bass" is the fish for the million. 

The white bass i^Roccus chrysops) is a species rather rare even in the larger bodies of water, 
but ought to be introduced into every small lake in the State, where I am certain they would 
flourish. It is an excellent fish, possessing many of the good qualities and as few of the bad as 
any that belong to the family. There is another branch of this family, the sunfish, Fomotis, 
which numbers at least six species found in Wisconsin. They are beautiful fish, and afford 
abundant sport for the boys; none of them, however, are worth domesticating (unless it be in the 
aquarium) as there are so many better. 

The carp family (Cyprinida:) are soft finned fish without maxillary teeth. They include by 
far the greater number of fresh-water fish. Some specimens are not more than one inch, while 
others are nearly two feet in length. Our chubs, silversides and suckers are the principal mem- 
bers of this family. Dace are good pan-fish, yet their small size is objectionable; they are the 
children's game fish. The Cyprinidm all spawn in the spring, and might be profitably propa- 
gated as food for the larger and more valuable fish. 

There are six or seven species of suckers found in our lakes and rivers. The red horse, 
found every where, and at least one species of the buffalo, inhabiting the Mississippi and its trib- 
utaries, are the best of the genus Catastomus. Suckers are bony, and apt to taste suspiciously of 
mud ; they are only to be tolerated in the absence of better. The carp {Cyprenius carpo) has been 
successfully introduced into the Hudsonriver. 

. The trout family {Sa/monidce) are soft-finned fish with an extra dorsal adipose fin without 
rays. They inhabit northern cpuntries, spawning in the latter part of fall and winter. Their 
flesh is universally esteemed. The trout family embrace by far the most valuable of our fish, 
including, as it does, trout and whitefish. The famous speckled trout i^Salmo fonlinalis) is a 
small and beautiful species which is found in nearly every stream in the northern half of the 
State. Wherever there is a spring run or lake, the temperature of which does not rise higher than 
sixty-five or seventy in the summer, there trout can be propagated in abundance. The great 
salmon trout (^Sal. amethystus) of the great lakes is a magnificent fish weighing from ten to sixty 
pounds. The Siscowit salmo siscoivit o{ Lake Superior is about the same size, but not quite so 
good a fish, being too fat and oily. They will, no doubt, flourish in the larger of the inland 
lakes. 

The genus Coregonus includes the true whitefish, or lake shad. In this genus, as now 
restricted, the nose is square and the under jaw short, and when first caught they have the 
fragrance of fresh cucumbers. There are at least three species found in Lake Michigan. In my 



136 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 

opinion these fish are more delicately flavored than the celebrated Potomac shad ; but I doubt 
whether they will thrive in the small lakes, owing to the absence of the small Crustacea ■ which 
they subsist. The closely allied genus Argyrosomus includes seven known species inhabiung the 
larger lakes, and one, the Argyrosomus sisco, which is found in several of the lesser lakes. The 
larger species are but little inferior to the true whitefish, with which they are commonly 
confounded. The nose is pointed, the under jaw long, and they take the hook at certain seasons 
with activity. They eat small fish as well as insects and crustaceans. 

Of the pickerel family, we have three or four closely allied species of the genus £so.v, armed 
with prodigious jaws filled with cruel teeth. They lie motionles eady to dart, swift as an 
arrow, upon their prey. They are the sharks of the fresh water. The pickerel are so rapacious 
that they spare not their own species. Sometimes they attempt to swallow a fish nearly as large 
as themselves, and perish in consequence. Their flesh is moderately good, and as they are game 
to the backbone, it might be desirable to propagate them to a moderate e.xtent under peculiar 
circumstances. 

The catfish {Silurida:) have soft fins, protected by sharp spines, and curious fleshy barbels 
floating from their lips, without scales, covered only with a slimy coat of mucus. The 
genus Pimlodus are scavengers among fish, as vultures among birds. They are filthy in habit 
and food. There is one interesting trait of the catfish — the vigilant and watchful motherly 
care of the young by the male. He defends them with great spirit, and herds them together 
when they straggle. Even the mother is driven far off; for he knows full well that she would 
nol scruple to make a full meal off her little black tadpole-like progeny. There are four species 
known to inhabit this State — one peculiar to the great lakes, and two found in the numerous 
affluents of the Mississippi. One of these, the great yellow catfish, sometimes weighs over one 
hundred pounds. When in good condition, stuffed and well baked, they are a fair table fish. 
The small bull-head is universally distributed. 

The sturgeons are large sluggish fish, covered with plates instead of scales. There 
are at least three species of the genus Acipenser found in the waters of Wisconsin. Being so 
large and without bones, they afford a sufficiently cheap article of food ; unfortunately, however, 
the quality is decidedly bad. Sturgeons deposit an enormous quantity of eggs ; the roe not 
unfrequently weighs one fourth as much as the entire body, and numbers, it is said, many 
millions. The principal commercial value of sturgeons is found in the roe and swimming 
bladder. The much prized caviare is manufactured from the former, and from the latter the best 
of isinglass is obtained. 

The gar-pikes {Le/tidos/cus) are represented by at least three species of this singular fish. 
They have long serpentine bodies, with jaws prolonged into a regular bill, which is well provided 
with teeth. The scales are composed of bone covered on the outside with enamel, like teeth. 
The alligator gar, confined to the depths of the Mississippi, is a large fish, and the more common 
species, Lepidosteus bison, attains to a considerable size. The Lepidosteous, now only found in 
North America, once had representatives all over the globe. Fossils of the same family of which 
the gar-pike is the type, have been found all over Europe, in the oldest fossiliferous beds, in the 
strata of the age of coal, in the new red sandstone, in oolitic deposits, and in the chalk and 
tertiary formations — being one of the many living evidences that North America was the first 
country above the water. For all practical purposes, we should not regret to have the gar-pikes 
follow in the footsteps of their aged and illustrious predecessors. They could well be spared. 

There is a fish (^Lota maculose) which belongs to the cod-fish family, called by the fishermen 
the " lawyers," for what reason I am not able to say — at any rate, the fish is worthless. There 
are a great number of small fish, interesting only to the naturalist, which I shall omit to men- 
tion here. 



FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 13T 

Fish of the northern countries are the most valuable, for the reason that the water is colder 
and purer. Wisconsin, situated between forty-two thirty, and forty-seven degrees of latitude, 
bounded on the east and north by the largest lakes in the world, on the west by the " Great river," 
traversed by numerous fine and rapid streams, and sprinkled all over with beautiful and pictu- 
resque lakes, has physical conditions certainly the most favorable, perhaps of any State, for an 
abundant and never-failing supply of the best fish. Few persons have any idea of the importance 
of the fisheries of Lake Michigan. It is difficult to collect adequate data to form a correct 
knowledge of the capital invested and the amount of fish taken; enough, however, has been 
ascertained to enable me to state that at Milwaukee alone $100,000 are invested, and not less 
than two hundred and eighty tons of dressed fish taken annually. At Racine, during the entire 
season of nine months, there are, on an average, one thousand pounds of whitefish and trout, 
each, caught and sold daily, amounting to not less than $16,000. It is well known that, since the 
adoption of the gill-net system, the fishermen are enabled to pursue their calling ten months of 
the year. 

When the fish retire to the deep water, they are followed with miles of nets, and the poor 
fish are entangled on every side. There is a marked falling off in the number and size of white- 
fish and trout taken, when compared with early years. When fish were only captured with seines, 
they had abundant chance to escape and multiply so as to keep an even balance in number. 
Only by artificial propagation and well enforced laws protecting them during the spawning 
season, can we hope now to restore the balance. In order to give some idea of the valuable 
labors of the state fish commissioners, I will state briefly that they have purchased for the 
state a piece of property, situated three miles from Madison, known as the Nine Springs, 
including forty acres of land, on which they have erected a dwelling-house, barn and hatchery, 
also constructed several ponds, in which can be seen many valuable fish in the enjoyment of 
perfect health and vigor. As equipped, it is, undoubtedly, one of the best, if not the best, hatchery 
in the states. In this permanent establishment the commission design to hatch and distribute 
to the small lakes and rivers of the interior the most valuable of our indigenous fish, such as 
bass, pike, trout, etc., etc., as well as many valuable foreign varieties. During the past season, 
many fish have been distributed from this state hatchery. At the Milwaukee Water Works, the 
commission have equipped a hatchery on a large scale, using the water as pumped directly from 
the lake. During the past sea«op there was a prodigious multitude of young trout and whitefish 
distributed from this point. The success of Superintendent Welcher in hatching whitefish at 
Milwaukee has been the best yet gained, nearly ninety per cent, of the eggs "laid down" 
being hatched. Pisciculturists will appreciate this wonderful success, as they well know how 
difficult it is to manage the spawn of the whitefish. 

I append the following statistics of the number of fish hatched and distributed from the 
Milwaukee hatchery previous to 1878 : 

Total number of fish hatched, 8,000,000 — whitefish, 6,300,000; salmon trout, 1,700,000. 

They were distributed as follows, in the month of May, 1877 : Whitefish planted in Lake 
Michigan, at Racine, 1,000,000 ; at Milwaukee, 3,260,000 ; between Manitowoc and Two Rivers 
1,000,000; in Green bay, 1,000,000; in Elkhart lake, 40,000. 

Salmon trout were turned out as follows : Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, 600,000 ; 
Brown's lake, Racine county, 40,000; Delavan lake, Walworth county, 40,000; Troy lake, Wal- 
worth county, 40,000 ; Pleasant lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Lansdale lake, Walworth 
county, 40,000; Ella lake, Milwaukee county, 16,000; Cedar lake, Washington county, 40,000; 
Elkhart lake, Sheboygan county, 40,000 ; Clear lake. Rock county, 40,000 ; Ripley lake, 



138 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Jefferson county, 40,000; Mendota lake, Dane county, 100,000; Fox lake, Dodge county, 
40,000; Swan and Silver lakes, Columbia county, 40,000; Little Green lake, Green Lake 
county, 40,000; Big Green lake. Green Lake county, 100,000; Bass lake, St. Croix county, 
40,000; Twin lakes, St. Croix county, 40,000; Long lake, (Chippewa county, 40,000; Oconomo- 
woc lake, Waukesha county, 100,000; Pine lake, Waukesha county, 40,000; Pewaukee lake, 
Waukesha county, 100,000; North lake, Waukesha county, 40,000 ; Nagawicka lake, Waukesha 
county, 40,000; Okanche lake, Waukesha county, 40,000. 

LARGE ANIMALS.— TIME OF THEIR DISAPPEARANCE. 

Fifty years ago, the territory now included in the state of Wisconsin, was nearly in a state 
of nature, all the large wild animals were then abundant. Now, all has changed. The ax and 
plow, gun and dog, railway and telegraph, have metamorphosed the face of nature. Most of 
the large quadrupeds have been either exterminated, or have hid themselves away in the wilder- 
ness. In a short time, all of these will have disappeared from the state. The date and order 
in which anmials become extinct within the boundaries of the state, is a subject of great interest, 
There was a time when the antelope, the woodland caribou, the buffalo, and the wild turkey, 
were abundant, but are now no longer to be found. 

The Antelope, Antilocarpa Americana, now confined to the Western plains, did, two hun- 
dred years ago, inhabit Wisconsin as far east as Michigan. In October, 1679, Father Hennepin, 
with La Salle and party, in four canoes, coasted along the Western shore of Lake Michigan. In 
Hennepin's narrative, he says; " The oldest of them " (the Indians) " came to us the next morn- 
ing with their calumet of peace, and brought some wild goats." This was somewhere north of 
Milwaukee. "Being in sore distress, we saw upon the coast a great many ravens and eagles " 
(turkey vultures), '' from whence we conjectured there was some prey, and having landed upon 
that place, we found above the half of a fat ivilii goat, which the wolves had strangled. This 
provision was very acceptable to us, and the rudest of our men could not but praise the Divine 
Providence which took so particular care of us." This must have been somewhere near Racine. 
"On the 1 6th" (October, 1679), " we met with abundance of game. A savage we had with us, 
killed several stags (deer) and wild goais, and our men a great many turkeys, very fat and big." 
This must have been south of Racine. These goals were undoubtedly antelopes. Schoolcraft 
mentions antelopes as occupying the Northwest territory. 

When the last buffalo crossed the Mississippi is not precisely known. It is certain they 
lingered in Wisconsin in 1825. It is said there was a buffalo shot on the St. Croix river as late 
as 1832, so Wisconsin claims the last buffalo. The woodland caribou — Ratigifer caribou — were 
never numerous within the limits of the state. A few were seen not far from La Pointe in ro45. 
The last wild turkey in the eastern portion of the state, was in 1846. On the Mississippi, one 
was killed in 1856. I am told by Dr. Walcott, that turkeys were abundant in Wisconsin previous 
to the hard winter of 1842-3, when snow was yet two feet deep in March, with a stout crust, so 
that the turkeys could not get to the ground. They became so poor and weak, that they could 
not fly, and thus became an easy prey to the wolves, foxes, wild cats, minks, etc., which exter- 
minated almost the entire race. The Doctor says he saw but one single individual the next 
winter. Elk were on Hay river in 1863, and I have little doubt a few yet remain. Moose are 
not numerous, a few yet remain in the northwestern part of the state. I saw moose tracks on 
the Montreal river, near Lake Superior, in the summer of 1845. A few panthers may still 
inhabit the wilderness of Wisconsin. Benjamin Bones, of Racine, shot one on the headwaters of 



FAITNA OF WISCONSIN. 139 

Black river, December, 1863. Badgers are now nearly gone, and in a few years more, the only 
badgers found within the state, will be two legged ones. Beavers are yet numerous in the 
small lakes in the northern regions. Wolverines are occasionally met with in the northern 
forests. Bears, wolves, and deer, will continue to flourish in the northern and central counties, 
where underbrush, timber, and small lakes abound. 

All large animals will soon be driven by civilization out of Wisconsin. The railroad and 
improved firearms will do the work, and thus we lose the primitive denizens of the forest and 
prairies. 

PECULIARITIES OF THE BIRD FAUNA. 

The facts recorded in this paper, were obtained by personal observations within fifteen 
miles of Racine, Wisconsin, latitude 42° 46' north, longitude 87" 48' west. This city is situated 
on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heavy lumbered 
district, the base of which rests on Lake Superior. Racine extends six miles further into the 
lake than Milwaukee, and two miles further than Kenosha. At this point the great prairie 
approaches near the lake from the west. The extreme rise of the mercury in summer, is from 
90° to 100° Fahrenheit. The isothermal line comes further north in summer, and retires further 
south in winter than it does east of the great lakes, which physical condition will sufficiently 
explain the remarkable peculiarities of its animal life, the overlapping, as it were, of two distinct 
faunas. More especially is this true of birds, that are enabled to change their locality with the 
greatest facility. Within the past thirty years, I have collected and observed over three hundred 
species of birds, nearly half of all birds found in North America. Many species, considered 
rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. A striking peculiarity of the 
ornithological fauna of this section, is that southern birds go farther north in summer, while 
northern species go farther south in winter than they do east of the lakes. Of summer birds 
that visit us, I will ennumerate a few of the many that belong to a more southern latitude in the 
Atlantic States. Nearly all nest with us, or, at least, did some years ago. 

Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virdis ; mocking bird, Mimus poUygloiius ; great Carolina wren, 
Thriothorus ludovicianus ; prothonotary warbler, Protonoiaria citrea; summer red bird, Pyrangia 
CB^iiva; wood ibis, Tantalus loeulator. 

Among Arctic birds that visit us in winter are : 

Snowy' owl, Nydea nivea) great gray owl, Syrniutn cinerus; hawk owl. Surma ulula; Arctic 
three-toed woodpecker, Picoides arclicus; banded three-toed woodpecker, Picoides hirsutus; mag- 
pie. Pica hudsonica; Canada jay, Perisorius canadensis ; evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vesper- 
Una; Hudson titmouse, Parus hudsonicus ; king eder, Somateria spectabilisj black- throated diver, 
Colymbus arcticus; glaucus gull, Laurus glaucus. 

These examples are sufficient to indicate the rich avi fauna of Wisconsin. It is doubtful if 
there is another locality where the Canada jay and its associates visit in winter where the mock- 
ing bird nests in summer, or where the hawk owl flies silently over the spot occupied during 
the warmer days by the summer red bird and the yellow-breasted chat. But the ax has already 
leveled much of the great woods, so that there is now a great falling off in numbers of our old 
familiar feathered friends. It is now extremely doubtful if such a collection can ever again be 
mad/ within the boundaries of this state, or indeed, of any other. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 

fiv Prof. EDWARD SEARING, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

From the time of the earliest advent of the families of French traders into the region now 
known as Wisconsin, to the year 1818, when that region became part of Michigan territory, 
education was mostly confined to private mstruction, or was sought by the children of the 
wealthier in the distant cities of Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit. The early Jesuit missionaries, 
and — subsequently to 1816, when it came under the military control of the United States — 
representatives of various other religious denominations, sought to teach the Indian tribes of 
this section. In 1823, Rev. Eleazar Williams, well known for his subsequent claim to be the 
Dauphin of France, and who was in the employ of the Episcopal Missionary Society, started a 
school of white and half-breed children on the west side of Fox river, opposite " Shanty-Town." 
A Catholic mission school for Indians was organized by an Italian priest near Green Bay, in 
1830. A clause of the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, in 1832, bound the United States to 
maintain a school for their children near Prairie du Chien for a period of twenty-seven years. 

The Original School Code. 

From 1818 to 1836, Wisconsin formed part of Michigan territory. In the year 1837, Michi- 
gan was admitted into the Union as a state, and Wisconsin, embracing what is now Minnesota, 
Iowa, and a considerable region still further westward, was, by act of congress approved April 
20th of the year previous, established as a separate territory. The act provided that the existing 
laws of the territory of Michigan should be extended over the new territory so far as compatible 
with the provisions of the act, subject to alteration or repeal by the new government created. 
Thus with the other statutes, the school code of Michigan became the original code of Wiscon- 
sin, and it was soon formally adopted, with almost no change, by the first territorial legislature, 
which met at Belmont. Although modified in some of its provisions almost every year, this 
imperfect code continued in force until the adoption of the state constitution in 1848. The 
first material changes in the code were made by the territorial legislature at its second session, 
in 1837, by the passage of a bill " to regulate the sale of school lands, and to provide for organ- 
izing, regulating, and perfecting common schools." It was provided in this act that as soon as 
twenty electors should reside in a surveyed townsliip, they should elect a board of three com- 
missioners, holding office three years, to lay off districts, to apply the proceeds of the leases of 
schoollands to the payment of teachers' wages, and to call school meetings. It was also pro- 
vided that each district should elect a board of three directors, holding office one year, to locate 
school-houses, hire teachers for at least three months in the year, and levy taxes for the support 
of schools. It was further provided that a third board of five inspectors ohould be elected 
annually in each town to examine and license teachers and inspect the schools. Two years 
subsequently (1839) the law was revised and the family, instead of the electors, was made the 
basiiS of the town organization. Every town with not less than ten families was made a school 
district and required to provide a competent teacher. More populous towns were divided into 
two or more districts. The office of town commissioner was abolished, its duties with certain 
others being transferred to the inspectors. The rate-bill system of taxation, previously in 
exrstence, was rejjealed, and a tax on the whole county for building school-houses and sunport- 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. ' 141 

r 

ing schools was provided for. One or two years later the office of town commissioners was 
restored, and the duties of the inspectors were assigned to the same. Other somewhat important 
amendments were made at the same time. 

In 1840, a memorial to congress from the legislature represented that the people were 
anxious to establish a conmion-school system, with suitable resources for its support. From 
lack of sufficient funds many of the schools were poorly organized. The rate-bill ta.x or private 
subscription was often necessary to supplement the scanty results of county taxation. Until a 
state government should be organized, the fund accruing from the sale of school lands could not 
be available. Congress had made to Wisconsin, as to other new states, for educational purposes, 
a donation of lands. These lands embraced the sixteenth section in every township in the state, 
the 500,000 acres to which the state was entitled by the provisions of an act of congress passed 
in 1 84 1, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of which were not speci- 
fied. To obtain the benefits of this large fund was a leading object in forming the state con- 
stitution. 

Agitation for Free Schools. 

Shortly before the admission of the state the subject of free schools began to be quite 
■widely discussed. In February, 1845, Col. M. Frank, of Kenosha, a member of the territorial 
legislature, introduced a bill, which became a law, authorizing the legal voters of his own town 
to vote taxes on all the assessed property tor the full support of its schools. A provision of the 
act required its submission to the people of the town before it could take effect. It met with 
strenuous opposition, but after many public meetings and lectures held in the interests of public 
enlightenment, the act was ratified by a small majority in the fall of 1 845, and thus the first free school 
in the state was legally organized. Subsequently, in the legislature, in the two constitutional con- 
ventions, and in educational assemblies, the question of a free-scliool system for the new state 
soon to be organized provoked much interest and discussion. In the constitution framed by the 
convention of 1846, was provided the basis of a free-school system similar to that in our present 
constitution. The question of establishing the office of state superintendent, more than any 
other feature of the proposed school system, elicited discussion in that body. The necessity of 
this office, and the advantages of free schools supported by taxation, were ably presented to the 
convention by Hon. Henry Barnard, of Connecticut, in an evening address. He afterward pre- 
pared, by request, a draft of a free-school system, with a state superintendent at its head, which 
was accepted and subsequently embodied in the constitution and the school law. In the second 
constitutional convention, in 1848, the same questions again received careful attention, and the 
article on education previously prepared, was, after a few changes, brought into the shape in 
which we now find it. Immediately after the ratification by the people, of the constitution pre- 
pared by the second convention, three commissioners were appointed to revise the statutes. To 
one of these. Col. Frank, the needed revision of the school laws was assigned. The work was 
acceptably performed, and the new school code of 1849, largely the same as the present one, 
went into operation May first of that year. 

The School System under the State Government. 

In the state constitution was laid the broad foundation of our present school system. The 
four corner stones were: (i) The guaranteed freedom of the schools; (z) the school fund 
■created ; (3) the system of supervision ; (4) a state university for higher instruction. The 
school fund has five distinct sources for its creation indicated in the constitution: (i) Proceeds 
from the sale of lands granted to the state by the United States for educational purposes; (2) 



142 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



all moneys accruing from forfeiture or escheat; (3) all fines collected in the several counties for 
breach of the penal laws ; (4) all moneys paid for exemption from military duty ; (5) five per cent. 
of the sale of government lands within the state. In addition to these constitutional sources of 
the school fund, another and sixth source was open from 1856 to 1870. By an act of the state 
legislature in the former year, three-fourths of the net proceeds of the sales of the swamp and 
overflowed lands, granted to the state by congress, Sept. z8, 1850, were added to the common- 
school fund, the other fourth going into a fund for drainage, under certain circumstances ; but if 
not paid over to any town for that purpose within two years, to become a part of the school 
fund. The following year one of these fourths was converted into the normal-school fund, 
leaving one-half for the common-school fund. In 1858, another fourth was given to the drainage 
fund, thus providing for the latter one-half the income from the sales, and leaving for the school 
fund, until the year 1865, only the remaining one-fourth. In the latter year this was transferred 
to the normal-school fund, with the provision, however, that one-fourth of the income of this 
fund should be transferred to the common-school fund until the annual income of the latter 
fund should reach $200,000. In 1870 this provision was repealed, and the whole income of the 
normal fund left applicable to the support of normal schools and teachers' institutes. 

At the first session of the state legislature in 1848, several acts were passed which carried 
out in some degree the educational provisions of the constitution. A law was enacted to pro- 
vide for the election, and to define the duties, of a state superintendent of public instruction. A 
district board was created, consisting of a moderator, director, and treasurer; the office of town 
superintendent was established, and provision was made for the creation of town libraries, and 
for the distribution of the school fund. The present school code of Wisconsin is substantially 
that passed by the legislature of 1848, and which went into operation May i, 1849. The most 
important change since made was the abolition of the office of town superintendent, and the 
substitution therefor of the county superintendency. This change took effect January i, 1862. 

The School-Fund Income. 

The first annual report of the state superintendent, for the year 1849, gives the income of 
the school fund for that year as $588, or eight and three-tenth mills per child. Milwaukee 
county received the largest amount, $69.63, and St. Croix county the smallest, twenty-four cents. 
The average in the state was forty-seven cents per district. The following table will show at a 
glance the quinquennial increase in the income of the fund, the corresponding increase in the 
number of school children, and the apportionment per child, from 1849 to 1875, inclusive; also, 
the last published apportionment, that for 1878. It will be seen that since 1855 the increase of 
the fund has not kept pace with the increase of school population : 



Year. 


NO. CHILDREN 
OF SCHOOL.AGE. 


INCOME OF 
SCHOOL FUND 


RATE PER 
CHILD. 


Year. 


NO. CHILDREN 
OF SCHOOL-AGE. 


INCOME OF 
SCHOOL FUND 


RATE PER 
CHILD. 


1849.. 
1850.. 

1855-- 
1860.. 


70,457 

92,105 

186,085 

288,984 


$588 00 

47,716 00 

125,906 02 

184,949 76 


$0.0083 
.518 
•67 
.64 


1865.- 
1870.. 
1875.. 
1878-. 


335.582 
412,481 
450,304 
478,692 


151,816 34 
159,271 38 
184,624 64 

185,546 01 


•46 
•40 
.41 

•39 



The amount of productive school fund reported September 30, 1878, was 22,680,703.27. 
The portion of the fund not invested at that date, was $58,823.70. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 143 

The State University. 

In his message to the first territorial legislature, in 1836, Governor Dodge recommended 
asking from congress aid for the establishment of a state educational institution, to be governed 
by the legislature. This was the first official action looking to the establishment of a state 
university. The same legislature passed an act to establish and locate the Wisconsin univer- 
sity at Belmont, in the county of Iowa. At its second session, the following year, the legislature 
passed an act, which was approved January 19, 1838, establishing "at or near Madison, the seat 
of government, a university for the purpose of educating youth, the name whereof shall be ' The 
University of the Territory of Wisconsin. " A resolution was passed at the same session, direct- 
ing the territorial delegate in congress to ask of that body an appropriation of $20,000 for the 
erection of the buildings 01 said university, and also to appropriate two townships of vacant land 
for its endowment. Congress accordingly appropriated, in 1838, seventy-two sections, or two 
townships, for the support of a "seminary of learning in the territory of Wisconsin," and this 
was afterward confirmed to the state for the use of the university. No effectual provision, how- 
ever, was made for the establishment of the university until ten years later, when the state was 
organized. Congress, as has been said, had made a donation of lands to the territory for the 
support of such an institution, but these lands could not be made available for that purpose until 
the territory should become a state. The state constitution, adopted in 184S, declared that pro- 
vision should be made for the establishment ol a stale university, and that the proceeds of all 
lands donated by the United States to the state for the suppoit of a university should remain a 
perpetual fund, the interest of which should be appropriated to its support 

The state legislature, at its first session, passed an act, approved July 26, 1848, establishing 
the University of Wisconsin, defining its location, its government, and its various departments, 
and authorizing the regents to purchase a suitable site for the buildings, and to proceed to the 
erection of the same, after having obtained from the legislature the approval of plans. This act 
repealed the previous act of 1838. The regents were soon after appointed, and theirfirst annual 
report was presented to the legislature, January 30, 1849. This report announced the selection 
of a site, subject to the approval of the legislature, announced the organization of a preparatory 
department, and the election of a chancellor or president. The university was thus organized, 
with John H. Lathrop, president of the University of Missouri, as its first chancellor, and John 
W. Sterling as principal of the preparatory department, which was opened February 5, 1849. 
Chancellor Lathrop was not formally inaugurated until January 16, 1850. 

Owing to the short-sighted policy of the state in locating without due care, and in apprais- 
ing and selling so low the lands of the original grant, the fund produced was entirely inadequate 
to the support of the institution. Congress, therefore, made, in 1854, an additional grant of 
seventy-two sections of land for its use. These, however, were located and sold in the same 
inconsiderate and unfortunate manner, for so low a price as to be a means of inducing immigra- 
tion, indeed, but not of producing a fund adequate for the support of a successful state univer- 
sity. Of the 92,160 acres comprised in the two grants, there had been sold prior to September 
30, 1866, 74,178 acres for the sum of $264,570.13, or at an average price of but little more than 
$3.50 per acre.* Besides this, the state had allowed the university to anticipate its income to the 
extent of over $100,000 for the erection of buildings. By a law of 1862 the sum of $104,339.43 
was taken from its fund (already too small) to pay for these buildings. The resulting embar- 
rassment made necessary the re-organization of 1866, which added to the slender resources of 
the institution the agricultural college fund, arising from the sale of lands donated to the state by 
the congressional act of 1862. 

♦Compare the price obtained for the lands of the University of Michigan. The first sale of those lands averaged 
$22.85 per acre, and brought in a single year (1837) $150,447.90. Sales were made in succeeding years at $15, $17, 
and $19 per acre. 



144 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The first university building erected was the north dormitory, which was completed in 1851. 
This is 110 feet in length by 40 in breadth, and four stories in height. The south dormitory, of 
the same size, was completed in 1855. The main central edifice, known as University Hall, was 
finished in 1859. The Ladies' College was completed in 1872. This latter was built with an 
appropriation of $50,000, made by the legislature in 1870 — the first actual donation the univer- 
sity had ever received from the state. The legislature of 1875 appropriated $80,000 for the 
erection of Science Hall, a building to be devoted to instruction in the physical sciences. This 
was completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the fall term of 1877. 

The growth of this institution during the past fourteen years, and especially since its re- 
organization in 1866, has been rapid and substantial. Its productive fund on the ■30th day of 
September, 1877, aside from the agricultural college fund, was $223,240 32. The combined uni- 
versity and agricultural funds amounted, at the same date, to $464,032 22. An act of the legis- 
lature in 1S67 approjjriated to the university income for that year, and annually for the next ten 
years, the sum of $7,303.76, being the interest upon the sum taken from the university fund by 
the law of 1862 for the erection of buildings, as before mentioned. Chapter 100 of the general 
laws of 1872 also provided for an annual state tax of $10,000 to increase the income of the uni- 
versity. Chapter 119 of the laws of 1S76 provides for an annual state tax of one-tenth of one 
mill on the taxable property of the state for the increase of the university fund income, this tax 
to be "/« lieu of all other appropriations before provided for the benefit of said fund income," 
and to be " deemed a full compensation for all deficiencies in said income arising from the dis- 
position of the lands donated to the state by congress, in trust, for the benefit of said income." 
The entire income of the university from all sources, including this tax (which was $42,359.62), 
was, for the year ending September 30, 1878, $81,442.63. The university has a faculty of over 
thirty professors and instructors, and during the past year — 1877-8 — it had in its various depart- 
ments 388 students. The law department, organized in 1868, has since been in successful opera- 
ation. Ladies are admitted into all the departments and classes of the university. 

Agricultural ("ollege. 

The agricultural college fund, granted to the state by the congressional act of 1862, was 
by a subsequent legislative enactment (1866) applied to the support, not of a separate agricultural 
college, but of a department of agriculture in the existing university, thus rendering it unneces- 
sary for the state to erect separate buildings elsewhere. Under the provisions of chapter 114, 
laws of 1866, the county of Dane issued to the state, for' the purpose of purchasing an experi- 
mental farm, bonds to the amount of $40,000. A farm of about 200 acres, adjoining the univer- 
sity grounds, was purchased, and a four years' course of study provided, designed to be thorough 
and extensive in the branches that relate to agriculture, in connection with its practical application 
upon the experimental farm. 

The productive agricultural college fund has increased from J8, 061. 86, in 1866, to $244,263, 1 8, 
in 1S78. 

NoRM.AL Schools. 

The propriety of making some special provision for the instruction of teachers was 
acknowledged in the very organization of the state, a provision for normal schools having been 
embodied in the constitution itself, which ordains that after the support and n.aintenance of the 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 145 

common schools is insured, the residue of the school fund shall be appropriated to academies and 
normal schools. The state legislature, in its first session in 1848, in the act establishing the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin, declared that one of the four departments thereof should be a department 
of the theory and practice of elementary instruction. The first institution ever chartered in 
the state as a normal school was incorporated by the legislature at its second session — 1849 — 
under the title of the " Jefferson County Normal School." This, however, was never organized. 

The regents, when organizing the university, at their meeting in 1849, ordained the estab- 
lishment of a normal professorship, and declared that in organizing the normal department it 
was their fixed intention " to make the University of Wisconsin subsidiary to the great cause of 
popular education, by making it, through iis normal department, the nursery of the educatois of 
the popular mind, and the central point of union and harmony to the educational interests of the 
commonwealth." They declared that instruction in the normal department should be free to all 
suitable candidates. Little was accomplished, however, in this direction during the next ten 
years. In 1857 an act was passed by the legislature appropriating twenty-five per cent, of the 
income of the swamp-land fund " to normal institutes and academies under the supervision and 
direction of a board of regents of normal schools," who were to be appointed in accordance 
with the provisions of the act. Distribution of this income was made to such colleges, acade- 
mies, and high schools as maintained a normal class, in proportion to the number of pupils pass- 
ing a successful examination conducted by an agent of the board. In 1859, Dr. Henry Barnard, 
who had become chancellor of the university, was made agent of the normal regents. He 
inaugurated a system of teachers' institutes, and gave fresh vigor to the normal work throughout 
the state. Resigning, however, on account of ill-health, within two years, Professor Chas. H. 
Allen, who had been conducting institutes under his direction, succeeded him as agent of the 
normal regents, and was elected principal of the normal department of the university, entering 
upon his work as the latter in March, 1864. He managed the department with signal ability and 
success, but at the end of one or two years resigned. Meantime the educational sentiment of 
the state had manifested itself for the establishment of separate normal schools. 

In 1S65, the legislature passed an act repealing that of two years before, and providing 
instead that one-half of the swamp-land fund should be set apart as a normal-school fund, the 
income of which should be applied to establishing and supporting normal schools under the 
direction and management of the board of normal regents, with a proviso, however, that one^ 
fourth of such income should be annually transferred to the common-school fund income, until 
the latter should amount annually to $200,000. This proviso was repealed by the legislature of 
1870, and the entire income of one-half the swamp-land fund has since been devoted to normal' 
school purposes. During the same year proposals were invited for aid in the establishment of a 
normal school, in money, land, or buildings, and propositions from various places were received 
and considered. In 1S66, the board of regents was incorporated by the legislature. In the 
same year Platteville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as there was already 
a productive fund of about $600,000, with an income of over $30,000, and a prospect of a steady 
increase as the lands were sold, the board decided upon the policy of establishing several schools, 
located in different parts of the state. In pursuance of this policy, there have already been 
completed, and are now in very successful operation, the Platteville Normal School, opened 
October 9, 1866; the Whitewater Normal School, opened April 21, 1868 ; the Oshkosh Normal 
School, opened September 19, 1871, and the River Falls Normal School, opened September 
2, 1875. Each assembly district in the state is entitled to eight representatives in the 
normal schools. These are nominated by county and city superintendents. Tuition is 
free to all normal students. There are in the normal schools two courses of study — an 



146 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". 

elementary course of two years, and an advanced course of four years. The student completing 
the former, receives a certificate ; the one completing the latter, a diploma. The certificate, when 
the holder has successfully taught one year after graduation, may be countersigned by the sup- 
erintendent of public instruction, when it becomes equivalent to a five-years' state certificate. 
The diploma, when thus countersigned, after a like interval, is equivalent to a permanent state 
certificate. 

It is believed that the normal-school system of Wisconsin rests upon a broader and more 
secure basis than the corresponding system of any other state. That basis is an independent 
and permanent fund, which has already reached a million dollars. • The precise amount of this 
securely invested and productive fund, September 30, 1878, was $1,004,907.67, and the sum of 
$33,290.88 remained uninvested. 

Teachers' Institutes. 

In addition to the work of the normal schools, the board of regents is authorized to expend 
$5,000 annually to defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. A law of 1871, amended in 1876, 
provides for normal institutes, which shall be held for not less than two consecutive weeks, and 
appropriates from the state treasury a sum not exceeding $2,000 per annum for their support. 
There were held in the State, in 1878, sixty-six institutes, v.arying in length from one to two 
weeks. The total number of persons enrolled as attendants was 4,944 

Graded Schools. 

Including those in the cities, the graded schools of the State number about four hundred. 
The annual report of the State superintendent for 1878 gives the number with two departments 
as 207, and the number with three or more as 225. 

A law of March, 1872, provided that "all graduates of any graded school of the state, who 
shall have passed an examination at such graded school satisfactory to the faculty of the univer- 
sity for admission into the sub-freshman class and college classes of the university, shall be at 
once and at all times entitled to free tuition in all the colleges of the university." A consider- 
able number of graduates of graded schools entered the university under this law during the 
next four years, but it being deemed an unwise discrimination in favor of this class of students, 
in 1S76, in the same act which provided for the tax of one tenth of one mill, the legislature pro- 
vided that from and after the 4th of July of that year no student, except students in law and 
those taking extra studies,"should be required to pay any fees for tuition. Few graded schools 
of the state are able as yet to fully prepare students for entrance into the regular classes of the 
classical department of the university. The larger number prepared by them still enter the 
scientific department or the sub-freshman class. 

The Township System. 

In 1869 the legislature passed a law authorizing towns to adopt by vote the " township sys- 
tem of school government." Under this system each town becomes one school district, and the 
several school districts already existing become sub-districts. Each sub-district elects a clerk, 
and these clerks constitute a body corporate under the name of the " board of school directors," and 
are invested with the title and custody of all school houses, school-house sites, and other prop- 
erty belonging to the sub-districts, with power to control them for the best interests of the 
schools of the town. The law provides for an executive committee to execute the orders of the 



EDUCATIOiSrAL HISTORY. 147 

board, employ teachers, etc., and for a secretary to record proceedings of the board, have imme- 
diate charge and supervision of the schools, and perform other specified duties. But few towns 
ha\e as yet made trial of this system, although it is in successful operation in Pensylvania, Mas- 
sachusetts, and some other states, and where fully and fairly tried in our own, has proved entirely 
satisfactory. It is the general belief of our enlightened educational men that the plan has such 
merits as ought to secure its voluntary adoption by the people of the state. 

Free High Schools. 

In 1875 the legislature enacted that any town, incorporated village, or city, may establish 
and maintain not more than two free high schools, and provided for an annual appropriation of 
not to e.xceed $25,000, to refund one-half of the actual cost of instruction in such schools, but 
no school to draw in any one year more than $500. At the session of 1877 the benefits of the 
act were extended to such high schools already established as shall show by a proper report that 
they have conformed to the requirements of the law. If towns decline to establish such a 
school, one or more adjoining districts in the same have the privilege of doing so. The law has 
met with much favor. For the school year ending iVugust 31, 1876 (the first year in which it was 
in operation), twenty such schools reported, and to these the sum of $7,466.50 was paid, being 
an average of $373.32 per school. For the year ending August 31, 1878, eighty-five schools 
reported and received a pro rata division of the maximum appropriation. The high school law 
was primarily designed to bring to rural neighborhoods the twofold advantages of (i) a higher 
instruction than the common district schools afford, and (2) a better class of teachers for these 
schools. It was anticipated, however, from the first that the immediate results of the law would 
be chiefly the improvement of existing graded schools in the larger villages and in cities. 

School Officers. 
The school officers of Wisconsin are, a state superintendent of public instruction, sixty-four 
county superintendents, twenty-eight city superintendents, and a school board in each district, 
consisting of a director, treasurer, and clerk. The state and county superintendents hold office 
two years, the district officers three years. In each independent city there is a board of educa- 
tion, and the larger cities have each a city superintendent, who in some cases is also principal of 
the high school. He is appointed for one year. The county board of supervisors determine, 
within certain limits, the amount of money to be raised annually in each town and ward of their 
county for school purposes, levy an additional amount for the salary of the county superintend- 
ents, may authorize a special school tax, and may under certain circumstances determine that 
there shall be two superintendents for their couxity. The town board of supervisors have authority 
to form and alter school districts, to issue notice for first meeting, to form union districts for high 
school purposes, and appoint first boards for the- same, to locate and establish school-house sites 
under certain circumstances, to extinguish districts that have neglected to maintain school for 
two years, and to dispose of the property of the same. The district clerks report annually to the 
town clerks, the town clerks to the county superintendents, and the county and city superintend- 
ents to the state superintendent, who in turn makes an annual report to the governor. 

State Teachers' Certificates. 

The state superintendent is authorized by law "to issue state certificates of high grade to 
teachers of eminent qualifications." Two grades of these are given, one unlimited, and the 
other good for five years. The examination is conducted by a board of three examiners, 
appointed annually by the state superintendent, and acting under rules and regulations prescribed 
bv him. 



148 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Teachers' Associations. 

Besides the Wisconsin State Teachers' Association, holding its annual session in the summer 

and a semi-annual or " executive " session in the winter, there are, in several parts of the state, 

county or district associations, holding stated meetings. The number of such associations is 

annually increasing. 

Libraries. 

The utility of public libraries as a part of the means of popular enlightenment, was early 
recognized in this state. The constitution, as set forth in 1848, required that a portion of the 
income of the school fund should be applied to the " purchase of suitable libraries and appa- 
ratus" for the common schools. The same year the legislature of the state, at its first session, 
enacted that as soon as this income should amount to $60,000 a year (afterwards changed to 
$30,000), each town superintendent might devote one tenth of the portion of this income received 
by his town annually, to town library purposes, the libraries thus formed to be distributed among 
the districts, in sections, and in rotation, once in three months. Districts were also empowered 
to raise money for library books. The operation of this discretionary and voluntary system was 
not successful. In ten years (1858) only about one third of the districts (1,121) had libraries, 
embracing in all but 38,755 volumes, and the state superintendent, Hon. Lyman C. Draper, urged 
upon the legislature a better system, of " town libraries," and a state tax for their creation and 
maintenance. In 1857, the legislature enacted that ten per cent, of the yearly income of the 
school fund should be applied to the purchase of town school libraries, and that an annual tax of 
one tenth of one mill should be levied for the same purpose. The law was left incomplete, how- 
ever, and in 1862, before the system had been perfected, the exigencies of the civil war led to 
the repeal of the law, and the library fund which had accumulated from the ten per cent, of the 
school fund income, and from the library tax, amounting in all to $88,784.78, was transferred to 
the general fund. This may be considered a debt to the educational interests of the slate that 
should be repaid. Meanwhile the single district library system languishes and yearly grows 
weaker. The re-enacting of a town library system, in which local effort and expenditure shall 
be stimulated and supplemented by State aid, has been recommended by the State Teachers' 
Association, and will, it is hoped, be secured, at no distant day, as a part of a complete town 
system of schools and of public education. 

List of State Superintendents. 

The act creating the office was passed at the first session of the state legislature, in 1848. 
The incumbents up to the present time have been as follows : 

NAME OF INCUMBENT. DURATION OF INCUMBENCY. 

Hon. E. Root -. Three years— 1849-50-51. , 

Hon. A. P. Ladd Two years — 1832-53. 

Hon. H. A. Wright* One year and five months — 1854-55. 

Hon. A. C. Barry Two years and seven months — 1S55-56-57. 

Hon. L. C. Draper Two years — 1858-59. 

Hon. J. L. Pickardf Three years and nine months — 1860-61-62-63. 

Hon. J. G. McMynn Four years and three months — 1S63- 64-65-66-67. 

Hon. A. J. Craigt .Two years and six months — 1868-69-70. 

Hon. Samuel Fallows ...Three years and six months — 1870-71-72-73. 

Hon. Edward Searing Four years — 1 874-75-76-77. 

Hon. W. C. Whitford _.Two years— 1878-79. 

* Died, May 29, 1845. t Resigned, October i, 1863. t Died, July 3, 187a 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 149 

Sketches of Colleges in Wisconsin.* 

Beloit College was founded in 1847, at Beloit, under the auspices of the Congregational and 
Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. In 1848, Rev. Joseph Emerson and 
Rev. J. J. Bushnell were appointed professors, and in 1849, Rev. A. L. Chapin was appointed 
president, and has continued such until the present time The institution has had a steady 
growth, has maintained a high standard of scholarship and done excellent work, both in its pre- 
paratory and college departments. Two hundred and thirty-six young men have graduated. 
Its lands and buildings are valued at $78,000, and its endowments and funds amount to about 
$122,000. 

Lawrence University, at Appleton, under the patronage of the Methodist church, was 
organized as a college in 1850, having been an " institute " or academy for three years previous, 
under the Rev. W. H. Sampson. The first president was Rev. Edward Cook; the second, R. 
Z. Mason; the present one is the Rev. George M. Steele, D. D. It is open to both sexes, 'and 
has graduated 130 young men, and 68 young women. It still maintains a preparatory depart- 
ment. It has been an institution of great benefit in a new region of country, in the northeastern 
part of the state. Receiving a liberal donation at the outset from the Hon. Amos A. Lawrence, 
of Boston, it has land and buildings valued at $47,000, at Appleton, and funds and endowments 
amounting to $60,000. 

Milton College, an institution under the care of the Seventh Day Baptists, was opened as a 
college in 1867, having been conducted as an academy since 1844. Rev. W. C. Whitford, the 
president, was for many years the principal of the academy The institution has done much 
valuable work, particularly in preparing teachers for our public schools. The college has gradu- 
ated 38 young men and women, having previously graduated 93 academic students. It has lands, 
buildings and endowments to the amount of about $50,000. 

Ripon College, which was known till 1864 as Brockway College, was organized in 1853, at 
Ripon, and is supported by the Congregational church. Since its re-organization, in 1863, it has 
graduated 77 students (of both sexes) in the college courses, and has always maintained a large 
and flourishing preparatory department. Under its present efficient head, the Rev. E. H. Mer- 
rell, A. M., it is meeting with continued success. Its property amounts to about $125,000. 

Racine College was founded by the Episcopal Church, at Racine, in 1852, under the Rev. 
Roswell Park, D. D., as its first President. It was for a long time under the efficient administra- 
tion of Rev. James De Koven, D. D., now deceased, who was succeeded by Rev. D. Stevens 
Parker. It maintains a large boys' school also, and a preparatory department. It was designed, 
in part, to train young men for the Nashotah Theological Seminary. It has property, including 
five buildings, to the amount of about gi8o,ooo,'and has graduated ninety-nine young men. Its 
principal work, in which it has had great success, is that of a boys' school, modeled somewhat 
after the English schools. 

The Seminary of St. Francis of Sales, an ecclesiastical school, was established at St. Fran- 
cis Station, near Milwaukee, chiefly by the combined efforts of two learned and zealous priests, 
the Rev. Michael Heiss, now bishop of La Crosse, and the Rev. Joseph Salzmann. It was 
opened in January, 1856, with Rev. M. Heiss as rector, and with 25 students. Rev. Joseph 
alzmann was rector from September, i868, to the time of his death, January 17, 1874, since 
which time Rev. C. Wapelhorst has held the rectorship. The latter is now assisted by twelve 
professors, and the students number 267, of whom 105 are theologians, 31 students of philosophy, 
and the rest classical students. 

Pio Nono College is a Roman Catholic institution, at St. Francis Station, in the immediate 
neighborhood of the Seminary of St. Francis. It was founded in 187 1, by Rev. Joseph Salzmann, 
* The statistics 'n this Hiv'sion were obtained m 1877. and are for the nrevious vear. 



150 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

who was the first rector. He was succeeded in 1874 by the present rector, Rev. Thomas Brue- 
ner, who is assisted by a corps of seven professors. Besides the college proper, there is a nor- 
mal department, in which, in addition to the education that qualifies for teaching in common and 
higher schools, particular attention is given to church music. There is also, under the same 
management, but in an adjoining building, an institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb. 
The pupils in the latter, both boys and girls, numbering about 30, are taught to speak by sounds, 
and it is said with the best success. 

An institution was organized in 1865, at Prairie du Chien, under the name of Prairie du 
Chien College, and under the care of J. T. Lovewell, as principal. In the course of two or three 
years it passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic church, and is now known as St. John's 
College. It has so far performed principally preparatory work. 

Sinsinawa Mound College, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded in 1848, through the 
labors of Father Mazzuchelli, but after doing a successful work, was closed in 1S63, and in 1867 
the St. Clara academy was opened in the same buildings. 

The Northwestern University, which is under the Lutheran church, was organized in 1865, 
at Watertown, under Rev. August F. Ernst, as president. It has graduated 21 young men, and 
has a preparatory department. Its property is valued at $50,000. 

Galesville University was organized in 1859, under the patronage of the Methodist church 
at Galesville, in the northwest part of the state. The first president was the Rev. Samuel Fal- 
lows, since state superintendent. It has graduated ten young men and eight young women, its 
work hitherto having been mostly preparatory. It is now under the patronage of the Presby- 
terian denomination, with J. W. McLaury, A. M., as president. It has property valued at 
$30,000, and an endowment of about $50,000. 

Carroll College was established at Waukesha, by the Presbyterian church, in 1846. Prof. J. 
W. Sterling, now of the state university, taught its primary classes that year. Under President 
John A. Savage, D.D., with an able corps of professors, it took a high rank and graduated 
classes ; but for several years past it has confined its work principally to academic studies. 
Under W. L. Rankin, A. M.,the present principal, the school is doing good service. 

Wayland University was established as a college, by the Baptists, at Beaver Dam, in 1854, 
but never performed much college work. For three years past, it has been working under a new 
charter as an academy and preparatory school, and is now known as Wayland Institute. 

In 1841, the Protestant Episcopal church established a mission in the wilds of Waukesha 
county, and, at an early day, steps were taken to establish in connection therewith an institution 
of learning. This was incorporated in 1847, by the name of Nashotah House. In 1852 the 
classical school was located at Racine, and Nashotah House became distinctively a theological 
seminary. It has an endowment of one professorship, the faculty and students being otherwise 
sustained by voluntary contributions. It has a faculty of five professors, with Rev. A. D. 
Cole, D.D., as president, buildings pleasantly situated, and has graduated 185 theological students. 

Female Colleges. 

Two institutions have been known under this designation. The Milwaukee Female College 
was founded in 1852, and ably conducted for several years, under the principalship of Miss Mary 
Mortimer, now deceased. It furnished an advanced grade of secondary instruction. The Wis- 
consin Female College, located at Fo.x Lake, was first incorporated in 1855, and re-organized in 
1863. It has never reached a collegiate course, is now known as Fox Lake Seminary, and 
admits both sexes. Rev. A. O. Wright, A. M., is the present principal. 



AGRICULTURE. 151 



Academies and Seminaries. 

The following institutions of academic grade, are now in operation : Albion Academy; 
Benton Academy; Big Foot Academy; Elroy Seminary; Fox Lake Seminary; two German and 
English academies in Milwaukee ; Janesville Academy; Kemper Hall, Kenosha ; Lake Geneva 
Seminary, Geneva; Lakeside Seminary, Oconomowoc ; Marshall Academy, Marshall; Merrill 
Institute, Fond du Lac ; Milwaukee Academy ; Racine Academy ; River Falls Institute ; 
Rochester Seminary; St. Catherine's Academy, Racine; St. Clara Academy; Sinsinawa 
Mound; St. Mary's Institute, Milwaukee; Sharon Academy; and Wayland Institute, Beaver 
Dam. Similar institutions formerly in operation but suspended or merged in other institu- 
tions, were : Allen's Grove Academy ; Appleton Collegiate Institute ; Baraboo Collegiate Insti- 
tute; Beloit Female Seminary; Beloit Seminary; Brunson Institute, Mount Hope; Evansville Sem- 
inary ; Janesville Academy (merged in the high school); Kilbourn Institute; Lancaster Institute; 
Milton Academy; Platteville Academy ; Southport Academy (Kenosha); Waterloo Academy; 
Waukesha Seminary; Wesleyan Seminary, Eau Claire; and Patch Grove Academy. The 
most important of these were the Milton and Platteville Academies, the former merged in Mil- 
ton College, the latter in the Platteville Normal School. Of the others, several were superseded 
by the establishment of public high schools in the same localities. 

Commercial Schools. 

Gchools of this character, aiming to furnish what is called a business education, exist in Mil- 
waukee, Janesville, Madison, LaCrosse, Green Bay, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. The oldest and 
largest is in Milwaukee, under the care of Prof. R. C. Spencer, and enrolls from two to three 
hundred students annually. 



AGRICULTURE. 

By W. W. DANIELLS, M.S., Prof, of Chemistry and Agriculture at the University 

OF Wisconsin. 

The trend of the earliest industries of a country, is the result of the circumstances under 
which those industries are developed. The attention of pioneers is confined to supplying the 
immediate wants of food, shelter, and clothing. Hence, the firs tsettlers of a country are farm- 
ers, miners, trappers, or fishermen, according as they can most readily secure the means of pres- 
ent sustenance for themselves and their families. In the early history of Wisconsin this law is 
well exemplified. The southern part of the state, consisting of alternations of prairie and tim- 
ber, was first settled by farmers. As the country has developed, wealth accumulated, and means 
of transportation have been furnished, farming has ceased to be the sole interest. Manufactories 
have been built along the rivers, and the mining industry of the southwestern part of the state has 
grown to one of considerable importance. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly settled 
tied by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manufactures has nearly overshadowed 
the fishing interest ; as has the production of lumber, in the north half of the state, eclipsed the 
trapping and fur interests of the first settlers. That the most important industry of Wisconsin 
is farming, may be seen from the following statistics of the occupation of the people as given by 
the United States census. Out of each one hundred inhabitants, of all occupations, 68 were 



152 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



farmers, in 1840; 52 in 1850; 54 in 1S60; 55 in 1S70. The rapid growth of the agriculture of 
the state is illustrated by the increase in the number of acres of improved land in farms, and in 
the value of farms and of farm implements and machinery, as shown by the following table, com- 
piled from the United States census : 





ACRES IMPROVED LAND 
IN FARMS. 


VALUE OF FARMS, 
INCLUDING IMPROV- 
ED AND UNIMPROV- 
ED LANDS. 


VALUE OF FARM 
IMPLEMENTS 




TOTAL. 


TO EACH 
INHAB. 


AND 
MACHINERY. 


1850 
i860 
1870 


1,045,499 
3.746.167 
5.899.343 


3-4 
4.8 
5-6 


$ 28,528,563 
131,117,164 
300,414,064 


$ 1,641.568 

5.758.847 
14.239.364 



Farming, at the present time, is almost entirely confined to the south half of the state, the 
northern half being still largely covered by forests. A notable exception to this statement is 
found in the counties on the western border, which are well settled by farmers much farther north. 
The surface of the agricultural portion of the state is for the most part gently undulating, afford- 
ing ready drainage, without being so abruptly broken as to render cultivation difficult. The soil 
is varied in character, and mostly very fertile. The southern portion of the state consists of 
undulating prairies of variable size — the largest being Rock prairie — alternating with oak openings. 
The prairies have the rich alluvial soil so characteristic of the western prairies, and are easily 
worked. The soil of the "openings " land is usually a sandy loam, readily tilled, fertile, but not 
as " strong *' as soils having more clay. The proportion of timber to prairie increases passing north 
from the southern boundary of the state, and forests of maple, basswood and elm, replace, to 
some extent, the oak lands. In these localities, the soil is more clayey, is strong and fertile, not 
as easily tilled, and not as quickly exhausted as are the more sandy soils of the oak lands. In 
that portion of the state known geologically as the " driftless " region, the soil is invariably good 
where the surface rock is limestone. In some of the valleys, however, where the lime-rock has 
been removed by erosion, leaving the underlying sandstone as the surface rock, the soil is sandy 
and unproductive, except in those localities where a large amount of alluvial matter has been 
deposited by the streams. The soils of the pine lands of the north of the state, are generally 
sandy and but slightly fertile. However, where pine is replaced by maple, oak, birch, elm and 
basswood, the soil is "heavier " and very fertile, even to the shores of Lake Superior. 

The same natural conditions that make Wisconsin an agricultural state, determined that 
during its earlier years the main interest should be grain-growing. The fertile prairies covering 
large portions of the southern part of the state had but to be plowed and sowed with grain to 
produce an abundant yield. From the raising of cereals the pioneer farmer could get the 
quickest returns for his labor. Hence in 1850, two years after its admission to the Union, Wis- 
consin was the ninth state in order in the production of wheat, while in i860 this rank was raised 
to third, Illinois and Indiana only raising more. The true rank of the state is not shown by 
these figures. Were the number of inhabitants and the number of acres of land in actual culti- 
vation taken into account in the comparison, the state would stand still higher in rank than is 
here indicated. There is the same struggle for existence, and the same desire for gain the world 
over, and hence the various phases of development of the same industry in different civilized 
countries is mainly the result of the widely varying economical conditions imposed upon that 
industry. Land is thoroughly cultivated in Europe, not because the Europeans have any 
inherent love for good cultivation, but because there land is scarce and costly, while labor is 
superabundant and cheap. In America, on the other hand, and especially in the newer states* 



AGKICULTURE. Igg 

land is abundant and cheap, while labor is scarce and costly. In its productive industries each 
country is alike economical in the use of the costly element in production, and more lavish in 
the use of that which is cheaper. Each is alike economically wise in following such a course 
when it is not carried to too great extremes. With each the end sought is the greatest return for 
the expenditure of a given amount of capital. In accordance with this law of economy, the 
early agriculture of Wisconsin was mere land-skimming. Good cultivation of the soil was never 
thought of The same land was planted successively to one crop, as long as it yielded enough 
to pay for cultivation. The economical principle above stated was carried to an extreme. Farm- 
ing as then practiced was a quick method of land exhaustion. It was always taking out of the 
purse, and never putting in. No attention was paid to sustaining the soil's fertility. The only 
aim was to secure the largest crop for the smallest outlay of capital, without regard to the future. 
Manures were never used, and such as unavoidably accumulated was regarded as a great nuis- 
ance, often rendering necessary the removal of stables and outbuildings. Straw-stacks were 
invariably burned as the most convenient means of disposing of them. Wheat, the principal 
product, brought a low price, often not more than fifty cents a bushel, and had to be marketed 
by teams at some point from which it could be carried by water, as this was, at an early day, the 
only means of transportation. On account of the sparse settlement of the country, roads were 
poor, and the farmer, after raising and threshing his wheat, had to spend, with a team, from two 
to five days, marketing the few bushels that a team could draw. So that the farmer had every 
obstacle to contend with except cheap and very fertile land, that with the poorest of cultivation 
gave a comparatively abundant yield of grain. Better tillage, accompanied with the use of 
manures and other fertilizers, would not, upon the virgin soils, have added sufficiently to the 
yield to pay the cost of applying them. Hence, to the first farmers of the slate, />oc>r farming was 
,the only profitable farming, and consequently the only gootf farming, an agriculturo-economical 
paradox from which there was no escape. Notwithstanding the fact that farmers could economi- 
cally follow no other system than that of land-exhaustion, as described, such a course was none 
the less injurious to the state, as it was undermining its foundation of future wealth, by destroy- 
ing the fertility of the soil, that upon which the permanent wealth and prosperity of every agri- 
cultural community is first dependent. Besides this evil, and together with it, came the habit of 
loose and slovenly farming acquired by pioneers, which continued after the conditions making 
that method a necessity had passed away. With the rapid growth of the northwest came better 
home markets and increased facilities for transportation to foreign markets, bringing with them 
higher prices for all products of the farm. As a consequence of these better conditions, land in 
farms in the state increased rapidly in value, from $9.58 per acre in 1850, to $16.61 in i860, an 
increase of 62 per cent., while the total number of acres in farms increased during the 
same time from 2,976,658 acres to 7,893,587 acres, or 265 per cent. With this increase in the 
value of land, and the higher prices paid for grain, should have come an improved system of hus- 
bandry which would prevent the soil from deteriorating in fertility. This could have been 
accomplished either by returning to the soil, in manures and fertilizers, those ingredients of which 
it was being rapidly drained by continued grain-growing, or by the adoption of a system of mixed 
husbandry, which should include the raising of stock and a judicious rotation of crops. Such a 
system is sure to come. Indeed, it is now slowly coming. Great progress upon the earlier 
methods of farming have already been made. But so radical and thorough a change in the 
habits of any class of people as that from the farming of pioneers to a rational method that will 
preserve the soil's fertility and pay for the labor it demands, requires many years for its full 
accomplishment. It will not even keep pace with changes in those economical conditions which 



154 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



favor it. In the rapid settlement of the northwestern states this change has come most rapidly 
with the replacement of the pioneer farmers by immigrants accustomed to better methods of 
culture. In such cases the pioneers usually ' go west'' again, to begin anew their frontier farming 
upon virgin soil, as their peculiar method of cultivation fails to give them a livelihood. In Wis- 
consin as rapid progress is being made in the system of agriculture as, all things considered, 
could reasonably be expected. This change for the better has been quite rapid for the past ten 
years, and is gaining in velocity and momentum each year. It is partly the result of increased 
intelligence relating to farming, and partly the result of necessity caused by the unprofitableness 
of the old method. 

The estimated value of all agricultural products of the state, including that of orchards, 
market gardens, and betterments, was, in 1870, as given in the census of that year, $79,072,967, 
which places Wisconsin twelfth in rank among the agricultural states of the Union. In 1875, 
according to the " Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture," the value of the principal farm 
crops in this state was $58,957,050. According to this estimation the state ranks ninth in agri- 
cultu'-al importance. As has been before stated, Wisconsin is essentially a grain-growing state. 
This interest has been the principal one, not because the soil is better adapted to grain-growing 
than to general, stock, or dairy farming, but rather because this course, which was at an early 
day most immediately profitable, has been since persistently followed from force of habit, even 
after it had failed to be remunerative. 

The following table shows the bushels of the different grains raised in the state for the years 
indicated : 



Year. 


WHEAT. 


RYE. 


CORN. 


OATS. 


BARLEY. 


BUCK- 
WHEAT. 


1850.... 
i860 ... 
1870 ... 
1875*--- 


4,286,131 
15,657,458 
25,606,344 
25,200,000 


81.253 
888,544 

1.325.294 
1,340,000 


1,988,979 

7.517.300 

15.033,988 

15,200,000 


3.414.672 
11,059,260 
20,180,016 
26,600,000 


209,672 

707.307 

1,645,019 

2,200,000 


79,878 

38,987 
408,897 
275,000 



From these statistics it will be seen that the increase in the production of grain was very 
rapid up to 1870, while since that time it has been very slight. This rapid increase in grain 
raising is first attributable to the ease with which this branch of farming was carried on upon the 
new and very rich soils of the state, while in the older states this branch of husbandry has been 
growing more difficult and expensive, and also to the fact that the war in our own country so 
increased the demand for grain from 1861 to 1866 as to make this course the most immediately 
profitable. But with the close of the war came a diminished demand. Farmers were slow to 
recognize this fact, and change the character of their productions to accord with the wants of 
the market, but rather continued to produce the cereals in excess of the demand. The chinch 
bug and an occasional poor season seriously injured the crops, leaving those who relied princi- 
pally upon the production of grain little or nothing for their support. Hard times resulted from 
these poor crops. More wheat and corn was the farmer's usual remedy for hard times. So that 
more wheat and corn were planted. More crop failures with low prices brought harder times, 
until gradually the farmers of the state have opened their eyes to the truth that they can succeed 
in other branches of agriculture than grain growing, and to the necessity of catering to the 

^Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture. 



AGRICULTITKE. 155 

demands of the market. The value in 1869 of all farm products and betterments of the state 
was $79,072,967. There were raised of wheat the same year 25,606,344 bushels, which at $1.03 
per bushel, the mean price reported by the Milwaukee board of trade, for No. 2 wheat (the lead- 
ing grade), for the year ending July 31, 1870, amounts to $26,374,524, or one third the value of 
all agricultural products and betterments. The average production per acre, as estimated by the 
commissioner of agriculture, was 14 bushels. Hence there were 1,829,024 acres of land devoted to 
this One crop, nearly one third of all the improved land in the state. Of the wheat crop of 1869 
24,375,435 bushels were spring wheat, and 1,230,909 bushels were winter wheat, which is 19.8 
bushels of spring to i bushel of winter wheat. The latter is scarcely sown at all on the prairies, 
or upon light opening soils. In some of the timbered regions hardy varieties do well, but it is 
not a certain crop, as it is not able to withstand the winters, unless covered by snow or litter. It 
is not injured as seriously by the hard freezing, as by the alternate freezing and thawing of Feb- 
ruary and March. 

The continued cropping of land with grain is a certain means of exhausting the soil of the 
phosphates, and of those nitrogenous compounds that are essential to the production of grain, and 
yet are present even in the most fertile soils in but small quantities. To the diminished yield, 
partly attributable to the overcropping of the land, and partially to poor seasons and chinch bugs, 
and to the decline in prices soon after the war, owing to an over production of wheat, may largely 
be attributed the hard times experienced by the grain growing farmers of Wisconsin from 1872 to 
1877. The continued raising of wheat upon the same land, alternated, if any alternation 
occurred, with barley, oats, or corn, has produced its sure results. The lesson has cost the 
farmers of the state dearly, but it has not been altogether lost. A better condition of affairs has 
already begun. Wheat is gradually losing its prestige as the farmers' sole dependence, while 
stock, dairy, and mixed farming are rapidly increasing. The number of bushels of wheat 
raised to each inhabitant in the state was in 1850 fourteen, in i860 twenty-three and eight tenths, 
in 1870 twenty-four, and in 1875 twenty and four tenths. These figures do not indicate a dimin- 
ished productiveness of the state, but show, with the greatly increased production in other 
branches of husbandry, that farmers are changing their system to one more diversified and 
rational. Straw stacks are no longer burned, and manure heaps are not looked upon as altogether 
useless. Much more attention is now paid to the use of fertilizers. Clover with plaster is looked 
upon with constantly increasing favor, and there is a greater seeking for light upon the more 
difficult problems of a profitable agriculture 

Corn is raised to a large extent, although Wisconsin has never ranked as high in corn, as in 
wheat growing. Sixteen states raised more corn in 1870 than this state, and in 1875, seventeen 
states raised more. Corn requires a rich, moist soil, with a long extended season of warm sun. 
shine. While this crop can be raised with great ease in the larger portion of the state it will 
always succeed better farther south, both on account of the longer summers and the greater 
amount of rainfall. According to the statistics of the commissioner of agriculture, the average 
yield per acre for a period of ten years, is about 30 bushels. Corn is an important crop in the 
economy of the farmer, as from it he obtains much food for his stock, and it is his principal 
dependence for fattening pork. On these accounts it will, without doubt, retain its place in the 
husbandry of the state, even when stock and dairy farming are followed to a much greater extent 
than at present. Barley is cultivated largely throughout the state, but five states produced more 
in 1870, than Wisconsin. The great quantity of beer brewed here, furnishes a good home market 
for this grain. Barley succeeds best in a rather moist climate, having a long growin'' season. 
The dry, short summers of Wisconsin, are not well adapted to its growth. Hence the average. 



156 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

yield is hut a medium one, and the quality of the grain is only fair. According to the returns 
furnished the commissioner of agricultuye, the average yield for a period of ten years, is 22 
bushels per acre. 

Next to wheat, more bushels of oats are raised than of any other grain. Wisconsin was, in 
i860, fifth in rank among the oat-growing states; in 1870, sixth. The rich soils of the state 
raise an abundant crop of oats with but little labor, and hence their growth in large quantities is 
not necessarily an indication of good husbandry. They will bear poor cultivation better than 
corn, and are frequently grown upon land too weedy to produce that grain. It is a favorite 
grain for feeding, especially to horses. With the best farmers, oats are looked upon with less 
favor than corn, because it is apt to leave land well seeded with weeds which are difficult to 
exterminate. In the production of rye, Wisconsin ranked seventh in i860, and fourth in 1870. 
It is a much surer crop in this state than winter wheat, as it is less easily winter-killed when not 
protected by snow, than is that grain. Besides, it ripens so early as not to be seriously injured 
by drouth in summer, and succeeds well even upon the poorer soils. The average yield per acre 
is about 16 bushels. 

But few hops were grown in Wisconsin, up to i860, when owing to an increased demand by 
the breweries ( f the state, there was a gradual but healthful increase in hop culture. A few 
years later the advent of the hop louse, and other causes of failure at the east, so raised the price 
of hops as to make them a very profitable crop to grow. Many acres were planted in this state 
from 1863 to 1865, when the total product was valued at nearly $350,000. The success of those 
engaged in this new branch of farming, encouraged others to adopt it. The profits were large. 
Wheat growing had not for several years been remunerative, and in 1S67 and 1868, the " hop 
fever " became an epidemic, almost a plague. The crop of Sauk county alone was estimated at 
over 4,000,000 pounds, worth over $2,000,000. The quality of the crop was excellent, the yield 
larfe, and the price unusually high. The secretary of the State .Agricultural society says, in his 
report for that year, " Oases are numerous in which the first crop has paid for the land and all 
the improvements." To many farmers hop raising appeared to offer a sure and speedy course to 
wealth. But a change came quickly. The hop louse ruined the crop, and low prices caused by 
over production, aided in bringing ruin to many farmers. In 1867, the price of hops was from 
40 to 55 cents per pound, while in i86g it was from 10 to 15 cents, some of poor quality selling 
as low as 3 cents. Many hop yards were plowed up during 1869 and 1870. The area under 
cultivation to this crop in 1875, was, according to the " Report of the Secretary of State," 10,932 
acres. 

The production of tobacco has greatly increased since i85o, when there were raised in the 
state 87,340 pounds. In 1870, the product was 960,813 pounds. As is well known, the quality 
of tobacco grown in the northern states is greatly inferior for chewing and smoking, to that grown 
in the south, although varieties having a large, tough leaf, suitable for cigar wrappers, do well 
here. The variety principally grown is the Connecticut seed leaf. Tobacco can only be grown 
successfully on rich, fertile soils, and it is very exhausting to the land. Of the amount produced 
in 1870, there were raised in Rock county 645,408 pounds, and in Dane county, 229,568 pounds; 
the entire remaining portion of the state raised but 85,737 pounds. According to the report of 
the secretary of state, the whole number of acres planted to tobacco in 1875, was 3,296. Of this 
amount Rock county planted 1,676 acres, and Dane county, 1,454 acres, leaving for the remain- 
der of the state but 166 acres. While the crop has been fairly productive and profitable, these 
statistics show that up to the present lime tobacco-raising has been a merely local interest. 

The production of flax is another merely local industry, it being confined principally to the 



AGRICULTURE. 157 

counties of Kenosha, Grant, Iowa and LaFayette. Of flax fibre, Kenosha county raised in 1869, 
nearly four fifths of the entire amount grown ia the state, the total being 497,398 pounds. With 
the high price of labor and the low price of cotton now ruling, it is scarcely possible to make the 
raising of flax fibre profitable. Flax seed is raised to a small extent in the other counties men- 
tioned. The present price of oil makes this a fairly profitable crop. If farmers fully appreciated 
that in addition to the oil, the oil cake is of great value as a food for cattle and sheep, and also 
that the manure made by the animals eating it, is of three times the value of that made by ani- 
mals fed upon corn, doubtless much more flax seed would be raised than is at present. Ameri- 
can oil-cake finds a ready market in England, at prices which pay well for its exportation. If 
English farmers can afTord to carry food for their stock so far, American farmers may well strive 
to ascertain if they can afford to allow the exportation of so valuable food. When greater atten- 
tion is paid in our own country to the quality of the manure made by our stock, more oil-cake 
will be fed at home, and a much smaller proportion of that made here will be exported. 

The amount of maple sugar produced diminishes as the settlement of the state increases, 
and is now scarcely sufficient in amount to be an item in the state's productions. The increase 
in the price of sugar from 1861 to 1868 caused many farmers to try sorghum raising. But the 
present low prices of this staple has caused an abandonment of the enterprise. Two attempts 
have been made in Wisconsin to manufacture beet-root sugar, the first at Fond du Lac in 1867 
the second at Black Hawk, Sauk county, in 1870. The Fond du Lac company removed their 
works to California in 1869, not having been successful in their efforts. The Black Hawk com- 
pany made, in 1871, more than 134,000 pounds of sugar, but have since abandoned the business. 
Both these failures may be attributed to several causes, first of which was the want of sufficient 
capital to build and carry on a factory sufficiently large to enable the work to be done economi- 
cally ; secondly, the difficulty of sufficiently interesting farmers in the business to induce them 
to raise beets on so large a scale as to warrant the building of such a factory; and, thirdly, the high 
price of labor and the low price of sugar. The quality of beets raised was good, the polarization 
test showing in many instances as high as sixteen per cent, of sugar. The larger proportion of 
hay made in the state is from the natural meadows, the low lands or marshes, where wild grasses 
grow in abundance, and hay only costs the cutting and curing. Cultivated grasses do well 
throughout the state, and " tame hay " can be made as easily here as elsewhere The limestone 
soils, where timber originally grew, are of the uplands, most natural to grass, and, consequently, 
furnish the ricljest meadows, and yield the best pasturage. Ye e only soils where grasses do 
not readily grow, are those which are so sandy and dry as to be nearly barrens. Clover grows 
throughout the state in the greatest luxuriance. There is occasionally a season so dry as to make 
"seeding down " a failure, and upon light soils clover, when not covered with snow, is apt to win- 
ter-kill. Yet it is gaining in favor with farmers, both on account of the valuable pasturage and 
hay it affords, and on account of its value as a soil renovator. In wheat-growing regions, clover 
is now recognized to be of the greatest value in a " rotation," on account of its ameliorating 
influence upon the soil. Throughout the stock and dairy regions, clover is depended upon to a 
large extent for pasturage, and to a less extent for hay. 

There has been a growing interest in stock raising for the past ten years, although the 
increase has not been a rapid one. Many of the herds of pure-blood cattle in the state rank 
high for their great excellence. The improvement of horses has been less rapid than that of cattle, 
sheep, and swine; yet this important branch of stock farming is improving each year. The most 
attention is given to the improvement of draught and farm horses, while roadsters and fast horses 
are not altogether neglected. There are now owned in the state a large number of horses of the 
heavier English and French breeds, which are imparting to their progeny their own characteristics 



158 



HTSTOEY OF WISCONSIN. 



of excellence, the effects of which are already visible in many of the older regions of the state. 
Of the different breeds of cattle, the Short-horns, the Ayrshires, the Devons, and the Jerseys are 
well represented. The Short-horns have met with most favor with the general farmer, the grades 
of this breed being large, and possessing in a high degree the quiet habits and readiness to fat- 
ten, so characteristic of the full-bloods. Without doubt, the grade Short-horns will continue in 
the high favor in which they are now held, as stock-raising becomes a more important branch of 
the husbandry of the state. Of pure blood Short-horns there are many herds, some of which 
are of the very highest excellence. At the public sales of herds from this state, the prices 
have ranked high universally, and in a few cases have reached the highest of " fancy " prices, 
showing the estimate placed by professional breeders upon the herds of Wisconsin. The Ayr- 
shires are increasing in numbers, and are held in high esteem by many dairymen. They are not 
yet, however, as generally disseminated over the state, as their great merit as a milking breed 
would warrant. The rapid growth of the dairy interest will doubtless increase their numbers 
greatly, at least as grades, in the dairying region. Of pure bred Devons and Jerseys, there are 
fewer than of the former breeds. The latter are principally kept in towns and cities to furnish 
milk for a single family. The following table shows the relative importance of stock raising in 
the state for the years mentioned. The figures are an additional proof to those already given, 
that the grain industry has held sway in Wisconsin to the detriment of other branches of farming, 
as well as to the state's greatest increase in wealth. 



YEAR. 


WHOLE NUM- 
BER OF NEAT 
CATTLE. 


NO. TO EACH 

100 ACRES OF 

IMPROVED 

LAND. 


WHOLE NUM- 
BER OF SHEEP. 


NUMBER TO 
EACH 100 
ACRES OF 
IMPROVED 
LAND. 


POUNDS OF 
WOOL PRO- 
DUCED. 


POUNDS 

OF WOOL 

PER 

HEAD. 


1850 

i860 

1870. _. 

1875* 


183.433 
521,860 

693.294 
922,900 


17 
14 
12 
II 


124,896 

332,954 
1,069,282 
1,162,800 


12 

9 

18 

14 


253.963 
1,011,933 
4,090,670 

(?) 


2.03 
304 

3.82 

(?) 



* Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture. 

The growth and present condition of sheep husbandry, compare much more favorably with 
the general development of the state than does that of cattle raising. In a large degree this 
may be accounted for by the impetus given to wool raising during our civil war by the scarcity 
of cotton, and the necessary substitution to a great extent, of woolen for cotton goods. This 
great demand for wool for manufacturing purposes produced a rapid rise in the price of this 
staple, making its production a very profitable branch of farming. With the close of the war 
came a lessened demand, and consequently lower prices. Yet at no time has the price of wool 
fallen below that at which it could be profitably produced. This is the more notably true when 
the value of sheep in keeping up the fertility and productiveness of land, is taken into account. 
The foregoing table shows the improvement in this branch of husbandry since 1850 

Although many more sheep might profitably be kept in the state, the above figures show that 
the wool interest is fairly developed, and the average weight of fleece is an assurance of more 
than ordinarily good stock. The fine-wooled sheep and their grades predominate, although 
there are in the state some excellent stock of long-wools — mostly Cotswold — and of South- 
downs. 

Of all the agricultural interests of the state, no other has made as rapid growth during the 
last ten years, as has that of dairying. With the failure of hop-growing, began the growth -J 
the factory system of butter and cheese making, and the downfall of the one was scarcely more- 
rapid than has been the upbuilding of the other. The following statistics of the production of 
butter and cheese illustrate this rapid progress. It will be remembered that for the years 1850, 



AGRICULTURE. 



159 



i860, and 1870 the statistics are from the U. S. census, and hence include all the butter and 
cheese made in the state, while for the remaining years, only that made by factories and pro- 
fessional dairymen as reported to the secretary of the State Dairymen's Association, is included. 
It has been found impossible to obtain the statistics of butter, e.^ccept for the census years. 



YEAR. 


BUTTER. 


CHE SE. 


1850.. __. 

1 860 


lbs. 

3.633.750 
13,611,328 
22,473.036 


lbs. 

400,283 

1,104,300 

1,591.798 

13,000.000 

15,000.000 

17,000,000 


1870.- 

1874 


1875 

1876 .- 









The quality of Wisconsin dairy products is excellent, as may be judged by the fact that, at 
, the Centennial Exhibition, Wisconsin cheese received twenty awards, a larger number than wag 
given to any other state except New York, and for butter Wisconsin received five awards. No 
state received more, and only New York and Illinois received as many. Wisconsin received one 
award for each fourteen cheeses on exhibition No other state received so large a proportion. 
New York received the largest number of awards, viz., twenty-one, but only secured one award 
for each thirty cheeses on exhibition. The number of cheese and butter factories is increasing 
each year, and there is being made in the better grazing regions of the state, as rapid a transition 
from grain to dairy-farming as is consistent with a healthful growth. This interest, which is now 
an important one in the state's industrial economy, has before it a promising future, both in its 
own development, and in its indirect influence upon the improvement of the agriculture of the 
state. 

The history of the earlier attempts in fruit raising in Wisconsin would be little more than a 
record of failures. The pioneers planted apple, peach, plum, and cherry trees, but they gathered 
little or no fruit. As was natural, they planted those varieties that were known to do well in the 
older states of the same latitude. Little was known of the climate, and there was no apparent 
reason why those varieties should not do well here. The first orchards died The same varie- 
ties were replanted, and again the orchards died. Gradually, through the costly school of 
experience, it was learned that the climate was different from that of the eastern states, and that 
to succeed here varieties of fruit must be such as were adapted to the peculiar climate of this 
state. These peculiarities are hot, and for' the most part, dry summers, cold and dry winters. 
The dryness of the climate has been the greatest obstacle to success, as this is indirectly the cause 
of the great extremes of temperature experienced here. The summers are often so dry that the 
growth of the trees is not completed, and the wood sufficiently well ripened to enable it to with- 
stand the rigors of winter. And the clear, dry atmosphere of winter allows the sun's rays to 
pass through it so unobstructedly as to warm the body of the tree upon the sunny side, above 
the freezing point, even though the temperature of the air is much lower. The alternate thawing 
and freezing ruptures the tender cells connecting the bark and wood, producing a complete sepa- 
ration of these parts, and often besides bursts the bark. The separation of bark and wood 
destroys the circulation of the sap upon that side of the tree, thus enfeebling the entire 
plant. The tree is not able to form new bark over the ruptured part, and a diseased spot 
results. Such a plant makes but a feeble growth of poorly ripened wood, and soon dies 



160 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

altogether. Besides the above cause, the extreme cold weather occasionally experienced will kill 
healthy trees of all varieties not extremely hardy. Notwithstanding these natural obstacles, a 
good degree of success has been attained in the raising of apples and grapes. This success has 
been the result of persevering effort upon the part of the horticulturists of the state, who have 
sought the causes of failure in order that they might be removed or avoided. It is thus by intel- 
ligent observation that the fruit growers have gained the experience which brings with it a 
creditable success. The first requisite to success is the planting of varieties sufficiently hardy 
to withstand our severe winters. This has been accomplished by selecting the hardiest of the 
old varieties, and by raising seedlings, having besides hardiness, qualities sufficiently valuable to 
make them worthy of cultivation. The second requisite to success is in the selection of a situa- 
tion having suitable soil and exposure, and thirdly, proper care after planting. Among the 
hardy varieties of apples regarded with greatest favor are Tetofski, Red Astrachan, and Duchess 
of Oldenberg, all Russian varieties, and Fameuse from Canada. Besides these there are a few 
American varieties so hardy as to prove reliable in the south half of the state. Among these 
are a few seedlings that have originated in Wisconsin. Apple trees are less apt to be injured by 
the winter upon a site sloping to the northeast or north, where they are less directly exposed to 
the rays of the winter's sun. High ground is much better than low, and a good, strong, not too' 
rich soil is best. Apples do better upon soils where timber originally grew than on the prairies, 
and they are grown more easily along the border of Lake Michigan than in the interior of the 
state. Pears are raised to but a slight extent, as only a few of the hardiest varieties will succeed 
at all, and these only in favorable situations. Grapes are grown in great abundance, and in 
great perfection, although not of the more tender varieties. The Concord, on account of its 
hardiness and excellenc bearing qualities, is cultivated most generally. Next to this comes the 
Delaware, while many other varieties, both excellent and prolific, are raised with great ease. The 
season is seldom too short to ripen the fruit well, and the only precaution necessary to protect 
the vines during the winter is a covering of earth or litter. Cranberries grow spontaneously 
upon many marshes in the interior of the state. Within a' few years considerable attention has 
been given to improving these marshes, and to the cultivation of this most excellent fruit. 
Doubtless within a few years the cranberry crop will be an important one among the fruit pro- 
ductions of the state. All of the small fruits adapted to this latitude are cultivated in abundance, 
and very successfully, the yield being often times exceedingly large, .\ltogether, the horticul- 
tural interests of the state are improving, and there is a bright prospect that in the near future 
fruit growing will not be looked upon with the disfavor with which it has been regarded here- 
tofore. 

Of the associations for advancing the agricultural interests of the state, the first organized 
was the " State Agricultural Society." The earliest efforts to establish such an organization were 
made at Madison in December, 1846, during the session of the first constitutional convention of 
the territory. A constitution was adopted, but nothing further was done. In February, 1849, 
another meeting was held in Madison, at which it was " Resolved, That in view of the great 
importance of agriculture in the west, it is expedient to form a state agricultural society in 
Wisconsin." Another constitution was adopted, and officers were elected, but no effectual 
organization resulted from this second attempt. The "Wisconsin State Agricultural Society"— 
the present organization — had its inception in a meeting held at Madison, March 8, 1S51, at 
which a committee was appointed to report a constitution and by-laws, and to nominate persons 
to fill the various offices of said society. At its organization, the society was composed of annual 
members, who paid one dollar dues each year, and of life members, who, upon the payment of 
ten dollars, were exempt from the annual contribution. The annual membership was afterward 



AGRICULTUKE 161 

abolished, and in 1869 the fee constituting one a life member was raised to twenty dollars. The 
first annual fair of the society was held in Janesville, in October, 185 1 Fairs have been held 
annually since, except during the years 1861, 1862 and 1863. In 1851 premiums were paid to 
the amount of only $140, while at the present time they amount to nearly f 10,000. In 1851 
there were five life members. At the present time there are over seven hundred, representing all 
the various industries of the state. The fairs held under the auspices of this society have been 
of excellent character, and have been fruitful of good to all the industries of the state, but more 
especially to the farmers. The state has been generous in aid of this society, having furnished 
commodious rooms for its use in the capitol building, printed the annual report of the secretary, 
a volume of about 500 pages, and donated annually, (or many years, $2,000 toward its support. 
Besides its annual fairs, for the past five years there has been held an annual convention, under 
the auspices of this society, for the reading and discussing of papers upon topics of interest to 
farmers, and for a general interchange of ideas relating to farming. These conventions are held 
in high esteem by the better class of farmers, and have added greatly to the usefulness of the 
society. The " Wisconsin State Horticultural Society" was originally the "Wisconsin State 
Fruit Growers' Association," which was organized in December, 1853, at Whitewater. Its 
avowed object was "the collecting, arranging, and disseminating facts interesting to those engaged 
in the culture of fruits, and to embody for their use the results of the practice and experiments 
of fruit growers in all parts of the state."" Exhibitions and conventions of the association were 
held annually up to i860, after which the society was disorganized, owing to the breaking out of 
the war of the rebellion A volume of " Transactions " was published by the association in 
1855. In 1859 its transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society. From 
i860 to 1865 no state horticultural association was in existence. In September of the latter 
year the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association " was reorganized as the " Wisconsin State Hor- 
ticultural Society.'' The legislature had previously provided for the publication of the proceedings 
of such a society, in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society. The new society has 
held annual exhibitions, usually in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society, and 
annual conventions for the reading of papers upon, and the discussion of, horticultural subjects. In 
1871 an act was passed by the legislature incorporating the society, and providing for the separate 
printing of 2,000 copies annually of its transactions, of which there are now seven volumes. The 
most active, intelligent, and persevering of the horticulturists of the state are members of this 
association, and to their careful observation, to their enthusiasm and determined persistence in 
seeking means to overcome great natural difficulties, the state is largely indebted for the success 
already attained in horticulture. Besides these state associations, there are many local agricul- 
tural and horticultural societies, all of which have been useful in aiding the cause for whieh they 
were organized. Farmers' clubs and granges of the " Patrons of Husbandry " have also 
done much, both directly and indirectly, to promote the industrial interests of the state. By then 
frequent meetings, at which discussions are held, views compared, and experiences related, much 
valuable intelligence is gained, thought is stimulated, and the profession of farming advanced. 
As agriculture, like all kindred professions, depends upon intelligence to direct its advancement, 
all means intended to stimulate thought among farmers will, if wisely directed, aid in advancing 
this most complex of all industries. To those above named, and to other like associations, 
is in a large degree to be attributed the present favorable condition of thi agriculture of 
the state. 

Wisconsin is yet, comparatively, a new State. It was mainly settled by men who had little 
moneyed capital. Markets were distant, and means of transportation poor. The early settlers had 
consequently to struggle for a livelihood in the face of the greatest difficulties. When these opposing 



162 • HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

circumstances are taken into account, and the improvement in methods of culture, and changes 
from grain to stock and dairy-farming that are now being made, are given their due weight, it 
must be acknowledged that the present condition of the agriculture of the state is excellent, and 
that the future of this most important industry is rich in promise of a steady, healthful growth, 
toward a completer development of all the agricultural resources of the state. 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 

By ROLAND D. IRVING, Professor of Geology, etc., at the University of 

Wisconsin. 

The useful mineral materials that occur within the limits of the state of Wisconsin, come 
Under both of the two grand classes of such substances : the metallic ores, from which the 
metals ordinarily used in the arts are extracted ; and the non-metallic substarues, which are used in 
the arts for the most part without any preliminary treatment, or at least undergo only a very 
partial alteration before being utilized. Of the first class are found in Wisconsin the ores of 
lead, zinc, iron and copper, besides minute traces of the precious metals ; of the second class, the 
principal substances found 2ixz brick-clay, kaolin, cement-rock, limestone for burning into quick-lime, 
limestone for flux, glass sand, peat and building stone. 

LEAD AND ZINC. 

These metals are considered together because they are found occurring together in the same 
region and under exactly the same circumstances, being even obtained from the same openings. 
Lead has for many years been the most important metallic production of Wisconsin, and, together 
with zinc, whose ores have been utilized only since i86o, still holds this prominent position, 
although the production is not so great as formerly. Small quantities of lead and zinc ores have 
been found in the crystalline (Archaean) rocks of the northern part of the state and in the copper- 
bearing rocks of the Lake Superior country, but there are no indications at present that these 
regions will ever produce in quantity. All of the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin comes 
then from that portion of the southwestern part of the state which lies west of Sugar river and 
south of the nearly east and west ridge that forms the southern side of the valley of the Wis- 
consin, from the head of Sugar river westward. This district is commonly known in Wisconsin 
as the " Lead Region," and forms the larger part of the " Lead Region of the Upper Missis- 
Bippi," which includes also smaller portions of Iowa and Illinois. 

What European first became acquainted with the deposits of lead in the upper portion of 
Valley of the Mississippi is a matter of some doubt. Charlevoix (Histoire de la Nouvelle France, 
III, 397, 398.) attributes the discovery to Nicolas Perrot, about 1692; and states that in ryai 
the deposits still bore Perrot's name. Perrot himself, however, in the only one of his writings 
that remains, makes no mention of the matter. The itinerary of Le Sueur's voyage up the 
Mississippi, 1700-1701, given in La Harpe's History of Louisiana, which was written early in 
the i8th century, shows tliat the former found lead on the banks of the Mississippi, not far from 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 



163 



the present soutfcern boundary of Wisconsin, August 25, 1700. Captain Johathan Carver, 
1766, found lead in abundance at the Blue Mounds, and found the Indians in all the country 
around in possession of masses of galena, which they had obtained as " float mineral," and 
which they were incapable of putting to any use. There is no evidence of any one mining 
before Julien Dubuque, who, 1788 to 1809, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which 
nowbears his name. After his death in 1S09 nothing more was done until 182 1, when the 
attention of American citizens was first drawn to the rich lead deposits of this region. By 1827, 
the mining had become quite general and has continued to the 'present time, the maximum 
production having been reached, however, between the years 1845 and 1847. 

The following table, prepared by the late Moses Strong, shows the mineral production of 
southwestern Wisconsin for the years i860 to 1873 in pounds: 



YEARS. 


GALENA. 


1 
SMITHSONITE. 


YEAR. 


GALENA. 


SMITHSONITE. 


BLENDE. 


i860 




320,000 
266,000 

1,120,000 

3.173.333 
4,198,200 

7.373.333 


1S67 
1868 

iS6g 
1870 
1S71 
1872 
1873 


13820,784 
13,869,619 
13.426,721 

13.754,159 

13,484,210 

11,622,668 

9.919.734 


5.181,445 
4.302.383 
4.547.971 
4.429.585 
16,618,160 
27,021.383 
18,528,906 


841,310 

3.078,435 
6,252,420 
7.414.022 
9.303.625 
16.256,970 
15,074,664 


IS61 




1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 


17,037.912 
15.105.577 
13,014,210 

14.337.895 
14,029.193 



Until within the last decade the lead mines of the Mississippi valley, including now both 
the " Upper " and the " Lower " regions — the latter one of which lies wholly within the limits of 
the state of Missouri — have far eclipsed the rest of the United States in the production of lead, 
the district being in fact one of the most important of the lead districts in the world. Of late 
years, however, these mines are far surpassed in production by the " silver-lead " mines of Utah 
and other Rocky Mountain regions, which, though worked especially for their silver, produce 
incidentally a very large amount of lead. Nevertheless, the mines of the Mississippi valley will 
long continue to be a very important source of this metal. The lead ore of the Wisconsin lead 
region is of one kind only, the sulphide known as galejia., or galenite. This ore, when free from 
mechanically mingled impurities, contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, the balance being sulphur. 
Small quantities of other lead ores are occasionally found in the uppermost portions of the deposits, 
having been produced by the oxidizing influence of the atmosphere. The chief one of these 
oxidation products is the earthy carbonate known as cerussite. Galena almost always contains 
some silver, commonly enough to pay for its extraction. The Wisconsin galenas, however, are 
unusually free from silver, of which they contain only the merest trace. 

The zinc ores are of two kinds, the most abundant being the ferruginous sulphide, or the 
"black-jack " of the miners. The pure sulphide, sphalerite, contains 67 per cent, of zinc, but the 
iron-bearing variety, known minerallogically as marmatite, generally contains 10 per cent, or 
more of iron. A ferruginous variety of the carbonate, smithsonite, also occurs in abundance, and 
is known to the miners as "dry-bone," the name being suggested by the peculiar structure of the 
ore. 

Both lead and zinc ores occur in limited deposits in a series of limestone beds belonging to 
the Lower Silurian series. The lead region is underlaid by a nearly horizontal series of strata, 
with an aggregate thickness of 2,000 feet, which lie upon an irregular surface of ancient crystal- 
line rocks (gneiss, granite, etc.). The names and order of succession of the several strata are 
indicated in the following scheme, the last named being the lowest in the series : 



164 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Formation, Thickness. 

Niagara dolomitic limestone . 300 — 300 feet. 

Cincinnati shales.- 60^ 100 " 

( Galena dolomitic limestone 250— 275 " 

Lead Horizon -j Blue limestone .-_ 50 — 75 " 

' Buff dolomitic limestone __ 15 — 20 " 

Lower Magnesian (dolomitic) limestone. 250 " 

Potsdam sandstone series 800 — 1000 " 

The first two of these layers, in the Wisconsin part of the lead region, are met with only in a 
few isolated peaks and ridges. The prevailing surface rock is the Galena limestone, through 
which, however, the numerous streams cut in deep and narrow valleys which not unfrequently 
are carved all the way into the Lower Magnesian. 

The lead and zinc ores are entirely confined to the Galena, Blue and Buff limestones, an 
aggregate vertical thickness of some 350 to 375 feet- The upper and lower strata of the series 
are entirely barren. Zinc and lead ores are found in the same kind of deposits, and often 
together, by far the larger part of the zinc ores, however, come from the Blue and Buff limestones, 
and the lowest layers of the Galena, whilst the lead ores, though obtained throughout the whole 
thickness of the mining ground, are especially abundant in the middle and upper layers of the 
Galena beds. 

The ore deposits are of two general kinds, which may be distinguished as vertical creviceb 
and flat crevices, the former being much the most common. The simplest form of the vertical 
crevice is a narrow crack in the rock, having a width of a few inches, an extension laterally from 
a few yards to several hundred feet, and a vertical height of 20 to 40 feet, thinning out to noth- 
ing in all directions, and filled from side to side with highly crystalline, brilliant, large-surfaced 
galena, which has no accompanying metallic mineral, or gangue matter. Occasionally the vertical 
extension exceeds a hundred feet, and sometimes a number of these sheets are close together 
and can be mined as one. Much more commonly the vertical crevice shows irregular expan- 
sions, which are sometimes large caves, or openings in certain layers, the crevice between retain- 
ing its normal character, while in other cases the expansion affects the whole crevice, occasion- 
ally widening it throughout into one large opening. These openings are rarely entirely filled, 
and commonly contain a loose, disintegrated rock, in which the galena lies loose in large masses, 
though often adhering to the sides of the cavity in large stalactites, or in cubical crystals. The 
vertical crevices show a very distinct arrangement parallel with one another, there being two 
systems, which roughly trend east and west, and north and south. The east and west crevices are 
far the most abundant and most productive of ore. The vertical crevices are confined nearly 
altogether to the upper and middle portions of the Galena, and are not productive of zinc ores. 
They are evidently merely the parallel joint cracks which affect every great rock formation, filled 
by chemical action with the lead ore. The crevices with openings have evidently been enlarged 
by the solvent power of atmospheric water carrying carbonic acid, and from the way in which the 
ore occurs loose in the cavities, it is evidetit that this solving action has often been subsequent 
to the first deposition of lead ore in the crevice. 

The " flat crevices," " flat sheets," and " flat openings," are analogous to the deposits just 
described, but have, as indicated by the names, a horizontal position, being characteristic of 
certain layers, which have evidently been more susceptible to chemical action than others, the 
dissolving waters having, moreover, been directed along them by less pervious layers above and 
below. The flat openings differ from the vertical crevices also, in having associated with the 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 165 

galena much of either the black-jack or dry-bone zinc ores, or both, the galena not unfrequently 
being entirely wanting. Cleavable calcite also accompanies the ores in these openings in large 
quantities, and the same is true of the sulphide of iron, which is the variety known as marcasite. 
These materials have sometimes a symmetrical arrangement on the bottom and top of the open- 
ing, the central portion being empty. The flat openings characterize the Blue and Buff and 
lower Galena beds, and from them nearly all the zinc ore is obtained. 

It is not possible, in the limits of this short papei, even to mention the various mining 
districts. It may merely be said that the amount of galena raised from single crevices has often 
been several hundred thousand, or even over a million pounds, and that one of the principal 
mining districts is in the vicinity of Mineral Point, where there are two furnaces constantly 
engaged in smelting. Between the years 1862 and 1873, these two establishments have produced 
23,903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of 1,991,938 pounds, the maximum being, in 
1869, 2,532,710 pounds, the minimum, in 1873, 1,518,888 pounds. 

The zinc ores were formerly rejected as useless, and have only been utilized since 1S60. An 
attempt to smelt them at Mineral Point was not successful, because the amount needed of fuel 
and clay, both of which have to come from a distance, exceeding even the amount of ore used, 
caused a very heavy expense for transportation. The ores are therefore now taken altogether to 
LaSalle, Illinois, where they meet the fuel and clay, and the industry at that place has become 
a flourishing one. The amount of zinc ore in the Wisconsin lead region is, beyond doubt, very 
great, and will be a source of wealth for a long time to come. 

Since the ores of zinc and lead in this region are confined to such a small thickness of strata 
greatly eroded by the atmospheric waters, the entire thickness having frequently been removed, 
it becomes a matter of great importance to know how much of the mining ground remains at 
every point throughout the district. The very excellent topographico-geological maps of the 
region, made by Mr. Moses Strong, and since published by the State in the Report of the 
Geological Survey, make this knowledge accessible to all. 

IRON. 

Iron mining in Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, although some important deposits are 
producing a considerable quantity of ore. A number of blast furnaces have sprung up in the 
eastern part of the state, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. Much remains yet to 
be done in the way of exploration, for the most promising iron fields are in the heavily timbered 
and unsettled regions of the north part of the state, and are as yet imperfectly known. It 
appears probable, however, that iron ores will, in the near future, be the most important mineral 
production of Wisconsin. The several ores will be noted in the order of their present im- 
i^ortance. 

Red He.matites. 

The iron in these ores exists as an anhydrous sesquioxide, which is, however, in an earthy 
condition, and entirely without the brilliant metallic luster that characterizes the specular hema- 
tites. Pure hematite contains seventy per cent, of metallic iron, but the red hematites, as mined, 
are always so largely mingled with mechanical impurities that they rarely contain more than fifty 
per cent. The most important red hematite mined in Wisconsin is that known as the Clinton iron 
ore, the name coming from the formation in which the ore occurs. This formation is a member 
of the Upper Silurian series, and is named from a locality in Oneida county. New York, where it 
was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales, is con- 
stantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so persistent in its characters, both physical and 



166 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognize it when 
coming froui others. The iron produced from it is always "cold-short," on account of the large 
content of phosphorus; but, mingled with siliceous ores free from phosphorus, it yields always 
a most excellent foundry iron. It is mined at numerous points from New York to Tennessee, 
and at some points reaches a very great total thickness. In Wisconsin the Clinton rocks merge 
into the great Niagara limestone series of the eastern part of the state, but at the bottom of the 
series, in a few places, the Clinton ore is found immediately overlying the Cincinnati shales. The 
most important locality is that known as Iron Ridge, on sections twelve and thirteen in the town 
of Hubbard, in Dodge county. Here a north-and-south ledge of Niagara limestone overlooks lower 
land to the west. Underneath, at the foot of the ridge, is the ore bed, fifteen to eighteen feet in 
thickness, consisting of horizontally bedded ore, in layers three to fourteen inches thick. The 
ore has a concretionary structure, being composed of lenticular grains, one twenty-fifth of an inch 
in diameter, but the top layer is without this structure, having a dark purplish color, and in places 
a slight metallic appearance. Much of the lower ore is somewhat hydrated. Three quarters of 
a mile north of Iron Ridge, at Mayville, there is a total thickness of as much as forty feet. 
According to Mr. E. T. Sweet, the percentages of the several constituents of the Iron Ridge ore 
are as follows: iron peroxide, 66.38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2.79; 
silica, .1.72; alumina, 5.54; manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur, 0.23; phosphoric acid, 0.73; water, 
8.75 = 100: metallic iron, 46.66. 

Two small charcoal furnaces at Mayville and Iron Ridge smelt a considerable quantity of 
these ores alone, producing an iron very rich in phosphorus. An analysis of the Mayville pig 
iron, also by Mr. Sweet, shows the following composition: iron, 95.784 per cent; phosphorus, 
1.675 : carbon, 0.849; silicon, o.ioS = 100.286. The average furnace yield of the ore is forty- 
five per cent. By far the larger part of the ore, however, is sent away to mingle with other ores. 
It goes to Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo,, Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich., 
and Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis. In 1872, the Iron Ridge mines yielded 82,371 
tons. The Clinton ore is found at other places farther north along the outcrop of the base of 
the Niagara formation in Wisconsin, but no one of these appears to promise any great quantity 
of good ore. Red hematite is found at numerous places in Wisconsin, highly charging certain 
layers of the Potsdam sandstone series, the lowest one of the horizontal Wisconsin formations. 
In the eastern part of the town of Westfield, Sauk county, the iron ore excludes the sandstone. 
forming an excellent ore. No developments have been made in this district, so that the size of 
the deposit is not definitely known. 

Brown Hematites. 

These ores contain their iron as the hydrated, or brown, sesquioxide, which, when pure, 
has about sixty per cent, of the metal ; the ordinary brown hematites, however, seldom 
contain over forty per cent. Bog iron ore, a porous brown hematite that forms by deposi- 
tion from the water of bogs, occurs somewhat widely scattered underneath the large marshes of 
Portage, Wood and Juneau counties. Very excellent bog ore, containing nearly 50 per cent, of 
iron, is found near Necedah, Juneau county, and near Grand Rapids, Wood county, but the 
amount obtainable is not definitely known. The Necedah ore contains: silica, 8.52 ; alumina, 
377; iron peroxide, 71.40; manganese oxide, 0.27; lime, 0.58; magnesia, trace; phosphoric 
acid, 0.21; sulphur, 0.02; organic matter, 1.62; water, 13.46=99.85, metallic iron, 49.98 — 
according to Mr. E. T. Sweet's analysis. An ore from section 34, twp. 23, range 6 east. Wood 
county, yielded, to Mr. Oliver Matthews, silica, 4.81 ; alumina, i.oo; iron peroxide, 73.23 ; lime, 
o.ii, magnesia, 0.25; sulphuric acid, 0.07 ; phosphoric acid, o. 10 ; organic matter, 5.88; water, 



i 



MINERAJ. RESOURCES. 167 

14.24; =99.69: metallic iron, 51.26. 

Brown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore, occurs also in some quantity filling cracks 
and irregular cavities in certain portions of the Potsdam series in northwestern Sauk county and 
the adjoining portion of Richland. A small charcoal furnace has been in operation on this ore 
at Ironton, Sauk county, for a number of years, and recently another one has been erected at 
Cazenovia in the same district. 

Magnetic Ores and Specular Hematites. 

These are taken together here, because their geological occurrence is the same, the two ores 
occurring not only in the same group of rocks, but even intimately mingled with one another. 
These ores are not now produced in Wisconsin ; but it is quite probable that they may before 
many years become its principal mineral production. In magnetic iron ore, the iron is in the 
shape of the mineral magnetite, an oxide of iron containing 72 4 per cent of iron when pure, and 
this is the highest percentage of iron that any ore can ever have. Specular hematite is the same 
as red hematite, but is crystalline, has a bright, metallic luster, and a considerable hardness. As 
mined the richest magnetic and specular ores rarely run over 65 per cent., while in most regions 
where they are mined they commonly do not reach 50 per cent. The amount of rich ores of this 
kind in the northern peninsula of Michigan is so great, however, that an ore with less than 50 per 
cent, finds no sale; and the same must be true in the adjoining states. So largely does this mat- 
ter of richness affect the value of an ore, that an owner of a mine of 45 per cent. " hard " ore in Wi.s- 
consin would find it cheaper to import and smelt Michigan 65 per cent, ore, than to smelt his own, 
even if his furnace and mine were side by side. 

The specular and magnetic ores of Wisconsin occur in two districts — the Penokee iron dis- 
trict, ten to twenty miles south of Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Ashland and Lincoln counties, and 
the Menomonee iron district, near the head waters of the Menomonee river, in township 40, 
ranges 17 and 18 east, Oconto county. Specular iron in veins and nests is found in small quan- 
tities with the quartz rocks of the Baraboo valley, Sauk county, and Necedah, Juneau county; 
and very large quantities of a peculiar quartz-schist, charged with more or less of the magnetic 
and specular iron oxides, occur in the vicinity of Black River Falls, Jackson county ; but in none 
of these places is there any promise of the existence of valuable ore. 

In the Penokee and Menomonee regions, the iron ores occur in a series of slaty and 
quartzose rocks known to geologists as the Haronian series. The rocks of these districts are 
really the extensions westward of a great rock series, which in the northern Michigan peninsula 
contains the rich iron ores that have made that region so famous. In position, this rock series 
may be likened to a great elongated parabola, the head of which is in the Marquette iron district 
and the two ends in the Penokee and Menomonee regions of Wisconsin. In all of its extent, this 
rock series holds great beds of lean magnetic and specular ores. These contain large quantities 
of quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistant to the action of atmospheric 
erosion. As a result, these lean ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such ridges of 
lean ores have deceived many explorers, and not a few geologists. In the same rock series, for 
the most part occupying portions of a higher layer, are found, however, ores of extraordinary 
richness and purity, which, from their comparative softness, very rarely outcrop. The existence 
in quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. One 
deposit, laid open during the Summer of 1877, shows a width of over 150 feet of first class 
specular ore; and exceeding in size the greatest of the famous deposits of Michigan. In the 
Penokee region, however, though the indications are favorable, the existence of the richer 
ores is as yet an inference only. The Penokee range itself is a wonderful development of 



IfiS HISTORYOF WISCONSIN. 

lean ore, which forms a continuous belt several hundred feet in width and over thirty miles in 
length. Occasionally portions of this belt are richer than the rest, and become almost merchant- 
able ores. The probability is, however, that the rich ores of this region will be found in the 
lower country immediately north of the Penokee range, where the rocks are buried beneath 
heavy accumulations of drift material. 

Copper. 

The only copper ore at present raised in Wisconsin is obtained near Mineral Point, in the 
lead region of the southwestern part of the state, where small quantities of c/ialcopyrite, the yellow 
sulphide of copper and iron, are obtained from pockets and limited crevices in the Galena lime- 
stone. Copper pyrites is known to occur in this way throughout the lead region, but it does not 
appear that the quantity at any point is sufficient to warrant exploration. 

Copper occurs also in the northernmost portions of Wisconsin, where it is found under alto- 
gether different circumstances. The great copper-bearing series of rocks of Keweenaw point and 
Isle Royale stretch southwestward into and entirely across the state of Wisconsin, in two parallel 
belts. One of these belts enters Wisconsin at the mouth of the Montreal river, and immediately 
leaving the shore of Lake Superior, crosses Ashland and Bayfield counties, and then widening 
greatly, occupies a large area in Douglas, St. Croix, Barron and Chippewa counties. The other 
belt forms the backbone of the Bayfield peninsula, and crosses the northern part of Douglas 
county, forming a bold ridge, to the Minnesota line. The rocks of this great series appear to 
be for the most part of igneous origin, but they are distinctly bedded, and even interstratified 
with sandstone, shales, and coarse boulder-conglomerate, the whole series having generally a 
tilted position. In veins crossing the rock-beds, and scattered also promiscuously through the 
layers of both conglomerates and igneous rocks, pure metallic copper in fine flakes is often 
found. Mining on a small scale has been attempted at numbers of points where the rivers 
flowing northward into Lake Superior make gorges across the rock series, but at none of them 
has sufficient work been done to prove or disprove the existence of copper in paying quantity. 

Gold and Silver. 

Small traces of gold have been detected by the writer in quartz from the crystalline rocks 
of Clark county, but there is no probability that any quantity of this metal will ever be found in 
the state. Traces of silver have also been found in certain layers of the copper series in Ash- 
land county. Judging from the occurrence of silver in the same series not far to the east in 
Michigan, it seems not improbable that this metal may be found also in Wisconsin. 

Brick Clays. 

These constiUite a very important resource in Wisconsin. Extending inland for many miles 
fiom the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior are stratified beds of clay of lacustrine origin, 
having been deposited by the lakes when greatly expanded beyond their present sizes. All of 
these clays are characterized by the presence of a large amount of carbonate of lime. Along 
Lake Superior they have not yet been utrtized, but all through the belt of country bordering 
Lake Michigan they are dug and burned, fully 50,000,000 bricks being made annually in this 
region. A large proportion of these bricks are white or cream-colored, and these are widely 
known under the name of " Milwaukee brick," though -by no means altogether made at Mil- 
waukee. Others are ordinary red brick. The difference between the light-colored and red 
bricks is ordinarily attributed to the greater amount of iron in the clay from which the latter are 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 



16& 



burned, but it has been shown by Mr. E. T. Sweet that the white bricks are burned from clay 
which often contains more iron than that from which the red bricks are made, but which also 
contains a very large amont of carbonate of lime. The following analyses show (i) the compo. 
sition of the clay from which cream-colored brick are burned at Milwaukee, (2) the composition 
of a red-brick clay from near Madison, and (3) the composition of the unutilized clay from 
Ashland, Lake Superior. Nos. i and 2 are by Mr. E. T. Sweet, No. 3 by Professor W. W. 
Daniells : 





(I) 


(2) 


(3) 




(I) 


(2) 


(3) 




38.22 
975 
2.84 
1. 16 

16.23 
7.54 

18.50 


75.80. 

11.07 
3-53 
0.31 / 
l.S4^ 
.08) 
1.09 


58.08 

25.38 

4-44 

8.30 


Potasli 


2.16 
0.65 
0.95 
1.85 


1-74 
0.40 

1.54 
2.16 

99.56 




Alumina 

Iron peroxide 

Iron protoxide... 


Soda - 

Water 


4.09 


Moisture 

Totals 


Lime . 


99-85 




Magnesia 

Carbonic acid — 


100.19 



At Milwaukee 24,000,000 cream-colored brick are made annually ; at Racine, 3,500,000 ; at 
Appleton and Menasha, 1,800,000 each; at Neenah, 1,600,000; at Clifton, 1,700,000; at Wat- 
erloo, 1,600,000; and in smaller quantities at Jefferson, Ft. Atkinson, Edgerton, Whitewater, 
Geneva, Ozaukee, Sheboygan Falls, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and other places. In most cases the 
cream-colored bricks are made from a bright-red clay, although occasionally the clay is light- 
colored. At Whitewater and other places tile and pottery are also made from this clay. 

Although these lacustrine clays are much the most important in Wisconsin, excellent brick 
clays are also found in the interior of the state. In numbers of places along the Yahara valley, 
in Dane county, an excellent stratified clay occurs. At Madison this is burned to a red brick ; at 
Stoughton and Oregon to a fine cream-colored brick. At Platte ville, I-ancaster, and other points 
in the southwestern part of the state, red bricks are made from clays found in the vicinity. 



Kaolin (Porcelain -Clay — Fire - Clay). 

The word "kaolin." is applied by geologists to a clay-like material which is used in making 
chinaware in this country and in Europe. The word is of Chinese origin, and is applied by the 
Chinese to the substance from which the famous porcelain of China is made. Its application to 
the European poTcela.in-c/ay was made under the mistaken idea— one which has prevailed among 
scientists until very recently— that the Chinese material is the same as the European. This we 
now know to be an error, the Chinese and Japanese wares being both made altogether from a 

solid rock. 

True kaolin, using the word in its European sense, is unlike other ordinary clays, in being 
the result of the disintegration of felspathic crystalline rocks " in place," that is without being 
removed from the place of its first formation. The base of kaolin is a mineral known as kaolinite, a 
compound of silica, alumina and water, which results from a change or decay of the felspar of 
felspar-bearing rocks. Felspar contains silica, alumina, and soda or potash, or both. By perco- 
lation through the rocks of surface water carrying carbonic acid, the potash and soda are 
removed and kaolinite results. Mingled with the kaolinite are, however, always the other ingre- 
dients of the rock, quartz, mica, etc., aYid also always some undecomposed, or only partly decom- 
posed felspar. These foreign ingredients can all, however, be more or less perfectly removed by 
a system of levigation, when a pure white clay results, composed almost wholly of the scales of 



170 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



the mineral kaolinite. Prepared in this way the kaolin has a high value as a refractory material, 
and for forming the base of fine porcelain wares. 

The crystalline rocks, which, by decomposition, would produce a kaolin, are widely spread 
over the northern part of Wisconsin ; but over the most of the region occupied by them there is no 
sign of the existence of kaolin, the softened rock having apparently been removed by glacial 
action. In a belt of country, however, which extends from Grand Rapids on the Wisconsin, 
westward to Black river, in Jackson county, the drift is insignificant or entirely absent; the glacial 
forces have not acted, and the crystalline rocks are, or once were, overlaid by sandstone, along 
whose line of junction with the underlying formation numerous water-courses have existed, the 
result being an unusual amount of disintegration. Here we find, in the beds of the Wisconsin, 
Yellow, and Black rivers, large exposures of crystalline rocks, which between the rivers 
are overlaid by sandstone. The crystalline rocks are in distinct layers, tilted at high angles, 
and in numerous places decomposed into a soft white kaolin. Inasmuch as these layers 
strike across the country m long, straight lines, patches of kaolin are found ranging 
themselves into similar lines. The kaolin patches are most abundant on the Wisconsin 
in the vicinity of the city of Grand Rapids, in Wood county. They vary greatly in size, 
one deposit even varying from a fraction of an inch to a number of feet in thickness. 
The kaolin varies, also, greatly in character, some .being quite impure and easily fusible 
from a large content of iron oxide or from partial decomposition only,'while much of it is very 
pure and refractory. There is no doubt, however, that a large amount of kaolin exists in this 
region, and that by selection and levigation an excellent material may be obtained, which, by 
mingling with powdered quartz, may be made to yield a fire-brick of unusual refractoriness, and 
which may even be employed in making fine porcelain ware. 

The following table gives the composition of the raw clay, the fine clay obtained from it by 
levigation, and the coarse residue from the same operation, the sample having been taken from 
the opening on the land of Mr. C. B. Garrison, section 5, town 22, range 6 east. Wood county : 





RAW CLAY. 


I.EVIGATIO.V PRODUCTS. 




RAW CLAY. 


LEVIGATION PRODUCTS 




FINE CLAY. 


COARSE 
RESIDUE. 


FINE CLAY. 


COARSE 
RESIDUE. 


Silica 


78.83 
13-43 
0.74 
p.64 
0.07 
0.37 


49-94 

36.80 

0.72 

trace 

0.51 


92.86 
2 08 
0.74 
0.96 
O.IO 

0.28 


Soda - 

Carbonic Acid 

Water 

Totals .- 


0.0,7 

O.OI 

5-45 


0.08 
11.62 


0.05 


Alumina _. - . 


Iron peroxide 

Lime .- 

Magnesia 

Potash 


2-53 


99.60 


99.67 


99.60 







Cement - Rock. 



Certain layers of the Lower Magnesian limestone, as at Ripon, and other points in the east- 
ern part of the state, are known to produce a lime which has in some degree the hydraulic 
property, and the same is true of certain layers of the Blue limestone of the Trenton group, in 
the southwestern part of the state ; the most valuable material of this kind, however, that is as yet 
known to exist in Wisconsin, is found near Milwaukee, and has become very recently somewhat 
widely known as the " Milwaukee " cement-rock. This rock belongs to the Hamilton formation, 
and is found near the Washington street bridge, at Brown Deer, on the lake shore at Whitefish 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 



171 



bay, and at other points in the immediate vicinity of Milwaukee. The quantity attainable is 
large, and a very elaborate series of tests by D. J. Whittemore, chief engineer of the Milwau- 
kee and St. Paul railroad, shows that the cement made from it exceeds all native and foreign 
cements in strength, except the famous English " Portland " cement. The following are 
three analyses of the rock from different points, and they show that it has a very constant 
composition : 





I. 


2. 


3. 


Carbonate of Lime 


45-54 
32.46 
17.56 

3.03 

100.00 


48.29 

29.19 

17.36 

1.40 

2.24 

98.68 


41.34 


Carbonate of Magnesia _ . 

Silica - 


34.88 
16.99 


Alumina 


5.00 


Iron Sesquioxide. ... . . 


1.79 






Totals 


100.00 







Limestone for Making Quick - lime. 

Quick-lime is made from all of the great limestone formations of Wisconsin, but more is 
burnt from the Lower Magnesian and Niagara formations, than from the others. The Lower 
Magnesian yields a very strong mortar, but the lime burned from it is not very white. It is burned 
largely in the region about Madison, one of the largest quarries being on the south line of section 
^^ of that town, where some 20,000 bushels are produced annually, in two kilns. The lime from 
this place has a considerable local reputation under the name of "Madison lime." The Trenton 
limestone is burned at a few points, but yields an inferior lime. The Galena is not very generally 
burned, but yields a better lime than the Trenton. In the region about Watertown and White- 
water, some 40,000 to 50,000 barrels are made annually from this formation. 

The Niagara, however, is the great lime furnisher of the northwest. From its purity it is 
adapted to the making of a most admirable lime. It is burned on a large scale at numbers of 
points in the eastern part of the state, among which may be mentioned, Pellon's kilns, Pewau- 
kee, where 12,000 barrels are made weekly and shipped to Chicago, Grand Haven, Des Moines, 
etc.; and Holick & Son's kilns, Racine, which yield 60,000 to 75,000 barrels annually. A total 
ot about 400,000 barrels is annually made from the Niagara formation in eastern Wisconsin. 



Limestone for Flux in Iron Smelting. 

The limestones of Wisconsin are rarely used as a flux, because of their prevalent magnesian 
character. The stone from Schoonmaker's quarry, near Milwaukee, is used at the Bay View 
iron works, and is one of the few cases. There are certain layers, however, in the Trenton lime- 
stone, widely spread over the southern part of the state, which are non-magnesian, and frequently 
sufficiently free from earthy impurities to be used as a flux. These layers deserve the attention 
of the iron masters of the state. 

Glass Sand. 

Much of the St. Peter's sandstone is a purely siliceous, loose, white sand, well adapted to 
the making of glass. It is now being put to this use at points in the eastern part of the state. 



172 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Peat. 

Peat exists in large quantities and of good (luality underneath the numerous marshes of the 
eastern and central parts of the state. Whether it can be utilized in the future as a fuel, will 
depend altogether upon the cost of its preparation, which will have to be very low in order that 
it may compete with superior fuels. As a fertilizer, peat has always a great value, and requires 
no ireliminary treatment. 

Building Stones. 

All the rocky formations of Wisconsin are used in building, and even the briefest synopsis 
of the subject of the building stones of the state, would exceed the hmits of this paper. A few 
of the more prominent kinds only are mentioned. 

Granite occurs in protruding masses, and also grading into gneiss, in tlie northern portions 
of the state, at numerous points. In many places on the Wisconsin, Yellow, and Black rivers, 
and especially at Big Bull Falls, Yellow river, red granites of extraordinary beauty and value 
occur. These are not yet utilized, but will in the future have a high value. 

The handsomest and most valuable sandstone found in Wisconsin, is that which extends 
along the shore of Lake Superior, from the Michigan to the Minnesota line, and which forms the 
basement rock of the Apostle islands. On one of these islands a very large quarry is opened, 
from which are taken masses of almost any size, of a very close-grained, uniform, dark brown 
stone, which has been shipped largely to Chicago and Milwaukee. At the latter place, the well 
known court house is built of this stone. An equally good stone can be obtained from the neigh- 
boring islands, and from points on the mainland. A very good white to brown, indurated sand- 
stone is obtained from the middle portions of the Potsdam series, at Stevens Point, Portage 
county; near,Grand Rapids, Wood county; at Black River Falls, Jackson county; at Packwau- 
kee, Marquette county ; near Wautoma, Waushara county ; and at several points in the Baraboo 
Valley, Sauk county. A good buff-colored, calcareous sandstone is quarried and used largely in 
the vicinity of Madison, from the uppermost layers of the Potsdam series. 

All of the limestone formations of the state are quarried for building stone. A layer known 
locally as the " Mendota" limestone, included in the upper layers of the Potsdam series, yields a 
very evenly bedded, yellow, fine-grained rock, which is largely quarried along the valley of the 
lower Wisconsin, and also in the country' about Madison. In the town of Westport, Dane 
county, a handsome, fine-grained, cream-colored limestone is obtained from the Lower Magne- 
sian. The Trenton limestone yields an evenly bedded, thin stone, which is frequently used for 
laying in wall. The Galena and Niagara are also utilized, and the latter is capable, in much of 
the eastern part of the state, of furnishing a durable, easily dressed, compact, white stone. 

In preparing this paper, I have made use of Professor Whitney's " Metallic Wealth of the 
United States," and " Report on the Geology of the Lead Region;" of the advance sheets of 
Volume II of the Reports of the State Geological Survey, including Professor T. C. Chamberlin's 
Report on the Geology of Eastern Wisconsin, my own Report on the Geology of Central Wisconsin, 
and Mr. Strong's Report on the Geology of the Lead Region ; Mr. E. T. Sweet's account of the 
mineral exhibit of the state at the Centennial Exposition; and of my unpublished reports on the 
geology of the counties bordering Lake Superior. 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 

By Hon. H. H. GILES. 

The territory of Wisconsin offered great advantages to emigrants. Explorers had published 
accounts of the wonderful fertility of its soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest openings, 
and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. Being reached from the older states by way of the lakes 
and easily accessible by a long line of lake coast, the hardships incident to weeks of land travel 
were avoided. Previous to 1836 but few settlements had been made in that part of the 
then territory of Michigan, that year organized into the territory of Wisconsin, except 
as mining camps in the southwestern part, and scattered settlers in the vicinity of the 
trading posts and military stations. From that time on, with the hope of improving their condi- 
tion, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for 
the land of promise. Germans, Scandinavians and other nationalities, attracted by the glowing 
accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world; steamers and sail-craft 
laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for 
the new Eldorado. It may be doubted if in the history of the world any country was ever peo- 
pled with the rapidity of southern and eastern Wisconsin. Its population in 1840 was 30,749; 
in 1850,304,756; in i860, 773,693; in 1870, 1,051,351; in 1875, 1,236,729. With the develop- 
ment of the agricultural resources of the new territory, grain raising became the most prominent 
interest, and as the settlements extended back from the lake shore the difficulties of transporta- 
tion of the products of the soil were seriously felt. The expense incurred in moving a load of 
produce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross 
sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used 
must also be hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. Many of our early settlers still retain 
vivid recollections of trying experiences in the Milwaukee woods and other sections bordering 
on the lake shore, from the south line of the state to Manitowoc and Sheboygan. To meet the 
great want — better facilities for transportation — a valuable . land grant was obtained from 
congress, in 1838, to aid in building a canal from Milwaukee to Rock river The company which 
was organized to construct it, built a dam across Milwaukee river and a short section of the canal ; 
then the work stopped and the plan was finally abandoned. It was early seen that to satisfy the 
requirements of the people, railroads, as the most feasable means of commuoication within 
their reach, were an indispensable necessity. 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. 

Between the years 1838 and 1841, the territorial legislature of Wisconsin chartered several 
railroad companies, but with the exception of the " Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company,'' 
incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any particular shape. The 
commissioners named in its charter met November 23, 1847, and elected a president, Dr. L. W, 
Weeks, and a secretary, A. W. Randall (afterward governor of Wisconsin). On the first Monday 
of February, 1848, they opened books of subscription. The charter of the company provided 



174 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

that $100,000 should be subscribed and five percent, thereof paid in before the company should 
fully organize as a corporation. The country was new. There were plenty of active, energetic 
men, but money to build railroads was scarce, and not until April 5, 1849, was the necessary 
subscription raised and percentage paid. A board of directors was elected on the loth day of 
May, and Byron Kilbourn chosen president. The charter had been previously amended, in 1848, 
authorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1850, 
its name was changed to the "Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company." After the company 
was fully organized, active measures were taken to push the enterprise forward to completion. 
The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit, and in 1851 the pioneer Wisconsin railroad rsached 
Waukesha, twenty miles out from Milwaukee. In the spring of 1852, Edward H. Broadhead, a 
prominent engineer, from from the state of New York, was put in charge of the work as chief 
engineer and superintendent. Under his able and energetic administration the road was pushed 
forward in 1852 to Milton, in 1853 to Stoughton, in 1854 to Madison, and in 1856 to the Mis- 
sissippi river, at Prairie du Chien. In 1851 John Catlin of Madison, was elected president 
in place of Kilbourn. 

The proposed length of this article will not admit of any detailed statement of the trials, 
struggles and triumphs of the men who projected, and finally carried across the state, from the 
lake to the river, this first Wisconsin railroad. Mitchell, Kilbourn, Holton, Tweedy, Catlin, 
Walker, Broadhead, Crocker and many others, deserve to be remembered by our people as bene- 
factors of the state. In 1859 and 1S60, the company defaulted in the payment of the interest on 
its bonds. A foreclosure was made and a new company, called the " Milwaukee & Prairie du 
Chien," took its place, succeeding to all its rights and property, 

The "Southern Wisconsin Railway Company" was chartered in 1852, and authorized to build 
a road from Milton to the Mississippi river. When the Milwaukee and Mississippi road reached 
Milton in 1852, it was not authorized by its charter to go to Janesville, but, under the charter of 
the Southern Wisconsin, a company was organized that built the eight miles to Janesville in 1853. 
Under a subsequent amendment to the charter, the Milwaukee and Mississippi company was 
authorized to build from Milton to the Mississippi river. The Janesville branch was then 
purchased and extended to Monroe, a distance of about thirty-four miles, or forty-two miles west 
of Milton. Surveys were made and a line located west of Monroe to the river. The people of 
La Fayette and Grant counties have often been encouraged to e.xpect a direct railroad communi- 
cation with the city of Milwaukee. Other and more important interests, at least so considered 
by the railroad company, have delayed the execution of the original plan, and the road through 
the counties mentioned still remains unbuilt. 

The " LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852, to construct a road 
from LaCrosse to Milwaukee. During the year in which the charter was obtained, the company 
was organized, and the first meeting of the commissioners held at LaCrosse. Among its pro- 
jectors were Byron Kilbourn and Moses M. Strong, Kilbourn was elected its first president. 
No work was done upon this line until after its consolidation with the " Milwaukee, Fond du Lac 
& Green Bay Railroad Company" in 1854. The latter company was chartered in 1853, to build a 
road from Milwaukee via West Bend to Fond du Lac and Green Bay. It organized in the spring of 
1853, and at once commenced active operations under the supervision of James Kneeland, its 
first president. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit for $200,000, and gave city bonds. The 
company secured depot grounds in Milwaukee, and did considerable grading for the first twenty- 
five miles out. Becoming embarrassed in January, 1854, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green 
Bay consolidated with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company. Work was at once resumed on 
the partially graded line. In 1855 the road was completed to Horicon, fifty miles. 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 175 

The Milwaukee & Watertown company was chartered in 1851, to build from Milwaukee to 
Watertown. It soon organized, and began the construction of its line from Brookfield, fourteen 
miles west of Milwaukee, and a point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi road leading through 
Oconomowoc to Watertown. The charter contained a provision that the company might extend 
its road by way of Portage to La Crosse. It reached Watertown in 1856, and was consolidated 
with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee road in the autumn of the same year. 

In the spring of 1856 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin, to aid in the 
building of a railroad from Madison, or Columbus, via Portage City, to the St. Croix river or 
lake, between townships 25 and 31. and from thence to the west end of Lake Superior, and to 
Bayfield. An adjourned session of the Wisconsin legislature met on September 3 of that year, 
to dispose of the grant. The disposal of this grant had been generally discussed by the press, 
and the public sentiment of the state seemed to tend toward its bestowal upon a new company. 
There is little doubt but that this was also the sentiment of a large majority of the members of 
both houses when the session commenced. When a new company was proposed a joint com- 
mittee of twenty from the senate and assembly was appointed to prepare a bill, conferring the 
grant upon a company to be created by the bill itself The work of the committee proceeded 
harmoniously until the question of who should be corporators was to be acted upon, when a 
difference of opinion was found to exist, and one that proved difficult to harmonize. In the mean- 
time the LaCrosse and Watertown companies had consolidated, and a sufficient number of the 
members of both houses were "propitiated" by " pecuniary compliments" to induce them to 
pass the bill, conferring the so called St. Croix grant upon the LaCrosse & Milwaukee railroad 
company. The vote in the assembly in the passage of the bill was, ayes 62, noes 7. In the senate 
it stood, ayes 17, noes 7. 

At the session of the legislature of 1858 a committee was raised to investigate the matter, 
and their report demonstrated that bonds were set apart for all who voted for the LaCrosse bill ; 
to members of assembly $5,000 each, and members of senate $10,000 each. A few months 
after the close of the legislative sesssion of 1856 the land grant bonds of the LaCrosse road 
became worthless. Neither the LaCrosse company nor its successors ever received any portion 
of the lands granted to the state. During the year 1857 the LaCrosse company completed its 
line of road through Portage City to LaCrosse, and its Watertown line to Columbus. 

The "Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852. Between the 
years 1855 and 1857 it built through Waupun and Ripon to Berlin, a distance of forty-two miles. 
It was, in effect, controlled by the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company, although built as a separate 
branch. This line was subsequently merged in the LaCrosse company, and is now a part of the 
northern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. 

The '■ Madison, Fond du Lac & Lake Michigan Railroad Company" was chartered in 1855, 
to build a road from Madison via Fond du Lac to Lake Michigan. In 1857 it bought of the 
LaCrosse company that portion of its road acquired by consolidation with the Milwaukee & 
Watertown company. Its name was then changed to " Milwaukee & Western Railroad Com- 
pany." It owned a line of road from Brookfield to Watertown, and branches from the latter 
place to Columbus and Sun Prairie, in all about eighty miles in length. 

In 1858 and 1859 the La Crosse & Milwaukee and the Milwaukee & Horicon companies 
defaulted in the payment of the interest on their bonded debts. In the same years the bond- 
holders of the two companies instituted foreclosure proceedings on the different trust deeds given to 
secure their bonds. Other suits to enforce the payment of their floating debts were also com- 
menced. Protracted litigation in both the state and federal courts resulted in a final settlement 
in 1868, by a decision of the supreme court of the United States. In the meantime, in 1862 and 



176 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

1863, both roads were sold, and purchased by an association of the bondholders, who organized 
the " Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company." The new company succeeded to all the rights 
of both the La Crosse and Horicon companies, and soon afterward, in 1863, purchased the 
property of the Milwaukee & Western company, thus getting control of the roads from Mil- 
waukee to La Crosse, from Horicon to Berlin, from Brookfield to Watertown, and the branches 
to Columbus and Sun Prairie. In 1864 it built from Columbus to Portage, from Brookfield to 
Milwaukee, and subsequently extended the Sun Prairie branch to Madison, in 1869. It also 
purchased the Ripon & Wolf River road, which had been built fifteen miles in length, from 
Ripon to Omro, on the Fox river, and extended it to Winneconne on the Wolf river, five miles 
farther, and twenty miles from Ripon. In 1867 the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company 
obtained control of the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien railroad. The legislature of 1857 had 
passed an act, authorizing all stock-holders in all incorporated companies to vote on shares of 
stock owned by them. The directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul company had secured a 
majority of the common stock, and, at the election of 1867, elected themselves a board of 
directors for the Prairie du Chien company. All the rights, property and interests of the 
latter company came under the ownership and control of the former. 

In 1865, Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was elected president, and S. S. Merrill general 
manager of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company. They were retained in their respective 
positions by the new organization, and still continue to hold these offices, a fact largely owing to 
the able and efficient manner that has characterized their management of the company's affairs. 
The company operates eight hundred and thirty-four miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all two 
thousand two hundred and seven miles. Its lines extend to St. Paul and Minneapolis in 
Minnesota, and to Algona in Iowa, and over the Western Union to Savanna and Rock Island 
in the State of Illinois. 

The " Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad Company" was chartered in 1866 to build a road 
from the city of Oshkosh to the Mississippi river. Its construction to Ripon in 1872 was a 
move on the part of citizens of Oshkosh to connect their town with the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
road. It is twenty miles in length and leased to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. 

In 1871 and 1872 the "Wisconsin Union Railroad Company," of which John W. Cary was 
president, built a road from Milwaukee to the state line between Wisconsin and Illinois, to 
connect with a road built from Chicago to the state line of Illinois. This new line between 
Milwaukee and Chicago was built in the interest of, and in fact by, the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
company to afford a connection between its Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota system of roads, 
and the eastern trunk lines centering in Chicago. It runs parallel with the shore of Lake 
Michigan and from three to six miles from it, and is eighty-five miles in length. 

The Chicago & Northwestern Railway. 

The territorial legislature of 1848 chartered the " Madison & Beloit Railroad Company " 
with authority to build a railroad from Beloit to Madison only. In 1850, by an act of the 
legislature, the company was authorized to extend the road to the Wisconsin river and La Crosse, 
and to a point on the Mississippi river near St. Paul, and also from Janesville to Fond du Lac. 
Its name was changed, under legislative authority, to the "Rock River Valley Union Railroad 
Company." In 1851, the line from Janesville north not being pushed as the people expected, 
the legislature of Illinois chartered the " Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad Company " with authority 
to consolidate with any road in Wisconsin. In 1855, an act of the Wisconsin legislature consoli- 
dated the Illinois and Wisconsin companies with the " Rock River Valley Union Railroad Com- 
pany," and the new organization took the name of the "Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail- 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 177 

road Company." In 1854, and previous to the consolidation, the company had failed and 
passed into the hands of the bondholders, who foreclosed and took stock for their bonds. The 
old management of A. Hyatt Smith and John B. Macy was superseded, and Wm. B. Ogden was 
made president. Chicago was all along deeply interested in reaching the rich grain fields of the 
Rock river valley, as well as the inexhaustible timber and mineral wealth of the northern part 
of Wisconsin and that part of Michigan bordering on Lake Superior, called the Peninsula. It 
also sought a connection with the upper Mississippi region, then being rapidly peopled, by a line 
of railroad to run through Madison to St. Paul, in Minnesota. Its favorite road was started froni 
Chicago on the wide (six feet) gauge, and so constructed seventy miles to Sharon on the Wis- 
consin state line. This was changed to the usual (four feet, eight and one-half inches) width, 
and the work was vigorously pushed, reaching Janesville in 1855 and Fond du Lac in 1858. The 
Rock River Valley Union railroad company had, however, built about thirty miles from Fond 
du Lac south toward Minnesota Junction before the consolidation took place. The partially 
graded line on a direct route between Janesville and Madison was abandoned. In 1852 a new 
charter had been obtained, and the " Beloit & Madison Railroad Company " had been organized 
to build a road from Beloit via Janesville to Madison. A subsequent amendment to this charter 
had left out Janesville as a point, and the Beloit branch was pushed through to Madison, reach- 
ing that city in 1864. 

The "Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company" had built a branch of the Galena 
line from Belvedere to Beloit previous to 1854. In that year, it leased the Beloit & Madison 
road, and from 1856 operated it in connection with the Milwaukee & Mississippi, reaching Janes- 
ville by way of Hanover Junction, a station on its Southern Wisconsin branch, eight miles west 
of Janesville. The consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du Lac companies was effected and approved by legislative enactment in 1855, and a new 
organization called the "Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company" took their place. 

The "Green Bay, Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company" was chartered in 1851 to build 
a road from Milwaukee to the state line of Illinois to connect with a road from Chicago, called 
the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad. Both roads were completed in 1855, and run in connection 
until 1863, when they were consolidated under the name of the "Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad 
Company." To prevent its falling into the hands of the Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & 
Northwestern secured it by perpetual lease, May 2, 1866, and it is now operated as its Chicago 
division. 

The " Kenosha & Beloit Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1853 to build a road from 
Kenosha to Beloit, and was organized soon after its chartenwas obtained. Its name was after- 
ward changed to the " Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island Railroad Company," and its route 
changed to run to Rockford instead of Beloit. The line starts at Kenosha, and runs through the 
county of Kenosha and crosses the state line near the village of Genoa in the county of Wal- 
worth, a distance of thirty miles in the state of Wisconsin, and there connects with a' road in 
Illinois running to Rockford, and with which it consolidated. Kenosha and its citizens were the 
principal subscribers to its capital stock. The company issued its bonds, secured by the usual 
mortgage on its franchises and property. Failing to pay its interest, the mortgage was foreclosed, 
and the road was sold to the Chicago & Northwestern company in 1863, and is now operated by 
it as the Kenosha division. The line was constructed from Kenosha to Genoa in 1862. 

The "Northwestern Union Railway Company " was organized in 1872, under the general rail. 
road law of the state, to build a line of road from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, with a branch to 
Lodi. The road was constructed during the years 1872 and 1873 from Milwaukee to Fond du 
Lac. The Chicago & Northwestern company were principally interested in its being built, to 



178 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

shorten its line between Chicago and Green Bay, and now uses it as its main through line between 
the two points. 

The " Baraboo Air-Line Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1870,10 build a road from 
Madison, Columbus, or Waterloo via Baraboo, to La Crosse, or any point on the Mississippi 
river. It organized in the interest of the Chicago & Northwestern, with which company it con- 
solidated, and the work of building a connecting line between Madison and Winona Junction 
was vigorously pushed forward. Lodi was reached in 1870, Baraboo in 187 1, and Winona Junc- 
tion in 1874. The ridges between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with 
much difficulty. In 1874 the company reported an expenditure for its three tunnels of 
$476,743.32, and for the 129 i-io miles between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169.96, 
and a large expenditure yet required to be made on it. In 1867 the Chicago & Northwestern 
company bought of D. N. Barney & Co. their interest in the Winona & St. Peters railway, a line 
being built westerly from Winona in Minnesota, and of which one hundred and five miles had 
been built. It also bought of the same parties their interest in the La Crosse, Trempealeau & 
Prescott railway, a line being built from Winona Junction, three miles east of La Crosse, to 
Winona, Minn. The latter line was put in operation in 1870, and is twenty-nine miles long. 
With the completion of its Madison branch to Winona junction, in 1873, it had in operation a 
line from Chicago, via Madison and Winona, to Lake Kampeska, Minn., a distance of six hundred 
and twenty-three miles. 

In the year 1856 a valuable grant of land was made by congress to the state of Wisconsin 
to aid in the construction of railroads. The Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac company claimed 
that the grant was obtained through its efforts, and that of right it should have the northeastern 
grant, so-called. At the adjourned session of the legislature of 1856, a contest over the dispo- 
sition of the grant resulted in conferring it upon the " Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company," 
a corporation chartered for the express purpose of giving it this grant. It was generally believed 
at the time that the new company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du Lac company, and at the subsequent session, in the following year, it was authorized to 
consolidate with the new company, which it did in the spring of that year, and thus obtained the 
grant of 3,840 acres per mile along its entire line, from Fond du Lac northerly to the state line 
between Wisconsin and Michigan. It extended its road to Oshkosh in 1859, to Appleton in 
1861, and in 1862 to Fort Howard, forming a line two hundred and forty-two miles long. The 
line from Fort Howard to Escanaba, one hundred and fourteen miles long, was opened in Decem- 
ber, 1872, and made a connection with the peninsular railroad of Michigan. It now became a part 
of tlie Chicago & Northwestern, extending from Escanaba to the iron mines, and thence to 
Lake Superior at Marquette. Albert Keep, of Chicago, is president, and Marvin Hughitt, a 
gentleman of great railroad experience, is general superintendent. The company operates five 
hundred and sixty-seven miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all sixteen hundred and sixteen miles. 
Its lines extend into five different states. Over these lines its equipment is run in common, or 
transferred from place to place, as the changes in business may temporarily require. 

Wisconsin Central Railroad. 

The " Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company " was incorporated in 1S70, to build a road 
from Milwaukee to some point on the Fox river below Winnebago lake, and thence to Lake 
Superior, with branches. It completed its road to Menasha, one hundred and two miles from 
Milwaukee, with a branch from Hilbert to Green Bay, twenty-seven miles, in 1873, and in that 
vear leased its line to the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company," which is still operating it. In 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 179 

1864 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of a rail- 
road from Berlin, Doty's Island, Fond du Lac, or Portage, by way of Stevens Point, to Bayfield 
or Superior, granting the odd sections within ten miles on each side of the line, with an indem- 
nity limit of twenty miles on each side. The legislature of 1865 failed to dispose of this grant, 
but that of 1866 provided for the organization of two companies, one to build from Portage City 
by way of Berlin to Stevens Point, and the other from Menasha to the same point, and then 
jointly to Bayfield and Lake Superior. The former was called the " Winnebago and Lake Superior 
Railroad Company," and the latter the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company." In i86g an act 
was^^assed consolidating the two companies, which was done under the name of the " Portage, 
Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company." In 1871 the name of the company was changed to 
the "Wisconsin Central Railroad Company." The Winnebago & Lake Superior company was 
organized under Hon. George Reed as president, and at once commenced the construction of its 
line of road between Menasha and Stevens Point. In 1871 the Wisconsin Central consolidated 
with the " Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad Company." The articles of consolidation provided 
that Gardner Colby, a director of the latter company, should be president, and that George Reed, 
a director of the former, should be vice president of the new organization; with a further provision 
that Gardner Colby, George Reed, and Elijah B. Phillips should be and remain its executive 
committee. 

In 1-871, an act was passed incorporating the " Phillips and Colby Construction Company," 
which created E. B. Phillips, C. L. Colby, Henry Pratt, and such others as they might associate 
with them, a body corporate, with authority to build railroads and do all manner of things relat- 
ing to railroad construction and operation. Under this act the construction company contracted 
with the Wisconsin Central railroad company, to build its line of road from Menasha to Lake 
Superior. In November, 1873, the Wisconsin Central leased of the Milwaukee & Northern com- 
pany its line of road extending from Schwartzburg to Menasha, and the branch to Green Bay, for 
the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and also acquired the rights of the latter com- 
pany to use the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company between Schwartzburg and 
Milwaukee, and to depot facilities in Milwaukee. The construction of the land grant portion 
of this important Hue of road was commenced in 1871, and it was completed to Stevens Point in 
November of that year. It was built from Stevens Point north one hundred miles to Worcester 
in 1S72. During 1872 and 1873, it was built from Ashland south to the Penoka iron ridge, a dis- 
tance of thirty miles. The straight line between Portage City and Stevens Point, authorized by 
an act of the legislature of 1875, was constructed between October i, 1875, and October, 1876, 
seven ly-one miles in length. The gap of forty-two miles between Worcester and Penoka iron 
ridge was closed in June, 1877. E. B. Phillips, of Milwaukee, is president and general manager. 
This line of road passes through a section of our state hitherto unsettled. It has been pushed 
through with energy, and opened up for settlement an immense region of heavily timbered land, 
and thus contributed to the growth and prosperity of the state. 

The Western Union Railroad. 

The " Racine, Janesville & Mississippi Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852,10 build 
a road from Racine to Beloit, and was organized the same year. The city of Racine issued its 
bonds for ||3oo,ooo in payment for that amount of stock. The towns of Racine, Elkhorn, Dele- 
van and Beloit gave 11190,000, and issued their bonds, and farmers along the line made liberal 
subscriptions and secured the same by mortgages on their farms. The road was built lo Burling- 
ton in 1855, to Delavan early in 1856, and to Beloit, sixty-eight miles from Racine, during the 
same year. Failing to meet the interest on its bonds and its floating indebtedness, it was sur- 



180 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIK. 

rendered by the company to the bond-holders in 1859, who completed it to Freeport during that 
year, and afterward built to the Mississippi river at Savannah, and thence to Rock Island. The 
bond-holders purchased and sold the road in 1866, and a new organization was had as the " West- 
ern Union Railroad Company," and it has sinee been operated under that name. In 1869, it 
bu'ilt a line from Elkhorn to Eagle, seventeen miles, and thus made a connection with Milwau- 
kee over the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. The latter company owns a controlling 
interest it its line. Alexander Mitchell is the president of the company, and D. A. Olin, 
general superintendent. 

West Wisconsin Railroad. 

The lands granted by congress in 1856 to aid in the construction of a railroad in Wisconsin, 
from Tomah to Superior and Bayfield, were disposed of as mentioned under the history of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. The La Crosse company, as we have seen, prevailed in 
the legislature of 1856, and secured legislation favorable to its interests; but it failed to build the 
line of road provided for, and forfeited its right to lands granted. In 1863, the " Tomah & Lake 
St. Croix Railroad Company " was incorporated, with authority to construct a railroad from some 
point in the town of Tomah in Monroe county, to sucli point on Lake St. Croix, between town- 
ships 25 and 31 as the directors might determine. To the company, by the act creating it, was 
granted all the interest and estate of this state, to so much of the lands granted by the United 
States to the state of Wisconsin, known as the St. Croix grant, as lay between Tomah and Lake 
St. Croix. A few months after its organization, the company passed substantially into the hands 
of D. A. Baldwin and Jacob Humbird, who afterward built a line of road from Tomah, jv'a Black 
River Falls, and Eau Claire to Hudson, on Lake St. Croix, one hundred and seventy-eight miles. 
Its name was afterward changed to the "West Wisconsin Railroad Company." In 1873, it built 
its road from Warren's Mills via Camp Douglass, on the St. Paul road to Elroy, and took up its 
track from the first-named place, twelve miles, to Tomah. A law-suit resulted, which went against 
the railroad company, and the matter was finally compromised by the payment of a sum of money 
by the company to the town of Tomah. The road was built through a new and sparsely settled 
country, and its earnings have not been sufficient to enrich its stock-holders. It connects at 
Camp Douglass with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, and at Elroy with the Chicago & 
Northwestern railway company's line, which gives the latter a through line to St. Paul. It is 
operated in connection with the Chicago & Northwestern railway, and managed in its interest. 
It is now in the hands of Wm. H. Ferry, of Chicago, as receiver; H. H. Potter, of Chicago, as 
president'; and E. W. Winter, of Hudson, superintendent. 

The Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway. 

In 1870, the "Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad Company" was chartered to 
build a road from Milwaukee to Green Bay by way of Manitowoc. It built its line from Mil- 
waukee to Manitowoc in 1873, when its name was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & West- 
ern Railroad Company." Under a decree of foreclosure, it was sold Dec. 10, 1875, and its name 
was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company," by which name it is 
still known. 

In 1866, the " Appleton & New London Railroad Company" was incorporated to build a 
road from Appleton to New London, and thence to Lake Superior. A subsequent amendment 
to its charter authorized it to extend its road to Manitowoc. It built most of the line from 
Appleton to that city, and then, under legislative authority, sold this extension to the Milwau- 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 181 

kee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company. The last-named company extended it to New 
London, on the Wolf river, twenty-one miles, in 1876, where it connects with the Green Bay & 
Minnesota road. It now operates one hundred and forty-six miles of road, extending from Mil- 
waukee to New London, passing through Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Appleton, which includes 
a branch line six miles in length from Mr.nitowoc to Two Rivers. F. W. Rhinelander, of New 
York, is its president, and H. G. H. Reed, of Milwaukee, superintendent. 

The Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad. 

The line of road operated by this company extends from Fort Howard to the Mississippi 
river, opposite Winona, Minnesota. It is two hundred and sixteen miles in length, and was 
built through a sparsely settled and heavily timbered section of the state. It began under most 
discouraging circumstances, yet was pushed through by the energy of a few men at Green Bay 
and along its line. It was originally chartered in 1866 as the "Green Bay & Lake Pepin Rail- 
road Company " to build a road from the mouth of the Fox river near Green Bay to the Missis- 
sippi river opposite Winona. But little was done except the making of preliminary surveys in 
1870. During 1870 and 187 1, forty miles were constructed and put in operation. In 1872, one 
hundred and fourteen miles were graded, the track laid, and the river reached, sixty-two miles 
farther, in 1873. In 1876, it acquired the right to use the " Winona cut-off " between Winona 
and Onalaska, and built a line from the latter point to La Crosse, seven miles, thus connecting its 
road with the chief city of Wisconsin on the Mississippi river. The city of La Crosse aided this 
extension by subscribing $75,000 and giving its corporation bonds for that amount. Henry 
Ketchum, of New London, is president of the company, and D. M. Kelly, of Green Bay, gen- 
eral manager. 

Wisconsin Valley Road. 

The " Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1871 to build a road from 
a point on or near the line of the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad, between Kilbourn City and 
the tunnel in said road to the village of Wausau, in the county of Marathon, and the road to pass 
not more than one mile west of the village of Grand Rapids, in the county of Wood. The road 
was commenced at Tomah, and graded to Centralia in 1872, and opened to that village in 1873, 
and during 1874 it was completed to Wausau, ninety miles in its whole length Boston capitalists 
furnished the money, and it is controlled in the interest of the Dubuque & Minnesota railroad, 
through which the equipment was procured. The lumber regions of the Wisconsin river find an 
outlet over it, and its junction with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road at Tomah enables 
a connection with the railroads of Iowa and Minnesota. It gives the people of Marathon county 
an outlet long needed for a large lumber traffic, and also enables them to receive their goods and 
supplies of various kinds for the lumbering region tributary to Wausau. James F. Joy, of 
Detroit, is president, and F. O. Wyatt, superintendent. 

Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad. 

The " Sheboygan & Mississippi Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1S52, to build a 
road from Sheboygan to the Mississippi river. It was completed from Slieboygan to Plymouth 
in 1858, tu Glenbeulah in 1S60, to Fond du Lac in 1868, and to Princeton in 1872. The extension 
from Fond du Lac to Princeton was built under authority of an act passed in 1S71. 

Under a foreclosure in 1861 the line from Sheboygan to Fonddu Lac was sold, and the name 
of the company changed to "Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad Company." The length of 



182 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

the line is seventy-eight miles, and it passes through a fertile agricultural country. The city of 
Sheboygan, county, city and town of Fond du Lac, and the towns of Riverdale, Ripon, Brooklyn, 
Princeton, and St. Marie, aided in its building to an amount exceeding $250,000. D. L. Wells 
is president, and Geo. P. Lee, superindendent. 

The Mineral Point Railroad. 

The " Mineral Point Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852, to build a road from Mineral 
Point, in the county of Iowa, to the state line, in township number one, in either the county of 
Green or La Fayette. It was completed to Warren, in the state of Illinois, thirty-two miles, in 

1855, making a connection at that point with the Illinois Central, running from Chicago to Galena. 
Iowa county loaned its credit and issued its bonds to aid in its construction. It was sold under 
foreclosure in 1856. Suits were brought against Iowa county to collect the amount of its bonds, 
and judgment obtained in the federal courts. Much litigation has been had, and ill feeling 
engendered, the supervisors of the county having been arrested for contempt of the decree of 
the court. Geo. W. Cobb, of Mineral Point, is the general manager. 

The Dubuque, Platteville & Milwaukee railroad was completed in July, 1S70, and extends 
from Calamine, a point on the Mineral Point railroad, to the village of Platteville, eighteen miles, 
and is operated by the Mineral Point railroad company 

Madison & Portacf. Railroad. 

The legislature of 1855 chartered the "Sugar River Valley Railroad Company" to build a road 
from a point on the north side of the line of the Southern Wisconsin road, within the limits of 
Green county, to Dayton, on the Sugar river. In 1857 it was authorized to build south to the state 
line, and make its northern terminus at Madison. In 1861 it was authorized to build from Madi- 
son to Portage City, and from Columbus to Portage City, and so much of the land grant act of 

1856, as related to the building of the road from Madison, and from Columbus to Portage City, 
was annulled and repealed, and the rights and privileges that were conferred upon the LaCrosse 
company were given to the Sugar River Valley railroad company, and the portion of the land 
grant, applicable to the lines mentioned, was conferred upon the last named company. Lender 
this legislation about twenty miles of the line between Madison and Portage were graded, and 
the right of way secured for about thirty of the thirty-nine miles. The LaCrosse company had 
done considerable grading before its right was annulled. In 1866 the company was relieved 
from constructing the road from Columbus to Portage City. In 1870 the purchasers of that part 
of the Sugar River Valley railroad lying between Madison and Portage City were incorporated 
as the " Madison & Portage Railroad Company," and to share all the rights, grants, etc., that 
were conferred upon the Sugar River railroad company by its charter, and amendments thereto, 
so far as related to that portion of the line. 

Previous to this time, in 1864 and 1865, judgments had been obtained against the Sugar 
River Valley company ; and its right of way, grading and depot grounds sold for a small sum. 
James Campbell, who had been a contractor with the Sugar River Valley company, witli others, 
became the purchasers, and organized under the act of 1870, and, during the year 1871, com- 
pleted it between Madison and Portage City, and in March, 1871, leased it to the Milwaukee & 
St. Paul company, and it is still operated by that corporation. In 187 1 the Madison & Portage 
company was authorized to extend its road south to the Illinois state line, and north from 
Portage City to Lake Winnebago. The same year it was consolidated with the " Rockford Central 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 183 

Railroad Company," of Illinois, and its name changed to the "Chicago & Superior Railroad 

Company," but still retains its own organization. The Madison & Portage railroad company 

claims a share in the lands granted by acts of congress in 1856, and have commenced proceed- 
ings to assert its claim, which case is still pending in the federal courts. 

North Wisconsin Railroad. 

The "North Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1869, to build a road from 
Lake St. Croix, or river, to Bayfield on Lake Superior. The grant of land by congress in 1856, to 
aid in building a road from Lake St. Croi.x to Bayfield on Lake Superior, under the decision of 
the federal court, was yet at the disposal of the state. This company, in 187 1, built a short 
section of its line of road, with the expectation of receiving the grant. In 1873, the grant was 
conferred upon the Milwaukee & St. Paul company, but under the terms and restrictions con- 
tained in the act, it declined to accept it. The legislature of 1874 gave it to the North Wiscon- 
sin company, and it has built forty miles of its road, and received the lands pertaining thereto. 
Since 1876, it has not completed any part of its line, but is trying to construct twenty miles 
during the present year. The company is authorized to construct a road both to Superior and 
to Bayfield, but the act granting the lands confers that portion from Superior to the intersection 
of the line to Bayfield upon the Chicago & North Pacific air-line railroad. This last- named 
company have projected a_ line from Chicago to the west end of Lake Superior, and are the 
owners of an old grade made through Walworth and Jefferson counties, by a company chartered 
in 1853 as the " Wisconsin Central," to build a road from Portage City to Geneva, in the county 
of Walworth. The latter company had also graded its line between Geneva and the state line 
of Illinois. This grade was afterward appropriated by the Chicago & Northwestern, and over it 
they now operate their line from Chicago to Geneva. 

Prairie du Chien & McGregor Railroad. 

This is a line two miles in length, connecting Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, with McGregor 
in Iowa. It is owned and operated by John Lawler, of the latter-named place. It extends across 
both channels of the Mississippi river, and an intervening island. The railroad bridge consists 
of substantial piling, e.xcept a pontoon draw across each navigable channel. Each pontoon is four 
hundred feet long and thirty feet wide, provided with suitable machinery and operated by steam 
power. Mr. Lawler has secured a patent on his invention of the pontoon draw for railroad 
bridges. His line was put in operation in April, 1874. 

The Chippewa Falls & Western Railroad. 

This road was built in 1874, by a company organized under the general law of the state. It 
is eleven miles in length, and connects the " Falls " with the West Wisconsin line at Eau Claire. 
It was constructed by the energetic business men and capitalists of Chippewa Falls, to afford an 
outlet for the great lumber and other interests of that thriving and prosperous city. The road 
is substantially built, and the track laid with steel rails. 

Narrow Gauge Railroads. 

The " Galena & Southern Wisconsin Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1857. Under 
Us charter, a number of capitalists of the city of Galena, in the state of Illinois, commenced 



18 i HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". 

the construction of a narrow (three feet) gauge road, running from that city to Platteville, thirty- 
one miles in length, twenty miles in Wisconsin. It runs through a part of La Fayette county to 
Platteville, in Grant county, and was completed to the latter [loint in 1875. Surveys are being 
made for an extension to Wingville, in Grant county. 

The "Fond dii Lac, .Vmboy & Peoria Railway Company " was organized under the general 
law of the state, in 1S74, to build a narrow gauge road from the city of Fond du Lac to the south 
line of the state in the county of Walworth or Rock, and it declared its intention to consolidate 
with a company in Illinois that had projected a line of railroad from Peoria, in Illinois, to the south 
line of the state of Wisconsin. The road is constructed and in operation from Fond du Lac to 
Iron Ridge, a point on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, twenty-nine miles from Fond 
du Lac. 

The " Pine River & Steven's Point Railroad Company " was > rganized by the enterprising 
citizens of Richland Center, and has built a narrow gauge road from Lone Rock, a point on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, in Richland county, to Richland Center, sixteen miles in 
length. Its track is laid with wooden rails, and it is operated successfully. 

The '■ Chicago & Tomah Railroad Company " organized under the general railroad law of 
the state, in 1872, to construct a narrow gauge road from Chicago, in Illinois, to the city of 
Tomah, in Wisconsin. Its president and active manager is D. R. Williams, of Clermont, Iowa, 
and its secretary is L. M. Culver, of Wauzeka. It has graded about forty-five miles, extending 
from Wauzeka up the valley of the Kickapoo river, in Crawford county, Wisconsin. It expects 
to have fifty-four miles in operation, to Bloomingdale, in Vernon county, the present year (1877). 
The rolling stock is guaranteed, and the president is negotiating for the purchase of the iron. 
South of Wauzeka the line is located to Belmont, in Iowa county. At Wauzeka it will connect 
with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. 

The public-spirited citizens of Necedah, in Juneau county, have organized under the general 
law of the state, and graded a road-bed from their village to New Lisbon, on the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul company's line. The latter company furnish and lay the iron, and will 
operate the road. It is thirteen miles in length. 

Conclusion. 

The railroads of Wisconsin have grown up under the requirements of the several localities 
that have planned and commenced their construction, and without regard to any general 
system. Frequently the work of construction was begun before adequate means were provided, 
and bankruptcy overtook the roads in their early stages. The consolidation of the various 
companies, as in the cases of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern, 
and others, has been effected to give through lines and the public greater facilities, as well as to 
introduce economy in management. At times the people have become apprehensive, and by legisla- 
tive action prohibited railroads from consolidating, and have sought to control and break down 
the power of these corporations and to harmonize the interests of the companies and the 
public. The act of 1874, called the "Potter law," was the assertion, by the legislative power of 
the state, of its right to control corporations created by itself, and limit the rates at which freight 
and passengers should be carried. After a long and expensive contest, carried through the state 
and federal courts, this right has been established, being finally settled by the decision of the 
supreme court of the United States. 

Quite all the railroads of Wisconsin have been built with foreign capital. The plan pursued 
after an organization was effected, was to obtain stock subscriptions from those immediately 



LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 185 

interested in the enterprise, procure the aid of counties and municipalities, and then allure the 
farmers, with the prospect of joint ownership in railroads, to subscribe for stock and mortgage 
their farms to secure the payment of their subscriptions. Then the whole line was bonded and 
a mortgage executed. The bonds and mortgages thus obtained, were taken to the money 
centers of New York. London, Amsterdam and other places, and sold, or hypothecated to 
obtain the money with which to prosecute the work. The bonds and mortgages were made to 
draw a high rate of interest, and the earnings of these new roads, through unsettled localities, 
were insufficient to pay more than running and incidental expenses, and frequently fell short of 
that. Default occurring in the payment of interest, the mortgages were foreclosed and the 
property passed into the hands and under the control of foreign capitalists. Such has been the 
history of most of the railroads of our state. The total number of farm mortgages given has 
been 3,785, amounting to $4,079,433 ; town, county and municipal bonds, amounting to 
$6,910,652. The total cost of all the railroads in the state, as given by the railroad commissioner 
in his report for 1876, has been $98,343,453.67. This vast sum is, no doubt, greatly in excess of 
what the cost should have been, but the roads have proved of immense benefit in the develop- 
ment of the material resources of the state. 

Other lines are needed through sections not yet traversed by the iron steed, and present 
lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions upo.i which great issues were raised 
between the railway corporations and the people, are now happily settled by securing to the latter 
their rights ; and the former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers, 
are assured of the s»fety of their investments. An era of good feeling has succeeded one of 
distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads, and the railroads depend upon the 
people for sustenance and protection. This mutuality of interest, when fully recognized on both 
sides, will result in giving to capital a fair return and to labor its just reward. 



LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 

By W. B. JUDSON. 

Foremost among the industries of Wisconsin is that of manufacturing lumber. Very much 
of the importance to which the state has attained is due to the development of its forest wealth. 
In America, agriculture always has been, and always will be, the primary and most important 
interest; but no nation can subsist upon agriculture alone. VVhile the broad prairies of Illinois 
and Iowa are rich with a fertile and productive soil, the hills and valleys of northern Wisconsin 
are clothed with a wealth of timber that has given birth to a great manufacturing interest, which 
employs millions of capital and thousands of men, and has peopled the northern wilds with 
energetic, prosperous communities, built up enterprising cities, and crossed the state with a net- 
work of railways which furnish outlets for its productions and inlets for the new populations 
which are ever seeking for homes and employment nearer to the setting sun. 

If a line be drawn upon the state map, from Green Bay westward through Stevens Point, 
to where it would naturally strike the Mississippi river, it will be below the southern boundary of 
the pine timber regions, with the single exception of the district drained by the Yellow river, a 
tributary of the Wisconsin, drawing its timber chiefly from Wood and Juneau counties. The 
territory north of this imaginary line covers an area a little greater than one half of the state. 
The pine timbered land is found in belts or ridges, interspersed with prairie openings, patches 
of hardwood and hemlock, and drained by numerous water-courses. No less than seven large 



186 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

rivers traverse this northern section, and, with their numerous tributaries, penetrate every county, 
affording facilities for floating the logs to the mills, and, in many instances, the power to cut them 
into lumber. This does not include the St. Croix, which forms the greater portion of the 
boundary line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, by means of its tributaries, draws the most 
and best of its pine from the former state. These streams divide the territory, as far as lumbering 
is concerned, into six separate and distinct districts : The Green bay shore, which includes the 
Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers, with a number of creeks 
which flow into the bay between the mouths of the Oconto and Fox rivers; the Wolf river 
district; the \Visconsin river, including the Yellow, as before mentioned ; the Black river; the 
Chippewa and Red Cedar; and the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix. 

Beginning with the oldest of these, the Green bay shore, a brief description of each will be 
attempted. The first saw-mill built in the state, of which there is now any knowledge, was put in 
operation in 1809, in Brown county, two or three miles east from Depere, on a little stream which 
was known as East river. It was built by Jacob Franks, but probably was a very small affair. 
Of its machinery or capacity for sawing, no history has been recorded, and it is not within the 
memory of any inhabitant of to-day. In 1829, John P. Arndt, of Green Bay, built a water- 
power mill on the Pensaukee river at a point where the town of Big Suamico now stands. In 
1834, a mill was built on the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, and, two years later, one at 
Peshtigo. Lumber was first shipped to market from this district in 1834, which must be termed 
the beginning of lumbering operations on the bay shore. The lands drained by the streams 
which flow into Green bay are located in Shawano and Oconto counties, the latter being the 
largest in the state. In 1847, Willard Lamb, of Green Bay, made the first sawed pine shingles in 
that district ; they were sold to the Galena railroad company for use on depot buildings, and 
were the first of the kind sold in Chicago. Subsequently Green Bay became one of the greatest 
points for the manufacture of such shingles in the world. The shores of the bay are low, and 
gradually change from marsh to swamp, then to level dry land, and finally become broken and 
mountainous to the northward. The pine is in dense groves that crowd closely upon the swamps 
skirting the bay, and reach far back among the hills of the interior. The Peshtigo flows into the 
bay about ten miles south of the Menomonee, and takes its rise far back in Oconto county, near 
to the latter's southern tributaries. It is counted a good logging stream, its annual product 
being from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 feet. The timber is of a rather coarse quality, running but 
a small percentage to what the lumbermen term "uppers." About ten per cent, is what is 
known as Norway pine. Of the whole amount of timber tributary to the Peshtigo, probably 
about one third has been cut off to this date. The remainder will not average of as good quality, 
and only a limited portion of the land is of any value for agricultural purposes after being cleared 
of the pine. There are only two mills on this stream, both being owned by one company. The 
Oconto is one of the most important streams in the district. The first saw-mill was built 
on its banks about the year 1840, though the first lumbering operations of any account were 
begun in 1845 by David Jones. The business was conducted quite moderately until 1856, 
in which year several mills were built, and from that date Oconto has been known as quite 
an extensive lumber manufacturing point. The timber tributary to this stream has been of 
the best quality found in the state. Lumber cut from it has been known to yield the 
extraordinarily high average of fifty and sixty per cent, uppers. The timber now being cut 
will not average more than half that. The proportion of Norway is about five per cent. It is 
estimated that from three fourths to four fifths of the timber tributary to the Oconto has been 
cut away, but it will require a much longer time to convert the balance into lumber than was 
necessary to cut its equivalent in amount, owing to its remote location. The annual production 



LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 187 

of pine lumber at Oconto is from 50,000,000 to 65,000,000 feet. The whole production of the 
district, e.xclusive of the timber which is put into the Menomonee from Wisconsin, is about 
140,000,000 feet annually. 

The Wolf river and its tributaries constitute the next district, proceeding westward. The 
first saw logs cut on this stream for commercial purposes were floated to the government mill at 
Neenah in 1835. In 1842, Samuel Farnsworth erected the first saw-mill on the upper Wolf 
near the location of the present village of Shawano, and in the following spring he sent the first 
raft of lumber down the Wolf to Oshkosh. This river also rises in Oconto county, but flows in 
a southerly direction, and enters Winnebago lake at Oshkosh. Its pineries have been very exten- 
sive, but the drain upon them within the past decade has told with greater effect than upon any 
other district in the state. The quality of the timber is very fine, and the land is considered good 
for agricultural purposes, and is being occupied upon the lines of the different railways which 
cross it. The upper waters of the Wolf are rapid, and have a comparatively steady flow, which 
renders it a very good stream for driving logs. Upon the upper river, the land is quite rolling, 
and about the head-waters is almost mountainous. The pine timber that remains in this dis- 
trict is high up on the main river and branches, and will last but a few years longer. A few years 
ago the annual product amounted to upward of 250,000,000 feet; in 1876 it was 138,000,000, 
The principal manufacturing points are Oshkosh and Fond du Lac ; the former has 21 mills, and 
the latter 10. 

Next comes the Wisconsin, the longest and most crooked river in the state. It rises in the 
extreme northern sections, and its general course is southerly until, at Portage City, it makes a 
grand sweep to the westward and unites with the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. It has numer- 
ous tributaries, and, together with these, drains a larger area of country than any other river in 
the state. Its waters flow swiftly and over numerous rapids and embryo falls, which renders log- 
driving and raft-running very difficult and even hazardous. The timber is generally near the 
banks of the main stream and its tributaries, gradually diminishing in extent as it recedes from 
them and giving place to the several varieties of hard-woods. The extent to which operations 
have been carried on necessitates going further up the stream for available timber, although there 
is yet what may be termed an abundant supply. The first cutting of lumber on this stream, of 
which there is any record, was by government soldiers, in 1828, at the building of Fort Winne- 
bago. In 1831, a mill was built at Whitney's rapids, below Point Bass, in what was then Indian 
territory. By 1840, mills were in operation as high up as Big Bull falls, and Wausau had a 
population of 350 souls. Up to 1876, the product of the upper Wisconsin was all sent in rafts 
to markets on the Mississippi. The river above Point Bass is a series of rapids and eddies ; the 
current flows at the rate of from 10 to 20 miles an hour, and it can well be imagined that the 
task of piloting a raft from Wausau to the dells was no slight one. The cost of that kind of 
transportation in the early times was actually equal to the present market price of the lumber. 
With a good stage of water, the length of time required to run a raft to St. Louis was 24 days, 
though quite frequently, owing to inability to get out of the Wisconsin on one rise of water, sev- 
eral weeks were consumed. The amount of lumber manufactured annually on this river is from 
140,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet. 

Black river is much shorter and smaller than the Wisconsin, but has long been known as a 
very important lumbering stream. It is next to the oldest lumber district in the state. The 
first saw-mill west of Green Bay was built at Black River Falls in 18 19 by Col. John Shaw. 
The Winnebago tribe of Indians, however, in whose territory he was, objected to the innovation 
of such a fine art, and unceremoniously off'ered up the mill upon the altar of their outraged 



188 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

solitude. The owner abruptly quitted that portion of the country. In 1839 another attempt 
to establish a mill on Black river was more successfully made. One was erected at the same 
point by two brothers by the name of Wood, the millwright being Jacob Spaulding, who 
eventually became its possessor. His son, Mr. Dudley J. Spaulding, is now a very extensive 
operator upon Black river. La Crosse is the chief manufacturing point, there being ten saw-mills 
located there. The annual production of the stream ranges from 150,000,000 to 225,000,000 feet 
of logs, less than 100,000,000 feet being manufactured into lumber on its banks. The balance 
is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. It is a very capricious river to float logs in, which 
necessitates the carrying over from year to year of a very large amount, variously estimated at 
from 150,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet, about equal to an entire season's product. This makes the 
business more hazardous than on many other streams, as the loss from depreciation is very great 
after the first year. The quality of the timber is fine, and good prices are realized for it when 
sold within a year after being cut. 

The Chippewa district probably contains the largest and finest body of white pine timber 
now standing, tributary to any one stream, on the continent. It has been claimed, though with 
more extravagance than truth, that the Chippewa pineries hold one-half the timber supply of 
the state. The river itself is a large one, and has many tributaries, which penetrate the rich 
pine district in all directions. The character of the tributary country is not unlike that through 
which the Wisconsin flows. In 1828 the first mill was built in the Chippewa valley, on Wilson's 
creek, near its confluence with the Red Cedar. Its site is now occupied by the village of Meno- 
nionee. In 1837 another was built on what is the present site of the Union Lumbering Company's 
mill at Chippewa Falls. It was not until near 1865 that the Chippewa became very prominent as a 
lumber-making stream. Since that date it has been counted as one of the foremost in the north- 
west. Upon the river proper there are twenty-two saw-mills, none having a capacity of less than 
3,500,000 feet per season, and a number being capable of sawing from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000 
The annual production of sawed lumber is from 250,000,000 to 300,000,000 feet; the production 
of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet. In 1867 the mill-owners upon the Mississippi, 
between Winona and Keokuk, organized a corporation known as the Beef Slough Manufactur- 
ing, Log-Driving and Transportation Company. Its object was to facilitate the handling of logs 
cut upon the Chippewa and its tributaries, designed for the Mississippi mills. At the confluence 
of the two rivers Various improvements were made, constituting the Beef Slough boom, which is 
capable of assorting 200,000,000 feet of logs per season. The Chippewa is the most difficult 
stream in the northwest upon which to operate. In the spring season it is turbulent and 
ungovernable, and in summer, almost destitute of water. About its head are numerous lakes 
which easily overflow under the influence of rain, and as their surplus water flows into the 
Chippewa, its rises are sudden and sometimes damaging in their extent. The river in many 
places flows between high bluffs, and, under the influence of a freshet, becomes a wild and 
unmanageable torrent. Logs have never been floated in rafts, as upon other streams, but are 
turned in loose, and are carried down with each successive rise, in a jumbled and confused mass, 
which entails much labor and loss in the work of assorting an 1 delivering to the respective 
owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Company, 
in 1872, the work of securing the stock after putting it into the river was more difficult than to 
cut and haul it. At the cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, where most of the mills are 
located, the current, under the influence of high water, is very rapid, and for years the problem 
was, how to stop and retain the logs, as they would go by in great masses and with almost resist- 
less velocity. In 1847 is recorded one of the most sudden and disastrous floods in the history 
of log-running streams. In the month of June the Chippewa rose twelve feet in a single night, 



LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 189 

and, in the disastrous torrent that was created, piers, booms, or " pockets " for holding logs at the 
mills, together with a fine new mill, were swept away, and the country below where Eau Claire 
now stands was covered with drift-wood, saw-logs, and other debris. Such occurrences led to 
the invention of the since famous sheer boom, which is a device placed in the river opposite 
the mill boom into which it is desired to turn the logs. The sheer boom is thrown diagonally 
across the river, automatically, the action of the current upon a number of ingeniously arranged 
"fins " holding it in position. By this means the logs are sheered into the receptacle until it is 
filled, when the sheer boom, by closing up the " fins" with a windlass, falls back and allows the 
logs to go on for the next mill to stop and capture its pocket full in like manner. By this 
method each mill could obtain a stock, but a great difficulty was e.xperienced from the fact that 
the supply was composed of logs cut and owned by everybody operating on the river, and the 
process of balancing accounts according to the " marks," at the close of the season, has been 
one prolific of trouble and legal entanglements. The building of improvements at Eagle 
Rapids by the company above mentioned remedied the difficulty to some extent, but the process 
of logging will always be a difficult and hazardous enterprise until adequate means for holding 
and assorting the entire log product are provided. Upon the Yellow and Eau Claire rivers, two 
important branches of the Chippewa, such difficulties are avoided by suitable improvements. 
The entire lumber product of the Chippewa, with the exception of that consumed locally, is 
floated in rafts to markets upon the Mississippi, between its mouth and St. Louis. The quality 
of the timber is good, and commands the best market price in the sections where it seeks 
market. 

West of the Chippewa district the streams and timber are tributary to the St. Croix, and in 
all statistical calculations the entire product of that river is credited to Minnesota, the same as 
that of the Menomonee is given to Michigan, when in fact about one half of each belongs to 
Wisconsin. The important branches of the St. Croix belonging in this state are the Apple 
Clam, Yellow, Namekogan, Totagatic and Eau Claire. The sections of country through which 
they flow contain large bodies of very fine pine timber. The St. Croix has long been noted for 
the excellence of its dimension timber. Of this stock a portion is cut into lumber at Stillwater, 
and marketed by rail, and the balance is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. 

Such is a brief and somewhat crude description of the main lumbering districts of the state. 
Aside from these, quite extensive operations are conducted upon various railway lines which 
penetrate the forests which are remote from log-running streams. In almost every county in 
the state, mills of greater or less capacity may be found cutting up pine or hard-woods into 
lumber, shingles, or cooperage stock. Most important, in a lumbering point of view, of all the 
railroads, is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior, 
a distance of 351 miles, with a line to Green Bay, 113 miles, and one from Stevens Point to 
Portage, 71 miles, making a total length of road, of 449 miles. It has only been completed to 
Ashland within the last two years. From Milwaukee to Stevens Point it passes around to the 
east and north of Lake Winnebago, through an excellent hard-wood section. There are many 
stave mills in operation upon and tributary to its line, together with wooden-ware establishments 
and various manufactories requiring either hard or soft limber as raw material. From Stevens 
Point northward, this road passes through and has tributary to it one of the finest bodies of tim- 
ber in the state. It crosses the upper waters of Black river and the Flambeau, one of the main 
tributaries of the Chippewa. From 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 feet of lumber is annually manu- 
factured on its line, above Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Valley railroad extends from Tomah 
to Wausau, and was built to afford an outlet, by rail, for the lumber produced at the latter point. 

The extent of the timber supply in this state has been a matter of much speculation, and 



190 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees can not be counted or 
measured until reduced to saw-logs or lumber. It is certain that for twenty years the 
forests of Wisconsin have yielded large amounts of valuable timber, and no fears are 
entertained by holders of pine lands that the present generation of owners will witness 
an exhaustion of their supply. In some sections it is estimated that the destruction to 
the standing timber by fires, which periodically sweep over large sections, is greater than 
by the axes of the loggers. The necessity for a state system of forestry, for the protection of 
the forests from fires, has been urged by many, and with excellent reason ; for no natural resource 
of the state is of more value and importance than its wealth of timber. According to an esti- 
mate recently made by a good authority, and which received the sanction of many interested 
parties, there was standing in the state in 1876, an amount of pine timber approximating 
35,000,000,000 feet. 

The annual production of lumber in the districts herein described, and from logs floated out 
of the state to mills on the Mississippi, is about 1,200,000,000 feet. The following table gives 
the mill capacity per season, and the lumber and shingles manufactured in 1876 : 



DISTRICT. 



Green Bay Shore -- 

Wolf River .- 

Wisconsin Central Railroad 

Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad 

Wisconsin River , 

Black River — 

Chippewa River — - - 

Mississippi River — using Wisconsin logs. 



Total . 



SEASON 
CAPACITY. 



2o6,000,COO 

25S,5o._>,ooo 
72,500000 
34,500,000 
222,000,000 
101,000,000 
311,000,000 
509,000,000 



1,714,500,000 



LUMBER 

MANUF.\CTURED 

I.N 1876. 



138,250,000 

138,645,077 

31,530,000 

17,700.000 

139,700,000 

70852,747 

255,866,999 

380,067,000 



1,172,611,823 



SHINGLES 

MANUFACTURED 

IN 1876. 



85,400,000 
123,192,000 
132,700,000 

10,700,000 
106.250,000 

37,675,000 

79,250,000 
206,977,000 



782,144,000 



If to the above is added the production of mills outside of the main districts and lines of rail- 
way herein described, the amount of pine lumber annually produced from Wisconsin forests would 
reach 1,500,000,000 feet. Of the hard-wood production no authentic information is obtainable 
To cut the logs and place them upon the banks of the streams, ready for floating to the mills, 
requires the labor of about 18,000 men. Allowing that, upon an average, each man has a family 
of two persons besides himself, dependent upon his labor for support, it would be apparent that 
the first step in the work of manufacturing lumber gives employment and support to 54,000 
persons. To convert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber, requires the consumption of 1,200 
bushels of oats, 9 barrels of pork and beef, 10 tons of hay, 40 barrels of flour, and the use of 2 
pairs of horses. Thus the fitting out of the logging companies each fall makes a market for 
1,800,000 bushels of oats, 13,500 barrels of pork and beef, 15,000 tons of hay, and 60,000 barrels 
of flour. Before the lumber is sent to market, fully $6,000,000 is expended for the labor 
employed in producing it. This industry, aside from furnishing the farmer of the west with the 
cheapest and best of materials for constructing his buildings, also furnishes a very important 
market for the products of his farm. 

The question of the exhaustion of the pine timber supply has met with much discussion 
during the past few years, and, so far as the forests of Wisconsin are concerned, deserves a brief 
notice. The great source of supply of white pine timber in the country is that portion of the 
northwest between the shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the Mississippi, comprising the 



LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 191 

northern portions of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. For a quarter of a 
century these fields have been worked by lumbermen, the amount of the yearly production 
having increased annually until it reached the enormous figure of 4,000,000,000 feet. With all 
of this tremendous drain upon the forests, there can be pointed out but one or two sections that 
are actually exhausted. There are, however, two or three where the end can be seen and the 
date almost foretold. The pineries of Wisconsin have been drawn upon for a less period and 
less amount than those of Michigan, and, it is generally conceded, will outlast them at the present 
proportionate rate of cutting. There are many owners of pine timber lands who laugh at the 
prospect of exhausting their timber, within their lifetime. As time brings them nearer to the end, 
the labor of procuring the logs, by reason of the distance of the timber from the water-courses, 
will increase, and the work will progress more slowly. 

In the future of this industry there is much promise. Wisconsin is the natural source of 
supply for a very large territory. The populous prairies of Illinois and Iowa are near-by and 
unfailing markets. The broad plains of Kansas and the rich valleys of Nebraska, which are still in 
the cradle of development, will make great drafts upon her forests for the material to construct cities 
in which the first corner-stone is yet unlaid. Minnesota, notwithstanding the fact that large 
forests exist within her own confines, is even now no mean customer for Wisconsin lumber, and 
the ambitious territory of Dakota will soon clamor for material to build up a great and wealthy 
state. In the inevitable progress of development and growth which must characterize the great 
west, the demand for pine lumber for building material will be a prominent feature. With the 
growth of time, changes will occur in the methods of reducing the forests. With the increasing 
demand and enhancing values will come improvements in manipulating the raw material, and a 
stricter economy will be preserved in the handling of a commodity which the passage of time 
only makes more valuable. Wisconsin will become the home of manufactories, which will 
convert her trees into finished articles of daily consumption, giving employment to thousands of 
artisans where it now requires hundreds, and bringing back millions of revenue where is now 
realized thousands. Like all other commodities, lumber becomes more valuable as' skilled labor 
is employed in its manipulation, and the greater the extent to Which this is carried, the greater is 
the growth in prosperity, of the state and its people. 



BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 

By JOHN P. McGregor. 

Wisconsin was organized as a territory in 1836, and the same year several acts were passed 
by the territorial legislature, incorporating banks of issue. Of these, one at Green Bay and 
another at Mineral Point went into operation just in time to play their part in the great panic 
of 1837. The bank at Green Bay soon failed and left its bills unredeemed. The bank at 
Mineral Point is said to have struggled a little longer, but both these concerns were short lived, 
and their issues were but a drop in the great flood of worthless wild-cat bank notes that spread 
over the whole western country in that disastrous time. The sufferings of the people of Wis- 
consin, from this cause, left a vivid impression on their minds, which manifested its results in the 
legislation of the territory and in the constitution of the state adopted in 1848. So jealous were 
the legislatures of the territory, of banks and all their works, that, in every act of incorporatior 
for any purpose, a clause was inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained should be 



192 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

taken to authorize the corporation to assume or exercise any banking powers; and this proviso 
was even added to acts incorporating church societies. For some years there can hardly be said 
to have been a ly banking business done in the territory ; merchants and business men were left 
to their own devices to make their exchanges, and every man was his own banker. 

In the year 1839 an act was passed incorporating the " Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance 
Company," of Milwaukee. This charter conferred on the corporation, in addition to the usual 
powers of a fire and marine insurance company, the privilege of receiving deposits, issuing certifi- 
cates 0/ deposit 3.n(\ lending money, — and wound up with the usual prohibition from doing a 
banking business. This company commenced business at once under the management of George 
Smith as president and Alexander Mitchell as secretary. The receiving deposits, issuing certifi- 
cates of deposit and lending money, soon outgrew and overshadowed the insurance branch of the 
institution, which accordingly gradually dried up. In fact, the certificates of deposit had all the 
appearance of ordinary bank notes, and served the purposes of an excellent currency, being 
always promptly redeemed in coin on demand. Gradually these issues attained a great 
circulation all through the west, as the people gained more and more confidence in the honesty 
and ability of the managers ; and though " runs " were several times made, yet being successfully 
met, the public finally settled down into the belief that these bills were good beyond question, so 
that the amount in circulation at one time, is said, on good authority, to have been over 
$2,000,000. 

As the general government required specie to be paid for all lands bought of it, the Wis- 
consin Marine and Fire Insurance company, by redemption of its " certificates of deposit," 
furnished a large part of the coin needed for use at the Milwaukee land office, and more or less 
for purchases at land offices in other parts of the state, and its issues were of course much in 
request for this purpose. For many years this institution furnished the main banking facilities 
for the business men of the territory and young state, in the way of discounts and exchanges. 
Its right to carry on the operations it was engaged in, under its somewhat dubious and incon- 
sistent charter, was often questioned, and, in 1852, under the administration of Governor Farwell, 
some steps were taken to test the matter; but as the general banking law had then been passed 
by the legislature, and was about to be submitted to the people, and as it was understood that the 
comiiany 'vonid organize as a bank under the law, if approved, the legal proceedings were not 
pressed. While this corporation played so important a part in the financial history and commer- 
cial development of Wisconsin, the writer is not aware of any available statistics as to the 
amount of business transacted by it before it became merged in the "Wisconsin Marine and 
Fire Insurance Company's Bank." 

In 1847, the foundation of the present well-known firm of Marshall & Ilsley was laid by 
Samuel Marshall, who, in that year, opened a private banking office in Milwaukee, and was joined 
in 1849 by Charles F. Ilsley. This concern has always held a prominent position among the 
banking institutions of our state. About this time, at Mineral Point, Washburn & Woodman 
(C. C. Washburn and Cyrus Woodman) engaged in private banking, as a part of their business. 
After some years they were succeeded by Wm. T. Henry, who still continues the banking office. 
Among the early private bankers of the state were Mr. Kellogg, of Oshkosh ; Ulmann and Bell, of 
Racine ; and T. C. Shove, of Manitowoc. The latter still continues his business, while that of 
the other firms has 1 een wound up or merged in organized banks. 

In 1848, Wisconsin adopted a state constitution. This constitution prohibited the legislature 
from incorporating banks and from conferring banking powers on any corporation; but provided 
the question of "banks or no banks " might be submitted to a vote of the electors, and, if the 
decision should be in favor of banks, then the legislature might charter banks or might enact a 



BANKING IX WISCONSIN. 198 

general banking law, but no such special charter or general banking law should have any force 
until submitted to the electors at a general election, and approved by a majority of votes cast on 
that subject. In 185 i, the legislature submitted this question to the people, and a majority of 
the votes were cast in favor of " banks." Accordingly the legislature, in 1852, made a general 
banking law, which was submitted to the electors in November of that year, and was approved 
by them. This law was very similar to the free banking law of the state of New York, which 
had then been in force about fifteen years, and was generally approved in that state. Our law 
authorized any number of individuals to form a corporate association for banking purposes, and 
its main provisions were intended to provide security for the circulating notes, by deposit of state 
and United States stocks or bonds with the state treasurer, so that the bill holders should sustain 
no loss in case of the failure of the banks. Provision was made for a bank comptroller, whose 
main duty it was to see that countersigned circulating notes were issued to banks only in proper 
amounts for the securities deposited, and upon compliance with the law, and that the banks kept 
these securities good. 

The first bank comptroller was James S. Baker, who was appointed by Governor Farwell. 

The first banks organized under the new law were the " State Bank," established at Madi- 
Bon by Marshall & Ilsley, and the "Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank," 
established at Milwaukee under the old management of that company. These banks both went 
intooperation early in January, 1853, and, later in that year, the " State Bank of Wisconsin " (now 
Milwaukee National Bank of Wisconsin), and the " Farmers' and Millers' Bank " (now First 
National Bank of Milwaukee), were established, followed in January, 1854, by the "Bank of Mil- 
waukee " (now National Exchange Bank of Milwaukee). From this time forward banks were 
rapidly established at different points through the state, until in July, 1857, they numbered sixty 
— with aggregate capital, ^,205,000; deposits, $3,920,238; and circulation, $2,231,829. In 
October, the great revulsion and panic of 1857 came on, and in its course and effects tried pretty 
severely the new banks in Wisconsin. Some of them succumbed to the pressure, but most of 
them stood the trial well. 

The great source of loss and weakness at that time was found in the rapid decline of the 
market value of the securities deposited to protect circulation, which were mostly state bonds, 
and largely those of the southern states; so that this security, when it came to be tried, did not 
prove entirely sufficient. Another fault of the system, or of the practice under it, was developed 
at this time. It was found that many of the banks had been set up without actual working capi- 
tal, merely for the purpose of issuing circulating notes, and were located at distant and inaccessible 
points in what was then the great northern wilderness of the state ; so that it was expensive and 
in fact impracticable to present their issues for redemption. While these evils and their rem- 
edies were a good deal discussed among bankers, the losses and inconveniences to the people 
were not yet great enough to lead to the adoption of thorough and complete measures of reform. 
The effect of these difficulties, however, was to bring the bankers of the state into the habit of 
consulting and acting together in cases of emergency, the first bankers' convention having been 
held in 1857. This was followed by others from time to time, and it would be difficult to over- 
value the great good that has resulted, at several important crises from the hara onious and con- 
servative action of the bankers of our state. Partly, at least, upon their recommendations the 
legislature, in 1858, adopted amendments to the banking law, providing that no bank should be 
located in a township containing less than two hundred inhabitants; and that the comptroller 
should not issue circulating notes, except to banks doing a regular discount deposit and exchange 
business in some inhabited town, village, city, or where the ordinary business of inhabited towns, 
villages and cities was carried on. These amendments were approved by the people at the fall 



194 HISTORY f)F WISCONSIN. 

election of that year. 

Banking matters now ran along pretty smoothly until the election in i860, of the republican 
presidential ticket, and the consequent agitation in the southern states threatening civil war, the 
effects of which were speedily felt; first, in the great depreciation of the bonds of the southern 
states, and then in a less decline in those of the northern states. At this time (taking the state- 
ment of July, i860,) the number of banks was 104, with aggregate capital, $6,547,000; circula- 
tion, $4,075,918; deposits, $3,230,252. 

During the winter following, there was a great deal of uneasiness in regard to our state cur- 
rency, and CO itinuous demand upon our banks for the redemption of their circulating notes in 
coin. Many banks of the wild-cat sort failed to redeem their notes, which became depreciated 
and uncurrent ; and, when the rebellion came to a head by the firing on Fort Sumter, the banking 
interests of the state were threatened with destruction by compulsory winding up and enforced 
sale at the panic prices then prevailing, of the securities deposited to secure circulation. Under 
these circumstances, on the 17th of April, 1S61, the legislature passed "an act to protect the 
holders of the circulating notes of the authorized banks of the state of Wisconsin." As the 
banking' law could not be amended except by approval of the electors, by vote at a general 
election, a practical suspension of specie payment had to be effected by indirect methods. So 
this act first directed the bank comptroller to suspend all action toward banks for failing to 
redeem their circulation. Secondly, it prohibited notaries public from protesting bills of banks 
until Dec i, 1861. Thirdly, it gave banks until that date to answer complaints in any proceed- 
ing to compel specie payment of circulating notes. This same legislature also amended the 
banking law, to cure defects that had been developed in it. These amendments were intended 
lo facilitate the presentation and protest of circulating notes, and the winding up of banks 
failing to redeem them, and provided that the liank comptroller should not issue circulating notes 
except to banks having actual cash capital ; on which point he was to take evidence in all cases ; 
that after Dec. i, 1861, all banks of the state should redeem their issues either at Madison or 
Milwaukee, and no bonds or stocks should be received as security for circulation except those of 
the United States and of the state of Wisconsin. 

Specie payment of bank bills was then practically suspended, in our state, from April 17 to 
December i, 1861, and there was no longer any plain practical test for determining which were 
good, and which not. In this condition of things, bankers met in convention, and, after discus- 
sion and inquiry as to the condition and resources of the different banks, put forth a list of those 
whose issues were to be considered current and bankable. But things grew worse, and it was 
evident that the list contained banks that would never be able to redeem their circulation, and 
the issues of such were from time to time thrown out and discredited without any concert of 
action, so that the uneasiness of people in regard to the financial situation was greatly increased. 
The bankers finally met, gave the banks another sifting, and put forth a list of seventy banks 
whose circulating notes they pledged themselves to receive, and pay out as current, until Decem- 
ber I. There had been so many changes that this pledge was thought necessary to allay the 
apprehensions of the public. But matters still grew worse instead of better. Some of the 
banks in the " current " list closed their doors to their depositors, and others were evidently 
unsotind, and their circulation so insufficiently secured as to make it certain that it would never 
be redeemed. There was more or less sorting of the currency, both by banks and business men, 
all over the state, in the endeavor to keep the best and pay out the poorest. In this state of 
things, some of the Milwaukee banks, without concert of action, and acting under the apprehen- 
sion of being loaded up with the very worst of the currency, which, it was feared, the country 
banks and mercliants were sorting out and sending to Milwaukee, revised the list again, and 



BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 195 

threw out ten of the seventy banks whose issues it had been agreed should be received as 
current. Other banks and bankers were compelled to take the same course to protect them- 
selves. The consequence was a great disturbance of the public mind, and violent charges of 
bad faith on the part of the banks, which culminated in the bank riots of June 24, 1861. On 
that day, a crowd of several hundred disorderly people, starting out most probably only with the 
idea of making some sort of demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the action of the banks 
and bankers and with the failure to keep faith with the public, marched through the streets with 
a band of music, and brought up at the corner of Michigan and East Water streets. 

The banks had just sufficient notice of these proceedings to enable them to lock up their 
money and valuables in their vaults, before the storm broke upon them. The mob halted at the 
place above mentioned, and for a time contented themselves with hooting, and showed no dispo- 
sition to proceed to violence; but, after a little while, a stone was thrown through the windows 
of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank, situated at one corner of the 
above streets, and volley . of stones soon followed, not only against that bank, but also against 
the State Bank of Wisconsin, situated on the opposite corner. The windows of both these 
institutions and of the offices in the basements under them were effectually demolished. 
The mob then made a rus-h into these banks and offices, and completely gutted them, offering 
more or less violence to the inmates, though no person was seriously hurt. The broken furni- 
ture of the offices under the State Bank of Wisconsin was piled up, and the torch was applied 
by some of the rioters, while others were busy in endeavoring to break into the safes of the offices 
and the vaults of the banks. The debris of the furniture in the office of the Wisconsin Marine 
and Fire Insurance < Company's Bank, was also set on fire, and it was plain that if the mob was 
not immediately checked, the city would be given up to conflagration and pillage — -the worst 
elements, as is always the case with mobs, having assumed the leadership. Just at that juncture, 
the Milwaukee zouaves, a small military company, appeared on the scene, and with the help of 
the firemen who had been called out, the mob was put to flight, and the incipient fire was extin- 
guished. 

The damage so far done was not great in amount, and the danger for the moment was over; 
but the situation was still grave, as the city was full of threats, disturbance and apprehension. 
By the prompt action of the authorities, a number of companies of volunteers were brought from 
different places in the state, order was preserved, and, after muttering for three or four days, the 
storm died away. The effect of that disturbance and alarm was, however, to bring home to the 
bankers and business men the conviction that effectual measures must be taken to settle our 
state currency matters on a sound and permanent basis, and that the issues of all banks that 
could not be put in shape to meet specie payment in December, must be retired from circulation 
and be got out of the way. A meeting of the bankers was held ; also of the merchants' association 
of Milwaukee, and arrangements were made to raise $100,000, by these two bodies, to be used in 
assisting weak and crippled banks in securing or retiring their circulation. The bankers 
appointed a committee to take the matter in charge. 

It happened that just at this time Governor Randall and State Treasurer Hastings returned 
from New York City, where they had been making unsuccessful efforts to dispose of $800,000 of 
Wisconsin war bonds, which had been issued to raise funds to fit out Wisconsin volunteers. 

Our state had never had any bonds on the eastern market. For other reasons, our 
Credit was not high in New York, and it had been found impossible to dispose of these bonds for 
Over sixty cents on the dollar. The state officers conferred with the bankers to see what could 
be done at home ; and it was finally arranged that the bankers' committee should undertake to 
get the state banks to dispose of their southern and other depreciated state bonds on deposit to 



196 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

secure circulation, for what they would bring in coin, in New York, and replace these bonds with 
those of our own state, .which were to be taken by our banks nominally at par — seventy per cent, 
being paid in cash, and the different banks purchasing bonds, giving their individual obligation 
for the thirty per cent, balance, to be paid in semi-annual installments, with an agreement that the 
state should deduct these installments from the interest so long as these bonds should remain on 
deposit with the state. By the terms of the law, sixty per cent, of the proceeds of the bonds had to 
be paid in coin. The bankers' committee went to work, and with some labor and difficulty 
induced most of the banks to sell their southern securities at the existing low prices in New 
York, and thus produce the coin required to pay for our state bonds. From the funds provided 
by the merchants and bankers, they assisted many of the weaker banks to make good their 
securities with the banking department of the state. By the 19th of July, six of the ten rejected 
banks that had been the occasion of the riot, were made good, and restored to the list. The 
other four were wound up, and their issues redeemed at par, and, before the last of August, the 
value of the securities of all the banks on the current list were brought up to their circulation, 
as shown by the comptroller's report. 

Wisconsin currency at the time of the bank riot was at a discount of about 15 per cent., as 
compared with gold or New York exchange. At the middle of July the discount was 10 to 12 
per cent., and early in August it fell to 5 per cent. The bankers' committee continued their 
work in preparation for the resumption of specie payment on December i. While the securities 
for the bank circulation had been made good, it was, nevertheless, evident that many of the 
banks on the current list would not be equal to the continued redemption of their bills in specie, 
and that they would have to be wound up and got out of the way in season. Authority was got 
from such institutions, as fast as possible, for the bankers' committee to retire their circulation 
and sell their securities. The Milwaukee banks and bankers took upon themselves the great 
burden of this business, having arranged among themselves to sort out and withhold from cir- 
culation the bills of these banks, — distributing the load among themselves in certain defined 
proportions. Instead of paying out these doubted bills, the different banks brought to the bank- 
ers' committee such amounts as they accumulated from time to time, and received from the 
committee certificates of deposit bearing seven per cent, interest, and these bills were locked up 
by the committee until the securities for these notes could be sold and the proceeds realized. 
Over $400,000 of this sort of paper was locked up by the committee at one time ; but it was all 
converted into cash, and, when the first of December came, the remaining banks of this state 
were ready to redeem their issues in gold or its equivalent, and so continued to redeem until the 
issue of the legal-tender notes and the general suspension of specie payment in the United 
States. 

In July, 1861, the number of our banks was 107, with capital, $4,607,000; circulation, 
$2>3i7>9o7; deposits, $3,265,069. 

By the contraction incident to the preparations for redemption in specie, the amount of cur- 
rent Wisconsin bank notes outstanding December i, i86r, was reduced to about $1,500,000. 
When that day came, there was quite a disposition manifested to convert AVisconsin currency 
into coin, and a sharp financial pinch was felt for a few days ; but as the public became satisfied 
that the banks were prepared to meet the demand, the call for redemption rapidly fell off, and 
the banks soon began to expand their circulation, which was now current and in good demand 
all through the northwestern states. The amount saved to all the interests of our state, by this 
successful effort to save our banking system from destruction, is beyond computation. From 
this time our banks ran along (juietly until prohibitory taxation by act of congress drove the bills 
of state banks out of circulation. 



BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 197 

The national banking law was passed in 1S63, and a few banks were soon organized under 
it in different parts of the country. The first in Wisconsin was formed by the re-organization of 
the Farmers' and Millers' Bank, in August, 1S63, as the First National Bank of Milwaukee, 
with Edward D. Holton as president, and H. H. Camp, cashier. The growth of the new system, 
however, was not very rapid ; the state banks were slow to avail themselves of the privileges of 
the national banking act, and the central authorities concluded to compel them to come in ; so 
facilities were offered for their re-organization as national banks, and then a tax of ten per cent, 
was laid upon the issues of the state banks. This ta.x was imposed by act of March, 1865, and 
at once caused a commotion in our state. In July, 1864, the number of Wisconsin state banks 
was si.\ty-si.\, with capital §3,147,000, circulation $2,461,728, deposits §5,483, 205, and these 
figures were probably not very different in the spring of 1S65. The securities for the circulating 
notes were in great part the bonds of our own state, which, while known by our own people to 
be good beyond question, had never been on the general markets of the country so as to be cur- 
rently known there; and it was feared that in the hurried retirement of our circulation these 
lionds would be sacrificed, the currency depreciated, and great loss brought upon our banks and 
people. There was some excitement, and a general call for the redemption of our state circula- 
tion, but the banks mostly met the run well, and our people were disposed to stand by our own 
state bonds. 

In April, 1861, the legislature passed laws, calling in the mortgage loans of the school fund, 
and directing its investment in these securities. The state treasurer was required to receive 
Wisconsin bank notes, not only for taxes and debts due the state, but also on deposit, and to 
issue certificates for such deposits bearing seven per cent, interest. By these and like means 
the threatened panic was stopped ; and in the course of a few months Wisconsin state currency 
was nearly all withdrawn from circulation. In July, 1865, the number of state banks was 
twenty-six, with capital $1,087,000, circulation $192,323, deposits $2,284,210. Under the 
pressure put on by congress, the organization of national banks, and especially the re-organiza- 
tion of state banks, under the national system, was proceeding rapidly, and in a short time nearly 
every town in our own state of much size or importance was provided with one or more of these 
institutions. 

In the great panic of 1873, all the Wisconsin banks, both state and national (in common 
with those of the whole country), were severely tried; but the failures were few and unimpor- 
tant; and Wisconsin went through that ordeal with less loss and disturbance than almost any 
other state. 

We have seen that the history of banking in Wisconsin covers a stormy period, in which 
great disturbances and panics have occurred at intervals of a few years. It is to be hoped that 
a more peaceful epoch will succeed, but permanent quiet and prosperity can not rationally be 
expected in the present unsettled condition of our currency, nor until we have gone through the 
temporarj- stringency incidental to the resumption of specie payment. 

According to the last report of the comptroller of the currency, the number of national 
banks in AVisconsin in November, 1S76, was forty, with capital $3,400,000, deposits $7,145,360, 
circulation $2,072,869. 

At this time (July, 1877) the number of state banks is twenty-six, with capital $1,288,231, 
deposits $6,662,973. Their circulation is, of course, merely nominal, though there is no legal 
obstacle to their issuing circulating notes, except the tax imposed by congress. 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 

By Hon. H. H. GILES. 

The material philosophy of a people has to do with the practical and useful. It sees in 
iron, coal, cotton, wool, grain and the trees of the forest, the elements of personal comfort and 
sources of material greatness, and is applied to their development, production and fabrication for 
purposes of exchange, interchange and sale. The early immigrants to Wisconsin territory found 
a land teeming with unsurpassed natural advantages; prairies, timber, water and minerals, invit- 
ing the farmer, miner and lumberman, to come and build houses, furnaces, mills and factories. 
The first settlers were a food-producing people. The prairies and openings were ready for the 
plow. The ease with which farms were brought under cultivation, readily enabled the pioneer 
to supply the food necessary for himself and family, while a surplus was often produced in a few 
months. The hardships so often encountered in the settlement of a new country, where forests 
must be felled and stumps removed to prepare the soil for tillage, were scarcely known, or greatly 
mitigated. 

During the decade from 1835 to 1845, so great were the demands for the products of the 
soil, created by the tide of emigration, that the settlers found a home market for all their surplus 
products, and so easily were crops grown that, within a very brief time after the first emigration, 
but little was required from abroad. The commerce of the country was carried on by the 
exchange of products. The settlers (they could scarcely be called farmers) would exchange 
their wheat, corn, oats and pork for the goods, wares and fabrics of the village merchant. It 
was an age of barter ; but they looked at the capabilities of the land they had come to possess, 
and, with firm faith, saw bright promises of better days in the building up of a great state. 

It is not designed to trace with minuteness the history of Wisconsin through the growth of 
its commercial and manufacturing interests. To do it justice would require a volume. The 
aim of this article will be to present a concise view of its present status. Allusion will only be 
incidentally made to stages of growth and progress by which it has been reached. 

Few states in the Union possess within their borders so many, and in such abundance, 
elements that contribute to the material prosperity of a people. Its soil of unsurpassed 
fertility ; its inexhaustible mines of lead, copper, zinc and iron ; its almost boundless forests ; 
its water-powers, sufficient to drive the machinery of the world ; its long lines of lake shore on 
two sides, and the " Father of waters " on another, — need but enterprise, energj' and capital to 
utilize them in building an empire of wealth, where the hum of varied^industries shall be heard 
in the music of the sickle, the loom and the anvil. 

The growth of manufacturing industries was slow during the first twenty-five years of our 
history. The early settlers were poor. Frequently the land they tilled was pledged to obtain 
means ty pay for it. Capitalists obtained from twenty to thirty per cent, per annum for the use 
of their money. Indeed, it was the rule, under the free-trade ideas of the money-lenders for 
them to play the Shy lock. While investments in bonds and mortgages were so profitable, few 
were ready to improve the natural advantages the country presented for building factories and 
work-shops. 



COMMERCE AND MANITFACTURES. 193 

For many years, quite all the implements used in farming were brought from outside the 
state. While this is the case at present to some extent with the more cumbersome farm 
machinery, quite a proportion of that and most of the simpler and lighter implements are made 
at home, while much farm machinery is now manufactured for export to other states. 

Furs. 

The northwest was visited and explored by French voyageurs and missionaries from Canada 
at an early day. The object of the former was trading and gain. The Jesuits, ever zealous in 
the propagation of their religion, went forth into the unknown wilderness to convert the natives 
to their faith. As early as 1624, they were operating about Lake Huron and Mackinaw. Father 
Menard it is related, was with the Indians on Lake Superior as early as 1661. The early 
explorers were of two classes, and were stimulated by two widely different motives — the voyag- 
eurs, by the love of gain, and the missionaries, by their zeal in the propagation of their faith. 
Previous to 1679, a considerable trade in furs had sprung up with Indian tribes in the vicinity of 
Mackinaw and the northern part of " Ouisconsin." In that year more than two hundred canoes, 
laden with furs, passed Mackinaw, bound for Montreal. The whole commerce of this vast region 
then traversed, was carried on with birch-bark canoes. The French used them in traversing 
wilds — otherwise inaccessible by reason of floods of water at one season, and ice and snow at 
another — also lakes and morasses which interrupted land journeys, and rapids and cataracts 
that cut off communication by water. This little vessel enabled them to overcome all difficulties. 
Being buoyant, it rode the waves, although heavily freighted, and, of light draft, it permitted the 
traversing of small streams. Its weight was so light that it could be easily carried from one 
stream to another, and around rapids and other obstructions. With this little vessel, the fur 
trade of the northwest was carried on, as well as the interior of a vast continent explored. 
Under the stimulus of commercial enterprise, the French traders penetrated the recesses ot the 
immense forests whose streams were the home of the beaver, the otter and the mink, and in 
whose depths were found the martin, sable, ermine, and other fur-bearing animals. .\ vast trade 
in furs sprung up, and was carried on by different agents, under authority of the French 
government. 

When the military possession of the northwestern domain passed from the government of 
France to that of Great Britain in 1760, the relationship of the fur trade to the government 
changed. The government of France had controlled the traffic, and made it a means of strength- 
ening its hold upon the country it possessed. The policy of Great Britain was, to charter 
companies, and grant them exclusive privileges. The Hudson bay company had grown rich and 
powerful between 1670 and 1760. Its success had excited the 'cupidity of capitalists, and rival 
organizations were formed. The business of the company had been done at their trading-stations 
— the natives bringing in their furs for exchange and barter. Other companies sent their 
voyageurs into every nook and corner to traffic with the trappers, and even to catch the fur-bear- 
ing animals themselves. In the progress of time, private parties engaged in trapping and dealing 
in furs, and, under the competition created, the business became less' profitable. In 1815. 
congress passed an act prohibiting foreigners from dealing in furs in the United States, or any 
of its territories. This action was obtained through the influence of John Jacob Astor. Mr. 
Astor organized the American fur company in 1809, and afterward, in connection with the North- 
west company, bought out the Mackinaw company, and the two were merged in the Southwest 
company. The association was suspended by the war of 1812. The American re-entered the 
field in 1816. The fur trade is still an important branch of traffic in the northern part of the 
state, and, during eight months of the year, employs a large number of men. 



200 



HI.STORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Lead and Zinc. 

In 1824, the lead ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention. 
From 1826 to 1830, there was a great rush of miners to this region, somewhat like the Pike's 
Peak excitement at a later date. The lead-producing region of Wisconsin covers an area of 
about 2,200 square miles, and embraces parts of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette counties. Between 
1829 and 1839, the production of lead increased from 5,000 to ro,ooo tons. After the latter 
year it rose rapidly, and attained its maximum in 1845, when it reached nearly 25,000 tons. 
Since that time the production has decreased, although still carried on to a considerable extent. 

The sulphate and carbonate of zinc abound in great quantities with the lead of southwest 
Wisconsin. Owing to the difficulty of working this class of ores, it was formerly allowed to 
accumulate about the mouths of the mines. Within a few years past, metallurgic processes 
have been so greatly improved, that the zinc ores have been largely utilized. At La Salle, in the 
state of Illinois, there are three establishments for smelting zinc ores. There is also one at Peru, 
111. To smelt zinc ores economically, they are taken where cheap fuel is available. Hence, the 
location of these works in the vicinity of coal mines. The works mentioned made in 1875, 
from ores mostly taken from Wisconsin, 7,510 tons of zinc. These metals are, therefore, impor- 
tant elements in the commerce of Wisconsin. 

Iron. 

The iron ores of Wisconsin occur in immense beds in several localities, and are destined to 
prove of great value. From their product in 1S63, there were 3,735 tons of pig iron received at 
Milwaukee; in 1865, 4,785 tons; in 1868, 10,890 tons. Of the latter amount, 4,648 tons were 
from the iron mines at Mayville. There were shipped from Milwaukee, in 186S, 6,361 tons of 
pig iron. There were also received 2,500 tons of ore from the Dodge county ore beds. During 
1S69, the ore beds at Iron Ridge were developed to a considerable extent, and two large blast 
furnaces constructed in Milwaukee, at which place there were 4,695 tons of ore received, and 
2,059 tons were shipped to Chicago and Wyandotte. In 1870, 112,060 tons of iron ore were 
received at Milwaukee, 95,000 tons of which were from Iron Ridge, and 17,060 tons from Esca- 
naba and Marquette, in Michigan. The total product of the mines at Iron Ridge in 187 1 was 
82,284 tons. The Milwaukee iron company received by lake, in the same year, 28,094 tons of 
Marquette iron ore to mix with the former in making railroad iron. In 1872, there were receivea 
from Iron Ridge 85,245 tons of ore, and 5,620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal made by the 
Wisconsin iron company in 1S72 was shipped to St. I-ouis, to mix with the iron made from 
Missouri ore. 

The following table shows the production of pig iron in Wisconsin, for 1872, 1873 and 1874, 
in tons : 



Furnaces. 


1872. 


1873. 


1874. 


Milwaukee Iron Company, Milwaukee.- 

Minerva Furnace Company, Milwaukee 

Wisconsin Iron Company, Iron Ridge _.- 

Northwestern Iron Company, Mayville 

Appleton Iron Company, Appleton 

Green Bay Iron Company, Green Bay 

National Iron Company, Depere 

FoxRiver Iron Company, W. Depere 

Ironton Furnace, Sauk county 


2i,Si8 

3.350 

5.033 
4,888 
6,910 
3.420 
5.600 
1.780 


29,3:6 
5.822 
4.155 
4.137 
8,044 
6,141 

7.999 
6,832 
1,528 


33.000 

3.306 
3,000 
6,500 
6,000 
6,500 
7,000 
3,300 




52.797 


73.980 


66,600 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 201 

The Milwaukee iron company, during the year 1872, entered into the manufacture of mer- 
chant iron — it having been demonstrated that the raw material could be reduced there cheaper 
than elsewhere. The Minerva furnace company built also during the same year one of the 
most compact and complete iron furnaces to be found any where in the country. During the 
year 1873, the iron, with most other material interests, became seriously prostrated, so that the 
total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1874 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873, 
and 85,245 tons in 1872. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron. 
In 1875, 58,868 tons of ore were received at Milwaukee, showing a revival of the trade in an 
increase of 19,786 tons over the previous year. The operation of the works at Bay View having 
suspended, the receipts of ore in 1876, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1869, 
being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total 
shipments were only 498 tons. 

Lumber. 

The business of lumbering holds an important rank in the commerce of the state. For 
many years the ceaseless hum of the saw and the stroke of the ax have been heard in all our 
great forests. The northern portion of the state is characterized by evergreen trees, principally 
pine; the southern, by hard-woods. There are exceptional localities, but this is a correct state- 
ment of the general distribution. I think that, geologically speaking, the evergreens belong to 
the primitive and sandstone regions, and the hard wood to the limestone and clay formations. 
Northern Wisconsin, so called, embraces that portion of the state north of forty-five degrees, 
and possesses nearly all the valuable pine forests. The most thoroughly developed portion of 
this region is that lying along the streams entering into Green bay and Lake Michigan, and border- 
ing on the Wisconsin river and other streams entering into the Mississippi. Most of the pine in 
the immediate vicinity of these streams has been cut off well toward their sources ; still, there 
are vast tracts covered with dense forests, not accessible from streams suitable for log-driving 
purposes. The building of railroads into these forests will alone give a market value to a large 
portion of the pine timber there growing. It is well, perhaps, that this is so, for at the present 
rate of consumption, but a few years will elapse before these noble forests will be totally destroyed. 
Most of the lumber manufactured on the rivers was formerly taken to a market by being floated 
down the streams in rafts. Now, the railroads are transporting large quantities, taking it directly 
from the mills and unloading it at interior points in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and some of it 
in eastern cities. From five to eight thousand men are employed in the pineries in felling the 
trees, sawing them into logs of suitable length, and hauling them to the mills and streams during 
every winter in times of fair prices and favorable seasons. The amount of lumber sawed in 
i860, as carefully estimated, was 355,055,155 feet. The amount of shingles made was 2,272,061, 
and no account was made of the immense number of logs floated out of the state, for manufac- 
ture into lumber elsewhere. The amount of logs cut in the winter of 1873 and 1874 was 
987,000,000 feet. In 1876 and 1877 the Black river furnished 188,344,464 feet. The Chippewa, 
90,000,000; the Red Cedar, 57,000,000. There passed through Beef Slough 129,384,000 feet of 
logs. Hon. A. H. Eaton, for fourteen years receiver of the United States land office at Stevens 
Point, estimated the acreage of pine lands in his district at 2,000,000, and, taking his own district 
as the basis, he estimated the whole state at 8,000,000 acres. Reckoning this at 5,000 feet to the 
acre, the aggregate pine timber of the state would be 40,000,000,000 feet. The log product 
annually amounts to an immense sum. In 1876, 1,172,611,823 feet were cut. This is about the 
average annual draft that is made on the pine lands. There seems to be no remedy for the 



202 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



wholesale destruction of our pine forests, except the one alluded to, the difficulty of transporta- 
tion, and this will probably save a portion of them for a long time in the future. At the rate of 
consumption for twenty years past, we can estimate that fifty years would see northern Wiscon- 
sin denuded of its pine forests; but our lumber product has reached its maximum, and will 
probably decrease in the coming years as the distance to be hauled to navigable streams 
increases. In the mean time lumber, shingles and lath will form an important factor in our 
commerce, both state and inter-state, and will contribute millions to the wealth of our citizens. 

Grain. 

Up to 1S41, no grain was exported from Wisconsin to be used as food; but, from the time 
of Its first settlement in 1836 to 1840, the supply of bread stuffs from abroad, upon which the 
people depended, was gradually diminished by the substitution of home products. In the winter 
of 1840 and 1841, E. D. Holton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000 
bushels), and in the spring of 1841, shipped it to Buffalo. This was the beginning of a traffic 
that has grown to immense proportions, and, since that time, wheat has formed the basis of the 
commerce and prosperity, of the state, until the city of Milwaukee has become the greatest 
primary wheat mart of the world. 

The following table gives the exports of flour and grain from Milwaukee for thirty-two years, 
commencing in 1845 : 



FLOUR, 

bbls. 



WHEAT, 

bus. 



CORN, 

bus. 



OATS, 

bus. 



BARLEY, 

bus. 



RYE, 

bus. 



1845 
1846 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1S52, 
1S53 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
i860 
I861 
1862 
1863, 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
IS7I 
1872 

1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 



7.550 

15.756 

34.840 

92,732 

136,657 

100,017 

51,889 

92,995 

104,055 

145,032 

181,568 

188,455 

228.442 

298,668 

282,956 

457.343 
674.474 
711.405 
603,525 

414.833 

567.576 

720,365 

921,663 

1,017,598 

1,220,058 

1,225,941 

1,211,427 

1,232,036 

1,805,200 

2.217.579 
2,163,346 
2,654,028 



95.510 

213,448 

598,411 

602,474 

1,136,023 

297,570 

317.285 

564,404 

956.703 

1,809,452 

2,641,746 

2,761,976 

2,581,311 

3.994.213 

4.732.957 

7,568,608 

13,300,495 

14,915,680 

12,837,620 

8,992,479 

10,479,777 

11,634,749 

9.59S.452 
9,867,029 
14,272,799 
16,127.838 
13,409.467 
11,570.565 
24,994,266 
22,255,380 
22,681,020 
16,804,394 



2,500 

5,000 

13,828 

2,220 

270 

164,908 

112,132 

218 

472 

43.958 

41.364 

37.204 

1,485 

9,489 

88,989 

140,786 

71,203 

480,408 

266,249 

342.717 
93,806 

103.173 
419.133 
.557.953 
197,920 
556.563 
226,895 
96,908 



4,000 
2,100 
7,892 

363.S41 

131,716 

404,999 

13.833 

5,433 

2.775 

562,067 

299,002 

64,682 

1,200 

79,094 

831,600 

811,634 

326.472 

1,636,595 
622,469 

536.539 

351.768 

210,187 

772,929 

1.323.234 

990.525 

726,035 

1,160.450 

1.377.560 



15,000 
15.270 
103,840 
322,261 
291,890 
339.338 

63.379 
10,398 
800 
63,178 
53.216 
28,056 
5,220 
44,800 

133.449 
23.479 
29.597 
18,988 
30,822 
95,036 

120,662 

469.325 
576,453 
931.725 
688. 455 

464.837 

867,970 

1,235.481 



54.692 
80,365 

"3.443 
20,030 



5.378 

",577 

9.735 

29,810 

126,301 

84.047 
18,210 

51.444 
255.329 
106,795 

91.443 

78,035 

62,494 
208,896 

209,751 
255.928 

79.879 

98,923 

220,964 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 



203 



Up to 1856, the shipments were almost wholly of Wisconsin products ; but with the comple- 
tion of lines of railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi river, the commerce of Wisconsin 
became so interwoven with that of Iowa and Minnesota, that the data furnished by the transpor- 
tation companies, give us no definite figures relating to the products of our own state. 

Dairy Products. 

Wisconsin is becoming largely interested in the dairy" business. Its numerous springs, 
streams, and natural adaptability to grass, make it a fine grazing country, and stock thrives 
remarkably well. Within a few years, cheese-factories have become numerous, and their owners 
are meeting with excellent success. Wisconsin cheese is bringing the highest price in the markets, 
and much of it is shipped to England. Butter is also made of a superior quality, and is e.xten- 
sively exported. At the rate of progress made during the last few years, Wisconsin will soon 
take rank with the leading cheese and butter producing states. The counties most largely inter- 
ested in dairying, are Kenosha, Walworth, Racine, Rock, Green, Waukesha, Winnebago, Sheboy- 
gan, Jefferson and Dodge. According to estimates by experienced dairymen, the manufacture 
of butter was 22,473,000 pounds in 1S70; 50,130,000 in 1S76; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in 
1870, as against 17,000,000 in 1876, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy produc- 
tion. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1876, were 23,780,000 pounds, against 12,000,000 
in 1875 ; and the receipts of butter were 35,384,184, against 30,248,247 pounds in 1875. It is esti- 
mated that fully one-half of these receipts were from Wisconsin. The receipts of butter in 
Milwaukee were, in 1870, 3,779,114 pounds ; in 1875, 6,625,863; in 1876,8,938,137 pounds ; ot 
cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1S76. Cheese is not mentioned in the trade 
and commerce reports of Milwaukee until 1S73, when it is spoken of as a new and rapidly 
increasing commodity in the productions of the state. 

Pork and Beef. 

Improved breeds, both of swine and cattle, have been introduced into the state during a 
few years past. The grade of stock has been rapidly bettered, and stock raisers generally are 
striving with commendable zeal to lival each other in raising the finest of animals for use and 
the market. 



The following table shows the receipts of live hogs and beef cattle at Milwaukee for thir- 
teen years : 



YEARS. 


LIVE HOGS. 


BEEF CATTLE. 


YEARS. 


LIVE HOGS. 


BEEF CATTLE. 


1876 

1875 

1874 

1873 

1872 

187I 

1870 


254.317 
144.961 
242,326 
241,099. 
138,106 
126,164 
66,138 


36,802 
46.717 
22,748 
17,262 
14,172 
9,220 
12,972 


1869 

1868 

1867 

1866 

1865 

1864- 

1863 


52,296 
48.717 
76.758 
31.881 
7.546 
42,250 
56,826 


12,521 
13,200 

15.527 

12,955 
14.230 

18,345 
I4.t55 



204 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The following table shows the movement of hog products and beef from Milwaukee since 
1862 • 



Shipments by Rail 


PORK, HAMS, MIDDLES AND SHOULDERS. 


LARD. 


BEEF. 


and Lake. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Boxes. 


Bulk, lbs. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Totals 18 76-. 


62,461 

56.77S 
53,702 
80,010 
90,038 
88,940 

77,655 
69,805 
73,526 
88,888 
74.726 
34,013 
67,933 
90,387 
56,432 


15,439 
15,292 
17,124 

24,954 
20,115 

20,192 

15,819 

9,546 

13,146 

11,614 

7.805 

2,713 

5.927 

15,811 

12,685 


42,678 
28,374 
39,572 
62,211 
89,209 
14,938 
5,875 
5,293 

3.239 
4,522 

34,164 
5,000 

11,634 


5,123,818 
2,736,778 
1,494,112 
1,915,610 
4,557,950 
5,161,941 
4,717,630 
2,325,150 
1,768,190 
454,786 
863,746 


3,301 
601 
9,110 
4,065 
6,276 
3,932 
2,535 
1,180 

3,637 
2,523 
3,287 
1,929 

5,677 
10,987 

13,538 


21,356 
18,950 
18,509 
24,399 
27,765 
19,746 
10,950 
8,568 

5,055 
8,820 
6,292 
2,487 
7,207 
10, 546 
6.761 


7,333 

4,734 

5,015 

5,365 

4,757 

3,892 

4,427 

7.538 

10,150 

18,984 

11,852 

10,427 

36866 

42,987 

33,174 


3,439 
421 

707 

462 

1,500 

1,606 


'* iS7^ 


" 1874 


" iSV? 


'* l372 


" 187I 


" 1870 


925 
2,185 
2,221 


" i86q 


" 186S 


" 1867 


6,804 

4.584 
5,528 
5,871 
6,377 
3,217 


" 1S66 


" 1865 


" 1864 


" 1S63 


" 1862 



Hops. 

The culture of hops, as an article af commerce, received but little attention prior to i860. 
In 1865, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used 
by the brewers throughout the state. In i866, the amount exi orted was increased, and 5,774 
bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-five cents per pound, 
stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the counties of Sauk, 
Columbia, Adams and Juneau, besides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties. 
In 1867, 26,562 bales were received at Milwaukee, and the prices ranged from fifty to seventy cents 
per pound. The estimated crop of the state for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and brought over 
$4,200,000. In i86S, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the state. The crop everywhere 
was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an over-supply was anticipated. But few, 
however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehensions of 
tKose interested. The first sales were made at twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound, and the 
prices were reluctantly accepted by the growers. The price contiaued to decline until the article 
was unsalable and unavailable in the market. Probably the average price did not exceed ten 
cents per pound. Notwithstanding the severe check which hop-growing received in 1868, by the 
unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the crop of 1869 was a large one. So 
much of the crop of 1868 remained in the hands of the growers, that it is impossible to estimate 
that of 1869. The new crop sold for from ten to fifteen cents, and the old for from three to five cents 
per pound. Hop-cultivation received a check from over-production in 1868, from which it did not 
soon recover. A large proportion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1869 
was much of it marketed during 1870, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one- 
half cents per pound, while that of 1870 brought ten to twelve and a half cents. During 
the year 187 1, a great advance in the price, caused by the partial failure of the crop 
in some of the eastern states, and the decrease in price causing a decrease in production, 
what was left over of the crop of 1S70 more than doubled in value before the new reached the 
market. The latter opened at thirty cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime 



commercp: and manufactures. 



205 



qualities. The crop of 1872 was of good quality, and the market opened at forty to fifly-five 
cents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents before the close of the year. A much 
larger 'quantity was raised than the year previous. In 1873 and 1874, the crop was fair and 
prices ruled from thirty-three to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 18,000 bales 
were reported as being shipped from the different railway stations of the state. Prices were 
extremely irregular during 1S75, and, after the new crop reached market, fell to a point that 
would not pay the cost of production. In 1876, prices ruled low at the opening of the year, and 
advanced from five to ten cents in January to twenty-eight to thirty in November. Over 17,000 
bales were received at Milwaukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop of the previous year. 
Over 13,000 bales were shipped out of the state. 

Tobacco. 
Tobacco raising is comparatively a new industry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in 
importance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant 
is easily raised. It is not regarded as of superior quality. It first appears as a commodity of 
transportation in the railway reports for the year 1S71, when the Prairie du Chien division 
of the St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 jiounds. During the four years ending with 

1876, there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,118,530 pounds annually, the 1 axi- 
mum being in 1874,6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1875, 2,743,854 pounds. The crop of 
T876 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The 
greatar part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf 
raised in the state is used here or by western manufacturers. The crop of the present year, 

1877, is a large one, and has been secured in good order. It is being contracted for at from four to 
six cents per pound. 

Cranberries. 

The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in devel- 
oping the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed throughout 
the northern part of the state. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit; yet, 
the demand will probably keep ahead of the supply for many years to come. In 185 1, less than 
1,500 barrels were sent out of the state. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 37,000 
barrels were exported, and, in r876, about 17,000 barrels. The price has varied in different 
years, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel. 

Spirituous and Malt Liquors. 

The production of liquors, both spirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of 
population and with the other industries of the state. There were in Wisconsin, in 1872, two 
hundred and ninety-two breweries and ten distilleries. In 1876, there were two hundred and 
ninety-three of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their 
full capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1876, 321,611 barrels of lager beer and 43,175 
barrels of high wines. In 1865, it furnished 65,666 barrels of beer, and in 1870, 108,845 barrels. 
In 1865, it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1S70, 22,867 barrels; and in 1875, 39,005. 
A large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made 
in 1876 sold at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the 
sum of $3,216,110. The fame of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has 
furnished since 1870, 1,520,308 barrels which, at the wholesale price, brought $15,203,170. The 
total production of beer by all the two hundred and ninety-three breweries of the state for 1876, 
was 450,508 barrels. 



206 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

In 1876, Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the 
state of Wisconsin 51,959 barrels. In 1870, the former produced 108,845 barrels of beer and 
22,867 barrels of distilled spirits, and in the same year the state of Wisconsin produced 189,664 
barrels of beer and 36,145 barrels of distilled spirits. 

Miscellaneous. 

Porcelain clay, or kaolin, is found in numerous places in Wood and Marathon counties. The 
mineral is found in but few places in the United States in quantities sufficient to justify the 
investment of capital necessary to manufacture it. In the counties mentioned, the deposits are 
found in extensive beds, and only capital and enterprise are needed to make their development 
profitable. Clay of superior quality for making brick and of fair quality for pottery, is 
found in numerous localities. The famous " Milwaukee brick," remarkable for their beautiful 
cream color, is made from a fine clay which is abundant near Milwaukee, and is found in exten- 
sive beds at Watertown, Whitewater, Edgerton, Stoughton, and several places on the lake shore 
north of Milwaukee. At Whitewater and some other places the clay is used with success for the 
making of pottery ware. Water-lime, or hydraulic cement, occurs in numerous places throughout 
the state. An extensive bed covering between one and two hundred acres, and of an indefinite 
depth, exists on the banks of the Milwaukee river, and not over one and a half miles from the city 
limits of Milwaukee. The cement made from the rock of this deposit is first-class in quality, and 
between twenty and thirty thousand barrels were made and sold last year. The capacity of the 
works for reducing the rock to cement has been increased to 500 barrels per day. Stones suita- 
ble for building purposes are widely distributed throughout the state, and nearly every town lias 
its available quarry. Many of these quarries furnish stone of fine quality for substantial and 
permanent edifices. The quarry at Prairie du Chien furnished the stone for the capital building 
at Madison, which equals in beauty that of any state in the Union. .\t Milwaukee, Waukesha, 
Madison, La Crosse, and many other places are found quarries of superior building stone. 
Granite is found in extensive beds in Marathon and Wood counties, and dressed specimens 
exhibited at the " Centennial " last year, attracted attention for their fine polish. Marbles of 
various kinds are likewise found in the state. Some of them are beginning to attract attention 
and are likely to prove valuable. The report of Messrs. Foster & Whitney, United States geol- 
ogists, speaks of quarries on the Menomonee and Michigamig rivers as affording beautiful varie- 
ties and susceptible of a high polish. Richland county contains marble, but its quality is gen- 
erally considered inferior. 

Water Powers. 

Wisconsin is fast becoming a manufacturing state. Its forests of pine, oak, walnut, maple, 
ash, and other valuable woods used for lumber, are well-nigh inexhaustible. Its water-power for 
driving the wheels of machinery is not equaled by that of any state in the northwest. The Lower 
Fox river between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, furnishes 
some of the best facilities for manufacturing enterprise in the whole country. Lake Winnebago 
as a reservoir gives it a great and special advantage, in freedom from liability to freshets and 
droughts. The stream never varies but a few feet from its highest to its lowest stage, yet gives 
a steady flow. The Green Bay and Mississippi canal company has, during the last twenty-five 
years, constructed numerous dams, canals and locks, constituting very valuable improvements. 
All the property of that company has been transferred to the United States government, which 
has entered upon a system to render the Fox and Wisconsin rivers navigable to the Mississippi. 
The fall between the lake and Depere is one hundred and fifty feet, and the water can be utilized 



COMMERCE AND MANlirACTURES. 207 

in propelling machinery at Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Cedar, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Rapid 
Croche, Little Kaukauna and Depere. The water-power at Appleton in its natural advantages 
is pronounced by Hon. Hiram Barney, of New York, superior to those at Lowell, Paterson 
and Rochester, combined. The water-power of the Fox has been improved to a considerable 
extent, but its full capacity has hardly been touched. Attention has been drawn to it, how- 
ever, and no doubt is entertained that in a few years the hum of machinery to be propelled 
by it, will be heard the entire length of the thirty-five miles. The facilities presented by its 
nearness to timber, iron, and a rich and productive agricultural region, give it an advantage over 
any of the eastern manufacturing points. 

The Wisconsin river rises in the extreme northern part of the state, and has its source in a 
great number of small lakes. The upper portion abounds in valuable water privileges, only a 
few of which are improved. There are a large number of saw-mills running upon the power of 
this river. Other machinery, to a limited extent, is in operation. 

The " Big Bull " falls, at Wausau, are improved, and a power of twenty-two feet fall is obtained. 
At Little Bull falls', below Wausau, there is a fall of eighteen feet, partially improved. There are 
many other water-powers in Marathon county, some of which are used in propelling flouring- 
tnills and saw-mills. At Grand Rapids, there is a descent of thirty feet to the mile, and the 
water can be used many times. Each time, 5,000 horse-power is obtained. At Kilbourn City 
a large amount of power can be obtained for manufacturing purposes. 

Chippewa river has its origin in small streams in the north part of the state. Explorers 
tell us that there are a large number of water powers on all the upper branches, but as the 
country is yet unsettled, none of them have been improved, and very few even located on our maps. 
Brunette falls and Ameger falls, above Chippewa Falls city, must furnish considei-able water- 
power, but its extent is not known At Chippewa Falls is an excellent water-power, only partially 
improved. The river descends twenty-six feet in three-fourths of a mile. At Duncan creek at the 
same place, there is a good fall, improved to run a large flouring mill. At Eagle Rapids, five 
miles above Chippewa Falls, $120,000 has been expended in improving the fall of the Chippewa 
river. The city of Eau Claire is situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire 
rivers, and possesses in its immediate vicinity water-powers almost unrivaled. Some of them 
are improved. The citizens of Eau Claire have, for several years, striven to obtain legislative 
authority to dam the Chippewa river, so as to improve the water-power of the Dells, and a lively 
contest, known as the " Dells fight," has been carried on with the capitalists along the river above 
that town. There are immense water-powers in Dunn county, on the Red Cedar, Chippewa 
and Eau Galle rivers, on which there are many lumbering establishments. In Pepin county also 
there are good powers. The Black river and its branches, the La Crosse, Buffalo, Trempealeau, 
Beaver, and Tamaso, furnish many valuable powers. The St. Croix river is not excelled in the value 
of its water privileges by any stream in the state, except the Lower Fox river. At St. Croix Falls, 
the water of the river makes a descent of eighty-five feet in a distance of five miles, and the vol- 
ume of water is sufficient to move the machinery for an immense manufacturing business, and the 
banks present good facilities for building dams, and the river is not subject to freshets. The 
Kinnekinnick has a large number of falls, some of them partially improved. Within twenty-five 
miles of its entrance into Lake St. Croix, it has a fall of two hundred feet, and the volume of 
water averages about three thousand cubic feet per minute. Rock river affords valuable water- 
privileges at Watertown (with twenty-four feet fall), and largely improved ; at Jefferson, Indian 
Ford and Janesville, all of which are improved. Beloit also has an excellent water-power, and 
it is largely improved. Scattered throughout the state are many other water-powers, not alluded 



208 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 

to in the foregoing. There are several in Manitowoc county ; in Marquette county, also. In 
Washington county, at West Bend, Berlin, and Cedar Creek, there are good water-powers, partly 
utilized. At Whitewater, in Walworth county, is a good power. In Dane county, there is a 
water-power at Madison, at the outlet of Lake Mendota; also, a good one at Stoughton, below 
the first, or Lake Kegonsa; also at Paoli, Bellville, Albany and Brodhead, on the Sugar river. 
In Grant county there are not less than twenty good powers, most of them well-developed. In 
Racine county, three powers of fine capacity at Waterford, Rochester and Burlington, all of 
which are improved. The Oconto, Peshtigo and Menomonee rivers furnish a large number of 
splendid water- powers of large capacity. The Upper Wolf river has scores of water-powers on 
its main stream and numerous branches; but most of the country is still a wilderness, though 
containing resources which, when developed, will make it rich and prosperous. There are 
numerous other streams of less consequence than those named, but of great importance to the 
localities they severally drain, that have had their powers improved, and their waterfalls are 
singing the songs of commerce. On the rivers emptying into Lake Superior, there are numerous 
and valuable water-powers. The Montreal river falls one thousand feet in a distance of thirty 
miles. 

Manufactures. 

The mechanical and manufacturing industries of Wisconsin demonstrate that the people do 
not rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits, or lumbering, for subsistence, but aim to diversify 
their labors as much as possible, and to give encouragement to the skill and ingenuity of their 
mechanics and artisans. All our cities, and most of our villages, support establishments that 
furnish wares and implements in common use among the people. We gather from the census 
report for 1S70 a few facts that will give us an adequate idea of what was done in a single year, 
remembering that the data furnished is six years old, and that great advancement has been made 
since the statistics were gathered. In 1S70, there were eighty-two establishments engaged in 
making agricultural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at 
$2,393,400. There were one hundred and eighty-eight furniture establishments, employing 1,844 
men, and making $1,542,300 worth of goods. For making carriages and wagons there were four 
hundred and eighty-five establishments, employing 2,184 men, and their product was valued at 
$2,596,534; for clothing, two hundred and si.xty-three establishments, and value of product 
$2,340,400 ; sash, doors and blinds, eighty-one shops, and value of product $1,852,370 ; leather, 
eighty-five tanneries, employing 577 men, and value of products $2,013,000; malt liquors, one 
hundred and seventy-six breweries, 835 men, and their products valued at $1,790,273. 

At many jwints the business of manufacturing is carried on more or less extensively; 
indeed, there is hardly a village in the state where capital is not invested in some kind 
of mechanical industry or manufacturing enterprise, and making satisfactory returns ; but for 
details in this respect, the reader is referred to the department of local history. 

The principal commodities only, which Wisconsin contributes to trade and commerce, have 
been considered. There remains quite a number of minor articles from which the citizens of the 
state derive some revenue, such as flax and maple sugar, which can not be separately considered 
in this paper. 

Concluding Remarks. 

Statistics are usually dry reading, but, to one desiring to change his location and seeking 
information regarding a new country and its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and 
of great value. The farmer wishes to know about the lands, their value and the jiroductiveness 
of the soil ; the mechanic about the workshops, the price of labor, and the demand for such wares 



COMiMKl'.CI-; AND jMANUFACTl'RES. ' 209 

as he is accustomed to make ; the capitalist, concerning all matters that pertain to resources, 
advantages, and the opportunities for investing his money. Our own people want all the infor- 
mation that can be gained by the collection of all obtainable facts. The sources of such infor- 
mation are now various, and the knowledge they impart fragmentary in its character. 

Provision should be made by law, for the collection and publication of reliable statistics 
relating to our farming, manufacturing, mining, lumbering, commercial and educational interests. 
Several of the states of the Union have established a " Bureau of Statistics," and no more valua- 
ble reports emanate from any of their state departments than those that exhibit a condensed 
view of the material results accomplished each year. Most of the European states foster these 
agencies with as much solicitude as any department of their government. Indeed, they have 
become a social as well as a material necessity, for social science extends its inquiries to the 
physical laws of man as a social being; to the resources of the country; its productions; the 
growth of society, and to all those facts or conditions which may increase or diminish the strength, 
growth or happiness of a people. Statistics are the foundation and corner-stone of social science, 
which is the highest and noblest of all the sciences. 

A writer has said that, " If God had designed Wisconsin to be chiefly a manufacturing state, 
instead of agricultural, which she claims to be, and is, it is difficult to see more than one partic- 
ular in which He could have endowed her more richly for that purpose." She has all the mate- 
rial for the construction of articles of use and luxury, the means of motive power to propel the 
machinery, to turn and fashion, weave, forge, and grind the natural elements that abound in such 
rich profusion. She has also the men whose enterprise and skill have accomplished most sur- 
prising results, in not only building up a name for themselves, but in placing the state in a proud 
position of independence. 

It is impossible to predict what will be the future growth and development of Wisconsin. 
From its commercial and manufacturing advantages, we may reasonably anticipate that she will 
in a few years lead in the front rank of the states of the Union in all that constitutes real great- 
ness. Her educational system is one of the best. With her richly endowed State University, her 
colleges and high schools, and the people's colleges, the common schools, she has laid a broad 
and deep foundation for a great and noble commonwealth. It was early seen what were the 
capabilities of this their newly explored domain. The northwestern explorer, Jonathan Carver, 
in 1766, one hundred and thirteen years ago, after traversing Wisconsin and viewing its lakes of 
crystal purity, its rivers of matchless utility, its forests of exhaustless wealth, its prairies of won- 
derful fertility, its mines of buried treasure, recorded this remarkable prediction of which we see 
the fulfillment: "To what power or authority this new world will become dependent after it has 
arisen from its present uncultivated state, time alone can discover. But as the seat of empire from 
time immemorial has been gradually progressive toward the west, there is no doubt but that at 
some future period mighty kingdoms will emerge from these wildernesses, and stately palaces 
and solemn temples with gilded spires reaching to the skies supplant the Indian huts, whose 
only decorations are the barbarous trophies oftheir vanquished enemies." 

" Westward the course of empire takes its way ; 

The four first acts already passed, 
A fifth shall close the drama with the day ; 

Time's noblest offspring is the last." 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 

By D. S. DURRIE. 

In the early part of the seventeenth century, all the territory north of the Ohio river, 
including the present state of Wisconsin, was an undiscovered region. As far as now known, it 
was never visited by white men until the year 1634, when Jean Nicolet came to the Green bay 
country as an ambassador from the French to the Winnebagoes. The Jesuit fathers in 1660 
visited the south shore of Lake Superior; and, soon after, missions were established at various 
points in the northwest. 

The French government appreciating the importance of possessing dominion over this sec- 
tion, M. Talon, intendant of Canada, took steps to carry out this purpose, and availed himself 
of the good feelings entertained toward the French by a number of the Indian tribes, to establish 
the authority of the French crown over this remote quarter. A small party of men led by 
Daumont de St. Lusson, with Nicolas Perrot as interpreter, set out from Quebec on this mission, 
in 1670, and St. Lusson sent to the tribes occupying a circuit of a hundred leagues, inviting the 
nations, among them the Wisconsin tribes inhabiting the Green bay country, by their chiefs and 
ambassadors, to meet him at the Sault Sainte Marie the following spring. 

In the month of May, 167 1, fourteen tribes, by their representatives, including the Miamis, 
Sacs, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, and Pottawattamies, arrived at the place designated. On the 
morning of the fourteenth of June, " St. Lusson led his followers to the top of the hill, all fully 
equipped and under arms. Here, too, in the vestments of their priestly office were four Jesuits : 
Claude Dablon, superior of the mission on the lakes, Gabriel Druillettes, Claude Allouez, and 
Andre. All around, the great throng of Indians stood, or crouched, or reclined at length with 
eyes and ears intent. A large cross of wood had been made ready. Dablon, in solemn form, 
pronounced his blessing on it ; and then it was reared and planted in the ground, while the 
Frenchmen, uncovered, sang the Vexilla Regis. Then a post of cedar was planted beside it, 
with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms ; while St. Lusson's followers sang the 
exaudiat, and one of the priests uttered a prayer for the king. St. Lusson now advanced, and, 
holding his sword in one hand, and raising with the other a sod of earth, proclaimed in a loud 
voice " that he took possession of all the country occupied by the tribes, and placed them under 
the king's protection. 

This act, however, was not regarded as sufficiently definite, and on the eighth of May, 1689, 
Perrot, who was then commanding for the king at the post of Nadouesioux, near Lake Pepin on 
the west side of the Mississippi, commissioned by the Marquis de Denonville to manage the 
interests of commerce west of Green bay took possession, in the name of the king, with 
appropriate ceremonies, of the countries west of Lake Michigan as far as the river St. Peter. 
The papers were signed by Perrot and others. 

By these solemn acts, the present limits of Wisconsin with much contiguous territory, came 
under the dominion of the French government, the possession of which continued until October, 
1761 — a period of ninety years from the gathering of the chiefs at the Sault Ste. Marie in 1671. 

From the commencement of French occupancy up to the time when the British took posses- 
sion, the district of country embraced within the present limits of this state had but few white 
inhabitants besides the roaming Indian traders ; and of these few, the locations were separated by 
a distance of more than two hundred miles in a direct line, and nearly double that distance by 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 211 

the usual water courses. There was no settlement of agriculturists; there were no missionary 
establishments ; no fortified posts at other points, except at Depere and Green bay on Fox -iver, 
and perhaps at Prairie du Chien, near the junction of the Wisconsin and the Mississippi. 

The French government made no grant of lands; gave no attention to settlers or agrica.- 
turists, and the occupation of the country was strictly military. There were, indeed, a few grants 
of lands made by the French governors and commanders, previous to 1750, to favored indi- 
viduals, six of which were afterward confirmed by the king of France. There were also others 
which did not require confirmation, being made by Cardillac, commanding at Detroit, under 
special authority of the king; of this latter kind, one for a small piece of thirty acres bears with 
it, says a writer, " so many conditions, reservations, prohibitions of sale, and a whole cavalcade 
of feudal duties to be performed by the grantee, that in itself, it would be a host in opposition to 
the agricultural settlement of any country." 

The grants just referred to, relate to that part of the French possessions outside the limits 
of the present state of Wisconsin. Within its limits there was a grant of an extensive territory 
including the fort at the head of Green bay, with the exclusive right to trade, and other valuable 
privileges, from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, in October, 1759, to M. Rigaud. It was sold by the 
latter to William Gould and Madame Vaudreuil, to whom it was confirmed by the king of 
France in January, 1760, at a very critical period, when Quebec had been taken by the British, 
and Montreal was only wanting to complete the conquest of Canada. This grant was evidently 
intended as a perquisite to entrap some unwary persons to give a valuable consideration for it, 
as it would be highly impolitic for the government to make such a grant, if they continued mas- 
ters of the country, since it would surely alienate the aff"ections of the Indians. The whole 
country had already been virtually conquered by Great Britain, and the grant of course was not 
confirmed by the English government. 

Of the war between the French and English governments in America, known as the French 
and Indian war, it is not necessary to speak, except in general terms. The English made a 
determined effort to obtain the possessions claimed by the French. The capture of Quebec in 
1759, and the subsequent capitulation of Montreal in 1760, extinguished the domination of 
France in the basin of the St. Lawrence ; and by the terms of the treaty of Paris, concluded 
February 10, 1763, all the possessions in, and all the claims of the French nation to, the vast 
country watered by the Ohio and the Mississippi were ceded to Great Britain. 

Among the first acts of the new masters of the country was the protection of the eminent 
domain of the government, and the restriction of all attempts on the part of individuals to acquire 
Indian titles to lands. By the King of England's proclamation of 1763, no more grants of land 
within certain prescribed limits could be issued, and all private persons were interdicted the 
liberty of purchasing lands from the Indians, or of making settlements within those prescribed 
limits. The indulgence of such a privilege as that of making private purchases of the natives, 
conduced to the most serious difficulties, and made way for the practice df the most reprehensible 
frauds. The policy pursued by the English government has been adopted and acted upon by the 
government of the United States in the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands in every part 
of the country. 

In face of the proclamation of 1763, and within three years after its promulgation, under 
a pretended purchase from, or voluntary grant of the natives, a tract of country nearly one hundred 
miles square, including large portions of what is now northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, was 
claimed by Jonathan Carver, and a ratification of his title solicited from the king and council. 
This was not conceded ; and the representatives of Carver, after the change of government had 



212 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. ♦ 

brought the lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, for a series of years presented the 
same claims before congress, and asked for their confirmation. Such a demand under all the 
circumstances, could not justify an expectation of success; and, of course, has often been refused. 
But notwithstanding the abundant means which the public have had of informing themselves of 
the true nature and condition of Carver's claim, bargains and sales of portions of this tract have 
been made among visionary speculators for more than half a century past. It is now only a 
short period since the maps of the United States ceased to be defaced by a delineation of 
5he "Carver Grant." 

The mere transfer of the dominion over the country from the French to the English govern- 
ment, and the consequent occupation of the English posts by the new masters, did not in any 
great degree affect the social condition of the inhabitants. By the terms of capitulation, the 
French subjects were permitted to remain in the country, in the full enjoyment of their civil and 
religious privileges. 

The English, however, did not hold peaceable possession of the territory acquired. The war 
inaugurated by Pontiac and his Indian allies on the military posts occupied by the English soon 
followed, and in the month of May, 1763, nine posts were captured with much loss of life. In 
the spring of 1764, twenty-two tribes who were more or less identified in the outbreak, concluded 
a treaty of peace with General Bradstreet at Niagara. 

The expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark to the Illinois country, and the conquest 
of the British posts in 1778 and 1779, had the effect to open the way for the emigration of the 
Anglo-American population to the Mississippi valley; and at the close of the revolutionary 
war, Great Britain renounced all claim to the whole territory lying east of the Mississippi river. 
The dominion of the English in the Illinois and Wabash countries, ceased with the loss of the 
military posts which commanded the Northwestern territory of the United States. As a result of 
the enterprise and success of Clark, Virginia obtained possession of the Illinois country; his 
expedition having been undertaken and carried forward under the auspices of that state. 

Several of the eastern states under their colonial charters, laid claim to portions of the land 
comprised in the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The claim of Massachusetts was derived 
from a grant from King James of November 3, 1620; and included from lat. 42° 2' to about lat. 
450, extending to the south sea; Connecticut claimed from lat. 4it> north to 420 2'. The claims of 
Virginia were from grants from King James, bearing date, respectively, April lo, 1606, May 23, 
1609, and March 12, i6ii, and an additional claim for the territory conquered by Clark in the 
Illinois country ; but they extended no farther north than the southern end of Lake Michigan. 

It is a popular impression that the territory of the present state of Wisconsin was compre- 
hended in the lands northwest of the river Ohio, over which Virginia exercised jurisdiction, and, 
consequently, was included in her deed of cession of lands to the United States. This opinion so 
generally entertained by writers on American history, is a statement which does qpt appear to 
have any solid foundation in fact. Virginia never made any conquests or settlements in Wiscon- 
sin, and at no time prior to the proffer of her claims to the general government had she ever 
exercised jurisdiction over it. In fact, there were no settlements in Wisconsin except at Green 
Bay and Prairie du Chien before that time, and these were made by French settlers who were in 
no wise interfered with while the revolution continued. In Illinois it was otherwise ; and the 
possession of its territory by Virginia was an undisputed fact. During the revolution the title of 
the sovereignty in Wisconsin was actually in Great Britain, and so remained until the definite 
treaty of peace in 1783; at which date England yielding her right constructively to the United 
States, retaining possession, however, until 1796 ; at which time the western posts were transferred 
to the United States. 



THE PT'BLIC DOMAISr. 218 

All the claiming states finally ceded their interests to the general government, giving the 
latter a perfect title, subject only to the rights of the Indians. The deed of cession from Virginia 
was dated March i, 1784. The other states ceded their claims, some before this date, others 
subsequent thereto. 

Virginia made a number of stipulations in her deed of cession; among others, that the 
French and Canadian inhabitants and the neighboring villages who had professed themselves 
citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and title confirmed to them, and be protected in 
the enjoyment of their rights and liberties; thr.t 150,000 acres of land near the rapids of the Ohio, 
should be reserved for that portion of her state troops which had reduced the country; and about 
3,500,000 acres between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami be reserved for bounties to her troops 
on the continental establishment. 

In consequence of certain objectionable stipulations made by Virginia as to the division of 
the territory into states, the deed of cession was referred back to that state with a recommenda- 
tion from congress that these stipulations should be altered. On the 30th of December, 1788, 
Virginia assented to the wish of congress, and formally ratified and confirmed the fifth article of 
compact which related to that subject, and tacitly gave her consent to the whole ordinance of 1787. 
The provisions of this ordinance have since been applied to all the territories of the United 
States lying north of the 360 40'. After the adoption of the constitution of the United States the 
the new congress, among its earliest acts, passed one, recognizing the binding force of the ordi- 
nance of 1787. 

Of this ordinance it has been said : " It was based on the principles of civil liberty, maintained 
in the magna charta of England, re-enacted in the bill of rights, and incorporated in our differ- 
ent state constitutions. It was the fundamental law of the constitution, so to speak, of the great 
northwest, upon which were based, and with which harmonized ail our territorial enactments, as 
well as our subsequent state legislation, and, moreover, it is to that wise, statesman-like document 
that we are indebted for much of our prosperity and greatness." 

After the close of the revolutionary war, enterprising individuals traversed tlie whole country 
which had been ceded to the government, and companies were formed to explore and settle the 
fertile and beautiful lands beyond the Ohio ; but the determination of the British cabinet not to 
evacuate the western posts, was well known, and had its effect on the peo])le who were disposed 
to make settlements. 

The western tribes were also dissatisfied and threatened war, and efforts were made by the 
government to settle the difficulties. A grand council was held at the mouth of Detroit river 
in December, 1787, which did not result favorably, and two treaties were subsequently held, 
which were not respected by the savages who were parties to them. Soon an Indian war ensued, 
/hich resulted at first disastrously to the American troops under Generals Harmar and St. Clair, 
but finally with success to the American arms under General Wayne. The treaty of Greenville 
followed. It was concluded August 3, 1795. At this treaty there were present eleven hundred 
and thirty chiefs and warriors. It was signed by eighty-four chiefs and General Anthony Wayne, 
sole commissioner of the United States. One of the provisions of the treaty was that in consid- 
eration of'the peace then established, and the cessions and relinquishments of lands made by the 
tribes of Indians, and to manifest the liberality of the United States as the great means of render- 
ing this peace strong and perpetual, tlie United States relinquished their claims to all other 
Indian lands northward of the river Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and westward and south- 
ward of the great lakes and the waters united by them, except certain reservations and portions 
before purchased of the Indians, none of which were within the present limits of this state. The 
Indian title to the whole of what is now Wisconsin, subject only to certain restrictions, became 



214 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

absolute in the various tribes inhabiting it. By this treaty it was stipulated that, of the lands relin- 
quished by the United States, the Indian tribes who have a right to those lands, were quietly to 
enjoy them ; hunting, planting, and dwelling thereon so long as they pleased ; but, when those 
tribes or any of them should be disposed to sell them, or any part of them, they were to be sold 
only to the United States, and until such sale, the United States would protect all of the tribes 
in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United States, and all other white 
persons who might intrude on the same. At the same time all the tribes acknowledged them- 
selves to be under the protection of the United States, and no other person or jx)wer what- 
soever. 

The treaty also prohibited any citizen of the United States, or any other white man, settling 
upon the lands relinquished by the general government ; and such person was to be considered 
as out of the protection of the United States; and the Indian tribe on whose land the settlement 
might be made, could drive off the settler, or punish him in such manner as it might see fit. 

It will be seen that the Indians were acknowledged to have an unquestionable title to the 
lands they occupied until that right should be extinguished by a voluntary cession to the general 
government; and the constitution of the United States, by declaring treaties already made, as 
well as those to be made, to be the supreme law of the land, adopted and sanctioned previous 
treaties with the Indian nations, and consequently admitted their rank among those powers who 
are capable of making treaties. 

The several treaties which had been made between commissioners on the part of the United 
States and various nations of Indians, previous to the treaty of Greenville, were generally 
restricted to declarations of amity and friendship, the establishment and confirming of bounda- 
ries, and the protection of settlements on Indian lands ; those that followed were generally for a 
cession of lands and provisions made for their payment. It is proposed to notice the several 
treaties that took place after that held at Greenville, showing in what way the territory of the 
present state, came into possession of the government. As will be seen hereafter, it required trea- 
ties with numerous tribes of Indians to obtain a clear, undisputed title, as well as many years 
before it was fully accomplished. 

1. A treaty was held at St. Louis, November 3, 1804, between the Sacs and Foxes and the 
United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the govern- 
ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to 
the United States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the 
mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and thence to the Wisconsin; and including on 
the west considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade north- 
ward. In what is now the state of Wisconsin, this grant embraced the whole of the present 
counties of Grant and La Fayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The lead 
region was included in this purchase. In consideration of this cession, the general government 
agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own citizens and 
all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper 
side of the Wisconsin river, near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square, adjoin- 
ing the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of one thousand dollars per 
annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of the Sac Indians, and this cession 
of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk war. 

2. Another treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles county, Mis- 
souri, on the Mississippi river, September 13, 1815, with certain chiefs of that portion of the 
Sac nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 216 

the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their nation. They gave their assent to the 
treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river, 
and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United 
States and the Foxes of Rock river. 

3. On the 14th of September, a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe at the 
same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the govern- 
ment. They assented to, recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1804, to the full 
extent of their interest in the same. 

4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed 
the treaty of 1804, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure 
to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty, Black Hawk's name appears with 
others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had " touched the quill " to 
this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and 
others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of 
St. Louis in 1804, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815, he said that he did not consider the same 
valid or binding on him or his tribe, inasmuch as by the terms of those treaties, territory was 
described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1S04, particularly, was 
made by parties who had neither authority in the nation, nor power to dispose of its lands. 
Whether this was a true statement of the case, or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of 
lands referred to was often confirmed by his nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by 
the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the 
disposition of the lands. 

5. A treaty <if peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, i8i6, between the chiefs 
and warriors of that part of the Winnebagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the 
tribe state that they have separated themselves from the rest of their nation ; that they, for 
themselves and those they, represent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land 
heretofore made by their nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest 
extended. 

6. On the 30th of March, 1817, the Menomonee tribe concluded a treaty of peace ana 
friendship at St. Louis with the United States, and confirmed all and every cession of land 
before made by them within the limits of the United States. 

7. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie du Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux, 
Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary 
between the two first nations was agreed upon; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and 
other tribes. 

8. Another treaty was held August 5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small 
settlement on the St. Louis river, in Itaska county, Minn., with the same tribes, by which the 
previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas were defined, 
as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty. 

9. A treaty was made and concluded August i, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United 
States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their 
tribes were defined ; no cession of lands was made. 

10. A treaty was made at Green Bay, August 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawat- 
tamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remove the difficulties which had arisen in 
consequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in the south- 
western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional 



216 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 

boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory 
until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the 
rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation. 

11. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien, on the 29th of July, 1829, and August 1, 
1829 : at the first date, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these nations 
ceded all their lands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois ; and at the latter 
date with the Winnebagoes, by which that nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and 
claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the purchase of the lead- 
mine region, Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or 
sold by the grantees. 

By this important treaty, about eight millions of acres of land were added to the public 
domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock 
river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41° 30' to latitude 43° 15', on the Mississippi. 
Following the meanderings of the river, it was about two hundred and forty miles from west to 
east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from 
the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extended from Rock Island 
to Lake Michigan. 

12. Another important treaty was made at Green Bay, February 8, 1831, between the Meno- 
monee Indians and the United States. That nation possessed an immense territory. Its eastern 
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay. Fox river, 
and Lake Winnebago; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the west. 
Fox river on the south. Green bay on the east, and the high lands which flow the streams into 
Lake Superior on the north. By this treaty all the eastern division, estimated at two and a half 
millions of acres, was ceded to the government. By certain other provisions, the tribe was to 
occupy a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of Wolf river. Their territory farther west 
was reserved for their hunting-grounds until such time as the general government should desire 
to purchase it. Another portion, amounting to four millions of acres, lying between Green bay 
on the east and Wolf river on the west, was also ceded to the United States, besides a strip of 
country, three miles in width, from near the portage of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers north, on 
each side of the Wisconsin river, and forty-eight miles long — still leaving the tribe in peaceable 
possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty broad. By 
supplementary articles to the treaty, provision was made for the occupancy of certain lands by 
the New York Indians — two townships on the east side of Lake Winnebago. 

13. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, for the purpose of clearing up the 
Indian title of the Winnebago nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort 
Armstrong, September 15, 1832. All the territory claimed by this nation lying south and east of 
the Wisconsin and Fox river of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party 
of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June i, 1833, 
or on any part of the country therein ceded. 

14. On the 27th of October, 1832, articles of agreement were made and concluded at Green 
Bay between the United States and the Menomonee Indians, by the terms of which that nation 
ceded to the New York Indians certain lands on Fox river. 

15. An important treaty was made at Chicago, September 26, 1833, between the United 
States and the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies. Those nations ceded to the government 
all their lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between that lake and the land 
ceded to the United States by the Winnel)ago nation at the treaty at Fort Armstrong, September 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 217 

15, 1832, bounded on the north by the country lately ceded by the Menomonees, and on the 
south by the country ceded at the treaty at Prairie da Chien, July 19, 1829 — containing about 
five millions of acres. 

16. On the 3d of September, 1836, a tieaty was made at Cedar Point with the Menomonees, 
by which lands lying west of Green bay, and a strip on the upper Wisconsin, were ceded to the 
United States — the quantity of land ceded being estimated at four millions of acres in the Green 
bay portion; on the Wisconsin river, a strip three miles wide on each side of the river, running 
forty-eight miles north in a direct hne, equivalent to 184,320 acres. 

17. On the 29th of July, 1837, a treaty was made with the Chippewas of the Mississiopi, at 
Fort Snelling, and the United States, the nation ceding to the government all their lands in 
Wisconsin lying south of the divide between the waters of Lake Superior and those of the 
Mississippi. 

18. Certain chiefs and braves of the Sioux nation of the Mississippi, while visiting Washing- 
ton, September 29, 1837, ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi, and all 
their islands in said river. 

19. The Winnebago nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government 
at Washington, November i, 1837. That nation ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, 
and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to 
certain lands west of the river Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sep- 
tember 21, 1832. 

20. The Oneida or New York Indians, residing near Green Bay, by their chief and repre- 
sentative, on the 3d of February, 1838, at Washington City, ceded to the United States their title 
and interest in the land set apart by the treaty made with the Menomonees, May 8, 1831, and the 
treaty made with the same tribe, October 7, 1832, reserving about 62,000 acres. 

21. Another treaty was made at Stockbridge on the 3d of September, 1839, by which the 
Stockbridge and Munsee tribes (New York Indians) ceded and relinquished to the United States 
the east half of the tract of 46,080 acres which was laid off for their use on the east side of Lake 
Winnebago by treaty of October 7, 1832 

22. On the 4th of October, 1842, a treaty was made at La Pointe, on Lake Superior, with the 
Chippewas. All their lands in the northern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin were ceded to 
the United States. 

23. The Menomonee nation, on the i8th of October, 1848, at Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay, ceded 
and relinquished to the United States all their lands in the state, wherever situated — the gov- 
ernment to furnish the nation as a home, to be held as Indian lands are held, all the country ceded 
to the United States by the Chippewa nation August 2, 1847, the consideration being the sum of 
$350,000, to be paid according to the stipulations of the treaty. A supplementary treaty was 
made on the 24th of November, 1848, with the Stockbridges — the tiribe to sell and relinquish to 
the United States the township of land on the east side of Lake Winnebago, secured to said tribe 
by treaty of February 8, 1831. 

24. A treaty was made with the Menomonee nation, at the falls of Wolf river. May 12, 1854, 
being a supplementary treaty to one made October 18, 1848. All the lands ceded to that nation 
under the treaty last named was ceded to the United States — the Menomonees to receive from 
the United States a tract of country lying on Wolf river, being townships 28, 29 and 30, of ranges 

»3. 14. 15. 16. 

25. A treaty was made with the Chippewas of Lake Superior, at La Pointe, on the 30th ©f 
September, 1854. That nation ceded to the United States all lands before owned by them Jo 
common with the Chippewas of the Mississippi — lying in the vicinity of Lake Superior in Wis- 



218 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

consin and Minnesota. 

26. On the 5th of February, 1856, a treaty was held with the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes, 
at Stockbridge. All the remaining right and title to lands in the town of Stockbridge, possessed 
by them, was ceded to the United States ; and the said tribes were to receive in exchange a tract 
of land near the southern boundary of the Menomonee reservation, and by treaty made at 
Keshena, February 11, 1856, the Menomonees ceded two townships to locate the said tribes. 

With this last treaty, the Indian title to all the lands of the present state of Wisconsin was 
ceded to the United States government, except a few small reservations to certain tribes, and a 
perfect, indefeasible title obtained to all the territory within its borders. 

In the region of country which is now the state of Wisconsin, the settlements in early times 
were, as before stated, near Green Bay and at Prairie du Chien. Soon after the organization of 
the Northwest territory, the subject of claims to private property therein received much attention. 
By an act of congress approved March 3, 1805, lands lying in the districts of Vincennes, Kas- 
kaskia and Detroit, which were claimed by virtue of French or British grants, legally and fully. 
executed, or by virtue of grants issued under the authority of any former act of congress by 
either of the governors of the Northwest or Indiana territory, which had already been surveyed, 
were, if necessary, to be re-surveyed; and persons claiming lands under these grants were to have 
until November i, 1805, to give notice of the same. Commissioners were to be appointed to 
examine, and report at the next session of congress. An act was also passed, approved April 25, 
1806, to authorize the granting of patents for lands, according to government surveys that had 
been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit, 
and for other purposes Another act was approved May 11, 1820, reviving the powers of the 
commissioners for ascertaining and deciding on claims in the district of Detroit, and for settling the 
claims to land at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, in the territory of Michigan ; the commis- 
•ioners to have power to examine and decide on claims filed with the register of the land office^ 
and not before acted on, in accordance with the laws respecting the same. The commissioners 
discharged the duties imposed on them, and in their report to congress in reference to the claims 
at Green Bay, they said that the antiquity of this settlement being, in their view, sufficiently 
established, and that they, being also satisfied that the Indian title must be considered to have 
been extinguished, decide favorably on the claims presented. About seventy-five titles were con- 
firmed, and patents for the same were sent to the proper parties by the government. In relation 
to the Prairie du Chien titles, they reported " that they had met few difficulties in their investi- 
gations; that, notwithstanding the high antiquity which maybe claimed for the settlement of that 
place, no one perfect title founded on French or British grant, legally authenticated, had been 
successfully made out; and that but few deeds of any sort have been exhibited." This they 
attribute to the carelessness of the Canadians in respect to whatever concerned their land titles, and 
accords with whatever is known in this regard, of the French population throughout the country. 
They therefore came to the conclusion that whatever claim the people of the place possessed, 
and might have for a confirmation of their land titles, they must be founded upon proof of con 
tinued possession since the year 1796 The commissioners further say, that " since the ancestors 
of these settlers were cut off, by the treaty which gave the Canadas to the English, from all inter- 
course with their parent country, the people both of Prairie du Chien and Green Bay have been 
■eft, until within a few years, quite isolated, almost without any government but their own; and, 
although the present population of these settlements are natives of the countries which they 
inhabit, and, consequently, are by birth citizens of the northwest, yet, until a few years, they have 
had as little political connection with its government as their ancestors had with the British. 
Ignorant of their civil rights, careless of their land titles, docility, habitual hospitality, cheerful 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 219 

submission to the requisitions of any government which may be set over them, are their universal 
characteristics." 

In reference to grants by the French and English governments, the commissioners say, they 
" have not had access to any public archives by which to ascertain with positive certainly, whether 
either the French or English ever effected a formal extinguishment of the Indian title at the 
mouth of the Wisconsin, which also may be said of the land now covered by the city of Detroit , 
that the French government was not accustomed to hold formal treaties for such purposes with 
the Indians, and when the lands have been actually procured from them, either by virtue of the 
assumed right of conquest, or by purchase, evidence of such acquisition is rather to be sought in 
the traditionary history of the country, or in the casual or scanty relations of travelers, than 
among collections of state papers. Tradition does recognize the fact of the extinguishment of 
the Indian title at Prairie du Chien by the old French government, before its surrender to the 
English; and by the same species of testimony, more positive because more recent, it is estab- 
lished also, that, in the year 1781, Patrick Sinclair, lieutenant governor of the province of Upper 
Canada, while the English government had jurisdiction over this country, made a formal purchase 
from the Indians of the lands comprehending the settlement of Prairie du Chien." 

The territories and states formed from the section known as the Northwest territory, 
were : 

I The Northwest territory proper (1787-1800) having jurisdiction over all the lands referred 
to in the ordinance of 1787. In 1802, Ohio was organized as a state with its present boun- 
daries. 

1. Indiana terrritory was formed July 4, 1800, with the seat of government at Vincennes 
That territory was made to include all of the northwest, except what afterward became the state 
of Ohio. 

3. Michigan territory was formed June 30, 1805. It was bounded on the south by a line 
drawn east from the south bend of Lake Michigan, on the west by the center of Lake Michigan. 
It did not include what is now Wisconsin. The upper peninsula was annexed in r836. The 
state of Michigan was formed January 26, 1837, with its present boundaries. 

4. Illinois territory was formed March 2, i8io. It included all of the Indiana territory west 
of the Wabash river and Vincennes, and a line running due north to the territorial line. All of 
Wisconsin was included therein, except what lay east of the line drawn north from Vincennes. 

5. Indiana was admitted as a state April 19, 1816, including all the territory of Indiana 
territory, except a narrow strip east of the line of Vincennes, and west of Michigan territory, her 
western boundary. 

6. Illinois was admitted as a state April 11, 1818. It included all of Illinois territory south 
of latitude 42° 30'. All of Wisconsin was added to Michigan territory. In the month of Octo- 
ber of that year, the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford were formed, comprising 
besides other territory, the whole of the present state of Wisconsin. 

7. Iowa district was attached to Michigan for judicial purposes, June 30, 1834, out of which 
Des Moines and Dubuque counties were formed. 

8. Wisconsin territory was formed April 20, 1836. The state was formed May 29, 1848. 
The territory of Wisconsin being a part of the Northwest territory claimed, and congress by 

direct action confirmed to her, all the rights and privileges secured by the ordinance of 1787, 
one of which was that congress should have authority to form one or two states in that part of 
the territory lying north of an east and west line, drawn through the southerly bend or extreme 
of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding this plain provision of the ordinance, which is declared to 



220 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 

be articles of compact between the original states and the people and states in the said territory, 
and forever to remain unalterable unless by consent ; yet congress, in establishing the boundaries 
of the state of Illinois, extended that state about sixty miles north of the line established by the 
ordinance. This action was claimed to be unjust and contrary to the spirit and letter of the 
•compact with the original states. The legislative assembly of Wisconsin passed resolutions 
which were approved January 13, 1840, that it was inexpedient for the people of the territory to 
form a constitution and state government until the southern boundary to which they are so justly 
entitled by the ordinance of 1787 shall be fully recognized by the parties of the original com- 
pact. Owing to various complications over which the territory had no control, her people never 
succeeded in obtaining from congress what they considered their just rights. 

It was also contended by many, that the portion of country set off to Michigan on Lalce 
Superior given as a compensation in part for the strip of land awarded to Ohio from her south- 
ern border, should also have constituted a portion of Wisconsin, especially as Michigan never 
made the least claim to it by her delegate in congress, who was decidedly opposed to the exten- 
sion of Michigan beyond the limits of the lower peninsula. 

The first survey of the public lands northwest of the Ohio river, was made pursuant to an 
act of congress approved May 20, 1785 The geographer of the confederation was diected to 
commence the survey of the government lands on the north side of the river Ohio — the first line 
running north and south, to begin on said river at a point that should be found to be due north 
from the western termination of a line which had been run as the southern boundary of the state 
of Pennsylvania; the first line running east and west, to begin at the same point, and to extend 
through the whole territory. The survey comprised seven ranges, composing ten counties of 
the present state of Ohio. Other surveys followed when the Indian title was extinguished. 
Thomas Hutchins, who held the office of geographer, is believed to be the inventor of the 
mode of laying out land which was then introduced by him, and is still in general use by the 
government. 

Soon after the government had acquired title to the Indian lands south of the Wisconsin 
river, the public authorities commenced a systematic survey of the lands, for the purpose of 
bringing the same into market at the earliest possible period. 

The public lands in Wisconsin are, as elsewhere in the west, surveyed in uniform rec- 
tangular tracts, each six miles square, by lines running north and south, intersecting others 
running east and west. These townships are numbered from two lines called the principal 
meridian and the base line. The principal meridian by which the Wisconsin surveys are gov- 
erned is that known as the fourth, and extends from the Illinois boundarj' line to Lake Superior, 
at the mouth of Montreal river, about two hundred and eighty-two miles. It divides Grant 
from LaFayette county, and passes through the eastern parts of Vernon, Monroe, Jackson, Clark, 
Chippewa, and Ashland counties. The base line separates Wisconsin from Illinois in north 
latitude forty-two degrees, thirty minutes. There are nearly seventeen hundred townships in 
the state. Each township is subdivided into thirty-six sections by lines running parallel to the 
sides of the township, one mile apart. A section is, therefore, one mile square, and contains six 
hundred and forty acres. In fractional townships, each section is numbered the same as the 
corresponding section in whole townships. Each section is subdivided into half-mile squares, 
called quarter-sections, each containing one hundred and sixty acres, and the subdivision is 
carried still further into half-quarter or quarter-quarter sections. It is found necessary to estab- 
lish at stated intervals standard parallels, commonly called correction lines, to obviate the effect 
of the curvature of the earth's surface. The convergence in a single township is small, though 
quite perceptible, the actual excess in length of its south over its north line being in the state 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 



221 



about three rods. The townships north of the base line, therefore, become narrower toward the 
north, and if continued for too great a distance, this narrowing would cause serious inconvenience. 
In the state of Wisconsin there are four of these correction lines. The first is sixty miles 
north of the base line, and accordingly runs between townships ten and eleven. The second is 
between townships twenty and twenty-one, and so on. They are usually sixty miles apart. On 
these parallels, which form new base lines, fresh measurements are made from the principal 
meridian, and the corners of new townships are fixed six miles apart as oa the original base line. 
This method of procedure not only takes up the error due to convergency of meridians, but 
arrests that caused by want of precision in the surveys already made. 

The northern or western sections of townships, which contain more or less than six hun- 
dred and forty acres, are called fractional sections, for the reason that the surplusage or 
deficiency arising from errors in surveying, and from other causes, is by law added to or 
deducted from the western or northern ranges of sections according as the error may be in run- 
ning the lines from east to west, or from north to south. 

As soon as the surveys were completed in southern Wisconsin and the Green Bay section, 
and a knowledge of the superior qualities of the land for agricultural purposes were known to 
the people, the emigration became large. In fact much land was taken possession of by settlers 
in advance of being surveyed and brought into market. As soon as the land offices at Green 
Bay, Mineral Point, and Milwaukee were located, public announcement was made by the govern- 
ment, of the time of the sale, when the lands were put up to the highest bidder, and such as were 
unsold were afterward subject to private entry. The first sales were held at Green Bay and 
Mineral Point in the year 1835. The sale at Milwaukee was in 1839. From the reports of the 
general land office, it appears that from 1835 to 1845 inclusive, there were sold at the three land 
offices from public sale, 2,958,592-j*ij%- acres, amounting to $3,768,106.51. 

Fort Howard military reservation was set apart by order of the president March 2, 1829, 
and comprised all the lands lying upon Fox river and Green bay, in township 24 north, range 20 
east, 4th principal meridian, being about four thousand acres. The lands were abandoned for 
military purposes, by the war department, December 4, 1850. By an act of congress approved 
March 3, 1863, the commissioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause 
the reservation, including the site of the fort, containing three and four-hundredths acres, situated 
in the county of Brown, between Fox river and Beaver Dam run, and which is not included in 
the confirmations to T. C. Dousman and Daniel Whitney, nor in the grant to the state of Wis- 
consm, under resolutions of congress approved April 25, 1862, granting lands to Wisconsin to 
aid in the construction of railroads, to be surveyed and subdivided into lots not less than one- 
fourth of an acre, and not more than forty acres, deducting such portions of the same as the 
public interest and convenience may require ; and when so surveyed and platted, to be sold sep- 
arately at auction; On the loth of November, 1864, under directions of the commissioner, the 
lands were offered for sale at auction at the fort. About one-half of the lands were sold, and 
purchased by actual settlers, and but few for speculation. The fort and the lands contiguous 
were sold for six thousand four hundred dollars. The other lands sold brought about the sum 
of nineteen thousand dollars. 

That portion of the reservation unsold was to be subject to private entry at the appraised 
value, and that portion lying between Duck creek and Beaver Dam creek, was subject to entry 
as other public lands were offered. 

On the 20th of May, 1868, a joint resolution of congress was approved, by which the com- 
missioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause a patent to be issued 
to the Chicago & Northwestern railroad company, in pursuance of a resolution passed by con- 



222 HISTOKY OF AVISCONSTN. 

gress, granting the same to the state of Wisconsin, approved April 25, 1862, and by act of the 
legislature approved June 16, 1862, granting the same to that company for eighty acres of land, 
as was .surveyed and approved by said commissioner June 11, 1864. The lands thus donated 
are now used by the railroad company for their depot grounds 

The Fort Crawford military reservation was purchased from J. H. Lockwood and James D. 
Doty by the government in the year 1829, and covered the front and main portions of farm lots 
numbered thirty -three and thirty-four, of the private land clamis at Prairie du Chien, and com- 
prised about one hundred and sixty acres. Fort Crawford was built on this tract in 1829, 1S30 
and 1831. There was also a reservation of section eighteen, township seven, north of range 
four west, known as the Cattle Yard. This land was at the mouth of the Kickapoo river, and 
is now known as the village of Wauzeka. In addition to these lands which were located in Wis- 
consin, there was a reservation of lands lying on the west side of the Mississippi river, in Iowa. 
The lands in Wisconsin were relinquished by the secretary of wai, January 10, 1851, and were 
originally set apart by the president of the United States, February 17, 1843. 

In the month of .\pril, 1857, the secretary of war authorized Hon. H. M. Rice, of Minne- 
sota, to sell that part of the reservation not improved, in tracts not exceeding forty acres each; 
and, in the month of June of that year, he sold at auction five hundred and seven acres of the 
reserve opposite Fort Crawford, none of which was claimed by actual settlers ; and in the month 
of December, 1857, he sold the remainder to claimants of lands, also on the west side, and the 
section in Wisconsin known as the Cattle Yard, amounting to 1771%^ acres. A portion of this 
reservation was subdivided into town lots, 80 by 140 feet, with streets 66 feet and alleys 20 feet 
wide November 17, 1864, the acting commissioner of the general land office, by order 
of the war department, offered for sale at public auction at La Crosse the reservation at Fort 
Crawford, which had been surveyed and subdivided into town lots, eighty by one hundred and 
forty feet, with streets sixty-five feet and alleys twenty feet wide, conforming to the plat of the 
village of Prairie du Chien. The lands unsold were subsequently opened to private entry and 
disposed of 

The lands of the Fort Winnebago reservation were set apart by order of the president, 
February 9, 1835, and consisted of the following territory; sections two, three, and that part of 
four lying east of Fox river, and fractional section nine, all in township twelve, north of range 
nine east , also fractional section thirty-three, in township thirteen, north of range nine east, 
lying west of Fox river, and the fraction of section four, township twelve north, of range nine 
east, lying west of claim numbered twenty-one of A. Grignon, and adjacent to Fort Winnebago, 
reserved by order of the president, July 29, 1851 the whole amounting to about four thousand 
acres. September the first, r853, these lands were by order of the president offered for sale 
at public auction at the fort, by F. H. Masten, assistant quartermaster United States army, 
having previously been surveyed into forty acre lots, and were purchased by J. B. Martin, G. C. 
Tallman, W. H. Wells, Wm. Wier, N. H. Wood, M. R. Keegan, and others. 

The first land offices in Wisconsin were established under an act of congress approved 
June 26, r834, creating additional land districts in the states of Illinois and Missouri, and in the 
territory north of the state of Illinois. The first section provides " that all that tract lying north 
of the state of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox 
rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a north and south line, 
drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of tswnship line west of Fort 
Winnebago to the Wisconsin river, and to be called — the one on the west side, the Wisconsin 
land district, and that on the east side the Green Bay land district of the territory of Michigan, 
which two districts shall embrace the country north of said rivers when the Indian title shall be 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 223 

extinguished, and the Green Bay district may be divided so as to form two districts, whe» 
the president shall deem it proper;" and by section three of said act, the president was author- 
ized to appoint a register and receiver for such office, as soon as a sufficient number of townships 
are surveyed. 

An act of congress, approved June 15, 1836, divided the Green Bay land district, as estab- 
lished in 1834, " by a line commencing on the western boundary of said district, and running 
thence east between townships ten and eleven north, to the line between ranges seventeen and 
eighteen east, thence north between said ranges of townships to the line between townships 
twelve and thirteen north, thence east between said townships twelve and thirteen to Lake 
Michigan ; and all the country bounded north by the division line here described, south by the 
base line, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the division line between ranges eight and nine 
east," to be constituted a separate district and known as the " Milwaukee land district." It 
included the present counties of Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth and 
Milwaukee, and parts of Green, Dane, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia. 

An act was approved March 3, 1847, creating an additional land district in the territory. 
All that portion of the public lands lying north and west of the following boundaries, formed a 
district to be known as the Chippewa land district : commencing at the Mississippi river on the 
line between townships twenty-two and twenty-three north, running thence east along said line 
to the fourth principal meridian, thence north along said meridian line to the line dividing town- 
ships twenty-nine and thirty, thence east along such township line to the Wisconsin river, thence up 
the main channel of said river to the boundary line between the state of Michigan and the territory 
of Wisconsin. The counties now included in this district are Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire, Dunn, 
Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Taylor, Chippewa, and parts 
of Buffalo, Trempeleau and Jackson ; also, the new county of Price. 

An act of congress, approved March 2, 1849, changed the location of the land office in the 
Chippewa district from the falls of St. Croi.x to Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the 
proposed territory of Minnesota; and, by section two of the act, an additional land office and 
district was created, comprising all the lands in Wisconsin not included in the districts of land 
subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Mineral Point, which was to be known as the Western 
land district, and the president was authorized to designate the site where the office should be 
located. Willow River, now Hudson, was selected. The district was. usually known as the St. 
Croix and Chippewa district, and included St. Croix, La Pointe," and parts of Chippewa and 
Marathon counties. By an act of congress, approved July 30, 1852, so much of the public lands 
in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest corner of township 
fifteen, north of range two east of the fourth principal meridian, thence running due east to the 
southeast corner of township fifteen, north of range eleven, east of the fourth principal meridian, 
thence north along such range line to the north line of the state of Wisconsin, thence westwardly 
along said north line to the line between ranges one and two east of fourth principal meridian, 
thence south to the place of beginning, were formed into a new district, and known as the 
Stevens Point land district, and a land office located at that place. 

The boundaries enclosed the present counties of Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake, 
Wavishara, Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Shawano, New and Marinette. The 
La Crosse land district was formed of the following territory : " Commencing at a point where 
the line between townships ten and eleven north touches the Mississippi river, thence due east to 
the fourth principal meridian, thence north to the line between townships fourteen and fifteen 
north, thence east to the southeast corner of township fifteen north, of range one east of the 



224 HISTORi' OF WISCONSIN 

fourth principal meridian, thence north on the range line to the south line of township number 
thirty-one north, thence west on the line between townships number thirty and thirty-one to the 
Chippewa river, thence down said river to its junction with the Mississippi river, thence down 
said river to the place of beginning." The present counties of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Buf- 
falo, Trempealeali, Eau Claire, Clark, and parts of Juneau and Chippewa were included in 
its limits. 

By act of congress, approved February 24, 1855, an additional district was formed of all that 
portion of the Willow river land district lying north of the line dividing townships forty and 
forty-one, to be called the Fond du Lac district — the office to be located by the president as he 
might from time to time direct. The present counties of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and part 
of Burnett were included within its boundaries. 

By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, so much of the districts of land subject to 
sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the state of Wisconsin, contained in the following boundaries, 
were constituted a new district, to be known as the Chippewa land district : North of the line 
dividing townships twenty-four and twenty-five north; south of the line dividing townships forty 
and forty-one north ; west of the line dividing ranges one and two east ; and east of the line 
dividing ranges eleven and twelve west. The location of the office was to be designated by the 
president as the public interest might require. The present counties of Chippewa, Taylor, Eau 
Claire and Clark were in this district. 

There are at the present time si.\ land offices in the state. They are located at Menasha, 
Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La Crosse, Bayfield and Eau Claire. By the provisions of law, when 
the number of acres of land in any one district is reduced to one hundred thousand acres, sub- 
ject to private entry, the secretary of the interior is required to discontinue the office, and the 
lands remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest land office, to be there subject to sale. The 
power of locating these offices rests with the president (unless otherwise directed by law), who is 
alsc authorized to change and re-establish the boundaries of land districts whenever, in his 
opinion, the public service will be subserved thereby. 

The pre-emption law of 1830 was intended for the benefit of actual settlers against compe- 
tition in open market with non-resident purchasers. It gave every person who cultivated any 
part of a quarter section the previous year, and occupied the tract at the date mentioned, the 
privilege of securing it by payment of the minimum price at any time before the day fixed for 
the commencement of the public sale. To avail himself of this provision he was to file proof 
of cultivation and occupancy. .-Vs men frequently located claims in advance of the survey, it 
occasionally happened that two or more would find theinselves upon the saine quarter section 
in which case the pre-emption law permitted two joint occupants to divide the quarter section 
equally between them, whereupon each party received a certificate from the land office, author- 
izing him to locate an additional eighty acres, elsewhere in the same land district, not interfering 
with other settlers having the right of preference. This was called a floating >''S^'-- This pro- 
vision of the law was ingeniously perverted from its plain purpose in various ways. 

As fast as these evasions came to the notice of the department, all certificates given to 
occupants of the same quarter section in excess of the two first, or to more than one member of 
the same family, to employees, to any person who had not paid for eighty acres originally 
occupied, as well as those which were not located at the time of such payment, and the additional 
tract paid for before the public sale, were held to be svorthless or fraudulent ; but a large number 
of these certificates had been issued, and passed into the hands of speculators and designing 
men, and were a source of almost endless vexation and annoyance to settlers. The law of 1830 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. z5J5 

expired by limitation in one year from its passage, but was revived by the law of 1834 for two 
years. In the interim no settler could obtain his land by pre-emption. The law of 1834 extended 
only to those who had made cultivation in 1833, consequently the settlers of later date were 
excluded from its benefits. Meanwhile the fraudulent floats were freely used to dispossess actual 
settlers as late as 1835. 

The pre-emption law of congress, approved September 4, 1841, provided that every person 
^ho should make a settlement in person on public land, and erect a dwelling, should be author- 
ized to enter a quarter section (one hundred and sixty acres), at the minimum price (one dollar 
and twenty-five cents per acre), and thus secure the same against competition ; and if any person 
should settle upon and improve land subject to private entry, he might within thirty days give 
notice to the register of the land office of his intention to claim the land settled upon, and might 
within one year upon making proof of his right, enter the land at the minimum price. 

At the public land sales at Mineral Point, held in 1835, all those tracts on which lead was 
found, or on which it was supposed to exist, were reserved to the United States, and were leased 
under certain regulations by the government for a rent of ten per centum of all the lead raised. 
The quantity of land thus reserved was estimated at one million acres. Considerable difficulty 
was found in collecting these rents, and subsequently it was abandoned, as the amount 
expended in collecting exceeded the value of the lead collected. In the period of four years 
the government suffered a loss of over nineteen thousand dollars. 

The act of congress, approved July 1 1, 1846, authorized the sale of the reserved mineral 
lands in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and provided that, after six months' public notice, the lands 
should not be subject to the rights of pre-emption imtil after the same had been offered at public 
sale, when they should be subject to private entry. The law also provided, that, upon satisfac- 
tory proof being made to the register and receiver of the proper land office, any tract or tracts 
of land containing a mine or mines of lead ore actually discovered and being worked, would be 
sold in such legal subdivisions as would include lead mines, and no bid should be received 
therefor at less than the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and if such tract or tracts 
should not be sold at such public sale, at such price, nor should be entered at private sale within 
twelve months thereafter, the same should be subject to sale as other lands. This act was 
changed by an act approved March 3, 1847, providing that any one being in possession by 
actual occupancy of a mine discovered prior to the passage of this act, who should pay the same 
rents as those who held leases from the secretary of war, should be entitled to purchase the lands 
prior to the day of sale at five dollars per acre. Mineral lands were to be offered for sale in forty 
acre pieces, and no bids were to be received less than five dollars per acre, and if not sold they 
were then to be subject to private entry at the same price. In 1847 or 1848 the reserved mineral 
lands were sold at public sale at Mineral Point at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and they 
were all disposed of at that price. 

Soon after the formation of Wisconsin territory, an act was passed by its legislature, 
approved January 5, 1838, incorporating the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, and by 
an act of congress approved June iS of the same year, a grant of land was made to aid in the 
construction of the canal. The grant consisted of the odd-numbered sections on a belt of ten 
miles in width from Lake Michigan to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of those lands 
43,447 acres were sold at public sale in July, 1839, at the minimum price of two dollars and fifty 
cents per acre. Work was commenced on the canal at Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee river for 
a short distance from its outlet was improved by the construction of a dam across the river, 
which was made available for manufacturing and other purposes. A canal was also built about 
a mile in length and forty feet wide, leading from it down on the west bank of the river. Mur JT 



226 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

dissatisfaction subsequently arose ; the purchasers at this sale, and others occupying these canal 
and reserved lands felt the injustice of being compelled to pay double price for their lands, and 
efforts were made to repeal all laws authorizing further sales, and to ask congress to repeal the 
act making the grant. The legislation on the subject of this grant is voluminous. In 1862 the 
legislature of the state passed an act to ascertain and settle the liabilities, if any, of Wisconsin 
and the company, and a board of commissioners was appointed for that purpose. At the session 
of the legislature in 1 863, the committee made a report with a lengthy opinion of the attorney-gen- 
eral of the state. The views of that officer were, that the company had no valid claims for damages 
against the state. In this opinion the commissioners concurred. On the 23d of March, 1875, 
an act was approved by the governor, giving authority to the attorney-general to discharge and 
release of record any mortgage before executed to the late territory of Wisconsin, given to secure 
the purchase money or any part thereof of any lands granted by congress to aid in the construc- 
tion of this canal. The quantity of lands unsold was subsequently made a part of the 500,000 
acre tract granted by congress for school purposes. It is believed the whole matter is now closed 
against further legislative enactments. 

The next grant of lands made by congress lor internal improvements in Wisconsin, was one 
approved August 8, 1846, entitled "an act to grant a certain quantity of land to aid in the 
improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and to connect the same by canal." By this act 
there was granted to Wisconsin on her becoming a state, for improving the navigation of the 
above-named streams, and constructing the canal to unite the same, a quantity of land equal to 
one-half of three sections in width on each side of Fox river, and the lakes through which it 
passes from its mouth to the point where the portage canal should enter the same, and each side 
of the canal from one stream to the other, reserving the alternate sections to the United States 
with certain provisions in relation thereto. On the 3d of August, 1854, an act of congress was 
approved, authorizing the governor of Wisconsin to select the balance of lands to which the state 
was entitled to under the provisions of the act of 1846, out of any unsold government lands sub- 
ject to private entry in the state, the quantity to be ascertained upon the principles which gov- 
erned the final adjustment of the grant to the state of Indiana, for the Wabash and Erie canal, 
approved May 9, 1848. In the years 1854 and 1855, acts of congress were passed, defining and 
enlarging the grant. Under the grants of 1S46, 1854 and 1855, the number of acres donated for 
this purpose and certified to the state, was 674,100. 

After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its legislature, approved 
August 8, 1848, a board of public works was created, through which the work of improving the 
said rivers, by the application thereto of the proceeds of the sale of the lands granted by con- 
gress, was undertaken by the state. 

It soon became apparent that the moneys realized from the sale of lands were insufficient to 
meet the obligations of the state issued by its board of public works as they became due ; and 
in 1853 the work was turned over to the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement company, a corpora- 
tion created under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved July 6, 1853. In 1856, by an 
act of the legislature of Wisconsin, approved October 3, 1856, the lands granted by congress 
then unsold were granted by the state, through the said company, to trustees, with power to 
sell, and to hold the proceeds in trust for the payment of state indebtedness, the completion 
of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by the said company, and the balance, if 
any, for the company itself 

In February, 1S66, the trustees, in execution of the powers contained in the deed of trust 
made to them, and pursuant to a judgment of the circuit court of Fond du Lac county, sold at 
public sale at Appleton, Wisconsin, the works of improvement and the balance of lands granted 



THE PUBLIC liOMAIX. 227 

by congress then unsold, and applied the proceeds to the purposes expressed in the deed of trust. 
The proceeds were sufficient to pay in full the expenses of the trust, the then outstanding 
state indebtedness, and to provide a fund sufficient to complete the work according to the plan 
specified in the act approved October 3, 1856. 

Under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved April 13, 1861, and the acts amend- 
atory thereof, the purchasers at said sale, on the isth day of August, 1866, filed their certificate 
in the office of the secretary of state, and thereby became incorporated as the Green Bay and 
Mississippi canal company, holding, as such company, the said works of improvement. 

At a subsequent date, under instructions from the engineer department of the United States, 
the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were placed in the charge of General G. K. War- 
ren, and by act of congress approved July 7, 1870, the secretary of war was authorized to 
appoint a board of arbitrators to ascertain how much the government should pay to the suc- 
cessors of the Improvement company, the Green Bay and Mississippi canal company, for the 
transfer of all its property and rights ; and by a subsequent act, approved June 10, 1872, an 
appropriation was made therefor. 

The legislation on matters connected with the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement would 
make a chapter of itself. The work is now in charge of the government, and will be prosecuted 
to completion in a satis;factory manner. 

On the 29th of May, 1848, an act was approved by the president "to enable the people of 
Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such 
state into the Union," by which certain propositions were to be submitted to the convention 
which were to be acted upon, and subsequently submitted to the people for their approval. The 
first constitutional convention was held in October, 1846, and, having framed a constitution, it 
was submitted to a vote of the people at the election in 1847, and it was rejected. The second 
convention met December 15, 1847, and, having formed a constitution, it was adopted by the 
people at the election in 1848. The following are the propositions proposed by congress : 

1. That section sixteen numbered in every township of the public lands of said state, and 
where such section has been sold or otherwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and 
as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to the said state for the use of schools. 

2. That seventy-two sections, or two entire townships, of land set apart and reserved for 
the use and support of a university by act of congress approved June 12, 1838, are hereby granted 
and conveyed to the state, to be appropriated solely to the use and support of such university in 
such manner as the legislature may prescribe. 

3. That ten entire sections of land to be selected and located under the direction of the 
legislature, in legal subdivisions of not less than one quarter of a section from any of the unap- 
propriated lands belonging to the United States within the state are granted to the state for 
completing the public buildings, or for the erection of others at the seat of government, under 
the direction of the legislature. 

4. That all salt-springs within the state, not exceeding twelve in number, shall be granted to 
the state, to be selected by the legislature, and when selected, to be used or disposed of on such 
terms, conditions, and regulations as the legislature shall direct. 

The title to all lands and other property which accrued to the territory of Wisconsin by 
grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheat, or otherwise, were, by the provisions of the constitution 
of the state, vested in the state ; and the people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, were 
declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within its jurisdiction ; and all 
lands, the title of which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the people. 

The act of congress for the admission of the state into the Union gave formal assent to the 



22g HISTORY OK WISCONSIK. 

«ant relative to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement, and the lands reserved to the United 
I "es by said grant, and also the grant to the territory of Wisconsin, for the purpose of a.dmg 
fn openLg a canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with those of Rock r.ver, were to be 
Offered for sale at the same minimum price, and subject to the same nghts of pre-empt.on as 

other Dublic lands of the United States. 

By the provisions of the state constitution, the secretary of state, the state treasurer and 
attorney-general, were constituted a board of commissioners for the sale of the school and 
unterJtv lands and for the investment of the funds arising therefrom. In the year 1850 the 
CoZSoi's put into market, for the first time, the school lands which had been donated to the 
star ?he total quantity of lands offered was :48,o3X, 44-i°o acres, wh.ch sold for tne sum of 

^%?an^act of congress, approved September 4, 1841, there were granted to the state 500^00 
acres of land which were, by act of the territorial legislature of 1849, appropriated to the schoo 
?und and the unsold lands of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, amounting to about 
rolo acres were to be included as a part of the above grant. These lands, and the sixteenth 
Lct'ion o eacrtownship, make up the whole of the school lands of the state. The whole 
number of acres sold up'; the year X877 is :,343,984 acres, and there remain unsold, subject 

to the year 1877, IS 1,869,677. ronstruction of a 

A Arrant of land was made by congress, approved March 3, 1863, for the construction o 

said road, and subject to the disposal of the legislature. ^"5 

the number of 85,96.89 acres, which realized ^h-^;;/ .^^^^^nf o'the state to build a military 
An act of congress was approved June 25, '^^Vr ^"^^^^^^^^ ^, .Uernate section of 

road from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Ontonagon, on Lake bupenor, o' every 

land dXated as 'odd sections, for three sections in width on each side of the road. The grant 
was accepted by the state by law, approved April 10, 1865. 



tup: public DOMAIX. 229 

canal at the head of Sturgeon bay, Wis., to connect the waters of Green bay with Lake Michigan. 
The grant was for 200,000 acres of land. The grant was accepted by the legislature of 1868. 
In 1 874, the same body by resolution transferred to the Sturgeon bay and Lake Michigan ship canal 
and harbor company 32,342 acres, and the remaining portion was authorized to be sold for agri- 
cultural purposes by said company. 

The first railroad grant in Wisconsin was by act of congress, approved June 3, 1856, by the 
first section of which there was granted to the state, for the purpose of aiding in the construction 
of a railroad from Madison or Columbus, by the way of Portage City, to the St. Croix river or 
lake, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one, and from thence to the west end of Lake 
Superior and to Bayfield ; and from Fond du Lac, on Lake Winnebago, northerly to the state line, 
every alternate section of land designated by odd numbers, for six sections in width on each side 
of said roads, respectively; the land to be applied exclusively in the construction of said roads, 
and to no other purpose whatever, and subject to the disposal of the legislature, and the same 
shall remain public highways for the use of the government, free from toll and other charges 
upon the transportation of property or troops of the United States, with other conditions as to 
the disposal of said lands. 

The grant was accepted by the legislature by an act approved October 8, 1856, and on the 
nth of the same month an act was approved granting a portion of the lands to the La Crosse & 
Mississippi railroad company, who were to carry out all the requirements of the original grant. 
A supplementary act was approved the same session, October 13, incorporating the Wisconsin & 
Superior railroad, which company was required to commence the construction of their road on 
or before January i, 1857, and to complete the same to Oshkosh before August i, 1858. Of this 
land grant John W. Cary says : " That portion of the grant given to aid in the construction of 
a railroad northerly to the state line was conferred on the Wisconsin & Superior railroad company. 
This company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac railroad 
company, and that part of the grant was transferred to it. The road was, in 1859, extended to 
Oshkosh, and thence to Menasha, and finally to Green Bay. In the panic of 1857, the company 
failed to meet its obligations, but was afterward enabled to go on, and continued in possession 
until June 2, 1859, when its road was sold on the foreclosures of the mortgages given thereon ; 
and on the sixth of the same month the present Chicago & Northwestern railroad company was 
organized under the statute, by purchasers at said sale, and took possession." 

A large portion of the original grant was given for the construction of a road from Madison 
or Columbus to the St. Croix river, as before stated. The La Crosse company, during the years 
1857 and 1858, completed its main line to La Crosse; the Watertown line, from Watertown to 
Columbus, and partially graded the line from Madison to Portage City. Neither it nor its suc- 
cessors ever received any part of the lands of the land grant. 

In 1856 and 1857, the La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad graded most of the line from Madi- 
son to Portage. After the failure of the company, this line was abandoned, and so remained 
until 1870, when a new company was organized, under the name of the Madison & Portage City 
railroad company. In 1873, an act was passed chartering the Tomah & Lake St. Croix railroad 
company, and repealing and annulling that portion of the land grant which bestowed the lands 
from Tomah to Lake St. Croix upon the La Crosse company, and bestowing the same upon the 
company chartered by this act. This road is known as the West Wisconsin railroad. 

An act of congress was approved May 5, 1864, granting lands to aid in the construction of 
certain roads in the state. This was a re-enactment of the law of 1856, and divided the grant 
m three sections, one of which was for a road from a point on the St. Croix river or lake, between 



230 HISTOKY OF WISCOKSIN. 

townships twenty-five and thirty-one, to the west end of Lake Superior, and from some point on 
the line of said road, to be selected by the state, to Bayfield — every alternate section designated 
by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of said road, with an indemnity extending 
twenty miles on each side, was granted, under certain regulations ; another, for aiding in building 
a road from Tomah to the St. Croix river, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one — every 
alternate section by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of the road ; another 
for aiding and constructing a railroad from Portage City, Berlin, Doty's Island, or Fond du Lac, 
as the legislature may determine, in a northwestern direction, to Bayfield, on Lake Superior, and 
a grant of every alternate section designated by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each 
side of said road, was donated. 

The legislature of 1865 failed to agree upon a disposition of the grant. The succeeding 
legislature conferred the grant partly upon the " Winnebago & Lake Superior Railroad Company," 
and partly upon the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company," the former April 6, 1866, and the 
latter April 9, 1866. The two companies were consolidated, under the name of the "Portage, 
Winnebago & Superior Railroad," by act of the legislature, March 6, 1869, and by act of legis- 
lature approved February 4, 187 1, the name was changed to the "Wisconsin Central Railroad." 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 

By JOSEPH HOBBINS, M.D. 

An article on state health, necessarily embracing the etiology, or causes of disease, involves 
the discussion of the geographical position of the state; its area, physical features; its elevations, 
depressions; water supply; drainage; its mean level above the sea; its geology; climatology; 
the nationality of its people; their occupations, habits, food, education; and, indeed, of all the 
physical, moral and mental influences which affect the public health. 

Geographical Position. 

The geographical position of Wisconsin, considered in relation to health, conveys an imme- 
diate and favorable impression, which is at once confirmed by a reference to the statistical atlas 
of the United States. On its north it is bounded by Lake Superior, Minnesota, and the northern 
peninsula of Michigan; on the south by Illinois; on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the 
west by the Mississippi. It lies between 42° 30' and 46" 55' N. latitude, and between 87° and 
92° 50' W. long.; is 285 miles long from north to south, and 255 in breadth from east to west, 
giving it an area of some 53,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 acres. Its natural surface divisions, 
or proportions, are 16 per cent, of prairie, 50 of timber, 19 of openings, 15 of marsh, mineral 
undefined. North of 45° the surface is nearly covered with vast forests of pine. The proportion 
of the state cultivated is nearly one-sixth. 

Physical Features. 

Among these, its lacustrine character is most conspicuous, so much so that it may not inaptly 
be called the state of a thousand lakes, its smaller ones being almost universal and innumerable. 






HEALTH OF WIS('0:NSIN. 231 

It has an almost artificially perfect arrangement of its larger rivers, both for supply and drainage, 
is rolling in its surface, having several dividing ridges or water sheds, and varies from 600 to 1,600 
feet above the level of the sea. Blue Mounds being 1,729 feet above sea level. Its pine and 
thickly wooded lands are being rapidly denuded, and to some extent converted to agricultural 
purposes; its marshes in the north are being reclaimed for cranberry cultivation, and in the more 
thickly settled parts of the state for hay purposes. The surface of the state is beautifully diver- 
sified w'th stream, waterfall and rapids ; richly wooded bluffs several hundred feet in height, 
assuming the most romantic and pleasing forms, and composed of sandstone, magnesian 
limestone, granite, trap, etc. The health and summer resorts of Wisconsin are illustrative of its 
beauty, and its numerous mineral springs have long since formed an important feature of its 
character for salubrity. 

Geology. 

The geology of Wisconsin does not require from us but a very general notice, as it is only 
from its relation to disease that we have to consider it. This relation is in a measure apparent 
in the fact that everywhere the topographical features are governed by the strata below them. 
The relationship will be seen still further in the chemical or sanitary influence of the geological 
structures. Through the greater part of the south half of the state limestone is found, the cliff 
prevailing in the mineral region, and the blue in the other parts ; while in the north part of the 
state the primitive rocks, granite, slate, and sandstone prevail. South of the Wisconsin river 
sandstone in layers of limestone, forming the most picturesque bluffs, abounds. While west of 
Lake Michigan extends up to these rocks the limestone formation, being rich in timber or prairie 
land. Sandstone is found underneath the blue limestone. The general dip of the stratified 
rocks of the state is toward the south, about 8 feet to the mile. 

Medical geology treats of geology so far only as it affects health. Thus, some diluvial soils 
and sands are known to be productive of malarial fevers ; others, of a clayey character, retaining 
water, are productive of cold damp, and give rise to pulmonary and inflammatory diseases ; 
while others still, being very porous, are promotive of a dry and equable atmosphere. In 
the Potsdam rocks arise our purest waters and best supply, while our magnesian limestone rocks 
(a good quality of this kind of rock being composed of nearly equal parts of carbonate of lime 
and carbonate of magnesia) affect the water to the extent of producing simple diarrhoea in those 
unaccustomed to drinking it, as is observed in southern visitors, and was especially noticeable 
in the rebel prisoners at Camp Randall, though singularly enough do not seem to produce 
stone and gravel, as is alleged of the same kind of water in the north of England. Why this is 
so — if so — is a question of some interest. Goitre and cretinism are both attributed to the use 
of the same magnesian limestone water. Goitre is by no means an uncommon affection here, 
but not common enough, perhaps, to warrant us in thinking its special cause is in the water. 
Boiling the water is a preventive of all injurious effects. There is still another objection- — -partic- 
ularly applicable to cities — to this kind of water, the carbonates of lime and magnesia which 
it contains, not simply making it hard, but giving it the power to promote the decomposition of 
organic matters, and thus where the soil is sandy or porous, endangering the purity of our well- 
water. Geology in general affects all our soils and their products; all our drainage; even our 
architecture, the material with which we build. Our building stone for half of the state is a 
magnesian limestone, a rather soft or poor quality of which will absorb one-third of its bulk of 
water, or two and a half gallons to the cubic foot, while most kinds of sandstone are nearly as 
porous as loose sand, and in some of them the penetrability for air and water is the same. (A 
single brick of poor quality will absorb a pint of water). Such materials used in the construction 



232 HISTOUY OF "WISCOXSIN. 

of our dwellings, without precautionary measures, give rise to rheumatism, other grave diseases, 
and loss of strength. Besides, this character of stone absorbs readily all kinds of liquid and 
gaseous impurities, and though hardening in dry air, decays soon when exposed to underground 
moisture. The material of which our roads are made, as well as the kind of fuel we use in our 
homes, have the s.ime unquestionable relationship to geology and disease. 

Drainage. 

The natural drainage of the state, bearing in mind that the mean elevation of its hydro- 
graphical axis is about i,ooo feet above the sea level, is as excellent as it is obvious. (A line 
running from Lake Michigan across the state to the Mississippi, shows an elevation of about 500 
feet). North its drainage is by a few rapid but insignificant streams into Lake Superior, while 
east it increases greatly and enters Lake Michigan by way of Green bay. The principal part of 
the supply and drainage, however, is from the extreme north to the southwest through the center 
of the state, by five large rivers, which empty themselves into the Mississippi at almost equal 
distances from each other. 

Climatology. 

The climatology of Wisconsin will be exhibited in the observations taken at different times, 
for longer or shorter periods, and at different points of the state. But it must be borne in mind 
that climate depends quite as much and very frequently more upon the physical surroundings, 
upon the presence of large bodies of water, like our lakes, upon large forests, like our pineries, 
like our heavy hard-woods, and of land elevations and depressions, upon isothermal lines, etc., as 
it does upon latitude. Our historic period is of a character too brief for us to assume to speak 
of our climate, or of all the changing causes which influence it — in a positive manner, our 
horticultural writers, to make the difficulty still greater, affirming that it ha.% several climates within 
itself; still, sufficient data have been gathered from sufficiently reliable sources to enable us to 
form a tolerably accurate idea of the subject. 

The great modifiers of our climate are our lakes. These, bounding as they do, the one, 
Lake Superior (600 feet above the level of the sea. 420 miles long and 160 broad), on the north 
side of the state, and the other. Lake Michigan (578 feet above the sea level, 320 miles long and 
84 broad), on the east side of the state, serve to govern the range of the thermometer and the 
mean temperature of the seasons, as much as they are governed in New England by the ocean. 
Our climate is consequently very much like that of the New England sea-board. They both 
exhibit the same extremes and great extremes, have the same broadly marked continental features 
at some seasons, and decided tropical features at others. It is of special interest in this con- 
nection to know that the climate between the eastern coast and the lakes increases in rigor as 
one advances west until the lakes are reached, and again becomes still more rigorous as one 
advances into the interior west of the lakes, thus affording proof, if proof were wanting, of the 
modifying and agreeable influences of large bodies of water 

During the winter the mean temperature of the east on the New England coast is 8.38 
higher than the west (beyond the lakes) ; during the spring 3.53 lower ; during the summer 6.99 
lower; and during the autumn 1.54 higher. In the mean temperature for the year there is but a 
fractional difference. That the winters are less rigorous and the summers more temperate on 
the Great Lakes is demonstrated to be owing not to elevation, but, as on the ocean, to the equal- 
izing agency of an expanse of water. 

On the lakes the annual ratio of fair days is 117, and on the New England coast 215 ; the 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 233 

cloudy days are as 127 to 73; the rainy as 63 to 46 . and the snowy as 45 to 29 In the former 
the prevailing weather is cloudy, and in the latter it is fair. The immense forests on the upper 
lake shores of course exercise a considerable influence in the modification of our temperature, as 
well as in the adding to our rain-fall and cloudy days. A climate of this character, with its 
attendant rains, gives us that with which we are so abundantly supplied, great variety of food, 
both for man and beast, the choicest kinds of fruits and vegetables in the greatest profusion, and 
of the best quality, streams alive with fish, woods and prairies with game, the noblest trees, the 
most exquisite flowers, and the best breeds of domestic animals the world can boast of. 

The semi-tropical character of our summer, and its resemblance to that of New England, is 
shown by the mean temperature — 70*^ — for three months at Salem, Massachusetts, at Albany, 
New York, at southern Wisconsin, Fort Snelling and Fort Benton on the Upper Missouri, being 
the same ; while at Baltimore, Cincinnati and St. Louis, it is 75", and around the gulf of Mexico 
it is 80°. Another feature of our climate is worthy the notice of invalids and of those who make 
the thermometer their guide for comfort. It is a well-ascertained fact that during the colder 
seasons the lake country is not only relatively, but positively, warmer than places far south of it. 
The thermometer, during the severe cold of January, 1856, did not fall so low at the coldest, by 
10° to 15" at Lake Superior as at Chicago at the same time. This remark holds true of the 
changes of all periods of duration, even if continued over a month. The mean temperature at 
Fort Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 600 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 44° 40', 
longitude 87°, observations for nine years, is 44.93; and at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, 
Wisconsin, 580 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 43° 3', longitude 90" 53', observa- 
tions for four years, is 45.65, giving a just idea of our mean temperature for the state. Under 
the head of distribution of heat in winter, it is found that the maximum winter range at Fort 
Winnebago, Wisconsin, for sixteen years, is 9.4. 

Hyetal or Rain Character. 

Wisconsin is situated within what is termed the area of constant precipitation, neither affected 
by a rainy season, nor by a partial dry season. The annual quantity of rain on an average for 
three years at Fort Crawford, was 29.54 inches, and at Fort Howard the mean annual on an 
average of four years, was 38.83 inches. The annual quantity of rain, on an average of three 
years was 31. 88 inches at Fort Winnebago, situate (opposite the portage between the Fox and 
Wisconsin rivers) 80 miles west of Lake Michigan and 112 miles southwest of Green Bay. The 
rain-fall is less in the lake district than in the valley of the Mississippi in the same latitudes. 
One of the peculiarities of our winters is the almost periodical rain-fall of a few days in the 
middle of the winter (usually in the middle of January), which extends to the Atlantic coast, 
while north and northwest of us the dry cold continues without a break, winter being uniform and 
severe, characterized by aridity arid steady low temperature. Another peculiarity of our climate 
is, the number of snowy and rainy days is increased disproportionately to the actual quantity — 
the large bodies of water on the boundaries of the state, contrary to the popular opinion, reduc- 
ing the annual quantity of rain in their immediate vicinity instead of adding to it, the heavier 
precipitation being carried further away. One of the most pleasing features of our climate is its 
frequent succession of showers in summer, tempering as it does our semi-tropical heat, increasing 
the fertility of the soil, and carpeting our prairies with a green as grateful to the eye as that of 
England. 

The hygrometric condition of Wisconsin may be judged of with proximate accuracy by that 
given of Poultney, Iowa : 



234 



HISTORY OF "WISCONSIN 



Dav Temperature 
'' of Air. 


Temperature 
of Evaporat'n 


Humidity, 
per cent. 


Day. 


Temperature 
of Air. 


Temperature 
of Evaporat'n 


Humidity, 
per cent. 


loth 

II 

12 

13--- 

14 


92° 
87 
92 
96 

93 


78° 

75 
77 
Si 
78 


51 
55 
48 
50 
44 


I9lh 

20 ... .. 

21 

29 

30 


94° 
97 
96 
81 

34 


Si- 
Si 
80 
72 
71 


55 
48 
47 
63 
50 







The average depth of snow for three years, at Beloit, Wiscoiisin, was twenty-five inches, 
while at Oxford county, Maine, the average for twelve years was ninety inches. The isohyetal 
lines of the mean precipitation of rain and melted snow, for the year 1872, show that of Wiscon- 
sin to be thirty-two. 

Isotherms. 

The mean tempi-iature of spring is represented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters Wis- 
consin from the west about forty miles south of Hudson, passing in a nearly southeast direction, 
and crosses the south line of the state near the west line of Walworth county. It then passes nearly 
around the head of Lake Michigan, then northeast until it reaches the latitude of Milwaukee, 
whence it passes in a somewhat irregular course east through Ontario, New York, and Massa- 
chusetts, entering the ocean in the vicinity of Boston. The summer mean isotherm of 70° F. 
enters Wisconsin from the west bvit little farther north than the spring isotherm, and passes 
through the state nearly parallel with the course of that line, crossing the southern boundary 
near the east line of Walworth county ; passing through Chicago it goes in a direction a little 
south of east, and enters the Atlantic at New Haven. The mean isotherm of 47° F. for autumn, 
enters the state about twenty miles north of Prairie du Chien, passing in a direction a little north 
of east through Portage, and enters Lake Michigan near Manitowoc. The isotherm of 20" F. 
representing the mean temperature of winter, enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes east 
and north and enters Lake Michigan at Sturgeon bay. The annual mean temperature is repre- 
sented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes across the 
State in a direction a little south of east, and enters Lake Michigan a little south of Milwaukee. 

What influence these isotherms have upon our belts of disease there are no data to show. 
But from their influence upon vegetable life, one can not but infer a similar good influence on 
the animal economy. This is a question for the future. 

Barometrical. 



Yearly mean of barometer at 32" F. as observed 
1,088 feet above the sea : 

l86g 28.932 inches. 

1870 28.867 " 

1871 28.986 ■' 

1872 28.898 



at the University iif Wisconsin, altitude 

1873 28.892 inches. 

1874.-- 28.867 •' 

1875 .28.750 " 

1876 28.920 

Atmospheric pressure, as indicated by the barometer, is an important element in the causation 
of disease, far more so than is generally thought. The barometer indicates not only the coming 
of the storm, but that state of the atmosphere which gives rise to health at one time, and to 
disease at another. When the barometer is high, both the body and mind have a feeling of 
elasticity, of vigor and activity, and when the barometer ranges low, the feelings of both are just 
the reverse ; and both of these states, commonly attributed to temperature, are mostly the result 
of change in the barometric pressure. Many inflammations, as of the lungs, etc., commonly 



\ 



HEALTH OF AVISCONSIN. 235 

attributed to change in the temperature, have their origin in barometrical vicissitudes. 

Winds. 

Generally speaking, the atmospheric movement is from the west. It is of little purpose 
what the surface wind may be, as this does not affect the fact of the constancy of the westerly 
ivinds in the middle latitudes. The showers and cumulus clouds of the summer always have this 
movement. The belt of westerly winds is the belt of constant and equally distributed rains, the 
feature of our winds upon which so much of our health and comfort depends. 

t'LIMATOLOdlCAL ChANCKS I- KOM SeTTLINU THK StATE. 

There are many theories afloat concerning the effects of reclaiming the soil and the destruc- 
tion of its forests. To us, a new people and a new state, the question is one of great moment, 
the more so that it is still in our power not only to watch the effects of such changes, but still 
more so to control them in a measure for our good. As to the effects upon animal and vegetable 
life, it would appear that so far as relates to the clearing away of forests, the whole change of 
conditions is limited to the surface, and dependent for the most part on the retention and slow 
evaporation in the forest, in contrast with the rapid drainage and evaporation in the open space. 
The springs, diminishing in number and volume in our more settled parts of the state, do not 
indicate a lessening rain-fall. It is a well ascertained fact that in other places so denuded, which 
have been allowed to cover themselves again with forests, the springs reappear, and the streams 
are as full as before such denudation. With us, happily, while the destruction of forests is going 
on in various parts of the state, their second growth is also going on, both in the pineries, where 
new varieties of hard-wood take the place of the pine, and in the more cultivated parts of the 
state, cultivation forbidding, as it does, the practice so much in vogue some years ago, of running 
fires through the undergrowth. Thus, though the renewal of forests may not be keeping pace 
with their destruction, it would seem clear that as time advances, the springs and streams in the 
more cultivated sections of the state will fill and flow again, increasing in proportion as the second 
growth increases and expands. 

The change, however, from denudation, though strictly limited to the surface, affects the 
surface in other ways than simply in the retention and evaporation of rain. When the winter 
winds are blowing, the want of the sheltering protection of belts of trees is bitterly felt, both by 
man and beast. And so, too, in the almost tropical heats of the summer ; both languish and suffer 
from the want of shade. Nor is the effect of denudation less sensibly felt by vegetable life. The 
growing of our more delicate fruits, like the peach, the plum, the pear, the better varieties of the 
cherry and gooseberry, with the beautiful half-hardy flowering shrubs, all of which flourished so 
well in a number of our older counties some twenty years ago, are as a rule no longer to be found 
in those localities, having died out, as is believed, from exposure to the cold winds, to the south 
west winds in particular, and for want of the protecting influence of the woods. In fruits, how 
ever, we have this compensation, that, while the more tender varieties have been disappearing, 
the hardier and equally good varieties, especially of apples, have been increasing, while the 
grape (than which nothing speaks better for climatology), of which we grow some 150 varieties, 
the strawberry, the raspberry, blackberry and currant, etc., hold their ground. Nor are the cattle 
suffering as much as forrherly, or as much as is perhaps popularly believed, from this want of 
forests or tree shelter. With the better breeds which our farmers have been able of late years to 
purchase, with better blood and better food, and better care, our stock instead of dwindling in 
condition, or in number, from the effect of cold, has progressed in quality and quantity, and 
competes with the best in the Chicago and the New York markets. 



236 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

There can, however, be no doubt that the planting of groves and belts of trees in exposed 
localities, would be serviceable in many ways; in tempering the air and impartmg to it an 
agreeable moisture in the summer; in modifying the severity of the cold in winter ; m moderating 
the extreme changes to which our climate is subject; and thus in a measure preventing those 
discomforts and diseases which occur from sudden changes of temperature. Besides, these 
plantings, when made between our homes or villages and malarial marshes southwest of us, serve 
(by the aid of our prevailing southwest winds) to break up, to send over and above and beyond 
us the malarial substratum of air to which we are otherwise injuriously exposed. 

The effects of reclaiming the soil, or "breaking " as it is called in the west, have, years ago 
when the state first began to be settled, been disastrous to health and to life. The moist sod 
being turnedover in hot weather, and left to undergo through the summer a putnfymgfomen- 
tative process, gave rise to the worst kind of malarial, typhoid (bilious) and dysenteric disease. 
Not however, that the virulence or mortality altogether depended upon the soil emanations. 
These were undoubtedly aggravated by the absolute poverty of the early settlers, who were 
wanting in everything, in proper homes, proper food and proper medical attendance, medicines 
•ind nursing These fevers have =:wept the state years ago, particularly in the autumns of 1844 
and 184s, but are now only observed from time to time in limited localities, followmg in the 
autumn the summer's " breaking." But it is pleasing to be able to add that through the advancing 
prosperity of the state, the greater abundance of the necessaries and comforts of life, and the 
facilities for obtaining medical care, the diseases incident to "settling" are much less common 
and much less fatal than formerly. 

Relations of Climatology to Saniiary Status. 
One of the principal reasons for gathering climalological observations, is to obtain sanitary 
information, which serves to show us where man may live with the greatest safety to his health. 
Every country, we might perhaps correctly say every state, has, if not its peculiar diseases, at 
least its peculiar type of diseases. And by nothing is either this type or variety of disease so 
much influenced as by climate. Hence the great importance of the study of climatology to 
health and disease, nay, even to the kind of medicine and to the regulating of the dose to be 
uiven It is. however, best to caution the reader that these meteorological observations are no 
always made at points where they would most accurately show the salubrity of a geographical 
district by reason of the fact that the positions were chosen not for this special purpose, but 
for purely military purposes. We allude to the forts of Wisconsin, from which our statistics for 
the most part come, .\nother caution it is also well to bear in mind in looking over the class of 
diseases reported at these stations in connection with their observations. The diseases are those 
of the military of the period, a class from which no very favorable health reports could be 
expected, considering their habits, exposure, and the influences incidental to frontier life. 

The geography of disease and climate is of special interest to the public, and a knowledge 
especially necessary to the state authorities, as it is only by such a knowledge that state legis- 
lation can possibly restrain or root out the endemic diseases of the state. In connection with 
the gathering of vital statistics must go the collection of meteorological and topographical 
statistics, as without these two latter the former is comparatively useless for sanitary purposes. 
More particularly does this apply to the malarial diseases of the state. 

Acclimation is very rarely discussed or even alluded to by our people in relation to Wisconsin, 
for the reason that, come from whatever part of Europe men may, or from the eastern states, 
acclimation is acquired for the most part unconsciously, rarely attended by any malarial aff-ection 
unless by exposure in such low, moist localities, where even the natives of the state could not 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 237 

live with impunity. It seems to be well enough established that where malaria exists, whether 
in London, New York, or Wisconsin ; where the causes of malarial disease are permanent, the 
effects are permanent, and that there is no positive acclimation to malaria. Hence it should 
follow that since life and malaria are irreconcilable, we should root out the enemy, as we readily 
can by drainage and cultivation, or, where drainage is impossible, by the planting of those shrubs 
or trees which are found to thrive best, and thereby prove the best evaporators in such localities. 
Our climate, approximating as it does the 45th degree (being equi-distant from the equator and 
pole), would a piiori be a common ground of compromise and safety, and from this geographical 
position is not liable to objections existing either north or south of us. 

Influence of Nationalities. 

Our population is of such a confessedly heterogeneous character that naturally enough it 
suggests the question : Has this intermingling of different nationalities sensibly affected our 
health conditions ? Certainly not, so far as intermarriages between the nations of the Caucasian 
race are concerned. This opinion is given first upon the fact that our classes of diseases have 
neither changed nor increased in their intensity by reason of such admixture, so far as can be 
learned by the statistics or the history of disease in the northwest. Imported cases of disease are 
of course excepted. Second, because all that we can gather from statistics and history concern- 
ing such intermingling of blood goes to prove that it is beneficial in every respect, physically, 
mentally and morally. 

England, of all nations, is said to be the best illustration of the good attending an 
intermingling of the blood of different nations, for the reason that the English character is 
supposed to be, comparatively speaking, good, and that of all countries she has been perhaps 
more frequently invaded, and to a greater or less part settled by foreign peoples than any other. 

From a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in the center of Wisconsin, and from an 
adequate knowledge of its people, whose, nationalities are so various and whose intermarriages 
are so common, it is at least presumable that we should have heard of or noted any peculiar or 
injurious results, had any such occurred. None such, however, have been observed. Some fears 
have been expressed concerning the influence of Celtic blood upon the American temperament, 
already too nervous, as is alleged. It is scarcely necessary to say that these fears are unsupported 
by figures or facts. Reasoning from analogy, it would seem safe to affirm that the general inter- 
mingling by intermarriage now going on in our population, confined to the Caucasian nationali- 
ties, will tend to preserve the good old Anglo-Saxon character, rather than to create any new char- 
deter for our people. If this view needed support or confirmation, it is to be found in some very 
interesting truths in relation to it. Mr. Edwin Seguin, in his work on Idiocy, lays special stress 
on the influences of races in regard to idiocy and other infirmities, like deafness. He says that 
the crossing of races, which contributed to the elimination of some vices of the blood (as may be 
the case in the United States, where there are proportionally less deaf and dumb than in Europe), 
produces a favorable effect on the health of the population, and cites as an example, Belgium, which 
has fewer deaf and dumb than any country in Europe, owing to the influence of the crossing of 
races in past ages from the crowds of northern tribes passing, mingling and partly settling there 
on the way to England. 

We are aware that it has been predicted that our future will give us a new type, distinct from 
all other peoples, and that with this type must come not only new diseases but modifications or 
aggravations of the present diseases, in particular, consumption and insanity. But so long 
as we are in a formative state as a nation, and that this state seems likely to continue so long as 
the country has lands to be occupied and there are people in Europe to occupy them, such spec- 
ulations can be but of little value. 



238 HISTOKY OF AVISCOXSIN 

Occupations, P'ood, Education, etc., as affecting Public Health. 

The two chief factors of the social and sanitary well-being of a people are a proper educa- 
tion of the man and a proper cultivation of the soil. Our two principal occupations in Wisconsin 
are education and agriculture, the learners in the schools being in excess of the laborers on the 
soil. A happier combination could scarcely be desired, to form an intelligent and a healthy 
people. How this will affect our habits in the future it is easy to conceive, but for the present it 
may be said (of so many different nationalities are we composed), that we have no habits which 
serve to distinguish us from the people of other northwestern states. A well-fed and a well-taught 
people, no matter how mixed its origin, must sooner or later become homogeneous and a maker 
of customs. In the mean time we can only speak of our habits as those of a people in general 
having an abundance of food, though it is to be wished the workers ate more beef and mutton, 
and less salt-pork, and that whisky was less plentiful in the land. The clothing is sufficient, 
fuel is cheap, and the dwellings comfortable. Upon the whole, the habits of the people are 
conducive to health. It is thought unnecessary to refer to the influence upon health in general 
of other occupations, for the reason that manufacturers, traders and transporters are for the most 
part localized, and perhaps not sufficiently numerous to exercise any marked influence on the 
State health. 

History of Disease. 

In searching for historical data of disease in Wisconsin, we are able to go back to tne year 
1766, commencing with the aborigines. The Indians, says Carver, in his chapter on their diseases, 
in general are healthy and subject to few diseases. Consumption from fatigue and exposure he 
notices, but adds that the disorder to which they are most subject is pleurisy. They are like- 
wise afflicted with dropsy and paralytic complaints. It is to be presumed that while Carver is 
speaking generally, he means his remarks to apply, perhaps, more particularly to those Indians 
with whom he lived so long, the Sioux of this state. That they were subject to fevers is gathered 
from the use of their remedies for fever, the " fever bush " being an ancient Indian remedy, and 
equally valued by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. Besides this, they had 
their remedies for complaints of the bowels, and for all inflammatory complaints. These notices 
sufficiently indicate the class of diseases which have certainly followed in the wake of the Indi- 
ans, and are still occurring to his white brother, making it plain enough that lung diseases, bowel 
complaints, and fevers are in fact native to the state. The fact must not be ignored that the 
Indian is subject to the same diseases as the human race in general. 

After Carver, we may quote Major Long's expedition in 1S24. The principal disease of the 
Sacs appears to be a mortification of the intestinal canal, more common amongmen than women, 
the disease proving fatal in four days if not relieved. It is unaccompanied with pain, and is neither 
hernia, dysentery, nor hemorrhoids. Intermittents were prevalent, and the small-pox visited 
them at different periods. As the Chippewas have a common Algonquin origin with the Sacs, 
and as their home and customs were the same, it may be expected that their diseases were simi- 
lar. The principal disease to which the Chippewas are liable is consumption of the lungs, 
generally affecting them between the ages of 30 and 40 ; they linger along for a year or two, but 
always fall victims to it. Many of them die of a bowel complaint which prevails every year. 
This disease does not partake, however, of the nature of dysentery. They are frequently affected 
with sore eyes. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age. 

Referring to the report of the commissioner of Indian affairs for 1854, we find that the 
decrease in the number of the Menomonees is accounted for by the ravages of small-pox, in 1838,. 



HEALTH OF WISCOKSIN. 



239 



of the cholera, in 1847 (which latter was superinduced by misery and starvation), and by the 
fever, which from time to time, commonly in the winter, has been raging among them, being 
clearly the consequence of want of provisions and other necessaries. The report for 1850 says, 
there has been considerable sickness among the Winnebagoes for several months past ; dysentery 
has been the prevalent disease, confined mostly to children. For 1857 : the Winnebagoes have 
suffered considerably from chronic diseases, scrofula and consumption. For 1859: the chief 
malady among the Winnebagoes is phthisis pulmonalis and its analogous diseases, having its 
source in hereditary origin. Some of the malignant diseases are occasionally met with among 
them, and intermittent and remittent fevers. In 1863: of the Menomonees, there is a large 
mortality list of the tribes under my charge. Measles and some of the more common eruptive 
diseases are the causes. But the most common and most fatal disease which affects the Indians 
at this agency is pneumonia, generally of an acute character. There is but little tubercular 
disease to be found in any of these tribes, Menomonees, Stockbridges, Oneidas, etc. In the 
report for 1865, one can not but notice with some regret the absence of all allusion, except to 
small-pox, to the diseases of the Indians. Regret, because reliable information of such diseases 
serves a variety of valuable purposes, for comparison, confirmation, etc., of those of the, white 
population. For these reasons, if for none other, it is to be hoped that the attention of the 
proper authorities will be called to this feature of such reports. 

The first reliable reporfon the diseases of the people (as distinguished from the Indians) of 
Wisconsin to which we have had access, is Lawson's Army Report of Registered Diseases, for 10 
years, commencing 1829, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the 
Union as a state). 



FORT HOWARD, CREEN BAY. 



This abstract exhibits the second quar- 
ters only, the mean strength being 
1,702. 

All other diseases 114, excepting vene- 
real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul- 
cers, injuries, and ebriety cases. 



Intermittent fever 30 

Remittent do n 

Synochal do 4 

Typhus do • 

Diseases of respiratory organs loi 

Diseases of digestive organs 184 

Diseases of brain and nervous system 9 

Dropsies - - -- I 

Rheumatic affections - 61 

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs, are comprised 384 catarrh, 6 pneu- 
monia, 60 pleuritis, and 28 phthisis pulmonalis; under the class of digestive organs, 376 diar- 
rhoea and dysentery, 184 colic and cholera, and 10 hepatitis; under the class of diseases of 
the brain and nervous system, 15 epilepsy, etc. The deaths from all causes, according to the 
post returns, are 25, being 1% per cent, per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6, 
and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength. 

Table of Ratio of Sickness at Fort Howard. 



Seasons. 


MEAN STRENGTH. 


NUMBER 
TREATED. 


RATE I'ER 1,000 OF 

MEAN STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 


10 first quarters 


1.764 
1,702 
1,526 

1.594 


715 
726 

1.073 
636 


405 
425 
703 




10 fourth " 


399 




Annual rate 


1.647 3.150 


1. 91 3 



240 



HISTORY (»F ^VISCONSIN 



Every man has consequently, on an average, been reported sick about once in every six 
months, showing this region to be extraordinarily salubrious. The annual ratio of mortality^ 
according to the medical reports, is ^ per cent.; and of the adjutant-generals returns, i^ 
per cent. 



FORT WINNEBAGO. 



This abstract exhibits the fourth quarters 
only, the mean strength being l,57i- 

All other diseases, 80, with the exceptions as 
above. 



Intermittent fever - 21 

Remittent fever '° 

Synochal fever ' 

Typhus fever - 

Diseases of the respiratory organs 141 

Diseases of digestive organs- 9° 

Diseases of brain and nervous system.. 2 
Rheumatic affections 26 

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, 11 pneu- 
monia, 39 pleuritis and 10 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, '93 <i.arrhc«a 
and d;sen;ery, 149 colic and cholera, and 17 hepatitis; under the class of bram and nervous 
system i epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these, 
3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, i pleuritis, ^ chronic hepatitis, i gastric enteritis, i splenitis, etc. 



TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS 


AT FORT WINNEBAGO. 


Seasons. 


MEAN STRENGTH. 


NUMBER 
TREATED. 


RATE PER 1,000 OF 

MEAN STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 




1.535 
1,505 
1.527 
I.57I 


552 
517 
581 
495 


360 




343 




380 


10 fourth *' 


315 




1.534 


2,145 


1,398 











Every man on an average is consequen 

FORT CRAWFORD. 



tly reported sick once in eight months and a half. 



This abstract exhibits the third quarters 
only, the mean strength being 1,885. 

All other diseases, 309, with the same list of 
exceptions as above. 



Intermittent fever 262 

Remittent fever ^' 

Synochal fever 

Typhus fever 

Diseases of respiratory organs 1 77 

Diseases of digestive organs 722 

Diseases of brain and nervous system — 16 

Rheumatic affections 5^ I 

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are included 1,048 of catarrh. 28 pneu- 
monia, 75 pleuritis and 13 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 933 diarrhoea 
and dysentery, and 195 colic and cholera; under the head of bram and nervous dtseases 7 
epilepsy etc The total of deaths, according to the post returns, is 94, the annual ratio being 
2 A per cent.' The causes of death are: 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, i common 
cSlera, 4 remittent fever, 3 dysentery, etc. In the third quarter of 1830 there were 154 cases of 
fever, while the same quarter of 1836, with a greater strength, affords but one case, the difference 
seeming to depend upon the temperature. 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 



241 



The relative agency of the seasons in the production of disease in general is shown in the 
annexed tahle : 

TABLE EXHIBITING THE RATIO OK SICKNESS. 



Seasons. 


MEAN STRENGTH. 


NUMBER 
TREATED. 


■RATIO PER 1,000 OF 

MEAN STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 


9 first quarters 


i,66o 

1.749 
1,885 
1.878 


987 
1,267 
1,948 
1,270 


595 

■ 724 

1.033 

676 




ID third " 


10 fourth " 




Annual ratio . _ 


1,793 


5.472 


3.052 





Consequently every man on an average has been reported sick once in nearly every four 
months. But high as this ratio of sickness is, at this fort, and, indeed, at the others, it is low 
considering the topographical surroundings of the posts. But besides these injurious topograph- 
ical and other influences already alluded to, there were still other elements of mischief among 
the men at these stations, such as " bad bread and bad whisky," and salt meat, a dietary table 
giving rise, if not to " land-scurvy," as was the case at the posts lower down in the Mississippi 
valley (more fatal than either small-pox or cholera), at least to its concomitant diseases. 

The reason for using these early data of the United States Army medical reports in pref- 
erence to later ones is, that even though the later ones may be somewhat more correct in certain 
particulars, the former serve to establish, as it were, a connecting link (though a long one) between 
the historical sketch of the diseases of the Indian and those of the white settler ; and again — 
these posts being no longer occupied — no further data are obtainable. 

To continue this historical account of the diseases of Wisconsin, we must now nave recourse 
to the state institutions. 

The Institutiok for the Education of the Blind. 

The first charitable institution established by the state was formally opened in 1850, at 
Janesville. The census of 1875 showed that there were 493 blind persons in the state, those 
of school age — that is — under 20 years of age, probably amounting to 125. The number of 
pupils in the institution that year, 82 ; the average for the past ten years being 68. If the health 
report of the institution is any indication of the salubrity of its location, then, indeed, is Janes- 
ville in this respect an enviable city. Its report for 1876 gives one death from consumption, and 
a number of cases of whooping-cough, all recovered. In 1875, ten cases of mild scarlet fever, 
recovered. One severe and two mild cases of typhoid fever, recovered. For 1873, no sick list. 
For 1872, the mumps went through the school. For 187 1, health of the school reasonably good ; 
few cases of severe illness have occurred. 

The Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. 

This was organized in June, 1852, at Delavan. The whole number of deaf and dumb per- 
sons in the state, as shown by the census of 1875, was 720. The report for 1866 gives the 
number of pupils as 156. 

Little sickness, a few cases of sore throat, and slight bowel affections comprise nearly all the 
ailments; and the physician's report adds: "The sanitary reports of the institution .from its 
earliest history to the present date has been a guarantee of the healthiness of the location. 
Having gone carefully over the most reliable tabulated statements of deaf-mutism, its parent- 



242 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 

age, its home, its causes, and its origin, we would most earnestly call the attention of the public 
to the fact that the chief cause comes under the head of congenital, 75 of the 150 pupils in this 
institution having this origin. Such a fearful proportion as this must of necessity have its origin 
in a cause or causes proportionately fearful. Nor, fortunately, is the causation a mystery, since 
most careful examination leaves not a shadow of doubt that consanguineous marriages are the 
sources of this great evil. Without occupying further space by illustrative tables and arguments, 
we would simply direct the attention of our legislators and thoughtful men to the law of this dis- 
ease — which is, that the number of deaf and dumb, imbeciles, and idiots is in direct keeping with the 
degree of consanguinity. With such a law and exhibit before us, would not a legislative inquiry 
into the subject, with the view of adopting preventive means, be a wise step.' The evil is fear- 
ful ; the cause is plain; so, too, is the remedy." 

Industrial School for Boys. 

This institution is situated on the banks of the Fox river, at Waukesha, and was organized 
in i860. The whole number of the inmates since it was opened in July, i860, to October 10, 
1876, was 1,291. The whole number of inmates for 1876 was 415. Of these, since the period 
of opening up to date, October, 1876, 25 have died : 8, of typhoid fever; 1, of typhoid erysipelas ; 
I, of gastric fever; 3, of brain fever; i, nervous fever; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive 
chills; 5, of consumption; i of dro])sy ; and i of inflammatory rheumatism. 

The State Prison. 

This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1876, there were 266 inmates. 
But one death from natural causes occurred during the year. The health of the prisoners has 
been unusually good, the prevalent affections attendant upon the seasons, of a mild and 
manageable character. 

State Hospital for the Insane. 

This institution, located near Madison, was opened for patients in July, i860. The total 
number of admissions down to the year 1877, was 1,227 nnales, 1,122 females, total 2,349. Over 
one half of these have been impro^'ed ; nearly one third recoi<ered ; while less than one quarter 
have been discharged unimpro2-ed. Total number of deaths, 288. At the commencement of the 
year, October 1, 1875, there were in the hospital 376 patients. In the report for the year endings 
September 30, 1876, we find the past year has been one of unusual health in the hospital. No 
serious epidemic has prevailed, although 20 deaths have been reported, 7 fatally ill before admis- 
sion, 4 worn-out cases, etc. Insanity, coming as it does, under this head of an article on State 
Health, is of the highest interest from a state point of view, not only because so much may be 
done to remedy it, but that still more can and ought to be done by the state to prevent it. Our 
insane amount to i in 700 of the whole jjopulation, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and 
prisons being in round numbers 1,400. It is a striking fact, calling for our earnest consideration, 
that the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians import and transmit more insanity — three to one — 
than the American-born population produce. The causes assigned for this disparity, are, as 
affecting importation, that those in whom there is an hereditary tendency to disease constitute the 
migratory class, for the reason that those who are sound and in the full possession of their powers 
are most apt to contend successfully in the struggle to live and maintain their position at home; 
while those who are most unsound and unequal to life's contests are unable to migrate. In other 
words, the strongest will not leave, the weakest can not leave. By this, the character of the 
migratory is defined. As affects transmission, poverty is a most fruitful parent of insanity, so too is 
poor land. Says Dr. Boughton, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane: 



HEALTH OP WISCONSIN 243 

Wisconsin is characterized by a large poor class, especially in the northern part of the state, 
■where people without means have settled on new and poorly paying farms, where their life is 
made up of hard work, exposure to a severe climate, bad and insufficient diet, cheerless homes, 
etc., etc. These causes are prolific in the production of insanity. It is easy, therefore, to trace 
the causes that give us so large a per cent, of insane in many of the counties of the state. Nor is 
it of less interest to know, as Dr. B. adds : We draw our patients from those families where 
phthisis pulmonalis, rheumatism and insanity prevail. Insanity and rheumatism are interchange- 
able in hereditary cases, so too are insanity and phithisis. What may be accomplished by intel- 
ligent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state .' Much. Early treatment is one means, 
this is of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated 
in table No. lo of the annual report of Dr. Boughton, for 1876, where it is seen that 45.33 of 
males, and 44.59 of the females who had been sent to the State Hospital having been insane but 
three months before admission, were cured, the proportion of cures becoming less in proportion 
to the longer duration of insanity before admission. As a preventive means, the dissemination 
of the kind of knowledge that shows indisputably that insanity is largely hereditary, and conse- 
quently that intermarriage with families so tainted should on the one hand be avoided by the 
citizen, and on the other hand, perhaps, prevented by the state, (congress at the same time 
restraining or preventing as far as possible persons so tainted from settling in this country.) 
By the state, inasmuch as the great burthen of caring for the insane falls upon the state. Still 
other preventive means are found in the improved cultivation of our lands and in our improved 
education ; in fact, in whatever lessens the trials of the poor and lifts them out of ignorance and 
pauperism. It is only by culture, says Hufeland, that man acquires perfection, morally, mentally 
and physically. His whole organization is so ordered that he may either become nothing or 
anything, hyperciilture and the want o{ cultivation being alike destructive. 

The Northern Hospital kor the Insane. 

This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1873. The total number under treatment 
September 30, 1876 was — males 246, females 257, total 503. No ailment of an epidemic charac- 
ter has affected the health of the household, which has been generally good. The report of Dr. 
Kempster is full of suggestive matter for the legislator and sociologist. 

City of Milwaukee. 

Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all 
the health statistics which properly belong to us, we now take up those of Milwaukee, the only 
city in Wisconsin, so far as we know, that has kept up a system of statistics of its diseases. 
The city is built on each side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi- 
gan inlat. 43° 3' 45" N., long. 87° 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate. 
The board of health has furnished us with its report for 1870 and downward. The character of 
its mortality from June 19, 1869, to March 31, 1870, is thus summarized: In children under five 
years of age, 758 out of 1,249 deaths, consumption, 93; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum, 
59; diarrhoea, 128; scarlet fever, 132; typhoid fever, 52 ; inflammation of the lungs, 41 ; still- 
bom, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a laxity of 
morals. The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 7}^ out of every 100, one third less out 
of a like number of deaths than in San Francisco, in which city, in 4,000 deaths, 441 died of con- 
sumption, being 11 out of every 100 deaths for the year ending July, 1869. The deaths for 1870 
numbered 1,655, the population being at the last census report, 71,636. 



244 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIIN'. 



Table of Principal Causes. 



Consumption 143 

Inflammation of lungs 56 

Convulsions 259 

Diarrhoea .131 

Diptheria 74 

Scarlet fever 52 

Typhoid fever 49 

Old age 28 

Still-born -.123 



The Milwaukee population being about 
72,000, the death rate per annum for 
every 1,000 inhabitants would be 21, 
after proper deductions of deaths from 
other causes than from disease, showing 
very favorably as compared with other 
cities. 



Glasgow has 39 to every 1,000; Liverpool, 36; London, 25 ; New Orleans, 54; New York, 
32; San Francisco, 24; Milwaukee, 21. Among seventeen of the principal cities of the Union, 
Milwaukee ranks the ninth in rate of mortality. An impression has prevailed that Milwaukee is 
subject to a large and disproportionate amount of lung and allied diseases. Statistics disprove 
this, its deaths from consumption being only 6 per cent., while those of Chicago are 7.75 ; of 
St. Louis, 9.68; of Cincinnati, 11.95; ^"^ of Boston, 19.31. But few cases of malarial disease 
occur in Milwaukee, and fewer cases of intestinal fever than in the interior of the state. The 
mortality among children is explained by its occurring chiefly among the poor foreign-born 
population, where all that can incite and aggravate disease is always to be found. 

This, (the historical part of the health article), will doubtless call forth from the profession 
much additional and desirable matter, but excepting what will further appear under the head of 
Madison it is proper to say that we have exhausted the sources of information on the subject 
within our reach. 

Health Resorts. 

Next in order would seem to come some notice of the summer and health resorts of Wiscon- 
sin, which, significant of the salubrity of the state, are not only becoming more numerous, but 
also more frequented from year to year. 

Madison, the capital of the state, with a population of 11,000, is built on an isthmus between 
two considerable lakes, from 70 to 125 feet above their level; 80 miles west of Milwaukee, in 
latitude 43"^ 5' north, and longitude 89° 20' west, in the northern temperate region. The lake 
basins, and also the neck of land between them, have a linear arrangement, trending northeast and 
southwest. The same linear topography characterises the whole adjacent country and the boun- 
dary lines of its various geological formations, this striking feature being due to the former move- 
ment of glacier ice over the face of the country. At two points, one mile apart, the Capitol and 
University hills, respectively 348 and 370 feet above the level of Lake Michigan, rise prominently 
above the rest of the isthmus. Both of these hills are heaps of drift material from 100 to 126 feet 
thickness, according to the record of the artesian well. The neck of land on which Madison stands 
is of the same material. The same boring discloses to us the underlying rock structure, pene- 
trating 614 feet of friable quartzose sandstone belonging to the Potsdam series, loj^ feet of red 
shale belonging to the same series, and 2095^ feet of crystalline rocks belonging to the Archasan. 
In the country immediately around Madison, the altitude is generally considerably greater, and 
the higher grounds are occupied by various strata, nearly horizontal, of sandstone and limestone. 
The Potsdam sandstone rises about 30 feet above the level of Lake Mendota, on its northern 
shore, where at McBride's Point it may be seen overlaid by the next and hitherto unrecognized 
layer, one of more or less impure, dark-colored, magnesian limestone, to which the name of Men- 
dota is assigned, and which furnishes a good building stone. The descent of these strata is about 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 245 

9 feet to the mile in a due southerly direction. Overlying the Mendota beds are again sandstone 
layers, the uppermost portions of which are occasionally charged with lo to 20 per cent, of calca- 
reous and dolomitic matter, and then furnish a cream-colored building stone of considerable 
value. Most of this stratum which has been designated as the Madison sandstone, is, however, 
quite non-calcareous, being either a ferruginous brown stone, or a quite pure, white, nearly loose 
sand. In the latter phase it is of value for the manufacture of glass. In a number of quarries, 
cuttings and exposed places around the city, the Madison beds are seen to be overlaid by a gray- 
ish, magnesian limestone, the lower magnesian, varying very considerably in its character, but 
largely composed of a flinty-textured, heavy-bedded, quite pure dolomite, which is burnt into a 
good quality of lime. Its thickness exceeds 80 feet. Madison, with the conveniences and corn- 
forts of a capital city, from its easy access by railroads, from not only in itself being beautiful, 
but from its beautiful surroundings, from its good society, charming climate, and artesian 
mineral water, is naturally a great summer resort. 

Though there are no vital statistics of the city to refer to, a residence of nearly a quarter of 
a century has made us sufficiently acquainted with its sanitary history, which is more or less the 
sanitary history of this part of the state, and in a measure of the state itself. In 1844 and 1845, 
it was visited by an epidemic malarial fever of a bilious type, and not unfrequently fatal, which 
passed very generally through the state, and was attributed to the turning up of the soil. It was 
most virulent in the autumns. Again in 1854 it was visited by a light choleraic epidemic, which 
also swept the state, assuming very generally a particularly mild type. Again in 1S57 it suffered 
lightly from the epidemic dysentery, which passed through the state. In 1865, it suffered from 
a visitation of diptheria, the disease prevailing generally over the state at that time. It has also 
had two visitations of the epidemic grip {grippe), or influenza. The last invasion, some five 
years since, commencing in a manner perhaps worthy of noting, by first affecting the horses very 
generally, and again, by beginning on the east side of the city, while the other epidemics for the 
past twenty-five years (unless the choleraic visitation was an exception) came in on the south- 
west side of the city, as has been the case, so far as we have been able to observe with the light 
epidemics to which children are subject. But little typhoid fever is found here, and the aguish 
fevers when they occur are light and easy of control. There is but little diarrhoea or dysen- 
tery. Pneumonia and its allied affections are more common, so is rheumatism, and so neuralgia. 
Inflammatory croup, however, is very rare, sporadic diptheria seeming to be taking its place. 
All the ordinary eruptive fevers of children are and always have been of a peculiarly mild 
type. 

Prairie du Chien, situated immediately at the junction of the Wisconsin with the Mississippi, 
is built about 70 feet above low water, and 642 feet above the level of the sea. The cliffs on 
both sides of the river present on their summits the lower strata of the blue Silurian limestone 
of Cincinnati, beneath which are found sandstone and magnesian limestone down to the water's 
edge. We give this notice of Prairie du Chien for the purpose of bringing to the knowledge of 
the public that it possesses one of the most superb artesian wells in the state, which is attracting 
many persons by its remedial mineral properties. 

Green Bay sanitarily may be considered as sufficiently indicated under the head of Fort 
Howard. It is, however, proper to add that from its geographical position and beautiful situa- 
tion at the head of the bay, its easy access both by railroad and steamboat, its pleasant days and 
cool summer nights, it has naturally become quite a popular summer resort, particularly for 
southern people. 

Racine, some 25 miles south by east by rail from Milwaukee and 62 by rail from Chicago, is 
built upon the banks and some 40 feet above the level of the lake. Its soil is a sandy loam and 



246 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 

gravel, consequently it has a dry, healthy surface, and is much frequented in the summer for its 
coolness and salubrity. 

Waukesha, i8 miles west of Milwaukee by railroad, is a healthy, pleasant place of resort at 
all times on account of its mineral water, so well known and so highly appreciated throughout 
the country. 

Oconomowoc, 32 miles by railroad west by north of Milwaukee, is a healthy and de- 
lightfully located resort for the summer. Its many lakes and drives form its chief attractions, 
and though its accommodations were considered ample, during the past summer they were found 
totally inadequate to meet the demands of its numerous visitors. 

The Dalles, at Kilbourn City, by rail 16 miles from Portage, is unsurpassed in the northwest 
for the novelty, romantic character, and striking beauty of its rock and river scenery. It is 
high and dry; has pure water and fine air, and every-day boat and drive views enough to fill 
up a month pleasantly. 

Lake Geneva, 70 miles by rail from Chicago, is built on the north side of the lake, is justly 
celebrated for its beauty, and its reputation as a summer resort is growing. 

Green Lake, six miles west of Ripon, and 89 northwest from Milwaukee, is some 15 miles 
long and three broad, surrounded by beautiful groves and prairies; and is claimed to be one of 
the healthiest little places on the continent. 

Devil's Lake is ^6 miles by rail north of Madison. Of all the romantic little spots in Wis- 
consin, and they are innumerable, there is none more romantic or worthy of a summer visitor's 
admiration than this. It is, though shut in from the rude world by bluffs 500 feet high, a very 
favorite resort, and should be especially so for those who seek quiet, and rest, and health. 

Sparta, 246 miles by rail from Chicago, is pleasantly and healthily situated, and its artesian 
mineral water strongly impregnated with carbonate of iron, having, it is said, over 14 grains in 
solution to the imperial gallon, an unusually large proportion, attracts its annual summer 
crowd. 

Sheboygan, 62 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, from its handsome position on a bluff over- 
looking the lake, and from the beauty of its surroundings as well as from the character of its jl 
mineral waters, is an attractive summer resort. 

Elkhart Lake, 57 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, is rapidly acquiring a good name from 
those seeking health or pleasure. 

Change in Diseases. 

In order to ascertain whether the classes of diseases in the state at the date of Carver's 
travels are the same which prevail to-day, we have compared his description of them with those 
tabulated in the army medical reports of Forts Howard, Crawford and Winnebago, and again 
with those given in the U. S. Census for 1870, and with the medical statistics of the city of 
Milwaukee. The three distinct and prominent classes prevailing from Carver's to the present 
time, are, in the order of prevalence, diseases of the respiratory organs, consumption, pneumonia, 
bronchitis, etc.; diseases of the digestive organs, enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.; and the 
malarial fevers. At Fort Howard alone do the diseases of the digestive organs seem to have 
outnumbered those of the respiratory organs. So far as it is possible to gather from the reports 
of the commissioners of Indian affairs, these features of the relative prevalence of the three 
classes of disease are not disturbed. 

There are, however, some disturbing or qualifying agencies operating and affecting the 
amount or distribution of these classes in different areas or belts. For instance, there are two 



HEAI/l'H OF AVISCONSIN. 247 

irregular areas in the state; the one extending from the Mississippi east and north, and the other 
starting almost as low down as Madison, and running up as far as Green Bay, which are more 
subject to malarial diseases than are the other parts of the state. While it is found that those 
parts of the state least subject to diseases of the digestive organs are, a belt along the western 
shore of Lake Michigan, and a belt running from near Prairie du Chien north into the pineries. 
Again, it is found that the part of the state most subjec' to enteric, cerebro-spinal and typhus 
fevers, is quite a narrow belt running north from the southern border line into the center of the 
state, or about two-thirds of the distance toward the pineries. All along the western shore of 
Lake Michigan, and stretching across the country by way of Fond du Lac to the Mississippi, is 
a belt much less subject to these disorders. It is equally beyond question that the western shore 
of Lake Michigan, and the southern shore of Lake Superior, as well as the western half of the 
southern boundary line of the pineries, are less affected with consumption than the interior parts 
of the state. 

The tendency of these diseases is certainly to amelioration. The sanitary history of Wiscon- 
sin does not differ from that of any other state east of us, in this striking particular ; the farther 
you trace back the history of disease, the worse its type is found to be. It follows, then, that 
the improvement in public health must progress with the general improvement of the state, as 
has been the case with the eastern states, and that the consequent amelioration of our malarial 
diseases especially will tend to mitigate infectious diseases. The ameliorating influences, how- 
ever, that sanitary science has brought to bear upon disease, of which England is so happy an 
illustration, has scarcely as yet begun to be known to us. But the time has come at last when 
this science is moving both the hearts and minds of thinking and humane men in the state, aud- 
its voice has been heard in our legislative halls, evoking a law by which we are, as a people, to be 
governed, as by any other enactment. The organization of a state board of health is a new era 
in our humanity. In this board is invested all legal power over the state health. To it is com- 
mitted all the sanitary responsibility of the state, and the greatest good to the people at large 
must follow the efforts it is making. 

There are many other points of sanitary interest to which it is desirable to call the attention 
of those interested in Wisconsin. It is a popular truth that a dry climate, all other things being 
equal, is a healthy climate. Our hygrometrical records show Wisconsin to have one of the driest 
climates in the United States. Choleraic diseases rarely prevail unless in a comparatively 
stagnant state of the atmosphere, where they are most fatal. AVhere high winds prevail such 
diseases are rare. The winds in Wisconsin, while proverbially high and frequent (carrying away 
and dissipating malarial emanations), are not destructive to life or property, as is the case, by 
their violence, in some of the adjoining states. A moist, warm atmosphere is always provocative 
of disease. Such a state of atmosphere is rare with us, and still more rarely continuous beyond 
a day or two. Moist air is the medium of malarial poisoning, holding as it does in solution 
gases and poisonous exhalations. Its character is readily illustrated by the peculiar smell of 
some marsh lands on autumnal evenings. Such a state of moisture is seen only in our lowest 
shut-in marshes (where there is but little or no air-current), and then only for a very limited 
period, in very hot weather. 

But too much importance is attached by the public to a simply dry atmosphere for respira- 
tory diseases. The same mistake is made with regard to the good effects in such disorders of 
simply high elevations. Dry air in itself or a high elevation in itself, or both combined, are 
not necessarily favorable to health, or curative of disease. In the light and rare atmosphere of 
Pike's Peak, an elevation of 6,000 feet, the pulse is accelerated, the amount of sleep is dimin- 
ished, and the human machine is put under a high-pressure rate of living, conducive only to its 



248 



HISTOUY OF WISCONSIN. 



injury. The average rate of the pulse iu liealthy visitors is from 115 to 120 per minute (the 
normal rate, in moderate elevations, being about 75). .\nd where there is any organic affection 
of the heart, or tendency to bleeding from the lungs, it is just this very dry atmosphere and high 
elevation that make these remedies (f) destructive. Hence it is that Wisconsin, for the generality 
of lung diseases, especially when accompanied with hemorrhage, or with heart disease, is prefer- 
able to Colorado. It may be objected, that the diseases of the respiratory organs are in e.xcess 
of other diseases in Wisconsin. This feature, however, is not confined to the cold belt of our 
temperate latitudes — our proportion of respiratory diseases, be it noted, comparing most favor- 
ably with that of other states, as may be seen in the following table: 



Climatological Distribution of Pulmonary Diseases. 



STATES, 


Deaths 

by 
Phthisis. 


Per cent, 
of entire 

Mortality. 


Deaths by all 
diseases of Res- 
piratory Organs. 


Per cent, 
of entire 
Mortality. 


Massachusetts, 1850, U. S. Census 


3.426 

2,558 

657 

866 

2go 


1765 
8.83 

14-55 
7.36 
9.99 


4,418 

3.988 
1,084 

1-799 
535 


22.27 

13-77 
24.00 




Illinois iSj,q— "^o, U. S. Census .. 


15.00 


Wisconsin, 1849-50, U. .S. Census 


18.43 



Now, while the mortuary statistics of the United States census for 1850 are acknowledged 
to be imperfect, they are, nevertheless, undoubtedly correct as to the causes of mortality. But 
besides this statistical evidence of the climatological causes of disease, there are certain relative 
general, if not special, truths which serve to guide us in our estimate. Respiratory diseases of 
all kinds increase in proportion as the temperature decreases, the humidity of the air being the 
same. Another equally certain element in the production of this class of diseases is variableness 
of climate. Still, this feature of our climate is only an element in causation, and affects us, as 
we shall see in the table below, very little as compared with other states. Indeed, it is still 
disputed whether there is not more consumption in tropical climates than in temperate climates. 
This much is admitted, however, that consumption is rare in the arctic regions. Dr. Terry says 
the annual ratio of pulmonary diseases is lower in the northern than in the southern regions of 
the United States, and Dr. Drake, an equally eminent authority, recommends those suffering 
from or threatened with pulmonary affections, to retreat to the colder districts of the country, 
citing among others localities near Lake Superior — a recommendation which our experience of 
nearly half a century endorses. 

Proportion ok P.neu.monia to Consumption in the Different States. 



STATES. 


CONS. 


PNEUM. 


STATES. 


CONS. 


PNEUM. 


Massachusetts 

Ohio 


3.424 

2,558 

866 


549 
895 
647 


North Carolina 

Kentucky 


562 

1,288 

290 


664 

429 
194 


Illinois . 


Wisconsin. 









When we compare the general death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other states of the 
Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, the healthiest of the New 
England states. The United States census of 1S50, 1S60 and 1870, gives Wisconsin 94 deaths 
to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont 101 to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



249 



censusof 1870 shows that the death-rate from consumption in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis- 
consin are alike. These four states show the lowest death-rate among the states from consumption, 
the mortality being 13 to 14 per cent, of the whole death-rate. 

Climatologically considered, then, there is not a more healthy state in the Union than the 
state of Wisconsin. But for health purposes something more is requisite than climate. Climate 
and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate 
is inimical to health, and rather choose the climate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so 
rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are equally conducive to health, 
and alike good for agricultural purposes. 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



1875. 



ADAMS COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cittbs akb 
Villages. 


White. 


Colored 


« 





£ 




q5 
13 

S 

Pi. 


< 




200 

77 

244 
164 
261 
117 
204 
240 
163 
444 
74 
126 
121 
99 
89 
501 
187 


198 
71 
221 
153 
200 
100 
193 
229 
137 
403 
62 
118 
99 
131 
182 
433 
115 


"2" 


"4' 


398 


Bfg Flats 


154 


Dell Prairie 


465 


Easton 


317 


Jackson 


461 


Leola 








Monroe 


300 


New Haven 


847 


Preston 


136 


Qnincy 


244 


Richfield 


220 




330 




371 




934 


White Creek 


242 








3.451 


3,045 


2 


4 


6.502 





ASHLAND COUNTY. 





268 
141 


180 
141 










282 




Total 


409 


321 






730 





BAYFIELD COUNTY. 



Bayfield. 



538 493 1 .. 



1.032 



BARRON COUNTY. 







POPULATION. 




Towns. Cities and 


White. 


Colored 


4J 




6 


a 


6 


QJ 

£ 

a; 


IS 




343 
459 
364 
336 
214 
122 
240 


285 
897 
319 
216 
182 
84 
106 






628 
856 


Cbetac 

Prairie Ji'arm 










426 




Total 


2,068 


1,669 






3.737 





BROWN COUNTY. 





210 
143 
371 
410 
943 
291 

1,889 
591 

3,966 
581 
784 
687 
519 
499 
765 
616 
384 
838 
434 
774 
477 
982 

1,222 


175 
136 
337 
358 
956 
208 

1.721 
482 

4,017 
542 
705 
579 
467 
408 
633 
529 
335 
792 
372 
696 
452 
941 

1,058 




•is 


385 




279 




711 




768 




1,911 




499 




3,610 




1,078 


Greea Bay city 


8,037 




1,123 




1,489 




1,266 




986 




909 




1,398 


New Denmark 


1,145 
719 






6 


1,642 




806 


Scott 


1,470 






West Depere village 

Wrightstown 


"s 


■■f 


1.928 
2,295 


Total 


18,376 


16.899 


53 


45 


35,378 



250 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



BURNETT COUNTY. 







POPULATION. 




Towns, CITISS AND 


White. 


Colored 


o 




S 


4; 

a 




s 


1 

< 


Grantsburg «. 


433 
231 

87 


379 
191 

82 


11 

5 
13 


4 


827 
434 


Wood Lake 


195 






Total 


751 


658 


28 


25 


1,456 







BUFFALO COUNTY. 





296 
34 
307 
138 
376 
369 
292 
277 
413 
339 
275 
215 
408 
841 
717 
899 
553 
465 
500 


254 
298 
279 
137 
386 
381 
282 
227 
872 
309 
240 
212 
383 
306 
671 
664 
501 
421 
494 


2 


3 


550 




637 




586 




875 




712 


Cross 


690 
574 




504 




785 




648 




515 




427 


Modena 


785 
647 




1,388 




1.563 




1,053 




886 


Fountain City village 


994 




7,517 


6.702 


2 


3 


14.219 







CALUMET COUNTY. 



Brothertown 

Brllliou 


864 

666 
1.061 

668 
1.008 
1.016 

837 


809 
507 
1,000 
592 
875 
949 
753 
865 
639 


18 

'16 
3 

1 

i'6i 


7 

16 

4 

156 


1.692 
1,178 
2,093 




1,267 




1,884 




1,965 




1,590 




2,092 


Woodville 


1,329 








7,720 


6,989 


193 


183 


15.085 







CLARK COUNTY. 





106 
303 

183 

353 

58 
205 
262 

84 
151 
347 
137 
789 

36 
138 
132 
186 
286 

70 
171 


210 
142 

47 
310 

43 
123 
237 

71 
118 
307 
123 
736 

37 
120 
107 
121 
153 

68 
135 






197 
513 
325 
104 
663 
101 
328 
499 
155 












Grant 










Levis 






Mayvllle 


260 


Pine Valley 


1.625 
73 


Perkins 
















379 




138 


York 


306 








3.988 


3.894 






7,282 





CHIPPEWA COUNTY. 





POPl'LATION. 


Towns. Cities akd 


White. 


Colored 


O 




1 


1 
S 




a 


1 

is 

< 




361 

488 

654 

3,886 

339 

1,860 

1,046 

346 

448 


269 

420 

606 
1.755 

288 
1.074 

638 

368 


"6' 


"3 

"4' 






008 




1 260 


ruippewa Falls city 

Edson 


5:050 
617 


Eagle Point 


2.434 


La Fayette 


1.688 




598 




810 






Total 


8,312 


5.670 


' 


13,99& 





COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



Arlington 

Caledonia ... 

Columbus town 

Columbus city 

Courliaiid 

Uekorra 

Fort Winnebago 

Fountain Prairie 

Hatnpden 

Leeds 

Lewlston 

Lodl 

Lowville 

Marcellon 

N e wport 

Otsego 

Paciflc 

Portage city 

Randolph 

Scott 

Spring Vale 

West Point 

Wyocena 

West w. Vii. of Randolph 

Total 



512 
639 
481 
912 
662 
668 
376 
749 
515 
596 
541 
705 
449 
444 
853 
759 
130 
2,164 
630 
409 
423 
486 
580 
33 



497 
584 
400 
991 
647 
618 
351 
712 
497 
506 
505 
743 
437 
409 
862 
737 
119 
J,161 
556 
374 
347 
442 
540 
34 



14,710 14.069 15 9 



CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



Superior . 



DOUGLAS COUNTY. 



386 346 3 



1.00ft 
1,283 

881 
1,908 
1,309 
1,280 

787 
1,461 
1,018 
1,103 
1,046 
1.448 

886 

858 
1.721 
1,496 

24» 
4.337 

i.ise 

783 

770 

92S 

1,120 

67 



28,803 





177 
851 
755 
798 
313 
498 
394 

411 
429 
404 
184 
485 

??! 
683 


186 
765 
688 
766 
258 
404 
326 

358 
635 
484 
209 
468 
687 
697 
611 


"2 
12 


-s' 

"i' 
'6' 


363 




1,616 




1.448 




1,564 




671 




908 


Prairie du Chien town 

Prairie du Chien city- 


720 
768 




964 




tit 
i.ii? 


Fourth ward.. ■ • .-/ 




Utica 




1.094 




Total 


7.769 


7,276 


18 


11 


15 035 







741 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



251 



DOOR COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities and 


White. 


Colored 






6 


a 


rt 
S 


_2 

a 

V 


■I 

s 

to 


Bailey's Harbor 


210 
359 
344 

844 
420 
208 
377 
166 
394 
2S6 
S68 
290 
331 
286 
230 


186 
316 
279 
210 
382 
20B 
325 
107 
278 
193 
211 
259 
301 
214 
181 






396 




675 




633 




454 


Forestville 


803 
414 




702 




273 




673 




418 




479 




B49 


Sturgeon Bay village 


632 
630 




401 






ToUl 


4,343 


3,677 






8.030 



DUNN COUNTY. 



Ck)lfax 

Dunn 

Eau Galle 

Elk Mound... 

Grant 

Lucas 

Meiiomonee ., 
New Haven... 

Pew 

Red Cedar .... 
Eock Creek... 

Sheridan 

Sherman 

Spring Brook 

Stanton 

Tainter 

Tiltany 

Weston 

Total . . . . 



178 
578 
577 
261 
490 
239 
1,959 
130 
130 
349 
327 
156 
379 
628 
271 
400 
128 
212 



170 
458 
490 
231 
463 
190 
1,467 
124 
115 
313 
203 
146 
308 
548 
229 
263 
117 
188 



7,394 6,021 



'5" 

r 
r 


r 

"2 

■'2' 



DODGE COUNTY. 



348 

1.036 

1.067 

492 

954 

439 

3,433 

254 

245 

663 

531 

303 

687 

1,176 

503 

663 

245 

400 



13.427 



Ashippun 


742 

794 

1.656 
567 
593 
451 
694 
701 
724 
471 
451 
985 

1,143 
591 
907 
156 
833 
832 

1.014 

1.318 
532 

1.006 
668 
956 
149 
559 

1.072 
956 
586 
615 

1.435 
628 


700 




"i' 

28 


1,442 
1.501 
3.455 
1.091 
1,112 
854 
1,330 
1,403 
1.356 
853 
1.012 
1,896 
2.240 
1190 
1,748 
310 
1.637 
1,597 
1,943 
3,563 
1.069 
,958 
,321 
1,868 
318 
1.065 
2,098 
1,763 
1,145 
1,233 
2,955 
1,070 


Beaver Dam town 


707 

1,795 
534 
619 
403 
636 
701 
632 
381 
508 
911 

1,097 
599 
841 
154 
804 
759 
929 

1,245 
537 
951 
653 
912 
168 
506 

1.036 
806 
658 
618 

1,530 
441 


■■4" 
'25 






Chester 


Clyman 


Elba 








Herman 


Hubbard 


Horicou village 

Hustlsford 






3 





Lomira 


Lowell 


Mayville village 


l' 










Randolph village, E. ward 
Shields 


Theresa 


.... 

r 
r 




Trenton 


Westford 


Williamstown 

Watertown city, 5 & 6 w'ds 
Waupun village. 1st ward, . 


Total 


24,785 


23.541 


35 33 


48,394 





DANE COUNTY. 



Towns, Cities and 
Villages. 



POPCLATION. 



Albion 

Berry 

Black Eartli 

Blooming Grove... 

Blue Mounds 

Bristol 

Burke 

Christiana 

Cottage Grove 

Cross Plains 

Dane 

Deerfield 

Dunkirk 

Dunn 

Fltchburg 

Madison town 

Madisuncity 

Mazomauie 

Medina 

Middleton 

Montrose 

Oregon 

Perry 

Primrose 

Pleasant Springs. . . 

Roxbnry 

Rutland 

Springdale 

Springfield 

StouElitou village.. 

Sun Prairie 

Sun Prairie village, 

Vienna 

Verona 

Vermont 

Westport 

Windsor 

York 

Total 



679 

592 
451 
555 
559 
579 
575 
853 
580 
703 
697 
493 
677 
586 
676 
419 
4,858 
813 
726 
866 
640 
655 
530 
470 
669 
592 
653 
622 
728 
585 
515 
283 
547 
546 
563 
813 
629 
518 



26,894 



682 
543 
446 
474 
531 
558 
546 
740 
549 
727 
571 
413 
675 
587 
675 
361 

5,174 
818 

^691 
850 
538 
704 
444 
448 
£87 
659 
504 
495 
664 
622 
457 
806 
479 
491 
555 
808 
558 
484 



25.814 60 30 



TON DU LAC COUNTY. 



1.261 
1.135 

897 
1,030 
1,090 
1.137 
1.121 
1,593 
1.130 
1.430 
1,168 

906 
1,253 
1,173 
1.051 

788 
10,093 
1,635 
1,417 
1.718 
1,079 
1.359 

974 

919 
1,057 
1,151 
1,057 
1.018 
1,392 
1.207 

972 

589 
1,026 
1,039 
1,11s 
1,621 
1.191 
1,003 



52.798 





1.064 
877 
725 
685 
723 
763 
527 
840 
768 
793 
582 

1,109 

1,156 

1.085 

1,374 

594 

739 

655 

726 

1.065 
748 
684 
630 
611 

872 
777 
642 

III 
498 


938 
799 
686 
661 
649 
713 
490 
747 
676 
686 
524 

1,175 

1,248 

1.204 

1.398 

563 

727 

659 

753 

731 

919 

891 

673 

667 

68) 

534 

981 
862 
680 
717 
644 
478 


4 

7 
1" 


"5' 


2,006 




1,676 


Alto 


1,411 




1,346 




1,372 




1,476 




1,029 




1,687 




1,445 




1,479 




1 

5 
3 
3 
1 

"b 

38 
33 

1 
1 
2 

■4' 

'■i' 


11 

3 
1 

37 
3; 

1 

"4" 

T 

1 
5 


1,107 


Fonddu Lac city- 


2,300 




2,409 




2,395 


Fourth ward 


2.774 
1.157 




1,481 




1,369 




1,523 




1,513 




1,83S 


Marshfield 


1,421 




1.361 




1,211 




1.200 


Riponcity— 


1.854 




1.647 




1.22a 




1,500 




1 
2 


T 


1,3U 


Waupun village, N. ward. . 


979. 


Total 


25,449 


24,604 


98 


80 


50,241 







252 



HISTORY OF AVISCONSIX. 



EAU CLAIRE COUNTY. 







POPULATION. 




Towns, Cities ahd 
Villages. 


White. 


Colored 










e 


bo 

£ 

IS 
< 


Augusta V il 1 age 


549 
461 
419 
4,646 
221 
158 
701 
496 
260 
93 
327 
393 


507 
383 
387 
3,777 
179 
163 
553 
463 
243 
78 
290 
327 


'13 


■■4" 


1,056 
844 
706 

8,4 40 
400 
821 

1,264 
959 
503 
171 
617 
720 


Briuge Creek 


Itruuswick 

KauClairecity 

Kairchiltl 




Otter Cret'k 












Total 


8,724 


7,250 


13 


4 


15,991 





GREEN COUNTY. 



GRANT COUNTY. 



Adams 


476 
565 
585 
669 
695 
759 
■S48 
450 
867 
640 
462 
1,525 
550 
530 
639 
446 
477 
520 


437 
585 
554 
750 
654 
751 
350 
433 
847 
486 
441 
1.693 
558 
445 
597 
530 
393 
496 


r 

■fe" 
2 

"1" 


r 


913 
1.150 
1,138 
1,428 
1,349 
1,510 

701 






Cadiz . ...7 




Decatur , 


Exeter 

Jefferson 


883 
1,714 
1.026 




Monroe village 


3,227 


New Gl.irus 


975 
1,238 




876 




870 


York...?.. .:::::.":::::::::: 


1 016 








11,102 


10,900 


14 


11 


22,027 







865 
413 
974 
607 
487 
709 
425 
935 
611 
446 

1,047 
558 
686 
539 
458 

1,376 
359 
671 
369 
109 
400 
500 

2.000 

1.873 
429 
716 
486 
330 
5SU 
380 
293 

20.037 


805 
413 
996 
599 
512 
677 
884 
835 
531 
397 
1.074 
491 
557 

423 

1.358 

349 

604 

357 

97 

381 

440 

2.054 

1,268 

401 

613 

469 

274 

481 

354 

269 

18,944 


27 
? 

"2' 

"r 

6 


20 

"3' 
1 

T 

■2' 


1,717 


BlueKiver 

Boscoln'l 

Bloomincton 


826 
1.978 
1.206 


Clifton 


999 




1,386 




K09 




1 770 


Glen Haven 


1,144 
848 




2,121 




1,049 




1.194 


Lima 


1,020 


Liberty 


882 




2,742 


Little Gnint . 


708 




— 

"i' 
2 

16 

1 

Tis" 


"3" 

1 

9 

40" 


1 275 


Marlon 


726 


Mlllvllle 


206 


Mount Hope 


781 


Paris 


940 


Plattvllle.... 


4,060 


potosl . 


2 644 


Patch Grove 


855 


Smelser 


1.330 


Waterloo 


955 


Watterstown 


604 
1.017 




734 




562 


Total 


39,086 







GREEN LiAItE COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities AND 

ViLLAOKS. 


"White. 


Colored 


« 




s 

Ik 


a; 


a 


1 


Berlin 


548 
1,586 
707 
729 
4.'i'.i 
680 
787 
587 
1.07C 
390 
232 


554 
1,755 
691 
759 
442 
654 
682 
521 
1,015 
836 
225 






1,102 




1" 

6 

1 

"1" 


■'e" 


3,341 
1.399 






1.500 
895 


Kingston 




1,419 

1,058 

2,091 

726 






St. Marie : 


Seneca 


458 






Total 


7.632 


7.642 


9 


6 


15,274 





IOWA COUNTY. 



Arena 

Clyde 

DodgeviUe 

Highland 

Linden 

Mifflin 

Mineral Point 

Mineral Point city . 

Moscow 

Pulaski.. 



Rldffeway . 
Waldwick 
Wyoming.. 



,004 
390 
.854 
.565 
.078 
818 
806 
,458 
484 
785 
,299 
480 
362 



Tot.ai 12,384 11,714 26 9 



924 
867 

1,870 

1,459 
972 
705 
715 

1,581 
443 
712 

1,174 
434 
358 



JACKSON COUNTY. 



Albion 

Alma 

Garden Valley. 

Hixlon 

Irving 

Manchester.... 

Melrose 

Millston 

Northfit-dd .. . 
Springfield 

Total 



JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 



1,428 


1,334 


5 


1 


699 


620 






549 


477 






714 


554 






669 


588 






226 


197 






613 


546 






128 


82 






448 


429 






565 


467 






6,039 


5,294 


5 


1 



1.930 

757 

.3.725 

3.024 

2.059 

1.526 

1.527 

8,054 

927 

1.497 

2.473 

914 

720 



21,133 



9,768 

1.319 

1,026 

1,268 

1,257 

423 

1,159 

210 

877 

1.032 

11,339 





669 

770 
375 

1,215 
665 
920 

2,081 

1,744 
745 
799 
671 
798 
757 
248 
526 
418 

1.115 

8,286 


635 

747 
350 

1,192 
608 
857 

1.958 

1,810 
720 
752 
515 
778 
78b 
255 
489 
897 

1,065 

3,283 


4 
2 
6 
3 

"2 

1 

21 

"l" 

.... 


4 
3 
3 
5 

"i' 

13 


1.312 
1,522 

734 
2,415 
1,273 
1,777 
4,041 
8.556 
1.499 
1,551 
1.086 
1.576 
1,483 

503 
















Lake Mills 


Milford 


Oakland 




SulUv.an 






1,016 
815 




Watertown town 

Watertowii city, 1st. 2d. 3d, 
4th, and 7th wards 


2,180 
6,569 


Total 


17.702 


17.137 


40 


29 


34.908 





STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



253 



JUNEAU COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns. CiTiKs and 


White. 


Colored 




Villages. 


■3 


la 
B 




0^' 

a) 


1 

be 
in 

< 




117 
135 
397 
390 
309 
553 
556 
274 
259 
178 
548 
1,001 
558 
367 
748 
419 
610 
774 


119 
115 
343 
333 
249 
519 
510 
240 
234 
160 
569 
864 
673 
248 
690 
377 
460 
719 


T 

2 


"r 

1 


236 
250 

?!2» 

558 

1,072 

1,066 

5!4 

483 

338 

1,118 

1,865 

1,133 

516 

1,438 

796 

970 

1,495 






Germaiitowii 

KiKUiie 


Liiidiiia 












New Lisbon village 














7.993 


7,301 


3 


■i 


15,300 





KENOSHA COUNTY. 



Brigliton 

Bristol 

Kenosha city 

Paris 

Pleasant Prairie. 

Randall 

Somers 

Salem 

Wheatland 

Total 



561 


505 






585 


552 


2 


2 


2,426 


2,533 


7 


7 


539 


479 






734 


723 


5 


6 


297 


252 






798 


657 


5 


5 


697 


669 






434 


433 






7,066 


6,803 


19 


19 



1,066 
1,137 
4.959 
1,018 
1,457 

549 
1,450 
1,366 

867 

13,907 



KEWAUNEE COUNTY. 





687 
532 
706 
742 
747 
1,337 
497 
623 
917 
718 


632 
506 
706 
657 
726 
1,233 
440 
534 
780 
685 






1,319 












Caseo 


1,399 
1,473 
2,570 


Franklin 


Kewaunee town* village. 




1,157 
1.697 






1,403 




Totai 


7,506 


6,899 






14,405 





LA CROSSE COUNTY. 





366 
667 
516 
528 
919 
426 
863 
461 

1,131 
725 

1.784 
596 

1,195 
713 
393 
483 
499 


348 
604 
485 
375 
940 
380 

403 

1,205 
. 640 

1.916 
753 
982 
666 
387 
355 
423 


"3 
2 

"i' 

83 
6 
6 
3 
3 


"l 
1 

23 
2 
6 
2 
2 


714 

1,271 

991 

9O6 


Bangor 

Burns 


Camiibell 


Farm ington 


1,862 

806 

1,703 






Holland 


La Gro.sse city- 
First ward 

Second ward 

Tiiirdward 


3,392 
1,373 
3,711 






2,182 

1,378 

680 

837 

922 


Onalaska town 


Onalaska villaee 

Shelby 






Total 


12,263 


11,590 


55 


37 


23,945 





LA FAYETTE COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns. Cities and 


White. 


Colored 


<i^ 


Villages. 




s 


1, 


i 


t 
< 


Arpyie 


683 
660 
886 
273 

1,330 
510 
603 
866 
468 
238 
922 
522 

1,253 
554 
231 
555 
935 


571 
591 
795 
256 

1,341 
433 
595 
855 
420 
331 
883 
416 

1,387 
537 
215 
509 
866 


r 


'1" 
3 " 

"1 ■ 


1,154 
1,251 
1,681 

.529 
2.671 

933 
1,197 
1,721 

888 

469 
1,805 

938 
2,540 
1,081 

446 








Darlington 

Elk Grove 


Favette 


Gratiot 








Seymour 


Sliuiisburg 


Wayne 

Wllite Oak Springs 




"1" 




1,064 
1,801 


wiota.. ..:... .?..■.'.■.■."::: 




Total 


11,388 


10,781 


3 


4 


22,169 





LINCOLN COUNTY. 



Jenny. 



533 372 



895 



MARQUETTE COUNTY. 



Buffalo 

Crystal Lake. 

Douglas 

Harris 

Moiitello 

Mecan , 

Moundville 

Newton , 

Neskoro 

Oxford 

Packwankee 

Shield 

Springfield., 
westfield.... 

Total... 



362 


370 


1 




384 


330 






381 


338 






260 


271 






469 


425 






356 


362 






219 


179 






331 


338 






277 


253 






374 


268 






343 








343 


307 






163 
338 


146 
304 










4,490 


4,207 


1 





732 
714 
719 
531 
884 
708 



530 
542 
669 
650 
309 
643 



MARATHON COUNTY. 





109 
586 
359 
373 
135 
414 
232 
307 
479 
159 
439 
1,560 
110 
263 


50 
539 
223 
298 
139 
351 
235 
238 
430 
119 
385 
1,260 
114 
216 


'.'.'. 


1 " 


159 


Berfin 


1,124 




583 




671 




264 


Maine 

Marathon 


765 
467 
545 


Stettin 


909 


Texas 


278 




834 




3.830 


Wein 


324 


Weston 


479 








5,624 


4,586 




1 


10,111 







254 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



MANITOWOC COl'NTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, cirrKs amd 


White. 


(tiered 










s 


a 

B 

o 


1 

< 




951 

881 
773 
935 
934 

1,176 
728 

3,226 
606 
885 
901 

1,060 
779 

1,057 
694 

1,005 

1,019 
858 
343 


955 

780 
883 
791 
887 
875 

1,084 
692 

3,498 
628 
767 
853 

1,014 
644 

1,016 
649 
953 
933 
857 
313 






1.906 








1,604 


Coopersto wii 






1,714 


Eaton 


1,564 




l' 




1,823 




1.809 




2,260 
1 420 


Liberty 


Manitowoc city 


5,724 




1,652 




1 754 




2 074 


Maple Glove 


1 423 


Newton 


2.073 




1.958 




1.951 




1 715 




656 








19,535 


18,931 


1 













. MILWAUKEE COUNTY. 



Milwaukee city- 


4.427 
6.874 
3.693 
5,025 
4.315 
3.929 
3.289 
3,333 
4.330 
3.584 
3.397 
2.026 
1,758 
945 
1,343 
2,416 
1,232 
1,155 
2,876 
1,812 


.5,101 
6.617 
3.488 
5.491 
3.978 
3.995 
3.774 
3.836 
2.328 
3,577 
3,2.50 
1.988 
1,694 
878 
1,299 
1,815 
1,199 
1.051 
3.370 
1.755 


1 

S 
70 

7 

7 


3 

■'6 
70 
10 


9 532 




13 491 










Fifth ward 

Sixth ward 


8,310 
7,924 
7,072 




Ninth ward 

lentil ward 






8,658 
7,161 
6.647 
4.014 
3 452 


Eleventh ward 

Twelfth ward 

Thlrteentll ward 








"i' 

1 


1 


1.823 
2,646 
4,238 
2.431 
2.206 
5.246 
3.567 


Greenfleld 


Wauwatosa 


Granville 


Oak Creek 

Lake 










Total 


61,758 


60.979 


96 


94 


122,927 





MONROE COUNTY. 



OCONTO COUNTY. 



Adrian 


873 
274 
193 
408 
706 
387 
507 
234 
432 
404 
333 
462 
81 
370 
478 
630 
400 
1.814 
1,154 
460 
675 
335 

11,000 


308 
256 
188 
381 
591 
328 
459 
206 
396 
388 
277 
381 
74 
323 
408 
516 
342 
1,928 
1,077 
397 
512 
294 




.... 


681 




830 








331 


Clifton 






789 


Glendale 


1.297 




715 




33 


.... 
'85 

"i' 


966 




440 




886 


Leon 

Little Falls 


743 
613 




848 




155 






11 

7 


710 




886 


Ridflrevlile 


1,146 


.Sheldon 


743 


.Sparta 


3,750 
2,231 




867 




1,087 


Wells 


639 








9.925 ' 47 


54 


21,026 











I'OI'ULATIOX. 




TOWNP. CITIKS ANO 


\VI 


ite. 


Coloreil 




Villages. 




B 






a 


Gillett 


196 

551 

152 

1.446 

563 

2,371 

1.495 

744 

268 


179 

361 

108 

1.086 

453 

2.086 

1.022 

537 

185 






375 


Little Suamico 


s' 
1 

"2" 

6 


"i' 
T 


912 


Maple Valley 


260 








l!017 
4 467 




Peshtigo 


2 520 




1,281 


Stiles 


453 






Total. 


7,786 


6.017 


13.812 



OUTAGAMIE COUNTY"^. 





3,307 
489 
638 
546 
886 
238 
886 
170 
689 
850 
842 
719 
562 
980 
263 
408 
111 
100 
290 
759 


3,403 
492 
429 
463 
718 
179 
516 
140 
655 
731 
811 
669 

ii? 

286 

338 

92 

100 
247 
624 


11 


9 










4 
"4' 

2 


3 
"1 

■7' 


974 


Black Creek 


1.009 
1 559 










1,062 




Ellington 


1 363 




1,581 
1,658 
1,388 








1,095 




1,917 


Liberty 


'499 




746 




203 


New London, 3d ward 


200 
637 




1 384 






Total 


13,388 


12..il3 


22 


20 


25,558 



OZAUKEE COUNTY. 



Cedarburg 

Belgium 

P'redonia 

Grafton 

Mequon 

Port Washington, 
Saukville 

Total 



1.376 


1.268 






1.048 


1.009 






992 


924 






910 


844 


1 


1 


1.617 


1.522 






1.497 


1,481 






1.081 


979 






8.516 


8,039 


1 


1 



2.644 
2.052 
1,916 
1,756 
3.139 
2.978. 
2.060 

16.545 



PIERCE COUNTY. 



Clifton 


388 
807 
645 
287 
380 
628 
124 
656 
544 
484 
535 
963 
430 
167 
403 
513 
297 
326 


324 
250 
654 
248 
343 
542 
101 
514 
480 
415 
544 
934 
369 
141 
827 
454 
252 
253 


29 
10 

"4 


24 
9 

"2 


712 
557 


Ellsworth 


1,200 




535 




723 




1,170 




225 


Martell 


1,070 


Maiden Rock 


1,024 




899 




1.132 




1.916 


Rock Elm 


799 


Salem 


308 


.SprinR Lake. 


780 


Trlmbeile 


973 




649 


Union 


579 


Total 


7,977 


7.045 


44 


35 


15.101 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



255 



POLK COUNTY. 





POPULATION 


TOWKS. CITIKS AND 


White. 


Colored 








a 


i 


H 


1 

< 



Alden 

Black Brook. 
Balsam Lake 

Eureka 

FarmJngtoii.. 

Linnoln 

Luck 

Lorain 

Laketown.... 

Milltown 

Osceola 

St. Croix Falli 
Sterling ., 

Total.,. 



510 


447 






957 


376 


318 






694 


266 


268 


12 


9 


555 


209 


174 






383 


425 


352 






777 


399 


322 






721 


209 


141 


.'iH 


47 


453 


61 


45 






106 


160 


157 






317 


105 


85 


Id 


9 


209 


486 


428 






914 


208 


198 






406 


134 


110 






244 








3.548 


3,045 


78 


65 


6,736 



PORTAGE COUNTY. 



Amherst 


650 
376 
248 
394 
277 
126 
522 
309 
244 
541 
571 
141 
651 
783 
234 

719 
741 
315 


575 
345 
230 
332 
232 
120 
497 
295 
199 
496 
514 
130 
616 
711 
134 

612 
687 
289 




,... 


1,225 








726 




509 


Grant 


246 


Hull 


1,019 
604 


Lanark 




1 




443 




1,037 




1,085 


PlneGrove 

Stockton 


271 
1,267 
1,494 

368 

1,331 


Sharon i 




Stevens Point city- 




1,428 

H04 


Third ward 






Total 


7.842 


7,0- 


1 




14 856 







PEPIN COUNTY. 



Albany 


194 
497 
271 
311 
759 
815 
693 
120 


181 
478 
233 
274 
644 
288 
535 
117 


"i' 




375 


DurantL 

Frankfort 


975 
504 




585 


Pepin 


1 406 


Stockholm 

WatervlUe 


606 
1,128 




237 






Total 


3.060 


2,750 


2 




5,816 







KOCK COUNTY. 





445 
377 

2,162 
506 
542 
966 

1,060 
613 
463 

5,040 
611 
434 
598 
562 
945 
483 
639 
609 
522 
580 
592 

1,009 

19,758 


433 
344 

2,371 
473 
498 
952 
950 
523 
400 

5,015 
576 
387 
533 
515 
930 
471 
603 
546 
497 
558 
537 

1,015 

19,127 






878 




2 

39 

2 

"■i' 

1 

34 ■ 
4 

1 

"l" 
1 

"'i' 
1 

'90 


33 ■ 

T 
3 

26 

T 

1 

«... 
64 










981 


Center 


1 041 




J;^?? 


Fulton 


Harmony 


1,136 
853 


Janesviilecity 


10 115 




1 191 








1,131 
1,079 

1877 
954 




Milton 


Newark 


Plymouth 

Porter 


1,242 
1,155 


Rock 


1,019 
1,138 
1,131 
2^25 


Turtle 

Union 






Total 









RACINE COUNTY. 



Towns. Cities and 
Villages. 





POPULATION. 




White. 


Colored 


«' 




















» 




» 




6 


rt 


aJ 


rt 


?. 


vi 




rt 






S 


'^ 


p^ 


'A 


< 



Burlington . 
Caledonia... 

Dover 

Mt. Pleasant, 

Norway , 

Racine city., 

Raymond 

Rochester... 
Waterford... 
Yorkville... 

Total . . 



1,403 


1,424 


1 




1,502 


1,345 






538 


455 


1 




1,237 


1,104 






506 


457 


4 


if. 


6,571 


6,590 


62 


51 


824 


710 






436 


408 


1 




789 


725 






810 


755 






14,616 


13,973 


69 


53 



RICHLAND COUNTY. 



ST. CROIX COUNTY. 



SAUK COUNTY. 



Baraboo 

Bear Creek 

.'>elton 

Dollona 

Excelsior .. 
Fairfield... 
Franklin... 
Freedom. . 



2,026 


1,931 


11 


R 


406 


402 






416 


413 






311 


281 






567 


485 




1 


382 


842 






483 


449 






560 


497 




.... 



2.827 

2,847 

993 

2,341 

963 

13.274 

ill 
1,614 

1,665 



28,702 





361 

685 
560 
573 
598 
490 
463 
622 
4B3 
353 
902 
749 
588 
627 
527 
435 


381 
614 
526 
525 
587 
422 
448 
697 
440 
334 
965 
690 
644 
483 

Vol 


■5 

1 

'io 


"2' 
■3' 


742 




1,299 


Buena Vista 


1 086 


Dayton 


1 098 




1,185 
912 






911 




1,219 




903 


Orion 






1,874 




1.440 




1,132 




1 010 


Westford 


1 004 


Willow 


851 






Total 


8,896 


8,436 


16 


5 


17,353 





Baldwin. 


160 
355 
184 
236 
636 
173 
277 
648 
346 
979 

604 
277 
372 

ill 

164 
520 
378 


119 
247 
145 
209 
567 
128 
260 
672 
297 
993 
831 
260 
316 
685 
261 

314 
166 
396 
304 






279 




602 




"4" 

T 


i" 


331 




447 








'303 


Eau Galle 


629 




1,220 




643 




1.977 




725 


Pleasant Valley 

Rush River 


621 
645 




1,140 




633 




680 




1 




482 




673 








916 












8.009 


6,941 


6 


1 


14,966 







3.976 
808 
329 
592 

1,053 
724 
932 

1,057 



256 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



SAUK COUNTY.-Cont'd. 





POPULATION. 




Towns, Cities asd 


While. 


Colored 




ViLLAOKS. 




a 


1 i 


£ 



Greenfield 

Honey Creek.. 

Ironton 

La Valle 

Merrimack 

Prairie du Sac 
Reedsbiirg.... 
Spring Creek. 

Sumpter 

Troy 

Washington... 

Westfleld 

Wlnfietd 

WooiUand 

Total 



391 


374 


1 




766 


648 


622 






1.270 


678 


633 






1,311 


604 


549 






1.153 


456 


430 






888 


954 


1.045 






1,999 


1,114 


1.128 


8 




2,242 


533 


516 






1,049 


392 


381 






773 


551 


501 




.... 


1,058 


567 


526 






1,093 


683 


632 


H 


a 


1.320 


439 


378 






827 


645 


575 






1,280 


13,816 


13,088 


17 


11 


26,932 



SHAWANO COUNTY. 





53 
206 
363 
278 
150 
477 
147 
243 

80 
238 
164 

90 

72 
131 
405 
239 
218 


30 
130 
345 
198 
124 
441 
135 

'tl 

828 

136 

89 

60 

3ii 

816 

197 


•14 
•18 


.... 
.... 

.... 

•3 
•lO 


83 




236 


Belle^Plaine. 


708 




470 


Green Valley 


891 


H^rtland 


918 




888 




439 




148 


Palla 


466 
300 




179 


Seneca 


132 
284 


Shawano city 


789 
455 




415 






Total 


3,548 


3,048 


26 


13 


6,635 







'■Stockbridge Indians. 



SHEBOYGAN COUNTY. 



1,004 

1,152 

1,585 

1,167 

864 

637 

552 

1,369 

793 

883 

754 

796 

565 
1,150 
736 
918 
993 
612 
872 
616 



Total 17,368 



Greenbush 

Herman 

HollanU 

Lima 

Lyndon 

Mitchell 

Mosel 

Plymouth 

Rhine 

Russell 

Scott 

SheboyRaiftown 

Shebqjgan city— 

FlrstwarU 

Second ward 

Third ward 

Fourth ward 

Sheboygan Falls 

Sheboygan Falls village .. 

Sherman 

Wilson 



969 

1.085 

1.402 

1,149 

793 

544 

641 

1.306 

776 

267 

750 

710 

631 
1,192 
683 
953 
917 
563 
815 
606 



16.652 



1,973 
2,237 
2,937 
8,316 
1.858 
1.181 
1,093 
2.675 
1.569 
550 
1,504 
1,508 

1.196 
8.342 
1,419 
1,871 
1,910 
1.175 
1,687 
1,282 



34,021 



TREMPEALEAU COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities and 


White. 


Colored 




Villages, 




s 

at 




S 


1 

IS 

< 




1,464 
201 
547 
293 
285 
774 
889 
557 
410 
755 
316 
406 
882 


1368 
169 
493 
212 
291 
741 
856 
463 
335 
706 
303 
412 
795 






2,832 


Albion 


370 




1,040 




r 




510 




576 




1,515 


Gale 


1.745 


Hale 


1,080 




745 




1,464 




619 




878 




1,678 








7,844 


7,144 


4 




14,998 







TAYLOR COUNTY. 



. I 



542 



897 1 711 3 



VERNON COUNTY. 



"845 





476 
734 
483 
506 
361 
703 
358 
451 
650 
519 
584 
642 
554 
254 
484 
659 
355 
1,046 
528 
448 
403 


640 
456 
451 
343 
638 
359 
434 
569 
487 
524 
552 
561 
223 
435 
621 
866 
970 
473 
441 
344 


1 



1 


936 




1,374 




939 




957 




812 




1,341 




717 


Greenwood 


885 
1,819 




1,006 




1,108 




1,194 




1,115 


Liberty 


447 












1,280 




683 




2,016 


Webster 


996 


Wheatland 


883 


Wbitestown 


747 


Tot,al 


11,166 


10,846 


58 


55 


21,584 









WALWORTH COUNTY. 



Bloomfield 

Darien 

Delavan village 


591 
713 
836 
385 
704 
510^ 
836 
541 
514 
506 
443 
736 
490 

1,001 
596 
502 
530 
655 

2,060 

l3.149~ 


516 
729 
933 
379 
685 
589 
844 
•188 
495 
449 
427 
664 
435 
973 
584 
476 
481 
616 
2,328 

13,067 


T 

"l" 
7 

"i' 


"9' 

"s 
"e 

25 


1,107 

1,448 

ill 
1,389 






1,099 




1,88 




1.01 

1,00 






9&S 




870 






926 




1,989 




1,180 




978 




1,011 




1,270 




4,895 


Total 


26,259 







STATISTICS OF WISCOKSIN. 



257 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



» 


POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities amd 
Villages. 


White. 


Colored 




6 


3; 




6 
73 

a 


< 




951 

660 

612 

878 

1.030 

1,403 

1.038 

731 

936 

921 

330 

1,005 

855 

451 

601 


857 
689 
571 
839 
955 
1.331 
1,014 
703 
830 
819 
160 
907 
855 
444 
624 


"l" 




1.808 
1.350 
1.183 
1,717 
1.985 
3.737 
2.043 
1,434 
1,756 
1,740 
380 
1 91'* 




Erin 


Farniington 


Germaiuowu 


Hartford 






.Tackson 








Polk 






Rlchflekl 






Schieisi ngerville 






Trenton 


Wayne 


1.710 














1.325 




Total 


12,382 


11.576 


4 




23,863 




.... 



^^TAUKESHA COUNTY. 





1.138 

792 
617 
746 
761 

1.205 
778 
568 
766 
887 
464 
759 
996 

1.054 
619 
657 

1.031 

1.318 


1.095 
716 
605 
639 
658 

1,143 
736 
573 
684 
820 
419 
710 

1,115 

1,016 
540 
588 
700 

1,449 








Delafleld 


"4 
4 

■4 
21 


1 

"4 

5 

ie 








Genesee 


1,376 
1 431 




2 348 








1,135 










893 




1,474 




2 121 




2 080 




1 159 












2.807 






Total 


15.140 


14,196 


33 


26 


29 425 







WAUPACA COUNTY. 



Bear Creek 


393 

478 
426 
131 
411 
456 
111 
478 
388 
408 
534 
588 
192 
510 
875 
511 
566 
448 
205 
938 
413 
261 
427 


384 
451 
390 
119 
363 
402 
112 
439 
376 
363 
208 
532 
183 
426 
801 
495 
512 
397 
184 
1.036 
369 
237 
388 


1" 

"i' 


■* 


777 


Caledonia 


929 


















Helvetia 

lola 


223 

917 










Lfiid 




Uctle Wolf .. . 


1,120 
372 






966 






Boyalton 

SPandlnftTla 


1.006 
1.078 




"2" 

.... 


— 


389 




1 976 




782 


Weyauwega 


498 






Totai 


10,146 


9.451 


5 


4 


19,646 





WAUSHARA COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities and 
villaoes. 


White. 


Colored 






a 







IS 
< 




537 
693 
137 
356 
122 
223 
443 
309 
300 
331 
459 
473 
193 
180 
, 384 
245 
322 
347 


473 

666 
147 
244 
114 
256 
399 
279 
369 
277 
397 
437 
185 
186 
319 
226 
325 
361 


4 


6 


1.020 
1.358 
284 
500 
236 
479 
S42 
588 

856 
910 
378 
366 
703 
471 
647 
708 


Bioomfield 


Coloma 


Deerfieid 


Hancock 


Leon 


Mount Morris 




Oasis 




Plainfield 


Rose 


Ricliford 


Saxviiie 


.Springwater 

Warren 

Wautoma 






5,953 


5.560 


4 


6 


11.523 





WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Algoma 

Black Wolf 


393 

459 
691 

1,579 
276 
697 
573 

2.062 
610 

1.622 

8.672 
4H3 

1.055 

588 

596 

1,342 

460 


396 
438 
609 
331 

1,961 
252 
578 
550 

1,961 
510 

1,690 

8,263 
405 

1.018 
499 
553 
535 

1,230 
417 


■3' 


■3" 


789 

'720 
3.170 


Clayton 


Menasha... 




Nekimi 


1.275 
1,123 






T 
.31 ■ 
"3' 

"4" 


'3 

41' 
'3' 

"i' 


4.023 






3.31a 
17.015 

868 
2.079 
1.078 
1.141 
1.131 
2.577 

877 






Rush ford 


Utica 






Wolf River 




Total 


23,106 


21.835 


51 


51 


45.033 



WOOD COUNTY. 



Aburndale 

Ceiitralia city 

Dexter 

Grand Rapids city 

Graiid Rapids 

Lincoln 

Port Edwards 

Rudoipli 

Remington 

Saratoga 

Sigel 

Seneca. 

Wood 

Total 



103 


74 






176 


429 


371 


1 


— 


800 


191 


118 




— 


304 


737 


680 


1 




1,418 


376 


297 


1 


1 


677 
425 


231 


194 






193 


117 






810 


255 


217 






472 


79 


73 






153 


159 


144 






303 


331 


201 


1 




433 


183 


165 






849 


125 


104 






229 


3.291 


2,750 


6 


1 


6,048 



258 



HISTOKV OK WISCONSIX. 



POPULATION BY COUNTIES. 

SUMMARY FROM STATE AND FEDERAL CENSUS. 



COUNTIES. 


1840. 


1850. 


1855. 


1860. 


1865. 


1870, 


1875. 






187 


6.868 


B.492 

515 

13 

353 

11.795 

3.864 

12 

7.895 

1.895 

789 

24.441 

8.068 

43.922 

42.818 

2.948 

813 

2.704 

3.162 

34.154 

31.189 

19,808 

12,663 

18.967 

4.170 

30,438 

8.770 

13.900 

5,530 

13,186 

18.134 


5,698 
256 

"269 
15.282 

6,776 
171 

8,638 

3,278 

1,011 
26,112 
11,011 
50,192 
46,841 

3.998 
532 

5,170 

5,281 
42.029 
33,618 
20,646 
12,596 
20,657 

5,631 
30,597 
10,013 
12,676 

7,039 
14,834 
20,358 


6,601 

221 

538 

344 

25,168 

11,123 

706 

12,335 

8,311 

3,450 

28,803 

13,075 

53,096 

47,035 

4,919 

1,122 

9,48S 

10,769 

46.273 

37.979 

33,611 

13,195 

24,544 

7,687 

34,0.50 

12.396 

13,177 

10,381 

20,295 

22,667 


6,502 






750 










3,737 










1,032 




2,107 


6,215 


6.699 
832 


35,373 




14,219 








1,456 




275 


1,743 
615 

■■"9! 565 
2,498 
16,639 
19,138 


3.631 

838 

2.32 

17,965 

3,323 

37.714 

34,540 

739 

385 

1,796 


15,065 




13,995 






7.282 






28.803 




1,602 

314 

67 


15,035 




52,798 




4a394 




8,020 








741 








13.427 








15.991 




139 
926 
933 


14.519 
16,198 
8,566 


24,781 
23.170 
14,827 

■ i5:2d5 

1,098 
26,869 


50.341 


Giiint 

(iiceii 


39.086 
22.037 
15,274 




3,978 


9.522 
"i5!317 
""10,734 


24.133 




11,339 




914 


34.908 




15..30O 






12,397 
1,109 
3,904 

16,064 


13.907 






14,405 








33,945 






ii,5'3'i 


23,169 






895 




235 


3,702 

489 

508 

31,077 


13,048 

447 

1,427 

46,265 
2,407 
1,501 
4,914 

12,973 


22,416 
2,892 
8,233 

62,518 
8,410 
3.592 
9.587 

15.682 
2.392 
4.672 
1,400 
7,.507 

21,360 
9,732 

36,690 
5,392 

18,963 
829 

26,875 


26,762 

3.678 

7.327 

72,320 

11,652 

4,858 

11,852 

14,882 

3,002 

6,324 

1,677 

ai45 

23,884 

12,186 

26.033 

7,255 

20,154 

1,369 

27,671 


33,369 

5,885 

8,057 

89,936 

16,562 

8,323 

18,440 

15,579 

4,659 

10,003 

3,422 

10,640 

26,742 

15,736 

39,030 

11,039 

23,868 

3,165 

31,773 


38,456 




10,111 




18 
5,605 


8,597 




122.927 




21.03S 








13.812 








25.558 








16.545 








5.816 








1,720 
547 

,5,151 
20,673 

5,584 
31,364 

2,040 

13,614 

254 

20,391 


15.101 


Polk 




1,250 

14,973 
963 

20,750 

624 

4,371 


6,736 




1,623 
3,475 

'"■i',7'o'i 

809 
102 


14,856 




28.702 




17.3,53 




39,039 




14,956 




26.932 




6.635 




133 


8,370 


34.021 




849 








493 

4,823 

22,663 

18,897 

24.012 

4,437 

5,541 

17,439 


2,560 
11,007 
26,496 
23.622 
26,831 

8,851 

a 770 
23,770 

2,425 


,5,199 
13.644 
25,773 
24,019 
27,029 
11,208 

9,002 
29,767 

2,965 


10,728 
18,673 
25,992 
23,905 
28,258 
15.533 
11.379 
37.325 
3,911 


14.992 








21, .524 




2,611 
343 


17,862 
19,485 
19,258 


26.259 




2,3,863 




29,425 






19.646 






"io.idf 


11, .523 




13S 


45,033 


Wood 


6,048 












Total 


30,945 


305,391 


552,109 


775,881 


868,325 


1,054,670 


1,236,729 







In a note to the territorj' of Indiana returns appears the following: 
sippi, had 65, and Green Bay 50 tuUabitauts. 



•On the 1st of August, 1800, Prairie du Chlen. on the Missis- 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN". 



250 



NATIVITY BY COUNTIES. 



CENSUS OF 1870. 



Adams 

Ashland 

Barron 

BayaeUl 

Brown 

Butfalo 

Burnett 

Calumet 

Chippewa 

Clark 

Columbia 

Crawford 

Dane 

Dodge 

Door 

Douglas 

Dunn 

Eau Claire... 
Fond du Lac. 

(Jrant 

Green 

Green Lake. . 

Iowa 

Jackson 

.lefferson 

.Tuneau 

Kenosha 

Kewaunee... 

La Crosse 

La Fayette... 
Manitowoc. . 

Marathon 

Marquette . . . 
Milwaukee... 

Monroe 

Oconto 

Outagamie... 

Ozaukee 

Pepin 

Pierce 

Polk 

Portage 

Racine 

Richland 

Rock 

Sauk 

Shawano 

Sliebovgan... 

St. Croix 

Trempealeau 

Vernon 

Walworth 

Washington . 
Waukesha ... 

Waupaca 

Waushara 

Winnebago .. 
\Vood...T.... 



cq 

5,351 

174 

346 

288 

14.728 

6.854 

144 

7.661 

4.725 

2.751 

19.6.52 

9,612 

33.4.56 

28.708 

2.806 

712 

6,268 

7,394 

31,477 

28,565 

18.532 

9,098 

1,5,366 

5,764 

31,747 

9,361 

9,066 

4,642 

11,695 

1,5.935 

16868 

3.139 

5,128 

47,697 

12,512 

4,591 

11.741 

8,728 

3.351 

7,460 

2,249 

7,213 

15,949 

13.954 

30,712 

17,308 

1,688 

19,192 

7.451 

6,339 

13.605 

20.822 

13,868 

18,368 

11.011 

8.702 

25,209 

2,538 



m 

2,649 

148 

132 

175 

11,098 

4,433 

100 

5,658 

2.764 

1.196 

12.233 

5,808 

32,738 

20,934 

1,903 

340 

3.177 

3,336 

20.112 

19,390 

10,643 

4.535 

12,563 

3,966 

15,407 

5,359 

5,959 

4,30J8 

6,779 

11,346 

15,109 

3.333 

3,343 

37.183 

6,722 

3,677 

8,060 

8,214 

1.612 

3,618 

931 

4,337 

11,336 

6,547 

1,5,309 

9,795 

1,133 

14,957 

4,158 

3,700 

7,333 

11,314 

13,504 

13,304 

6.225 

»:i 

1.587 



FoRKKJN Born. 



1,250 

47 
292 

56 

10,440 
4,269 
663 
4.674 
3,586 
699 
9,150 
3,463 

19,640 

18.337 

2,113 

410 

3,230 

3.375 

14,796 
9,414 
,5,079 
4,097 
9,178 
1,933 

12,293 
3,011 
4,081 
5,486 
8,602 
6.724 

16.496 
2,746 
3.928 

43.333 
4,038 
3,7.30 
6.689 
6.836 
1.308 
2.498 
1,173 
3.431 

10.791 
1,777 
8,318 
6,553 
1,478 

13,557 
3,584 
4,393 
5,040 
5,150 

10,051 
9.906 
4,528 
2,577 

12.070 
1.374 



« 



127 

12 

127 

23 

1,687 

173 

4 

165 

1,437 
236 
51! 
397 
684 
565 
290 
133 
437 
767 

1,754 
386 
272 
290 
346 
291 
369 
336 
138 
159 
580 
186 
518 
216 
151 
884 
356 

1,645 
796 
110 
208 
310 
191 
401 
270 
168 
7.55 
386 
111 
333 
816 
309 
184 
391 
97 
333 
508 
364 

1,558 
636 



K) 



142 

4 
2 

2 

273 

56 

4 

167 

120 

81 

2,046 

186 

1,631 

1,236 

89 

41 

147 

,740 

1,291 

3,531 
598 
597 

3,897 
151 
934 
395 
650 
47 
570 

2,281 

223 

49 

252 

1,973 

510 

111 

171 

48 

91 

102 

46 

217 

1,878 
222 

1,382 
765 
27 
303 
150 
185 
189 
931 
110 

3,065 
360 
508 

1,531 
43 



225 

18 

7 

4 

1,442 

242 

1 

500 

417 

45 

1,333 
906 

2.955 

2.301 

228 

66 

227 

487 

2,572 

1,381 
942 
413 

1,339 
137 

1,067 

1,104 
813 
313 
488 

2,345 

1,133 
103 
537 

4,604 
641 
422 
792 
475 
118 
422 
102 
369 

1.039 
431 

2.870 

946 

24 

943 

1.202 
286 
306 

1,729 
882 

1,593 
517 
307 

1,399 
171 



CO 



26 

1 

1 

23 

118 

125 

1 

13 

39 

18 

629 
48 

465 

356 

33 

6 

51 

54 

317 

189 
50 
62 
86 
92 

182 
81 

100 
16 

109 

111 
52 
36 

198 

503 
87 
38 
85 
18 
39 
34 
19 
99 

389 
46 

490 

103 

5 

38 

5B 

141 
87 

148 
35 

397 
60 
43 

146 
34 



133 

8 

41 

3 

2,733 

1.971 

1 

3,367 

958 

335 
2,774 

640 
6,276 
13,656 

426 
60 

843 

835 
7,372 
3,585 

892 
2,634 
1,447 

350 
8.445 

518 
3,083 
1,611 
2,831 

739 
9.335 
3,239 
1,661 
39.019 
1,601 

797 
3,362 
4,422 

300 

449 

172 
1,323 
3,859 

481 
1,142 
3.433 
1,096 
8.497 

294 

776 

661 
1,173 
8.313 
4,335 
1,243 

816 

5,261 

299 



68 
39 

"51 
34 

4 

30 

35 

160 

187 

27 

4 
17 
34 
125 
83 
39 

8 
31 
39 
41 
11 
39 
22 
52 
17 
93 
19 

1 
288 
38 
23 
61 
92 
27 
16 
27 
39 
82 
25 
78 
65 

4 
119 

6 
22 
30 
81 
134 
37 
39 
11 
53 



<a o 

03^ 



537 

3 

98 

1 

451 

556 

551 

3 

439 

79 

1,515 

764 

6,601 

383 

344 

93 

1.336 

871 

156 

543 

1. 1117 

27 

1,647 

944 

384 

379 

29 

97 

3,646 

993 

1,420 

73 

31 

636 

573 

331 

37 

98 

484 

1,053 

483 

795 

1,088 

237 

1,428 

93 

146 

234 

940 

2,633 

3,138 

579 

40 

486 

1,235 

220 

762 

106 



102 
67 

168 

34 

1 

34 

403 

195 

167 

43 



7 

547 

4 

343 

12 

.309 

3 

11 

3.011 

489 

2.360 
3 

1.534 

40 

72 

7 

11 



1 

II 

703 

124 

6 



38 

■41 

281 

1 

396 

54 



31 
941 



35 

1 
67 
46 
216 
97 
16 

3 

44 

39 

193 

118 

1,247 

1 
31 

6 

144 

II 

30 

27 

271 

21 

153 

3 

1 

447 

43 

3 
54 
30 

7 
76 

8 

5 
67 
11 
60 
601 
12 
99 

3 
16 
35 
40 
79 
96 
65 

3 

300 

23 



947 



29 

"44 

3 

17 

77 

3 

3 

3 

1 

627 

71 

3 

2 

13 

1 

19 

1 

44 

48 

94 

3 

51 

"4 

864 

25 

79 

785 

34 

"I'i 
I 
5 

49 
4 

6 
34 

8 

1.682 

38 



15 
58 
48 
2 
1 
23 



32 



371 



20 

3 

49 

11 

131 

37 

82 

3 

51 

21 

98 

13 

12 

15 

3 

15 
55 
71 
44 
55 
3 
38 



130 

2 

60 

56 

16 

"rt 

106 

47 

1,294 

3 

52 

9 

23 

8 

71 

9 

39 

28 

2 

278 

557 

369 

723 

51 



260 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



VALUATION OF PROPERTY 



IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 



Assessed Valuation of taxable Property for the 

TEAK 1876. 



Adams 

Asbtaiul 

Barron 

Bayfield 

Brown 

Butfalo 

Burnett 

Calumet 

Chippewa.... 

Clark. 

Columbia.... 
Crawford.... 

Dane. 

Dodge 

Door 

Douglas 

Dunn. 

Eau Claire... 
Fond du Lac. 

Grant 

Green 

Green Lake.. 

Iowa 

Jackson 

Jefferson... , 

Juneau 

Keuoslia 

Kewaunee... 

La Crosse 

La Fayette... 

Lincoln 

Manitowoc .. 

Marathon 

Marquette... 
Milwaukee.. 

Monroe 

Oconto. 

Outaeamte... 

Ozaukee 

Pepin 

Pleice 

Polk 

Portage 

Racine 

Richland 

Rock 

St. Croix 

Sauk 

Shewano 

Sheboygan.... 

Taylor 

Trempealeau 

Vernon 

Walworth 

Waslitngton., 

Waukeslia 

Waupaca 

Waushara..., 
Winnebago.. 
Wood 

Total 



Value of per- 
sonal property. 



$ 179.771 

43.666 

146..374 

31.705 

442,387 

438.501 

33.419 

373.946 

96.5,634 

281,813 

1,875.049 

587,043 

4,610,768 

2,446,793 

13.5.107 

19,434 

1,0.53.300 

1.354,143 

3.489,759 

2.502,795 

1,966,599 

789,736 

1,333,676 

472,124 

1.753,985 

660.125 

1,320,957 

546.678 

1,336,271 

1.196,502 

13.654 

1.141.330 

335.078 

326.668 

15,345,281 

658.191 

455.741 

623,744 

381.784 

235,283 

738,082 

237,.567 

564.079 

2,418.248 

612,171 

4,462,048 

816,768 

1.364,772 

121,267 

1,903,861 

53,812 

840,378 

934.835 

3. 187, 732 

1.063.347 

3.16.5,504 

480,837 

343.509 

3.081,308 

351.669 



Value of 
real estate. 



S 624,168 

889,533 

1,043,964 

,533,167 

2,195,053 

890,028 

442.765 

2.107,211 

4.359,245 

2,355,972 

7.083. H92 

I,457,58« 

14,882,179 

11.014,318 

659,650 

410,227 

1,875,148 

4,204,233 

11,649,769 
7.0.39.201 
6,290.829 
3.485.819 
4,348.4.52 
1,040.417 
7,896,833 
1,607,245 
4.488.186 
2,560,641 
4.015.568 
4,775,417 
1,532,542 
5,390,599 
1,744.901 
1.033,967 

46.477,383 
1,994,911 
3,411,557 
3.348.367 
3,803,688 
595.316 
2.435.319 
1,131,599 
1.593,018 
8,071.811 
1.908,386 

13,931.410 
3.110.445 
4,036,813 
685,917 
7.096,170 
816,431 
1,904.988 
2,288,420 

10,559.519 
4.937.634 

11,892.119 

1,836,908 

1,343,029 

9,810.290 

598,930 



1274,417,873 



S 803.939 

933,189 

1,190,338 

554,872 

2.637.340 

1,328.529 

475.184 

2,481,157 

5.324.869 

3,637,785 

8,958,941 

1,984.629 

19.492,947 

13,461,111 

,794,757 

439,661 

2,937,448 

5,558,375 

14,139,538 
9,541,996 
8,257.428 
4,275,555 
5,582,128 
1,512,541 
9,650.818 
2,267,370 
5,809.143 
3,107,319 
5.351.839 
5.971.919 
1.546,196 
6,431.923 
2.079,979 
1,360.635 

61.832,564 
2,653.102 
3.867,298 
3.972,0U 
3.185,472 
830.599 
3,173,401 
1,359,166 
2.156.097 

10,490,059 
2,520,557 

18.393,458 
3.937,313 
5,401,585 
807,184 
9,000,031 
870,333 
2,74.5,366 
3,213,255 

13,747,241 
5,989.981 

15,057.633 
2.307,745 
1,686.538 

12,891.598 
850,589 



Valuation of Ustaxed Property, from .45SE.<iSORs' 
Returns Foit 1875 ano 1876. 



J351, 780.354 



Co., town, 
city and 
village 

property. 



6,147 
2,340 

"fiisoo 

43.325 
15,300 



3.350 
29,785 

"7! 200 
45,800 

"17; 163 

■72,136 
49,320 
52,505 
35,650 

"is! 286 

600 

12,600 

"iasoo 

10,750 
31,000 



38,210 

15,700 

5.680 

1,318.506 

5,368 

'■'iftiao 

6,280 

25 

13,950 

""8;666 

22,700 
,525 

28.000 

11,400 
9.000 
3.000 

10,725 

356 

1,500 

70.200 

7,500 

700 

250 

21,350 

6,380 

1,500 



School, col- 
lege and 
academy 
property. 



82,063,636 2,735,817 



S 9,900 
4,925 

""i!40'0 

102.635 

27,787 

1,500 

"■5,166 

3,000 

115,605 

11,000 

■■■saeso 

■■■■3!i^24 

3,200 

16,933 

60,500 

197,405 

66,875 

■ ■36, 774 

'eei-jdo 

■■■46!.365 
17,720 

3,500 
55,930 

9,640 
21,248 
27,203 

8,735 

771,265 

13,200 

■961296 
18,415 
8,347 
73,675 
10,940 
35,916 
24,625 

'■"56; 006 



7,211 
4,135 
2,800 
2,000 

■■i50,2d6 

566 

34,940 
21,080 
29,495 



Church and 
cemetery 
property. 



? 4.713 

1.000 

135 

2,685 

83.369 

29,760 

3,000 

13.230 

55,014 

l,.30O 

91.143 

4,100 

359,390 

121.075 

7,029 

2,351 

3.200 

56.930 

259.900 

109,405 

76,995 

23,840 

55,036 

15,075 

172,300 

19.280 

46.860 

18,521 

110,643 

71,610 

■"Misfi 

16.835 

12,080 

1.212.390 

3.3.1.58 

38.100 

73.375 

32,920 

4.180 

25,115 

5.372 

42.470 

236,000 

37,915 

242,650 

41,370 

87,670 

5,714 

123,895 

■■■26!3d6 

2,325 

129,310 

130.670 

218,760 

34,410 

23,524 

36,860 

27,000 

4,774,828 




7,487,627 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



261 



ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS 
GROWN IN 1876. 



COUNTIES. 


NUMBER OF ACRES. 


Wheat. 


Corn. 


Oats. 


Barley, 


Rye, 


Hops. 


Tobacco. 


Flax-seed. 




5.146 
5 

4.070¥ 


11,456 

26 

639>< 

20 

13,923 

9,813X 
216H 

4,583 

8,734 

1,596 
40,274 
19,173 
84,072 
89,401'ii- 
352 
5 

9,671 
11,765 
18,208>4 
98,709 
58,168 
15,608 
46,980 

8,071H 
28,379 
11,84RH 
15,815 

1,056 
10,581 
61,549 


5,-353 

3,477X 

5.7.38 

12.573« 

637 

9.858 

9,032 

8,408 

24,071 

10,584 

67,120 

85,592K 

3.391 

50 

13.833 

7.183 

20.763 

62.054 

34,191 

8,013 

34,433 

18,189>4 

16,845 

14,272M 

14,174 

10,632 

r.249 

tJ,194 

712 

21,437« 

5,020 

4,873 

10,213M 

12,864 

3,412 

2,447M 

9,473 

4,475 

8,338 

1,842 

9,086}i 

15,84 IM 

11,606K 

60.103 

17,541 

24,469V 

4,408!< 

16,704 

54« 

15,034 

23,055 

28.225 

14,104 

18,980 

7,448 

8,847 

13,813 

1,029 


83 


8,488 
282 V 


660 


5K 

1« 










759K 


27 




Bayfield 




Brown 


16.384 
48.507)^ 

1,179 
32,860K 
10,442 

2,457 

64,472 

19.054 

89.253 

128.708 

4,771 


5,012 

2,751 

58 

4,048V 

1,858 

808 

7.694 

3.913 

23,499 

11,463 

696 


6,254 

870 

264 

831K 

185 
95 
7 648 
1,588 
7,410 
3.134V 

788 


17K 
9H 






Buffalo 










* 




39 

lOH 

3 

593V 

IS 
317M 
136 


9 








c\&T^....\J.\\'^'v^V-'.v^'.v^'.y.'.'.'.'. 






Columbia 




4i* 




15 
2.459M 
8 




153;< 


Dodge 












27,308 
2'' .^85 
b.,612 
29,643 

4,409 
37,064 
21,676 
19,953 
33.56!) 
11,598)^ 

4,782 
17,703 
38,S''il 

4,4.)3 
268 

4.548 
9,517 
11,774 
31,634 
2,490 
8 076 

2- -isa 

lb..i90X 
41.187 

9.293 
15.70m 

7.884X 
13.228X 
12,384M 
77,810 
37,701 

6,485 
45,959 

63,656 
42,277 
20,588 
53,691 
34,140 
13.516 
12.573 
49.999 
637 


1,560 
1,248 
8 554 
2.839 

666H 
1,170 
2,609K 
1,739 
8.773 

445 
1,649 
2,164 
3,045 
1,873 
20 
4,299 

670 

93 

5,063 

1,769 

357 

4.116X 
613V 

2.851 
440 

589V 
19.484 
2.022 
2,197K 

205 
7,519 
2 
2,381X 
5,542 
8,934>i 
6,614 
8,587 
1,060 

63BV 
1,427 
29K 


1,156 
933 

3,396 
3,793K 
3,455 
1,898 

618 
7,611 
3,137 

611 
3,520 
3,177 
1,735 


68 

11 

44 
113« 

28 
212 
179M 

71K 
840 
1,169 
8 

24iK 




1« 




H 








29 
44 


25,217 




363 




22 




1 


10 145 






Jefferson 


100 












3,434 




7 
8^ 








La Fayette 


16 670 








mm 
355 
1.5.121 

7.104K 
12,608 
734 
4 761 
2,b84K 
6,924 
8,984 
4,104 
11,076 
1 904K 
■ 460X 
1 .,041M 

.5.390 

33.816Ji 

1.904 

8.244 

32 

12,106 

22,499 

45,456 

11.613 

26.318 

9,524 

18,786M 

15,404 

958 


5,233 

116 

10,503 

3,074V 

1,277 

724 

514 

SAWH 

563 

258 

326 

7,665}^ 

2,212 

1,770V 

15,038K 

173 

6,164X 

1,160K 

4,333 

3 

550 

633 

4,875>< 

6.002 

7.659 

4.363 

15.416 

982 

372K 


3 


1 


1 




3 


Marquette 


139 

65 

390 

3 

IIM 

15 

25« 

3 


7 




22 










H 












11)4 


Pepin 






Pierce 




10 




2 


3 




584 V 

31M 

499H 


X 




in 

2X 
8,105J< 


4,285Si 








282 


St Croix 


4 


Sauk 


3,118K 








i< 






49 

42^ 
187 
107V 

29 
239 
895 
340 
110 

14 


13 


Taylor 












14 
UK 


9 




1,169 




113 




5 
3 


3 








9 






• Q 




2 








Total 


1,445.650)^ 


1,025.801V 


854,861>i 


183,030V 


175,314X 


11,184M 


4,842 


63,008^ 







262 



HISTORY OF wisco:n^sin. 



ACREAGE OF PRI NCI PAL CROPS 
GROWN IN 1876. 



Counties. 






K0MBEB 


OF ACRES. 








Cultivated 
Grasses. 


Potatoes. 


Roots. 


Apples. 


< ii'iivated 
Cr.HilHM-ries. 


Timber. 


Bushels, 




3.161 
841 

1.843H 
100 


771 
266 
841K 
30 
150 
909V 
180« 
1,017 


6 
75 

55V 


58 


4)4 


25,040 
1,153,000 

24,175 


553 


AsliLand 




B,%rroii. 


88V 
5 






Bayfield 






Brown 








Buffalo : 


5,769>!i 
39 
13.361 


85K 
37 


819 


4.000 


.12,739 
57. 463 




Burnett 






552y, 


i,7S3 


Ohlnpewa 






Clark 


9.348 

32.326 

4.925 

53.219 

29.552 

257 

100 

10.032 

""41.609 
37.792 
28,833 
13.920 
15.566 

5.316 
17.407 

8.705 
29.856 

5.665 

11.390 

22.719 

316 

32.256K 

5.453 

3.387 
20,557 
14,217 

6,170 
11,681 

8,528 


425 
1,918V 
2.493 
3.585 
3,780)!i 

100 
989 




1.533)i! 
2.460 
4.830X 
16i254 




126.000 
51,879 






104 
618 

i2 


36 


1,689 




50 


Dane 


30 


111,463 
49,369)!; 


8,969H 
2,489)!; 


Dodge ,. 


Door 




10 
219 


8 

6iy, 




500.000 
5.414 








g 


Eau Claire 






Fond du Lac 


2,701)!; 

3.038 

1,159 

921 

i.mw 

510 
2.209 
1.738 
1.060 
1.487 

781 
1,633 

106 
2,251 

667 

926 
3,030)!! 
1,520 

836 

61 

1.566V 


61)« 


2,935V 

2,766 

5,980X 

1,467 

1,987)4 

100 
2.233 

339 

2.170 

44 

239 

994 




44.986 
126.116 
80,313)!; 
22,393 
51.026 
53,880 
33.774 


1,500 






Green 


16 
5 

46 

41 

94 

52)« 

18V 

10 

99 

26 


• ••> 


1,037 




45 




Iowa 


1 515 


•Taokson 


520 
2,757)!; 


107 


J efferson 


5 369 


•luueau 


781 




19.896 
37.573 
29.763 
24.037 


1,384 






1.174 


Lacrosse 


8 


30 


La Fayette 


1.007 










108 

138 

50 

137X 

?? 

13 

100 


689 
46 
1.856 
1.934V 

406 




257.341 


774X 










151 

1 

4,412 

20 


20.525 
16.211 
33.756 

19,43.3 

22,077 


1,673 


Milwaukee 


113 


Monroe 


1.666 










97 




1.266V 

77 

11 
60X 
16.004 
479 
3.676 
457 
1.054V 
73,'< 
1.730 
8 
279X 
749 
4.056)!; 
.50.095 
4.952 
805 

i.iif^ 


1 


1,349 


Pepin 




Pierce 


12,974 

2,642 
10,142K 
21,515)!) 
18,924)!; 
57,132)!i 
14,293 
25,222V 

4,111 
40,123 
173 
18,738 
20.197 
45.093 

6.513 
38.629 
13.540 

9.770 

23,433 

235 


724 

591 
8,016V 
1,548V 
1,153X 
8.930 
1.176 
3,209X 

548 

2.723 

99 

878 X 
1.241 
8.183)< 
46.821 
3.982 
1.695 
1.342 
1.630 

169 


41 

3liv 

lOX 
122)i 

10 
104W 

133 
34 

41H 
140 

55y. 

9,430 

383 

98 

45 

35 




182,671 


121 


Polk 




2 




580 


58,150 

28,718H 
65.394 
57.687)!; 
3.606 
88.058)!i 
80.533 
68.057 


343 




840 


Richland 


2.160)i 






5,416 


St. Croix 




80 






1,248« 




3,101 


16 




10,738 


Taylor 


8 
IV 






12.149 
91.194 
50.221 
50 080 
43.690 

25.737 
93.242 


870 




1,134 




137^ 
30 
185 
1,053 

400 


2.798 


Washington 


16.080 




1.629 




610 




117 


Wlnnebapro 


780 


Wood..... 












Total 


889.018« 


183.420M 


13.624?i 


139.891» 


17,664« 


4.090 226)i 


76.945K 







ABSTRACT OF LAWS, 

WISCONSIN. 



ELECTORS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS. 

vu ^^p\uh u^^^'''^ T^^ person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonginff to 
either of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding 
any election, shall be deemed a qualified elector at such election : •'is 

1. Citizens of the United States. 

2. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens con- 

tormablv to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization. 
6. Persons of Indian blood who have once been declared by law of Congress to be citizens 
ot the United btates, any subsequent law of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding 
J f ^u ^"''^"f, ?^ ^"*^'''" ''^''"'''* "°* members of any tribe. Every person convicted 
ot bribery shall be excluded from the right of sufi-rage unless restored to civil rights • 
and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly interested in any 
bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which he shall offer to vote 
shall be permitted to vote at such election. 

Sec 13. No elector shall vote except in the town,, ward, village or election district in which 
he actually resides. 

Sec. 14. The general election prescribed in the Constitution shall be hehl in the several 
towns, wards, villages and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in 
November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such Representatives in Congress, 
Electors of President and Vice President, State officers, and county officers as are by law to be 
ciGctGci lo sucn yC3,F. 

Sec. 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town-meetincr 
was held, or at such other place as shall have been ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have 
been ordered by the Supervisors when they establish more than one election poll, except that the 
first election after the organization of a new town shall be held at the place directed in the act 
or proceeding by which it was organized ; and all elections in villages constituting separate elec- 
tion districts and in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to be ordered by the Trustee* 
ot such village, or the Common Council of such city, at least ten days before such election, un- 
less a ditterent provision is made in the act incorporating such village or city. 

Sec. 16 Whenever it shall be(;ome impossible or inconvenient to hold an election at the 
place designated therefor, the Board of Inspectors, after having assembled at or as near as prac- 
ticable to such place, and before receiving any votes may adjourn to the nearest convenient place 
tor holding the election, and at such adjourned place shall forthwith proceed with the election. 
Upon adjourning any election as hereinbefore provided, the Board of Inspectors shall cause proc- 
la.mation thereof to be made, and shall station a Constable or some other proper person at the 
place where the adjournment was made, to notify all electors arriving at such place of adjourn- 
ment, and the place to which it was made. or j 



264 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 

Sec. 20. A registry of electors shall annually be made : 

1. In each ward or election district of every city which, at the last previous census, had 

a population of three thousand or more. 

2. In each ward or election district of every incorporated village in which, by law, sep- 

arate elections are held : which village at the last preceding census, had a popula- 
tion of fifteen hundred or more. 

8. In every town containing a village which, at said census, had a population of fifteen 
hundred or more, in whicli village .separate general elections are not by law required to 
be held. 

4. In all towns any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or 
village in which a registration by this chapter is required. 

Such registration shall be made in tiie manner provided by this chapter. The persons 
authorized by law to act as Inspectors of Election in each of such towns, wards or election dis- 
tricts shall constitute the Board of Registry therefor. 

Sec. 21. The said Inspectors shall have their first meeting on Tuesday, four weeks pre- 
ceding each general election, at the place where said election is to be held ; and in election 
districts at which there were polled at the previous general election three hundred votes or 
less, tliey shall sit for one day, and in districts at which there were more than three hundred 
votes polled, they shall have power to sit two days if necessary, for the purpose of making such 
list. They shall meet at 9 o'clock in the forenoon and hold their meetings open until 8 
o'clock in the evening of each day during which tliey shall so sit. The Clerks appointed by law 
to act as Clerks of Election shall act as Clerks of the Board of Registry on the day of election 
only. The proceedings shall be open, and all electors of the district shall be entitled to be 
heard in relation to corrections or additions to said registry. They shall have the same powers 
to preserve order which Inspectors of Election have on election days, and in towns vacancies in 
the Board shall be filled in the same manner that vacancies are filled at elections. 

Sec. 22. The said Inspectors at their first meeting, and before doing any business, shall 
severally take and subscribe the oath of Inspectors at a general election, and said Inspectors shall 
at their first meeting make a registry of all the electors of their respective districts, placing 
thereon the full names, alphabetically arranged according to surnames, in one column, and in 
another the residence by number and name of street or other location, if known. If any elector's 
residence is at any hotel or public boarding-house the name of the hotel or boarding-house shall 
be stated in the registry. They shall put thereon the names of all persons residing in their elec- 
tion district appearing on the poll-list kept at the last preceding general election, and are author- 
ized to take therefor such poll-list from the office where kept, omitting such as have died or 
removed from the district, and adding the names of all other persons known to them to be elect- 
ors in such district. In case of the formation of a new election district since the last preceding 
general election, the said Board therein may make such registry from the best means at their 
command, and may, if necessary, procure therefor certified copies of the last poll-list. They shall 
complete said registry as far as practicable at their first meeting, and shall make four copies 
thereof, and certify the original and each co]iy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far 
as the same are known to them. One of said copies shall be immediately posted in a conspicuous 
place in the room in which their meeting was held, and be accessible to any elector for examina- 
tion or making copies tliereof, and one copy shall be retained by each Inspector for revision and 
correction at the second meeting. They siiall within two days after said first meeting file the original 
registry made by them, and said poll-list in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, 
and niay, in their discretion, cause ten printed copies of said registry to be made and posted in 
ten of the most public places of said election district, or may publish the same in a newspaper at 
an expense not exceeding one cent for each name. 

Sec. 23. The Inspectors shall hold their second meeting at the same place designated for 
holding elections on the Tuesday two weeks preceding the election. They shall meet at 9 o'clock 
in the forenoon. In election districts having less than three hundred voters, as shown by the 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 265 

preliminary registry, the Board siiall complete the registry on the same day ; but if there are more 
than that number of voters, they shall sit two days. They shall remain in session until 8 o'clock in 
the evening. They shall revise and correct the registry first by erasing the name of any person 
who shall be proved to their satisfaction by the oatlis of two electors of the district to be not 
entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing election, unless such person shall appear and if chal- 
lenged, shall answer the questions and take the oath hereinafter provided ; secondly, by entering 
thereon the names of every elector entitled to vote in the district at the next election who shall 
appear before the Board and require it, and state his place of residence, giving street and num- 
ber, if numbered, or location, as hereinbefore provided, if challenged answer the questions, and 
take the oaths provided in case of challenge at an election ; but if any person shall refuse to 
answer all such questions or to take such oath, his name shall not be registered. Any person 
who is not twenty-one years of age before the date when the registry is required to be corrected, but 
will be if he lives until the day of election, shall have his name put on the registry if he be other- 
wise qualified to be an elector. Any elector who did not vote at the previous general election 
shall be entitled to be registered either at the preliminary or tiie final registration of electors by 
appearing before the Board of Registration of his election district and establisliing his right to 
be registered, or, instead of a personal appearance, he may make his application to be registered 
to the Board in writing. Such application shall state the name and period of continuous resi- 
dence in the election district and place of residence therein, giving the number and street of the 
applicant, and, in case the person making the application is of foreign birth, he shall state when 
he came to the United States and to the State of Wisconsin, and the time and place of declaring 
his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and that he is entitled to vote at the 
election. Upon receiving such application, the Board of Registration shall register the name of 
such applicant, if it appears to the Board that the applicant is, by his statement, entitled to 
•vote. Such statement shall be made under oath, and shall be preserved by the Board and be 
filed in the office of the village or city clerk, as the case may be. All city and village clerks 
shall keep blanks for making the application for registration, as provided by this section. The 
form siiall be prescribed by the Secretary of State. Every person named in this section shall be 
subject to the same punishment for any false statement or other offense in respect thereto aa 
is provided in case of such false statement or other offense by an elector offering to vote at an 
election. After such registry shall have been fully completed on the days above mentioned, 
no name shall be added thereto by any person or upon any pretext. Within three days after the 
second meeting the said Board shall cause four copies of the registry to be made, each of which 
shall be certified by them to be a correct registry of the electors of their district, one of which 
shall be kept by each Inspector for use on election day, and one shall forthwith be filed in the 
office of the proper town, city or village clerk. All registries shall at all times be open to pub- 
lic inspection at the office where deposited without charge. 

Sec. 24. On election day the Inspectors shall designate two of their number at the opening 
of the polls, who shall check the names of every elector voting in such district whose name is on 
the registry. No vote shall be received at any general election in any ward or election district 
defined in Section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote be not on said registry made at 
the second meeting as aforesaid, except as hereinafter provided ; but in case any one shall, after 
the last day for completing such registry, and before such election, become a qualified voter q£ 
the district, he shall have the same right to vote therein at such election as if his name had been 
duly registered, provided he shall, at the time he offers to vote, deliver to the Inspectors his affi- 
davit, in which he shall state the facts, showing that he has, since the completion of such regis- 
try, become a qualified elector of such district, and the facts showing that he was not such 
elector on the day such registry was completed, and shall also deliver to such Inspectors the affi- 
davits of two freeholders, electors in such election district, corroborating all the material state- 
ments in his affidavit. In case any person who was a voter at tlie last previous general election 
shall not be registered, such person shall be entitled to vote on making affidavit that he was enti- 
tled to vote at the previous election, and that he has not become disqualified by reason of removal 



266 IIISTOKY OF WISCO^'SIN. 

from the election district or otherwise, since that election, which affidavit shall also be corrobo- 
rated by the affidavits of two freeholders, as is provided for other non -registered voters. No one 
freeholder shall be competent to make at any one election corroborating affidavits for more than 
three voters. All of said affidavits shall be sworn to before some officer authorized by the laws 
of this State to take depositions. The Inspectors shall keep a list of the names and residence 
of the electors voting whose names are not on said completed registry, and attach said list to the 
registry and return it, together with all such affidavits, to the proper town, city or village clerk. 
No compensation shall be paid or received for taking or certifying any such affidavits. On the day 
following the election, one of said poll-lists and one copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be 
attached together and filed in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, and the other of 
said poll-lists and copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be returned to the County 
Clerk with the returns of the election. Such Inspectors shall give notice by advertisement in a 
newspaper printed in the city, village or town where such registration was made, of the registry, 
and shall include in such notice all additions to and omissions from the preliminary list, and 
shall also state where the election is to be held. In case there be no newspaper printed in such 
city, village or town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in three or more public 
places in each ward or election district in such city, village or town. For publication of such 
notice in any such newspaper the publisher thereof shall be entitled to the .same compensation 
per folio as is prescribed for publishing other legal notices. 

COMMON SCHOOLS. 

Sec. 413. The formation of any school district shall be by written order of tlie Town 
Board, describing the territory embraced in the same, to be filed with the Town Clerk within 
twenty days after the making thereof. The Supervisors shall deliver to a taxable inhabitant of 
the district their notice thereof in writing, describing its boundaries, and appointing a time and 
place for the first district meeting, and shall therein direct such inhabitant to notify every quali- 
fied voter of the district, either personally or by leaving a written notice at his place of resi- 
dence, of the time and place of such meeting, at least five days before the time appointed 
therefor, and said inhabitant shall notify the voters of such district accordingly, and indorse 
thereon a return containing the names of all persons thus notified, and said notice and return 
shall be recorded as a part of the record of the first meeting in such district. 

Sec. 414. In case such notice shall not be given, or the inhabitants of a district shall neg- 
lect or refuse to assemble and form a district meeting when so notified, or in case any school dis- 
trict having been formed or organized shall afterward be disorganized, so that no competent 
authority shall exist therein to call a special district meeting, in the manner hereinafter pro- 
vided, notice shall be given by the Town Board, and served in the manner prescribed in the pre- 
ceding section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in this and the 
preceding section, it shall be the duty of the electors of the district to assemble at the time 
and place so directed. 

Sec. 415. Whenever it shall be necessary to form a district from two or more adjoining 
towns, the Town Boards of such towns shall meet together and form such districts by their writ- 
ten order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at least two of the Super- 
visors of each town ; and shall file one such order with the Town Clerk of each town, and 
deliver the notice of formation to a taxable inhabitant of such district, and cause the same to be 
served and returned in the time and manner hereinbefore prescribed ; and any such district may 
be altered only by the joint action of tiie Town Boards of such towns in the same manner that 
Other districts are altered. 

Sec. 416. Every school district shall be deemed duly organized when any two of the offi- 
cers elected at the first legal meeting thereof shall have consented to serve in the offices to which 
they have been respectively elected, by a written acceptance thereof filed with the clerk of the 
first meeting, and recorded in the minutes thereof; and every school district shall be considered 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 267 

as duly organized after it shall have exercised the franchises and privileges of a district for the 
term of two years. 

Sec. 425. The annual meeting of all school districts in which graded schools of two or 
more departments are taught, shall be held on the second Monday of July, and of all other 
school districts on the last Monday of September, in each year. The hour of such meeting shall 
be seven o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, duly 
recorded at the last previous annual meeting ; but at any annual meeting a majority of the 
electors present may determine that the annual meeting of such district shall be held on the last 
Monday of August instead of the last Monday of September. Said determination to take eftect 
when a copy of the proceedings of said annual meeting in reference to such change shall have 
been filed with the Town Clerk in which the schoolhouse of such district is situated, and to 
remain in force until rescinded by a like vote of the electors of such district. 

Sec. 426. The Clerk shall give at least six days' previous notice of every annual district 
meeting, by posting notices thereof in four or more public places in the district, one of which 
shall be affixed to the outer door of the schoolhouse, if there be one in the district, and he shall 
give like notices for every adjourned district meeting when such meeting shall have been 
adjourned for more than one month ; but no annual meeting shall be deemed illegal for want of due 
notice, unless it shall appear tliat the omission to give such notice was willful and fraudulent. 

Sec. 427. Special district meetings may be called by the Clerk, or, in his absence, by the 
Dii'ectors or Treasurer, on written request of five legal voters of the district, in the manner 
prescribed for calling an annual meeting ; and the electors, when lawfully assembled at a special 
nu eting, shall have power to transact the same business as at the first and each annual meeting, 
except the election of oificers. The business to be transacted at any special meeting shall be 
particularly specified in the notices calling the same, and said notices shall be posted six full 
days prior to the meeting. No tax or loan or debt shall be voted at a special meeting, unless 
three-fourths of the legal voters shall have been notified, either personally or by a written notice 
left at their places of residence, stating the time and place and objects of the meeting, and 
specifying the amount proposed to be voted, at least six days before the time appointed therefor. 

Sec. 428. Every person shall be entitled to vote in any school district meeting who is 
qualified to vote at a general election for State and county officers, and who is a resident of such 
school district. 

ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF DISTRICT TAXES. 

Sec. 469. All school district taxes, unless otherwise specially provided by law, shall be 
assessed on the same kinds of property as taxes for town and county purposes; and all personal 
property which, on account of its location or the residence of its owner, is taxable in the town, 
shall, if such locality or residence be in the school district, be likewise taxable for school district 
purposes. 

BORROWING MONEY. 

Sec. 474. Whenever, upon any unusual exigency, any school district shall, before the annual 
meeting, vote a special tax to be collected with the next levy, the district may, by vote, author- 
ize the District Board to borrow for a period not exceeding one year a sum not exceeding the 
amount of such tax, and by such vote set apart such tax when collected to repay such loan, and 
thereupon the District Board may borrow such money of any person and on such terms and exe- 
cute and deliver to the lender such obligation therefor, and such security for the repayment, 
including a mortgage or pledge of any real or personal property of the disti'ict, subject to the 
directions contained in the vote of the district as may be agreed upon and not prohibited by 
law. 

Sec. 498. Every District Clerk who shall willfully negl°ct to make the annual report for 
his district as required by law shall be liable to pay the whole amount of money lost by such 



268 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

district in consequence of his neglect, which shall be recovered in an action in the name of and 
for the use of the district. 

Sec. 499. Every Town Clerk who shall neglect or refuse to make and deliver to the County 
Superintendent his annual report, as required in this chapter within the time limited therefor, 
shall be liable on his official bond to pay tiie town the amount which such town or any school 
district therein, shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon ; and every Countv 
Superintendent who shall neglect or refuse to make the report required of him by this chapte'r 
to the State Superintendent shall be liable to pay to each town the amount which such town or 
any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon, to be 
recovered in either case in an action prosecuted by the Town Treasurer in the name of the 
town. 

Sec. 503. Every member of a district board in any school district in this State in which 
a list of text-books has been adopted according to law, who shall, within three years from the 
date of such adoption, or thereafter, without the consent of the State Superintendent, order a 
change of te.xt-books in such district, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars. 

Sec. 513. Every woman of twenty-one years of age and upward may be elected or 
appointed as director, treasurer or clerk of a school district, director or secretary of a town board 
under the township system ; member of a board of education in cities, or county superintendent. 

Sec. 560. In reckoning school months, twenty days shall constitute a month and one hun- 
dred days five months. 

ASSESSMENT OF TAXES. 

Sec. 1035. The terms "real property," "real estate" and "land," when used in this 
title, shall include not only the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, rights and 
privileges appertaining thereto. 

Sec. 1036. The term " personal property," as used in this title, shall be construed to mean 
and include toll-bridges, saw-logs, timber and lumber, either upon land or afloat, steamboats, 
ships and other vessels, whether at home or abroad ; buildings upon leased lands, if such build- 
ings have not been included in the assessment of the land on which they are erected ; 
ferry-boats, including the franchise for running the same ; all debts due from solvent debtors, 
whether on account, note, contract, bond, mortgage or other security, or whether .such debts are 
due or to become due ; and all goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, moneys and eff"ects of any 
nature or description having any real or marketable value and not included in the term " real 
property," as above defined. 

Sec. 1037. The improvements on all lands situated in this State, which shall have been 
entered under the provisions of the act of Congress entitled " An act to secure homesteads to act- 
ual settlers on the public domain," approved May twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty-two, and which shall be actually occupied and improved by the person so entering the same, 
or his heirs, shall be subject to taxation, and such improvements shall be assessed as personal 
property. All taxes levied thereon shall be collected out of the personal property of the occu- 
pant of such lands, and in no other manner. 

Sec. 1038. The property in this section described is exempt from taxation, to wit: 

1. That owned exclusively by the United States or by this State, but no lands contracted to 

be sold by the State shall be exempt. 

2. That owned exclusively by any county, city, village, town or school district; but lands 

purchased by counties at tax sales shall be exempt only in the cases provided in Sec- 
tion Eleven Hundred and Ninety-one. 

3. Personal property owned by any religious, scientific, literary or benevolent association, 

used exclusively for the purposes of such association, and the real property, if not 
leased, or not otherwise used for pecuniary profit, necessary for the location and con- 
venience of the buildings of such association, and embracing the same not exceeding 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 269 

ten acres : and the lands reserved for grounds of a chartered college or university, 
not exceeding forty acres ; and parsonages, whether of local churches or districts, and 
■whether occupied by the pastor permanently or rented for his benefit. The occasional 
leasing of such buildings for schools, public lectures or concerts, or the leasing of such 
parsonages, shall not render them liable to taxation. 

4. Personal property owned and used exclusively by the Stale or any county agricultural 
society, and the lands owned and used by any such society exclusively for fair grounds. 

6. Fire engines and other implements used for extinguishing fires, owned or used by any 
organized fire company, and the buildings and necessary grounds connected therewith, 
owned by such company, and used exclusively for its proper purposes. 

6. The property of Indians who are not citizens, except lands held by them by purchase. 

7. Lands used exclusively as public burial-grounds, and tombs and monuments to the dead 

therein. 

8. Pensions I'eceivable from the United States. 

9. Stock in any corporation in this State which is required to pay taxes upon its property 

in the same manner as individuals. 

10. So much of the debts due or to become due to any person as shall equal the amount of 
bona-fide and unconditional debts by him owing. 

11. Wearing apparel, family portraits and libraries, kitchen furniture and growing crops. 

12. Provisions and fuel provided by the head of a family to sustain its members for six 
months ; but no person paying board shall be deemed a member of a family. 

13. All the personal property of all insurance companies that now are or shall be organized 
or doing business in this State. 

14. The track, right of way, depot grounds, buildings, machine-shops, rolling-stock and 
other property necessarily used in operating any railroad in this State belonging to any 
railroad company, including pontoon, pile and pontoon railroads, and shall henceforth 
remain exempt from taxation for any purpose, except that the same shall be subject to 
special assessments for local improvements in cities and villages and all lands owned or 
claimed by such railroad company not adjoining the track of such company, shall be 
subject to all taxes. The provision of this subdivision shall not apply to any railroad 
that now is or shall be operated by horse-power, whether now or hereafter constructed 
in any village or city. 

15. The property, except real estate, of all companies which are or shall be engaged in the 

business of telegraphing in this State. 

16. The real estate of the Home of the Friendless in the city of Milwaukee, not exceeding 
one lot in amount, is exempted, so long as the same shall continue to be used as such home. 

17. All property of any corporation or association formed under the laws of this State for 
the encouragement of industry by agricultural and industrial fairs and exhibitions, 
which shall be necessary for fair grounds, while used exclusively for such fairs and 
exhibitions, provided the quantity of land so exempt shall not exceed forty acres. 

18. Such tree-belts as are or may be planted and maintained in compliance with chapter 
sixty -six of one of these statutes. 

Sec. liyL Real property, upon which the county holds any certificates of tax sale, shall 
continue liable to taxation and to sale for unpaid taxes, and the county shall be the exclusive 
purchaser at the sale ; but when a tax deed shall be issued to the county, and it shall hold tax 
certificates of sale unredeemed on the same property for two successive years subsequent to the 
date of the sale on which such deed shall issue, including certificates of sale made prior to the 
passage of these statutes, such property shall thereafter be exempt from taxation until the same 
is sold by the county. The County Clerk shall annually, before the first day of June, furnish 
to the Assessors of each town a list of the lands in such town exempt under this section. Noth- 
ing in this section shall be so construed as to apply to lands owned by minors, married women, 
widowed women, idiots or insane persons. 



270 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

COLLECTION OF TAXES. 

Sec. 1089. The Town Treasurer of each town, on the receipt of the tax-roll for the cur- 
rent year, shall forthwith post notices in three or four public places in such towns, that the tax- 
roll for such town is in his hands for collection, and that the taxes charged therein are subject 
to payment at his office at any time prior to the first day of January in such year; and after 
the said first day of January he shall proceed to collect the taxes charged in such roll and 
r'iinaining unpaid, and for that purpose shall call at least once on the person taxed, or at any 
place of his usual residence, if within the town, and demand payment of the taxes charged to 
him on such roll. 

Sec. 1090. On all taxes paid or tendered at the office of such Treasurer prior to said first 
day of January, he shall remit all of the 5-per-cent collection fees, except so much thereof as 
he is authorized by law to have for his fees upon taxes so paid. 

Sec. 1091. Town orders shall be receivable for taxes in the town where issued, and shall 
be allowed the Town Treasurer on settlement of town taxes; and county orders and jurors' cer- 
tificates shall be receivable for taxes in the county where issued, and shall be allowed such Treas- 
urer on settlement of county taxes with the County Treasurer, but no Town Treasurer shall 
receive town orders in payment for taxes to a larger amount than the town taxes included in his 
assessment-roll exclusive of all taxes for school purposes, nor county orders and jurors* certifi- 
cates to a greater amount than the county tax included therein. 

Sec. 1097. In case any person shall refuse or neglect to pay the tax imposed upon him, 
the Town Treasurer shall levy the same by distress and sale of any goods and chattels belong- 
ing to such person, wherever the same may be found within his town ; and if a sufficient amount 
of such property cannot be found in such town, the Town Treasurer may levy the same by dis- 
tress and sale of the goods and chattels belonging to such person, wherever the same may be 
found in the county or in any adjoining counties. 

Sec. 1098. The Town Treasurer shall give public notice of the time and place of such 
sale, at least six days previous thereto, by advertisement, containing a description of the prop- 
erty to be sold, to be posted up in three public places in the town where the sale is to be made. 
The sale shall be at public auction, in the daytime, and the property sold shall be present ; 
such property may be released by the payment of the taxes and charges for which the same is 
liable, to be sold ; if the purchase-money on such sale shall not be paid at such time as the 
Treasurer may require, he may again, in his discretion, expose such property for sale, or sue, in 
his name of office, the purchaser for the purchase-money, and recover the same with costs and 
lO-per-centum damages. 

Sec. 1099. If the property so levied upon shall be sold for more than the amount of tax 
and costs, the surplus shall be returned to the owner thereof; and if it cannot be sold for want 
of bidders, the Treasurer shall return a statement of the fact, and return the property to the 
person from whose possession he took the same ; and the tax, if unsatisfied, shall be collected in 
the same manner as if no levy had been made. 

HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 

Sec. 1223. The Supervisors of the several towns shall have the care and supervision of 
the highways and bridges therein, and it shall be their duty : 

1. To give directions for repairing the highways and bridges within their respective towns, 

and cause to be removed all obstructions therefrom. 

2. To cause such of the roads used as highways as have been laid out but not sufficiently 

described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the then 
present time, but not fully and sufficiently recorded, to be ascertained, described and 
entered of record in the Town Clerk's office. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 271 

3. To cause bridges which are or may be erected over streams intersecting highways to be 

kept in repair. 

4. To divide their respective towns into so many road districts as they shall judge conven- 

ient, and specify every such division in writing under their hands, to be recorded in 
the office of the Town Clerk ; but no such division shall be made within ten days next 
preceding the annual town meeting. 

5. To assign to each of the said road districts such of the inhabitants liable to pay taxes 

on highways as they think proper, having regard to the nearness of residence as much 
as practicable. 

6. To require the Overseers of Highways from time to time, and as often as they shall 

deem necessary, to perform any of the duties required of them by law. 

7. To assess the highway taxes in their respective towns in each year, as provided by law. 

8. To lay out and establish upon actual surveys, as hereinafter provided, such new roads in 

their respective towns as they may deem necessary and proper ; to discontinue such 
roads as shall appear to them to have become unnecessary, and to widen or alter such 
roads when they shall deem necessary for public convenience, and perform all other 
duties respecting highways and bridges directed by this chapter. 

INTOXICATING LIQUORS. 

Sec. 1548. The Town Boards, Village Boards and Common Councils of the respective 
towns, villages and cities may grant license to such persons as they may deem proper, to keep 
groceries, saloons or other places, within their respective towns, villages or cities, for the sale in 
quantities less than one gallon of strong, spirituous, malt, ardent or' intoxicating liquors, to be 
drank on the premises ; and in like manner may grant licenses for the sale in any quantity of 
such liquors not to be drank on the premises. The sum to be paid for such license for the sale 
of such liquor to be drank on the premises shall not be less than twenty-five nor more than one 
hundred and fifty dollars ; and for the sale of such liquors not to be drank on the premises shall 
be not less than ten nor more than forty dollars. 

Sec. 1549. Every applicant for such license shall, before delivery thereof, file with such 
town, village or city clerk a bond to the State in the sum of five hundred dollars, with at 
least two sureties, to be appi-oved by the authorities granting the license, who shall each justify 
in double its amount over and above their debts and liabilities and exemptions, and be freehold- 
ers and residents of the county, conditioned that the applicant, during the continuance of his 
license will keep and maintain an orderly and well-regulated house ; that he will permit no 
gambling with cards, dice or any device or implement for that purpose, within his premises or 
any out-house, yard or shed appertaining thereto ; that he will not sell or give away any intoxi- 
cating liquor to any minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, unless upon the writ- 
ten order of the parents or guardian of such minor, or to persons intoxicated or bordering upon 
intoxication, or to habitual drunkards ; and that he will pay all damages that may be recovered 
by any person, and that he will observe and obey all orders of such Supervisors, Trustees or 
Aldermen, or any of them, made pursuant to law. In case of the breach of the condition of 
any such bond, an action may be brought thereon in the name of the State of Wisconsin, and 
judgment shall be entered against the principals and sureties therein named for the full penalty 
thereof; and execution may issue thereupon by order of the court therefor, to satisfy any 
judgment that may have been recovered against the principal named in said bond, by reason of 
any breach in the conditions thereof, or for any penalties of forfeitures incurred under this chap- 
ter. If more than one judgment shall have been recovered, the court, in its discretion, may 
apply the proceeds of said bond toward the satisfaction of said several judgments, in whole or 
in part, in such manner as it may see fit. 

Sec. 1550. If any person shall vend, sell, deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading 
this chapter, give away, any spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors or drinks in any 



272 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

quantity whatever without first having obtained license therefor, according to the provisions of 
this chapter, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof shall be 
punished by fine of not less than ten nor more than forty dollars, besides the costs of suit, or, 
in lieu of such fine, by imprisonment in the county jail of the proper county not to exceed sixty 
days nor less than twenty days ; and, in case of punishment by fine as above provided, such per- 
son shall, unless the fine and costs be paid forthwith, be committed to the county jail of the proper 
county until such fine and costs are paid, or until discharged by due course of law ; and, in case 
of a second or any subsequent conviction of the same person during any one year, the punish- 
ment may be by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. 

Sec. 1551. Upon complaint made to any Justice of the Peace by any person that he 
knows or has good reason to believe that an offense against this chapter, or any violation thereof, 
has been committed, he shall examine the complainant on oath, and he shall reduce such com- 
plaint to writing and cause the same to be subscribed by the person complaining. And if it 
shall appear to such Justice that there is reasonable cause to believe that such offense has been 
committed, he shall immediately issue his warrant, reciting therein the substance of such com- 
plaint and requiring the officer to whom such warrant shall be directed forthwith to arrest the 
accused and bring him before such Justice, to be dealt with according to law ; and the same war- 
rant may require the officer to summon such persons as shall be therein named to appear at the 
trial to give evidence. 

Sec. 1552. The District Attorney of the proper county shall, on notice given to him by 
the Justice of the Peace before whom any such complaint shall be made, attend the trial before 
such Justice and conduct the same on behalf of the State. 

Sec. 1553. Every supervisor, trustee, alderman and justice of the peace, police oflicer> 
marshal, deputy marshal and constable of any town, village or city who shall know or be credi- 
bly informed that any offense has been committed against the provisions of this chapter shall 
make complaint against the person so offending within their respective towns, villages or cities 
to a proper Justice of the Peace therein, and for every neglect or refusal so to do every such 
oflGcer shall forfeit twenty-five dollars, and the Treasurer of such town, village or city shall pros- 
ecute therefor. 

Sec. 1557. Any keeper of any saloon, shop or place of any name whatsoever for the sale 
of strong, spirituous or malt liquors to be drank on the premises in any quantity less than one 
gallon, who shall sell, vend or in any way deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading this 
chapter, give away any spirituous, ardent or malt liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever 
to or with a minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, or to a person intoxicated or 
bordering on a state of intoxication, or to any other prohibited person before mentioned, shall be 
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor ; nor shall any person sell or in any way deal or traffic in, or, 
for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away, any spirituous, ardent, intoxicating or malt 
liquors or ilrinks in any quantity whatsoever within one mile of either of the hospitals for the 
insane ; and any person who shall so sell or give away any such liquors or drinks shall be 
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. 

BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. 

Sec. 1675. All notes in writing made and signed by any person or for any corporation, 
and all certificates of the deposit of money issued by any person or corporation, whereby he or 
it shall promise to pay to any person or order, or unto the bearer, any sum of money, as therein 
mentioned, shall be due and payable as therein expressed, and shall have the same effect and 
shall be negotiable in like manner as inland bills of exchange, according to the custom of mer- 
chants. But no order drawn upon or accepted by the Treasurer of any county, town, city, village 
or school district, whether drawn by any ofiicer thereof or any other person, and no obligation nor 
instrument made by such corporation or any officer thereof, unless expressly authorized by law 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 273 

to be made negotiable, shall be, or shall be deemed to be, negotiable according to the customs of 
merchants, in whatever form they may be drawn or made. 

Sec. 1680. On all bills of exchange payable at sight, or at future day certain, within 
this State, and all negotiable promissory notes, orders and drafts payable at a future day cer- 
tain, within this State, in which there is not an express stipulation to the contrary, grace should 
be allowed in like manner as it is allowed by the custom of merchants on foreign bills of exchange 
payable at the expiration of a certain period after date or sight. The provisions of this section 
shall not extend to any bill of exchange, note or draft payable on demand. 

Sec. 1684. All notes, drafts, bills of exchange or other negotiable paper maturing on 
Sunday or upon any legal holiday shall be due and payable on the next preceding secular day. 

HOURS OF LABOR. 

Sec. 1728. In all manufactories, work-shops and other places used for mechanical or 
manufacturing purposes, the time of labor of children under eighteen years of age and of women 
employed therein, shall not exceed eight hours in one day ; and any employer, stockholder, 
director, officer, overseer, clerk or foreman who shall compel any woman or any child to labor 
exceeding eight hours in any one day, or who shall permit any child under fourteen years of age 
to labor more than ten hours in any one day in any such place, if he shall have control over 
such child sufficient to prevent it, or who shall employ at manual labor any child under twelve 
years of age in any factory or work-shop where more than three persons are employed, or who 
shall employ any child of twelve and under fourteen years of age in any such factory or work- 
shop for more than seven months in any one year, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than 
fifty dollars for each such offense. 

Sec. 1729. In all engagements to labor in any manufacturing or mechanical business, 
where there is no express contract to the contrary, a day's work shall consist of eight hours, and 
all engagements or contracts for labor in such cases shall be so construed ; but this shall no/ 
apply to any contract for labor by the week, month or vear. 

FORM OF CONVEYANCES. 

Sec. 2207. A deed of quitclaim and release of the form in common use or of the form 
hereinafter provided, shall be sufficient to pass all the estate which the grantor could lawfully 
convey by deed of bargain and sale. 

Sec. 2208. Conveyances of land may be in substantially the following form: 

WARRANTY DEED. 

A B, grantor of County, Wisconsin, hereby conveys and warrants to C D, grantee, 

of County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in 

County. 

[Here describe the premises.) 

Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — . 

In the presence of 1 

' [seal. 



J- 



QUITCLAIM DEED. [SEAL. 

A B, grantor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby quitclaims to C D, grantee, of 

County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in County, 

(Here describe the premises) 

Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — . 

In presence of ~j 

I — [seal.] 

J [SEAL.l 



2<4 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Such deeds, when executed and acknowledged as required by law, shall, when of the first 
of the above forms, have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and 
assigns of the premises therein named, together with all the appurtenances, rights and privileges 
thereto belonging, with a covenant from the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives, that 
he is lawfully seized of the premises : has good right to convey the same ; that he guaran- 
tees the grantee, his heirs and assigns in the quiet possession thereof ; that the same are free from 
all incumbrances, and that the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives will forever war- 
rant and defend the title and possession thereof in the grantee, his heirs and assigns against all 
lawful claims whatsoever. Any exceptions to such covenants may be briefly inserted in such 
deed, following the description of the land ; and when in the second of the above forms, shall 
have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, of all the right, 
title, interest and estate of the grantor, either in possession or expectancy, in and to the prem- 
ises therein described, and all rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging. 

MORTGAGES. 

Sec. 2209. A mortgage may be substantially in the following form : 

A B, mortgagor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby mortgages to C D, mortgagee, of 

County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in 



County. 

[Here describe the premises-) 

This mortgage is given to secure the following indebtedness : 

^ Here state amount or amounts and form of indebtedness, whether on note, bond or otherwise, time or times when due^ rate 

of interest, by and to whom payable, etc.) 

The mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes and assessments on said premises, and the sum of 

dollars attorney's fees in case of foreclosure thereof. 

Witness the hand and seal of said mortgagor this day of , 18 — . 



In presence of j 



[seal.] 

[seal.] 

when executed and acknowledged according to law shall have tlie effect of a conveyance of 
the land therein described, together with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto 
belonging in pledge to the mortgagee, his heirs, assigns and legal representatives for the payment 
of the indebtedness therein set forth, with covenant from the mortgagor that all taxes and assess- 
ments levied and assessed upon the land described during the continuance of the mortgage shall 
be paid previous to the day appointed by law for the sale of lands for taxes, as fully as the forms 
of mortgage now and heretofore in common use in this State, and may be foreclosed in the same 
manner and with the same effect, upon any default being made in any of the conditions thereof 
as to payment of either principal, interest or taxes. 

ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE. 

Sec. 2210. An assignment of a mortgage substantially in the following form : 
For value received I, A B, of ■, Wisconsin, hereby assign to C D, of , Wis- 
consin, the within mortgage (or a certain mortgage executed to by E F and wife, of 

County, Wisconsin, the day oi' — '■ , 18 — , and recorded in the office of the Register of 

Deeds of County, Wisconsin, in Vol. of mortgages, on page ), together with 

the and indebtedness therein mentioned. 

Witness my hand and seal this day of , 18 — . 

In presence of ) 

I J A B. [seal.] 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 275 

shall be sufficient to vest in the assignee for all purposes all the rights of the mortgagee 
under the mortgage, and the amount of the indebtedness due thereon at the date of assignment. 
Such assignment, when indorsed upon the original mortgage, shall not require an acknowledg- 
ment in order to entitle the same to be recorded. 

TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY BY DESCENT. 

Sec. 2270. When any person shall die, seized of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, or 
any right thereto, or entitled to any interest therein in fee simple, or for the life 'of another, not 
having lawfully devised the same, they shall descend subject to his debts, except as provided in 
the next section, in the manner following : 

1. In equal shares to his children, and to the lawful issue of any deceased child, by right 

of representation; and if there be no child of the intestate living at liis death, his 
estate sh^I descend to all his other lineal descendants ; and if all the said descendants 
are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall share the estate equally, 
otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 

2. If he shall leave no lawful issue, to his widow ; if he shall leave no such issue or widow, 

to his parents, if living ; and if either shall not be living, the survivor shall inherit 
his said estate. If a woman shall die, leaving no issue, her estate shall descend to 
her husband, if she shall have one afthe time of her decease, and if she shall leave, 
surviving her, neither issue nor husband, to her parents, if living ; and if either shall 
not be living, the survivor shall inherit her said estate. 

3. If he shall leave no lawful issue, nor widow, nor father, nor mother, his estate shall 

descend in equal shares to his brothers and sisters, and to the children of any deceased 
brother or sister, by right of representation. 

4. If the intestate shall leave no lawful issue, widow, father, mother, brother nor sister, 

his estate shall descend to his next of kin in equal degree, except that when there are 
two or more collateral kindred in equal degree, but claiming through different ances- 
tors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall be preferred to those claiming 
through an ancestor more remote; provided, however, 
6. If any person die leaving several children, or leaving one child, and the issue of one or 
more other children, and any such sui'viving child shall die under age, and not having 
been married, all the estate that came to the deceased child, by inheritance from such 
deceased parent, shall descend in equal shares to the other children of the same parent, 
and to the issue of any such other children who shall have died, by right of representation. 

6. If, at the death of such child, who shall die under age, and not having been married, all 

the other children of his said parent shall also be dead, and any of them shall have left 
issue, the estate that came to said child by inheritance from his said parent, shall 
descend to all the issue of the other children of the same parent ; and if all the said 
issue are in the same degree of kindred to said child, they shall share the said estate 
equally ; otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 

7. If the intestate shall have no widow nor kindred, his estate shall escheat to the State, 

and be added to the capital of the school fund. 
Sec. 2271. When the owner of any homestead shall die, not having lawfully devised the 
same, such homestead shall descend free of all judgments and claims against such deceased 
owner or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and mechanics' 
liens, in the manner following : 

1. If he shall have no lawful issue, to his widow. 

2. If he shall leave a widow and issue, to his widow during her widowhood, and, upon her 

marriage or death, to his heirs, according to the next preceding section. 

3. If he shall leave issue and no widow, to such issue, according to the preceding section. 

4. If he shall leave no issue or widow, such homestead shall descend under the next pre- 

ceding section, subject to lawful liens thereon. 



276 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 



OF WILLS. 



Sbc. 2277. Every person of full age, and any married woman of the age of eighteen years 
and upward, being of sound mind, seized in his or her own right of any lands, or of any right 
thereto, or entitled to any interest therein, descendible to his or her heirs, may devise and dis- 
pose of the same by last will and testament in writing ; and all such estate not disposed of by 
will, shall descend as the estate of an intestate, being chargeable, in both cases, with the pay- 
ment of all his debts or her debts, except as provided in the next preceding chapter, and in sec- 
tion twenty-two hundred and eighty. 

Sec. 2278. Every devise of land in any will shall be construed to convey all the estate 
of the devisor therein, which he could lawfully devise, unless it shall clearly appear by the will 
that the devisor intended to convey a less estate. 

Sec. 2279. Any estate, right or interest in lands acquired by the testator, after the making 
of his will, shall pass thereby in like manner as if possessed at the time of making the will, if 
such shall manifestly appear, by the will, to have been the intention of the testator. 

Sec. 2280. When any homestead shall have been disposed of by the last will and testa- 
ment of the owner thereof, the devisee shall take the same, free of all judgments and claims 
against the testator or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and 
mechanics' liens. 

Sec. 2281. Every person of full age, and every married woman of the, age of eighteen 
years and upward, being of sound mind, may, by last will and testament in writing, bequeath 
and dispose of all his or her personal estate remaining at his or her decease, and all his or her 
rights thereto and interest therein, subject to the payment of debts ; and all such estate not dis- 
posed of by the will shall be administered as intestate estate. 

Sec. 2284. All beneficial devises, legacies and gifts whatsoever, made or given in any will 
to a subscribing witness thereto, shall be wholly void, unless there be two other competent sub- 
scribing witnesses to the same ; but a mere charge on the lands of the devisor for the payment 
of debts, shall not prevent his creditors from being competent witnesses to his will. 

Sec. 2285. But if such witness, to whom any beneficial devise may have been made or 
given, would have been entitled to any share of the estate of the testator, in case the will was 
not established, then so much of the share that would have descended or been distributed to 
such witness as will not exceed the devise or bequest made to him in the will, shall be saved to 
him, and he may recover the same of the devisees or legatees named in the will, in proportion 
to and out of the parts devised or be((ueathed to them. 

Sec. 2286. When any child shall be born, after the making of his parent's will, and no 
provision shall be made therein for him, such child shall have the same share in the estate of the 
testator as if he had died intestate ; and the share of such child shall be assigned to him, as pro- 
vided by law, in case of intestate estates, unless it shall be apparent from the will that it was 
the intention of the testator that no provision should be made for such child. 

Sec. 2290. No will, or any part thereof, shall be revoked, unless by burning, tearing, can- 
celing or obliterating the same, with the intention of revoking it, by the testator, or by some 
person in his presence, and by his direction, or by some other will or codicil in writing, executed 
as prescribed in this chapter, or by some other writing, signed, attested and subscribed in the 
manner provided in this chapter, for the execution of a will ; excepting, only, that nothing con- 
tained in this section shall prevent the revocation implied by law, from subsequent changes in 
the condition or circumstances of the testator. The power to make a will implies the power to 
revoke the same. 

OF THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. 

Sec. 4021. Any inhabitant of this State may petition the County Court, in the county of 
his residence, for leave to adopt a child not his own by birth ; but no such petition made by a 
married person shall be granted, unless the husband or wife of the petitioner shall join therein ; 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 277 

nor shall any such petition be granted, unless the child, if of the age of fourteen years, or more, 
shall consent thereto in writing, in the presence of the court. 

Sec. 4022. No such adoption shall be made, without the written consent of the living 
parents of such child, unless the court shall find that one of the parents has abandoned the child, 
or gone to parts unknown, when such consent may be given by the parent, if any, having the 
care of the child. In case where neither of the parents is living, or if living, have abandoned 
the child, such consent may be given by the guardian of such child, if any ; if such child has no 
guardian, such consent may be given by any of the next of kin of such child, residing in this State, 
or, in the discretion of the court, by some suitable person to be appointed by the court. 

2. In case of a child not born in lawful wedlock, such consent may be given by the mother, 
if she i3 living, and has not abandoned such child. 

Sec. 4023. If upon such petition and consent, as herein provided, the County Court shall 
be satisfied of the identity and the relations of the persons, and that the petitioners are of suffi- 
cient ability to bring up, and furnish suitable nurture and education for the child, having refer- 
ence to the degree and condition of its parents, and that it is proper that such adoption shall 
take effect, such court shall make an order, reciting said facts that, from and after the date 
thereof, such child shall be deemed, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioners ; 
and by such order the name of such child may be changed to that of the parents by adoption. 

Sec. 4024. A child so adopted, shall be deemed for the purposes of inheritance and succes- 
sion by such child, custody of the person and right of obedience by such parents by adoption, 
and all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children, 
the same to all intents and purposes as if such child had been born in lawful wedlock of such 
parents by adoption, excepting that such child shall not be capable of taking property 
expressly limited to the heirs of the body of such parents. 

The natural parents of such child shall be deprived, by such order of adoption, of all legal 
rights whatsoever, respecting such child, and such child shall be freed from all legal obligations of 
maintenance and obedience to such natural parents. 

INTEREST. 

The legal rate of interest is 7 per cent. A higher rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per 
cent, may be contracted for, but the same must be clearly expressed in writing. If a higher 
rate than 10 per cent is collected or paid, the party so paying may, by himself or his legal rep- 
resentative, recover treble the amount so paid above the 10 per cent, if the action is brought 
within one year, and all bills, notes, or other contracts whatsoever, whereby a higher rate than 10 
per cent is secured, shall be liable for the principal sum, but no interest shall be recovered. 

JURISDICTION OF COURTS. 

The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal actions within their 
respective circuits, subject to a re-examination by the Supreme Court. 

The County Courts shall have jurisdiction over the probate matters in their respective 
counties, and shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction in the counties of Brown, Dodge, Fond 
du Lac, Milwaukee and Winnebago in all cases of appeals from Justices of the Peace in civil 
actions, and all cases commenced in Justices' Courts therein, there shall be an answer put in, 
showing that the title of lands will come in question. 

And such Courts shall have concurrent and equal jurisdiction in all civil actions and pro- 
ceedings with the Circuit Courts of said counties to the following extent respectively : 

The County Court of Brown, when the value of the property in controversy, after deduct- 
ing all payments and set-off's, shall not exceed five thousand dollars. 

The County Court of Dodge County, when such value shall not exceed twenty-five thousand 
dollars. 



278 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The County Court of Fond du Lac, when such value shall not exceed twenty thousand 
dollars. 

The County Court of Milwaukee, when such value does not exceed five million dollars. 

The County of Winnebago, when such value does not exceed twenty thousand dollars. 

They shall have jurisdiction of all actions for foreclosure where tiie value does not exceed 
the above amounts, and of all actions for divorce or for affirmation or annuUment of marriage 
contract. 

Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction in civil matters where two hundred dollars or less 
are involved. 

The criminal jurisdiction of Justices extends to all cases where the fine is one hundred dol- 
lars, or the imprisonment six months. 

JURORS. 

All persons who are citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State shall 
be liable to be drawn as jurors, except as provided as follows : 

The following persons shall be exempt from serving as jurors: 

All officers of the United States, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, 
Attorney General, State Superintendent and Treasurer ; all Judges, Clerks of Courts of Record ; 
all county officers, Constables, attorneys and counselors at law, ministers of the Gospel of any 
religious society, practicing physicians, surgeons, dentists, and the President, pi-ofessors and 
instructors of the University and their assistants, and of the several colleges and incorporated 
academies ; all teachers of the State Normal Schools, one teacher in each common school, the 
officers and employes of the several State institutions, one miller in each grist-mill, one ferry- 
man at each licensed ferry, one dispensing druggist in each prescription drug-store, all telegraph 
operators and superintendents, conductors, engineers, firemen, collectors and station-agents of 
any railroad or canal, while in actual employment as such ; all officers of fire departments, and 
all active members of fire companies organized according to law ; all persons more than sixty 
years of age, and all persons of unsound mind or subject to any bodily infirmity amounting to 
disability ; all persons who have been convicted of any infamous crime, and all persons who have 
served at any regular term of the Circuit Court as a grand or petit juror within one year, except 
he shall be summoned on a special venire or as a talesman. 

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 
Capital punishment has been abolished in this State. 

WOLF SCALPS. 
A bounty of five dollars is paid for each wolf scalp. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

Whenever either of the articles, as commodities hereafter mentioned, shall be sold by the 
bushel, and no special agreement as to measure or weight thereof shall be made by the parties, 
the measure shall be ascertained by weight, and shall be computed as follows: 

Sixty pounds for a bushel of wheat, clover seed, potatoes or beans. 

Fifty pounds for a bushel of green apples ; fifty-six pounds for a bushel of rutabagas, flax- 
seed, rye or Indian corn shelled, and seventy pounds of Indian corn unshelled; fifty pounds for 
a bushel of rape seed, buckwheat, beets, carrots or onions ; forty-eight pounds for a bushel of 
barley ; forty-five pounds for a bushel of timothy seed ; forty-four pounds for a bushel of pai-s- 
nips ; forty-two pounds for a bushel of common flat turnips ; thirty-two pounds for a bushel of 
oats ; and twenty-eight pounds for a bushel of dried apples or dried peaches. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 279 

No person shall sell, buy or receive in store any grain at any weight or measure per bushel 
other than the standard weight or measure per bushel fixed by law ; and, for any violation, the 
offender shall forfeit not less than five nor more than fifty dollars. 

DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS. 

Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly destroy, remove, throw down or 
injure any fence, hedge or wall inclosing any orchard, pasture, meadow, garden, or any field 
whatever on land belonging to or lawfully occupied by another, or open and leave open, throw 
down, injure, remove or destroy any gate or bars in such fence, hedge or wall, or cut down, root 
up, sever, injure, destroy or carry away when severed, any fruit, shade, ornamental or other tree, 
or any shrub, root, plant, fruit, flower, grain or other vegetable production, or dig up, sever or 
carry away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any building, 
signboard, fence or railing, or sever and carry away any part thereof, standing or being upon the 
land of another or held in trust, or who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly cut down, root 
up, injure, destroy or remove or carry away any fruit, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub, 
fruit, flower, vase or statue, arbor, or any ornamental structure, standing or being in any street 
or public ground in any city or village, in any private inclosure or highway, or destroy, remove, 
mutilate or injure any milestone or board, or any guide-post or board erected in any highway or 
public way, or on any turnpike, plank-road or railroad, or deface or obliterate any device or inscrip- 
tion thereon, or cut down, break down, remove, mutilate or injure any monument erected or tree 
marked for the purpose of designating the boundaries of any town or tract of land or subdivision 
thereof, or deface or obliterate any figures, letters, device or inscription thereon, made for such 
purpose, or break, remove, destroy or injure any post, guard, railing or lamp-post or lamp 
thereon, erected or being on any bridge, street, sidewalk, alley, court, passage, park, public 
ground, highway, turnpike, plank or rail road, or extinguish or break any lamp on any such 
lamp-post, or tear, deface, mutilate or injure any book, map, pamphlet, chart, picture or other 
property belonging to any public library, or take and carry away the same with intent to con- 
vert to his own use, or shall injure or destroy any personal property of another, shall be pun- 
ished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months, or by fine not exceeding 
one hundred dollars. 

Any person who sBall willfully, maliciously or wantonly kill, maim, mutilate, disfigure or 
injure any hoi'se, mule, cattle, sheep or other domestic animal of another, or administer poison 
to such animal, or expose any poison, with intent that the same may be taken or swallowed by 
such animal ; and any person who shall overdrive, overwork, overload, maim, wound, torture, 
torment, cruelly beat or kill any sucli animal belonging to himself or another, or being the owner 
or having the care or charge thereof, shall fail to provide necessary food, water or shelter for any 
such animal, or who shall turn out and abandon, without proper care and protection, or cruelly 
work any such animal when old, diseased, disabled or unfit for work, or shall carry or confine 
any live animal, fowl or bird, in a cruel or inhuman manner, or who shall cause, procure or abet 
any cruelty above mentioned, or the fighting or baiting of bulls, dogs or cocks, shall be punished 
by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months or by fine not exceeding one hun- 
dred dollars. 

ESTRAYS. 

No stray, except horses and mules, shall be taken up by any person not a resident of the 
town in which it is found ; nor unless it is found upon land owned or occupied by him. Every 
finder for a stray must notify the owner, if he is known, within seven days, and request him to 
pay all reasonable charges and take the stray away. If the owner is not known, he must file a 
notice with the Town Clerk within ten days, who shall transmit a copy thereof to the County 
Clerk. 

If the stray is not worth five dollars, the finder shall po?t a copy of such notice in two pub- 
lic places in such town ; if it exceed five dollars in value, he shall publish such notice four 



280 IIISTOKY OF WISCONSIN. 

successive weeks either in some newspaper published in the county or in an adjoining county, if one 
be published nearer his residence than any published in his county ; but if no newspaper is pub- 
lished within twenty miles of his residence, then he must post such notice in three public places 
in his county. Such notice shall describe the stray by giving its marks, natural or artificial, as 
near as possible, the name and residence of the finder, specifying the section and town, and tlie 
time when such stray was taken up. For neglect to post up or publish as required, the finder 
shall be liable to double the amount of damages sustained by the owner. For neglect to post or 
publish for one year, the finder shall be liable for its full value, to be recovered in the name of 
the town, and the amount recovered to be added to the school fund of such town. 

The finder shall, within one month, cause the stray to be appraised by a Justice of the Peace 
and a certificate of such appraisal signed by such Justice filed in the Town Clerk's office. The 
finder shall pay the Justice fifty cents for such certificate, and ten cents per mile for each mile 
necessarily traveled to make the same. 

The owner may have the same restored to him any time within one year after such notice 
is filed in the town Clerk's ofiice, by pi'oving that the stray belongs to him, and paying all lawful 
charges incurred in relation to the same. If the owner and finder cannot agree as to the charges, 
either party, on notice to the other, may apply to a Justice of such town to settle the same, who, 
for that purpose, may examine witnesses upon oath, and tlie amount found due, with the 
costs, sliali be a lien upon sucli stray. If no owner applies for the return of such stray, as pro- 
vided, and the same is not worth more than ten dollars, it shall become the absolute property of 
such finder ; but if the appraisal shall exceed ten dollars, it shall be sold at public auction by 
the Sheriff or any Constable of the county, on the request of the finder, and he shall be entitled 
to one-half the proceeds, and the other half shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town within 
ten days. If the finder shall neglect or refuse to cause such sale, he shall pay to the town the 
value of such stray, to be recovered by the town. 

If any person, without the consent of the owner, shall take away such stray, without first 
paying the lawful charges, he shall be liable to the finder for the value of such stray. If the finder 
shall neglect to do any act prescribed above, he shall be precluded from acquiring any right in 
such stray, and from receiving any charges or expenses relative thereto. 

FENCES. • 

The Overseers of Highways in their respective towns, the Aldermen of cities in their 
respective wards, and the Trustees of villages in their respective villages, shall be Fence Viewers, 
and in towns liaving less than three road districts, the Supervisors shall be Fence Viewers. 

All fences four and a half feet high, and in good repair, consisting of rails, timber, boards 
or stone walls, or any combination thereof, and all brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches and 
hedges or other things which shall be considered equivalent thereto, in the judgment of the 
Fence Viewers, within whose jurisdiction the same may be, shall be deemed legal and sufficient 
fences. Every partition of a fence, or line upon which a fence is to be built, made by the owners 
of the adjoining lands, in writing, sealed and witnessed by two witnesses, or by Fence Viewers 
in writing, under their hands, after being recorded in the Town Clerk's office, shall oblige such 
owners and their heirs, as long as they remain owners, and after parting with the ownership, 
until a new partition is made. A division of a partition fence, or line upon which a partition 
fence between adjoining lands shall be built, may be made by Fence Viewers in the following 
cases : 

1. When any owner of uninclosed lands shall desire to inclose the same, he may have the 
line between his land and the adjoining land of any other person divided, and the portion upon 
which the respective owners shall erect their share of the partition fence assigned, whether sucii 
adjoining land be inclosed or not. 

2. When any lands belonging to different persons in severalty, shall have been occupied 
in common, or without a partition fence between them, and one of the occupants shall be desirous 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 281 

to occupy his part in severalty, and the others shall refuse or neglect, on demand, to divide 
with him the line where the fence ought to be built, or to build a sufficient fence on his part of 
the line, when divided, the occupant desiring it may have the same divided, and the share of 
each assigned. 

3. When any controversy shall arise about the right of the respective occupants in parti- 
tion fences, or their obligations to maintain the same, either party may have the line divided, and 
the share of each assigned. 

In either case, application may be made to two or more Fence Viewers of the town where 
the lands lie, wlio shall give reasonable notice in writing to each party, and they shall in writing 
under their hands, divide the partition fence or line, and assign to each owner or occupant his 
share thereof, and in the second and third cases direct within what time each party shall build 
or repair his share of the fence, having regard to the season of the year, and shall file such deci- 
sion in the Town Clerk's office. If either party shall neglect or refuse to build or repair within 
the time so assigned, his part of the fence, the other may, after having completed his own part, 
build or repair such part, and recover double the expense thereof 

Where the whole or a greater share than belongs to him has been built by one of the occu- 
pants, before complaint to the Fence Viewers, the other shall be obliged to pay for his share of 
such fence. 

Where uninclosed land is afterward inclosed, the owner shall pay for one-half the partition 
fence upon the line between him and any other owner or occupant. 

If any person shall determine not to keep inclosed any part of his land adjoining any par- 
tition fence, and shall give six months' notice of such determination to all adjoining occupants, 
he shall not be required to maintain any part of such fence during the time his lands shall lie 
open. 

LANDLORD AND TENANT. 

The common law right to destrain for rent is abolished. 

The atonement of a tenant to a stranger shall be absolutely void, and shall not in anywise 
effect the possession of his landlord, unless it be made 

1. With the consent of the landlord ; or 

2. Pursuant to, or in consequence of, a judgment or order of a court of competent juris- 
diction; or 

3. To a purchaser upon a judicial sale, who shall have acquired title to the lands by a 
conveyance thereof, after the period for redemption, if any, has expired. A tenancy, a will or 
sufferance may be determined by the landlord, giving one month's notice to quit, or the tenant 
giving one month's notice of his intention to quit, or if the terms of payment are for less than a 
month, notice equal to the time between payments, or for non-payment of rent, fourteen days' 
notice to quit. Such notice shall be served by delivering the same to such tenant, or to some 
person of proper age residing on the premises, or if no such person can be found, by affixing the 
same in a conspicuous part of the premises, where it may be conveniently read, and, at the expi- 
ration of the time required after the service of such notice, the landlord may re-enter, or main- 
tain an action for the recovery of the possession thereof, or proceed in the manner prescribed by 
law to remove such tenant without further or other notice to quit. If, after giving notice of deter- 
mination to quit, the tenant neglects or refuses to deliver up the premises, he shall be liable to 
double the rent agreed upon, to be collected the same as single rent. 

MARKS AND BRANDS. 

Every Town Clerk shall, on application of any person residing in his town, record a 
description of the marks or brands with which such person may be desirous of marking his 
horses, cattle, sheep or hogs ; but the same description shall not be recorded or used by more 
than one resident of the same town. If any person shall mark any of his horses, cattle, sheep 



282 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

or hogs, with the same mark or brand previously recorded by any resident of the same town, 
and while the same mark or brand shall be used by such resident, he shall forfeit for every such 
offense $5 ; if any person shall willfully mark or brand any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs, 
of any other person with his mark or brand, he shall forfeit for every such offense $10 ; and, if 
any person shall willfully destroy or alter any mark or brand upon any of the horses, cattle, sheep 
or hogs of another, he shall forfeit $10, and pay to the party injured double damages. 

SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS. 

A County Surveyor is elected every two years. 

The surveyor may appoint and remove deputies at will, on filing a certificate thereof with 
the County Clerk. He shall be responsible on his bond for the faithful performance by every 
deputy of his duties. 

It shall be the duty of the County Surveyor: 

(1.) To execute, himself or by his deputy, any survey which may be required of him by 
order of court, or upon application of any individual or corporation. 

(2.) To make a record of the plat and field notes of each survey made by him or his 
deputies, in record books kept therefor, and to so arrange or index the same as to be easy of 
reference, and to file and preserve in his office the original field notes and calculations thereof. 

(3.) To safely keep all books, records, plats, files, papers and property belonging to his 
ofiice ; afford opportunity to examine the same to any person desiring, and deliver the same to 
his successor in office. 

(4.) To furnish a copy of any record, plat or paper in his office, to any person on demand 
and payment of his legal fees therefor. 

(5.) To administer to every chainman and marker assisting in any survey, before com- 
mencing their duties as such, an oath or affirmation faithfully and impartially to discharge the 
duties of chainman or marker, as the case may be ; and the surveyor and his deputies are 
empowered to administer the same. 

(6.) To perform such other duties as may be required by law. 

The surveyor and his deputies may demand and receive the following fees, except it be other- 
wise agreed upon with the parties employing them, to wit : 

For each day's service, $3. 

For each mile traveled in going from his office to the place of rendering service and return- 
ing, 10 cents. 

For plat and certificate, except town plats, 50 cents. 

For recording a survey, 50 cents. 

For each chainman and marker necessarily employed, $1.50 per day, unless they be fur- 
nished by the person for whom the survey is made. 

For making a copy, 10 cents a folio, and 25 cents for his certificate. 

SUPPORT OF THE POOR. 

Every town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein, 
whenever they shall stand in need thereof, excepting as follows: 

The father, mother and children, being of sufficient ability, of any poor person, who is blind, 
old, lame, impotent or decrepit, so as to be unable to maintain himself, shall, at their own 
charge, relieve and maintain such poor person in such manner as shall be approved by the Super 
visors of the town where such person may be, and, upon the failure of any such relative so to do, 
the Supervisors shall apply to the County Judge for an order to compel such relief 

Legal settlement may be acquired by one year's residence in a town of this State. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 283 

MARRIED WOMEN. 

In Wisconsin, the marriage of a femvie sole, executrix ot administratrix, extinguishes her 
authority ; and of a female ward, terminates the guardianship as to custody of person, but not 
as to estate. The husband hokls his deceased wife's lands for life, unless she left, by a former 
husband, issue to whom the estate might descend. Provisions exist by which powers may be 
given to married women, and regulating their execution of them. If husband and wife are 
impleaded, and the husband neglects to defend the rights of the wife, she applying before judg- 
ment, may defend without him ; and, if he lose her land, by default, she may bring an action 
for ejectment after his death. The real estate of females married before, and the real and per- 
sonal property of those after February 21, 1850, remain their separate property. And any 
married woman may receive, but not from her husband, and hold any property as if unmarried. 
She may insure the life of her husband, son, or any other person, for her own exclusive benefit. 
The property of the wife remains to her separate use, not liable for her husband's debts, and 
not subject to his disposal. She may convey her separate property. If her husband desert 
her, or neglect her, she may become a sole trader; and she may insure his life for her benefit. 
Her husband is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage ; the individual earnings of 
the wife are her separate property, and she may sue, and be sued alone, in regard to the same. 
She may make and hold deposits in savings-banks. She may, by a separate conveyance, release 
her dower in any lands which her husband has conveyed. 

If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for him ; and while 
they live together, the wife can buy all family things necessary for the support of the family, 
and for which he is liable. 

The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them 
himself ; and he continues so liable, if he turns her out of his house, or otherwise separates him- 
self from her without good cause. But he is not so liable, if she deserts him (unless on extreme 
provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves him, because he treats her 
so ill, that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and 
she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her ; but what the misconduct must 
be, to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law miist be, and undoubtedly is, that the 
wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency. 

If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and represents her to be so, he is responsible, the 
same as if she were his wife, even if it is known that she is not his wife. • 

ACTIONS. 

All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form, which must be prose- 
cuted in the name of the real party in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and 
trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons on the defendant, to be answered 
within twenty days. 

ARREST. 

Defendant may be arrested : 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where 
the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to remove from the State, or where the action is for 
injury to the person or character, or for injury to, or wrong taking, detaining or converting 
property, or in an action to recover damages for property taken under false pretenses. 

2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or 
fraudulently misapplied by a public officer or attorney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corpora- 
tion as such, or factor agent or broker, or for misconduct or neglect in ofl5cial or professional 
employment. 

3. In an action to recover property unjustly detained where it is so concealed that the 
Sheriff cannot find the same. 



284 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

4. Where the defendant was guilty of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or 
disposing of the property for the taking, detaining or disposing of which the action is brought. 

An affidavit must be made on the part of the plaintiff, stating the cause of action and one 
of the above causes. 

ATTACHMENT 

is allowed on an affidavit that the defendant is indebted to plaintiff, and stating the amount and 
that it is due on contract ; and, 

1. That defendant has absconded, or is about to abscond, or is concealed to the injury of 
his creditors. 

2. That defendant has assigned, disposed or concealed his property or is about to do so 
with intent to defraud creditors. 

3. That the defendant has removed, or is about to remove, liis property from the State 
with intent to defraud creditors. 

4. That the debt was fraudulently contracted. 

5. That he is a non-resident. 

6. Or a foreign corporation. 

7. That he has fraudulently conveyed or disposed of his property with intent to defraud 
creditors. 

The amount sued for must exceed $50. 

GARNISHMENT 

is allowed on an affidavit on behalf of the creditor, that he believes that any third person (naming 
him) has property effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him, also in execution, on a 
similar affidavit. 

JUDGMENT 

is a lien on real estate in the county where rendered from the date of docketing, and in other 
counties from the time of filing a transcript, and the lien continues for ten years. It bears 
interest at 7 per cent, or as high as 10 per cent if stipulated for in the contract. 

STAY LAWS. 

In Justices' Courts, on giving bond with surety within five days after judgment was ren- 
dered, stay of execution is allowed, as follows : 

On sums not exceeding $10, exclusive of costs, one month ; between $10 and $30, two 
months ; between $30 and $50, three months ; over $50, four months. 

EXEMPTIONS. 

A homestead not exceeding forty acres, used for agriculture and a residence, and not 
included in a town plat or a city or village ; or, instead, one-quarter of an acre in a recorded 
town plat, city or village. Also, 1, Family Bible : 2, Family pictures and school-books; 3, 
Private library ; 4, Seat or pew in church ; 5, Right of burial : 6. Wearing-apparel, beds, bed- 
steads and bedding, kept and used in the family, stoves and appurtenances, put up and used, 
cooking utensils and houseliold furniture to the value of $200, one gun, rifle or fire-arm to the 
value of $50 ; 7, Two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or, in lieu 
thereof, a span of horses or mules, ten sheep and the wool therefrom, necessary food for exempt 
stock for one year, provided or growing or both, one wagon, cart or dray, one sleigh, one plow, 
one drag and other farm utensils, including tackle for the teams to the value of $50 ; 8, Provis- 
ions and fuel for the family for one year ; 9, Tools and implements or stock-in-trade of a 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 285 

mechanic or miner, used and kept, not exceeding $200 in value, library and implements of a 
professional man to the value of $200 ; 10, Money arising from insurance of exempt property 
destroyed by fire; 11, Inventions for debts against the inventor; 12, Sewing-machines; 13, 
Sword, plate, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State ; 14, Printing- 
material and presses to the value of $1,500; 15, Earnings of a married person necessary for 
family support for sixty days previous to issuing process. 

LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS. 

Real actions, twenty years ; persons under disabilities, five years after removal of the same. 
Judgments of Courts of Record of the State of Wisconsin and sealed instruments when the 
cause accrues within the State, twenty years. Judgments of other Courts of Record and sealed 
instruments accruing without the State, ten years. Other contracts, statute liabilities 
other than penalties and forfeitures, trespass on real property, trover detinue and replevin, 
six years. Actions against Sheriffs, Coroners and Constables, for acts done in their official 
capacity, except for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slander, 
assault, battery and false imprisonment, two years. Actions against Sheriffs, etc., for escapes, 
one year. Persons under disabilities, except infants, may bring action after the disability ceases, 
provided the period is not extended more than ^'re 2/ears, and infants one year after coming of 
age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, one year from death ; against the same, 
one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise must be in 
■writing. 

COMMERCIAL TERMS. 

$ — Means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed before any 
denomination of money, and meant, as it means now. United States currency. 

£ — Means pounds, English money. 

@ — Stands for at or to ; Ife for pounds, and bbl. for barrels ; "^ for per, or by the. Thus : 
Butter sells at 20@.30c f ft, and Flour at $8(« 12 f bbl. % for per cent., and * for numbers. 

May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@$1. 25, " seller June." Seller June means that the person 
who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June. 

Selling short is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock at a fixed price, 
within a certain length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest 
of the person selling short to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy 
and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the "shorts " are termed "bears." 

Buying long is to contrive to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares of stock at a 
fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices. 
The " longs " are termed " bulls," as it is for their interest to " operate " so as to " toss " the 
prices upward as much as possible. 

SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION. 

The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been brought into disre- 
pute by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher, in 
order to prevent that as much as possible, and that there may be more general knowledge of 
the relation such agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the following 
statement is made : 

A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber 
agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described ; the consideration is concurrent that the 
publisher shall publisli the book named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to 
pay the price named. The nature and character of the work is described by the prospectus 
and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they are the 



286 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

basis and consideration of the promise to pay, and not the too often exaggerated statements of 
the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a com- 
mission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions upon which 
the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to 
agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or change the agreement of the publisher, 
as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should 
see that such condition or changes are stated over or in connection with his signature, so that 
the publisher may have notice of the same. 

All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any other business, 
should remember that the law as written is, that they cannot be altered, varied or rescinded 
verbally, but, if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons 
contemplating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the sub- 
scription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the contract. 

Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers. They are 
agents appointed to do a particular business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do 
it in any other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any 
other matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made in anything 
else but money. They cannot extend the time of payment beyond the time of deli.ery. nor 
bind their principal for the payment of expenses incurred in their business. 

It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing 
their names to any subscription book, or any written instrument, would examine carefully what 
it is ; if they cannot read themselves call on some one disinterested who can. 




CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 



CONDENSED. 



PREAMBLE. 



We, the People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ; in order to secure 
its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquillity, and promote the 
general welfare, do establish this Constitution. 

Article I. 

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. 

Section 1. All men are born free and independent, and have, among other rights, those 
of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Governments are instituted to secure these rights. 

Sec. 2. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for the punish- 
ment of crimes. 

Sec. 3. Liberty of speech and of the press shall not be abridged. 

Sec. 4. The right of the people to peaceably assemble to consult for the common good 
shall never be abridged. 

Sec. 5. The right of trial by jury shall I'emain inviolate. 

Sec. 6. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel pun- 
ishments inflicted. 

Sec. 7. In criminal prosecutions, the rights of the accused shall be protected. 

Sec. 8. Criminal off'enses shall be prosecuted on presentment of a grand jury. No one 
shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled to be a witness against 
himself Every one shall have the right of giving bail except in capital offenses ; and the writ of 
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except in case of rebellion or invasion. 

Sec. 9. Every person is entitled to a certain remedy for all injuries or wrongs. 

Sec. 10. Treason consists in levying war against the State, or giving aid and comfort to 
its enemies. Two witnesses are necessary to convict a person of the crime. 

Sec. 11. The people are to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. 

Sec. 12. Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or laws impairing obligation of contracts, 
shall never be passed. 

Sec. 13. No property shall be taken for public use without compensation. 

Sec. 14. All laws in the State are allodial. Feudal tenures are prohibited. 

Sec. 15. The rights of property are the same in resident aliens and citizens. 

Sec. 16. No person shall be imprisoned for debt. 

Sec. 17. Wholesome exemption laws shall be passed. 

Sec. 18. Liberty of conscience and rights of worship shall never be abridged. The 
public money shall never be applied to sectarian uses. 

Sec. 19. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any office. 

287 



288 HISTOKY OF WlbCOXSlN. 

Sec. 20. The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power. 
Sec. 21. Writs of error shall never be prohibited by law. 

Sec. 22. A free government can only be maintained by adhering to justice, moderation, 
temperance, frugality and virtue. 

Article II. 

BOUNDARIES. 

Section 1. The boundary of the State, beginning at the northeast corner of the State of 
Illinois, runs with the boundary line of Michigan, through Lake Michigan and Green Bay, to 
the mouth of the Menominie River : up that stream and the Brule River to Lake Brule ; along 
the southern shore of that lake to the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head 
of Montreal River ; down the main channel of that stream to the middle of Lake Superior ; 
thence through the center of said lake to the mouth of St. Louis River ; up the channel of that 
stream to the first rapids ; thence due south to the main branch of the St. Croix ; down that 
river and the Mississippi to the northwest corner of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern 
boundary of that State to the place of beginning. 

Sec. 2. The propositions in the enabling act of Congress are accepted and confirmed. 

Article III. 

SUFFRAGE. 

Section 1. The qualified electors are all male persons twenty-one years of age or upward, 
who are (1.) white citizens of the United States ; (2.) who are white persons of foreign birth that 
have declared their intentions, according to law, to become citizens ; (3) who are persons of 
Indian blood and citizens of the United States ; and (4.) civilized Indians not members of any 
tribe. 

Sec. 2. Persons under guardianship, such as are non compus mentis or insane, and those 
convicted of treason and felony and not pardoned, are not qualified electors. 

Sec. 3. All votes shall be by ballot, except for township officers when otherwise directed 
by law. 

Sec. 4. No person shall be deemed to have lost his residence by reason of his absence on 
business for the State or United States. 

Sec. 5. No person in the army or navy shall become a resident of the State in conse- 
quence of being stationed therein. 

Sec. 6. Persons convicted of bribery, larceny or any infamous crime, or those who bet 
on elections, may be excluded by law from the right of suffrage. 

Article IV. 

LEGISLATIVE. 

Section 1. The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and Assembly. 

Sec. 2. Members of the Assembly shall never number less than fifty-four, nor more than 
one hundred ; of the Senate, not more than one-third, nor less than one-fourth of the mem- 
bers of the Assembly. 

Sec. 8. Census shall be taken, every ten years, of the inhabitants of the State, beginning 
with 1855, when a new apportionment of members of the Senate and Assembly shall be made ; 
also, after each United States census. 

Sec. 4. Members of the Assembly shall be chosen on the Tuesday succeeding the first 
Monday of November of each year. 

Sec. 5. Members of the Senate shall be elected for two years, at the same time and in 
the same manner as members of the Assembly. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSliS'. 28y 

Sec. 6. No person shall be eligible to the Legislature, unless a resident of the State one 
year, and a qualified elector. 

Sec. 7. Each House shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members. A majority 
shall be necessary to form a quorum. 

Sec. 8. Each House shall make its own rules. 

Sec. 9. Each House shall choose its own officers. 

Sec. 10. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings. 

Sec. 11. The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government once a year. 

Sec. 12. No member shall be eligible to any other civil office in the State, during the 
term for which he was elected. 

Sec. 13. No member shall be eligible to any oflSce of the United States, during the term 
for which he was elected. 

Sec. 14. Writs of election, to fill vacancies in either House, shall be issued by the Gov- 
ernor. 

Sec. 15. Except treason, felony and breach of the peace, members are privileged from 
arrest in all cases; nor subject to any civil process during a session. 

Sec. 16. Members are not liable for words spoken in debate. 

Sec. 17. The style of all laws shall be, " The people of the State of Wisconsin rep- 
resented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: " 

Sec. 18. Private or local bills shall not embi'ace more than one subject. 

Sec. 19. Bills may originate in either House, and a bill passed by one House may be 
amended by the other. 

Sec. 20. Yeas and nays, at the request of one-sixth of the members present, shall be 
entered on the journal. 

Sec. 21. [Each member shall receive, as an annual compensation, three hundred and 
fifty dollars and ten cents for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of gov- 
ernment]. As amended in 1867. 

Sec. 22. Boards of Supervisors may be vested with powers of a local, legislative and 
administrative character, such as shall be conferred by the Legislature. 

Sec. 23. One system only, of town and county government, shall be established by the 
Legislature. 

Sec. 24. The Legislature shall never authorize any lottery, or grant any divorce. 

Sec. 25. Stationery, for State use and State printing, shall be let by contract to the low- 
est bidder. 

Sec. 26. Extra compensation to any public officer shall not be granted after service is 
rendered, nor shall his compensation be increased or diminished during his term of office. 

Sec. 27. The Legislature shall direct, by law, in what manner and in what Courts suits 
against the State may be brought. 

Sec. 28. Public oflRcers shall all take an oath of office. 

Sec. 29. The Legislature shall determine what persons shall constitute the militia, and 
may provide for organizing the same. 

Sec. 30. Members of the Legislature shall vote viva voce in all elections made by 
them. 

Sec. 31. [Special legislation is prohibited (1) for changing the names of persons, or con- 
stituting one person the heir-at-law of another ; (2) for laying out, opening or altering high- 
ways, except in certain cases; (3) for authorizing persons to keep ferries; (4) for authorizing 
the sale of the pi'operty of minors ; (5) for locating a county seat ; (6) for assessment of taxes ; 
(7) for granting corporate powers, except to cities; (8) for apportioning any part of the school 
fund ; and (9) for incorporating any town or village, or to award the charter thereof]. Added 
by amendment, in 1871. 

Sec. 32. [General laws shall be passed for the transaction of any business prohibited by 
Section 21 of this Article.] Added by amendment, in 1871. 



290 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

Article V. 

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold his office 
two years. A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the same time and for the same term. 

Sec. 2. Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be citizens of the United States, and 
qualified electors of the State. 

Sec. 3. Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected at the times and places of choosing 
members of the Legislature. ^ 

Sec. 4. The Governor shall be (1) commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of 
the State; (2) he has power to convene the Legislature in extra session ; (3) he shall communi- 
cate to the Legislature all necessary information ; (4) he shall transact all necessary business 
with the officers of the State ; and (5) shall expedite all legislative measures, and sec that th» 
laws are faithfully executed. 

Sec. 5. [The Governor's salary shall be five thousand dollars per annum.] As amended 
in 1869. 

Sec. 6. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons. 

Sec. 7. The executive duties shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor when, from any 
cause, the executive office is vacated by the Governor. 

Sec. 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate. The Secretary of 
State shall act as Governor when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are incapacitated 
from any causes to fill the executive office. 

Sec. 9. [The Lieutenant Governor shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per 
annum.] As amended in 1869. 

Sec. 10. All legislative bills shall be presented to the Governor for his signature before 
they become laws. Bills returned by the Governor without his signature may become laws by 
agreement of two-thirds of the members present in each house. 

Article VL 
administration. 

Section 1. A Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall be elected at the 
times and places of choosing members of the Legislature, who shall severally hold their offices 
for two years. 

Sec. 2. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the official acts of the Legislature 
and Executive Department. He shall be ex officio Auditor. 

Sec. 3. The powers, duties and compensation of the Treasurer and Attorney General 
shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 4. Sheriffs, Coroners, Registers of Deeds and District Attorneys shall be elected 
every two years. 

Article VTI. 
judiciary. 

Section 1. The Senate shall form the Court of Impeachment. Judgment shall not 
extend further than removal from office ; but the person impeached shall be liable to indictment, 
trial anil punishment, according to law. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power of the State is vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, 
Courts of Probate, and in .Justices of the Peace. Municipal courts, also, may be authorized. 

Sec. 3. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only. Trial by jury is not 
allowed in any case. The Court shall have a general superintending control over inferior courts, 
and power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and 
other original and remedial writs. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 293 

Sec. 4. [The Supreme Court shall consist of one Chief Justice, and four Associate 
Justices, each for the term often years.] As amended in 1877. 

Sec. 5. The State shall be divided into five Judicial Circuits. 

Sec. 6. The Legislature may alter the limits or increase the number of the circuits. 

Sec. 7. There shall be a Judge chosen for each Circuit, who shall reside therein ; his 
term of ofiBce shall be six years. 

Sec. 8. The Circuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all matters civil and crim- 
inal, not excepted in this Constitution, and not prohibited hereafter by law, and appellate juris- 
diction from all inferior courts. They shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, man- 
damus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all other writs necessary to carry their orders 
and judgments into effect. 

Sec. 9. Vacancies in the office of Supreme or Circuit Judge shall be filled by the Gover- 
nor. Election for Judges shall not be at any general election, nor within thirty days before or 
after said election. 

Sec. 10. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall receive a salary of not less than 
one thousand five hundred dollars, and shall hold no other office, except a judicial one, during 
the term for which they are respectively elected. Each Judge shall be a citizen of the United 
States, and have attained the age of twenty-five years. He shall also be a qualified elector within 
the jurisdiction for which he may be chosen. 

Sec. 11. The Supreme Court shall hold at least one term annually. A Circuit Court 
shall be held at least twice in each year, in each county of this State organized for judicial pur- 
poses. 

Sec. 12. There shall be a Clerk of the Circuit Court chosen in each county, whose term 
of office shall be two years. The Supreme Court shall appoint its own Clerk. 

Sec. 13. Any Judge of the Supreme or Circuit Court may be removed from office by vote 
of two-thirds of all the members elected to both Senate and Assembly. 

Sec. 14. A Judge of Probate shall be elected in each county, who shall hold his office for 
two years. 

Sec. 15. ' Justices of the Peace shall be elected in the several towns, villages and cities of 
the State, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, whose term of office shall be two years. 
Their civil and criminal jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 16. Laws shall be passed for the regulation of tribunals of conciliation. These may 
be established in and for any township. 

Sec. 17. The style of all writs and process shall be " The State of Wisconsin." Criminal 
prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by authority of the State ; and all indictments 
shall conclude against the peace and dignity of the same. 

Sec. 18. A tax shall be imposed by the Legislature on all civil suits, which shall consti- 
tute a fund, to be applied toward the payment of the salary of Judges. 

Sec. 19. Testimony in equity causes shall be taken the same as in cases at law. The 
office of Master in Chancery is prohibited. 

Sec. 20. Any suitor may prosecute or defend his case in his own proper person, or by 
attorney or agent. 

Sec. 21. Statute laws and such judicial decisions as are deemed expedient, shall be pub- 
lished. No general law shall be in force until published. 

Sec. 22. The Legislature at its first session shall provide for the appointment of three 
Commissioners to revise the rules of practice in the several Courts of Record in the State. 

Sec. 23. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more persons in each 
organized county of the State. Powers granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that of 
a Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers. 



294 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Article VIII. 

FINANCE. 

Section 1. Taxation shall be uniform, and taxes shall be levied upon such property as the 
Legislature may prescribe. 

Sec. 2. [No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appro- 

priation by law. Claims made against the State must be filed within six years after having 
accrued.] As amended in 1877. 

Sec. 3. The credit of the State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual, 
association or corporation. 

Sec. 4. The State shall never contract any public debt, except in the cases and manner 
provided in this Constitution. 

Sec. 5. A tax shall be levied each year sufiBcient to defray estimated expenses. 

Sec. 6. Debts not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars may be contracted by the State, 
which shall be paid within five years thereafter. 

Sec. 7. The Legislature may borrow money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection or 
defend the State in time of war. 

Sec. 8. All fiscal laws in the Legislature shall be voted on by yeas and nays. 

Sec. 9. State scrip shall not be issued except for such debts as are authorized by the sixth 
and seventh sections of this article. 

Sec. 10. No debt for internal improvements shall be contracted by the State. 

Article IX. 

EMINENT DOMAIN AND PROPERTY OF THE STATE. 

Section 1. The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers and lakes border- 
ing on Wisconsin. 

Sec. 2. The title to all property which has accrued to the Territory of Wisconsin shall 
vest in the State of Wisconsin. 

Sec. 3. The ultimate property in and to all lands of the State is possessed by the 
people. 

Article X. 

EDUCATION. 

Section 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a State Superintend- 
ent and such other officers as the Legislature shall direct. The annual compensation of the 
State Superintendent shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars. 

Sec 2. The school fund to support and maintain common schools, academies and nor- 
mal schools, and to purchase apparatus and libraries therefor, shall be created out of (1) the 
proceeds of lands from the L^nited States ; (2) out of forfeitures and escheats ; (3) out of 
moneys paid as exemptions from military duty ; (4) out of fines collected for breach of penal 
laws; (5) out of any grant to the State where the purposes of such grant are not specified; (6) 
out of the proceeds of the sale of five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress Sep- 
tember 14, 1841 ; and (7) out of the five per centum of the net proceeds of the public lands to 
which the State shall become entitled on her admission into the Union (if Congress shall con- 
sent to such appropriation of the two grants last mentioned.) 

Sec. 3. District schools shall be established by law which shall be free to all children be- 
tween the ages of four and twenty years. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein. 

Sec. 4. Each town and city shall raise for common schools therein by taxation a sum equal 
to one-half the amount received from the school fund of the State. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 295 

Sec. 5. Provisions shall be made by law for the distribution of the income of the school 
fund among the several towns and cities for the support of common schools therein ; but no 
appropriation shall be made when there is a failure to raise the proper tax, or when a school 
shall not have been maintained at least three months of the year. 

Sec. 6. Provision shall be made by law for the establishment of a State University. The 
proceeds of all lands granted for the support of a university by the United States shall consti- 
tute "the University fund," the interest of which shall be appropriated to the support of the 
State University. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed in such university. 

Sec. 7. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall constitute a Board 
of Commissioners to sell school and university lands and for the investments of the proceeds 
thereof. 

Sec. 8. School and university lands shall be appraised and sold according to law. The 
Commissioners shall execute deeds to purchasers, and shall invest the proceeds of the sales of 
such lands in such manner as the Legislature shall provide. 

' Article XI. 

CORPORATIONS. 

Section 1. Corporations without banking powers may be formed under general laws, but 
shall not be created by special act, except for municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the 
judgment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws. 

Sec. 2. No municipal corporation shall take private property for public use, against the 
consent of the owner, except by jury trial. 

Sec. 3. Cities and incorporated villages shall be organized, and their powers restricted by 
law so as to prevent abuses. [No county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal 
corporation, shall become indebted to exceed five per centum on the value of the taxable property 
therein.] As amended in 1874. 

Sec. 4. Banks shall not be created except as provided in this article. 

Sec. 5. The question of " bank " or "no bank " may be submitted to the voters of the 
State; and if a majority of all the votes cast shall be in favor of banks, the Legislature shall 
have power to grant bank charters, or pass a general banking law. 

Article XIL 

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in either house of the Legis- 
lature, and referred to the next Legislature and published for three months previous. If agreed 
to by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then the amendment or amendments 
shall submit them to the vote of the people ; and if the people shall approve and ratify such 
amendment or amendments, they shall become a part of the Constitution. 

Sec. 2. If a convention to revise or change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by 
the Legislature, they shall recommend to the electors of the State to vote at the next general 
election for or against the same. If the vote shall be for the calling of such convention, then 
the Legislature, at its next session, shall provide for the same. 

Article XIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. PROVISIONS. 

Section 1. The political year for Wisconsin shall commence on the first Monday in Jan- 
uary in each year. General elections shall be holden on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday 
in November. 

Sec. 2. A duelist shall not be qualified as an elector in this State. 

Sec. 3. United States oiBcers (except Postmasters), public defaulters, or persons convicted 
of infamous crimes, shall not be eligible to office in this State. 



296 HISTORY OF WISCONSm. 

Sec. 4. A great seal for the State shall be provided, and all official acts of the Governor 
(except his approbation of the laws), shall be authenticated thereby. 

Sec. 5. Residents on Indian lands may vote, if duly qualified, at the polls nearest their 
residence. 

Sec. 6. Elective officers of the Legislature, other than the presiding officers, shall be a 
Chief Clerk, and a Sergeant-at-Arms, to be elected by each House. 

Sec. 7. No county with an area of nine hundred square miles or less, shall be divided, 
without submitting the question to the vote of the people of the county. 

Sec. 8. [The Legislature is proliibited from enacting any special or private laws, for locating 
or changing any county seat.] See amendment adopted in 1871, as Sec. 31 (Subdivision 5) of 
Art. IV. 

Sec. 9. Officers not provided for by this Constitution shall be elected as the Legislature 
shall direct. 

Sec. 10. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be deemed 
vacant, and also the manner of filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that purpose 
in this Constitution. 

Article XIV. 
schedule. 

Section 1. All rights under the Territorial government are continued under the State 
government. Territorial processes are valid after the State is admitted into the Union. 

Sec. 2. Existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin not repugnant to this Constitution 
shall remain in force until they expire by limitation or are altered or repealed. 

Sec. 3. All fines, penalties or forfeitures accruing to the Territory of Wisconsin shall 
inure to the use of the State. 

Si:c. 4. Territorial recognizances, bonds and public property shall pass to and be vested 
in the State. Criminal prosecutions, offenses committed against the laws, and all actions at law 
and suits in equity in the Territory of Wisconsin shall be contained in and prosecuted by the 
State. 

Sec. 5. Officers holding under authority of the United States or of the Territory of Wis- 
consin shall continue in office until superseded by State authority. 

Sec. 6. The first session of the State Legislature shall commence on the first Monday in 
June next, and shall be held at the village of Madison, which shall be and remain the seat of 
government until otherwise provided by law. 

Sec. 7. Existing county and town officers shall hold their offices until the Legislature of 
the State shall provide for the holding of elections to fill such offices. 

Sec. 8. A copy of this Constitution shall be transmitted to the President of the United 
States to be laid before Congress at its pi-esent session. 

Sec. 9. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the people for ratification or 
rejection on the second Monday in March next. If ratified, an election shall be held for 
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, members of the State Legisla- 
ture and members of Congress, on the second Monday of May next. 

Sec. 10. [^Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] 

Sec. 11. The several elections provided for in tliis Article shall be conducted according 
to the existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin. 

Sec. 12. [^Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] 

Sec. 13. The common law in force in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force 
in the State until altered or suspended by the Legislature. 

Sec. 14. The Senators first elected in the even-numbered Senate districts, the Governor, 
Lieutenant Governor and other State officers first elected under this Constitution, shall enter 
upon their duties on the first Monday of June next, and hold their offices for one year from the 
first Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the 



CONSTITI'TION OF THE UNITED STATES. 297 

members of the Assembly first elected shall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of June 
next, and continue in office until the first Monday in January next. 

Sec. 15. The oath of office may be administered by any Judge or Justice of the Peace, 
until the Legislature shall otherwise direct. 



We, the undersigned, members of the Convention to form a Constitution for the State of 
Wisconsin, to be submitted to the people thereof for their ratification or rejection, do hereby 
certify that the foregoing is the Constitution adopted by the Convention. 

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, at Madison, the 1st day of Feb- 
ruary, A. D. 1848. 

Morgan L. Martin, 
President of the Convention and Delegate from Brozvn County. 
Thomas McHugh, 

Secretary. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



CONDENSE r>. 



PREAMBLE. 



We, the peoj}le of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,, 
insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, 
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish 
this Constitution for the United States of America. 

ARTICLE I. 

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress, which shall 
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second 
year by the people of the States, and electors shall have qualifications for electors of the most 
numerous branch of the State Legislature. 

Representatives must be twenty-five years of age, and must have been seven years citizens 
of the United States, and inhabitants of the State in which they shall be' chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to 
population, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including 
apprentices and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The enumeration 
shall be made within three years after the first meeting of Congress, and every ten years there- 
after in such manner as Congress fehall by law direct. States shall have one Representative only 
for each tliirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative ; and until such 
enumeration shall be made. New Hampshire shall choose three ; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode 
Island, one ; Connecticut, five ; New York, six ; New Jersey, four ; Pennsylvania, eight ; Del- 
aware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North Carolina, five ; South Carolina, five, and 
Georgia, three. 

Vacancies in the representation from any State shall be filled by elections, ordered by the 
executive authority of the State. 



298 HISTORY OF WISC0XS1^•. 

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have 
the sole power of impeachment. 

Sec. 3. The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the 
Legislature thereof for six years ; and each Senator shall have one vote. 

Senators shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes immediately after assem- 
bling, in consequence of the first election. The first class shall vacate their seats at the expira- 
tion of the second year ; the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third 
class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year ; 
and vacancies happening by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any 
State may be filled by temporary appointments of the Executive until the next meeting of the 
Legislature. 

All Senators shall have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been nine years 
citizens of the United States, and shall be inhabitants of the State for which they shall be 
chosen. 

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have 
no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the 
absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President, 

Tlie Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, 
they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is tried, the Chief Justice shall pre- 
side, and concurrence of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to conviction. 

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall be limited to removal from office and disqualifica- 
tion to hold any office under the United States ; but the party convicted shall be liable to trial 
and punishment according to law. 

Sec. 4. Tlie Legislature of each State shall prescribe the times, places and manner of 
holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but Congress may make or alter such regu- 
lations, except as to the place of choosing Senators. 

Congress shall assemble annually, on the first Monday in December, unless a different day 
be appointed. 

Sec. 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its 
own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller 
number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel attendance of absent members, under 
penalties. 

Each House may determine its own rules of proceeding, punish its members, and, by a two- 
thirds vote, expel a member. 

Each House shall keep a journal, which shall be published at their discretion, and one-fifth 
of those present may require the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal. 

Neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other, 
nor to any other place than that in which they are sitting. 

Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representatives shall be fixed by law, and 
paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall be privileged from arrest during 
attendance at the session of their respective Houses, except for treason, felony and breach of 
the peace, and shall not be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate in either 
House. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed 
to any civil office under the United States which shall have been created or the emoluments 
whereof shall have been increased during such time ; and no person holding office under the 
United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but 
may be amended by the Senate. 

Every bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it becomes 
a law, be presented to the President ; if he approve, he shall sign it ; but if not, he shall return 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

it, with his objections, to that House in which it originated, who shall enter the objections on 
their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds shall agree to 
pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, and, if approved by two- 
thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the yeas and nays shall be 
taken, and entered upon the journal of each House, respectively. Any bill not returned by 
the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, shall 
be a law, as if he had signed it, unless Congress, by adjournment, shall prevent its return, in 
which case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution or vote requiring the concurrence of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives (except a question of 'adjournment), shall be approved by the President before tak- 
ing effect ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by a two-thirds vote of each House, 
as in the case of a bill. 

Sec. 8. Congress shall have power: 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the 
common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises 
shall be uniform throughout the United States ; 

To borrow money on the public credit; 

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the 
Indian tribes ; 

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bank- 
ruptcies ; 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof and foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights 
and measures ; 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United 
States ; 

To establish post offices and post roads ; 

To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors 
and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries ; 

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ; 

To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against 
the laws of nations ; 

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on 
land and water ; 

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer 
term than two years ; 

To provide and maintain a navy ; 

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces ; 

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insur- 
rection and repel invasions ; 

To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such parts 
of them as may be employed in the service of the United States — the several States to appoint 
the officers and to train the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress ; 

To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases, over the seat of Government, and over all 
forts, magazines, arsenals, dock -yards and other needful buildings ; and 

To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution all powers vested by this 
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof. 

Sec. 9. Foreign immigration or the importation of slaves into the States shall not be pro- 
hibited by Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty 
may be imposed not exceeding ten dollars for each person so imported. 

The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless required by the public safety in 
cases of rebellion or invasion. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 



300 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu- 
meration hereinbefore directed to be made. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. 

In regulating commerce or revenue, no preference shall be given to the ports of one State 
over those of another ; nor shall vessels bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear or 
pay duties in another. 

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury unless appropriated by law ; and accounts of 
the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time. 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; and no person holding any 
office under them shall accept any present, emolument, office or title from any foreign State, 
without the consent of Congress. 

Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation ; grant letters of 
marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin 
a tender in payment of debts; pass bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or 
exports, except for the execution of its inspection laws; and all such duties shall be for the use 
of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of Congress. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or 
ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State or with a 
foreign power, or engage in war unless actually invaded or in imminent and immediate danger. 

Article II. 

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President. He shall hold office for 
four years, and, together with the Vice President chosen for the same term, shall be elected as 
follows : 

Each State shall appoint in the manner directed by the Legislature, a number of electors 
equal to the whole number of its Senators and Representatives in Congress; but no Senator or 
Representative or person holding any office under the United States shall be appointed an 
elector. 

[ The third clause of this section has been superseded and ameyided by the 12th Amendment. '\ 

Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall 
give their votes, which day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

A natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this 
Constitution, only shall be eligible to the office of President; and he must have attained the age 
of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

If the President be removed from office, die, resign, or become unable to discharge the duties 
of his office, the same shall devolve upon the Vice President, and Congress may provide by law 
for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability of both the President and Vice President, 
declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly,. until the 
disability be removed or a President elected.* 

The President shall receive a compensation for his services, which shall be neither increased 
nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been electedf and within that period 
he shall not receive any other emolument from the United States or from any of them. 

Before entering upon office he shall take the following oath or affirmation : " I do solemnly 
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and 
will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United 
States." 

* By act of March 1, 1792, Congress proTided for this contingency, designating the President of the Senate pTo tempore, or if there be noD* 
the Spealter of the House of Representatives, to succeed to the chief Executive office in the event of a vacancy in the offices of both President 
and Vice President. 

t The Presideot'a salary was fixed February 18, 1793, at $i5,O0O. and was increased March 3, 1873, to $20,000. 



CONSTITL'TION OF THE UNITED STATES. 301 

Sec. 2. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy of the 
United States, and of the militia of the several States, when in actual service of the United 
States; he may require the written opinion of the principal officers of the several executive 
departments upon subjects relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have power to 
grant reprieves and pardons for oflenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, 
provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, and shall nominate to the Senate ambassa- 
dors, other public ministers and consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of 
the United States whose appointment is not otherwise provided for ; but Congress may vest the 
appointment of inferior officers in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of 
departments. 

The President may fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by 
granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session. 

He shall, from time to time, give Congress information of the state of the Union, and 
recommend measures to their consideration ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both 
Houses or either of them, and, in case of disagreement between them as to the time of adjourn- 
ment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors 
and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall com- 
mission all the officers of the United States. 

Sec. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be 
removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes 
and misdemeanors. 

Article III. 

Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme 
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The Judges, both of the Suprehie 
and inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive a compensa- 
tion which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this 
Constitution, the laws of the United States, treaties, cases affecting ambassadors, other public 
ministers and consuls, all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which 
the United States shall be a party ; controversies between two or more States ; between a State 
and citizens of another State ; between citizens of different States ; between citizens of the same 
State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State or the citizens thereof 
and foreign States, citizens or subjects. 

In all cases affecting Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State is a party, the 
Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases mentioned, the Supreme 
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, subject to exceptions and regu 
lations made by Congress. 

All crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be tried by jury, and in the State where 
the crime was committed ; but Congress shall fix the place of trial for crimes not committed 
within any State. 

Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, 
or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of 
treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open 
court. 

Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason 
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted. 

Article IV. 

Section 1. Each State shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records and judi- 
cial proceedings of every other State, and Congress may prescribe the manner in which such 
acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof 



302 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of 
citizens in the several States. 

Fugitives from justice in any State found in another State, shall, on demand of the Execu- 
tive, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 

No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another, 
shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, 
but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 

Sec. 3. New States may be admitted to the Union, but no new State shall be formed 
within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor by the junction of two or more States, or parts 
of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress. 

Congress shall have power to dispose of and to regulate and govern the territory or other 
property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to 
prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular State. 

Every State shall be guaranteed a republican form of government, and shall be protected 
against invasion ; and on an application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legis- 
lature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. 

Article V. 

Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend- 
ments to this Constitution, or, on application of two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several 
States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all 
intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths 
of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of 
ratification may be proposed by the Congress ; provided that no amendment which may be made 
prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and 
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no State, without its consent, 
shall be deprived of its equal sufirage in the Senate. 

Article VI. 

All existing debts and engagements shall be valid against the United States under this 
Constitution. 

This Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all 
treaties made under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, 
and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby ; anything in the Constitution or laws of 
any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Senators and Representatives, members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive 
and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath 
or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a 
qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. 

Article VIL 

The ratification of the Convention of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of 
this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. 

Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the 
independence of the United States of America the twelfth. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
President and Deputy from Virginia. 
[Other signatures omitted.] 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 303 

Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. 

Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to 
the Fifth Article of the original Constitiition. 

Article I. 

Congress shall make no law respecting religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; 
or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press ; or of the right of the people peaceably to 
assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

Article II. 

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the 
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Article III. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the 
owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

Article IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable 
searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, 
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the 
persons or things to be seized. 

Article V. 

No pei'son shall be held to answer for any infamous crime unless on an indictment of a 
grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual 
service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy of life 
or limb for the same offense ; nor shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness 
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law ; nor 
shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. 

Article VI. 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial, 
by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and 
to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted witli the witnesses 
against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the 
assistance of counsel for his defense. 

Article VII. 

In suits at common law, when the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the 
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise 
re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law. 

Article VIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun- 
ishments inflicted. 



304 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 

Article IX. 

The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or dis- 
parage others retained by the people. 

Article X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to 
the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people. 

Article XI. 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law 
or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another 
State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State. 

Article XII. 

The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice 
President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves ; 
distinct ballots shall be made for President and Vice President, and distinct lists made of such 
ballots and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify and transmit 
sealed to the seat of government, addressed to the President of the Senate ; the President of the 
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, 
and the votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of votes for Presi- 
dent shall be President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; 
if no person have such majority, then from those having the highest numbers, not exceeding 
three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose imme- 
diately by ballot the President. But, in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by 
States, each State having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem- 
bers from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. 
If, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, the House of Representatives shall not 
choose a President before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall 
act as President, as in the case of death or disability of the President. The person having the 
greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a 
majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from 
the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President ; a quorum for 
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the 
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person ineligible to the office of President 
shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States. 

Article XIII. 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime 
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any 
place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Sec. 3. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

Article XIV. 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, or subject to the juris- 
diction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. No 
State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens 
of the United States ; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



305 



due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the 
law. 

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the States according to population, 
counting the whole number of persons in each State, including Indians not taxed. But when 
the right to vote is denied to any of the male inhabitants of a State, being twenty-one years of 
age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in 
rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion 
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty- 
one years of age in such State. 

Sec. 3. No person shall hold any office under the United States or under any State, who 
having previously, as an officer of the United States of any State, faken an oath to support the 
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two- 
thirds of each House, remove such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, including pensions and 
bounties, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume 
or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the Uniied 
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ; but all such debts, obligations 
and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

Sec. 5. Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions 
of this article. 

Article XV. 

Section 1. The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United 
States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 




306 



ALPHABETICAL LIST OF COUNTIES AND CITIES 

WITH GUBERNATORIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES. 



!fote. — The Republican or Democratic majority in each county is given as between Smith and Mallory. Oreea* 
back majority is only given when the vote for AUis exceeds the others, and is talten from the highest vote. 



COUNTIES. 




GOVERNOR. 

1877. 


PRESIDENT. 
1876. 




Smith. 


Mallory 


Allis. 


Maj. 


1 
Hayes. 


Tildeo. 


M^j. 


Adams.. 


580 

86 

459 

40 

1387 

1076 

336 

460 

686 

449 

2048 

806 

3613 

2333 

477 

21 

1174 

1208 

3086 

2620 

1823 

879 

1461 

802 

1917 

1045 

938 

247 

1968 

1409 

27 

1365 

301 

447 

5843 

1102 

1059 

777 

437 

521 

1523 

916 

1080 

2304 


233I 1 1 6 


R. 347 
D. 77 
R. 256 
R. 6 
D. 353 
R. 265 
R. 312 
D. 680 
D. 18 
G. 367 
R 451 
D. 202 
D. 290 
D. 1934 
R. 351 
D. 7 
R. 767 
R. 403 
D. 328 
R. 682 
R. 974 
D. 17 
R. 286 
R. 411 
D. 201 
R. 162 
R. 31 
D. 311 
R. 853 
R. 109 
G. 142 
D. 586 
D. 454 
D. 283 
D. 545 
R. 6 
R. 295 
D. 1228 
D. 1142 
R. 350 
R. 9781 
R. 553 
R. 163| 
R. 398 


981 

109 

644 

86 

I 2756 

1186 

285 

1012 

1596 

1255 

3532 

1356 

6435 

3236 

1095 

42 

2033 

2266 

4845 

4723 

2601 

1739 

2651 

1507 

2874 

1714 

1610 

561 

2644 

2424 

71 

2700 

668 

697 

9981 

2558 

1813 

1859 

583 

836 

2135 

1019 

1855 

3560 


442 

189 

257 

74 

3647 

1162 

28 

2145 

1774 

660 

2493 

1604 

5726 

6361 

696 

67 

894 

1785 

5660 

3198 

1736 

1514 

2348 


R 539 


Ashland 


163 

203 

34 

1740 

810 

24 

1130 

693 

153 

1597 

1008 

3903 

4267 

12c 

28 

407 

805 

3414 




D 80 




63 

2 

1015 

76 


R 387 


Bayfield 


R 12 


Brown 


D 892 


BufiFalo 


R 24 


Burnett 


R. 267 


Calumet 


389 
689 
816 
118 
146 
614 
381 
283 


D 1133 




D 178 


Clark 


R 595 


Columbia 


R 1039 


Crawford 


D. 249 


Dane 


D. 291 


Dodge 


D. 3125 


Door 


R. 499 




D 25 


Dunn 


'412 

597 

1949 


R. 1139 


Eau Claire 


R. 481 




D. 815 


Grant 


1938J 1037 
849! 580 
896; 215 

1176' 1021 
3911 521 

2418 296 
883 463 
907 51 


R. 1526 


Green 


R. 866 


Green Lake 


R. 225 




R. 303 


Jackson 


718 R. 789 




4134 D. 1260 




1458 

1432 

1664 

2481 

2299 

174 

3908 

1796 

1112 

12026 

2030 

1174 

3608 

5480 

394 

985 

362 

1794 

2880 


R. 256 


Kenosha 


R. 178 


Kewaunee 


558 

1115 

1300 

15 


20 
524 
269 
169 


D. 1093 


La Crosse 


R. 163 


La Fayette 


R. 125 




D. 103 




1951! 98 

755, 746 

730' 70 

6388 1228 

1096^ 1019 

764 157 

20051 992 

1579 17 

171 123 

645 408 

363 60 

917 728 

1906 112 


D. 1208 




D. 1128 


Marquette 


D. 415 




D. 2045 


Monroe 


R. 528 




R. 639 




D. 1749 




D. 1897 


Pepin 


R. 447 




R. 1152 


Polk 


R. 650 




R. 61 


Racine 


R. 680 



307 



GUBEKNATORIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES— 1877-1876— CowiMmcd. 



COUNTIES— Confinued. 



Richland 

Rock 

St. Croix 

Sauk 

Shawano 

Sheboygan 

Taylor 

Trempealeau 

Vernon 

Walworth 

Washington 

Waukesha 

Waupaca 

Waushara 

Winnebago 

Wood. 

CITIES 

Appleton 

Beaver Dam 

Beloit 

Berlin 

Buffalo 

Centralia 

Chilton 

Chippewa Falls 

Columbus 

Eau Claire 

Fond du Lac 

Fort Howard 

Grand Rapids 

Green Bay 

Hudson 

Janesville 

Kenosha 

La Crosse 

Madison 

Manitowoc 

Menasha 

Milwaukee 

Mineral Point 

Neenah 

New London 

Oconomowoc 

Oconto 

Oshkosh 

Plymouth 

Portage 

Prairie du Chiea 

Prescott 

Racine 

Ripon 

Shawano 

Sheboygan 

Stevens Point 

Watertown 

Waupaca 

Wausau 





GOVBRNOB. 






PRESIDENT. 






IS 


77. 








1876. 






Smith. 


Mallory. 


AIIU. 


Maj. 


Hayes. 


Tilden. 


Maj. 


1201 


729 


705 


R. 


472 


2038 


1591 


R. 


447 


3375 


1620 


781 


R. 


1755 


5755 


2814 


R. 


2893 


1558 


1489 


93 


R. 


70 


1775 


1736 


R. 


39 


1826 


922 


574 


R. 


904 


3395 


2201 


R. 


1194 


269 


605 


92 


D. 


336 


582 


873 


D. 


291 


1598 


1737 


750 


D. 


139 


3224 


3633 


D. 


409 


195 


254 


53 


D. 


59 


240 


24b 


D. 


6 


2483 


731 


176 


R. 


1452 


2360 


790 


R. 


1570 


1678 


416 


846 


R. 


1262 


2764 


1117 


R. 


1647 


2904 


1374 


160 


R. 


1530 


4212 


1970 


R. 


2242 


994 


2187 


187 


D. 


1993 


1321 


3047 


D, 


1726 


2484 


2388 


276 


R. 


96 


3129 


3335 


D. 


206 


1473 


990 


772 


R. 


483 


2642 


1592 


R. 


1050 


1282 


- 257 


377 


R. 


1025 


2080 


548 


R. 


1532 


2068 


2238 


1887 


D. 


170 


5092 


4426 


R. 


666 


247 


196 


601 


G 


354 


658 


745 


D. 


87 


231 


522 


201 


D. 


291 


549 


911 


D. 


362 


320 


361 


6 


D. 


41 


357 


465 


D. 


108 


377 


109 


240 


R. 


268 


745 


627 


R. 


118 


219 


197 


36 


R. 


22 


456 


312 


R. 


144 


25 


17 
5 




R. 
G. 


8 
81 


14 
64 


31 

93 


D. 
D. 


17 


16 


97 


29 


31 


128 
294 


33 
143 


D. 
D. 


97 
65 










229 


475 


572 


D. 


97 


210 


123 


3 


R. 


87 


254 


212 


R. 


42 


620 


459 


250 


R. 


161 


1205 


1013 


R. 


189 


862 


884 


520 


D. 


22 


1382 


1542 


D. 


160 


150 


85 


195 


G. 


45 


669 


288 


R. 


81 


50 


42 


110 


G. 


60 


121 


191 


D. 


70 


432 


333 


181 


R. 


99 


696 


647 


R. 


49 


226 


207 


3 


R. 


19 


250 


224 


R. 


26 


771 


605 


31 


R. 


166 


1036 


848 


R. 


188 


281 


314 


42 


I). 


33 


514 


544 


D. 


30 


712 


671 


351 


R. 


41 


1085 


1549 


D. 


464 


740 


1057 


13 


D. 


317 


834 


12-52 


D. 


418 


349 


284 


17 


R. 


61 


660 


512 


R. 


148 


146 


311 


67 


D. 


165 


291 


344 


D. 


53 


4816 


5027 


1050 


D. 


211 


8218 


9625 


D. 


1407 


260 


249 


21 


R. 


11 


348 


324 


R. 


24 


115 


146 


376 


G. 


230 


511 


385 


R. 


126 


84 


125 


118 


D. 


41 


206 


208 


D. 


2 


172 


167 


24 


R. 


5 


222 


238 


D. 


16 


270 


311 


6 


D. 


41 


399 


506 


D. 


107 


724 


954 


375 


D. 


230 


1496 


1910 


D. 


414 


69 
245 


127 

405 


28 

7 


D. 
D. 


58 
160 










366 


532 


D. 


1G6 


155 


267 


3 


D. 


112 


215 


377 


D. 


162 


87 


61 


10 


R. 


26 


143 


108 


R. 


35 


1052 


921 


82 


R. 


131 


1672 


1324 


R. 


348 


270 


239 


33 


R. 


31 


397 


333 


R. 


64 


65 


73 


13 


D 


18 


87 


83 


R. 


4 


248 


440 


68 


L). 


192 


575 


873 


D. 


298 


252 


270 


145 


D. 


18 


423 


563 


D. 


140 


232 


687 


164 


D. 


446 


372 


1295 


D 


923 


210 


49 


20 


R. 


161 


280 


52 


R. 


228 


76 


170 


300 


G. 


130 


210 


595 


D. 


385 



POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



MlIS 
R. R. 
1872. 



Statks A>'n 
Tkrritorikr. 



States. 

Alabama 

Arkansas 

California 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

Florida 

Georgia 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentuclty 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts.. 

Michtpan" 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire. 

New Jersey 

New York 

North Carolina. 

Ohio 

Oregon 



Area in 
s<iuare 
Miles. 



50, 

58, 

188, 

4 

2, 

59, 

58, 

55, 

33, 

55, 

81, 

37, 

41, 

31, 

11, 

7, 

56, 

83, 

47 

B5, 

75, 

112, 

9, 

8. 

47. 

50, 

39, 

95, 



* Last Census of 



722 
198 
981 
674 
120 
268 
000 
410 
809 
045 
,318 
,600 
,346 
,T76 
,184 
,800 
,451 
531 
,156 
,350 
9P5 
090 
,280 
320 
000 
704 
964 
244 
Mich 



PoPTLATION. 



1,3.M.544 
528,349 



857.039 



996,992 
484,471 
560.247 
537.454 
135.015 
187.T48 
184.109 
539.891 
680.637 
191.79^ 
364,399 
.321,011 
726,915 
626,915 
780,894 
,457.351 
,184.059 
439.706 
827.922 
,721,295 
123,993 

42,491 
318.300 
906,096 
382.759 
,071.361 
,665,260 

90,923 
igan taken in 1874. 



1,651,912 

1.334,031 

598.429 



246.280 
52,540 



1,026.502 
4.705.208 



Miles 
R. K. 
1872. 



,671 
25 
,013 
820 
227 
466 
.108 
.904 
.529 
.160 
,760 
,123 
539 
871 
820 
,606 
,23.", 
,612 
990 
,580 
828 
593 
790 
,265 
,470 
.190 
,740 
139 



State-s ani> 
Territories. 

Slnlts. 

Pennsylvania 

Rtiode Island. .. 
South Carolina... 

Tennessee 

Tex.is 

Vermont 

^'ir^,'iIlia 

West VirRlnla 

Wisconsin 

Total Slates 

Territories. 

Arizona 

Colorado 

Dakota 

Dlst. of Columbia. 

Idaho 

Montana 

New Mexico 

Utah 

WasliiiiRton 

Wyoming 

Totnl Trrritortet. 



Area In 
square 
Miles. 



46, 
1 
29, 
45, 
237, 
10. 
40. 
23, 
53, 



Population. 



3,521.791 
217.353 
705,606 

1,258.620 
818.579 
330,551 

1,225,163 
442,014 

1,054.670 



258,239 
925.145 



1.236.729 



1,950,171 



113,916 

104,500 

147,490 

60 

90.932 

143,776 

121,201 

80,056 

69,944 

93,107 



38,113,253 . 



965,032 



9, 
39, 
14, 
131, 
14, 
20, 
91. 
86, 
23, 

9. 



658!. 
864 ., 
181;., 
700 . 
999'. 
595i. 
874,. 
786 . 
955 . 
118 . 



S,11S 
136 

1.201 

1,530 
865 
675 

1,490 
485 

1.725 



59.587 



875 



498 



442,7301 ; 1.265 



Aggregateof U. S.. 2,91d,203'38,555.983i 160,85'. 

• Included in the Railroad Mileage of Maryland. 



PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD; 

]'OPULATION AND ArEA. 



COUNTIilKS. 



Populatloti. 



China 

British Kmpire 

Russia 

United States with Alaska... 

France 

Austria and Hungary 

Japan 

Great Britain and Ireland... 

German Empire 

Italy 

Spain 

Ilrazll 

Turkey 

Mexico 

Sweden and Norway 

Persia 

Belgium 

Bavaria , 

Portugal 

Holland 

>ew Grenada 

Chili 

Switzerland 

Peru 

Bolivia 

Argetitine Kepubllc 

Wurteinljurg 

Denmark 

Venezuela 

Baden 

Greece 

Guatemala 

Ecuador 

Paraguay 

Hesse 

Liberia 

San Salvador 

Haytl 

Nicaragua 

Uruguay 

Honduras 

San I>onilngo 

Costa Rica 

Hawaii 



446, 

226. 

81, 

38. 

36, 

35, 

34, 

31. 

29, 

27, 

16, 

10, 

16, 

9, 

5, 

6, 

5, 

4, 

3, 

3, 

3, 

2, 

2, 

2, 

2, 

1 

1 

1 

I, 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1, 



500,000 
817,108 
925,4'10 
925.600 
469 800 
904,400 
785.300 
817,100 
906,093 
439,921 
642,000 
000,000 
463.000 
173.000 
921.500 
000,000 
021.300 
861,400 
995,200 
688.300 
000.000 
000.000 
669.100 
500.000 
,000,000 
,812,000 
,818,500 
,784.700 
.500,000 
,461,400 
,457,900 
,180,000 
300,000 
000.000 
823,138 
718,000 
600,000 
572,000 
350,000 
300.000 
350.000 
136,000 
165,000 
62.9.50 



Date of 
Census. 



1871 
18T1 
1871 
1870 
1866 
1869 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1867 



1869 
1870 
1870 
1869 
1871 
1868 
1870 
1870 
1869 
1870 
1871 

1869 
1871 
1870 

'1871 
1870 
1871 



1871 
1871 

'isVi 

1871 
1871 



Area in 
Square 

Miles. 



3,741,846 

4,677,432 

8,003,778 

2.603,884 

204,091 

240.348 

149,399 

131,315 

160,207 

118,847 

195 775 

3,253,029 

673,621 

761,526 

292,871 

635.964 

11.373 

29,292 

34.494 

12.680 

357.157 

132.616 

15.992 

471.838 

497,321 

871.848 

7,533 

14,753 

368.238 

5.912 

19,353 

40.879 

218,838 

63,787 

2,969 

9,576 

7.335 

10,205 

58.171 

66,722 

47,093 

17,827 

21.505 

7.633 



Inhabitants 

to Square 

Mile. 



119.3 

486 

10.2 

7.78 

178.7 

149.4 

232.8 

262.3 

187. 

230.9 

85. 

3.07 
24.4 



20. 
7.8 
441.5 
165.9 
115.8 
290.9 
8.4 
15.1 
166.9 
5.3 
4. 
2.1 
241.4 
120.9 
4,2 
247. 
75.3 
28.9 
5.9 
15.6 
277. 
74.9 
81.8 
56. 
6. 
6.5 
7.4 
7.6 
7.7 
80. 



Pekln 

London 

St. Petersburg.. 

Washington 

Paris 

Vienna 

Yeddo 

London 

Berlin 

Rome 

Madrid 

Rio Janeiro 

ConstantinoiJle . 

Mexico 

Stockholm 

Teheran 

Brussels..." 

Munich 

Lisbon 

Hague 

Bogota 

.Santiago 

Berne 

Lima 

chuquisaca. .. . 
Buenos Ayres. . 

Stuttgart 

Copenhagen 

I'uraccas 

Carisruhe 

Athens 

Guatemala 

Quito 

Asuncion 

Darmstadt 

(Monrovia 

Sal Salvador 

Port au Prince 

Managua 

Monte V.deo... 

Comayagua 

San Domingo... 

Sin Jose 

Honolulu 



Population. 



,648,800 

,351,800 

667,000 

109,199 

,835.300 

833,900 

.554.900 

,351,800 

885.400 

244,464 

332,000 

420,000 

,075,000 

210,300 

136.900 

120,000 

314,100 

169.500 

224.063 

90,100 

45,000 

115.400 

36.001) 

160,100 

25,000 

177,800 

91,600 

162,043 

47,000 

36,600 

43,400 

40,00(1 

70.000 

48.000 

30.0011 

3.0011 

15.000 

20.000 

10.000 

44.500 

12.000 

20.000 

2,000 

7,683 




■ti,^\ "■''* 





^_ 



(DECEA SE D) 

PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



CHAPTEE I. 

Geological ±'ormations of Coltjmbia County — Geological Formations of the Several 
Towns— Rivers in Columbia County— WATERsiiEDS-ALXixunES. 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 

The geological formations of Columbia County are the Huronian quartzite and quartz- 
porphyry; the Potsdam sandstone; the Mendota limestone and Madison sandstone (beds of 
passage between the Potsdam and Lower Magnesian) ; the Lower Magnesian limestone ; the 
St. Peters sandstone; the Trenton limestone; the Glacial drift, and the recent alluvial deposits. 
The Huronian appears in the quartzite ridges of the town of Caledonia, which, uniting at tlieir 
eastern extremities form a bold point around which the Wisconsin is forced to find its way in a 
wide bow. The Huronian also rises to the surfiice on Section 7, of the town of Marcellon, 
where are low knobs of quartz-porphyry. The quartzite and quartz-porphyry have a tliickness 
measured by thousands of feet, are folded and tilted, and have all the more recent formations 
placed upon them unconformably. The Potsdam sandstone, eight hundred to one thousand 
feet thick, underlies the whole of the county, except where the Huronian appears, coming 
to the surface over all the lower levels along the Wisconsin and its tributaries, besides forming 
considerable portions of the slopes of the outliers and higher lands. All about the Caledonia 
quartzite ranges, it rises to very considerable altitudes, apparently rising here into the horizon 
of some of the newer formations. Farther north again, it occupies all levels, having attained 
now a much increased altitude by virtue of its general northern rise. The Mendota and Madi- 
son beds, sixty to eighty feet thick, occupy parts of the slope, or else cap the summits, of 
many of the outliers, flanking the great limestone escarpment which runs diagonally across the 
county from Scott, in the northeast, to West Point, in the southeast. These layers also form 
the surface rock along the western slope of the limestone edge just westward, occasionally, as 
in Lowville and Springvale, coming to the surface over a belt of country several miles in width. 
Even east of the limestone escarpment, a considerable area in the adjoining portions of Otsego 
and Fountain Prairie is eroded down to the level of the Madison sandstone. The Lower 
Magnesian, with a thickness of from fifty to one hundred and forty feet, caps many of the outlying 
bluffs east of the Wisconsin, and is the surface rock over most of the county east of the limestone 
escarpment. It is overlaid, however, by the St. Peters' sandstone (thickness fifteen to one 
hundred and twenty-five feet), and the Trenton limestone (thickness in Columbia County proba- 
bly never more than thirty feet), in southeastern Hampden, southern Columbus, eastern Fountain 
Prairie, northeastern Courtland and eastern Randolph. The St. Peters sandstone alone, occurs 
also in several patches in southeastern Arlington, lying upon the irregular upper surface of the 
Lower Magnesian. It also, with the great thickness of one hundred and twenty-five feet, forms 
the face of Gibraltar Bluff, in the town of West Point. The Glacial drift spreads all over 
Columbia County, reaching a morainic development in the towns of West Point and Newport. 



310 iriSTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS. 

Randolph {Township 13 7iorth, Range L? east). — The Potsdam sandstone comes to the 
surface along the bottom of a deep ravine in the southeast corner of this town. Through this 
ravine, the bottom of which has an altitude above Lake Michigan of only 240 feet, flow the 
headwaters of Duck Creek. On its walls, the Mendota and Madison beds are seen in several 
quarries. The Lower Magnesian limestone underlies the western and northern parts of the 
town, and comes to the surface, also, in the low area along the east line in Sections 13, 24, 2.5 
and 36. The principal exposure noticed is at P. Schleissmann's quarry, on the west line of the 
southwest quarter of Section 6. Here a ten-foot quarry-face shows below, in thin and very 
regular layers, a close-textured, buiF-colored, nearly pure dolomite, which weathers with a 
smooth, yellowish surface, is marked finely with dendritic manganese oxide, and is coated, in 
places, with white stalactitic lime carbonate ; and at the top. a heavy layer of concretionary, 
dark-colored dolomite. On the hill above, are exposures of the ordinary rough-textured Lower 
Magnesian, near the base of which formation the quarry layers appear to lie. The Lower 
Magnesian is to be seen, also, near the middle of the south line of Section 6 ; on a small open- 
ing on B. Evans' land, southeast quarter of Section 17 ; on the hill above the Madison and 
Mendota quarry, in Section 31 ; on T. Sanderson's land, near the east line of Section 32 ; at 
the head of Duck Creek, near the center of Section 28 ; on A. Wolsleyel's land, southeast 
quarter of Section 9 ; on the east side of the marsh, southeast quarter of Section 1 ; in the 
road on south side of Section 13 ; at the creek-crossing, on the south line of Section 24, and at 
the grist-mill, in the southeast quarter of Section 36. 

The Trenton limestone, with the underlying St. Peters sandstone, covers most of the mid- 
dle and western sections of the town, in one continuous area, and occurs, also, in small, isolated 
areas in Sections 15, 11, 2 and 1. Eight feet of the lower layers of the Trenton are exposed 
in a small quarry at the top of the 'hill on the north side of the marsh in Section 2; the lower 
layers thick and regular, the upper ones shaly. Two feet below the base of the quarry is the 
junction with the St. Peters, seventy-five feet above the marsh, beneath which the Lower Mag- 
nesian lies, at shallow depths. Another quarry in the lower layers of the Trenton, on 
the south side of the same marsh, northeast quarter of Section 11, shows ten feet of thin 
and regularly bedded buff limestone, underlaid by ferruginous sand, the junction sharply defined. 
Other exposures of Trenton were noticed at several points on the road running north through 
Section 12, at D. R. Jones' quarry, in the northeast quarter of Section 13, where the junc- 
tion with the St. Peters is again seen ; on the northwest quarter of Section 2.5, in a quarry 
on H. Hutchinson's land, northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 26, where 
the junction of the blue and buff beds is seen ; and in a quarry on R. Arms' land, near 
the center of Section 15. At the latter place, the St. Peters and Lower Magnesian are also 
exposed, the former nearly loose sand, and having a thickness of not over fifteen feet. The 
same small thickness was observed again on Sections 36 and 25, where the Lower Magnesian at 
the grist-mill is only twenty feet below the Trenton, one-half mile south. 

Courtland {Township 1 .', Range 13 east). — The Potsdam sandstone is at the surface only 
along the bottom of the ravines on Sections 5 and 6. It is seen in small exposures below the 
mill-dam at Cambria. The Mendota and Madison beds constitute the tongue of high land lying 
between the branches of Duck Creek, and on which the village of Cambria is built, and are the 
surface formations over a considerable area in the northern parts of Sections 4 and 5. Reddish 
shaly Mendota is exposed in a railway cutting on the northwest quarter of Section 5. The 
Lower Magnesian' is the surface rock over the larger part of the town, though, for the most part, 
covered by drift. It may be seen at the head of the ravine on the southeast quarter of Section 
.5, on the roadside on the northeast quarter of Section 34, and on a high point on the prairie in 
the northwest quarter of Section 20. The Trenton and St. Peters occupy an area in the north- 
eastern sections continuous with that of middle and eastern Randolph. The Trenton is quar- 
ried on R. Davies' land, in the southeast quarter of Section 12. At Randolph, on Section 1, the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 311 

wells pass through twenty-eight feet of Trenton limestone and twenty feet of St. Peters sand- 
stone into the lower magnesian. The eastward slant of the strata begins in this town to 
increase rapidly eastward. 

Fountain Prairie {Township 11, Range 12 east). — The Madison sand-beds come to the 
sui-face along the valley of the Crawfish, in Sections 17 and 18, where tliey give rise to a very 
sandy soil. The Lower Magnesian is the surface formation for nearly all the town, though not 
frequently exposed. It is little exposed on the northwest quarter of Section 32 ; on the south- 
west quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 29 ; in the railway cutting near Fall River 
Depot, where it is a white crystalline-textured rock, with numerous cavities ; on the southwest 
quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 32, and at other points. A narrow northeast and 
Southwest ridge, composed of St. Peters and Trenton, extends into the town in Sections 1 3 
and 24. 

Columbus (Township 10, Range 13 east). — The lower levels are occupied by the Lower 
Magnesian limestone, which may be seen exposed in a small quarry on the southeast quarter of 
Section 3, with a thickness of six feet of a reddish, concretionary and cherty rock ; on the 
west side of Section 9 ; on the southwest quarter of Section 24, and again on the east side of 
the stream in the east half of Section 26. The Trenton and St. Peter's formations occupy 
higher ground in the south and southwest, projecting northeastward in long narrow points. At 
Luey's place, on thanortheast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 20, the quarry face 
shows the following : (1) soil and drift, one foot ; (2) blue shaly limestone, containing brachi- 
opods, orthoceratite casts, G-yroceras and Raphistoma, five feet; third, bluff limestone in heavy 
regular layers, ten feet. The St. Peters sandstone is found in Mr. Luey's well, thirty feet 
below the base of the quarry and forty feet below. The Trenton shows also in the road near 
the center of Section 19, and near the center of Section 20. A.t Vosburg's quarr.y, on the 
south side of the stream, in Section 29, the buff limestone only is exposed, the layers being 
regular, three to ten inches in thickness, and showing a few of the ordinary braehiopods and 
orthoceratite casts. Large slabs, four feet by three feet eight inches, are easily obtained. 
Below the quarry, the junction with the St. Peters is seen. Boldt's quarry, near the cen- 
ter of Section 22, is on nearly the same horizon as Luey's, on Section 20, showing six feet of 
the blue and seven feet of the buff beds. The junction of the two is thirty feet below the 
same junction at Lucy's, proving an eastward descent of fifteen feet per mile. Miller's quarry, 
on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 26, is at the top of the steep 
southern bank of a small stream. It shows only five feet of thin-bedded buff" limestone, which 
is burned for lime. In the bank below, and running down to the stream, the St. Peters is seen 
with a thickness of twenty feet. Half a mile down the stream, the Lower Magnesian is exposed 
at an elevation of only twenty-five feet below the top of the St. Peters at Miller's. The buff beds 
are exposed again in a small quarry on the east side of Section 36, at a short distance from 
which place the St. Peters is found in wells. The base of the Trenton, thus indicated, 
has descended from its elevation at Luey's quai-ry, in a distance of four and three-fourths miles, 
and a direction E., 25°; S., 6.5 feet, or 13.6 feet per mile. From Miller's quarry, two 
miles in the same direction, the descent is 35 feet, or 17i feet per mile. These figures agree 
with the generally observed fact of an increase in the amount of an eastern dip as we pass east- 
ward. 

Hampden [Township 10, Range 11 east). — Except in the southeast, where the Trenton 
and St. Peters occur, the Lower Magnesian appears to be everywhere the surface rock, but it 
is not frequently exposed. Small exposures may be seen on the southwest quarter of Section 
11 ; near the northwest corner of Section 33, and on the southwest quarter of Section 33. 

Otsego {Totvnship 11, Range 11 east). — A large area in the central sections of the town- 
ship, is eroded down to the horizon of the Madison sandstone, and presents a loose, sandy soil. 
This sandstone, coarse, brown and friable, is exposed on the roadside just north of the center 
of the east line of Section 11, and again on the road ascending the hill on the east line of 
Section 23, where it is overlaid by twenty feet of roughly weathered, concretionary Lower 



312 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNT\ . 

Magnesian. In the railroad-cutting, just northwest of Rio, both Madison and Mendota beds 
are to be seen. 

Springvale {Township 12, Range 11 east). — The Potsdam sandstone is the surface forma- 
tion along the stream valleys. The Mendota and Madison beds reach the surface on the flanks 
of the higher land, and form the whole of one large, elevated area in Sections 21 and 22. 
Coarse, friable, brown-stained Madison sandstone is seen in a large, flat exposure at the center 
of the west half of Section 6, and again near the center of the south line of Section 15. The 
Lower Magnesian occupies all the higher levels. It is exposed on the north half of Section 16, 
at the center of the south half of Section 15, and at a few other points. 

Scott {Township 13, Raiige 11, east). — The Potsdam sandstone immediately underlies all 
the lower parts of the town, but is infrequently exposed. It shows on the north of the north- 
east quarter of Section 6, fine-grained, friable, noncalcareous, light colored, and in horizon 
about seventy feet below the Mendota base. The Mendota and Madison beds reach the surface 
in belts along the flanks of the higher ground. Reddish, shaly Mendota shows on the side of 
the ravine, on the south line of the southwest quarter of Section 34, and brown, friable, non- 
calcareous Madison at the southeast corner of Section 31. The Lower Magnesian caps all the 
high land, and may be seen in a small quarry on the southeast quarter of Section 34, and on 
the southeast quarter of Section 27, and several small outcrops on the west line of Section 31. 

Marcellon {Township 13, Range 10 east). — The Potsdam sandstone is exposed quite fre- 
quently in the southwestern sections, where it is generally friable, fine grained, light to dark 
brown in color, and upward of a hundred feet below the Mendota base. 

Wyocena {Township 13, Range 10 east). — The Potsdam sandstone is everywhere the 
surface-rock, and is not often exposed, more commonly in the southern than in the northern 
portions. For the most part, it is eroded below the calcareous portions of the formation. 

LowviUe {Township 11, Range 10 east). — The eastern and southeastern sections of this 
town are underlaid by the Lower Magnesian limestone. Further northwest, the surface forma- 
tions are the Madison and Mendota beds, except on a few isolated outliers. The northern and 
northwestern sections have the Potsdam sandstone as the surface-rock, but including several 
very prominent limestone-capped outliers. In these sections are the ravines in which heads 
Rocky Run. In Sections 31 and 32, is a low area, about the headwaters of Okee Creek, with 
a basement of Potsdam sandstone, but including a large and prominent limestone outlier. 

The Potsdam sandstone, friable, light colored, non-calcareous, is seen in the ravine near 
the northwest corner of Section 9. The Mendota beds are passed through in a well on S. W. 
Delaney's land, southwest quarter of Section 20, with a thickness of twenty feet of hard, yel' 
lowish, fine-grained, argillaceous limestone. On the hill one-fourth of a mile south of here, are 
exposures of fine-grained, friable, brown, non-calcareous Madison sandstone, composed of sub- 
angular glassy quartz grains. The same rock is seen quite largely exposed on the road in the 
northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 28 ; also near the middle of Section 31, 
and near the northwest quarter of Section 13. The Lower Magnesian may be seen in rough- 
weathered exposures on the hill near the southwest corner of Section 1 ; in a large ledge on the 
top of the blufl' in Section 3 ; on the bluff" in the southeast quarter of Section 9 ; on the west 
line of the northwest quarter of Section 13 ; on the hill on the south line of the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 23 ; on top of the bluff near the middle of Section 31, and at H. M. Delaney's 
quarry, on the northeast quarter of Section 28. This quarry lies on the south side of an 
isolated hill of Lower Magnesian. It shows a face of five feet of very regularly bedded, yel- 
lowish, fine-textured limestone, which is more nearly alike in character to the limstone of the 
Mendota beds than to that of the Lower Magnesian, as ordinarily seen. The layers are one to 
two inches in thickness, and flat slabs of large size are obtainable. The surface of the layers 
shows fucoidal and fine black dendritic markings. Below the quarry is a large exposure of the 
ordinary rough-weathered lower magnesian, whose base is on a level with the tops of the 
Madison sandstone exposures a few rods west, the whole thickness of limestone uncovered being 
fifteen feet. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 313 

Leeds and Arlington {Township 10, Range 10 east, and Township 10, Range 9 east). — 
In these towns, the Potsdam sandstone comes to the surface in the lower ground in northern 
Arlington and northwestern Leeds. Large ledges of it rise on the south side of a small creek 
in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 3, Arlington, a short distance south 
of the village of Poynette. Here are exposed iifteen feet of white, heavily bedded, friable, non- 
calcareous sandstone, with some thin green-sand layers, the base of the ledge being fifty to 
sixty feet below the base of the Mendota horizon. Similar but higher ledges occur along the 
creek in Pine Hollow, in the adjoining parts of Sections 3 and 4. At this place are exposed 
thirty feet of very friable, white-and-yellow-banded sandstone, heavily bedded below, thinner 
above, the base of the exposures being almost eighty feet below the Mendota base. Along the 
slopes up to the high ground, the Madison and Mendota beds are at the surface. The former 
rock is quarried near the southeast corner of Section 2, yielding a coarse-grained, white, 
regularly bedded sandstone. The Lower Magnesian is the surface rock of nearly the whole of 
the two townships, and must reach a thickness in the higher parts of at least 120 feet. 
Rose's well, southeast corner of Section 20, Arlington, is ninety-eight feet in limestone. In 
Arlington, the Lower Magnesian is exposed above the sandstone quarry on Section 2 ; on the 
east line of Section 10 ; at a high point on the south line of the southwest quarter of Section 
1-i; at a similar point on the south line of the southeast quarter of Section 21, where it holds 
an unusual amount of cherty material ; in several small outcrops on Section 29 ; in a small 
quarry on the south line of Section 31, and in the south part of Section 6. In Leeds, the 
exposures are not frequent. The St. Peters sandstone remains on top of the Arlington prairie, 
in five isolated knobs, the highest seventy-five to one hundred feet in height. Three of these 
are close together, on each side of the line between Sections 28 and 29. The bluffs on 
Spoonam's land, northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 29, shows large outcrops, 
in a disturbed condition, of fine-grained, friable, white and brown mottled sandstone, composed 
of glassy quartz grains, the larger ones of which ai-e rolled, the smaller ones angular. Most of 
the rock has a very hard vitrified crust, one-fourth to one-half inch in thickness, in which 
the quartz grains appear to possess distinct crystalline surfaces. No trace of calcareous matter 
is present. Fine lamination and cross-lamination are plainly perceptible. The smaller knob 
on Mrs. A. D. Forbes' land has, on the south side, a vertical cliff, eighty feet in height, of sim- 
ilar but of distinctly horizontal and undisturbed sandstone. In the southwest quarter of the 
southwest quarter of Section 27, and extending into Section 28, and again in the north half of 
Section 34, are other similar bluffs. At the west end of the first named, the ledges are large, 
rising abruptly from the prairie level, the rock being much disturbed, and in all other respects 
like that on Spoonam's land, on Section 29. Near the southwest corner of Section 27, the 
sandstone is thin-bedded, incoherent and disturbed. At the east end of the bluff, which is about 
half a mile in length, there is a vertical cliff of entirely horizontal rock. On the prairie around 
these sandstone mounds, exposures of the Lower Magnesian limestone are seen at several points 
whose elevation is greater than that of the sandstone ledges ; whilst at two points on the south 
line of Section 21, and in the north part of Section 29, the limestone rises as high as the tops 
of the St. Peters. The irregular nature of the upper surface of the Lower Magnesian is thus 
distinctly proven. 

Dekorra {including Township 11, Range 9 east, and the triangular half of Township 11, 
Range 8 east, which borders the Wisconsin River), lies almost wholly within the area of the 
Potsdam sandstone, whose proximity to the surface is evinced by the prevalent sandy soil. The 
surface is generally wooded with the ordinary small oaks, showing only one small patch of 
prairie in the southeast corner of Township 11, Range 8 east. Along Okee Creek, in the 
southern part, and along Rocky Run, in the northern part, are marsh belts about a mile in 
width. Near the Wisconsin River, the altitude is generally 190 to 200 feet; away from it, 
2-50 to 300 feet. The higher limestone country skirts Dekorra along its southern and western 
sides, sending into it a few projecting points. A number of isolated bluffs also dot the surface 
of Dekorra, rising 100 to 200 feet above the general level, the higher ones reaching the horizon 



314 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 

of the Lower Magnesian. The Lodi and Portage road crosses in Section 20, Township 11,^ 
Range 9 east, a high bluff, in a deep cut, which exposes about thirty feet of the calcareous lay- 
ers which immediately underlie the Mendota beds. 

Pacific (includinff that part of Township 12, Raiufe 9 east, ivhich lies east of the Wis- 
consin River). — The Potsdam sandstone is the only indurated formation and is unfrequently 
exposed. 

Fort Winnebago ( Township IS, Range 9 east). — The Potsdam sandstone is the only indurated 
formation, and the soil is generally loose and sandy. At T. Coughlin's quarry, northeast quar- 
ter of the southwest quarter of Section 20, are exposed ten feet of heavily bedded, fine-grained, 
white, porous, friable sandstone, which is composed of glassy subangular quartz grains, and is 
blotched with ferruginous spots. Rows of little brown-stained pores mark the laminations very 
plainly. Large fucoidal impressions occur. Large regular-shaped blocks are obtained. The 
isolated bluff on the adjoining parts of Sections 25 and 36 shows numerous small exposures of , 
white crumbling non-calcareous sandstone for a thickness of about ninety feet. 

Lewiston and Newport {Toivnship 13, Range 7 east, and portions of Township 12, Range 
8 east and Township 13, Range 6 east), are like the town of Fort Winnebago, in being 
entirely within the Potsdam sandstone area. 

Lodi and West Point {Township 10, Range S east, and that part of Township 10, Range 
7 east, which is south of the Wisconsin). — The Potsdam sandstone underlies all the lower levels, 
and forms the lower portions of the bluffs, which above includes the Mendota and Madison 
beds, the Lower Magnesian limestone, and in one case the whole thickness of the St. Peters 
sandstone. Rock exposures are very frequent along the bluff sides. 

Near the southeast corner of Section 27, Lodi, Township 10, Range 8 east, the road 
ascending the bluff is cut into the Madison sandstone, of which twenty-five feet in thickness 
is exposed. The uppermost layers are light-brownish, medium grained, friable and calcareous, 
the rolled quartz grains having mingled with their fragments of cleavable calcite. The rest of 
the exposure shows the usual dark brown, friable, non-calcareous sandstone. Above is sixty 
feet of Lower Magnesian limestone in small weather-roughened exposures, and below a small 
outcropping of the Mendota beds. The Lower Magnesian, Mendota and upper calcareous layers 
of the Potsdam are exposed again on the south side of the bluff in the southeast quarter of 
Section 12 ; and again, on the south face of the blufi" on the northeast quarter of Section 21, 
both in Township 10, Range 8 east. The Lower Magnesian limestone is also exposed in quar- 
ries in the southwest quarter of Section 7 ; the southeast quarter of Section 20 ; the southwest 
quarter of Section 20 ; the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 32 ; near the 
middle of the north half of Section 34, where the Madison sandstone shows well in a cave 
below the quarry, and near the center of the north line of Section 31 ; all in Township 10, 
Range 8 east; also near the center of the north line of Section 13, in the southwest quarter of 
Section 24; the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 26, the north half Sec- 
tion 31, and in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 36, all in Township 
10, Range 7 east. These quarries are generally at the top of the bluff faces, where the rock 
is often to some extent naturally exposed. The Mendota is quarried on the hillside just west 
of the depot at Lodi, where it presents the typical yellow color and reddish stains, and is over- 
laid at the top of the hill by white incoherent Madison sandstone. Another and much larger 
Mendota quarry is on the south side of the blufi" in the south half of Section 18, Township 
10, Range 8 east. There are some ten feet of very regularly bedded, yellow sandy lime- 
stone, the layers below heavy, above thin and shaly, with fine large specimens of Dicello^ 
cephalus Minnesotvnsis. 

Gibraltar Blufi" is the name given to the bold cliff of St. Peters sandstone, which sur- 
mounts the western end of a large outlying area of limestone-capped bluffs in Sections 17 
and 18, Township 10, Range 8 east. The area over which the sandstone is present is proba- 
bly not more than forty rods in diameter, but the top of the bluff reaches an elevation of about 
six hundred and thirty feet above Lake Michigan, or upwards of four hundred and fifty feet 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 315 

above the adjacent river, so that it constitutes one of the most striking points in the scenery of 
this part of the valley of the Wisconsin, rising far above all the immediate surrounding country. 
The eastern face of the bluff is precipitous in its upper portion for over a hundred feet. 
At the top of the cliff is a wooded summit, composed in part of glacial drift, but showing in 
one place a few broken layers of limestone, which are in the proper place and have the proper 
character for the buff or lower Trenton limestone. The cliff itself is made up of fine-grained, 
light-colored to nearly white, friable sandstone, which is composed of angular and subangular 
quartz grains, and possesses a hard, vitrified crust. In the uppermost part of the cliff, the hori- 
zontal bedding is distinct — the layers being quite thin ; below, however, it is not plainly percep- 
tible ; whilst the whole has n sort of a vertically columnar appearance due to jointing. On the 
upper part of the long, wooded slope below are numerous very large sandstone masses, evidently 
fallen from the cliff. At the lower edge of this slope, the Mendota limestone is partly exposed ; 
and below it, the upper layers of the Pottsdam with intercalated calcareous bands. To the right 
and left of the line of section, lower, non-calcareous sandstone layers are exposed, in low cliffs, 
rising from the edge of a marsh. At a point on top of the hill, only a few rods from the sand- 
stone cliff, but at an elevation of forty-eight feet above its base, is an outcrop of much disturbed 
Lower Magnesian limestone. 

Numerous points on the surrounding bluffs also show limestone at elevations above the base 
of the sandstone of the Gibraltar cliff, proving the existence of a very irregular upper surface 
to the Lower Magnesian. 

Caledonia. — This large township is the most interesting, geologically, of any in the county. 
Extending east and west through the central part are the two bold quartzite ridges known as 
the Baraboo Bluffs. In the eastern part of the township, these two ranges unite, forming a bold 
point, around which the Wisconsin River is forced to flow. The spoon-shaped space between 
the two uniting ranges is filled up by the Potsdam sandstone to a high level. The same forma- 
tion shows in numerous remnants clinging to the outer flanks of both quartzite ranges, and the 
surface rocks over all of r.he rest of the town, except on the tops of the highest bluffs of the 
southern portions, where Madison, Mendota and Lower Magnesian beds all present themselves. 
Very fine and striking sections, showing the unconformity of the Potsdam sandstone and con- 
glomerate to the Huronian quartzite, are to be seen at Derevan's Glen, on the north side of 
Section 18, Township 11 north, Range 8 east, and at Jones' Glen, on Section 22, Township 12 
north. Range 8 east, both of which places are very interesting, also, from a scenic point of view. 

RIVERS IX COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Central Wisconsin may be said to include portions of four distinct drainage systems — those 
of the Wisconsin, Black and Rock Rivers, flowing southward and westward to the Mississippi, 
and that of the Fox River, of Green Bay, flowing northward and eastward to Lake Michigan, 
and is thus tributary to the St. Lawrence. The direction and areas of these river systems are 
more or less directly influenced by the rock structure of the State. Extending into Wisconsin 
from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and forming the central nucleus of the northern half of 
Wisconsin, is a great mass of ancient crystalline rocks, which is bordered on all sides by newer 
and undisturbed formations, whose outcropping edges, on the south, east and west, succeed one 
another in concentric bands. The central crystalline mass, probably for the most part never 
covered by later formations, includes the highest land in the State. It has a general slope to 
the southward, reaching its greatest elevation — 1,100 feet above Lakes Michigan and Superior — 
along its northern edge, within thirty miles of the latter lake. The waters which fall upon it 
are shed in four different directions — to the north, into Lake Superior ; ro the southeast, into 
Lake Michigan ; to the south, into the Wisconsin, which ultimately reaches the Mississippi, 
and to the southwest, directly into the last mentioned river. 

Wisconsin River. — This stream is much the most important of those which drain the ele- 
vated lands of the State. Its total length from its source to its mouth is about four hundred 
and fifty miles. It forms, with its valley, the main topographical feature of Central Wisconsin. 



316 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Rising in Lac Vieux Desert, on the summit of the Archsean watershed, at an elevation of 951 
feet above Lake Michigan, it ])ursucs a general southerly course for 300 miles over the crystal- 
line rocks, and then, passing on to the sandstones which form its bed for the remainder of its 
course, continues to the southward some eighty miles more. Turning then westward, it reaches 
the Mississippi within forty miles of the south line of the State, at an elevation of only thirty feet 
above Lake Michigan, so that its fall from Lac Vieux Desert is 921 feet, an average of a frac- 
tion over two feet to the mile. Like all the other streams which run to the south, southeast and 
southwest from the crystalline rocks, it has its quite distinct upper or crystalline rock portion, 
and its lower or sandstone portion. This river, however, may be regarded as having three dis- 
tinct sections — the first including all that part from the source to the last appearance of crystal- 
line rocks in the bed of the stream, in the southern part of Wood County ; the second, that 
part from this point to the Dalles, on the south line of Adams and Juneau Counties, and the 
third, that portion from the Dalles to the mouth of the stream. The first of these divisions is 
broken constantly by rapids and falls, caused by the descent south of the surface of the 
Archa-an area, and by the obstructions produced by the inclined ledges of rock which cross the 
stream. The second and third sections are alike in being almost entirely without rapids or 
falls, and in the nature of the bed rock, but are separated by the contracted gorge known as the 
Dalles, which, acting in some sort as a dam, prevents any considerable rise in the river below, 
the water above not infrequently rising as much as fifty feet in flood seasons, whilst below, the 
e.xtreme fluctuation does not e.xceed ten feet. 

The width of the river, where it enters Marathon County, is from three hundred to five 
hundred feet. It pursues a general southerly course through Townships 2'.i, 28, 27, 26, 2.5 and 
•24 north, of Range 7 east, and Townships 24 and 23 north, of Range 8 east, in the southern 
portion of Portage County. In this part of its course, the Wisconsin flows through a densely 
timbered country, and has, except where it makes rapids or passes through rock gorges, a narrow 
bottom land, which varies in width, is usually raised but a few feet above the water level, and is 
wider on one side than on the other. Above this bottom, terraces can often be made out, with 
surfaces in some cases one or two miles in width. Above, again, the country surface rises 
steadily to the dividing ridges on each side, never showing the bluft' edges so characteristic of 
the lower reaches of the river. Heavy rapids and falls are made at Wausau (Big Bull Falls), 
at Mosinee (Little Bull Falls), at Stevens Point, and on Section 8, in Township 23 north, of 
Range 8 east (Conant's Kapids). All but the last named of these are increased in height by 
artificial dams. Two miles below the foot of Conant's Rapids, just after receiving the Plover 
River on the east, the Wisconsin turns a right angle to the west, and enters upon the sparsely 
timbered sand plains through which it flows for 100 miles. At the bend, the river is quiet, with 
high banks of sand, and a few low outcrops of gneiss at the water's edge. From the bend the 
course is westward for about nine miles, then, after curving southward again, the long series of 
rapids soon begin, which, with intervening stretches of still water, extend about fifteen miles 
along the river to the last rajiid at Point Basse, in southern Wood County. 

East of the river line, between the city of Grand Rapids and Point Basse, the country rises 
gradually, reaching altitudes of one hundred feet above the river at points ten or fifteen miles 
distant. On the west, the surface is an almost level plain, descending gradually as the river is 
receded from. At Point Basse, the gneissic rocks disappear beneath the sandstones which for 
some miles have formed the upper portions of the river banks and now become, in turn, the 
bed-rock ; and the first division of the river's course ends. The main tributaries which it has 
received down to this point are, on the left bank, the Big Eau Claire, three miles below Wausau ; 
the Little Eau Claire, on the north side of Section 3, in Township 25 north, of Range 7 east, 
just south of the north line of Portage County ; and the Big Plover, on Section 9, in Township 
28 north, of Range 5 east, just at the foot of Conant's Rapids ; on the right bank, the Plaoota 
or Big Rib, about two miles below Wausau ; the Sheshe-ga-ma-isk, or Big Eau Pleine, on Sec- 
tion 19, in Township 26 north, of Range 7 east, in Marathon County ; and the Little Eau 
Pleine, on Section 9, in Township 25 north, of Range 7 east, in Portage County. All of these 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 317 

Streams are of considerable size and drain large areas. They all make much southing in their 
courses, so that their lengths are much greater than the actual distances from the sources to the 
Wisconsin at the nearest point ; and all of them have a very considerable descent, making 
many rapids aud falls over the tilted edges of schistose and gneissic rocks, even down to within 
short distances of their junctions with the main river. The streams on the west side head on 
the high country along the line of the Fourth Principal Meridian, about forty miles west of the 
Wisconsin, and at elevations of from two hundred to three hundred feet above their mouths ; 
those on the east head on the divide between the Wisconsin and Wolf, about twenty miles east, 
at elevations not very much less. Reaching back, as these streams do, into a country largely 
timbered with pine, and having so large a descent, they are of great value for logging and 
milling purposes. 

The second section of the Wisconsin River begins at Point Basse, with a width of from 
seven hundred to nine hundred feet. The next sixty miles of its course, to the head of the 
Dalles, is a southerly stretch, with a wide bow to the westward, through sand plains, here and 
there timbered with dwarf oaks and interspersed with marshes. These plains stretch away to 
the east and west for twenty miles from the river bottom, gradually rising in both directions. 
Scattered over them, at intervals of one to ten miles, are erosion peaks of sandstone, from fifty 
to three hundred feet in height, rising precipitously from the level ground. Some of these 
are near and on the bank of the river, which is also, in places, bordered by low, mural expos- 
ures of the same sandstone. The river itself is constantly obstructed by shifting sand-bars, 
resulting from the ancient disintegration of the sandstone, which, in the vicinity, everywhere 
forms the basement rock ; but its course is not interrupted by rock rapids. As it nears the 
northern line of Columbia County, the high ground that limits the sand plain on the west 
curving southeastward, finally reaches the edge of the stream, which, by its southeasterly 
course for the last twenty miles, has itself approached the high ground on the east. The two 
ridges thus closing in upon the river, have caused it to cut for itself the deep, narrow gorge 
known as the Dalles. 

In the second section of its course, the Wisconsin receives several important tributaries. 
Of those on the east, the principal ones are Duck Creek and Ten-Mile Creek, in the southern 
part of Wood County ; and the Little and Big Roche-a-Cris Creeks, both in Adams County. 
The two former head in a large marsh twenty-five miles east of and over one hundred feet above 
the main stream. The two latter head on the high, dividing ridge, on the west line of Wau- 
shara County, at elevations between one hundred and fifty and two hundred feet above their 
mouths. These streams do not pass through a timbered country, but have very valuable water- 
powers. Of those on the west, two are large and important — the Yellow and Lemonweir 
Rivers. Yellow River heads in Township 25 north, in the adjoining corners of Wood, Jackson 
and Clark Counties, and runs a general southerly course, nearly parallel to the Wisconsin for 
over seventy miles — the two gradually approaching one another and joining in Township 17 
north of Range 4 east. The Yellow River has its Archtean and sandstone sections — the former 
exceedingly rocky and much broken by rapids and falls, the latter comparatively sluggish and 
without rock rapids. The upper portions of the river extend into the pine regions, and much 
logging is done in times of high water. The water-powers are of great value. The Lemonweir 
is also a large stream. Heading in a timbered region in the southeast corner of Jackson 
County, it flows southward for some distance through Monroe and entering Juneau on the mid- 
dle of its west side, crosses it in a southeasterly direction, reaching the Wisconsin in Section 
24, in Township 15 north, of Range 5 east, having descended in its length of some seventy 
miles about two hundred feet. 

The Wisconsin enters the gorge already spoken of as the Dalles not far above the southern 
boundary line of Juneau and Adams Counties. This well-known passage, of about seven and one- 
half miles, is hereafter described. At its foot, between the counties of Sauk and Columbia, the 
Wisconsin enters upon the last section of its course, and also upon the most remarkable bend in 
its whole length. Through the Dalles, its general course is southward, but it now turns almost 



318 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

due east, in which direction it continues, with one or two subordinate turns southward for about 
seventeen miles, through low sand banks, as far as Portage. Here it bends abruptly south again, 
and, reaching its most eastern point not far below, soon swerves around into the final southwest- 
ward stretch to the Mississippi. The cause of this long detour to the east is siiiSciently evident. 
As the river leaves the Dalles, it finds lying directly athwart its course two bold quartzite 
ranges, which extend east and west through Sauk County for upwards of twenty miles, and, crossing 
into Columbia, finally unite about eight miles east of the county line in a sharp and bold, east- 
ward-projecting point, rising four hundred feet above the river-bottom. Above Portage, 
where the Wisconsin forms the southern boundary line of the town of Lewiston, the ground 
immediately north is lower than the water in the river — the heads of Neenah Creek, a tributary 
of the Fox, rising a short distance from its banks. In times of high water, the Wisconsin over- 
flows into these streams, and thus contributes to a totally different river system. At Portage, the 
Fox, after flowing south of west for twenty miles, approaches the Wisconsin, coming from the oppo- 
site direction. Where the two streams are nearest, they are less than two miles apart, and are 
separated by a low, sandy plain, the water in the Fox being five feet below that of the Wiscon- 
sin at ordinary stages. The greater part of this low ground is overflowed by the latter stream 
in times of high water, and to this is chiefly due the spring rise in the Fox River. 

After do'ubling the eastern end of the quartzite ranges, as already said, the Wisconsin turns 
again to the west, being forced to this by impinging on the north side of a high belt of limestone 
country, which, after trending southward across the eastern part of Columbia County, veers 
gradually to a westerly direction, lying to the south of the river, along the rest of its course. 
Soon after striking this limestone region, the river valley assumes an altogether new character, 
which it retains to its mouth, having now a nearly level, for the most part treeless, bottom, 
from three to six miles in width, ten to thirty feet in height, usually more on one side than on 
the other, and bounded on both sides by bold and often precipitous bluffs, one hundred to three 
hundred and fifty feet in height, of sandstone capped with limestone. Immediately along the 
water's edge is usually a narrow timbered strip, rising two to four feet above the river, which is 
overflowed. at high water. The line of bluffs along the north side of the valley is the northern 
edge of the high limestone belt just mentioned, which reaches its greatest elevation ten to fifteen 
miles south of this edge. In front of the main bluff'-face, especially in its eastern extension, are 
frequently to be seen bold and high isolated outliers of the limestone country. On the north 
bank, the bluffs are at first the edges of similar large outlying masses, but farther down they 
become more continuous, the river crossing over the northwestward-trending outcrop line of the 
Lower Magnesian limestone. 

In this last section of its course, the Wisconsin is much obstructed by bars of shifting 
sand, derived originally from the erosion of the great sandstone formation which underlies the 
whole region, and to whose existence the unusual amount of obstruction of this kind in the 
river is due. The altitude of the water surface of the Wisconsin at Lac Vieux Desert above 
Lake Michigan, is 951 feet ; at Wausau, above dam, 623 feet ; at Knowlton (high), 538 feet — 
(low), 523 feet ; at Stevens Point, 485 feet ; at Conant's Rapids, 468 feet ; at Grand Rapids, 
— railroad bridge, 420 feet; at Kilbourn City — railroad bridge, 233 feet; at Portage. 211 
feet ; at Merrimac, 182 feet ; at Sauk City, 165 feet ; at Spring Green bridge, 134 feet ; at 
Muscoda, 115 feet; at the mouth of the stream, 34 feet. The average velocity of the river 
below Portage is remarkably uniform, and is just about two miles per hour. The daily discharges 
of the river at Portage, in times of extreme low water, is about two hundred and fifty-nine 
million cubic feet. The average fall of the water surface of the river below Portage is one and 
one-half foot per mile. This rapid fall, were it not for the great amount of sand in the river- 
bed, would make the stream a series of pools and rock rapids. 

Rock River. — The Rock River, by its head streams, drains nearly all of eastern Columbia 
County territory. Its branches are everywhere divided from the tributaries of the Wisconsin 
by the high belt of limestone country, already described as running southwestward through the 
eastern part of the county, and then westward through the northern part of Dane County. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 319 

Fox River. — This stream heads in the northeastern part of Columbia County, and the 
adjoining portions of Green Lake County, on the west edge of the high limestone belt previously 
alluded to. Flowing at first southwest and then due west nearly parallel to the Duck Creek 
branch of the Wisconsin, it approaches the latter stream at Portage. When within less than 
two miles of the Wisconsin, separated from it and from Duck Creek by only a low, sandy plain, 
it turns abruptly northward, and with a sluggish current continues on this course for twelve 
miles to the head of Lake Buffalo, in the southern part of Marquette County. It has already 
been said that in the spring this portion of the Fox receives a large amount of water from the 
Wisconsin, much of which reaches it through a branch known as the Big Slough, or Neenah 
Creek, which, heading within a mile of the Wisconsin, in the town of Lewiston, reaches the 
Fox just south of the north line of Columbia County, in the town of Fort Winnebago. 

At the head of Lake Buifalo, the Fox begins a wide curve, which brings its direction 
finally around to due east. From the foot of the lake, the river for seven miles has an irregular, 
easterly course, with a somewhat rapid current, to the head of Lake Packawa. At the foot 
of the last-mentioned lake, there are wide marshes through which the river leaves on the north 
side, and, after making a long, narrow bend to the west, begins its northeast stretch to Lake 
Winnebago, keeping along the western edge of the northern extension of the same limestone 
ridge, so many times referred to. From Lake Packawa to Berlin, the river is wider and deeper, 
interrupted by but few sand-bars, and nins for a considerable portion of the distance between 
high banks. The distance from Portage to Berlin is seventy-thi-ee miles — the river falling a 
fraction over twenty-five feet. It is thought unnecessary in this connection to continue the 
description of this stream after it leaves Berlin. 

WATERSHEDS. 

The high limestone prairie belt, which separates the systems of the Rock and Wisconsin 
Rivers, crosses Green Lake County in a south-southwest direction, enters Columbia County on 
the north line of the towns of Scott and Randolph, crosses the county in a line gradually 
veering to the west, and, entering Dane County in the towns of Dane and Vienna, turns due west. 
On the west, this divide has an abrupt serrated face, which increases in boldness and height as 
followed southward and westward — the watershed itself reaching altitudes of 400 feet above 
the adjacent Wisconsin. The eastern slope on the other hand, is, in Columbia County, very 
gradual, owing to the general descent eastward of the strata. As the watershed turns westward, 
the direction of the dip changes gradually to the south, its amount at the same time becoming 
lessened. As a result, the slopes toward the Catfish Valley are again somewhat more abrupt, 
but never become like those on the Wisconsin side of the divide. The western and northern 
face of this divide forms the eastern and southern side of the Wisconsin Valley continuously from 
the mouth of the river to the most eastern point of its great bend in Columbia County. Farther 
north, however, the ridge continues its northeasterly trend, leaving the Wisconsin entirely, and 
becoming the eastern boundary of the valley of the Upper Fox River as far as Lake Winnebago. . 

The " Baraboo Bluffs " are two bold east and west ridges — the southern much the bolder 
and more continuous of the two — extending through Sauk and western Columbia County for 
twenty miles and lying within the great bend of the Wisconsin River. Their cores and summits, 
in some places their entire slopes, are composed of tilted beds of quartzite, metamorphic con- 
glomerate, and porphyry, whilst their flanks are for the most part made up of beds of horizontal 
sandstone, which, in lower places, sometimes surmounts and conceals the more ancient rocks. 

ARTESIAN WELLS. 

The great usefulness of artesian wells as a source of water uncontaminated by surface 
impurities, and the great success with which these wells have met in other parts of the State, 
will render a brief statement of the probabilities of success in the attempt to obtain flowing 
wells in Columbia County of some interest. In this respect the county divides itself at once 



320 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

into two portions. For that portion east of the meridian of Portage, the prospect of success is 
good, growing more and more nearly to a certainty as the attempt shall be made nearer and 
nearer to the east line of the county. At Portage, to judge from the boring at Kilbourn, in 
which the water reaches a level of about forty-nine feet above the Portage depot, there would 
probably be a flow above the top of the well, though this is not quite a certainty. At all events 
the expense attending the experiment would be but slight, since the boring would pass through 
soft rock, and if not successful at 500 feet, would not be so at all. East of the Wisconsin River 
within the limits of Columbia County, the probabilities are very strongly against success. 

ALTITUDES. 

The altitudes of several points in each of the towns in Columbia County have been deter- 
mined, and when hereafter mentioned are given in feet above Lake Michigan. By adding 589 
feet to the height of any particular point, the result will be the altitude above the ocean. 

Township 10 north, Range 7 east ( West Point). — Gibraltar Bluff, middle, east line, 
Section 13, 635 feet; marsh at foot of same, east half. Section 13, 230 feet ; cemetery, south- 
east quarter of southeast quarter, Section 14, 370 feet ; middle, south line, southeast quarter. 
Section 15, 270 feet; southwest corner. Section 14, 290 feet; middle, south line. Section 15, 
280 feet ; south line, southeast quarter. Section 16. 290 feet ; middle, south line, Section 16. 
280 feet ; bend in road, north line, northeast quarter, Section 20, 250 feet ; top of limestone 
bluff, northeast quarter. Section 20, 485 feet ; southeast corner, Section 21, 320 feet ; middle, 
south line, southeast quarter. Section 22, 280 feet ; middle, east line. Section 22, 325 feet ; 
middle, south line. Section 24, 420 feet ; center, southeast quarter. Section 25, 400 feet ; mid- 
dle, east half, Section 27, 270 feet ; center, southeast quarter. Section 27, 310 feet ; southeast 
corner, Section 27, 275 feet ; center, southwest quarter, Section 27, 310 feet ; middle, south 
line, southwest quarter, southwest. Section 27, 340 feet ; middle, east line. Section 28, 330 
feet ; southwest corner. Section 28, 290 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter. Section 
29, 280 feet ; road, southeast quarter. Section 31, 290 feet ; middle, west half, northeast quar- 
ter. Section 33, 370 feet ; cross-roads, north half. Section 36, 245 feet. 

Township 10 north, Range S east [Lodi and West Point, in j) art). — Bluff, top, southwest 
quarter. Section 7, 520 feet; road, corners, northwest quarter. Section 14, 330 feet ; middle, south 
line, southwest quarter. Section 14, 420 feet ; middle, north half. Section 14, 475 feet ; center, 
northwest quarter, Section 15, 340 feet; center, northwest quarter. Section 16, 315 feet; mid- 
dle, east line. Section 19, 310 feet ; middle, west half, Section 20, 250 feet ; one-eighth mile 
south of center. Section 20, 240 feet ; southwest corner. Section 20, 440 feet ; center, north- 
west quarter. Section 23, 360 feet ; middle, east line, northeast quarter. Section 23, 460 feet ; 
middle, south line, southwest quarter. Section 23, 340 feet; bluff-top, southeast quarter. Sec- 
tion 23, 560 feet ; bluff-top, northwest quarter. Section 24, 560 feet ; center. Section 26, 250 
feet ; center, southeast quarter. Section 27, 330 feet ; center, southwest quarter, Section 28, 
470 feet; middle, west line, southwest quarter. Section 28, 420 feet; middle, west line. Sec- 
tion 29, 360 feet ; bluff-top, middle, north half. Section 31, 475 feet ; middle, east line, Section 
31, 350 feet ; middle, east line. Section 32, 380 feet. 

Township 10 7iorth, Range 6' east [Arlington). — Creek crossing, northeast quarter. Sec- 
tion 1, 300 feet ; bluff-top, southeast corner. Section 2, 445 feet ; southwest corner, Section 2, 
380 feet ; center. Section 3, 305 feet ; creek crossing, southeast quarter. Section 3, 270 feet ; 
middle, south line, southwest quarter. Section 4, 375 feet ; southwest corner. Section 4, 355 
feet; southwest quarter. Section 5,370 feet; middle, west line, Section 5,340 feet; south 
line, southwest quarter. Section 7, 525 feet ; southeast corner. Section 7. 425 feet ; southeast 
corner. Section 8, 465 feet ; middle, east line. Section 8, 440 feet ; middle, east line. Section 
10, 520 feet ; southeast corner. Section 10, 480 feet ; middle, north line, northwest quarter. 
Section 13, 440 feet; middle, south line, southeast quarter. Section 13, 460 feet; Arlington 
Station, Section 13, 460 feet; southwest corner. Section 14, 470 feet; southwest corner. Sec- 
tion 15, 500 feet ; middle, south line. Section 16, 460 feet; southwest corner. Section 16, 440 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 321 

feet; southwest corner, Section 17, 490 feet; middle, west line, Section 17, 460 feet; center, 
Section 19, 540 feet ; southeast corner. Section 19, 460 feet ; knob, south line, southeast quar- 
ter, Section 21, 525 feet; middle, east line, southeast quarter. Section 21, 500 feet; bluff-top, 
southwest ([uarter. Section 27, 520 feet ; bluff-top, northwest quarter, Section 28, 525 feet ; 
bluff-top, west line, southwest quarter, Section 28, 520 feet ; middle, west line, Section 28, 
420 feet ; southwest corner, Section 29, 480 feet ; bluff-top, northeast quarter, Section 34, 
520 feet. 

Township 10 north, Range 12 eagt {Columbus). — Middle, south line Section 7, 300 feet; 
stream, south line, southeast quarter. Section 8, 275 feet ; middle, north line. Section 9, 310 
feet ; northeast corner, Section 9, 385 feet ; northeast corner, Section 16, 285 feet ; northwest 
corner. Section 17, 295 feet ; middle, north line. Section 17, 285 feet ; west line, northeast 
quarter. Section 19, 365 feet ; middle, east line. Section 20, 325 feet ; northeast corner. Sec- 
tion 20, 305 feet; middle, east half. Section 21, 285 feet; stream crossing, northwest quarter, 
Section 28, 300 feet ; middle, north half, Section 32, 395 feet ; middle, east half, Section 33, 
395 feet. 

Township 11 north. Range 8 east (Dekorra). — Middle, east half, Section 23, 240 feet ; 
middle, east line, Section 23, 240 feet. 

Township 11 north, Range 9 east (Dekorra). — Middle, west line, southwest quarter. Sec- 
tion 11, 280 feet; cross-roads, west half. Section 11, 335 feet; middle, west line. Section 17, 
340 feet; southwest corner. Section 17, 370 feet; southwest corner. Section 20, 220 feet; 
middle, south line, southeast quarter. Section 16, 380 feet ; cemetery, west half, Section 23, 
310 feet ; middle, west half. Section 28, 320 feet ; stream crossing, northeast quarter, Section 
30, 220 feet ; middle, east line, northeast quarter. Section 30, 240 feet ; middle, south half, 
Section 33, 270 feet ; Poynett Depot, 264 feet. 

Toivnship 11 north. Range 10 east (Lowville). — Southeast corner. Section 1, 360 feet ; 
middle, south line, southeast quarter. Section 2, 330 feet ; middle, south line, southweast quar- 
ter. Section 3, 320 feet; bluff one-fourth mile north, 725 feet; ravine, southwest corner, Sec- 
tion 4, 260 feet ; southwest corner. Section 5, 320 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter. 
Section 6, 300 feet ; middle, east half. Section 8, 280 feet ; bluff-top, southeast quarter. Section 
9, 400 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter. Section 9, 330 feet ; middle, south line. Sec- 
tion 10, 350 feet; southwest corner. Section 11, 350 feet; southeast corner. Section 11, 370 
feet; southeast corner. Section 12, 370 feet; middle, west line. Section 13, 350 feet; middle, 
southwest quarter, Section 17, 310 feet; middle, west half. Section 18, 290 feet; middle, east 
line. Section 19, .840 feet ; middle, east half, Section 20, 360 feet ; middle, south line., south- 
east quarter. Section 20, 420 feet; knob, south line, southeast quarter. Section 23, 460 feet; 
southeast corner. Section 23, 400 feet; middle, south line. Section 24. 400 feet; middle, west 
line, northwest quarter, Section 28, 400 feet ; center, northeast quarter. Section 29, 420 feet ; 
bluff-top, southeast quarter. Section 31, 410 feet ; middle, east line, Section 31, 350 feet ; mid- 
dle, east half. Section 32, 400 feet. 

Township 11 north, Range 11 east [Otsego). — Middle, west half. Section 1, 345 feet; 
middle, west line. Section 1, 375 feet; center. Section 2, 345 feet; middle, east half. Section 
3, 330 feet; middle, west line. Section 3, 350 feet; center. Section 4, 375 feet; center, Sec- 
tion 5, 340 feet ; middle, west line, Section 5, 360 feet ; middle, west line, Section 7, 420 feet ; 
middle, east line, Section 11, 365 feet; Doylestown, Section 12, 360 feet ; southwest corner. 
Section 15, 380 feet; southwest corner. Section 16, 390 feet; middle, south line, Section 17, 
365 feet ; southwest corner. Section 17, 380 feet ; middle, south line, Section 19, 340 feet ; 
southeast corner. Section 19, 350 feet; middle, south line. Section 20, 355 feet; center, south- 
west quarter. Section 22, 360 feet ; middle, north half, Section 22, 365 feet ; Otsego, Section 
22, 355 feet ; stream, east line, northeast quarter. Section 23, 345 feet ; middle, east line. Sec- 
tion 23, 365 feet ; middle, east line, southeast quarter. Section 23, 345 feet ; middle, east half 
Section 32, 365 feet; middle, east line, Section 32,365 feet; center. Section 33, 365 feet ; 



322 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

center, Section 34, 365 feet ; middle, west half, Section 35, 355 feet ; middle, east line. Section 
35, 350 feet. 

Toivrmhip 11 north, Range S east {Fountain Prairie). — Marsh west half. Section 2, 312 
feet; center, northwest quarter. Section 2, 370 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter. Sec- 
tion 6, 400 feet ; middle, south line. Section 6, 340 feet ; middle, south half of north half, Sec- 
tion 7, 370 feet ; middle, west line, southwest quarter. Section 8, 370 feet ; middle, south line, 
southwest quarter. Section 8, 360 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter. Section 9, 350 
feet; middle, south line. Section 9, 330 feet ; stream, south line, southwest quarter, Section 10, 
300 feet; middle, south line, Section 10, 330 feet; middle, west half. Section 11, 360 feet; 
stream crossing, north half, Section 14, 320 feet ; center, northeast quarter. Section 13, 314 feet; 
middle, west line. Section 28, 350 feet ; middle, east half, Section 29, 360 feet ; stream, south- 
east corner. Section 30, 295 feet ; one-quarter mile south, 340 feet ; southeast corner, Section 
31, 310 feet; middle, south line, southeast quarter, Section 32, 335 feet; middle, south line. Sec- 
tion 33, 295 feet ; middle, south line. Section 34, 280 feet ; southeast corner. Section 36, 252 
feet. 

Township 11 north, liange 8 east (Caledonia). — Middle, northwest quarter, Section 3, 360 
feet ; middle, south line. Section 7, 480 feet; middle, so(ith half. Section 8, 510 feet ; center, 
southeast quarter, Section 8, 395 feet ; center, southeast quarter, Section 9. 520 feet ; middle, 
south line. Section IG, 485 feet ; middle, west line. Section 16, 385 feet ; middle west line, 
northwest quarter, Section 21, 330 feet; middle, west line, Section 21, 375 feet. 

Township 12 north, Range S east {Caledonia). — Church, northwest quarter, northwest quar- 
ter. Section 21, 280 feet ; one-third mile south, 420 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter, 
Section 22, 500 feet ; middle, north half, Sec. 25, 205 feet ; center, northwest quarter. Section 
25, 340 feet ; road, west line, northwest quarter. Section 25, 505 feet ; middle, east half. Sec- 
tion 26, 560 feet; center. Section 26, 560 feet; southeast quarter of northeast quarter, Sec- 
tiou 26, 620 feet ; center. Section 27, 510 feet ; stream ci'ossing, southwest quarter, Section 
27, 480 feet ; middle, south line, southeast quarter, Sectino 27, 610 feet ; center, southeast 
quarter. Section 28, 470 feet; southwest corner, Sectino 28, 440 feet; middle, south line. 
Section 29, 360 feet ; southwest corner. Section 29, 420 feet ; middle, north half. Section 29, 
580 feet ; middle, west line, northwest quarter. Section 29, 505 feet ; center, northwest quar- 
ter. Section 30, 515 feet ; middle, west line, northwest quarter. Section 30,540 feet ; bluff-top, 
southeast quarter, Section 34, 760 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter, Section 35, 
310 feet. 

Township 12 north, Range 10 east {Caledonia). — Bridge, Section 7, 220 feet. 

Township }2 north. Range 10 east { Wyocena). — Railroad, east line, Section 1, 235 feet ; 
middle, west line. Sec. 10, 225 feet ; southwest corner, Section 10, 240 feet ; center, Section 
12, 230 feet; stream, south line. Sec. 12, 215 feet; center, Sec. 13, 260 feet; middle, west line. 
Section 13, 275 feet ; stream, center. Section 14, 210 feet; center. Section. 15, 250 feet; 
middle, west line. Section 15, 230 feet; Wyocena depot, 240 feet ; center. Section 28, 280 
feet ; middle west line. Section 28310 feet ; middle, east half. Section 29, 275 feet ; southwest 
corner. Section 29, 320 feet ; middle, east half. Section 31, 280 feet ; middle, west half, Sec- 
31, 235 feet ; middle, west line, northwest quarter. Section 36, 290 feet. 

Totvnship 13 north. Range 11 east {Springvale). — One-fourth mile, north of center. Sec- 
tion 1, 235 feet ; middle, east line. Section 1, 240 feet ; middle, west line, northwest (juarter. 
Section 2, 280 feet ; middle, north half, Section 3, 290 feet ; middle, west line. Section 4, 235 
feet ; railroad, west line, Section 5, 240 feet ; southeast quarter. Section 5. 230 feet ; middle, 
east half Section 7, 235 feet ; center. Section 7, 230 feet ; center. Section 15, 360 feet ; middle, 
west line. Section 15, 360 feet ; bluff-top, northeast quarter. Section 16, 370 feet ; middle, east 
half Section 17, 300 feet; stream crossing, north half, Section 18, 222 feet; stream crossing, 
north half, Section 22, 266 feet ; middle, south half, Sec. 22, 320 feet ; middle, north half, 
Section 27, 270 feet; road, west line, northwest quarter, Section 27, 260 feet; middle, south 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 323 

line, southeast quarter, Sec. 28, 280 feet ; middle, south line, Section 28, 300 feet ; south- 
west quarter. Section 28, 290 feet; southwest corner. Section 28, 290 feet; middle, south half. 
Section 29. 250 feet ; southwest corner, Sec. 29, 300 ; middle, south line, southwest quarter, 
Section 29, 280 feet. 

Toivnship 1:2 north, Range 13 east {Oourtland). — Randolph depot. Section 1, 378 feet; 
southeast cornei'. Section 1, 360 feet ; middle, north half, Sec. 2, 365 feet ; center. Section 
2, 355 feet; middle west line, Section 2, 375 feet; middle west half, Sec. 3, 355 feet; middle, 
north line, northwest quarter. Section 3, 355 feet ; middle, north line, northeast quarter, Sec- 
tion 4, 355 feet ; middle, north line, northwest quarter, Section 4, 325 feet ; middle, south 
line, southwest quarter. Section 5, 375 feet; Cambria depot. Section 6, 284 feet ; middle, west 
half. Section 8, 380 feet ; southwest quarter. Section 8, 390 feet ; center northwest quarter. 
Section 11, 402 feet ; middle, west half, Section 11,390 feet ; southwest quarter. Section 11, 
383 ; southwest corner, Sec. 13, 377 feet ; middle, south line, Section 14, 364 ; middle, west 
line, southwest quarter. Section 14, 380 feet ; middle east line, Section 13, 367 feet ; middle, 
west half, Section 17, 410 feet; center, Section 19, 430 feet; middle, south half. Sec. 19, 350 
feet ; middle, west half. Section 20, 390 feet ; middle, north half. Section 23, 360 feet ; 
stream crossing, north half. Section 26, 335 feet ; middle, south half. Section 26, 357 feet ; 
middle north half. Section 30, 400 feet ; middle, south line. Section 30, 360 feet ; middle, south 
half, Section 31, 360 feet; middle, north half. Section 35, 369 feet; middle,south line. Sec- 
tion 35, 370 feet. 

Township 13, north. Range 7 east (Lewiston). — Lewiston depot. Section 26, 231 feet. 

Township 13 north. Range 8 east (Lewiston). — Middle, north half of southwest quarter, 
Section 14, 250 feet ; center, southwest quarter. Section 23, 220 feet ; middle, west line. Section 
25, 240 feet ; middle, north half. Section 36, 230 feet ; center, southeast quarter. Section 36, 
249 feet. 

Township 13 north, Range east {Fort Winnebago). — Middle, west half. Section 16, 230 
feet ; middle, west line, southwest quarter. Section 16, 260 feet ; southwest corner. Section 16, 
280 feet ; center, southeast quarter. Section 19, 300 feet ; middle, south line, southeast quarter. 
Section 19, 250 feet; middle, south line. Section 20, 260 feet: middle, west line, Section 21, 
240 feet ; Coughlin's quarry, east half Section 20, 350 feet ; center, northeast quarter. Section 
30, 240 feet ; middle, east half. Section 31, 390 feet ; middle, north half, Section 36, 265 feet ; 
bluff-top, northwest quarter. Section 36, 390 feet. 

Toivnship 13 north. Range 10 east (Marcellon). — Northeast quarter. Section 1, 260 feet ; 
middle north line, northeasfquarter. Section 1, 320 feet; northwest corner. Section 1, 260 feet; 
middle, west line. Section 1, 300 feet ; middle, west line, northwest quarter. Section 12, 320 feet ; 
middle, south line, northwest quarter. Section 12, 290 feet ; middle, west line, northwest quarter. 
Section 13, 270 feet ; center, southeast quarter of northeast quarter. Section 14, 285 feet ; center, 
northwest quarter, southeast quarter, Section 14, 295 feet ; middle, south half, southwest quarter, 
Section 14, 290 feet; one-eighth mile east, southwest quarter. Section 14, 270 feet; center. Sec- 
tion 16, 370 feet ; middle, south half. Section 16, 340 feet ; middle, south line, southeast quarter, 
Section 16, 350 feet ; middle, south line, Section 16, 350 feet ; middle, east line, northeast 
quarter. Section 21, 355 feet ; middle, east line. Section 21, 305 feet ; center, southeast quarter, 
southeast quarter. Section 21, 335 feet; center, southeast quarter, northeasfquarter. Section 22, 
-320 feet ; southeast corner. Section 23, 350 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter, Section 
23, 360 feet ; middle, south line. Section 23, 350 feet ; middle, south line. Section 24, 300 feet; 
middle, south line, southeast quarter, Section 24, 290 feet ; middle, east line, northwest quarter, 
Section 25, 350 feet ; center, northwest quarter, northeast quarter. Section 28, 260 feet. 

Toivnship 13 north. Range 11 east {Scott). — One-eighth mile east, northwest corner, Sec- 
tion 2, 390 feet ; middle, north half, Section 2, 360 feet ; middle, north line, northeast quarter. 
Section 3, 330 feet ; northwest corner. Section 3, 280 feet; middle, north line, northwest quarter, 
of northeast quarter. Section 4, 280 feet ; middle, north line, northwest quarter. Section 4, 260 
feet ; middle, north line, northeast quarter, Section 5, 320 feet ; one-eighth mile east, northwest 



324 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

corner, Section 5, 260 feet ; middle, north line, northeast quarter, Section 6, 280 feet ; middle, 
north half of north half of Section 11, 350 feet ; middle, south line, Section 11, 340 feet ; 
middle, north half. Section 14, 385 feet ; middle, north half, south half. Section 14, 340 feet ; 
middle, south line. Section 14, 320 feet ; middle, north line, southeast quarter. Section 14, 370 
feet ; one-sixteenth mile north, southeast corner. Section 19, 230 feet : middle, south line, Sec- 
tion 19, 270 feet; middle, north half of north half of Section 23, 290 feet; middle, south line. 
Section 23, 370 feet ; one-eighth mile north, center. Section 26, 380 feet ; one-sixteenth mile 
south, northwest corner. Section 29, 230 feet ; middle, west line, Section 29, 240 feet ; south- 
west corner, Section 29, 325 feet ; middle, east line. Section 31, 400 feet ; one-eighth mile north, 
southeast corner, Section 31, 375 feet ; one-eighth mile east, southwest corner. Section 32, 350 
feet ; southeast corner. Section 32, 440 feet ; middle, south line, southeast quarter. Section 33, 
380 feet ; middle, south line, southwest quarter, Section 34, 275 feet ; southeast corner. Section 
34, 400 feet ; middle, south line. Section 35, 420 feet ; southeast corner. Section 35, 425 feet ; 
middle, south line, Section 36, 420 feet ; southeast corner. Section 36, 400 feet. 

Township 13 north, Range 12 east [Randolph] — Northwest corner. Section 1, 415 feet; 
center, southeast quarter. Section 1, 320 feet ; middle, north line. Section 2, 420 feet ; north- 
west corner. Section 2, 250 feet ; middle, west line. Section 2, 370 feet ; middle, north half, south 
half. Section 5, 350 feet ; middle, south line. Section 5, 340 feet ; middle, east line. Section 6, 
320 feet ; southwest corner. Section 6, 350 feet ; middle, south line. Section 7, 420 feet ; middle, 
west line, southwest quarter. Section 7, 320 feet ; middle, north half. Section 8, 350 feet ; middle, 
south line. Section 8, 360 feet ; middle, east line. Section 9, 365 feet ; middle, east line. Section 
11, 395 feet ; center. Section 12, 395 feet ; southwest corner, Section 15, 390 feet ; middle, 
west line. Section 15, 356 feet; middle, north half, north half, Section 16, 356 feet; middle, 
north half, south half. Section 16, 432 feet ; middle, south line. Section 16, 409 feet ; center, 
southeast quarter. Section 17, 400 feet; center, northwest quarter. Section 17, 365 feet; middle, 
west line, northwest quarter. Section 18, 380 feet ; middle, west line, northwest quarter. 
Section 19, 400 feet ; middle, north half, north half. Section 20, 400 feet ; center, 
southwest quarter. Section 20, 400 feet; middle, east line, southeast quarter. Section 21, 386 
feet ; middle, north half, west half. Section 24, 350 feet ; center, southwest quarter, southeast 
quarter. Section 24, 330 feet ; center, northeast quarter. Section 25, 330 feet ; middle,- west line. 
Section 25, 365 feet ; middle, west line. Section 27, 420 feet ; center. Section 28, 353 feet ; 
southwest quarter, Section 28, 420 feet ; center, southeast quarter, northeast quarter. Section 29, 
360 feet ; northwest corner. Section 30, 440 feet ; one-eighth mile north, southwest corner, Sec- 
tion 30, 400 feet ; middle, west line, northwest quarter. Section 31, 350 feet ; southwest corner. 
Section 31, 240 feet; southeast corner. Section 31, 260 feet; center, southwest quarter, north- 
west quarter. Section 32, 390 feet ; middle, south half, northwest quarter, Section 32, 380 feet ; 
southeast corner, Section 36, 360 feet. 





f;^i^4^t^^0^ 



PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 327 



CHAPTER IT. 



e 



JM'RFACE Features of the County— The Mound-Builders— Indian Occupancy— Was John 
NicoLET IN Columbia County in 1634?— First White Men at the Portage— Early 
Visits to what is now Columbia County— The Portage from 1793 to 1827— The "Win- 
nebago War"— Fort Winnebago. 

surface features of the county. 

The surface of Columbia County is drained, as already explained, by three principal rivers 
— the Rock, the Fo.x and the Wisconsin ; but only the two last mentioned have any part of 
their main channels in the county. The Crawfish River carries the water from the eastern side 
of the county into the Rock River ; the north central portions of the county are drained by 
the Fox River and its affluents ; the western and central parts, by the Wisconsin and its tribu- 
taries. The principal affluent of the Fox on the east is French Creek ; on the west, Neenah 
Creek. The Wisconsin has, on the west, the Baraboo River as a tributary ; on the east, its 
main affluents in the county are Duck Creek, Rock Run and Spring Creek. The three princi- 
pal branches of Duck Creek are the North Branch, Middle Branch and the South Branch. 

The Baraboo heads in the counties of Monroe, Vernon and Juneau, at an elevation of about 
four hundred feet above its mouth ; runs southeastward into Sauk County, where it breaks into 
the valley between the two east and west quartzite ranges, already spoken of, through a narrow 
gorge in the northern range. Turning then eastward, it runs along the middle of the valley 
between the two ranges for about fifteen miles, and then, breaking again northward through the 
north range, follows its northern side east to the Wisconsin, into which it empties on Section 28, 
of Township 12 north, of Range 9 east, in the town of Caledonia. The Baraboo is a stream of 
very considerable size, and yields a number of excellent water-powers in the valley between the 
quartzite ranges (Baraboo Bluffs), — having a fall, on this portion of its course, of seventy feet. 
The other streams of the county are sufficiently described in the histories of the various towns. 
There are a half score of small lakes in the county, which are considered of sufficient 
importance to appear with names upon the county map and county atlas. They are : Swan 
Lake, in Wyocena and Pacific ; Whiting's Lake, Lake Loomis and Lake Corning, in Lewiston ; 
Lake George, in Pacific ; Mud Lake, in Fort Winnebago ; Grass Lake in Otsego, and Silver 
Lake, in the city of Portage. One of these. Mud Lake, in Fort Winnebago, may be consid- 
ered merely as an enlargement of the channel of Fox River. 

The three different kinds of surface in Columbia County, as to vegetation, are the prairies, 
marshes and timber land. The prairies, or treeless portions, are not exactly identical in extent 
now as when the county was first settled, for the reason that in some places, once prairie, there 
has been an invasion of a timber growth, — this, in former times, having been checked by the 
annual prairie fires. The prairie areas are by no means always flat ; indeed the flat prairies are 
the exception, and are chiefly seen along the bottom land of the Wisconsin River. The ordi- 
nary prairie of the county is very rolling, commonly showing abrupt changes of level, even up 
to fifty or a hundred feet. The changes in level are, scientifically speaking, due in places to 
heaped-up drift, but more commonly to unequal denudation of the rocky strata. In some cases, 
as, for instance, in the town of West Point, the prairie area includes both lowland and bold out- 
lying bluffs, as much as two hundred, or even three hundred, feet in height. The limestone-prairie 
belt in Columbia County occupies large portions of the towns of West Point, Lodi, Arlington, 
Leeds, Hampden and Lowville, continuing northeast, though somewhat broken, through the 
towns of Otsego and Courtland, and finally passing into Green Lake County. This extensive 
prairie area is. for the most part, on high land, occupying the summit of the watershed between 

B 



328 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

the Wisconsin anJ Rock Rivers. It is nearly always underlaid by the lower magnesian lime- 
stone, whose irregular upper surface contributes much to the rolling character of the prairie. 

In the south central part of the county, the northern limb of Empire Prairie projects far 
out, like a great bay, through the southern and into the second tier of townships. In the south- 
east part of the county lies Fountain Prairie, and in the northeast are Welsh and Portage 
Prairies. All these, as before intimated, are beautifully rolling. 

The marshes of Columbia County are usually small. There are, however, some notable 
exceptions — those extending along Duck Creek and the Upper Fox River, east of portage, are 
several miles in extent. 

With regard to forest trees, it may be said that the whole of the county outside the prairie 
region is covered by a prevailing growth of small oaks of different varieties, frequently inter- 
spersed with other forest trees. Along the Wisconsin and Baraboo Rivers, on one side or both, 
nearly through their whole length in the county, is a belt of heavy timber of several kinds of 
oak, basswood, elm and hickory, with some butternuts and soft maple. There are a few groves 
of heavy oaks in other parts of the county. 

THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 

Within the boundaries of Columbia County are found many notable and interesting evi- 
dences of prehistoric occupation and existence. The geographical position of the county is such 
as to intimately associate it with some of the important chains or series of earthworks that are 
found extending along most of the favorable routes for primitive transportation between the 
great lakes and the Mississippi River. 

The county in this regard seems to confirm the generally accepted theory that primitive 
man, or the Mound-Builders, whoever they were, existed in greatest numbers along the borders 
of lakes and rivers ; and the more prominent these bodies of water and the position occupied 
appear with relation to the great problems of transportation and subsistence, the more important 
and numerous are these ancient artificial works. 

The importance of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and their navigable tributaries has been 
recognized by all nations and tribes in this region that have a written or traditional history. 
This and the numerous evidences of a prehistoric occupation found along their entire course, 
would seem to warrant a conclusion that these rivers have furnished a medium of transporta- 
tion from the days of primitive man's unrecorded existence down to the present time. 

In this great thoroughfare of ancient and modern times, the " portage" occupies a central 
and important position. 

The situation of the mounds (many of them) seems to establish a belief that the observation 
since the settlement of the county by the whites with relation to the gradual diminution in 
volume of the lakes and rivers, is not exceptional as to the present, but that this decrease has 
been continuous from the time the mounds were erected; and, with relation to the importance 
of some of the streams associated with the Mound-Builders, their present condition would not 
justify conclusions that are consistent with former proportions. 

Not only is it certain that there has been a notable decrease in the volume of all existing 
bodies of water, but in some instances appearances would indicate that even quite large lakes 
have entirely disappeared, and that some of the works of the Mound-Builders now stranded on 
an inland hillside, at the time of their construction marked the water-line of their primitive 
proportions. 

As usual in these ancient earthworks, spherical mounds, numerically considered, occupy 
the leading position, while the irregular works rank first in size and importance, and would 
require special drawings and exjilanations to render a description valuable or intelligent. 

In some of the mounds examined in Columbia County are found, near the surface, relics of 
Indian origin, such as flint arrowheads, beads, etc., while farther below, and always near the 
base line, come the stone implements and the remnants of human bones that crumble into dust 
as soon as brought to the surface. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 329 

In the immediate vicinity of the Dalles, there are several groups of mounds, all of which 
will be found well worthy of a visit. There is a portion of one in Kilbourn City, but it is not 
perfect now, having been partially destroyed in grading a street. It appears to have been made 
to represent a lizard-like animal. Originally, the figure must have been 200 feet long, its head 
pointing toward the west. 

Very often, one of these image or animal mounds will be surrounded by several of the 
conical ones. A few miles from Kilbourn may be found one of the most curious groups to be 
seen in this section of the State. It occupies a plat of ground about five rods wide and eighteen 
long. Near the southeast corner of the plat is the figure of a deer, the head being towai'd the 
west. Immediately to the north is a representation of a lizard, the length being about eighteen 
rods, while around its head are arranged eight or ten conical mounds, some of them being 
twelve feet in height. 

About four miles south of Kilbourn, on the east bank of the Wisconsin River, and but a 
short distance from the railroad track, may be found quite an interesting group which is well 
worth visiting. Other groups may be found by driving a few miles in almost any direction. 

Many of the mounds in the vicinity have been opened, and bones and various stone imple- 
ments found ; while in others, broken pottery has been unearthed in considerable quantities. 

That the mounds were built at a remote period, it is evident. On many of them, trees 
more than two hundred years old are found growing, and how many more have attained their 
full size and then died and fallen into decay, it is impossible to tell. As another proof of the 
great antiquity of the mounds, we would call attention to the fact that the depth of the alluvial 
soil is the same on the mounds as it is twenty rods distant. This is one of the strongest evi- 
dences of the age of these remains of the handiwork of a people long since extinct. 

INDIAN OCCUPANCY. 

As early as the year 1615, Samuel Ohamplain heard of a tribe of Indians living many 
leagues beyond Lake Huron, called the Fire Nation, better known at a later date as the Mas- 
coutins. Their homes were upon the Fox River at that time, as it is believed, and hgre they 
were visited by civilized man a little less than a score of years after. It is presumed that their 
villages were located within the present limits of Green Lake County, somewhere on Fox River, 
between Berlin and Lake Puckaway, and that they claimed as their hunting-grounds, among 
much other territory, that now included within the boundary lines of the county of Columbia. 
The nearest tribe to the Mascoutins down the Fox River was that of the Winnebagoes, whose homes 
were at the mouth of that stream. To the south, extending perhaps well up Rock River, was 
the territory of the Illinois. In the immediate neighborhood of the Mascoutins (but in what 
direction is uncertain) were the Kickapoos and the Miamis. 

The Illinois, who lived in a country " where there was a quantity of buffaloes," were afterward 
driven beyond the Mississippi, but subsequently returned to the river which still bears their 
name. Meanwhile, there commenced an emigration of the Mascoutins and their kindred, the 
Kickapoos and Miamis, to the southward, as far at least as the south end of Lake Michigan. 
Their place was taken by the Foxes and their relatives, the Sacs, and, in time, these also emi- 
grated, but not to the southward ; the course taken by them was to the west and southwest. It 
is certain the Foxes claimed for a time the country now forming Columbia County, as well as 
much other circumjacent territory. Then came the Winnebagoes from below, that is, from the 
head of Green Bay, moving up the Fox River by degrees, having outlying villages on the shores 
of Winnebago Lake and in the valley of Rock River. They finally reached the " portage," 
and their territory extended down the Wisconsin. This brings us to the time when the LTnited 
States began making treaties with them. The first of these was held at St. Louis, June 3, 1816, 
with that portion of the tribe residing on the Wisconsin. This treaty (so soon after the war 
with Great Britain, in which the Winnebagoes engaged on the side of the British) was one for 
peace only, no cession of land on the part of the Indians being made to the United States. 
In 1820, the Winnebagoes had five villages on Winnebago Lake, and fourteen on Rock River. 



330 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

In 1825, the claim of this tribe was extensive, so far as territory was concerned. Its southeast 
boundary stretched away from the sources of Rock River to within forty miles of its mouth, in 
Illinois, where they had a villaije. On the west, it extended to the heads of the small streams 
flowing westward and southwestward into the Mississippi. To the northward, it reached as far 
as Black River and the Upper Wisconsin ; in other words, to the Chippewa territory ; but did 
not extend across the Fox to the lands of the north side, although they contended for the whole of 
Winnebago Lake. Within their territory, then, in 182.5, was the whole of the present county 
of Columbia, except so much of what is now the town of Fort Winnebago, as lies west of the 
Fox River, and also excepting the present towns of Lewiston and Newport. 

By a treaty held with the Winnebagoes on the 1st day of August, 1829, at Prairie du 
Chien, these Indians relinquished, among much other territory, all of their land in what is now 
Columbia County, lying west of a line drawn along the road running "by the most northern of 
the four lakes to the crossing of Duck Creek, thence in a direct course toward the most south- 
easterly bend of Lake Puckaway." Three years later, at a treaty held at Fort Armstrong, 
Rock Island, the residue of the Winnebago lands lying in the present Columbia County — that 
is, all east of the line just mentioned — was (with much other territory) ceded to the United 
States. This treaty was proclaimed February 13, 1833, and on that day all of what had been 
before that time, in what is now Columbia County, the lands of the Winnebagoes, now belonged 
to the General Government. And these lands were ready for the surveyor, that is, all of Colum- 
bia County except the present towns of Caledonia, Newport, Lewiston, and so much of Fort 
Winnebago as lies west of the Fox River. 

West of the Wisconsin, including the whole of the present town of Caledonia, was still a 
part of Winnebago territory ; but, in November, 1837, this nation ceded to the General Gov- 
ernment all their lands east of the Mississippi River. Not an acre was reserved. So the 
Winnebago title to all of what is now Columbia County was extinguished. 

Ever since the Menomonee Indians had been taken under the wing of the General Govern- 
ment, and treaties made with them, their claim was (including other territory) to all lands lying 
north of the Fox River, and east of the Wisconsin, extending northward to the Chippewa 
country. This being recognized as their territory by the United States, made them owners of 
so much of the present county of Columbia as includes, in general terms, the towns of Newport, 
Lewiston, and that part of Fort Winnebago lying west of the Fox River. Finally, by treaty, 
confirmed January 23, 184!', the Menomonees sold all their land to the General Government in 
Wisconsin, including, of course, so much of it as lay within the limits of what is now Columbia 
County ; that is to say, the whole of the territory now forming the towns of Newport and 
Lewiston, and so much of Fort Winnebago as lies west of Fox River. The Menomonees 
remained in possession two years, when it was delivered over to the United States. Thus it 
was that the General Government, at different periods, became the actual owners and possessors 
of all the domain of Columbia County. 

Although owners of a portion of Columbia County, under treaties with the United States, 
the Menomonees were never residents, any of them, of territory now included within its present 
boundaries. Not so the Winnebagoes. Their chief had a village two miles above the portage. 
Afterward, this chief, De-kau-ry (the name that is now written Dekorra), had a village on land 
that is now known as the Caffrey place, in the town of Caledonia, at the foot of the bluff, be- 
tween the Wisconsin and Baraboo Rivers. The schoolhouse of District No. .5 now occupies 
the spot. De-kau-ry 's town contained over one hundred lodges, and was the largest of the 
Winnebago villages. Outside of the present Columbia County, soon after the building of 
Fort Winnebago, the villages of the nation which were included in the agency established at the 
fort were scattered in various directions. Their occupants assembled here to be paid their 
annuities, and to have talks with their father, the agent. A payment made to the Winnebagoes 
in 1830 is thus described by an eye-witness: 

" There were two divisions of tlie Winnebago Indians, one of which was paid by the agent 
at the portage; the other at Prairie du Chien, by Gen. Street. The first, between four and 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 331 

five thousand in number, received, according to treaty stipulations, $15,000 annually, besides a 
considerable amount of presents and a certain number of rations of bread and pork, to be 
issued in times of emergency throughout the year. The principal villages of this division of 
the tribe were at Lake Winnebago, Green and Fox Lakes, the Barribault [now written Bara- 
boo], Mud Lake [in the present Dodge County], the Four Lakes, Kosh-ko-nong [White Crow's 
village] and Turtle Creek [now Beloit], Messengers were dispatched, at or before the arrival 
of the annuity money, to all the diiferent villages, to notify the heads of fiimilies or lodges to 
assemble at the portage. 

" When arrived, the masters of families, under their different chiefs, gave in their names 
and the number in their lodges, to be registered. As, in paying, a sum of money is apportioned 
to each individual, it is, of course, an object to the head of a lodge to make the number regis- 
tered as great as possible. Each one brings his little bundle of sticks and presents it to the 
agent to register. Sometimes a dialogue like the following occurs : ' How many have you in 
your lodge?' The Indian carefully and with great ceremony counts a bundle of sticks — ' Fif- 
teen.' ' How many men y 'Two.' The agent lays aside two sticks. ' How many women '.'' 
'Three.' Three more sticks are separated. ' How many children ':" 'Eight.' Eight sticks 
are added to the heap. ' What is the meaning of those two sticks that remain 'i' The culprit, 
whose arithmetic had not served him to carry out this deception, disappears amid the shouts 
and jeers of his companions, who are always well pleased at the detection of any roguery in 
which they have had no share. 

" The young officers generally assisted in counting out and delivering the money at these 
payments, and it was no unusual thing, as the last band came up, for the chiefs to take a quan- 
tity of silver out of the bo.x and request their father to pay his friends for their trouble, seem- 
ing really disturbed at his refusal. In this, as in almost every instance, we see the native 
courtesy and politeness which are never lost sight of among them. If a party comes to their 
father to beg for provisions, and food is offered them, however hungry they may be, each waits 
patiently until one of the company makes an equal distribution of the whole, and then, taking 
his share, eats it quietly, with the greatest moderation. I never saw this rule violated, save in 
one instance. 

" Our friend, Pawnee Blanc, ' tlie old dandy,' once came with a party of Indians, request- 
ing permission to dance for us in the open space before the door. It was a warm, dusty after- 
noon, and, as our friends grew heated and fatigued with the violent and long-continued exercise, 
a pitcher of raspberry negus was prepared and sent out to them. Pawnee received the pitcher 
and tumbler, and pouring the latter about half-full, gave it to the first of the circle, then filled 
the same for the next and so on, until it occurred to him to look into the pitcher. What he 
saw there determined his course of action ; so, setting the tumbler upon the ground, he raised 
the pitcher to his lips and gave a hearty pull, after which he went on, giving less and less, 
until he was called to have the pitcher replenished. All present agreed it was the only instance 
they had ever witnessed of an Indian appearing afraid of getting less of a thing than his share. 

" During the payment, a good many kegs of whisky find their way into the lodges of the 
Indians, notwithstanding the watchfulness of both officers and agent. Where there is a demand, 
there will always be a supply, let the legal prohibitions be what they may. The last day of 
the payment is invariably one of general carousing. 

" When the men begin their frolic, the women carefully gather all the guns, knives, toma- 
hawks and weapons of every description, and secrete them, that as little mischief as possible 
may be done in the absence of all restraint and reason. I am sorry to record that our little 
friend, Pawnee Blanc, was greatly addicted to the pleasures of the bottle. 

"Among the presents for the chiefs which Shaw-nee-aw-kee had brought from the East, 
was a trunk of blue cloth coats trimmed with broad gold lace, and a box of round, black hats, 
ornamented in a similar manner. All who are familiar with Indians, of whatever tribe, will 
have observed that their first step toward civilization, whether a man or woman, is mounting a 
man's hat, decorated with tinsel, ribbons or feathers. Pawnee was among the happy number 



382 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

remembered in the distribution, so, donning at once his new costume and tying a few addi- 
tional bunches of gay-colored ribbons to a long spear that was always his baton of ceremony, 
he came at once, followed by an admiring train, chiefly of women, to pay me a visit of 
state. 

" The solemn gravity of his countenance as he motioned away those who would approach 
too near and finger his newly received finery ; the dignity with which he strutted along, edging 
this way and that, to avoid any possible contact from homely, everyday wardrobes, augured 
well for a continuance of propriety and self-respect and a due consideration of the good opinion 
of all around. 

*' But alas for Pawnee I late in the day, we saw him assisted toward his lodge by two stout 
young Indians, who had pulled him out of a ditch, his fine coat covered with mud, his hat bat- 
tered and bruised, his spear shorn of its gay streamers, and poor Pawnee himself weeping and 
uttering all the doleful lamentations of a tipsy Indian." 

When, in 1837, the Winnebagoes disposed of all their land to the United States east of 
the Mississippi, they stipulated that, within eight months, they would move west of the great 
river. This arrangement was not carried out fully, and many of the AVinnebagoes, as elsewhere 
mentioned, were afterward forcibly carried beyond the Mississippi. The last of these forcible 
removals occurred in 1878, and, as to those captured in Columbia County, is thus described by 
a Portage writer at that date : 

" On Saturday morning last [December 23, 1873], a thrill of excitement ran through the 
community by the announcement that Capt. S. A. Hunt, agent for the removal of the Winne- 
bago Indians, and ex-Sheriff Pool, had crossed the Wisconsin River bridge at this place, at the 
head of a detachment of the United States troops, at the early break of day. What did it all 
mean ? A little inquiry revealed the further fact that a considerable number of the ' 'Bagoes ' 
had gathered on tiie Baraboo River, near the Crawford bridge, and were having an annual meet- 
ing, a dog feast, a deer-feast, or something of that kind., Almost every lodge for forty miles 
had its delegate. They had pooled their wigwams, their squaws, their feathers, their paint, 
their wampum, and were having a first-class blow-out, when their festivities were interrupted by 
the appearance in their caravansary of the uninvited boys in blue. Of course, the greatest 
consternation prevailed, for they knew at once it meant they must go to the Winnebago reserva- 
tion, in Nebraska, where the larger portion of the tribe had gone several years since, in accord- 
ance with their treaty obligations. Considerable parleying followed, and there was a manifest 
determination not to go. 

" Capt. Hunt was anxious to use as little force as possible to accomplish the success of his 
mission, and used all the persuasive power he could, as he had been doing all through the 
season, to have them go with him ; but when it became fully apparent that they would not do 
so unless comjjolled to, he gave the signal, and at once the leaders of the Indians found them- 
selves captives. With as little delay as possible, they were arranged in marching order, and, 
just before noon, the entire number — eighty-five, we believe — were seen coming over the hill 
near the Catholic Church, escorted by the troops, conspicuous among them being the stately 
and towering form of Big Jim. They were at once marched to the depot and safely lodged in 
the cars, and a full supply of rations was dealt out to them. 

" After they had been safely housed, Capt. Hunt set about informing himself whether any 
of his captives had become real-estate owners, or had done anything else to show that they had 
abandoned their tribal relations, and were entitled to remain as citizens. Inquiry was made 
for Yellow Thunder, Good Village, War Club, Snake Swallow, McWima and Pretty Man and 
one or two others, but it was found that only two of them were among the captives, and they 
were permitted to take their departure. ' John Little John ' and ' High Snake ' were of the 
number and were taken along, but we are informed they will be returned here if they desire to 
be, although they are not legally entitled to remain. They are vouched for by respectable citi- 
zens as making some progress in the line of civilization, and there are no objections to their 
remaining. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 333 

" The ponies and the ' traps and calamities ' generally belonging to the Indians were brought 
in and placed in baggage cars, and at about 6 o'clock the train was under motion for Sparta, 
which was to be the point of rendezvous. 

" As an Indian dance is very like a white man's frolic in some of its characteristics, it was 
not a matter of surprise to learn that a number of braves were alone at this dance, while the 
squaws were doing the menial work of housekeeping at home and attending to the papooses. 
Now, Big Jim was just one of that kind, and several others might be named, but, out of respect 
to their families, we will not put their names in print. The circumstances, however, made it 
necessary for Capt. Hunt to dispatch Mr. Pool and other messengers for their families, which 
were at Briggsville and other places. By Monday evening, Mr. Pool had two or three dozen 
of them congregated here, and, on Tuesday evening, they were forwarded to Sparta, and we 
presume that they took their Christmas dinner on their reservation, although at the time of 
writing this we had not learned definitely as to when they were sent forward." 

WAS JOHN NICOLET IN COLUMBIA COUNTY IN 1634?* 

The question is no longer an open one as to whether John Nicolet was the first white man 
who set foot upon any portion of what is now Wisconsin. It has been definitely settled. It is 
also quite as well determined that his explorations and discoveries were made in the Great West 
during the last half of the year 1634 — only ten years after the landing of the Pilgrims on 
Plymouth Eock — and the first half of the following year. He, therefore, who would read under- 
standingly the first chapter in the history of Wisconsin ought to investigate the life-history 
of that remarkable man. He will find him, at an early age, leaving his home in Normandy for 
the New World, landing at Quebec in 1618, and immediately starting for the Ottawa River to 
immure himself in the dark forests of Algonquins, sent thither by the Governor of Canada to 
learn their language. He will see how the young Norman applied himself to his task " in the 
midst of those hardships which may be readily conceived, if we will reflect what it must be to 
pass severe winters in the woods, under a covering of cedar or birch bark ; to have one's means 
of subsistence dependent upon hunting ; to be perpetually hearing rude outcries ; to be deprived 
of the pleasant society of one's own people ; and to be constantly exposed, not only to derision 
and insulting words, but even to daily peril of life." He will note how the youthful French- 
man followed the Indians in their wanderings ; how he partook of their dangers, their fatigues 
and their privations ; how, finally, having become familiar with their language, he entered into 
their frequent councils. 

The return of Nicolet to the St. Lawrence and civilization, after a half-score years of 
savage life, an excellent interpreter of the Algonquin language, was followed, in 1634, by his 
being sent to smoke the pipe of peace with nations beyond — far beyond — the Ottawa. So he 
started upon his perilous voyage. He visited the Hurons, upon the Georgian Bay of Lake 
Huron. With seven of tlikt nation, he struck boldly into wilds to the northward and westward 
never before visited by civilized man. He paddled his birch-bark canoe up the St. Mary's 
Strait to the falls. He floated back to the waters of Lake Huron, and courageously turned 
toward the west, passing through the straits of Mackinaw out upon the broad expanse of Lake 
Michigan. He then entered Green Bay and Fox River. It is claimed that he ascended the 
last-mentioned stream as far as the "portage," now the city of Portage, Columbia Co., Wis., 
and descended the Wisconsin River a considerable distance, thus re-discovering the great Valley 
of the Mississippi. The term "re-discovering" is used, for no one will call in question its dis- 
covery by De Soto in 1.541, although its existence seems soon to have well nigh faded from the 
recollections of men — to have been almost wholly forgotten. 

What has been written in support of Nicolet's claim as the re-discoverer of the Mississippi 
is based upon this declaration of Father Vimont, in the Jesuit Relation of 1640 : " The Sieur 
Nicolet, who has penetrated the furthest into these so remote countries, assured me that, if he 

By C. W. Butterfield, of Madison, Wis. 



334 HISTORY OF COLUMJUA COUNTY. 

had sailed three days further upon a large river which issues from this lake, he would have 
reached the sea." It is evident that the "remote countries" referred to by Vimont are those 
of the upper lakes traversed by Nicolet. and that the words "this lake" had reference to 
Green Bay and Lake Michigan combined. But we are told, also, that the phrase "a large 
liver" means the Wisconsin; and that "the sea" spoken of is the Mississippi, Nicolet taking 
the word missippi (great water) to mean "the sea," instead of that river. A careful consid- 
eration of the length of the Wisconsin below the " portage," and of the time usually employed 
by Indians in navigating it, justify the assertion that the words of the Relation of 1640 — ■■ if 
he had sailed three days further upon a large river" — have no application to that stream. The 
words "three days further" clearly imply that he had already sailed several days; whereas, the 
distance, 118 miles, down the rapid current of the river, from the "portage" to the Mississippi, 
was less than three days' "sail" for the swift birch-bark canoe of the savage, and would have 
been for the swift birch-bark canoe of Nicolet. Upon examination of the Relation of 1654, a 
sentence is found which has heretofore escaped attention, in this connection : " It is only nine 
days' journey from this great lake [Green Bay and Lake Michigan combined] to the sea," 
where "the sea" is evidently identical with the one mentioned by Nicolet to Vimont and 
spoken of by the latter in the Relation of 1640. It is discovered, upon investigation, that the 
average time for canoe voyages up the Fox River, from its mouth to the "portage," in early 
times, was nine days. The "sea," then, of Nicolet — musippi of the savages — was the Wiscon- 
consin River, considered by itself or as a tributary of the Mississippi ; and the "large river" 
was the Fox River, of Green Bay. 

A word as to the mistake of Nicolet in stating that, while on " a large river " (the Fox) he 
nearly reached "the sea." Nicolet's mind, even before he left the St. Lawrence, was inflamed 
with vague reports of a "great water" to the westward of the Winnebagoes, which was supposed 
by him to be a sea. When, therefore, he entered Green Bay and the Fox River, and heard the 
savages, as they pointed toward the west, repeat the word missippi (great water, not " father of 
waters ") it was an easy matter for him to mistake their meaning and conclude a sea was nigh, 
when, in fact, they w^ere trying to tell him of the Wisconsin, which was itself the " great water," 
or a tributary thereof. But why should Nicolet have " sailed " up Fox River to within three days 
of " the sea " (that is to say, of the Wisconsin) and have gone no further 't The answer is that six 
days' journeying up the Fox brought him to the homes of the Mascoutins or Fire Nation — Gens de 
Feu. These Indians were a powerful nation of Algonquins, who had for their neighbors, prob- 
ably, the Kickapoos and Miamis. It is certain that Nicolet visited not only the Winnebagoes, 
but some of the surrounding tribes. It would be his policy, of course, to smoke the pipe of 
peace with the bravest and most warlike of these, were they of easy access. Such were the 
Mascoutins, as is to be inferred from cotemporaneous accounts and from the journals of those whites 
who, not long after, saw them in their villages, located, probably, within the present limits of 
Green Lake County, Wis. West of the Mascoutins, at that period (16-34), there vere living no 
tribes of Indians either upon the Fox or Wisconsin ; at least there is no tradition that such was 
the case. Beyond the Wisconsin, and above its confluence with the Mississippi, there resided 
some Dakota bands — the terrible Sioux. Without doubt, a journey so far as the villages of 
these savages was not to be thought of by Nicolet, if it was his purpose, as it must have been, 
to return to the St. Lawrence early in the summer of 1635. It is believed, therefore, that he 
turned back, after visiting the Mascoutins, to the Winnebagoes — going up Fox River no farther 
than the village of the Fire Nation. 

It will be borne in mind that Vimont speaks of a " large river [the Fox] which issues from 
the lake," meaning Green Bay and Lake Michigan combined. Now, the account taken from 
the lips of Nicolet by Vimont found in the Relation of 1640, was not, probably, reduced to 
writing until sometime subsequent to its narration, and very naturally the writer (Vimont) would 
conclude that the narrator was mistaken in stating (and he probably did so state) that the "large 
river " flowed into Green Bay ; at the same time declaring that, had he sailed three days further 
upon it, he would have reached the sea. Rivers do not flow out of seas into lakes ; they 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 335 

frequently flow out of lakes into seas. Doubtless, then, when Vimont wrote down his recollection 
of what Nicolet had told him, he took the liberty of correcting what to him seemed to be so mani- 
festly an error. Hence, as the sentence stands in the Relation of 1640, Fo.x River flows out of 
Green Bay ; but every one knows that it empties into it. The language, therefore, of Vimont, 
as now interpreted, is equivalent to this : " The Sieur Nicolet, who has penetrated the furthest 
into the upper lake regions, assured me [Vimont] that if he had paddled his birch-bark canoe 
three days further up the Fox River, which flows into Green Bay, he would have reached the 
Wisconsin." Nicolet, then, did not visit the valley of the Mississippi — he did not re-discover 
it. This honor belongs to another. He was not in what is now Columbia County in 1634, nor 
at any other time. 

FIRST WHITE MEN AT THE PORTAGE. 

John Talon, intendant of Canada, labored assiduously to develop the industrial resources 
of New France. In 1670, he ordered Daumont de St. Lusson to search for copper mines on 
Lake Superior, and at the same time to take possession, in a formal manner, of the whole interior 
country for the King of France. St. Lusson set out accordingly, accompanied by a small party 
of men and Nicholas Perrot, a Canadian voyageur, as interpreter, who spoke Algonquin fluently 
and was favorably known to many tribes of that family. It was arranged that St. Lusson should 
winter at the Manatoulin Islands, while Perrot proceeded to invite the tribes to a general confer- 
ence at the Sault Ste. Marie, in the following spring. The interpreter, having first sent messages 
to the diff'erent ti'ibes of the north, proceeded to Green Bay, to urge the nations upon its waters 
to the meeting. 

St. Lusson and his men, fifteen in number, arrived at the Sault more than a month in 
advance of the day set for the meeting. When all the Indians had reached the rapids, the 
Frenchman prepared to execute the commission with which he was charged. A large cross of 
wood had been made ready. It was now reared and planted in the ground. Then a post of 
cedar was planted beside it with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms. " In 
the name," said St. Lusson, " of the most high, mighty and redoubtable monarch, Louis, four- 
teenth of that name, most Christian King of France and of Navarre, I take possession of this 
place, Sainte Marie du Sault, as also of Lakes Huron and Superior, the island of Manatoulin, 
and all countries, rivers, lakes, and streams contiguous and adjacent thereunto ; both those which 
have been discovered and those which may be discovered hereafter, in all their length and 
breadth, bounded on the one side by the seas of the North, and of the West, and on the other 
by the South Sea : declaring to the nations thereof, that from this time forth they are vassals of 
his majesty, bound to obey his laws and follow his customs: pi-omising them on his part all succor 
and protection against the incursions and invasions of their enemies : declaring to all other 
potentates, princes, sovereigns, states, and republics — to them and their subjects — that they 
cannot and are not to seize or settle upon any parts of the aforesaid countries, save only under 
the good pleasure of his most Christian majesty, and of him who will govern in his behalf; and 
this on pain of incurring his resentment and the eff'orts of his arms." Thus passed, so far as 
words and shouts could eff"ect it, the Northwest, including the present State of Wisconsin, under 
the domination of France. And why not ? She had discovered it — had to a certain extent 
explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had 
proclaimed the faith to its wondering savages. But none of her fur-traders — none of her mis- 
sionaries — none of her agents — had yet reached the Mississippi — the great river, concerning 
which so many marvels had been heard. Now, however, the hour was at hand, in which would 
be solved the problem and be revealed the mystery of the " great water " of the savages. The 
Governor of Canada was resolved that the stream should be reached and explored. He made 
choice of Louis Jolliet,* who was with St. Lusson when the Northwest was for the first time 
claimed for the King of France, and who had just returned to Quebec from Lake Superior. 

*The spelling of the nauie as here given is the same as that adopted by the indomitiible Canadian himself— with two Vs and one t : no* 
with one I And one t ( Joliet ), as it. usually seen in print. — Ed. 



336 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

This was in the year 1672. Said the governor, on the 2d of November : " It has been 
judged expedient to send Sieur Jolliet to the Ma-skouteins [Mascoutins], to discover the South 
Sea, and the great river they call the Mississippi, which is supposed to discharge itself into the 
Sea of California," " He is a man," continues Frontenac, "of great experience in these sorts 
of discoveries, and has already been almost at the great river, the mouth of which he promises 
to see." 

Jolliet passed up the lakes, and, on the 17th of May, 1673 (having with him Father James 
Marquette and five others), started from the mission of St. Ignatius, a point north of the 
Island of Mackinaw, in the present county of that name in the State of Michigan, journeying 
in two bark canoes, firmly resolved to do all and to suffer all for the glory of re-discovering the 
Mississippi. Every possible precaution was taken that, should the undertaking prove hazardous, 
it should not be foolhardy ; so, whatever of information could be gathered from the Indians who 
had frequented those parts, was laid under contribution, before paddling merrily over the waters 
to the westward, and up Green Bay to the mouth of Fox River. The first Indian nation met by 
Jolliet was the Menomonees. He was dissuaded by them from venturing so far into ulterior 
regions, assured that he would meet tribes which never spare strangers, but tomahawk them 
without provocation ; that the war which had broken out among various nations on his route, 
exposed him and his men to another evident danger — that of being killed by the war parties 
constantly in the path ; that the "great river" was very dangerous unless the difficult parts 
were known; that it was full of frightful monsters who swallowed up men and canoes together: 
that there was even a demon there, who could be heard from afar, who stopped the passage and 
engulfed all who dared approach ; and lastly, that the heat was so excessive in those countries, 
that it would infallibly cause their deaths. Nevertheless, Jolliet determined to persevere; so 
he ascended Fox River to the portage, he and his companions being the first white men to set 
foot upon any portion of the territory now constituting Columbia County. 

Jolliet found the Fox River very beautiful at its mouth, having a gentle current. It was 
full of bustards, duck, teal and other birds, attracted by wild oats which were plentiful and of 
w'hich they were very fond. As the party advanced up the river a little distance, it was found 
to be difficult of ascent, both on account of the currents and of the sharp rocks which cut their 
canoes. Nevertheless, the rapids in the stream were passed in safety, when the party not long 
after came to the nation of the Mascoutins. In their village were also gathered two other tribes 
— the Miamis and Kickapoos. The Miamis were found to be civil in their deportment. They 
wore two long ear-locks which gave them a good appearance. They had the name of being 
warriors, and seldom sent out war parties in vain. They were found very docile, disposed to 
listen quietly to what was said to them. The Mascoutins and the Kickapoos, however, were 
rude and more like peasants, compared to the Miamis. Bark for cabins was found to be rare 
in this village, the Indians using rushes, which served them for walls and roof, but which were 
no great shelter against the wind and still less against the rain when it fell in torrents. The 
advantage of that kind of cabins was that they could be rolled up and easily carried whenever 
it suited these Indians in hunting-time. 

The view from the Indian village was beautiful and very pictures([ue, for, from the emi- 
nence on which it was perched, the eye discovered on every side delightful prairies, spreading 
away beyond its reach, interspersed with thickets or groves of lofty trees. The soil was found 
to be very good, producing much corn. Plums, also, and grapes were gathered in the autumn 
in quantities by the Indians. 

The arrival of Jolliet and his party at the village of the Mascoutins, was on the 7th of 
June;' their departure was on the 10th. 

"We knew," wrote Father Marquette, "that there was, three [thirty] leagues from Mas- 
koutens [Mascoutins], a river entering into the Mississippi ; we knew, too, that the point of 
the compass we were to hold to reach it was west, southwest, but the way is so cut up by marshes 
and little lakes that it is easy to go estray, especially as the river leading to it is so covered 
with wild oats that you can hardly discover the channel. Hence, we had good need of our 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 337 

two [Miami] guides who led us safely to a portage of twenty-seven hundred paces [the site 
now occupied by the city of Portage], and helped us to transport our canoes to enter this river 
[Wisconsin], after whicli they returned, leaving us alone in an unknown country in the hands 
of Providence. 

"We now leave," continues Marquette, "the waters which flow to Quebec, a distance of 
four or five hundred league.s, to follow those which will henceforth lead us into strange lands. 
Before embarking, we all began together a new devotion to the Blessed Virgin Immaculate, 
which we practiced every day, addressing her particular prayers to put under her protection 
both our persons and the success of our voyage. Then after having encouraged one another, 
we got into our canoes. The river on which we embarked is called Meskousing [Wisconsin ;] it 
is very broad, with a sandy bottom, forming many shallows, which render navigation very dif- 
ficult. It is full of vine-clad islets. On the banks appear fertile lands diversified with wood, 
prairie and hill. Here you find oaks, walnut, whitewood, and another kind of tree with 
branches armed with thorns. We saw no small game or fish, but deer and moose in considera- 
ble numbers." 

On the 17th of June, with a joy that was inexpressible, Jolliet and his party entered the 
Mississippi. After dropping down the "great river" many miles, Jolliet returned to Green 
Bay, thence to Quebec, to report his discovery and explorations to the Governor of New 
France. 

EARLY VISITS TO WHAT IS NOW COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Not many years elapsed after the visit of Jolliet and his companions to the portage, before 
the narrow neck of land connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, in what is now Columbia 
County, was again crossed by civilized man. Louis Hennepin, a Recollet friar, and his party, 
as a detail from La Salle's expedition to the Illinois, reached the portage in 1680, on his way 
from the Upper Mississippi to the great lakes, passing up the Wisconsin and down the Fox River 
to Green Bay. He says: 

" After we had rowed about seventy leagues upon the river Ouisconsin [Wisconsin], we 
came to the place where we were forced to carry our canoe for half a league. We lay at this 
place all night, and left marks of our having been there by the crosses which we cut on the 
barks of the trees. Next day, having carried our canoe and the rest of our little equipage over 
this piece of land [the portage], we entered upon a river [the Fox] which makes almost as 
many meanders as that of the Illinois at its rise." 

Le Sueur and his party made the portage in 1683, on his way to the Mississippi. 

" About forty-five leagues up this river [the Wisconsin], on the right, is a portage, of more 
than a league in length. The half of this portage is a bog ; at the end of this portage, there is 
a little river [the Fox] that falls into a bay called the Bay of the Puans [Green Bay], inhabited 
by a great number of nations that carry their furs to Canada." 

In 1766, Jonathan Carver made a voyage to St. Anthony's Falls, by way of the portage, 
from the East. Of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and the carrying place [the portage] he 
wrote : 

" The Fox River, from the Green Bay to the carrying place, is about one hundred and eighty 
miles. From the Winnebago Lake to the carrying place, the current is gentle, and the depth of it 
considerable ; notwithstanding which, in some places, it is with difficulty that canoes can pass 
through the obstructions they meet with from the rice-stalks, which are very large and thick, and 
grow here in great abundance. The country ai-ound it is very fertile, and proper in the highest 
degree for cultivation, excepting in some places near the river, where it is rather too low. It is 
in no part very woody, and yet can supply sufficient to answer the demands of any number of 
inhabitants. This river is the greatest resort for wild fowl of every kind that I met with in the 
whole course of my travels ; frequently the sun would be obscured by them for some minutes 
together. 

" About forty miles up this river from the great town of the Winnebagoes, stands a smaller 
town, belonging to that nation. 



338 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

" Deer and bears are very numerous in these parts, and a great many beavers and other 
furs are taken on the streams that empty themselves into this river. The river I am treating 
of is remarkable for having been, about eighty years ago, the residence of the united bands of 
the Ottigaumies and the Saukies, whom the French had nicknamed, according to their wonted 
custom Des Sacs, and Des Reynards — the Sacs and the Foxes. About twelve miles before I 
reached the carrying place, I observed several small mountains, which extended quite to it. 
These, indeed, would only be esteemed as mole-hills when compared with those on the back of the 
colonies ; but as they were the first I had seen since my leaving Niagara, a track of nearly 
eleven hundred miles, I could not leave them unnoticed. 

" The Fox River, where it enters the Winnebago Lake, is about fifty yards wide, but it 
gradually decreases to the carrying place, where it is no more than five yards over, except in 
a few places, where it widens into small lakes, though still of a considerable depth. I cannot 
recollect anything else that is remarkable in this river, except that it is so serpentine for five 
miles as only to gain in that place one-quarter of a mile. 

" The carrying place, between the Fox and Ouisconsin Rivers, is in breadth not more 
than a mile and three-quarters, though in some maps it is so delineated as to appear to be ten 
miles. Near one-half of the way between the rivers is a morass overgrown with a kind of long 
grass ; the rest of it a plain, with some few oak and pine trees growing thereon. I observed 
here a great number of rattlesnakes. I observed that the main body of the Fox River came 
from the southwest, that of the Ouisconsin from the northeast ; and, also, that some of the 
small branches of these two rivers, in descending into them, doubled within a few feet of each 
other, a little to the south of the carrying place. That two such rivers should take their rise 
so near each other, and, after running such different courses, empty themselves into the sea at 
a distance so amazing (for the former, having passed through several great lakes and run upward 
of two thousand miles, falls into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the other, after joining the 
Mississippi and run an equal number of miles, disembogues itself into the Gulf of Mexico), is 
an instance scarcely to be met in the extensive continent of North America. I had an oppor- 
tunity, the year following, of making the same observations on the affinity of various head 
branches of the waters of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi to each other ; and now bring 
them as a proof that the opinion of those geographers who assert that rivers taking their rise 
so near each other must spring from the same source, is eiToneous. For I perceived a visibly 
distinct separation in all of them, notwithstanding, in some places, they appeared so near that 
I could have stepped from one to the other. 

On the 8th of October, we got our canoes into the Ouisconsin River, which at this place 
is more than a hundred yards wide ; and the next day arrived at the great town of the Saukies. 
This is the largest and best-built Indian town I ever saw. It contains about ninety houses, 
each large enough for several families. These are built of hewn plank, neatly jointed and 
covered with bark so compactly as to keep out the most penetrating rains. Before the doors are 
placed comfortable sheds, in which the inhabitants sit, when the weather will permit, and smoke 
their pipes. The streets are regular and spacious ; so that it appears more like a civilized town 
than the abode of savages. The land near the town is very good. In their plantations, which 
lie adjacent to their houses, and which are neatly laid out, they raise great quantities of Indian 
corn, beans, melons, etc., so that this place is esteemed the best market for traders to furnish 
themselves with provisions, of any within eight hundred miles of it. 

" The Saukies can raise about three hundred warriors, who are generally employed every 
summer in making incursions into the territories of the Illinois and Pawnee nations, from whence 
they return with a great number of slaves. But those people frequently retaliate, and in their 
turn destroy many of the Saukies, which I judge to be the reason that they increase no faster. 

" Whilst I stayed here, I took a view of some mountains that lie about fifteen miles to the 
southward, and abound in lead ore. I ascended one of the highest of these, and had an exten- 
sive view of the country. For many miles nothing was to be seen but lesser mountains, which 
appeared at a distance like hay cocks, they being free from trees. Only a few groves of hickory 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 339 

and stunted oaks covered some of the valleys. So plentiful is lead here, that I saw large 
quantities of it lying about the streets in the town belonging to the Saukies, and it seemed to be 
as good as the product of other countries. 

" On the iOth of October, we proceeded down the river, and the next day reached the first 
town of the Ottigaumies. This town contained about fifty houses, but we found most of them 
deserted, on account of an epidemical disorder that had lately raged among them and carried 
off more than half of the inhabitants. The greater part of those who survived had retired into 
woods to avoid the contagion. 

" On the 15th, we entered that extensive river, the Mississippi. The Ouisconsin, from the 
carrying place to the part where it falls into the Mississippi, flows with a smooth but a strong 
current ; the water of it is exceedingly clear, and through it you may perceive a fine and sandy 
bottom, tolerably free from rocks. In it are a few islands, the soil of which appeared to be 
good, though somewhat woody. The land near the river also seemed to be, in general, excellent ; 
but that at a distance is very full of mountains, where it is said there are many lead mines." 

The Wisconsin River was visited by Maj. S. H. Long in 1817, and again in 1823. He says : 
"The Wisconsin River, from its magnitude and importance, deserves a high rank among the trib- 
utaries of the Mississippi. When swollen by a freshet, it affords an easy navigation for boats of 
considerable burden through a distance of more than one hundred and eighty miles. [The actual 
distance to the portage is but 118 miles.] Its current is rapid, and, like the Mississippi, it 
embosoms innumerable islands. In a low stage of water, its navigation is obstructed by numer- 
ous shoals and sand-banks. At the distance from its mouth above mentioned [which is too great 
an estimate by over sixty miles], there is a portage of one mile and a half across a flat meadow, 
which is occasionally subject to inundation, to a branch of Fox River of Green Bav, thus 
affording another navigable communication which boats have been known to pass." 

In 1819, the Fifth Regiment of United States Infantry made the voyage from Fort How- 
ard, near Green Bay, to Prairie du Chien by the way of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, crossing 
the portage. Capt. Henry Whiting, of that regiment, says : " The Fox River, from Lake 
Winnebago to the portage, has always a strong current, and is often entirely overgrown with 
grass and wild rice, but presents no other impediments. It winds through a narrow prairie, 
bordered by oak openings and undulating lands, generally of a beautiful appearance, but prob- 
ably not remarkably I'ich in their soil, which, wherever the river washes them, seems to be a 
sandy, reddish loam. The portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers is about two thou- 
sand five hundred yards ; the road runs over a marshy prairie. There is a Frenchman [Francis 
Le Roy] residing on the rising ground between the rivers. He keeps the proper transportation 
for boats and baggage. The limestone bluffs and highlands begin on the Wisconsin about eight 
miles below the portage. Just above Prairie du Sac appears to be the apex of the highland of 
that river, and the head of the great valley through which it winds." 

THE PORTAGE FROM 1793 TO 1827. 

In 1792-93, Laurent Barth and family (French Canadians) wintei-ed on the St. Croix 
River, with James Portier and Charles Reaume. On his return East, in the spring of 1793, 
with his family, he stopped at the portage and obtained permission from the Indians to trans- 
port goods at the carrying-place — that is, from the Fox to the Wisconsin Rivers. On his 
arrival, he built a cabin at the portage, the first one ever erected by a white man within the 
present limits of Columbia County. Its locality was somewhere on the low land between the 
two rivers ; the exact site is unknown ; it was probably within what are now the boundaries of 
the city of Portage, and southeast of the canal. Barth, finding the spot occasionally sub- 
merged by water from the Wisconsin, during floods in that stream, removed the next year to 
the high ground above. 

Shortly afterward, the elder De-kau-ry, a French trader, made his appearance from Lake 
Puckaway, and founded an Indian settlement on the Wisconsin, two miles above the portage. 
Others followed, and it grew to comparative size and importance. 



340 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The next white resident at the portage was John Lecuyer, a brother-in-law of De-kau-ry ; 
he stopped there in 1798. Competition and improvement are not things of to-day only. 
Lecuyer, too, gained permission of the Winnebagoes to transport goods. Barth had used but 
a single horse and cart ; but Lecuyer brought several teams and carts, with the addition of a 
wagon constructed with a long reach, to transport barges between the rivers. Augustin Grig- 
non spent the winters of 1801 and 1802 at this point, and James Portier early passed two cr 
three. 

About 1803, Mr. Campbell — later the first Indian agent at Prairie du Chien — purchased 
Earth's right. Shortly afterward, he sold his fi.xtures to Lecuyer, who supposed that he was 
relinquishing the business. But he placed his son John, and afterward his son Duncan, at the 
east end of the portage. Barth removed to Prairie du Chien and died there, at the opening of 
the war of 1812. Campbell was killed in a duel in 1808. Lecuyer died in 1810. His widow 
continued the transf.ortation business through the agency of Laurent Filly, until the British 
war broke out, when Francis LeRoy, a son of Joseph LeRoy, of Green Bay, became her son-in- 
law and carried on the business. 

LeRoy was at the portage in 1817, and charged $10 for taking a boat from one river to 
the other. His price for carrying goods across was 50 cents per 100 pounds. After the war, 
Joseph Rolette was also engaged for a brief period in the transportation business, employing 
Peter Pauquette as manager. 

During the years of which we have been writing, the portage was a point of some conse- 
quence as a trading-post. Barth kept no goods for sale to the Indians after he had disposed of 
the remnant of stock which he brought from the St. Croix, but Lecuyer always kept a consider- 
able variety. His widow, and, after her, LeRoy, had smaller quantities, and Campbell sold 
goods during one year. 

In 1814, CoL McKay, of the British army, came up the Fox, from Green Bay, with a 
large force of wliites and Indians, crossed the portage, descended the Wisconsin and captured 
the post at Prairie du Chien. 

In 1818, William Farnsworth, who subsequently resided at Sheboygan, accompanied by 
twenty others, traveled from Green Bay to St. Louis by these rivers and the Mississippi. 

In 1819, the Fifth Regiment of United States Infantry (as already related) crossed the 
portace on their way from Fort Howard to Prairie du Chien, when Francis LeRoy was still 
found as a resident of the carrying-place. He lived upon the high ground, northwest of what 
is now the canal, in the city of Portage, and was engaged in the transportation business between 
the two rivers. He remained there a number of years longer. 

Ebenezer Childs records making the same trip in a bark canoe, in 1821. He conducted 
the first Durham boat that ever went up the Fox and over the portage. 

In 1826, a flotilla of thirty-five boats carried the ^hird United States Infantry from 
Green Bay to St. Louis, by the same streams and crossing. 

In 1827, Gen. Cass passed over this route to ascertain the feeling among the Winneba- 
goes toward the United States Government. 

THE "WINNEBAGO WAR." 

In the early part of the year 1827, a party of twenty-four Chippewas, being on their way to 
Fort Snelling, at the mouth of St. Peter's River, were surprised and attacked by a war-party of 
the Winnebagoes; and eight of them were killed. The commandant of the United States troops 
at the fort took four of the offending Winnebagoes prisoners, and (certainly with great impru- 
dence) delivered them into the hands of the exasperated Chippewas, who immediately put them 
to death. This act was greatly resented by a chief of the Winnebagoes, named "Red Bird," 
and in addition to this source of enmity was to be added the daily encroachment of the whites 
in the lead region ; for at this time they had overrun the mining country from Galena to the 
Wisconsin River. In the spirit of revenge for the killing of the four Winnebagoes, Red Bird 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 341 

led a war-party against the Cbippewas, by whom he was defeated, and thus, having been disap- 
pointed, he turned the force of his resentment against the whites, whom he considered as having 
not only invaded his country, but as having aided and abetted his enemies in the destruction of 
his people. 

Some time previously, a murder by the Winnebagoes had been committed in the family of 
a Mr. Methode, near Prairie du Chien, in which several persons had been killed. It was ajjpar- 
ent that a spirit of enmity between the Indians and the whites was effectually stirred up ; and, 
for the first time since the war of 1812, disturbances were daily looked for by the settlers and 
miners. 

On the 28th of June, 1827, Red Bird, We-Kaw, and three of their companions, entered 
the house of Registre Gagnier, about three miles from Prairie du Chien, where they remained 
several hours. At last, when Mr. Gagnier least expected it, Red Bird leveled his gun, and shot 
him dead on his hearthstone. A person in the building, by the name of Sip Cap, who was a 
hired man, was slain at the same time by We-Kaw. Madame Gagnier turned to fly with her 
infant of eighteen months. As she was about to leap through the window, the child was torn 
from her arms by We-Kaw, stabbed, scalped, and thrown violently on the floor as dead. 

The murderer then attacked the woman, but gave way when she snatched up a gun that 
was leaning against the wall, and presented it to his breast. She then effected her escape. Her 
eldest son, a lad of ten years, also shunned the murderers ; and they both arrived in the village 
at the same time. The alarm was soon given ; but, when the avengers of blood arrived at 
Gagnier's house, they found in it nothing living but his mangled infant. It was carried to the 
village, and, incredible as it may seem, it recovered. 

Red Bird and his companions immediately proceeded from the scene of their crime to the 
rendezvous of their band. During their absence, thirty-seven of the warriors who acknowl- 
edged the authority of Red Bird, had assembled, with their wives and children, near the mouth 
of the Bad Axe River. They received the murderers with joy, and loud approbation of their 
exploit. A keg of liquor which they had secured was set abroach ; and the red men began to 
drink, and, as their spirits rose, to boast of what they had already done and intended to do. Two 
days did they continue to revel ; and on the third the source of their excitement gave out. They 
were, at about four in the afternoon, dissipating the last fumes of their excitement in the scalp- 
dance, when they descried one of the keel-boats, which had a few days before passed up the river 
with provisions for the troops at Fort Snelling, on her return in charge of Mr. Lindsay. Forth- 
with a proposal to take her, and massacre the crew, was made, and carried by acclamation. They 
counted upon doing this without risk ; for they had examined her on the way up, and supposed 
there were no arms on board. 

Mr. Lindsay's boats had descended the river as far as the village of Wabashaw, where 
they expected an attack. The Dakotas on shore were dancing the war-dance, and hailed their 
approach with insults and menaces, but did not, however, offer to obstruct their passage. The 
whites now supposed the danger over ; and, a strong wind at that moment beginning to blow up 
stream, the boats parted company. So strong was the wind, that all the force of the sweeps 
could scarcely stem it ; and, by the time the foremost boat was near the encampment at the 
mouth of the Bad Axe River, the crew were very willing to stop and rest. One or two French- 
men, or half-breeds, who were on board, observed hostile appearances on shore, and advised the 
rest to keep the middle of the stream ; but their counsel was disregarded. Most of the crew were 
Americans, who, as usual with our countrymen, combined a profound ignorance of Indian char- 
acter with a thorough contempt for Indian prowess. They urged the boat directly toward the 
camp with all the force of the sweeps. There were sixteen men on deck. It may be well to 
observe here, that this, like all keel-boats used in the Mississippi Valley, was built almost exactly 
on the model of the Erie and Middlesex canal-boats. 

The men were rallying their French companions on their apprehensions, and the boat 
(named Oliver H. Perry) was within thirty yards of the shore, when suddenly the trees and 
rocks rang with the blood-chilling, ear-piercing tones of the warwhoop, and a volley of rifle-balls 



342 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

rained upon the deck. Happily, tlie Winnebagoes had not yet recovered from the effects of their 
debauch, and their arms were not steady. One man only fell from their fire. He was a little 
negro, named Peter. His leg was dreadfully shattered, and he afterward died of the wound. 
A second volley soon came from the shore; but. as the men were lying at the bottom of the boat, 
thdv all escaped but one, who was shot through the heart. Encouraged by the non-resistance, 
the Winnebagoes rushed to their canoes, with intent to board. The whites, having recoverel 
from their first panic, seized their arras, and the boarders were received with a very severe 
discharge. In one canoe, two savages were killed with the same bullet, and several were 
•wounded. The attack was continued until night, when one of the party, named Mandeville, 
who had assumed command, sprang into the water, followed by four others, who succeeded in 
setting the boat afloat, and then went down the stream. 

Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this battle, seven of whom were killed, and fourteen 
wounded. They managed to put Gt'S bullets into and through the boat. Two of the crew were 
killed outright, two mortally and two slightly wounded. The presence of mind of Mandeville 
undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the boat. Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, did not 
reach the mouth of the Bad Axe until midnight. The Indians opened fire upon her, which was 
promptly returned, but, owing to the darkness, no injury was done, and the boat passed on 
safely. 

Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien when the boats arrived there. The people left 
their houses and farms, and crowded into the dilapidated fort. An express was immediately 
sent to Galena, and another to Fort Snelling, for assistance. A company of upward of a 
hundred volunteers soon arrived from Galena, and the minds of the inhabitants were quieted. 
In a few days, four imperfect companies arrived from Fort Snelling. The consternation of the 
people of the lead mines was great, and in all the frontier settlements. This portion of the 
■country then contained, as is supposed, about five thousand inhabitants. A great many of them 
fled from the country. 

On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. William Whistler, with Government troops, arrived 
at the portage; and, while here, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his 
approach, and directing the former to halt and fortify himself at the portage and wait 
his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jefferson Barracks 
below St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler from Fort Howard on Green Bay. was to capture those 
who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. 
At the opening of the council at the Butte des Morts, between the Government and the Indians, 
the Winnebagoes were advised that the security of their people lay in the surrender of the mur- 
derers of the Gagnier family. While Maj. Whistler was at the portage, he received a call in a 
mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent, and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the 
next day, "they will come in." In reply to the question, "Who will come in?" he said, 
"Red Bird and WeKaw." After making this answer, he retired by the way he came. At 
3 o'clock the same day, another Indian came, and took position in nearly the same place and 
in the same way, when, to like questions he gave like answers; and at sundown a third came, 
•confirming what the two had said, adding that he had, to secure that object, given to the fami- 
lies of the murderers nearly all his property. 

There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving-away of property to 
the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote them- 
selves for the good of their peojde, but only to reconcile those who were about to be bereaved to 
the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the purpose is seen in the fact that the murders com- 
mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on 
this people by the whites. The parties murdered at the prairie were doubtless innocent of the 
wrongs and outrages of which the Indians complained; but the law of Indian retaliation does 
not require that he alone who commits a wrong shall suffer for it. One scalp is held due for 
another, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family, or 
(people who may have made a resort to this law a necessity. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 345 

About noon of the day following, there were seen descending a mound on the portage a 
body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass it could 
be discerned that the direction was toward Maj. Whistler. They boi'e no arms, and Whistler 
was at no loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled. 
In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of 
Fox River, when on a sudden was heard singing. Those who were familiar with the air said, 
" It is a death-song.'' When still nearer, some present who knew him said, " It is Red Bird 
singing his death-song." The moment a halt was made, preparatory to crossing over, two scalp- 
yrlls were heard. 

The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied us were lying carelessly about 
tiie ground, regardless of what was going on; but when tlie "scalp-yells" were uttered they 
sprang as one man to their feet, seized their rifles, and were ready for battle. They were at no 
loss to know what these "yells" were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy 
to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but doubtless inferred the first. 

Barges were sent across to receive, and an escort of military to accompany them within 
Whistler's lines. The white flag which had been seen in the distance was borne by Red 
Bird. 

And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff" on which 
was Whistler's encampment. In the lead was Kar-ray-mau-nee, a distinguislied chief. Arriv- 
ing on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, and order being called, 
Kar-ray-mau-neo spoke, saying, "They are here. Like braves they have come in; treat them 
as braves; do not put them in irons." This address was made to Col. McKenney. The latter 
tdld him he was not the big Captain. His talk must be made to Maj. Whistler, who would do 
what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and a 
hope expressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him. 

The military had been previously drawn out in line. The Menomonee and Wabanackie 
(Oneida) Indians were in groups, upon their haunches, on the left flank. On the right was the 
band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, about ten paces distant, 
were the murderei's. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a 
semicircle; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable-looking We-Kaw a little in advance of 
the center. All eyes were fi.xed on the Red Bird. In height he is about six feet, straight, but 
without restraint. His proportions were those of most exact symmetry ; and these embraced 
the entire man from his head to his feet.- 

He and We-Kaw were told to sit down. At this moment, the band struck up Pleyel's 
Hymn. Everything was still. Red Bird turned his eyes toward the band. The music having 
ceased, he took up his pouch, and, taking from it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the 
palm of his hand, after the Indian fashion ;• then, rubbing the two together, filled the bowl of 
his calumet, struck fire on a bit of punk with his flint and steel, lighted, and smoked it. All 
sat except the speaker. The substance of what they said was as follows : 

They were required to bring in the murderers. They had no power over any except two ; 
the third had gone away ; and these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give themselves up. 
As their friends, they had come with them. They hoped their white brothers would agree to 
accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty ; the meaning of which was, to take 
them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for tiiem, 
and earnestly besought that they might not be put in irons, and concluded by asking for a little 
tobacco and something to eat. 

They were answered and told in substance that they had done well thus to come in. By 
having done so, they had turned away our guns and saved their people. They were admonished 
against placing themselves in a like situation in the future, and advised, when they were 
aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent, who would inform the Great 
Father of their complaints, and he would redress their grievances ; that their friends should be 
treated kindly, and tried by the same laws by which their Great Father's white children were 

c 



346 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

tried ; that for the present Red Bird and We-Kaw should not be put in irons ; that thev should 
all have something to eat and tobacco to smoke. 

Having heard this, Red Bird stood up; the commanding officer, Maj. Whistler, a few 
paces in front of the center of the line, facing him. After a moment's pause and a quick sur- 
vey of the troops, he spoke, saying, "/a?w ready." Then, advancing a step or two, he paused, 
saying, "I do not wish to be put in irons. Let me be free. I have given away my life ; it is 
gone" (stooping and taking some dust between his finger and thumb and blowing it away) "like 
that," eying the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight, adding, " I would not take it back ; 
it is gone." Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind him and marched up to Maj. 
Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backward from the center of the line, wlien, 
the Major stepping aside. Red Bird and We-Kaw marched through the line, in charge of a file 
of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear, where a guard was set over them. The com- 
rades of the two captives then left the ground by the way they had come, taking with them 
Maj. Whistler's advice and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco. 

We-Kaw. the miserable-looking being, the accomplice of the Red Bird, was in all things 
the opposite of that unfortunate brave. Never were two persons so totally unlike. The one 
seemed a prince, and as if born to command, and worthy to be obeyed ; the other, as if he had 
been born to be hanged — meager, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the 
starved wolf, gaunt, hungry and bloodthirsty ; his entire appearance indicating the presence of 
a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The prisoners were committed into safe-keeping at Prairie 
du Chien, to await their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder. 

The next spring. Red Bird, We-Kaw and another Winnebago prisoner were tried at Prairie 
du Chien, before Judge J. D. Doty, who went from Green Bay, by way of the portage, for that 
purpose, convicted and sentenced to death. Red Bird died in prison. A deputation of the tribe went 
to Washington to solicit the pardon of the others. President Adams granted it on the implied 
condition that the tribe would cede the lands then in the possession of the miners. The Winne- 
bagoes agreed to this. Mme. Gagnier was compensated for the loss of her husband and the 
mutilation of her infant. At the treaty held at Prairie du Chien in 1829, provision was made 
for two sections of land to her and her tAvo children ; and the Government agreed to pay her 
the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity of the Winnebago 
Indians. 

In closing this account of the "Winnebago war," we give an anecdote which places the 
Winnebago character in an amiable light : The militia of Prairie du Chien, immediately after 
the affair of the boats, seized the old chief, De-kau-ry, and four other Indians ; and he was 
informed that, if Red Bird should not be given up within a certain time, he and the others 
were to die in his place. This he steadfastly believed. A messenger, a young Indian, was 
sent to inform the tribe of the state of affairs ; and several days had elapsed and no information 
was received of the murderers. The dreadful day was near at hand, and De-kau-ry, being in a 
bad state of health, asked permission of the officer to go to the river to indulge in his long- 
accustomed habit of bathing in order to improve his health ; upon which Col. Snelling told him 
if he would promise, on the honor of a chief, that he would not leave town, he might have his 
liberty and enjoy all his privileges until the day appointed for his execution. Accordingly, he 
first gave his hand to the Colonel, thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised both hands aloft 
and in the most solemn adjuration promised that he would not leive the bounds prescribed, and 
said if he had a hundred lives he would sooner lose them all than forfeit his word. He was 
then set at liberty. He was advised to flee to the wilderness and make his escape. " But no !" 
said he, " do you think I prize life above honor?" He then complacently remained until nine 
days of the ten which he had to live had elapsed, and still nothing was heard promising the 
apprehension of the murderers. No alteration could be seen in the countenance of the chief. 
It so happened that, on that day. Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from Jefferson Bar- 
racks, and the order for the execution was countermanded and the Indians permitted to return 
to their homes. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 347 



FORT WINNEBAGO. 



There seems to hang, in perpetual solemnity, an enchanted halo around the site of Fort 
Winnebago. We approach this historical spot with feelings profound and reverential. The 
fragmentary descriptions written of the old place and its early associations have been wafted 
upon the wave of intelligence far and wide. We know that, immediately preceding its com- 
mencement, there were at the east end of the portage a log house and barn, which then formed 
a trading-post of the American Fur Company, and that Peter Pauquette lived there and had 
charge of the buildings ; that there was another building, where the sub-agent, John Kinzie, 
was living, and still two others, occupied by half-breeds ; and on the east side of Fox River, 
there was a house belonging to Francis LeRoy, son of Joseph LeRoy, of Green Bay. Where 
that house was, the fort was afterward built. 

At the west end of the portage, there was a log house built, and three houses where Per- 
rish Grignon and his wife, sister of the chief, De-kau-ry, were living ; the second one was occu- 
pied by his son, Lavoin Grignon ; the other, by J. B. Lecuyer. LeRoy was living near where 
0. P. Williams' house was afterward located. 

Fort Winnebago was established at a period, not remote, when civilization had but a sin- 
gle line of communication from the great lakes to the " American Amazon." The necessity 
for some means of protection to the fur trade from Winnebago exactions, and as security against 
further aggressions — such as the "Winnebago War," just described — becoming evident, the 
General Government, at the solicitation of John Jacob Astor, who was then at the head of the 
American Fur Company, and upon whose goods the Indians levied exorbitant tolls, authorized 
the erection of a post at the portage. 

Late in the fall of 1828, the First Infantry, stationed at Fort Howard, and commanded by 
Maj. Twiggs, was ordered to proceed to the portage and enter upon the work. The small 
detachment was composed of three companies, under Capt. Buell, Capt. Spence and Captain — 
afterward General — Harney, of Mexican war fame. The First Lieutenants were Jefferson Davis, 

Ganes Miller and Abercrombie. The latter commanded at the battle of Falling Waters, 

early in the rebellion, and rose to the rank of a general officer. The Second Lieutenants were 
Pegram, Lamotte and Burbanks. Surgeon Abbott accompanied the troops to heal the wounds 
incident to house-building. 

The soldiers came amply provided with provisions and otherwise prepared for a winter cam- 
paign. Maj. Twiggs, in the capacity of " boss carpenter," erected temporary barracks of tam- 
arack logs, in which to winter his command, and detailed a party to go up the Wisconsin River 
and procure pine timber, with which to construct the permanent fort. Another party was 
detailed to quarry stone, at what was called " Stone Quarry Hill." With the first rise of 
water in the spring of 1829, rafts of logs were floated down to the portage, and were hauled, 
by teams, to the place of building, where all the lumber was sawed by hand, with whip-saws, 
with which to build the entire fort. The brick necessary for the chimneys, etc., were burned 
just opposite the " narrows," on the Wisconsin River, where Armstrong's brickyard is now 
located. 

The manual labor was performed by the private soldiers, while the officers did the " heavy 
work," such as drawing plans and superintending the job. Some amusing incidents occurred, 
in which the architectural skill of the epauleted "bosses" was sorely tried. During the con- 
struction of the commissary-stores building, one of the young Lieutenants being in charge, a 
question arose among the privates as to the propriety of placing in the building thirty-foot 
beams as "sleepers," without anything beneath them to prevent the floor from "sag- 
ging" when the structure should be filled with heavy and indigestible army stores. One 
of the workmen, a practical builder, was delegated by his companions to interview the "super- 
intendent," and point out to him the fallacy of observing the plans and specifications in this 
regard. He did so, but beat a hasty retreat after receiving this reply from his superior : " Who 
in h— 11 pays you for thinking? " 



348 HISTORY OF COHMBIA COUXTY. 

The fort was completed in the spring of 1830. The principal buildings stood on the side 
of a s(|uare. Defense against cannon did not enter the plan. The only structures in the 
nature of fortifications were two heavy, compact blockhouses, perforated for musketry, and situ- 
ated at the northeast and southwest corners of the quadrangle. .\t the same angle was the 
magazine, a low, arched structure of heavy stone. A little south, and acro.ss the military road 
leailing to Fort Howard, were the hospital and the quarters of the medical staff: and still fur- 
ther south, were the carpenters' shops, in which Jeff Davis is said to have exhibited more skill 
in the manufacture of (juaint furniture than he has since shown in a wellrcmembered attempt 
to organize a " government. "' 

Westward, on tlie slope toward the river, was the commissary building, near which was the 
cynosure of the sutler. The capacious stables were not many rods away, and just removed 
from them were the slaughter-houses. Forty rods east were located the blacksmith-shops. On 
the north and south sides of the fort itself were the gardens, which, in time, became highly 
cultivated. On the east was the drill and parade ground. The fort proper was inclosed 
by a solid picket or stockade. There were two entrances, each guarded by thick, double gates. 
The main buildings were neat one-and-a-half-story edifices, painted r.diite, with sharply sloping 
roofs and uniform dormer windows, the whole being clean and tasty of aspect. 

Time does not appear to have hung heavily on the garrison. There was much leisure for 
amusement, anrl they improved it. Billiards, cards, dancing and amateur theatricals varied the 
monotony by night, while liorse-racing and athletic sports diminished the hours by day. At 
one period, the n.ail arrived every two weeks from Chicago via Mineral Point. The vehicle 
which brought it hove in sight upon a height three miles distant from the fort. It was a favor- 
ite pastime to lay wagers on the moment of its first appearance, the precise moment it would reach 
the post office (which was the sutler's storehouse), or whether the wagerer would have a letter or 
not. Game was abundant in its season, and many days were devoted to the hunt. Sleigh-riding 
parties were also popular. 

In the spring of 1834, when Henry Merrell came to the fort, he found there Col. Cutler, 
the conimanding officer; Lieut. Lacy, Quartermaster and Commissary; Captains Low, Clark 
and Plyrapton ; Lieutenants Van Cleve, Johnston, Collinsworth, Kuggles, Hooe and Reed, and 
Surgeon McDougall ; also Burley Follett, Daniel Bushnell and Satterlee Clark, Jr., the latter 
three in charge of the sutler's store as agents for Oliver Newberry, of Detroit; Capt. McCabe 
w;us Postmaster and Indian agent. Maj. Twiggs had been relieved by Companies C, D, E 
and F of the Sixth United States Infantry. Capt. Plymi)ton, who was a brevet Major, 
assumed command for a short time prior to the arrival of Col. Cutler. Two companies of the 
First Infantry subsequently relieved this detachment and remained until the evacuation in 
1845. Col. Cutler's successors in command at the fort were Maj. Green, Col. Mcintosh, 
Capts. Low and Jewett, and Lieut. Mumford. When the evacuation took place, the fort was 
left in charge of Ordnance Sergeant Van Camp, who looked after it until 1847, when he died. 
William Weir, an old soldier of the fort, then had charge of it until 1853, when it was sold at 
auction under an order affecting such property, made by Jeff Davis, as Secretary of War. In 
March, 1856, a fire destroyed or seriously damaged most of the buildings, which were then 
occupied by private families. The reservation, comprising nearly four thousand acres, l)ecame 
the property of J. B. Martin and others, of Milwaukee ; they paid for it $20,000. W. H. 
Wells, of Fond du Lac, anil F. II. Marsten, of Buffalo, subse(|uently owned it. In 1809, Val- 
entine Ilelmann, of Portage, bought forty acres of Messrs. Widls and Marsten, and, on the 14th 
of Febriuiry, 1873, he added another "forty"' by purchase. The latter sale included all the 
old buildings, spared by time and fire, on the left-hand side of the old military road, in the 
town of Fort Winnebago. The stone was afterward sold by Mr. Helraann to the Government 
and used in constructing breakwaters along the Wisconsin River. Thirty-three thousand brick 
(the first ever made at the portage) were taken from the massive fireplaces and chimneys and 
used in the construction of Mr. Helmann's residence on his farm. The old commissary build- 
ing was removed and now does service as a barn on the same farm. Nearly all of the remaining 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNT r. 349 

buildings were torn away, the material being sold to different parties in Portage and tlie 
town of Fort Winnebago. All that now remains of old Fort Winnebago are the well and the 
cellars. In the fall of 1879, the framework about the former plunged into the shaft below. 
OM age is supposed to have been the cause of the rash act. About thirty rods south stands a 
portion of the old hospital building, owned by Andrew Weir and occupied by a family named 
Estabrook. The agency building, on Agency Hill, west of the canal and river, fell not into 
the hands of the despoiler. It is owned and occupied as a residence by E. S. Baker, who has 
put upon it improvements calculated to keep it intact for another half a generation. In size, it 
is 30x36 feet on the ground, and two stories high with a garret. The kitchen is 20x24 feet, 
and one and a half stories high. The framework is very ponderous, the studding, rafters, 
joists, sleepers and sills being twice the size of similar material used in buildings of the present 
day. The house was originally surrounded by a circular row of maples and elms, planted fifty 
years ago. But four trres have survived, and they are now two feet in diameter. Near by is 
the icehouse, a hole in the ground twenty feet deep and sixteen across the top, substantially 
walled with "hard-head" stone. 

A lady resident of the fort, in 1831, has left the following interesting reminiscence of her 
observations and experience at the post.* 

"Maj. and Mrs. Twiggs and a few of the younger officers (for nearly all of the older ones 
were absent), with our brother Robert, or Bob, as he is called throughout all of the Indian 
tribes, gave us a cordial welcome — how cordial those alone can know who have come like us to a 
remote, isolated home in the wilderness. The Major insisted on our taking possession at once 
of vacant quarters in the fort, instead of at ' the agency,' as had been proposed. 

" No ; we must be under the same roof with them. Mrs. Twiggs had been without a com- 
panion of her own sex for more than four months, and would certainly not hear of a separation 
now. But we must be their guests untTl the arrival of the boats containing our furniture, which, 
under the care of our old acquaintance, Hamilton Arndt. was making its way slowly up from 
Green Bay. * 

" A dinner had been prepared for us. This is one of the advantages of the zigzag ap- 
proach by the Fox River — travelers never take their friends by surprise ; and when the whole 
circle sat down to the hospitable board, we were indeed a merry company. After dinner. Mrs. 
Twiggs showed me the quarters assigned to us, on the opposite side of the spacious hall. They 
consisted of two large rooms on each of the three floors or stories of the building. On the 
ground floor the front room was vacant. The one in the rear was to be the sleeping apartment, 
as was evident from a huge, unwieldy bedstead of proportions amply sufficient to have accom- 
odateil Oil, the Kinc of Bashan, with Mrs. Os and the children into the baro;ain. AVe could 
not repress our laughter; but the bedsteiid was nothing to another structure which occupied a 
second corner of the apartment. This edifice had been built under the immediate superinten- 
dence of one of our young lieutenants, and it was plain to be seen that upon it both he and the 
soldiers who fabricated it had exhausted all their architectural skill. The timbers of which it 
was composed had been grooved and carved ; the pillars that supported the front swelled in and 
out in a most fanciful manner; the doors were not only paneled, but radiated in a way to excite 
the admiration of all unsophisticated eyes. A similar piece of workmanship had been erected 
in each set of quarters, to supply the deficiency of closets, an inconvenience which had never 
occurred, until too late, to the bachelors who planned them. The three apartments of which 
each structure was composed, were unquestionably designed for clothes-press, storeroom and 
china-close^ ; such, at least, were the uses to which Mrs. Twiggs had appropriated the one 
assigrned to her. There was this slight difficultv, that in the latter the shelves were too close 
to admit of setting in even a gravy-boat, but they made up in number what was wanting in 
space. We christened the whole aifiiir, in honor of its projector, a Davis, thus placing the first 
laurel on the brow of one who was afterward to signalize himself in cabinet-making of quite a 
different character. 



' Waii-Buu, the Early Day in the Northwest," (.ty Mra. John H. Kiuzie, lip. 6S-76. 



350 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

" The bold promontory upon which Fort Winnebago was built looked down upon the ex- 
tended prairie and the Fox River on one side, and, on the other, stretched away into the thickly 
wooded ridge that led off to Belle Fontaine and Lake Puckaway. In front lay an extent of 
meadow, across which was the portage road, of about two miles in length, leading between the 
Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. Teams of oxen and a driver were kept at the agency by the Gov- 
ernment to transport the canoes of the Indians across the place, which, at many seasons, was 
wet, miry and almost impassable. The woods were now brilliant with the many tints of autumn, 
and the scene around was further enlivened by groups of Indians, in all directions, and their 
lodges, which were scattered here and there, in the vicinity of the agency buildings. On the 
low grounds might be seen the white tents of the traders, already prepared to furnish winter sup- 
plies to the Indians in exchange for the annuity money they were about to receive. 

"A great concourse had been for many days assembling in anticipation of the payment, 
which was expected to take place as soon as Shawnee-aiv-kee should arrive with the silver. 
Preparatory to this event, the gre.it chief of the nation, Four-Legs, whose village we had passed 
at the entrance to Winnebago Lake, had thought proper to take a little carouse, as is too apt to 
be the custom when the savages come into the neighborhood of a sutlers establishment. In the 
present instance, the ficilities for a season of intoxication had been augmented by the presence 
on the ground of some traders too regardless of the very stringent laws prohibiting the sale of 
liquor to the Indians. Poor Four-Legs could not stand this full tide of prosperity. Unchecked 
by the presence of his Father, the agent, he carried his indulgence to such excess that he fell a 
victim in the course of a few days. His funeral had been celebrated with the usual pomp the 
day before our arrival, and great was my disappointment at finding myself too late to witness all 
the ceremonies. His body, according to their custom, having been wrapped in a blanket and 
placed in a rude coffin along with his guns, tomahawk, pipes and a quantity of tobacco, had been 
carried to the most elevated point of the hill opposite the fort, followed by an immense procession 
of his people, whooping, beating their drums, howling, and making altogether what is emphati- 
cally termed a 'pow-wow.' After the interment of the body, a stake was planted at its head. 
on which was painted, in vermilion, a series of hieroglyphics, descriptive of the great deeds and 
events of his life. The whole was then surrounded with pickets of the trunks of the tamarack 
trees, and hither the friends would come for many successive days, to renew the expression of 
their grief, and to throw over the grave tobacco and other offerings to the Great Spirit. It was 
a consolation to find that, although delayed, we were yet in time to furnish a (juantity of white 
cotton for a flag to Avaive over the grave, and also to pay a considerable bill at the 
sutler's for the different articles that had been found necessary for the funeral parade 
— it being a duty expected of their Father, to bury the dead suitably. The funeral 
observances in honor of the chief had not yet ceased. Throughout the day, and all that 
night, the sound of instruments, mingled with doleful lamentations, and with the discordant 
whoops and yells of those in a partial state of intoxication, filled the air and disturbed our repose. 
To these were added occasionally the plaintive sounds of the Indian flute, upon which the young 
savage plays when he is in love. Grief and whisky had made their hearts tender, and the 
woods resounded to their melancholy strains. Early the following morning, before I left my room, 
I was startled by the sounds of lamentation and woe proceeding from the adjoining apartment. 
On entering it, I found several squaws seated on the floor, with downcast looks, expressive of 
condolence and sympathy, while in their midst sat a little ugly woman in tattered garments and 
blackened face and disheveled hair, sobbing and wailing bitterly. Not doubting they were the 
family of the deceased chief, I was quite troubled at my inability to express, otherwise than by 
gestures, my participation in their sorrows. LTnacquainted as I was with their customs, I took 
it for granted, from their wietched appearance, that poverty and destitution formed one of the 
sources of their aflliction. One of the party, at least, seemed in the very depth of misery. Can 
it be possible, said I to myself, that this poor creature has only these scanty rags to cover her ? 
Stepping back to my own room, I brought out a pretty calico wrapper, which I presented to the 
little dirty, blackened object. She took it and commenced a fresh series of sobbing and sighing. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 351 

I made signs to her to put it on, opening it, and explaining to her how it was to be worn, and 
recommending to her, by gestures, to lose no time in making herself more comfortable. At 
this the other women burst into a laugh. Very mal-apropos, thought I, and somewhat unfeeling. 
At that moment my husband, entering, explained to me that the chief mourner was Madam 
Four-Legs, the widow ; that she had undoubtedly a comfortaple wardrobe at home, but that it 
was part of the etiquette of mourning to go for a season with neglected persons and blackened 
faces. All this was told me in the interval of shaking hands, and offering and receiving con- 
dolences in the most uncouth, guttural language that I had ever heard. Their Father at length 
dismissed them with a promise of some presents to help dry up their tears. It must not be 
inferred that the grief of the poor little widow was not sincere. On the contrary, she was 
greatly attached to her husband, and had had great influence, not only with him, but with the 
nation at large. She was a Fox woman, and spoke the Chippewa, which is the court language 
among all the tribes, so that she was often called upon to act as an interpreter. She was a 
person of great shrewdness and judgment, and, as I afterward experienced, of strong and 
tenacious affections. 

" After breakfast, I received a visit from the principal chiefs, who had put on their beat of 
apparel and paint, to receive their new mother. There was Naw-Kaw or Kar-ray-mau-nee, ' The 
Walking Turtle,' then the principal chief of the nation, a stalwart Indian, with a broad, pleas- 
ant countenance, the great peculiarity of which was an immense under lip, hanging nearly to 
his chin. There was the old De-Kau-ray, the most noble, dignified and venerable of his own, 
or, indeed, of any, tribe. His fine Roman countenance, rendered still more striking by his bald 
head, with one solitary tuft of long, silvery hair, neatly tied, and falling back on his shoulders ; 
his perfectly neat and appropriate dress, almost without ornament, and his courteous demeanor, 
never laid aside under any circumstances, all combined to give him the highest place in the con- 
sideration of all who knew him. There was Black Wolf, whose lowering, surly face was well 
described by his name. The fierce expression of his countenance was greatly heightened by 
the masses of heavy, black hair hanging around it, quite contrary to the usual fashion among the 
Winnebagoe?. They, for the most part, remove a portion of their hair, the remainder of which 
is drawn to the back of the head, clubbed and ornamented with beads, ribbons, cock feathers, or, 
if they are so entitled, an eagle's feather for every scalp taken from an enemy. There was 
Talk-English, a remarkably handsome, powerful young Indian, who received his name in the 
following manner : He was one of the party of sixteen Winnebagoes who had, by invitation, 
accompanied their agent and Maj. Forsyth (or the Chippewa, as he was called), on a visit to 
the President, at Washington, the year previous. On the journey, the question naturally ad- 
dressed to them by people not familiar with Western Indians, was : ' Do you talk English ? ' 
The young fellow, being very observant, came to his Father. ' What do they mean by this ? 
Every body says to me talk English ! ' The agent interpreted the words to him. ' Ah, very 
well.' The next place they arrived at was Lockport, in the State of New York. Jumping off 
the canal boat upon the lock, he ran up to the first man he met and, thrusting forward his face, 
called out: 'Talk Eengeesh ? ' ' Yes," said the man; 'Do you talk English?' 'Ya-as.' 
From that time forward he always bore the name of Talk-English, and was registered on the 
pay-rolls by that title, of which he was not a little proud. Hoo-wau-nee-kah, ' The Little Elk,' 
was another of the distinguished men of the tribe. He had likewise been at Washington. 
Henry Clay, when he visited them, after looking carefully at the countenances and bearing of all 
the members of the deputation, had indicated him as the one possessing the greatest talent ; and he 
was greatly pleased when informed that he was the principal orator of the nation, and decidedly su- 
perior in abilities to any other individual of the tribe. Then there was Kau-ray-kaiv-saw- 
kaw, 'The White Crow,' a Rock River Indian, who afterward distinguished himself as a friend 
of the whites during the Sauk war. He was called by the French, ' le Borgne,' from having 
lost an eye ; and the black silk handkerchief which he wore drooping over the left side of his 
face, to disguise the blemish, taken with his native costume, gave him a very singular appearance. 
There was a nephew of the defunct chief Four-Legs, to whom, with justice, was given, by both 



352 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

whites and Indians, the appellation of ' the Dandy.' When out of mourning, his dress was of the 
most studied and fanciful character. A shirt (when he condescended to wear any) of the briglitest 
colors, ornamented with innumerable rows of silver brooches set thickly together; never less than 
two pairs of silver arm bands ; leggings and moccasins of the most elaborate embroidery, in ribbons 
and porcupine quills ; everything that he could devise in the shape of an ornament, hanging to his 
club of hair behind ; a feather fan in one hand, and in the other a mirror, in which he contemplated 
himself every few minutes. These, with the variety and brilliancy of the colors upon his face, 
the suitable choice and application of which occupied no small portion of the hours allotted to 
his toilet, made up the equipment of young Four-Legs. This devotion to dress and appearance 
seemed not altogether out of place in a youthful dandy ; but wo had likewise an old one of the 
same stamp. Pawnee Blanc, or the White Pawnee, surpassed his younger competitor, if possi- 
ble, in attention to his personal attractions. Upon the present occasion, he appeared in all his 
finery, and went through the customary salutations with an air of solemn dignity, and then 
walked, as did the other, into the parlor (for I had received them in the hall), where tliey all 
seated themselves on the floor. Fortunately, the room was not bare of furniture, but ' alas ! ' 
thought I, 'for my pretty carpet, if this is to be the way they pay their respects to me I ' I 
watched the falling of the ashes from their long pipes, and the other inconveniences of the use 
of tobacco, or kin-ni-kin-nic, with absolute dismay. 

" The visit of the chiefs was followed by one from the interpreter and his wife, with all the 
Canadian and half-breed women whose husbands found employment at the agency, or at the Ameri- 
can Fur Company's establishment. By this time, my piano had been taken from its case and set 
up in our quarters. To our great joy, we found it entirely uninjured, not a note was out of tune. 
The women, to whom it was an entire novelty, were loud in their exclamations of wonder and 
delight: ' Eh-h-h ! regardezdonc ; Quelles inventions ! Quellcs merveilles !' * One, observing 
the play of my fingers reflected in the name-board, called in great exultation to her compan- 
ions. She had discovered, as she thought, the hidden machinery by which the sounds were 
produced, and was not a little mortified when she was undeceived." 



* Ooly look! what inventions! what wonders! 




HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 353 



CHAPTER in. 

The Blaok H.vwk "War— A Supplemental Episode ok the Black Hawk War— United 
States Land Surveys— United States Land Districts- Early Govehnmknt of 
Columbia County Territory— Colujiuia County on Early' Maps. 

THE black hawk WAR. 

The months of June and July, 1882, were months of excitement in Fort Winnebago and 
its immediate vicinity, for it was known that the Sacs, painted and plumed, at war with the 
whites, with Black Hawk as their leader, had retreated up Rock River. The Sac chief, with 
his braves, finally reached a point (Black Hawk Grove) just outside of what is now the city of 
•Janesville, Rock County, where he remained some time in camp. It must not be understood 
that they were now at their former homes. This was not the ease. It was not then the country 
of the Sacs, but of the Rock River Winnebagoes. The last mentioned had not yet ceded their 
territory east of Sugar River. 

While Black Hawk Avas in camp at the grove, which has received his name, there were 
brought in two prisoners — Sylvia and Rachel Hall ; and it was there they were handed over to 
the Winnebagoes. 

The tent-poles, ashes and brands of the Indian camp-fires, where the two captives were given 
over to the Winnebagoes by the Sac Indians, were plainly discernible when the first settlers 
located in the vicinity. 

Gen. Atkinson, having arrived at the mouth of the Pecatonica, in pursuit of the savages, 
and, hearing that Black Hawk was further up Rock River, determined to follow him, with the 
intention of deciding the war by a general battle, if possible. Black Hawk, judging of his 
intentions from the report of his spies, broke up his camp, near what is now Janesville, and 
retreated still farther up the stream to the foot of Lake Koshkonong, where, on the west side of 
the river, in what is now the town of iNHlton, Rock County, he again formed a camp. Here he 
remained some time, when he again removed, this time to an island in the lake, still known as 
Black Hawk's Island. It is in the southeast corner of the town of Sumner, in Jefferson 
County. He afterward made his way farther up the valley. 

The march of Gen, Atkinson in pursuit of Black Hawk through what is now Rock County, 
and his arrival at Lake Koshkonong, in the present county of Jefferson, where he found the 
Sac chief had eluded him, is best related by one who was present : 

'• The oOth of June, 1832, we passed through the Turtle Village [now the city of Beloit], 
which is a considerable Winnebago town, but it was deserted. We marched on about a mile, 
and encamped on the open prairie, near enough to Rock River to get water from it. We here 
saw very fresh signs of the Sac Indians, where they bad been, apparently, fishing on that day. 
Gen. Atkinson believed we were close to them, and apprehended an attack that night. The 
sentinels fired several times, and we were as often paraded and prepared to receive the enemy ; 
hut they never came, though, from the accounts given by the sentinels to the officers of the 
day, there was no doubt that Indians had been prowling about the camp. 

"July 1. We had not marched but two or three miles before an Indian was seen across 
Rock River, at some distance off, on a very high prairie, who, no doubt, was a spy, and. likely, 
was one that had been prowling about our encampment the night before. We proceeded a few 
miles further, and came to the place where the Indians, who had taken the two Misses Hall 
prisoners, had stayed for several days [near the present city of Janesville]. It was a strong 
position, where they could have withstood a very powerful force. We afterward discovered that they 
always encamped in such places. We Iiad not marched but a few miles from this place before 



354 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUKTY. 

one of our front scouts came back, meeting the array in great haste, and stated that he had 
discovered a fresh trail of Indians, where they had just gone along in front of us. Maj. Ewing, 
who was in front of the main army some distance, immediately formed his men in line of battle, 
and marched in that order in advance of the main army about three-quarters of a mile. We 
had a very thick wood to march through, where the undergrowth stood very high and thick. 
The signs looked very fresh, and we exjjected every step to be fired upon from the thickets. 
We marched in this order about two miles, not stopping for the unevenness of the ground or 
anything else, but keeping in line of battle all the time, until we found the Indians had scat- 
tered ; then we resumed our common line of march, which was in three divisions. Soon after 
we had formed into three divisions, the friendly Indians that were with us raised an alarm by 
seven or eight of them shooting at a deer — some little in advance of the army. The whole 
army here formed for action, but it was soon ascertained that these children of the forest had 
been at what their whole race seems to have been born for — shooting at the beasts of the forest. 

"We here camped by a small lake [Storr's] this night, and had to drink the water, 
which was very bad, but it was all that could be found. Here a very bad accident happened. 
One of the sentinels, mistaking another that was on post, with a blanket wi-apped around him. 
for an Indian, shot him just below the groin in the thick of the thigh. At first the wound 
was thought mortal. I understood, before I left the army, that the man was nearly well. 
Here Gen. Atkinson had on this night breastworks thrown up, which was easily done, as we 
were encamped in thick, heavy timber. This was a precaution which went to show that he set 
a great deal by the lives of his men, and by no means was any mark of cowardice ; for general- 
ship consists more in good management than anything else. 

"July 2. We started this morning at the usual time, but went oftly a few miles before 
Maj. Ewing, who was still in front with his battalion, espied a very fresh trail, making off at 
about a left angle. He dispatched ten men from the battalion, in company with Capt. George 
Walker and a few Indians, to pursue it, and see, if possible, where it went to. He moved on 
in front of his battalion a short distance further, when we came on the main Sac trail of Black 
Hawk's whole army, which appeared to be about two days old. Capt. Early, who commanded 
a volunteer independent company, and had got in advance, this morning called a halt ; so did 
Maj. Ewing with his battalion. Then Maj. Ewing sent back one of his staff officers for the 
main army to call a halt for a few minutes. He, with Maj. Anderson, of the infantry, Capt. 
Early and Jonathan H. Pugh, went a little in advance, when Maj. Anderson, with a telescope, 
took a view across the lake, as we had now got to Lake Koshkonong. [The army entered what 
is now Jefferson County, very nearly where, in going north, its south line is crossed by the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway. The trail, after leaving the southeast quarter of Section 35, 
in Township 5 north, of Range 13 east, ran nearly due north to the southeast corner of Section 
26, in the same township and range, where the army reached the lake, in what is now the town 
of Koshkonong.] They then discovered three Indians apparently in their canoes. Maj. 
Ewing went himself and informed Gen. Atkinson what discovery was made, and requested 
Gen. Atkinson to let him take his battalion round through a narrow defile that was between 
two of those lakes, where we supposed the Indians were. By this time our scouts, who had 
taken the trail that led off on our left, returned, bringing with them five white men's scalps. 
They followed the Indian trail until it took them to a large Indian encampment that they had 
left a few days before. They reached it ; the scalps were sticking up against some of their wig- 
wams ; some of them were identified, but I do not recollect the names of any except one, which 
was said to be an old gentleman of the name of Hall. Maj. Ewing then marched his battalion 
about a mile, where the pass on the side of the lake appeared so narrow that he dismounted 
his men and had his horses all tied, and a few men left to guard them. The rest of us marched 
on foot about one mile through a narrow defile on the [east] bank of Koshkonong Lake. This 
was considered a dangerous procedure ; but Maj. Ewing, who was in front with Maj. Ander- 
son, would have been first in danger. We now found that we were getting too far in advance of 
our horses, so Maj. Ewing sent a part of the men back for them. When we mounted our 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 355 

horses, we were joined by Capt. Early and his independent corps. We then marched some dis- 
tance around the [Koshkonong] lake, and went in between two of them in a narrow defile, until 
we found another deserted encampment. We now saw clearly that the Indians were gone from 
the Koshkonong Lake, so the next thing to be done was to find in which direction they had 
steered their course." 

Gen. Atkinson having been re-enforced by Gen. Alexander, took up his line of march, 
arriving at the Burnt Village on the 6th of July. The Burnt Village, known also as the 
White Crow's town, was on the south side of what was then called the Whitewater River, now 
Bark River, at its most southerly point, on the north half of Section 12, in Township 5 north, 
of Range 14 east, town of Koshkonong, about two and a half miles southeast of the present 
Fort Atkinson. This is the village generally, but incorrectly, stated to have been located upon 
the north side of Lake Koshkonong, some eight miles distant. When Gen. Atkinson reached 
the place, it was found deserted. That evening (the 6th), Gen. Posey's brigade, in company 
with Col. Dodge's squadron, joined Atkinson. Col. John Ewing and his regiment came within 
a mile and a half of the main army and encamped. On the 10th, Gen. Atkinson sent Col. 
Ewing with his regiment down Rock River to Dixon's; Gen. Posey, with the rest of his bri- 
gade, was dispatched to Fort Hamilton, while Col. Henry and his brigade. Gen. Alexander's 
brigade and Col., Dodge's squadron were sent to Fort Winnebago, now Portage, Columbia Co., 
for provisions. Atkinson dropped down a short distance from the Burnt Village and built a 
stockade fort, which he called Fort Koshkonong. It was located on the south side of Rock 
River, in the eastern outskirts of the present village of Fort Atkinson. Alexander returned 
from Fort Winnebago by the direct )-oute, while Dodge and Henry took a more easterly one, 
striking Rock River at a point where there was a small Winnebago village, now Hustisford, 
Dodge County, which point was reached July 18. Information was here obtained that Black 
Hawk was at "Cranberry Lake," farther up the river. This was believed to be reliable, and an 
express was immediately started down the stream to inform Gen. Atkinson of the Sac chief's 
whereabouts. The express, consisting of Dr. E. H. Merryman, W. W. Woodbridge, with Lit- 
tle Thunder, a Winnebago, came very unexpectedly, at a distance of not more than eight miles 
from their starting-point, upon the trail of Black Hawk, making his way down the river. The 
express returned to the army with the news, and the next morning, July 19, the pursuit began. 
The fugitives, leaving the river near what is now the city of Watertown, were followed to the 
Third Lake (Monona), across the site where the city of Madison now stands. Meanwhile, 
Atkinson being informed of the movements of Henry and Dodge, broke up his camp and fol- 
lowed on with the main army, leaving Capt. Gideon Low, of the United States Regulars, with 
thirty or forty men, to hold Fort Koshkonong, afterward known as Fort Atkinson. The two 
commands, following so close upon the Sac chief, brought on an engagement on the 21st of 
July, upon the Wisconsin River, mention of which — the battle of Wisconsin Heights — has 
already been made in the general history of the State. After the conclusion of the war, Capt. 
Gideon Low abandoned Fort Atkinson, proceeding with his men to Fort Winnebago. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Black Hawk and his army did not, in their northward move- 
ment, reach the limits of what is now Columbia County, yet his retreat up the Rock River 
valley and the danger of (as many believed) the Winnebagoes joining him in a body, caused 
not only much uneasiness at Fort Winnebago, but the resort to active measures to induce that 
tribe to remain steadfast in their friendship to the Americans. What transpired at that post 
during these months of alarm, is best related by one who was there a resident:* 

" The arrival of my brother, Arthur, from Kentucky, by way of the Mississippi, in the 
latter part of April, bi'ought us the uncomfortable intelligence of new troubles with the Sauks 
and Foxes. Black Hawk had, with the flower of his nation, recrossed the Mississippi, once 
more to take possession of their old homes and corn-fields. 

" It was not long before our own Indians came flocking in to confirm the tidings, and to 
assure us of their intention to remain faithful friends to the Americans. We soon heard of the 



Mrs. John H. Kinzie. See " Wau-BiMi, the Early 9ay in the Northwest," pp. 311-318. 



356 HISTORY OF COLl'MBIA COUXTY. 

arrival of the Illinois Rangers in the Rock River Country, also of the progress of the regular 
force under Gen. Atkinson, in pursuit of the hostile Indians, who, by the reports, wore always 
able to elude their vigilance. It not being their custom to stop and give battle, the Sauks soon 
scattered themselves through the country, trusting to some lucky accident (and sucii arriveil, 
alas I only too often) to enable them to fall upon their enemies unexpectedly. 

"The experience of the pursuing army was, for the most part, to make their way, by toil- 
some and fatiguing marches, to the spot where they imagined the Sauks would be waiting to 
receive them, and then to discover that the rogues had scampered ofl" to quite a different part of 
the country. 

'' Wherever these latter went, their course was marked by the most atrocious barbari'ie.s, 
though the worst had not at this time reached our ears. We were only assured that they were 
down in the neighborhood of the Rock River and Kishwaukee, and that they lost no opportunity 
of falling on the defenseless inhabitants and cruelly murdering them. 

"As soon as it became certain that the Sauks and Fo.xes would not pursue the same course 
they had on the previous year, that is, retreat peaceably across the Mississippi, Mr. Kinzie 
resolved to hold a council with all the principal chief's of the Winnebagoes who were accessible 
at this time. He knew that the Sauks would use every effort to induce their neighbors to join 
them, and that there existed in the breasts of too many of the young savages a desire to dis- 
tinguish themselves by • taking some white scalps.' They did not love the Americans. Why 
should they ? By them they had been gradually dispossessed of the broad and beautiful 
domains of tlicir forefathers, and hunted from place to place, and the only equivalent they had 
received in exchange had been a few thousands annually in silver and presents, together with the 
pernicious example, tlie debasing influence and the positive ill treatment, of too many of the new 
settlers upon their lands. 

"With all these facts in view, therefore, their Father felt that the utmost watchfulness was 
necessary, and that the strongest arguments must be brought forward to preserve the young men 
of the Winnebagoes in their allegiance to the Americans. Of the older members he felt quite 
sure. About fifty lodges had come at the commencement of the disturbances and encamped 
around our dwelling, saying that, if the Sauks attacked us, it must be after killing them ; and. 
knowing them well, we had perfect confidence in their assurances. 

" But their vicinity, wliile it gave us a feeling of protection, likewise furnished us with a 
channel of the most exciting and agitating daily communications. As the theater of operations 
approached nearer and nearer, intelligence was brought in by their runners — now that ' Capt. 
Harney's head had been recognized in the Sauk camp, where it had been brought the day pre- 
vious ; ' next, that 'the Sauks were carrying Lieut. BealTs head on a pole in front of tlicm as 
they marched to meet the whites.' Sometimes it was a story which we afterward found to be 
unhappily true, as that of the murder of their agent, M. St. Vrain, at Kellogg's Grove, by the 
Sauks themselves, who ought to have protected him. 

"It was after the news of this last occurrence that the appointed council with the Winne- 
bagoes was to be held at the Four Lakes, thirty-five miles distant from Fort Winnebago. In 
vain we pleaded and remonstrated against such an exposure. It was his duty to assemble his 
people and talk to them, my husband said, and he must run the risk if there were any. He had 
perfect confidence in the Winnebagoes. The enemy, by all that he could learn, were now far 
ilistant from the Four Lakes — probably at Kosh-ko-nong. He would set off early in the morn- 
ing with Pauquette, hold his council, and return to us the same evening. 

" It were useless to attempt to describe our feelings during that long and dreary day. 
When night arrived, the cry of a drunken Indian, or even the barking of a dog, would fill our 
hearts with terror. 

" As we sat, at a late hour, at the open window, listening to every sound, with what joy 
did we at length distinguish the tramp of horses I We knew it to be Griffin and Jerry ascend- 
ing, the hill, and a cheerful shout soon announced that all was well. My husband and his 
interpreter had ridilen seventy miles that day, besides holding a long 'talk' with the Indians. 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 357 

" The Winnebagoes, in council, had promised to use their utmost endeavors to preserve 
peace and good order among their young men. They informed their father that the bands on 
the Rock River, with the exception of Wiu-no-sheek's, were all determined to remain friendly, 
and keep aloof from the Sauks. To that end they were abandoning their villages and corn- 
fields and moving north, that their Great Father, the President, might not feel dissatisfied with 
them. With regard to Win-no-sheek and his people, they professed themselves unable to 
answer. 

" Time went on, and brought with it stories of fresh outrage.?. Among these were the 
murders of Auberry, Green and Force, at Blue Mound, and the attack on Apple Fort. The 
tidings of the latter were brought by old Crelie, the father of Mrs. Pauquette, who rode express 
from Galena, and who averred that he once passed a bush behind which the Sauks were hiding, 
but that his horse smelt the sweet-scented grass with which they always adorn their persons 
when on a war party, and set out on such a gallop that he never stopped until he arrived at the 
portage. 

" Another bearer of news was a young gentleman of the name of Follet, whose eyes had 
become so protruded and set from keeping an anxious lookout for the enemy, that it was many 
days after his arrival at a place of safety before they resumed their accustomed limits and 
expression. 

'' Among other rumors which, at this time, reached us, was one that an attack upon Fort 
Winnebago was in contemplation among the Sauks. That this was in no state of defense, the 
Indians very well knew. All the effective men had been withdrawn upon a requisition from 
Gen. Atkinson to join him at his newly-built fort at Kosh-ko-nong. 

" Fort Winnebago was not picketed in ; there were no defenses to the barracks or officers' 
quarters, except slight paneled doors and Venetian blinds, nothing that would long resist the 
blows of clubs or hatchets. There was no artillery, and the Commissary's store was without 
the bounds of the fort, under the hill. 

" Mr. Kinzie had, from the first, called the attention of the officers to the insecurity of their 
position in case of danger, but he generally received a scoffing answer. 

•' 'Never fear,' they would say, • the Sauks are not coming here to attack us.' 

■' One afternoon, we were over on a visit to some ladies in the garrison, and, several officers 
being present, the conversation, as usual, turned upon the present position of affairs. 

•■ ' Do you not think it wiser,' inquired I of a blustering young officer, ' to be prepared against 
possible danger ? ' 

'• 'Not against these fellows,' replied he, contemptuously. 'I do not think I would even 
take the trouble to fasten the blinds to my quarters.' 

" ' At least,' said I, 'if you some night find a tomahawk raised to cleave your skull, you 
will have the consolation of remembering that you have, not been one of those foolish fellows 
who keep on the safe side.' ' • 

" He seemed a little nettled ac this, and still more so when sister Margaret observed — 

•"For my part, I am of Gov. Cass' opinion. He was at Chicago during the Winnebago 
war. We were all preparing to move into the fort on the first alarm. Some were for being brave 
and delaying, like our friends here. ''Come, come," said the Governor, " hurry into the fort as fast 
as possible; there is no merit in being brave with the Indians. It is the height of folly to stay 
and meet danger which you may by prudence avoid." ' 

''In a few days, our friends w^aked up to the conviction that something must be done at 
once. The first step was to forbid any Winnebagoes coming within the garrison, lest they should 
find out what they had known as well as ourselves for three months past, namely, the feebleness 
of the means of resistance. The next was to send fatigue parties into the woods, under the 
protection of a guard, to cut pickets for inclosing the garrison. 

" There was every reason to believe that the enemy were not very far distant, and that their 
object in coming north was to break a way into the Chippewa country, where they would find a 
place of security among their friends and allies. The story that our Indian runners brought in 



358 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

most frequently was, that the Sauks were determined to fall upon the whites at the portage and 
fort, and massacre all except the families of the agent and interpreter. 

" Plante and Pillon, with their families, had departed at the first word of danger. There 
only remained with us Manaigre, whose wife was a half Winnebago, Isidore Morrin and the 
blacksmith from Sugar Creek, Mata and Turcotte. 

" At night, we were all regularly armed and our posts assigned us. After every means had 
been taken to make the house secure, the orders were given. Sister Margaret and I, in case of 
attack, were to mount with the children to the rooms above, while my husband and his men were 
to make good their defense as long as possible against the enemy. Since I had shown my sports- 
manship by bringing down accidentally a blackbird on the wing, I felt as if I could do some 
execution with my little pistols, which were regularly placed beside my pillow at night, and I 
was fully resolved to use them if necessity i-equired. I do not remember to have felt the slightest 
compunction at the idea of taking the lives of two Sauks — as I had no doubt I should do ; and 
this explains to me what I had before often wondered at, the indifterence, namely, of the soldier 
on the field of battle to the destruction of human life. Had I been called upon, however, to 
use my weapons effectually, I should no doubt have looked back upon it with horror. 

" Surrounded as we were by Indian lodges, which seldom became perfectly quiet, and 
excited as our nerves had become by all tliat we were daily in the habit of hearing, we rarely 
slept very soundly. One night, after we had, as much as possible, composed ourselves, we were 
startled, at a late hour, by a tap on the window at the head of our bed, and a call of ' Chon I 
Chon ! (John! John!) ' Tshah-ko-zhah ' (what is it?). It was Hoo-wau-ne-kah, the Little Elk. 

"He spoke rapidly and in a tone of great agitation. I could not understand him, and I 
lay trembling and dreading to hear his errand interpreted. Now and then I could distingush 
the word ' Saukee ' (Sauks), and ' shoonk-hat-tay-rah ' (horse), and they were not very re-assur- 
ing. 

"The trouble, I soon learned, was this: A fresh trail had been observed near the Petit 
Rocher, on the Wisconsin, and the people at the villages on the Barribault [now Baraboo], were in 
a state of great alarm, fearing it might be the Sauks. There was the appearance of a hundred 
or more horses having passed by this trail. Hoo-wau-nekah had been dispatched at once to 
tell the Father and to ask his advice. 

" After listening to all he had to communicate, his Father tohl him the trail was undoubt- 
edly that of Gen. Henry's troops, who were said to have come north looking for the enemy ; 
that as the marks of the horses' hoofs showed them by this report to have been shod, that was 
sufficient proof that it was not the trail of the Sauks. He thought that the people of the villages 
need not feel any uneasiness. 

" ' Very well. Father,' replied Hoo-wau-nee-kah, ' I will go back and tell my people what 
you say. They will believe you, for you always tell them the truth. You are not like us 
In'dians, who sometimes deceive each other.' So saying, he returned to his friends much com- 
forted. 

" The completion of the picketing and other defenses, together with the arrival of a detach- 
ment of troops from Fort Howard, under Lieut. Hunter, at our fort, now seemed to render the 
latter the place of greatest safety. We therefore, regularly every evening immediately before 
dusk, took up our line of march for the opposite side of the river, and repaired to quarters that 
had been assigned us within the garrison, leaving our own house and chattels to the care of the 
Frenchman and our friends the Winnebagoes." 

A SUPPLEMENTAL EPISODE OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 

At the conclusion of the Black Hawk war, a summons was sent to the Indian agent at 
Fort Winnebago — John H. Kinzie — to collect the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes and 
meet Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds at Fort Armstrong (Rock Island), wliere it was 
proposed to hold a treaty for the purchase of all the Indian lands south and east of the Wiscon- 
sin and Fox River of Green Bay. The principal men of that nation were collected accordingly, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 359 

and a treaty concluded September 15, 1832. One of tlie stipulations of the treaty was the 
surrender by the Winnebagoes, of certain individuals of their tribe accused of having participated 
with the Sacs in some of the murders on the frontier, in order that they might be tried by the 
laws of the United States, and acquitted or punished, as the ca.'^e might be. 

A Winnebago Indian called the Little Snake, gave himself voluntarily as a hostage until 
the suspected persons of his tribe should be delivered to the custody of the United States. He 
was accordingly received by the Indian agent at Fort Winnebago, and placed in confinement 
until the seven — the number of the accused — should appear to redeem him. The suspected 
Indians having engaged the services of James Duane Doty, of Green Bay, to defend them on 
their future trial, notice was given that on a certain day they would be brought to the portage — 
Fort Winnebago — and surrendered to the Indian agent, to be by him transferred to the keep- 
ing of the military officer at the fort appointed to receive them. It was joyful news to Little 
Snake, that the day of his release was at hand. 

At the time appointed, a moving concourse of people was discerned from the fort, upon 
the portage road. Gen. Dodge, Maj. Plympton, and one or two other officers took their 
seats with Mr. Kinzie on a platform in front of the residence of the agent, to receive the Win- 
nebagoes who were coming with seven of their tribe to be delivered up as prisoners for trial. The 
procession wound slowly up the hill and approached Mr. Kinzie's residence. It was a grand, 
solemn sight. First came some of the principal chiefs in their most brilliant array ; ne.xt, the 
prisoners, all of them habited in white cotton, in token of their innocence, with girdles about 
their waists. The music of the drum and the shee-shee-qua accompanied their death-song, which 
they were chanting. They wore no paint, no ornaments — their countenances were grave and 
thoughtful. It might well be a serious moment to them, for they knew but little of the customs 
of the whites, and that little was not such as to inspire cheerfulness. Only the agent's assurance 
that they should receive strict justice would probably have induced them to comply with the 
engagements of their nation made at the treaty, by delivering themselves up to the United States. 
The remainder of the procession was made up of a long train of Winnebagoes — all of them 
decked out in their holiday garb. 

The chiefs approached and shock hands with the gentlemen, who stood ready to receive 
their greeting. Then the prisoners came forward and went through the same salutation with the 
officers. When they offered their hands to the agent, he declined. "No," said he, "You have 
come here accused of great crimes — of having assisted in taking the lives of some of the 
defenseless settlers. When you have been tried by the laws of the land, and proved innocent 
then I will give my hand." The accused looked still more serious at this address, as if they 
thought it indicated that Mr. Kinzie, too, believed them guilty, and stepping back a little, they 
seated themselves, without speaking, in a row upon the ground, facing the agent and the officers. 
The other Indians all took seats in a circle around them, except the one-eyed chief, Kau-raw- 
kaw-saw-kaw (the White Crow), who had been deputed to deliver the prisoners to the agent. He 
made a speech in which he set forth that, "although asserting their innocence of the charges 
preferred against them, his countrymen were quite willing to be tried by the laws of white men. 
He hoped they would not be detained long, but that the matter would be investigated soon, and 
that they would come out of it clear and white.' 

In reply he was assured that all things would be conducted fairly and impartially, exactly 
as if the accused were white men, and the hope was added that they would be found to have 
been good and true citizens, and peaceful children of their Great Father, the President. The 
accused were then conducted by a file of soldiers and committed to the dungeon of the guard- 
house until such time as they should be summoned to attend court appointed to try them. Not 
long after the incarceration of the prisoners, they commenced their operations to effect an escape. 
They observed that their meals were brought regularly, three times a day, and that in the intei'- 
vals, they were left entirely ,to themselves. With their knives, they began e.xcavating an opening, 
the earth from which, as it was withdrawn, they spread about on the floor of their prison. A 
blanket was placed over the hole, and one of the company was always seated upon it before the 



•i60 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COIXTY. 

regular time for the soMier who ha I chai-^e of them to make his appearance. When the perioil- 
ical visit was made, the Indians were always observed to be seated, smoking in the most quiet 
and orderly manner. There was never anything in their appearance to excite suspicion. Thev 
worked on, shaping the opening spirally, until, in about si.x weeks, they came out to the open 
air beyond the walls of the fort. That they might be as little encumbered as possible in their 
flight, they left their blankets behind thera, and although it was bitter December weather, they 
took to the woods and'prairies with only their calico shirts and leggings for covering. 

The question among the officers of the fort was, how to get the fugitives back. Mr. Kin- 
zie, the agent, could promise no more than that he would communicate with the chiefs and 
represent the wishes of the officers that the prisoners should once more surrender themselves, 
and thus free those who had the charge of them from the imputation of carelessness, which the 
Government would be very likely to throw upon them. When, therefore, according to their 
custom, the Winnebago chiefs assembled at the agency on New Year's Day, 1833, the agent 
laid the subject before them. The Indians archly replied that if they sair the young men they 
would tell them what the officers would like to have them do! They could, themselves, do 
nothing in the matter. They had fulfilled their engagement by bringing them once and putting 
them in the hands of the officers. The Government had had them in its power once and could 
not keep them ; it must now go and catch them I The United States, having had, during the 
trouble with the Sacs just ended, some experience in catching Indians, wisely concluded to drop 
the matter. 

UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS. 

Immediately after the close of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, and after the acquisition by 
the United States of the Indian title to all the land west of Lake Michigan not reserved to par- 
ticular tribes or secured to specified individuals by terms of previous treaties, a survey was com- 
menced by the General Government. The northern boundary line of the State of Illinois, 
fixed April 11, 1818, on the parallel of 42^^ 3U' north latitude, became, properly enough, the 
base line of these surveys. A principal north and south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) 
was run, extending from the base line to Lake Superior, at right angles with the last-mentioned 
line. The Fourth Meridian is west of the territory of Columbia County, running on the east 
boundary of what is now the county of Grant, and on the west boundary of La Fayette and 
Iowa Counties, and thence onward due north, a distance west of the most westerly point of 
Columbia County of thirty-three miles, striking Lake Superior a short distance west of the 
mouth of Montreal River. 

Parallel lines to the Fourth Meridian were run every six miles on the east and west sides 
of it. The intervening six miles between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east is the 
first six miles of territory east of the Fourth Meridian ; Range 2 east is the second six miles, 
and so on to Lake Michigan — Columbia County lying in Ranges 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 
12 east. 

Parallel lines north of the base line (the north boundary line of the State of Illinois) were 
lun evcrv six miles, wliich, crossini; the ranges at risht ansrles, cut the whole into blocks six 
miles square, called townshi])s. These are numbered by tiers going north from the base line, 
the first tier being known as Townships 1 north, the secon<l tier as Townships 2 north, and so 
on. .\s the most southern boundary of Columbia County is distant from the base line fifty-four 
miles, or nine townships, of course the first or most southern tier of townships in the county is 
numbered 10 north ; and as there are four tiers, they are numbered consecutively. Townships 
10, 11, 12 and 13 north. 

Columbia County, then, lies in Townships 10, 11, 12 and 13 north of Ranges G, 7. 8, 0, 
10, 11 and 12 east ; that is to say, it would so lie if it were not that all of Range 6 l^except 
small fractions of two townships) and all of Range 7 (except larger fractions of two townships) 
are a part of Sauk County. After specified territory was surveyed into townships, the latter 
were subdivided into sections and quarter-sections. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 363 

Each town in Columbia County contains surveyed territory described by the United States 
survey as follows : 

Arlington — Township 10, Range 9. Caledonia — Township 11, Range 8 (except so much 
as lies southeast of the Wisconsin) ; Township 11, Range 9 (being only a small fraction, north- 
west of the Wisconsin) ; Township 12, Range 8 (except what lies north of the Wisconsin and 
what is included in the city of Portage) ; Township 12, Range 9 (except what lies east of the 
Wisconsin and the city of Portage and what is included in the latter). Columbus — Township 

10, Range 12 (except what is included in Columbus City). Courtland — Township 12, Range 
12. Dekorra — Township 11, Range 8 (except what is northwest of the Wisconsin) ; Township 

11, Range 9 (except what is northwest of the Wisconsin). Fort Winnebago — Township 13, 
Range 9 (except what is included in the city of Portage). Fountain Prairie — Township 11, 
Range 12. Hampden — Township 10, Range 11. Leeds — Township 10, Range 10. Lewiston 
— Township 13, Range 8 (except what is included in the city of Portage) ; Township 13, Range 

7 (including only that part of the east half lying north of the Wisconsin) ; Township 12, Range 

8 (including only so much as lies north of the Wisconsin and west of the city of Portage). 
Lodi — Township 10, Range 8 (except the west tier of sections). Lowville — Township 11. 
Range 10. Marcellon — Township 13, Range 10. Newport — Township 13, Range 7 (includ- 
ing so much of the west half as lies north of the Wisconsin) ; Township 13, Range 6 (includ- 
ing so much only as lies north and east of the Wisconsin). Otsego — Township 11, Range 11. 
Pacific — Township 12, Range 9 (including so much as lies east of the Wisconsin and the city 
of Portage). Randolph — Township 13, Range 12. Scott — Township 13, Range 11. Spring- 
vale — Township 12, Range 11. West Point — Township 10, Range 8 (including only the west 
tier of sections) ; Township 10, Range 7 (including so much as lies east and south of the 
Wisconsin) ; Township 10, Range 6 (a small fraction only ; it lies east of the Wisconsin). 
Wyocena — Township 12, Range 10. 

The towns of Arlington, Courtland, Fountain Prairie, Hampden, Leeds, Lowville, Marcel- 
lon, Otsego, Randolph, Scott, Springvale and Wyocena are each co-extensive with a township of 
the Government survey. Caledonia, Dekorra and Lewiston each contains more territory than would 
make a full township, but each is made up of parts of townships. Lodi, West Point, Pacific, 
Newport, Fort Winnebago and Columbus each contains less than a Government-surveyed town- 
ship ; the last two because of the fact that portions are taken from them and included in the 
cities of Portage and Columbus. 

The number of acres in each of the townships included within the limits of Columbia 
County is as follows : 

Acres. 

Township \^ north, Range 6 east (northeast of the Wisconsin) 5,270.66 

Township 13 north, Range 7 east (north of the Wisconsin) 19,990.69 

Township 13 north. Range 8 east 22,160.66 

Township 13 north. Range 9 east (west of Fox River) 10.158.58 

Township 13 north. Range 9 east (east of Fox River) 12,826.0.3 

Township 13 north. Range 10 east 22,863.92 

Township 13 north, Range 11 east 22,784.51 

Township 13 north, Range 12 east 23,149.18 

Township 12 north, Range 8 east (north of the Wisconsin) 2,699.32 

Township 12 north, Kange 8 east (south of the Wisconsin) 18,864.46 

Township 12 north. Range 9 east (north of the Wisconsin) 1,316.17 

Township 12 north, Range 9 east (south and west of the Wisconsin) 5,860.71 

Townsliip 12 north. Range 9 east (east of the Wisconsin) 13,128.51 

Township 12 north, Range 10 east 25,931.61 

Township 12 north. Range 11 east 26,123.98 

Township 12 north. Range 12 east 23,085.13 

Township 11 north. Range 8 east (southeast of the Wisconsin) 7,211,39 

Township 11 north, Range 8 east (northwest of the Wisconsin) 14,056.64 

Township 11 north. Range 9 east (southeast of the Wisconsin) 22,192.12 

Township 11 north, Range 9 east (northwest of the Wisconsin) 344.28 

Township 11 north. Range 10 east 22,971.67 

Township 11 north. Range 11 east 22,909.04 

Township 11 north, Range 12 east 23,134.52 

n 



364 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Acres, 

Township 10 north. Range 6 east (east of the Wisconsin) 93.46 

Township 10 north, Range 7 east 16,070.65 

Township 10 north, Range 8 east 22,905.95 

Township 10 north, Range 9 east 22,863.49 

Township 10 north. Range 10 east 22,680.42 

Township 10 north, Range 11 east 22,556.14 

Township 10 north. Range 12 east 22,027.36 

The town lines of Newport, Lewiston and so much of Fort Winnebago as lies west of the 
Fox River were surveyed in May, 1851, by George R. Stuntz and James 0. Sargent. This 
territory was surveyed into sections and quarter-sections in June, July and August of the same 
year, by Henry S. Howell. The town lines of all the residue of the county, lying east and 
south of the Wisconsin, were run in the years 1832, 1833 and 1834, by John Mullett and John 
Brink ; the sections and quarter-sections by John Mullett, James H. Mullett and John Brink. 
The town lines of Caledonia were run by William A. Burt, in 1840, and John Brink and J. E, 
Whicher, in 1845 ; sections and quarter-sections by Alvin Burt, in 1842, and John Brink, 
in 1845. 

UNITED STATES LAND DISTRICTS. 

By the end of 1833, a large amount of the public land in Wisconsin, south and east of the 
Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, had been surveyed ; and the fact being reported by the Surveyor 
General, two land districts were erected by an act of Congress, approved June 26, 1834. These 
districts embraced all the land north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and 
southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, included in the then Territory of Michigan. The 
area was then divided by a north and south line, drawn from the base line to the Wisconsin 
River, between Ranges 8 and 9. All east of that line was called the Green Bay Land District ; 
all west, the Wisconsin Land District. A land office of the eastern district was established at 
Green Bay ; of the western district, at Mineral Point. 

In general terms, it may be said that the whole of the present county of Columbia lying 
east of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, and east of the range line between Ranges 8 and 
9, fell into the Green Bay District ; while so much as lay east of the Wisconsin, but 
west of the range line just mentioned, was in the Wisconsin District. But to be more 
specific, it may be said that, beginning at a point on the Fox Rjver where the north line of the 
county crosses that stream, and running thence up that river to the southeast boundary line of 
what was known as the "A. Grignon Claim" (in what is now the city of Portage); thence 
along that boundary line to the Wisconsin River ; thence down the last-mentioned stream to 
the range line between Ranges 8 and 9 east ; thence south on that line to the southern boundary 
line of the county ; and all east of the line so described, lying within the present limits of 
Columbia County, was in the Green Bay Land District — including what are now the towns 
of Randolph, Courtland, Fountain Prairie, Columbus (with the site of the city of Columbus), 
Hampden, Otsego, Springvale, Scott, Marcellon, Wyocena, Lowville, Leeds, Arlington, all of 
Dekorra lying in Range 9 east. Pacific, so much of the city of Portage as lies southeast of the 
"A. Grignon Claim," and all of Fort Winnebago lying east of the Fox River. The whole of 
the territory of the present towns of Lodi and West Point, and so much of Dekorra as lies 
southeast of the Wisconsin River, in Range 8 east, were in the AVisconsin Land District. 

It will be seen that the towns of Lewiston. Newport and Caledonia, and so much of Fort 
Winnebago as lies west of Fox River, together with the " A. Grignon Claim," and all of the 
city of Portage lying northwest of it and south of the Wisconsin, were not included in either 
district, being, at that date, unsurveyed lands of the Government, or owned by the Indians, or 
included in the "A. Grignon Claim." 

Public sales of the surveyed lands in the two districts were held in 1835, at Green Bay 
and Mineral Point ; but Andrew Jackson, then President of the United States, reserved from 
sale, Sections 2, 3, 4 and 9, in Township 12 north, and Sections 33, 34 and 35, in Township 13 
north (both townships in Range 9 east), for military purposes, these sections forming a tract 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 365 

near the center of which was Fort Winnebago. Except these reserved sections, all of the land 
of what is Columbia County at the present time, lying east of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, 
was immediately open to private entry, at $1.25 per acre, after the land sales in 1835 at 
at Green Bay and 5lineral Point, none of it being purchased at these sales. The first entry was 
made on the 6th day of June, 1886, by Wallace Rowan, of the northeast quarter of the southeast 
quarter of Section 34, in Township 11 north, of Range 9 east, being forty acres in what is now the 
town of Dekorra, near the village of Poynette. Although this was the first tract regularly entered 
at the land office, yet a patent had been granted as early as the 12th of April, 1832, by the 
President of the United States, for 648.82 acres, to Augustin Gr.ignon (the " A. Grignon 
Claim"), the tract lying at the "portage" of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, wholly within 
what is now the city of Portage, in Columbia County. This was what was known as a 
"French claim," and had been confirmed previously by United States Commissioners to 
Augustin Grignon, as will be more fully explained hereafter. 

By an Act of Congress of June 15, 1836, the Milwaukee Land District was erected out 
of the southern portion of the Green Bay District, including all the land lying between 
Range 8 east and Lake Michigan, bounded on the south by the Illinois State line and extending 
north so as to reach to and include the tier of townships numbered 10 north; also Townships 
11 and 12 north, of Ranges 21 and 22 east. Of course in this new district fell all of the town- 
ships numbered 10 north, in Ranges, 9, 10, 11 and 12 east, in Columbia County, being the 
territory now constituting the towns of Arlington, Leeds, Hampden and Columbus, including 
the city of Columbus. The land ofiice for the new district was located at Milwaukee, where the 
first public sale of lands, which had been surveyed after the other lands had been offered at 
Green Bay and Mineral Point, was held. This was in the spring of 1839, but as all the lands 
in the tier of townships last mentioned had been offered at public sale in Green Bay and 
Mineral Point, in 1835, of course they were not again put up for sale; but parties now desiring 
to enter lands in those townships had to go to Milwaukee to purchase of the Government instead 
of Green Bay and Mineral Point as formerly. 

It was provided in the act of Congress creating the Green Bay and Wisconsin Land 
Districts, that they should embrace the country north of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers where 
the Indian title to the same had become extinguished. On the 1st day of November, 1837, 
the Winnebago Indians ceded to the General Government all their lands east of the Mississippi 
River. By this treaty, the United States came into possession of lands north of the Wisconsin, 
of which that portion lying in the great bend of that river (now Caledonia, Columbia Co.), was 
a part; so this territory (with much other) was ordered surveyed, which survey, as before 
stated, was finished in 1845. The two land districts — the Green Bay and Wisconsin — were 
then extended north, so that all of what is now the town of Caledonia, lying in Range 9 east, 
and so much of the city of Portage, south of the Wisconsin, as lies in that range, fell into the 
Green Bay Land District, while all that is now in that town lying in Range 8 east, and so much 
of the city of Portage south of the Wisconsin, as lies in this range, fell into the Wisconsin 
Land District. 

The Menomonee Indians, on the 18th day of October, 1848, ceded all their lands in Wis- 
consin to the United States, but the latter did not come into possession of them until the spring 
of 1851. That part lying in Columbia County — which included all the territory of the 
present town of Fort Winnebago, lying west of the Fox River, also all of the city of Portage 
lying north and west of what was formerly known as the "A. Grignon Claim," together with 
all of what are now the towns of Lewiston and Westport — was surveyed immediately after, 
and the two land districts — the Green Bay and Wisconsin — again extended north, so that 
that all in Range 9 east, fell into the Green Bay District, and all in Ranges 6, 7 and 8 east, 
into the Wisconsin District. The whole county thus came to be included in the Milwaukee, 
Green Bay and Wisconsin Land Districts, with land offices, as before stated, at Milwaukee, Green 
Bay and Mineral Point, where lands subject to entry could be had at $1.25 an acre. 



366 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

EARLY GOVERNMENT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY TERRITORY. 

The first civilized claimants to the territory now included within the boundaries of Wis- 
consin were the French. The whole of the Northwest was claimed by France from 1671 to 
1763, when it was surrendered to the British. By the " Quebec Act " of 177-i, all of this 
region was placed under the local administration of Canada. It was, however, practically put 
under a despotic military rule, and so continued until possession passed to the United States. 
Before the last-mentioned event, and during and after the Revolution, the conflicting claims of 
Virginia, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, to portions of the country, were relin- 
quished to the General Government. All these claims were based upon supposed chartered rights, 
Virginia adding to hers the right of conquest, as she contended, of the " Illinois country," dur- 
ing the Revolution. As early as October, 1778, Virginia declared, by an act of her General 
Assembly, that all the citizens of that commonwealth who were then settled or should there- 
after settle, on the western side of the Ohio, should be included in a distinct county, which 
should be called Illinois. No Virginians were then settled as far north as the southern boun- 
dary line of what is now Wisconsin, and, as none thereafter located so f;ir north before Virginia 
relinquished to the United States all her rights to territory on the western and northern side of 
the Ohio, it follows that no part of the territory which afterward became Wisconsin was ever 
included in Illinois County as a part of Virginia ; nor did the last-mentioned State ever exer- 
cise any jurisdiction over the territory of this State, or make claim to any part of it by right of 
conquest. Wisconsin was never a part of Virginia. 

Notwithstanding the passage of the ordinance of 1787, establishing a government over the 
territory northwest of the Ohio River, which territory was acquired by the treaty of 178-3 from 
Great Britain, possession only was obtained by the United States of the southern portion, the 
northern part being held by the British Government until 17U6. Arthur St. Clair, in Febru- 
ary, 1790, exercising the functions of Governor, and having previously organized a government 
for the country under the ordinance above mentioned, established in what is now the State of 
Illinois, a county which was named St. Clair. But, as this county only extended north " to the 
mouth of the Little Mackinaw Creek, on the Illinois," it did not include, of course, any part of 
the present State of Wisconsin, although being the nearest approach thereto of any organized 
county up that date. 

In 1796, Wayne County was organized, which was made to include, beside much other ter- 
ritory, iill of what is now Wisconsin watered by streams flowing into Lake Michigan. This 
brought so much of the territory of the present Columbia County into the county of Wayne 
as is watered by the Fox River ; that is to say, the whole of what are now the towns of Scott, 
Marcellon and Winnebago, and a large part of the present town of Lewiston. From 1800 to 
1809, what are now the limits of Columbia County were within the Territory of Indiana and 
in the year last mentioned passed into the Territory of Illinois. It is probable that Indiana 
Territory exercised jurisdiction over what is now Wisconsin, at least to the extent of appointing 
two Justices of the Peace, one for Green Bay and one for Prairie du Chien. In the year 1809, 
the Illinois Territorial Government commissioned three Justices of the Peace and two militia 
oflBcers at Prairie du Chien, the county of St. Clair having previously been extended so as to 
include that point, and probably Green Bay, thereby bringing into its jurisdiction what is now 
Columbia County. In the course of time, other Illinois counties had jurisdiction, until, in 1818, 
what is now Wisconsin became a portion of Michigan Territory. 

By a proclamation of Lewis Cass, Governor of Michigan Territory, of October 26, 1818, 
Brown and Crawford Counties weie organized. The county of Brown originally comprised all 
of what is now Wisconsin east of a line passing north and south through the middle of the 
portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, except a small portion of the Door County 
peninsula, which was included in the county of Michilimackinac. The limits of the county 
extended north into the territory of the present State of Michigan so far that its north line ran 
due west from the head of Noquet Bay. An east and west line, passing near the northern 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 367 

limits of the present county of Barron, separated the county of Crawford from the county of 
Michilimackinac on the north ; on the east, it was bounded by the county of Brown ; on the 
south, by the State of Illinois, and on the west, by the Mississippi River. The present county 
of Columbia was thus included in both the counties of Brown and Crawford. By an act of the 
Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, approved October 29, 1829, to take effect the 
1st of January following, the county of Iowa was established, embracing all the pi'esent State 
of Wisconsin south of the Wisconsin River and west of Rjown County ; in other words, it 
included the whole of what was previously Crawford County lying south of the Wisconsin 
River. What is now Columbia County was thereby included in portions of Brown, Crawford 
and Iowa Counties. On the 6th of September, 1834, the county of Milwaukee was set off 
from Brown County, embracing all of the last- mentioned county south of a line drawn between 
Townships 11 and 12, in all the ranges east of Range 9. Columbia, as at present constituted, 
embraces portions of what was then Brown, Crawford and Milwaukee Counties. 

In general termsj all that portion of Columbia now lying west and north of the Wisconsin 
River was then a part of Crawford County ; that part lying south of that stream was a part of 
Iowa County, and all the residue was a part of Brown County, except the territory now consti- 
tuting the towns of Lowville, Leeds, Hampden, Otsego, Fountain Prairie and Columbus, which 
then was a part of Milwaukee County. 

By an act of the Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin, approved December 7, 1836, Town- 
ship numbered 10 north, in Range 6 east (now wholly included in Sauk County) ; Township 
10, in Range 7 (now a portion of the town of Merrimack, in Sauk, and of West Point, in 
Columbia) ; Townships 10 and 11, in Range 8 (now portions of the towns of Caledonia, Dekorra 
and West Point and the whole of Lodi, in Columbia); Townships 10, 11, 12 and 13, in Ranges 
9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 east (now including the towns of Fort Winnebago, Pacific, Arlington, Leeds, 
Lowville, Wyocena, Marcellon, Scott, Springvale, Otsego, Hampden, Columbus, Fountain Prairie, 
Courtland and Randolph ; a large portion of Dekorra and a small part of Caledonia, as well as 
most of the city of Portage, in Columbia County, and the towns of Fox Lake, Westford, Cala- 
mus and Elba, in Dodge County), were constituted a separate county and named Portage, the 
county seat being "established at the town of Winnebago." It will be seen, therefore, that 
very nearly the present territory of the county of Columbia was, in 1836, established as Portage 
County. It was, at the same time, attached to Brown County for judicial purposes. 

During the legislative session of 1837-38, the four townships on the east — that is, those 
numbered 10, 11, 12 and 13, in Range 13, were detached from Portage and made a part of 
Dodge County. This change left the county, except most of that lying north of the Wisconsin 
River, identical with the present county of Columbia. Sauk County having been formed in 
January, 1840, taking a township and a fraction from Portage County, left the latter with terri- 
tory equivalent to about eighteen townships until February 18, 1841, when a large addition was 
made upon the north, comprising all of the area in ranges from Nos. 2 to 9, inclusive, com- 
mencing with Township 14 north, and extending to the northern boundary of the Territory of 
Wisconsin, with the slight exception of fractional Townships 14 and 15, in Range 9. The 
whole was then attached to Dane County for judicial purposes. 

An election for the purpose of organizing for county government was authorized to be held 
on the fourth Monday of March, 1841. Returns of this election were to be made to the Clerk 
of Dane County, and the county officers elected were to hold their offices at " Wisconsin Port- 
tage." The voting- places of the several election precincts were established at the Franklin 
House, in Portage ; Stevens' Mills, at Big Bull Falls ; at the house of E. Bloomer, at Grand 
Rapids ; at the house of Abraham Brawley, on Mill Creek, and at Dickason & Stroud's mills, 
on Crawfish River. The people having neglected to hold this election, the Legislature passed a 
special "Relief Act," on the 9th of February, 1842, authorizing the Sheriff of Dane County 
to call an election of county officers in Portage County on the fourth Monday in March, 1842, 
to hold office until the first Monday in January, 1843. By an act of the Legislature approved 
May 31, 1844, Portage was authorized to organize with all county privileges, and was assigned 



368 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

as a portion of the Second Judicial District. On the 18th day of April of the same year, the 
people voted to accept the provisions of this act, and also voted on the location of a county seat. 
The north end of the county triumphed, and Plover became the county seat, instead of the 
other contestant, Fort Winnebago, at the Wisconsin portage. The first election of county 
officers occurred on the fourth Monday of September, 1844. There were then elected, as 
County Commissioners, Mathias Mitchell, Benjamin F. Berry and Luther Houghton ; Nelson 
Strong was elected Sheriif; Joha Batten, Treasurer; George Wyatt, Circuit Clerk, County 
Clerk and Register of Deeds. The first terra of the Circuit Court was held at Plover on the 
first Monday of April, 184.5. It was thus that, finally, the county of Portage was fully organ- 
ized ; but, as' all of what afterward became Columbia was included within its limits, it was, at the 
same time, virtually an organization of the last-mentioned county — that is to say, all the people 
living within the limits of what afterward became Columbia County were enjoying the blessings 
of a county government, but it was Portage County in which they lived. 

" A very few af the pioneers in this vicinity," says a resident of what is now the city of 
Columbus, " came together in an informal manner in 1844, and cast their ballots at the election 
which sent James Duane Doty as a delegate to Washington from the Territory of Wisconsin ; 
but the first election in this part of the territory which at all approached a regular canvass was 
in September, 184.5. 

" Columbia County was not organized, and there was not an organized township within its 
present area. It was a portion of Portage County, with its county seat at Plover Portage, 14-5 
miles away. With unimportant exceptions, the area west of the Mississippi River and north 
to Lake Superior was a vast wild, into whose forest and over whose prairies the dawn of civili- 
zation had not begun to break. 

" The only subdivisions of the present county was then in three election precincts, known 
as Dekorra, the Fort Winnebago and the Columbus Precincts. The latter comprised the pres- 
ent townships of Randolph, Courtland, Fountain Prairie, Columbus, Hampden. Otsego, Spring- 
vale and Scott, and including an area twenty -four miles long and twelve wide. The only offi- 
cers of any kind within a precinct were the Judges of Election, Justice of the Peace and Over- 
seer of Highways — the system of County Commissioners then prevailing. 

" The election at this time was for members of Assembly to the Territorial Legislature, 
composed of a Council and House of Representatives, and including that year only thirteen 
members in the former body and thirteen in the latter. The Assembly district then included 
the counties of Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage, Sheboygan and 
Winnebago, and the area then reached to the Mississippi and Superior, and embraced almost all 
the civilization in Wisconsin to the west, northwest and northeast of us. Tim Burns had not 
discovered La Crosse, and little attempt had been made at settlement beyond the lumber dis- 
trict of the Wisconsin River. 

" The district was represented by three members, all of whom seem to have been voted for 
by every elector. The only contest in this locality seems to have been between Stodard Judd, 
the Whig candidate, then a resident of Green Bay, and Abram Brawley, Democrat, then living 
at Grand Rapids, in Portage County. Judd had just been removed by President Tyler from 
the position of Receiver of the Land Office at Green Bay. Thus, one of the candidates lived 
on the head-waters of the Wisconsin, and the other on the head-waters of the St. Lawrence. 
A trackless wilderness lay between them, and they were practically at least 200 miles apart, 
as the only communication between Green Bay and Grand Rapids was by the Wisconsin and 
Fox Rivers. 

" In this precinct, the Judges of that election were Jeremiah Drake, of Columbus : Asa 
Proctor, father of W. A. Proctor, and James C. Carr, the two latter from the prairie, after- 
ward erected into the township of Fountain Prairie. The Clerks of Election were W. W. 
Drake and John Quincy Adams. 

" The chief local issues at that time were whether the present area of Columbia should 
be erected into a county or not, the people in this vicinity being in favor of this change. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 369 

and the residents of other localities opposing any subdivisions. Judd promised our people 
to use his influence to secure the new county, and received nearly all the votes in this pre- 
cinct and in the Dekorra and Fort Winnebago Precincts. But, as the record shows, Brawley 
was elected. About fifty votes were polled in this precinct, and about one hundred and twenty- 
five in the area of this county. The year previous, Maj. Dickason had made a claim of Wyo- 
cena, and was then living there. The pretty name of Wyocena was then unadopted, and 
that region was then called Duck Creek, from the stream on which the Major's cabin stood. 
Under the law, a man could vote in any part of a district for which the ofiicer voted for was 
elected, and the Major came down to Columbus and cast his ballot here. Judd had been 
canvassing his district, and had come down from Green Bay to Fox Lake, through to Portage 
and so up the Wisconsin to Grand Rapids, to the home of his competitor. He reached Maj. 
Dickason's cabin, on his retui-n, on the day previous to the election, and came to Columbus 
with the Major, and was here during the election. 

" The next day, John Quincy Adams started with the returns of the election to carry 
them to Plover, the county seat. He went with the Major as far as Wyocena, the latter being 
on foot, and Mr. Adams mounted on a ponv. This was Mr. Adams' first experience of the 
pioneer mode of traveling — ' ride and tie,' as it was called. One rode a couple of miles or 
more, tied his 'horse to a blazed tree and walked on along the trail until he was overtaken 
and passed, and afterward came up with the horse, tied and waiting for him. This was not 
a sociable fashion of journeying, and often the party overtaken would trot along beside his 
mounted friend, to get a few minutes' chat. Adams broke bread that afternoon at the 
Major's cabin, reached Fort Winnebago at nightfall and stopped at the old Franklin House, 
with Capt. Low. The present site of Portage was merely an Indian camping-ground, and the 
only settlement was at Fort Winnebago. 

" One day on the trail satisfied Mr. Adams that it was hardly worth while for him to 
make a pilgrimage of 100 miles more to carry the returns of 50 votes, and he handed over his 
papers to Charles Temple, who was going with the returns of the Winnebago Precinct. 
Some idea of the distance to the county seat at Plover may be formed from Esquire Top- 
lifF's experiences. He, with two other residents of Columbus, were drawn as jurors, and it 
took them, as the country was, four days to go and four days to return, and they did duty 
as jurors exactly two days. 

COLUMBIA COUNTY ON EARLY MAPS. 

As early as the year 1632, Samuel Champlain, then at Quebec, drew a map of the Valley 
of the St. Lawrence and of the region of the Upper Lakes — the firfet attempt of the kind. His 
delineations of the country to the westward and northwestward of Lake Huron, were wholly 
from Indian reports. Upon this map. Fox River is placed to the north of Lake Superior and 
the Wisconsin is rudely given as leading into a northern sea. There i is a narrow space between 
the two rivers and possibly it had been described to him by the savages. 

But the first map of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and the portage, made with any degree 
of accuracy, was by Father James Marquette, who accompanied Louis JoUiet up the first-men- 
tioned stream and down the last, in 1673. The portage i^ distinctly traced and the general 
course of the two rivers given. Other maps were published at subsequent periods down to 1768 
when the one by J. Carver appeared attached to his "Travels." This one is, considering the 
circumstances under which it was made, exceedingly creditable. It locates the "carrying 
place" — the portage — and has a representation of Swan Lake, besides a pretty accurate delin- 
ation of the Baraboo River. On the south side of Lake Puckaway is the Winnebago Upper 
Town and on Sauk Prairie, down the Wisconsin is located the " Saukies Chief Town." The 
portage, then, in 1766, was about the boundary line between the Sacs upon the Wisconsin and 
the Winnebagoes upon the Fox River. But, in the course of a few years, the latter tribe took 
the place of the former as already mentioned. 

In 1830, John Farmer, of Detroit, published a " Map of the Territories of Michigan and 
Ouisconsin." Fort Winnebago appears as if situated between the Fox and Wisconsin, while 



370 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



" Roi's" (Le Roy's) house occupies the site where the fort was, in fact, located — that is, on 
the east side of the Fox. Pauquette's place is designated farther down the last-mentioned 
stream, but on the west side. The Baraboo River is noted as " Bonibau's Creek," while Duck 
Creek appears by its proper name, but in French — "Riviere aux Canards." Neenah Creek is 
put down as "The Fork" — of the Fox. Winnebago villages are represented down the Fox 
and the Wisconsin, and upon the Baraboo, but none so near the " Portage of the Ouisconsin " as 
to bring them within what are now the boundaries of Columbia County. About fifteen miles 
south of the carrying place, between the Fox and Wisconsin, another portage is noted between 
a creek flowing into the last-mentioned river and one flowing into Lake Mendota (Fourth 
Lake). This portage is put down as being only 200 yards across. 

Farmer's revised map of 1836 correctly puts the territory now constituting Columbia 
County, in the four counties of Crawford, Iowa, Brown and Milwaukee — the latter printed 
" Milwalky." Fort Winnebago appears in its correct position on the east side of the Fox 
River, and there is but one road represented as leading from it — the old military road. 

The first "Map of Wiskonsin Territory, Compiled from Public Surveys," contains a repre- 
sentation of so much of the present Columbia County as lies east of Fox and Wisconsin 
Rivers — then a part of Portage County. Fort Winnebago is correctly located on the east side 
of the Fox River, and the Grignon tract, properly delineated, occupies the space between the 
two rivers ; but the proposed canal runs from the outlet of Swan Lake to the point on Duck 
Creek where the stream is crossed by the main road leading south from Fort Winnebago. 
This road continues on to " Pauquette," afterward called Poynette, then in a southwesterly direc- 
tion toward the Blue Mounds. Duck Creek appears as " Wauonah River " ; Rock Run, as " Tay- 
nah River ; " and Spring Creek as " Ockee River." " Pauquette ""is a small village ; a larger one 
is " Ida," on the north side of Swan Lake ; and a still larger one is " Dekorra," on the Wisconsin. 
A road leads out of " Dekorra " due east, and then branches — one branch continues the same 
direction to " Hochimgra " (Winnebago), now Horicon, Dodge County. The other branch takes a 
northeasterly direction to the south side of Fox Lake, where was then the village of " Waushara." 
and thence on to Fond du Lac. A revised map by the same compiler restores the name Duck 
Creek and omits any names for what are now Rocky Run and Spring Creek. As both these 
maps have the county of Portage marked upon them, they must have been published after the 
"setting off" of that county by the Territorial Legislature. 




HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 371 



CHAPTER lY. 

First Settler in the County— Pioneer Life— Organization of the County— Establishing 
THE County Seat— First and Second Census— Early Highways— Territorial Dis- 
trict Court and State Circuit Coitrt- Territorial, State and Congressional 
Representation— Photographing the Pioneers. 

first settler in the county. 

•The first settler in what is now Columbia County was Wallace Rowan. On the 6th day of 
June, 1836, he entered, at the Green Bay Land Office, the northeast quarter of the southeast 
quarter of Section 34, Township 11 north, of Range 9 east, in what is now the town of Dekorra, 
adjoining the village of Poynette. This was the first land entered in the county, but it was 
then Brown County, in Michigan Territory ; afterward Brown County, Wisconsin Territory : 
subsequently Portage County, Wisconsin Territory ; then Columbia County, Wisconsin Terri- 
tory ; finally, Columbia County, State of Wisconsin, and so it remains. He moved from Dane 
County to his forty acres in what is now Columbia County. " I was at his house," says Moses 
M. Strong, "on the 19th day of February, 1837, and there was no appearance of his having 
just arrived there." He was living in a log house, built by himself, on his own land, and he 
went there to stay. There was no other settler (as the term " settler " is usually understood), 
within the limits of what is now Columbia County, so early as Rowan. 

Rowan's house was a double log tenement, built for the purpose of trafiicking with the 
Indians, and as a house of entertainment for travelers. It was on the military road that ran 
from Prairie du Chien by the way of Fort Winnebago, to Fort Howard. On this highway, there 
was considerable travel for a number of years. Rowan's tavern was a little south of what is 
now Dole's mill, near a large spring. Rowan was a kind-hearted man, perfectly honest, one 
in whom you would at first sight be persuaded you could put confidence. His wife, though not 
so refined as her husband, was equal to him in kindness to travelers and friends. Rowan was a 
man of medium height, rather thin in flesh and of a somewhat dark complexion. He had great 
conversational powers, was very social, and took great pains to make everybody who stopped with 
him as comfortable as his situation would permit. He carried on a small farm at the same time, 
raising corn, potatoes, oats, and the very best kinds of vegetables. He had a large family of 
children. His oldest daughter Mr. Rowan always called " Ducky." She was a splendid girl — 
handsome, smart and well-behaved. His second daughter was called " Pop." Rowan also kept 
a trading-house at Portage City, in 1838. In 1840, with a man by the name of Wood, he made 
a claim on the Baraboo River. They built a saw-mill just at the upper end of Baraboo Village. 

They supplied the lumber that was used in building up the village, and rafted lumber down 
the river, which was so crooked that it caused them a good deal of trouble to reach the Wiscon- 
sin. In 1842, Rowan left Columbia County and took his family with him to Baraboo. He 
soon after died. His beautiful daughter quickly followed her father to the grave, and then the 
mother. 

Rowan and his wife were from the State of Indiana, as is understood by a remark made by 
Mrs. Rowan, who, when asked to what tribe she belonged, answered, " Gol darn it, I don't 
belong to no tribe ; I am from Indianer.^' 

There have been many stories told of Rowan's Hotel. An old settler relates this one : 
" I arrived there in 1837, at about 11 o'clock P. M., on horseback. The hostler, a French- 
man, was yet up, making fires to keep those comfortable who were sleeping on the floor. After 
taking care of my horse, I went into the house. There was a good fire, and the floor was cov- 
ered with men, sleeping. I asked the French hostler for something to eat ; so he went into the 



37-2 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTr. 

kitchen and brought me a whole duck and two potatoes. He said that was all he could find 
cooked. After eating, I felt like lying down. He pointed to a place between two men. I took 
my blanket and crowded myself into it. Next morning, the teamsters got up to feed their teams, 
and, in taking out their corn, they scattered some inside and outside the house. James Duane 
Doty (afterward Governor) was lying next to the door, in his robes ; I was next to him. in my 
blanket. A lean, long old sow found the corn that the teamsters had scattered outside the 
door. This encouraged her to follow up the corn that was scattered inside. Finding some 
amongst Doty's robes, she put her nose under him and rolled him over, when he exclaimed : 
' Landlord ! Landlord ! you must postpone my breakfast for some time, as I have not yet got 
rested.' Instead of the landlord disturbing him, it was the old sow. Then I heard some curious 
noise outside, which kept me awake ; so I got up, and found that the noise was created by a 
modern grist-mill, erected in front of the door, for grinding corn into meal. A pestle hung to 
the end of a spring-pole ; there was a mortar made by burning out a hollow in the top of a 
stump. We all of us had the first mess made out of this mill, and you could compare it to 
nothing but the fine siftings of stonecoal, such as you find in a blacksmith-shop. We had good 
coffee and plenty of honey. We all made a hearty breakfast, and were thankful for it." 

PIONEER LIFE. 

Records of the olden time are interesting, and they are not without their lessons of instruc- 
tion. By the light of the past we follow in the footprints of the adventurous and enterprising 
pioneer. We see him, as it were, amid the labors and struggles necessary to convert the wilder- 
ness into a fruitful field. We sit by his cabin fire, partaking of his homely and cheerfully 
granted fare, and listen to the accounts which he is pleased to give us of frontier life, and of the 
dangers, trials, hardships and sufferings of himself and others in their efforts to make for them- 
selves homes in regions remote from civilization, and unexplored hitherto, save by wandering 
Indians and wild beasts. Through these ancient records we make our way along to the present. 
From small beginnings, we come to the mighty achievements of industry, the complex results 
of daring enterprise, subduing and creative energy, and untiring perseverance. 

Following on in the path of progress and improvement, we see once waste places rejoicing 
under the kindly care of the husbandman ; beautiful farms, with all the fixtures and appurten- 
ances necessary to make the tillers of the soil and their families contented and happy, are 
spread out before us ; villages and cities have arisen as if by magic, and by hundreds, thousands 
and tens of thousands human souls are congregated within their precincts ; the mart of trade 
and traffic, and the workshop of the artisan are thronged; common schools, academies and col- 
leges have sprung up ; young and ardent minds — children of the rich and poor — may press 
forward together in the acquisition of science ; churches are built, and a Christian ministry is 
sustained for the inculcation of religious sentiments and the promotion of piety, virtue and 
moral goodness ; the press is established, whence floods of light and glory may emanate for the 
instruction and benefit of all ; railroads are built to bring the products of every clime and the 
people from afar to our doors ; and the telegraph, " upon the lightning's wing," carries messages 
far and near. Let the records of the olden time be preserved ; in after years our children, and 
our children's children, will look over them with pleasure and profit. 

The first important business of the pioneer settler, upon his arrival in Columbia County, 
was to build a house. Until this was done, he had to camp on the ground or live in his wagon — 
perhaps the only shelter he had known for weeks. So tlie prospect for a house, which was also 
to be a home, was one that gave courage to the rough toil, and added a zest to the heavy labors. 
The style of a home entered very little into his thoughts — it was shelter he wanted, and protec- 
tion from stress of weather and wearing exposures. The poor settler had neither the money nor 
the mechanical appliances for building himself a house. He was content, in most instances, to 
have a mere cabin or hut. Some of the most primitive constructions of this kind were half- 
faced, or, as they were sometimes called, " cat-faced," sheds or '' wike-ups," the Indian term for 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 373 

house or tent. It is true, a " claim " cabin was a little more in the shape of a human habita- 
tion, made, as it was, of round logs, light enough for two or three men to lay up, about fourteen 
feet square — perhaps a little larger or smaller — roofed with bark or clapboards, and floored with 
puncheons (logs split once in two, and the flat side laid up), or with earth. For a fire-place, a 
wall of stones and earth — frequently the latter only, when stone was not convenient — was 
made, in the best practicable shape for the purpose, in an opening in one end of the building, 
extending outward, and planked on the outside by bolts of wood notched together to stay it. 
Frequently, a fire-place of this kind was made so capacious as to occupy nearly the whole width 
of the house. In cold weather, when a great deal of fuel was needed to keep the atmosphere 
above freezing point — for this wide-mouth fire-place was a huge ventilator — large logs were 
piled into this yawning space. To protect the crumbling back-wall against the eifects of fire, 
two back-logs were placed against it, one upon the other. Sometimes these were so large that 
they could not be got in in any other way than to hitch a horse to them. The animal was 
driven in at the door, when the log was unfastened before the fire-place. It was afterward put 
in proper position. The horse would be driven out at another door. 

For a chimney, any contrivance that would convey the smoke out of the building would 
do. Some were made of sods, plastered upon the inside with clay ; others — the more common, 
perhaps — were of the kind we occasionally see in use now, clay and sticks, or "cat in clay," as 
they were sometimes called. Imagine, of a winter's night, when the storm was having its own 
wild way over this almost uniniiabited land, and when the wind was roaring like a cataract of 
cold over the broad wilderness, and the settler had to do his best to keep warm, what a royal fire 
this double back-log and well-filled fire-place would hold ! It was a cozy place to smoke, pro- 
vided the settler had any tobacco ; or for the wife to sit knitting before, provided she had any 
needles and yarn. At any rate, it gave something of cheer to the conversation, which, very 
likely, was upon the home and friends tliey had left behind when they started out on this bold 
venture of seeking fortunes in a new land. 

For doors and window s, the most simple contrivances that would serve the purposes were 
brought into requisition. The door was not always immediately provided with a shutter, and a 
blanket often did duty in guarding the entrance. But, as soon as convenient, some boards were 
split and put together, hung upon wooden hinges and held shut by a wooden pin inserted in an 
auger-hole. As a substitute for window-glass, greased paper, pasted over sticks crossed in the 
shape of sash, was sometimes used. This admitted the light and excluded the air, but, of course, 
lacked transparency. 

In regard to the furniture of such a cabin, it varied in proportion to the ingenuity of the 
occupants, unless it was where settlers brought with them their old household supply, which, 
owing to the distance most of them had come, was very seldom. It was easy enough to impro- 
vise tables and chairs ; the former could be made of split logs — and there were instances where 
the door would be taken from its hinges and used at meals, after which it would be rehung ; the 
the latter were designed after the three-legged stool pattern, or benches served their purposes. 
A bedstead was a very important item in the domestic comfort of the family, and this was the 
fashion of improvising them : A forked stick was driven into the ground diagonally from the 
corner of the room, and at proper distance, upon which poles reaching from each were laid. 
The wall ends of the pole either rested in the openings between the logs or were driven into 
augur-holes. Barks or boards were used as a substitute for cords. Upon this the tidy house- 
wife spread her straw tick, and, if she had a home-made feather bed, stie piled it up into a lux- 
urious mound, and covered it with her whitest drapery. Some sheets hung behind it for 
tapestry added to the coziness of the resting-place. 

The house thus far along, it was left to the deft devices of the wife to complete its comforts. 
and the father of the family was free to superintend out-of-door affairs. If it was in season, his 
first important duty was to prepare some ground for planting, and to plant what he could. 

The first year's farming consisted mainly of a "truck patch," planted in corn, potatoes, 
turnips and other vegetables. Generally, the first year's crop fell far short of supplying even 



^"^4 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

the most rigid economy of food. Many of the settlers brought with them small stores of such 
things as seemed indispensable to frugal living, such as flour, bacon, coffee and tea. But these 
supplies were not inexhaustible, and once used were not easily replaced. A long winter must 
come and go before another crop could be raised. If game was plentiful, it helped to eke out 
their limited supplies. 

But even when corn was plentiful, the preparation of it was the next difficulty in the way. 
The mills for grinding it were usually at such long distances that every other device was resorted 
to for reducing it to meal. Some grated it on an implement made by punching small holes 
through a piece of tin or sheet-iron, and fastening it upon a board in concave shape with the 
rough side out. Upon this the ear was rubbed to produce the meal. But grating could not 
be done when the corn became so dry as to shell off when rubbed. Some used a coffee-mill for 
grinding it ; and a very common substitute for bread was hominy — a palatable and wholesome 
diet — made by boiling corn in a weak lye till the hull or bran peeled off, after which it was well 
washed to cleanse it of the lye. It was then boiled again to soften it, when it was ready for use, 
as occasion required, by frying and seasoning it to the taste. Another mode of preparing hominy 
was by pestling. A mortar was made by burning a bowl-shaped cavity in the end of an upright 
block of wood. After thoroughly cleaning it of the charcoal, the corn would be put in, hot 
water turned upon it, when it was subjected to a severe pestling by a club of sufBcient length 
and thickness, in the large end of which was inserted an iron wedge, banded to keep it there. 
The hot water would soften the corn and loosen the hull, while the pestle would crush it. 

When breadstuffs were needed, they had to be obtained from long distances. Owing to the 
lack of proper means for thrashing and cleaning wheat, it was more or less mixed with foreign 
substances, such as smut, dirt and oats. And as the time when the settler's methods of thrash- 
ing and cleaning may be forgotten, it may be well to preserve a brief account of them here. 
The plan was to clean off a space of ground of sufficient size, and, if the earth was dry, to 
dampen it, and beat it to render it somewhat compact. Then the sheaves were unbound and 
spread in a circle, so that the heads would be uppermost, leaving room in the center for the per- 
son whose business it was to turn and stir the straw in the process of thrashing. Then, as many 
horses or oxen were brought as could conveniently swing around the circle, and these were kept 
moving until the wheat was well trodden out. After several " floorings " or layers were thrashed, 
the straw was carefully raked off and the wheat shoveled into a heap to be cleaned. This 
cleaning was sometimes done by waving a sheet up and down to fan out the chaff as the grain 
was dropped before it ; but this trouble was frequently obviated when the strong winds of autumn 
were all that was needed to blow out the chaff from the grain. This mode of preparing the 
grain for flouring was so imperfect that it is not to be wondered at that a considerable amount of 
black soil got mixed with it, and unavoidably got into the bread. This, with an addition of 
smut, often rendered it so dark as to have less the appearance of bread than mud ; yet upon 
such diet the people were compelled to subsist for want of a better. 

Not the least among the pioneers' tribulations, during the first few years of the settlement, 
was the going to mill. The slow mode of travel by ox teams was made still slower by the almost 
total absence of roads and bridges, while such a thing as a ferry was hardly even dreamed of. 
The distance to be traversed was often as far as sixty or ninety miles. In dry weather, common 
sloughs and creeks offered little impediment to the teamsters ; but during floods and the break- 
ing-up of winter, they proved exceedingly troublesome and dangerous. To get stuck in a slough, 
and thus be delayed for many hours, was no uncommon occurrence, and that, too, when time was 
an item of grave import to the comfort and sometimes even to the lives of the settlers' families. 
Often a swollen stream would blockade the way, seeming to threaten destruction to whoever 
would attempt to ford it. 

With regard to roads, there was nothing of the kind worthy of the name. Indian trails were 
common, but they were unfit to travel on with vehicles. They were mere paths about two feet 
wide — aU that was required to accommodate the single-file manner of Indian traveling. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 375 

When the early settlers were compelled to make these long and difficult trips to mill, if the 
country was prairie over which they passed, they found it comparatively easy to do in summer 
when grass was plentiful. By traveling until night, and then camping out to feed the teams, 
they got along without much difficulty. But in winter such a journey was attended with no 
little danger. The utmost economy of time was, of course, necessary. When the goal was 
reached, after a week or more of toilsome travel, with many exposures and risks, and the poor 
man was impatient to immediately return with the desired staff of life, he was often shocked and 
■disheartened with the information that his turn would come in a week. Then he must look about 
for some means to pay expenses, and he was lucky who could find employment by the day or 
job. Then, when his turn came, he had to be on hand to bolt his own flour, as in those days the 
bolting machine was not an attached part of the other mill machinery. This done, the anxious 
soul was ready to endure the trials of a return trip, his heart more or less concerned about the 
affiiirs of home. 

Those milling trips often occupied several weeks, and were attended with an expense, in 
one way or another, that rendered the cost of the breadstuffs extremely high. If made in the 
winter, when more or less grain-feed was required for the team, the load would be found to be 
so considerably reduced on reaching home that the cost of what was left, adding other expenses, 
would make their grain reach the high cash figure of from $3 to $5 per bushel. And these trips 
■could not always be made at the most favorable season for traveling. In spring and summer, 
so much time could hardly be spared from other essential labor ; yet, for a large family, it was 
almost impossible to avoid making three or four trips during the year. 

Among other things calculated to annoy and distress the pioneer was the prevalence of wild 
beasts of prey, the most numerous and troublesome of which was the wolf. While it was true, 
in a figurative sense, that it required the utmost care and exertion to " keep the wolf from the 
door," it was almost as true in a literal sense. There were two species of these animals — the 
large, black, timber wolf, and the smaller gray wolf that usually inhabited the prairie. At first, 
it was next to impossible for a settler to keep small stock of any kind that would serve as a prey 
to these ravenous beasts. Sheep were not deemed safe property until years after, when their 
enemies were supposed to be nearly exterminated. Large ^numbers of wolves were destroyed 
during the early years of settlement. When they were hungry, which was not uncommon, par- 
ticularly during the winter, they were too indiscreet for their own safety, and would often 
approach within easy shot of the settlers' dwellings. At certain seasons their wild, plaintive 
yelp or bark could be heard in all directions at all hours of the night, creating intense excitement 
among the dogs, whose howling would add to the dismal melody. It has been found by experi- 
ment that but one of the canine species — the hound — has both the fleetness and courage to cope 
with his savage cousin, the wolf. Attempts were often made to capture him with the common 
■cur, but this animal, as a rule, proved himself wholly unreliable for such a service. So long as 
the wolf would run the cur would follow ; but the wolf, being apparently acquainted with the 
■character of his pursuer, would either turn and place himself in a combative attitude, or else 
act upon the principle that " discretion is the better part of valor," and throw himself upon his 
back in token of surrender. This strategic performance would make instant peace between 
these two scions of the same house ; and not infrequently dogs and wolves have been seen play- 
ing together like puppies. But the hound was never known to recognize a flag of truce ; his 
baying seeming to signify "no quarter ;" or, at least, so the terrified wolf understood it. 

Smaller animals, such as panthers, lynxes, wildcats, catamounts and polecats, were also 
sufficiently numerous to be troublesome. And an exceeding source of annoyance were the 
swarms of mosquitoes which aggravated the trials of the settler in the most exasperating degree. 
Persons have been driven from the labors of the field by their unmerciful assaults. 

The trials of the pioneer were innumerable, and the cases of actual suff'ering might fill a 
volume of no ordinary size. Timid women became brave through combats with real dangers, 
and patient mothers grew sick at heart with the sight of beloved children failing in health from 



376 ir [STORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

lack of commonest necessaries of life. The struggle was not for ease or luxury, but was a con- 
stant one for the sustaining means of life itself. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 

On the 3d day of February, 1846, an act of the Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin was 
approved by the Governor, to divide the county of Portage and organize the county of Columbia. 
By that act, all that portion of country then embraced within a boundary beginning on tlie north 
line of Township 13, at Fox River, thence running southerly along that river to the south line 
of lands then owned by the Menomonee Indians ; thence westerly on that line to the Wisconsin 
River ; thence up the middle channel of that stream to the east line of Range No. 7 east ; 
thence south by the east line of Range 7 east, to where it intersects the river just mentioned ; 
thence down the middle channel of that stream to the county of Dane on the south ; thence 
east, bounded by Dane County on the south, to Dodge County on the east ; thence north, 
bounded by the county of Dodge on the east, to the county of (what was then) Marquette on 
the north ; thence west, bounded by Marquette County on the north, to the place of beginning 
on the northwest, was set off into a separate county and called Columbia. The county, how- 
ever, was near being called York, instead of Columbia. James T. Lewis presented a petition 
to the Legislature for " Columbia;" but Wayne B. Dyer, at Otsego, and some of the settlers at 
Portage forwarded another petition for " York," and the bill, so worded, was about to ])ass, 
when the first petitioner succeeded in inducing the members to vote for an amendment, striking 
out the latter and inserting the former. 

It will be seen that the county thus " set off" was not identical, as to territory, with the 
present county. The northwest part was then owned by the Menomonee Indians, and remained 
a part of Portage County. The south line of their lands commenced at a point on the west 
side of Fox River (now within the city of Portage) just below the township line between Town- 
ships 12 and 13, of Range 9 east, as afterward surveyed by the General Government, running 
thence in a straight course to what is now the northeast corner of Block No. 185, of the city of 
Portage ; thence to the Wisconsin River, on what is now Block 140 on Webb & Bronson's plat. 

By the organic act, it was provided that the county should be organized on the 1st day of 
May, 1846, for all the purposes both of county and judicial government, and that it should 
enjoy all the rights, privileges, immunities and powers of the other counties of the Territory. 
It was further provided that an election should be held in the several towns, or precincts, of the 
county, such as were then, or as might thei'eafter be, established by law, on the 1st day of 
April of that year, for the election of all such town or county oificers as the county, by virtue 
of its organization and the provisions of the organic act, should be entitled to, who were, 
severally, to hold their offices until the next general election and until their successors were 
duly elected and qualified, provided that nothing in the act should be so construed as to render 
the Sheriff of the county to be elected ineligible to a re-election at the ensuing annual election. 

It was provided by the act just mentioned, that the first election to be held in the county 
should be conducted in all respects in the manner then provided by law for holding general 
elections, and the votes cast were to be returned and canvassed as therein provided ; and the 
Judges of the election were authorized to issue certificates of election to any person duly 
elected to office, in the same manner as the Clerks of the Board of County Commissioners were 
then authorized to do in other counties. 

But the act contained, also, this section : " Pursuant to the election herein provided for, 
it shall be the duty of some Justice of the Peace of said county, or Justices within the limits of 
the respective precincts of the same, if there be one or more in each precinct, to post up, or 
cause to be posted, notices of said election, the officers then and there to be elected, with all the 
purposes of the same, at two or more of the most public places in each precinct, at least ten 
days before the said day of election." But this provision of the act seems to have been entirely 
overlooked, and, as a consequence, it began to be generally understood that the election was 
illegal. Some of the officers, however, were sworn in. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 377 

Among these were two of the County Commissioners — Solomon Leach and J. Q. Adams ; also, 
James C. Carr, Clerk of the Board. The two Commissioners organized on the 16th day of 
July, 1846, at the house of Elbert Dickason, in Wyocena ; present, James C. Carr, as Clerk ; 
also "Maj." Dickason, as lobby. Mr. Leach was called to the chair. The only business trans- 
acted was the formation of election precincts, "without any particular authority," as the Chair- 
man afterward declared, for the ensuing fall election. It was 

Resolved, That 60 much of Columbia County, commencing at the northeast corner of said county, embracing 
Townships 12 and 1.3 of Kange 12, and all that part of Townships 12 and 13 of Range 11, lying east of the section 
line between 5 and 6. be set off in a precinct to be known by the name of the Le Roy Precinct ; and that Nathan 
Griffin, James Buoy and Irwin McCall be Judges of Election in said precinct, said election to be held at the house 
of Oliver Langdon. 

Resolved, That the portion of said county embraced in Townships 10 and 11, in Range 12, comprise a precinct 
to be known by the name of Columbus Precinct ; elections to be held at the house of A. P. Birdsey, and that Asa 
Proctor, J. T. Lewis and Jeremiah Drake be Judges of said election. 

Resolved, That Townships 10 and 11, of Range 11, comprise a precinct to be known by the name of Dyers- 
burgh Precinct; and that the elections be held at the house of Landy Sowards, and that Landy Sowarda, Jonathan 

E. Haight and Henry Pellet be the Judges of Election in said precinct. 

Resolved. That Town[ship] 10, Range 10. south half of Town[ship] 11, Range 10, and east half of Town[ship] 
10, Range 9, comprise a precinct to be known by the name of Lowville ; elections to be held at the house of Jacob 
Low, and that William Young, Henry Herring and Stephen Brayton be Judges of Election in said precinct. 

Resolved, That west half of Town [ship] 10, Kange 9, Town [ship] 10, Range 8, Fractional Town [ship] 10, 
Range 7, comprise a precinct to be known by the name of Pleasant Valley Precinct ; and Marston Bartholomew, 
Aaron (^halfant and J. Maynard be Judges of said elections, elections to be held at the house of Marston 
Bartholomew. 

R'solved, That Township 11, Ranges 8 anJ 9, and the south half of Town[ship] 12, Range 9, and all that 
part of Town[ship] 12, Range 8, lying south of the Bariiboo River, comprise a precinct to be known by the name of 
Dekorra Precinct ; elections to be lield at the House of La Fayette Hill, and that Josliua W. Rhodes, John Springer 
and Thomas Swearingen be Judges of Election in said precinct. 

Resolved, That all that part of Town[ship] 12, north of the Baraboo River, and Town[ship] 13, and Fractional 
Town[ship] 14, Range 8; Tovvn[ship] 13, north h.alf of 12, Range 9, comprise a precinct to be known by the name 
of Winnebago Portage Precinct ; elections to be held at the house of Gideon Low, and that Richard F. Veeder, 
Daniel D. Robertson and Henry Jlerrell be Judges of Election in said precinct. 

Resolved, That Townships 13 and 12 and the north half of Town 11, Range 10, and one tier of sections on the 
west side of Town[ships] 12 and 13. Range 11, comprise a precinct to be known by the name of Wyocena Precinct ; 
elections to be held at the house of Elbert Dickason, and that Charles Spear, Darius Bisbee and Harvey Bush be Judges 
of Election in said precinct. 

On the 7th (first Monday) of September, 1846, the annual election was held. Two tickets 
— Whig and Democratic — were in the field. Persons were voted for to hold legislative, county 
and precinct offices. The Democratic nominees for legislative and county offices were : For the 
. Council, Mason C. Darling, of Fond du Lac County ; House of Representatives, Hugh McFarlane, 
of Columbia County, and Elisha Morrow, of Brown County ; Delegates to the Constitutional 
Convention, Harvey Bush and James T. Lewis ; Sheriff, Thomas C. Smith ; County Commis- 
sioners, J. C. Axtell, William McDonald and John Newell, Clerk of Board of Commis- 
sioners, Alvin B. Alden; Register of Deeds, Elbert Dickason; County Treasurer, Solomon 
Leach ; Collector of Ta.xes, John Swarthout ; Judge of Probate, Josiah Arnold ; County Sur- 
veyor, Elbert Dickason ; Coroner, William Bradley ; Assessors, Powell Austen, E. S. Smith 
and Hugh Muir; School Commissioners, John Converse, Isaiah Robinson and John Springer. 

Tiie Whig nominees were : For the Council, Israel Green ; House of Representatives, 
Henry Merrill and Henry 0. Sholes ; for Delegates to the Constitutional Convention, Jere- 
miah Drake and Lafayette Hill ; Sheriff, William C. Morgan ; County Commissioners, Richard 

F. Veeder, Nathan Griffin and John Q. Adams ; Assessors, Hiram B. Swift, Chauncey Spear 
and George M. Bartholomew ; Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, Nelson Swarthout; 
Treasurer, James C. Karr ; Surveyor, Alfred Topliff; Register of Deeds, Sylvester L. Corbin ; 
Coroner, Daniel E. Bassett ; Collector, Wayne B. Dyer; Judge of Probate, Silas Walsworth ; 
School Commissioners, Henry Merrell, John Langdon and Jeremiah C. Drake. 

A portion of each of the tickets was elected as follows : Council, Mason C. Darling ; House 
of Representatives, Hugh McFarlane and Elisha Morrow ; Constitutional Convention, Jeremiah 



378 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Drake and LaFayette Hill; Probate Judge, Silas Walsworth;* Sheriff, T. Clark Smith; Clerk 
Board County Commissioners, Nelson Swarthoutf; Treasurer, James C. Carr ; Collector, John 
Swarthout; Register of Deeds, Elbert Dickason ; Surveyor, Alfred Topliff; Coroner, Daniel 
E. Bassett ; Assessors, Hiram B. Swift, Chauncey Spear, George M. Bartholomew ; School 
Commissioners, Jeremiah C. Drake, John Langdon and Isaiah Robinson ; County Commis- 
sioners, R. F. Veeder, Nathan Griffin, Jolin D. McCall ; Assessors, Hiram B. Swift, George 
M. Bartholomew, Chauncey Spear. 

This election was believed to be void because it was held under the action of the Board of 
Commissioners elected at the previous spring election, dividing the county into voting precints, 
which action was without authority of law, even had the board been legally elected; so an act 
of the Legislature, approved February 11, 1847, amending the " Act to divide the county of 
Portage, and organize the county of Columbia," was passed, which provided ''That the election 
held in the county of Columbia, in the month of April, 1846, be, and the same is hereby, 
legalized, and the acts of all officers elected are hereby declared to be as valid to all intents and 
purposes as if said election had been legal from the beginning, and said county had been prop- 
erly organized, and said officers properly qualified. 

" That the election held in said county, on the first Monday in September last, be, and the 
same is hereby, declared to be as valid to all intents and purposes as if said election had been 
legal from the beginning, and said county fully organized, and the persons elected to fill county 
and precinct offices, at the election held as aforesaid, are hereby authorized to qualify within 
thirty davs from the passage of this act, and act accordingly." 

In March, 1848, the people of Wisconsin adopted, by vote, a State Constitution that had 
been framed by a convention which assembled December 15, 1847, and adjourned February 
1, 1848. 

In the first session of the Legislature of the newly admitted State, which convened at 
Madison June 5, 1848, Henry Merrell, of Fort Winnebago, represented Columbia, Portage, 
Marquette and Sauk Counties in the Senate, and Joseph Kerr, of Randolph, represented Colum- 
bia County in the Assembly. 

At this Session, an act was passed for submitting to a vote of the people the question 
whether the territory lying west of the Wisconsin River should be detached from Columbia 
County and be annexed to Sauk. The latter county was desirous of acquiring this territory, 
and we believe the inhabitants of the territory proposed to be detached also favored it. At that 
time, there were no bridges or ferries across the Wisconsin River ; the county seat was at Colum- 
bus, making it very inaccessible for them, and Baraboo was a more convenient point at which 
to transact county business. 

At the election, it was opposed by the people of Fort Winnebago, as they were anxious to 
preserve territory that would naturally be their ally, and was supported at Columbus, with 
the view of making their own position as a contestant for the county seat more secure. The 
act provided that : 

" On the Tuesday after the first Monday in November next, the legal voters of the county 
of Columbia are hereby authorized to vote in favor or against having all that part of said county 
lying west of the Wisconsin River stricken therefrom and attached to Sauk County." 

The vote, as officially declared, stood as follows : " For division, 103 ; against divis- 
ion, 246." 

The title of the Menomonee Indians having been extinguished, an act extending the north- 
ern boundaries of the county from Fox River to the Wisconsin River was passed in 1849, which 
brought into the jurisdiction of the county what is now known as the towns of Newport and 
Lewiston, also a port of the present town of Fort Winnebago, and a part of what is now the 
city of Portage. The act provided : 

"That all that portion of the country contained in townships numbered twelve (12) and 
thirteen (13) north, in ranges numbered six (6), seven (7), eight (8) and nine (9), lying and 

* Refused to qualify ; James T. Lewis was appointed in hii place. t Did not serve ; hia place wag filled by Wayne B. Dyer. 





PORTAGE CIT 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 381 

being north and east of the Wisconsin River, is hereby annexed to and made a part of the 
county of Columbia." 

The territory thus added to Columbia County gave to it the form and area which it still 
retains. 

ESTABLISHING THE COUNTY SEAT. 

An election was held in Columbia County, on the first Tuesday of April, 1846, in accor- 
dance with the provisions of the act organizing the county, to vote for the location of the county 
seat. The following places were voted for, each receiving the number of votes stated : Colum- 
bus, 97 ; Winnebago Portage, 49 ; Duck Creek, 47 ; Dekorra, 33 ; Dyers, 10 ; Van Duer, 3 
votes. No place received the majority of the votes ; the act was found defective in not providing 
for such a contingency, and the county seat remained unlocated. 

At the next session of the Legislature, the act was amended by declaring the county seat 
temporarily located at Wyocena, and providing for a vote on the question at each annual election, 
until some place should receive a majority. It provided: " That the county seat of the county 
of Columbia be, and the same is hereby, located at Wyocena, on the northeast quarter of section 
number twenty-one (21) in township number twelve (12) north of range number ten (10) east, 
until the next annual general election, at which time the location of the same shall be submitted 
to a vote of all white male inhabitants above twenty-one years of age, who shall have actually 
resided in said county thirty days previous to said election, and the place receiving a majority 
of all the votes cast, shall be taken and considered as the permanent location of the county seat 
for said county : Provided, that the same shall be temporarily established at Wyocena, until the 
same shall be located permanently by a majority of the voters of said county, which, unless 
determined at the next annual general election, shall be voted upon annually thereafter, until 
the same is settled and decided in favor of some one point, by a majority of the voters of said 
county : And provided further, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to 
authorize the raising of any tax for the erection of any public buildings, for three years after 
the next general annual election, until which time buildings suitable for county purposes shall 
be furnished free of cost or charge to the said county by the place, or proprietors of the same, 
at which the said county seat is, or shall be located, by virtue of this section, until the expiration 
of the time herein specified; Provided further, that if the proprietor of said town of Wyocena 
shall fail to furnish buildings as aforesaid, during its location at said town, then the commission- 
ers of said county shall furnish the same at such place as they deem most suitable and con- 
venient for the use of said county : The votes cast at said election for the location of the said 
county seat shall be received and kept in a separate box, and returned and canvassed as other 
Votes are at said elections." 

The Territorial Legislature in 1848, passed an act, approved March 6, of that year, 
temporarily locating the county seat at Columbus for the period of five years. The act declared : 
" That for the term of five years from, and after the passage of this act, the seat of justice of 
Columbia County shall be established at the village of Columbus, on section thirteen (13), 
township ten (10), range twelve (12), east; and all district courts to be held in and for said 
county, during said time, shall be held at the public schoolhouse in said village, until some other 
and more suitable place shall be provided for that purpose. The several county ofiices required 
by law, to be kept at the county seat, shall be removed to and kept at the said county seat as 
soon as suitable and convenient rooms or buildings shall be provided therefor, without expense 
or charge to the county ; and that all acts and parts of acts heretofore passed, and contravening 
this act are hereby repealed." 

But Columbus was not permitted to enjoy the honor for the full five years, for an act for the loca- 
tion of the county seat was passed in 1850, declaring" That at the annual town meeting, to be held 
in Columbia County on the first Tuesday of April, 1850, the people of said county shall be, and 
hereby are, authorized to vote for the permanent location of the county seat of said county at 
Wyocena, in said county; if said Wyocena shall receive a majority of all the votes cast on that 



382 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

subject at such town meetings, then said Wyocena shall be and remain the county seat of said 
county. 

" If said Wyocena shall not receive a majority of the votes at such town meetings, then it 
Bhall be lawful for the people of said Columbia County to vote at the annual election to be holden 
in November next, for the location of the county seat of said county at Fort Winnebago, in said 
county, and if said Fort Winnebago shall receive a majority of all the votes cast on that subject 
at such election, then said Fort Winnebago shall be and remain the county seat of said Columbia 
County. 

" The votes shall be cast by ballot. At the town meeting above mentioned, the ballots 
shall have written or printed on them the words ' For Wyocena.' or 'Against Wyocena : ' at the 
election in November next, the ballots shall have written or printed on them, ' For Fort Winne- 
bago,' or 'Against Fort Winnebago.' 

" The proprietors of the village where the said county seat may be located, shall make to 
the county a warrantee deed of land, sufficient to build all county buildings on and suitable for 
the same, to be selected by the Board of Supervisors of said county. 

The vote being taken April 2, 1850, under the act just mentioned, the result was, for 
Wyocena, 580 ; against Wyocena, 511. The returns from several precincts were either not 
received within the time required by law, or were rejected for informalities. 

The total votes polled in the various precincts was as follows: [Returns canvassed.] Colum- 
bus, for Wyocena, 12, against Wyocena, 142 ; Fort Winnebago (Portage), 16 for, 246 against ; 
Fountain Prairie, 86 for, 3 against ; Lowville, 54 for, 1 against ; Marcellon, 4 for, 85 against ; 
Otsego, 75 for, 10 against ; Portage Prairie (Randolph, etc.), 81 for, — against ; Scott, 51 for, 
20 against ; Springvale, 68 for, — against ; Wyocena, 133 for, — against. Total for Wyocena, 
580 ; total against Wyocena, 507. Four scattering votes against Wyocena were returned. 

The votes of the following precincts were not canvassed : Lodi, for Wyocena, 1, against 
Wyocena, 36 ; West Point, 7 for, 19 against ; Hampden, 9 for, 68 against; Kossuth (Leeds and 
Arlington), 30 for, 33 against ; Dekorra, 7 for, 92 against ; Port Hope (Fort Winnebago), — ■ 
for, 73 against. 

The total vote actually cast was 1,372, divided as follows : For Wyocena, 587, against 
Wyocena, 785 — a majority of 198 against. 

Proceedings were immediately commenced in court to obtain a decree in favor of Fort Win- 
nebago as the county seat, in accordance with the actual vote, but, before it could be brought to a 
hearing, another act of the Legislature was obtained, re-submitting the vote to the people at the 
election in April, 1851. 

The act provided " That at the annual town meeting, to be held in the several towns of 
Columbia County on the first Tuesday of April, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, the electors of 
said county shall be, and are hereby, authorized to vote for the permanent location of the county 
seat of said county at Fort Winnebago, in said county ; if said Fort Winnebago shall receive a 
majority of all the votes cast on that subject, at such town meetings, then Fort Winnebago shall 
be and remain the county seat of said county. 

" The votes shall be by ballot, and shall have written or printed, or partly written and 
partly printed, on each of them the words, 'Fort Winnebago — yes,' or 'Fort Winnebago 
—no'.' 

" If said Fort Winnebago shall not receive a majority of all the votes cast on this sub- 
ject at such town meetings, then the county seat shall be permanently established at Wyocena. 
" The proprietors of the village where the said county seat may be located shall make to 
the county a warrantee deed of land, suitable and sufficient, upon which to erect all county 
buildings, to be selected by the Board of Supervisors of said county. 

" It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, within ten days after the 
votes cast upon this subject have been canvassed, to notify the Clerk of the County Court of 
the result of such election for the location of the county seat ; and, upon the receipt of said 
notice, the Clerk of the Court shall cause the same to be published in one of the newspapers 



HISTORY OF COLl'MBIA COUNTY. 383 

printed in the village of Madison, and also in the newspapers published in the said county of 
Columbia. 

" From and after the publication of said notice, the county seat of said county of Colum- 
bia shall be located in accordance with said notice, namely, at Fort Winnebago, if all the votes 
cast on that subject are in favor of that place, or at Wyocena, if a majority of all the votes are' 
not in favor of Fort Winnebago." 

The following was the vote : 

Portage Prairie, "Fort Winnebago — yes," 20; " Fort Winnebago — no," 43. Springvale, 
no, 82. Wyocena, yes, 1; no, 182. Dekorra, yes, 90; no, 22. Otsego, yes, 2; no, 79. 
Fountain Prairie, yes, 5; no, 95. Columbus, yes, 119; no, 50. Hampden, yes, 36; no, 35. 
Kossuth, yes, 47 ; no, 37. West Point, yes, 32 ; no, 7. Lodi, yes, 41 ; no, 6. Fort Win- 
nebago, yes, 441 ; no, 9. Port Hope, yes, 73. Marcellon, yes, 92 ; no, 3. Scott, yes, 17 ; 
no, 57. Randolph, yes, 69 ; no, 32. Lowville, yes, 11 ; no, 57. Total: Yes, 1,096; no, 
796 — a majority of 300 for Fort Winnebago. 

This vote definitely fixed the location of the county seat at Fort Winnebago (now Por- 
tage). 

THE FIRST AND SECOND CENSUS. 

The first census in the county was taken in June, 1846, by Hugh McFarlane, assisted by 
William Donaghue. The names of the householders only were taken, with the number of inmates 
of each household. The county was divided between the two as follows: The territory, the 
enumeration of which was taken by McFarlane, comprehended Townships 10 and 11 north, of 
Ranges 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 east — or what are now the towns of Fountain Prairie, Otsego, 
Lowville, Dekorra, Lodi, Arlington, Leeds, Hampden and Columbus, also the south half of Cale- 
donia and one tier of sections off the east side of West Point, together with the area now included 
within the boundaries of the city of Columbus. In this division of the county, there were 705 
white males and 564 white females, making a total of 1,269 persons. The names of house- 
holders, with the number of inmates of each household, were as follows : 

L. Pearsons, 10; Julius Higbie, 3; P. Underwood, 4; Mr. Ketchum, 2; John Boutwell, 
5 ; Natt Kenyon, 2 ; Clark Heifron, 5 ; W. B. Dyer, 8 ; Harvey Bush, 5 ; Stephen James, 4 
Samuel Gibson, 4 ; Athen Bow, 7 ; Calvin Martin, 8 ; James C. Carr, 4 ; Jacob Swarthout, 7 
J. Q. Adams, 1; John O'Brien, 7; William Walker, 2; Benjamin Sage, 9; William Grout, 5 
Alfred A. Brayton, 6; Thomas Swarthout, 6; J. McLegon, 7; Mr. Blodgett, 5; William Aus- 
tin, 3 ; Charles D. Bradley, 2; H. B. Swift, 6; T. C. Smith, 6 ; E. J. Smith, 4; David King, 
5; Henry Regue, 3 ; Nehemiah Allen, 10 ; R. W. Misner, 5 ; Wm. Randall, 9 ; Ira Randall, 3 ; 
Warren Loomis, 5 ; Jacob Dickenson, 9 ; Thomas Sawyer, 5 ; Noah Dickenson, 6 ; J. Slackley, 
1; J. Newman, 1; Morris Burnour, 1; J. Loomis, 5 ; C. Johnson, 4 ; A. Lasher, 2 ; John Bentley, 

7 ; Joel Badger, 2 ; Natt Jones, 4 ; Orrin Rogers, 4 ; Jonathan Gilbert, 8 ; S. Brayton, 12 ; S. 
W. Herring, 9 ; John Barmore, 5 ; Jacob Low, 8 ; Thomas I. Green, 2 ; Perry Lee, 5 ; Cephus 
Tillotson, 5 ; Elijah Lee, 4 ; Ever Peterson, 5 ; Erick Tossen, 6 ; Peter Munson, 3 ; William 
Michelson, 4 ; Evans Wilson, 6; John Johnson, 4; Owen Johnson, 3; Mr. Godlake,'8; Peter 
Leland, 6 ; Tossen Hanson, 5 ; Nelson Tossen, 3 ; Stark Evans, 4 ; Tossen Parr, 8 ; Tess. 
Pearson, 8 ; Nels Olson, 12 ; Sjur Sturken, 8 ; Oliver G. Chilson, 4 ; Thomas Dalziel, 6 : 
Wm. T. Bradley, 3 ; Wm. Wells, 3; Sylvester Dutton, 2; Hiram A. Wheeler, 5 ; Nathan 
Stafford, 5 ; Ole, Peterson, 1 ; Gearge Bradley, 8 ; Stephen Brayton, 12 ; Joel Hubbard, 3 ; 
Justice Worden, 2 ; Elisha Town, 8 ; Christopher Hughes, 12 ; Smith Orton, 5 ; Asa Proctor, 

8 ; M. R. Cobb, 4 ; Edward J. Smyth, 4 ; Henry Pellett, 6 ; Horace Dodge, 2 ; Albert Nichols, 
3; Johnson King, 5 ; Dearborn Taylor, 6; LaFayette Hill, 5 ; Thomas Swearingen, 4 ; Chris- 
topher Randall, 7 ; John Springer, 5 ; Christopher Clark, 6 ; Elias Botman, 3 ; Joshua W. 
Rhoads, 2; Wm. McDonald, 2; Thomas Robertson, 9; Quintin Smith, 6 ; James AVilson, 11; 
Henry Botman, 12; Hugh Muir, 4 ; John Pate, 5; Allen Johnson, 6; Mr. Swan, 1; CM. 
Young, 3 ; Wm. H. Young, 4 ; John A. Franklin, 5 ; Usual Young, 6 ; Michael Van Winter, 



384 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

11 ; Horace Carver, 5 ; Miamy York, 6 ; James Ensminger, 3 ; Nathaniel Blood, 7 ; Alfred 
Johnson, 2 ; Nathan Palmer, 10 ; Wm. Green, 2 ; Thomas Kobinson, 3 ; Mr. Linsley, 4 ; 
George M. Bartholomew, 6 ; Nancy Bowman, 5 ; Jacob Hurley, 5 ; Joseph Brown, 5 ; Samuel 
falraer, 7 ; M. C. Bartholomew, 8; Garrett Palmer, 1; William G. Simons, 5; Henry May- 
nard, 10 ; Thomas C. Armor, 1 ; Thomas Robinson, 2 ; Aaron Chalfant, 5 ; James McCloud, 
1 ; Hugh Downey, 1 ; Theodosus B. Northrup, 7 ; Mr. Diefendorf, 10 ; three families on Fox 
River, the names of whom could not be learned, supposed to be 18 in number. 

The territory, the enumeration of which was taken by Donagliue, included Townships 12 
and 13 north, of Ranges 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 east; or, what are now the towns of Courtland, 
Springvale, Wyocena, Pacific, the north half of Caledonia, all of Lewiston except three tiers of 
sections off its west side, Fort Winnebago, Marcellon, Scott and Randolph ; also, what is now 
the area included within the limits of the city of Portage. In this division of the county 
there were 438 white males, 261 white females, and 1 male of color, making, in all, 700 
persons. 

The names of the householders in this district, with the number of inmates of each house- 
hold, were as follows: Elijah Bowman, 7; Patrick Griffith, 5 ; James Buoy, 11; Perry 
Griffith, 5 ; Richard Jones, 10 ; Robert Edwards, 5 ; George W. Orr, 1 ; Wm. Wolf 1 ; Perry 
Fisher, 1; John Rogers, 9; John Merchant, 4; Joel Galer, 1 ; Rose Robinson, 8; Wm. A. 
Buoy, 4 : Jacob Towman, 8 ; Wm. Harris, 6 ; Owen Jones, 6 ; John R. Evans, 1 ; Otis Hub- 
bard, 1; Wm. N. Ilsley, 5; T. B. Enos, 1 ; Nathan Griffin, 9; Robert Williams, 4; Nathan 
Benjamin, 1 ; Wm. Williams, 4 ; Elias L. Williams, 3 ; John L. P. Jess, 12 ; Alonzo Johnson, 4 
John Johns, 1 ; Dexter Blanchard, 1 ; John Blanchard, 1 ; N. F. Coolidge, 1 ; S. A. Coolidge, 1 
Robert Cloyd, 4 ; Wm. Jones, 3 ; Hugh Edwards, 7 ; Samuel Langdon, 3 ; James Wamke, 1 
Francis Drahity, 2 ; Samuel Drahity, 2 ; Moses Rogers, 1 ; Rachel Coil, 4 ; Thomas B. Newland 
1 ; John Hagadore, 8 ; Leonard H. Newton, 1 ; John Prentice, 1 ; Milton Chadcey, 1 ; M. D. Nun- 
son, 6 ; Leonard Steward, 1 ; Charles E. Mosher, 1; E. Alphert, 6 ; J. Tupper, 4 ; Owen Powderly, 
8 ; Benjamin Dodge, 11 ; Charles Spear, 1 ; Elbert Dickason, 9 ; Chancey Spear, 1 ; Darius Bris- 
bey, 7 ; Mr. Battey, 6 ; Solomon Saulsbury, 2 ; Christopher Bredenburg, 4 ; Wm. Bredenburg, 4 ; 
John Robinson, 8; John R. Williams, 4; Robert Closs, 6; David Robertson, 3; Evan 
Edwards, 7 ; Jane Thomas, 5 ; Hugh Edwards, 6 ; John Dodge, 2 ; Ervin McCall, 4 ; Samuel 
McConochie, 10 ; John Smith, 5 ; James Smier, 8 ; Wm. King, 3 ; Abner Case, 5 ; Daniel 
Bachen, 3 ; Horace Austin, 4 ; Palmer Peach am, 2; Aaron Powell, 10 : Francis Langdon, 5 ; 
Simeon Hamlin, 3 ; John Hamlin, 7; Sylvester Langdon, 1 ; John Madden, 8 ; Gideon Low, 9 ; 
H. Carpenter, 24 ; Wm. Chalfinch, 4 ; Wm. Jones, 13 ; M. W. Patton, 8 ; Milo Bradley, 2 ; John 
Dunlap, 2 ; Daniel Plumley, 5 ; Powell Stein, 8 ; Wm. Meades, 7 ; John Englehart, 4; Edward 
Root, 3 ; Samuel Torbert, 4 ; Henry Dence, 6 ; Isaac Morris, 3 ; Jonas Evans, 3; David Roberts, 
5; Thomas Roberts, 7; John Roberts, 7; Job W. Perry, 13 ; Levi W. Perry, 4 ; James E. Knowles, 
8; Pearson Lowell, 3; Philip Hartwell, 3; Alvin B. Alden, 4; George Colben, 5; John Con- 
verse, 8 ; H. Dickenson, 1 ; Thomas Kelsey, 1 ; Frank Roberts, 3 ; Ephraim Blood, 11 ; Lem- 
uel Aiken, 1; Oliver Bush, 3; Francis L. Smith, 1; Oliver Rablin, 1; Lewis Havens, 1; 
Robert Lindsey, 1 ; Stephen Wood, 1 ; Wm. B. McEwen, 1 ; Neil McFee, 1 ; Captain Harvey, 
1; Elijah Francisco, 1; John G. Potter, 1 ; George Lawrence, 1 ; Richard F. Veeder, 8 ; 
Charles Gliders, 1 ; 0. F. Waggoner, 3 ; Jesse Boynton, 1 ; Wm. Lawrence, 1 ; Silas Wals- 
worth, 3 : D. D. Robinson, 6 ; Richard Downing, 3 ; Charles Lavigne, 4 ; Henry Lewis, 7 ; 
Terry Smyth, 2; John T. De LaRonde, 4; Leo Ambrose, 2; Fred Gilbrew, 1 ; 0. P. Williams, 
1 ; Charles Temple, 4 ; Thomas Getty, 1 ; Wm. Weir, 5 ; N. St. German, 2 ; 0. Bellrude, 1 ; 
H. Hansen, 1; John Champlain, 4; Manchy Rangg, 1; H. McFarlane, 30; Clark Whitney, 
4 ; Wm. Logan, 3 ; Bassil DuBay, 2 ; Louis DuBay, 2 ; Stranger (unknown), 1 ; James Porter, 
2 ; Henry Morris, 6 ; S. S. Torbert, 2 ; Kennedy Anderson, 1. 

Recapitulation : First District — White males, 705 ; white females, 564 ; total persons, 
1,269. Second District — White males, 438 ; white females, 261 ; male of color, 1 ; total per- 
sons, 700. The entire population of the county was, therefore, 1,969. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 385 

The census of the county was taken the second time in June, 1847. The enumerator 
was James T. Lewis, assisted by Nathaniel Blood, Harvey Bush, John Converse, Elisha Lynn 
and Emerson Thayer. Lewis took Columbus Precinct; Blood, Dekorra ; Bush, Wyocena ; 
Converse, LeRoy ; Lynn, Dyersburg, and Thayer, the three precincts of Winnebago Portage, 
Pleasant Valley and Lowvilie. The following was the result : 

White Males. White Females. Colored Males. Total. 

Columbus Precinct 514 435 949 

Dekorra 104 97 201 

Wyocena 253 222 475 

LeRoy 515 464 1 980 

Dyersburg 2-38 228 466 

Winnebago Portage 102 61 1 164 

Pleasant Valley 110 ' 93 203 

Lowvilie 190 163 353 

Total 2026 1763 2 3791 

a 

EARLY HIGHWAYS. 

The first regularly laid out highway or road Columbia County had was called the " mili- 
tary road," and was built at Government expense for the transportation of supplies from Fort 
Howard, as the army " post " was then called, at Green Bay, to Fort Winnebago, and on to 
Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien. In summer, provisions were transported, in batteaux, by 
water from Fort Howard to Forts Winnebago and Crawford, but in winter this could not be 
done. Therefore, early in 1835, Lewis Cass, then Secretary of War, sent out orders to open, 
lay out and bridge a road from Fort Howard to Fort Crawford, by the way of Fond du Lac 
and Fort Winnebago. The soldiers at Fort Crawford were ordered to build and bridge the 
road to Fort Winnebago ; those stationed at Fort Winnebago, from their post to the Fond du 
Lac River and bridge that stream, and those at the " Bay," or Fort Howard, to open the road 
from their post to Fond du Lac. The soldiers at these three posts were under command of 
Brig. Gen. George Mercer Brooke, and composed the Fifth Regiment of the standing army. 
The road was laid out by Lieut. Centre and James Duane Doty. Mr. Doty was appointed 
because he knew the road better than almost any other man in the Territory. It entered Colum- 
bia County from the south, on Section 31, Township 10, Range 9 east (town of Arlington), 
and ran in a northeasterly direction to " Pauquette," now Poynette, in the town of Dekorra ; 
thence, almost due north, to Fort Winnebago. From Fort Winnebago, it ran through the 
southern tier of sections of the present towns of Fort Winnebago, Marcellon, Scott and Ran- 
dolph, to Fox Lake ; thence, to Waupun and Fond du Lac, to its terminus — Fort Howard. It 
was a crude affair, and constructed by cutting through timber-land, clearing a track about two 
rods wide, and setting mile stakes. On the prairies, the mile stakes were set and small mounds 
thrown up. Where stone could be had, it was used ; otherwise, the earth was thrown up. On 
the marshes and other low places, corduroy roads were made by crossing timbers and covering 
with brush and earth. 

In 1837, a Territorial road was opened from Fort Winnebago, running east through the 
town of Fort Winnebago, into Marcellon ; thence, in a northeasterly direction, through the 
town, into Marquette County, intersecting the military road in Fond du Lac. This road has 
often been mistaken for the old military road, from the fact that, during certain seasons of the 
year, it was traveled more than the other. 

About the same time, two roads were opened from the village of Dekorra — one taking aa 
easterly course, intersecting the military road near Fox Lake ; the other running east, through 
Horicon, Dodge County, and thence to Lake Michigan, at a point then called Sauk Harbor. 
This last road was surveyed by the General Government. 

Another road was opened from Swan Lake, taking a southeasterly course, into Jefferson 
County. From " Pauquette " (now Poynette), a road was opened south, to the City of the Four 



386 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Lakes; also one to Madison. These comprised all the roads laid out in the' county previous 

to 18.38. 

TERRITORIAL DISTRICT COURT AND STATE CIRCUIT COURT. 

The act establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin provided for the division of 
the Territory into three judicial districts, and for the holding of a district court by one of the 
Justices of the Supreme Court in each district, two terms in each year in each organized county 
in the district. The three Justices were Charles Dunn, David Irvin and William C. Frazer. 
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved November 15, 18.36, the counties of Brown 
and Milwaukee were constituted the Third District, and assigned to Justice Frazer ; the coun- 
ties of Crawford and Iowa the First District, and assigned to Chief Justice Dunn. As, at that 
date, what is now the county of Columbia was then portions of the four counties just named, it 
was, of course, in both tlie Third and First Districts. However, there being no population except 
what clustered in and around Fort Winnebago, the region was understood to be, judicially con- 
sidered, a part of Brown County, and so it had been ever since the county became a part of 
Michigan Territory.. The people at the Portage were considerec' vs amenable to the court which 
sat at Green Bay. Nor was this state of things changed by tne setting apart, in December, 
1836, of pretty nearly what is now Columbia into a county by itself, called Portage, as the latter 
was attached to Brown County for judicial purposes, and it so remained until February 18, 1841, 
when it was attached for the same purpose to Dane County, then in the Second Judicial District 
presided over by Judge Irvin. It so continued until the fall of 1844, when Portage County 
was fully organized; and on the first Monday of April, 184.5, was held the first district court 
for the county. Portage County was still in the Second Judicial District. 

The first term of the District Court in Columbia County, began August 80, 1847, with 
David Irvin as Judge of the Second Judicial District. The court was held at Fort Winnebago, 
in a store attached to the Franklin House, kept by Gideon Low. Doubt as to the legality of 
the elections in Columbia County in 1846. was the cause of there being no court held therein 
during that year. The names of the first grand jury for the United States and Columbia County 
were as follows : Morrell Stroud, Jerome B. Fargo, La Fayette Hill, Edward J. Smith, John 
Converse, Benjamin F. Stanton, Isaac B. Hancock, Jonathan E. Haight, Perry GriiBth, Chan- 
cey Spear, Samuel Gibson, Joseph Edwards, Albert Pease, Horace Dodge, Enos Grant. F. K. 
Haskins, Job W. Perry, W. B. Dyer, William W. Drake. 

On the first day, Owen Powderly was naturalized. The first case on the docket was Lorenzo 
Bevans vs. Andrew Dunn, in assumpsit ; the case was continued generally. The next case was 
also in assumpsit, Youngs Allen vs. Miami York ; the plaintift" recovered, by default of the 
defendant, a judgment for $64.73. 

Upon the admission of Wisconsin as a State into the Union, it was divided into five judicial 
circuits. Columbia County was included in the Third. By an act of the State Legislature, 
approved April 22, 1855, the county was attached to the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and has ever 
since remained in that circuit. At the election on the first Monday of August, 1848, Charles 
H. Larrabee was chosen Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, his term expiring at the close of 
the 31st day of December, 1854. At the previous April election, in 1854, he had been elected 
for a full term of six years, commencing January 1, 185.5, and to end at the close of December 
31, 1859, but Columbia County was taken out of his jurisdiction by being attached, in April, 
1855, as previously mentioned, to the Ninth Judicial Circuit. 

The first term of the Circuit Court commenced May 21, 1849, Chief Justice Stow presid- 
ing. The first case tried was John Converse vs. Martin Hoffman, in error from a justice's court; 
judgment affirmed. 

The grand jury was as follows: John Hasey, Thomas D. Wallace, Cornwall Esmond, Isaac 
Requa, William (j. Simons, Benjamin A. Hagamen, Sylvanus Langdon, Dearborn Taylor, Linus 
Blair, Martin Porter, Hugh McFarlane, John Q. Adams, Lucius Warner, Thomas Swarthout, 
Oscar F. Hamilton, Benjamin Sage, Cyrus Smith, Joseph Farrington, Edward J. Smith and 
Israel Sales. 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 387 

There was no court, either district or circuit, held in Columbia County during the year 1848. 

When, in 1855, Columbia County was taken out of the Third Judicial Circuit and attached 
to the Ninth, it came into the jurisdiction of Judge Alexander L. Collins, but, on the 5th of 
September, 1858, he resigned, and Luther S. Dixon was appointed in his place until a successor 
was elected and qualified. Before the next April election, however. Judge Dixon resigned, 
being elevated to the Supreme Bench, and Harlow S. Orton was elected Judge of the Ninth 
Judicial Circuit, to fill out the full term for which Judge Collins was elected, which expired 
December 31, 1860. On the 3d day of April, 1860, Judge Orton was elected for a full term 
of six years, but he resigned January 28, 1865, when Alva Stewart was appointed to hold until 
the next April election. In April, 1865, Judge Stewart was elected to fill out the full term of 
Judge Orton, which expired December 31, 1866. In April, 1866, he was again elected, but 
this time for a full term of six years, which began January 1, 1867, and ended December 31, 
1872. In April, 1872, he was re-elected for a full term, commencing January 1, 1873, and to 
end December 31, 1878. However, on April 2, 1877, upon the increase of the Ninth Judicial 
Circuit by the addition of three counties, Juneau, Adams and Marquette, Judge Stewart resigned, 
but was appointed on the 5th of the same month, as his own successor, to fill out his full term. 
In April, 1878, he was re-elected for another full term of six years, which commenced January 
1, 1879, and will end December 31, 1884. 

TERRITORIAL, STATE, AND CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION. 

The First Legislative Assembly under the Territorial Government of Wisconsin, convened 
at Belmont, Lafayette County, in October, 1836. The counties of Brown, Crawford, Iowa and 
Milwaukee then embraced, as previously stated, the whole territory of what now constitutes 
Wisconsin, and a portion of the present county of Columbia was contained in the limits of each 
of the above-named counties. In 1846, as already narrated, the county of Columbia was organ- 
ized from the county of Portage. 

(/.) Territorial Representation. — [District — Brown, Calumet, Columbia, Fond du Lac, 
Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage and Winnebago.] Council — 1847-48, Mason C. Darling, of 
Fond du Lac. Representatives — 1847, Elisha Morrow, of Bi-own, and Hugh McFarlane, of 
Columbia ; 1848, Geo. W. Featherstonhaugh, of Calumet, and Moses S. Gibson. 

(II.) State Representation. — First Constitutional Convention, 1846, Jeremiah Drake and 
LaFayette Hill. Second Constitutional Convention, 1847-48, James T. Lewis. 

Senate — 1848-49, Henry Merrell,of Fort Winnebago ; 1850-51, George DeGraw Moore, of 
Prairie du Sac ; 1852, James S. Alban, of Plover ; 1853, James T. Lewis, of Columbus ; 
1854-55, John Q. Adams, of Fall River ; 1856, John Q. Adams, of Fall River ; 1857-58, 
Moses M. Davis, of Portage; 1859-60, Moses M. Davis, of Portage; 1861-62, Gerry W. 
Hazleton, of Columbus ; 1863-64, Jonathan Bowman, of Kilbourn City ; 1865-66, Jonathan 
Bowman, of Kilbourn City ; 1867-68, Robert B. Sanderson, of Arlington ; 1869-70, Wm. M. 
Griswold, of Columbus; 1871-72, Wm. M. Griswold, of Columbus; 1873-74, Evan 0. Jones, 
of Cambria ; 1875-76, Levi W. Barden, of Portage ; 1877-78, Levi W. Barden, of Portage ; 
1879-80, Charles L. Dering, of Portage. 

Assembly — 1848 — Joseph Kerr, of Randolph. 1849 — Joseph Kerr, of Randolph. 1850 — 
Hugh McFarlane, of Portage. 1851— Wm. T. Bradley, of Leeds. 1852— James T. Lewis, 
of Columbus. 1853 — Orrin D. Coleman, of Marcellon ; John Q. Adams, of Fall River. 
1854— Alfred Topliff, of Columbus ; Asa C. Ketchum, of Portage. 1855— Alfred Topliff, of 
Columbus ; William T. Whirry, of Randolph. 1856— Moses M. Davis, of Portage ; Oliver C. 
Howe, of Lowville. 1857 — George M. Bartholemew, of Lodi ; Oliver C. Howe, of Lowville ; 
Henry Converse, of Wyocena. 1858 — Alvin B. Alden, of Portage ; Wm. M. Griswold, of 
Columbus ; Jonathan W. Earle, of Pardeeville. 1859 — Gysbert Van Steenwyk, of Newport ; 
Wm. M. Griswold, of Columbus; John O.Jones, of Springvale. 1860 — Henry B. Munn, of 
Portage; William M. Griswold, of Columbus; Marcus Barden, of Scott. 1861 — Harvey W. 
Emery, of Portage; Nathan Hazen, of Arlington; James H. Bonney, of Marcellon. 1862 — 



388 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Jonathan Bowman, of Kilbourn City ; William Dutcher, of Columbus ; Robert B. Sanderson, 
of Springvale. 1863 — A. J. Turner, of Portage ; John Q. Adams, of Fountain Prairie; Yates 
Ashley, of Pardeeville. 1864 — A. J. Turner, of Portage; Edwin W. McNitt, of Otsego; 
Yates Ashley, of Pardeeville. 1865 — Levi W. Barden, of Portage ; Jesse F. Hand, of Low- 
ville ; William Owen, of Randolph. 1866 — A. J. Turner, of Portage ; Robert B. Sanderson, 
of Arlington; Evan 0. Jones, of Cambria. 1867 — AV. Scott Schermerhorn, of Lodi; Ira H. 
Ford, of Hampden ; Evan 0. Jones, of Cambria. 1868 — Alanson Holly, of Kilbourn City ; 
Ira H. Ford, of Hampden ; David C. Davies, of Cambria. 1869 — ^A. J. Turner, of Portage ; 
Thornton Thompson, of Otsego ; Freeman M. Ross, of Scott. 1870 — Jonas Narracong. of Lodi ; 
Winslow Bullin, of Arlington; Carmi W. Beach, of Marcellon. 1871 — Stillman E. Dana, of 
Portage ; Thos. Sanderson, of Leeds ; George G. Marvin, of Randolph. 1872 — Wm. W. Corn- 
ing, of Portage; Henry C. Brace, of Fountain Prairie; Jacob Low, of Lowville. 1873 — 
Samuel S. Brannan, of Portage ; Henry C. Brace, of Fountain Prairie ; John L. Porter, of 
Pacific. 1874 — Jonathan Bowman, of Kilbourn City ; Samuel Hasey, of Hampden ; Hiram 
W. Roblier, of Wyocena. 1875 — Marcus Barden, of Scott ; John R. Rowlands, of Springvale ; 
John B. Dwinnell, of Lodi. 1876— Michael Griffin, of Kilbourn City; John G. Griffin, of 
Randolph; Augustus 0. Dole, of Poynette. 1877 — David Owen, of Portage; Harmon J. Fisk, 
of Fall River. 1878— Josiah Arnold, of Portage ; Lester Woodard, of Pardeeville. 1879— 
Charles R. Gallett, of Portage ; John Sanderson, of Cambria. 1880 — Addison Eaton, of Lodi ; 
Matthew Lowth, of Columbus. 

{Ill-) Concp'essional Representation. — The act of Congress, approved April 20, 1836, 
organizing the Territory of Wisconsin, conferred upon the people the right to be represented in 
the National Congress by one delegate, to be chosen by the votes of the qualified electors of the 
Territory. Under this authority the Territory was represented by the following delegates : 
George W. Jones, elected October 10, 1836 ; James Duane Doty, September 10, 1838 ; James 
Duane Doty, August 5, 1840 (Doty afterward resigned, he having been appointed Governor of 
the Territory by President Tyler, September 13, 1841) ; Henry Dodge, September 27, 1841 ; 
Henry Dodge, September 25, 1843 ; Morgan L. Martin, September 22, 1845, and John H. 
Tweedy, September 6, 1847. 

By the Constitution, adopted when the Territory became a State, in 1848, two represent- 
atives in Congress were provided for by dividing the State into two Congressional Districts, the 
First District being composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Wal- 
worth, Rock and Green ; the Second District, of Washington', Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, 
Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, 
La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe. Under this 
authority, an election was held May 8, 1848, and William Pitt Lynde was elected member of 
Congress from the First District ; Mason C. Darling, of Fond du Lac, for the Second District. 
The people, therefore, then residing within the limits of Columbia County, were represented in 
the Thirtieth Congress by Dr. Mason C. Darling. 

At the first session of the State Legislature, which continued from June 5 to August 21, 
1848, the State was divided into three Congressional Districts, Columbia County falling into 
the Third District, composed of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, 
Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson and Columbia. This appor- 
tionment continued unchanged until 1861. The Third District was represented during that 
period as follows : Thirty-first Congress, 1849-51, James Duane Doty ; Thirty-second Con- 
gress, 1851-53, John B. Macy ; Thirty-third Congress, 1853-55, John B. Macy; Thirty-fourth 
Congress, 1855-1857, Charles Billinghurst ; Thirty-fifth Congress, 1857-59, Charles Billing- 
hurst ; Thirty-sixth Congress, 1859-61, Charles H. Larrabee ; Thirty-seventh Congress, 
1861^63, A. Scott Sloan. 

At the fourteenth session of the Legislature of Wisconsin, continuing from January 9 to 
May 27, 1861, the State was divided into six Congressional Districts, Columbia County falling 
into the Second District, composed of the counties of Rock, Jefferson, Dane and Columbia. For 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 389. 

the next ten years, the Second District was represented in Congress as follows : Thirty-eighth 
Congress, 1863-65, Ithamar C. Sloan ; Thirty-ninth Congress, 1865-67, Ithamar C. Sloan ; 
Fortieth Congress, 1867-69, Benjamin F. Hopkins; Forty-first Congress, 1869-71, Benjamin 

F. Hopkins, who died January 1, 1870, and was succeeded, February 15 of the same year, by 
David Atwood ; Forty-second Congress, 1871-73, Gerry W. Hazleton. 

The present Congressional apportionment was made at the twenty-fifth session of the Legis- 
lature of Wisconsin, continuing from January 10 to March 27, 1872, when the State was 
divided into eight districts, Columbia County again falling into the Second District, composed 
of the counties of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk and Columbia. In the Forty-third Congress, 1873-75, 
the district was represented by Geny W. Hazleton ; in the Forty-fourth, 1875-77, by Lucien 
B. Caswell; in the Forty-fifth, 1877-79, by Lucien B. Caswell; in the Forty-sixth, 1879-81, 
by Lucien B. Caswell. 

PHOTOGRAPHING THE PIONEERS. 

Some time ago, a plan was inaugurated to preserve photographs of pioneers of Columbia 
County. The result is the collection, in what is now the gallery of S. L. Plumb, in Portage, 
of a considerable number of negatives, which are to be preserved for future generations. The 
"counterfeit presentments" of the following persons have, up to the present time, been 
secured : 

J. J. Guppey, Henry Merrell, C. C. Britt, 0. P. Williams, Hugh McFarlane, Israel 
Holmes, A. Chambei'lin, Josiah Arnold, George Payne, Samuel M. Carr, E. L. Jaeger, Volney 
Foster, Thomas Drew, Sr., G. M. Oddie, John Williamson, Joseph Ludwig, George Wall, Carl 
Haertel, D. T. Eastman, J. F. Hand, G. C. Prentiss, Elbridge Curtis, Solomon Leach, Elisha 
A. Wells, J. W. Roades, M. M. Ege, Fred C. Curtis, R. 0. Loomis, Benjamin Dey, W. P. St. 
John, Job Purnell, Alexander Cai-nagie, William Sylvester, S. Race, R. C. Rockwood, V. 
Helmann, W. H. C. Abell, Jesse Van Ness, H. S. Haskell, Jonathan Whitney, S. S. Brannan, 
Samuel Edwards, John Orthman, E. Hagan, William Wier, Henry Carpenter, Gordon H. Mer- 
rell, H. B. Munn, Jacob Township, C. Collipp, William Armstrong, S. S. Johnson, Earl A. 
Fargo, Thomas Raynolds, John Peterson, Thomas Lee, B. J. Pixley, Thornton Thompson, A. 
J. Turner, N. H. Wood, James Prentice, Hiram Sexton, D. H. Langdon, George Shackell, D. 
A. Goodyeai-, G. C. Jackson, Mr. Larmouth, H. M. Ayer, E. F. Lewis, Theodore Thomas, 
S. M. Smith, Horace Rust, Samuel Berry, Alexander McMillan, Thomas Walker, M. W. Pat- 
ton, Hugh Doherty, Alva Stewart, B. F. Flower, C. C. Dow, John Reedal, Joseph Hartman, 
Sat. Clark, Mr. Shulze, A. Bates, A. Brown, P. S. Hollenbeck, Peter Houston, L. S. Dixon, 

G. W. Webb, Emmons Taylor, William Bates, John Leatherman, S. W. Herring, Charles 
Spear, P. Pool, Elijah Johnson, F. B. Langdon, William McDonald, William Holden, Marcus 
Barden, Charles Baker, G. T. Morrison, John Converse, D. Buchanan, Peter Drake, D. Van- 
dercook, G. N. Richmond, F. L. Henry, D. B. Peck, A. McDonald, A. 0. Green, James Wil- 
son, J. R. McMillan, Seth Allen, S. Calverly, A. Voertman, A. A. Bull. C. R. Gallett, J. T. 
Clark, Robert Balentine, John Foot, William McKenzie, Samuel Herriman, John N. Kind, T. 
L. Kennen, Chauncy Roberts, Donald Ferguson, George W. Morrison, John Palmer, George 
W. Bennett, W. Tillotson, Hans H. Tongen, James Patterson, D. C. Berry. 



390 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER Y. 

PIONEER REMINISCENCES. 

By Tiiojias L. McKinney— Mrs. Margaret C. Low— John T. De La Roxde— Satterlee 
Clark— Mrs John H. Kinzie— Henry' Merrell— J. T. Kingston- Robert L. Ream- 
Hugh McFarlane— N. H. Wood— William T. Whirry— Amplius Chamberlain— Moses 
M. Strong— Charles Whittlesey— Freedom Simons— G. W. Featherstonhaugh. 

I. — BY THOMAS L. MCKINNEY. 

On the morning of the 3d [of September, 1827, at the portage], having little else to do, I 
busied myself to find out, if I could, how the Indians could, without danger, capture the rattle- 
snake. This whole country is full of them, and so constant is the noise of their rattles, when 
anything happens to molest them, that the ear is kept half the time deceived by what seems to 
be the ticking of watches in a watchmaker's window. I was honored by a visit from one in my 
tent, that morning, and was prompted by that call, perhaps, to find out in what way my civilities 
might best protect me from their too close attention. I was told that the smell of tobacco made the 
snake sick ; and this explained why, in two instances in which I had witnessed the taking of 
this reptile by the Indians, tobacco was employed. They also employ a root (but of what herb 
or shrub I could not find out), which they pound and put on a stick ; then they excite the 
snake to bite it, when the poison of the root, being taken into the snake's mouth, kills it. I 
was told that they take from the neck of the turkey-buzzard a piece of the flesh, and dry and 
pound it, and rub their bodies with this powder. Thus guarded, the snake will not bite or come 
near them. How true all or any part of all this is, I cannot vouch, never having made trial of 
either. 

At 9 in the morning, in company with Count de Lillier, Judge Lecuyer and Rev. Mr. 
Jones (a Protestant Episcopal clergyman — the first settled at Green Bay), I started for a 
descent of the Wisconsin River. Having crossed the Fox River to the opposite landing, on 
the portage, an ox-cart was provided for our transportation across to the Wisconsin, the width of 
the portage being about twenty-five hundred paces. The entire way was miry and full of rattle- 
snakes. The veteran interpreter, Pauquette, was employed to drive us over. The wheels of 
the cart, though broad, sank deep into the mud, and the sturdy beasts bent to their duty ; but 
without the constant employment of Pauquette's powerful arms and the exertion of his great 
strength in applying to their sides repeated strokes from what seemed like a hoop or hop pole, 
exciting them, meantime, with his stentorian voice, and givjng vent to anathemas, in Winne- 
bago, with almost every breath, we must have been forced into some other conveyance or taken 
to our feet in mud a foot deep, to have in any reasonable time reached the Wisconsin. But, by 
the aid of the hop-pole and the Winnebago anathemas, both well understood, doubtless, by the 
oxen, we were carted over in safety. When about midway, and during one of the numerous 
pauses which the oxen were wont to make, the man bearing the flagstaft' of my canoe struck, 
with the lower end of it, a rattlesnake that lay near where Pauquette was standing — for he 
■walked the entire distance. The snake, enraged at the blow, gave signs of resistance, and, 
apprehending it might dart its fangs into Paucjuette's legs, I stooped from the cart and ran it 
through with my sword, when one of the men cut off its head with an ax. Whether Pauquette 
trusted to his leather leggins and moccasins, or their being well imbued with tobacco-smoke, or the 
powdered root, or the buzzard's neck, I did not learn ; but he was as composed in regard to 
these reptiles as if he had been mailed in brass or iron. 

Having crossed the portage, our canoes, supplies and our baggage being all over, we 
embarked at 11 o'clock, A. M., on the Wisconsin. The current which we had been oppos- 
ing, the entire length of the Fox River, was now in our favor ; the waters of the Wisconsin 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 391 

running from its source to the Mississippi, as do those of the Fox River on the other side of the 
portage, into Green Bay. The first find their way through the lakes into the ocean by the St. 
Lawrence, and the last by the way of the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. Whether after 
having started for those diverse directions, from sources so near one another, they ever meet and 
mingle more in the deep blue sea, is a problem which I do not pretend to solve. I could not 
help thinking how closely they resembled early friends, who in boyhood were hand in hand with 
each other, and rarely, for a series of years, out of one another's sight, when at last "some 
current's thwarting course" separated them, to meet no more forever. 

II. — BY MRS. MARUARET C. LOW. 

I was born on the 17th day of March, 1793. My father, Stephen Foulk, emigrated from 
England at an early day when a young man, and settled at Carlisle, Penn.; married 
Miss Carson, of Philadelphia, by whom he had ten children. She died and he married a second 
time — Miss Thornburgh, of Philadelphia, she not living but a short time. There were no chil- 
dren by the second marriage. He married Sarah De Lap, of Adams County, Penn. a 
Scotch lady, who bore him seven children, of whom I was the youngest. He established the 
Holly Iron Works, six miles from Carlisle. During the Revolution, he could not make up his 
mind to fight against his mother country, but assisted the patriots with money and materials, as 
he was a man of much wealth. My brother Willis was in the United States Army ; was 
wounded in the side at the battle of Chippewa, and brevetted Major General. All of the family 
belonged to the Church of England. 

I was married to Gideon Low August 10, 1815. He was born in Pennsylvania and was 
commissioned Ensign in the regular army on June 1, 1812. He was made Second Lieutenant 
of the Twenty-second Infantry in April, 1813 ; First Lieutenant, in February, 1814; but his 
company in June, 1815, was disbanded. After this we were married, as I have just mentioned, 
and my husband embarked in the dry-goods business. He was wounded in the hand by splin- 
ters from a boat in which he was, on Lake Ontario, when a shot from the British fleet struck 
the boat,the marks of which he bore to his grave. We lived in Easton, Penn., for three years 
or a little over. Mr. Low got re-instated in the army as Second Lieutenant in a rifle company, 
February, 1819, and was ordered to St. Louis, where we moved in the spring of that year, and 
next March moved to Belle Fountain. My husband was made First Lieutenant in that month, 
and Assistant Commissary of Subsistence in April following. He was ordered to Fort Edwards, 
on the Mississippi, in July, to re-establish it, as it had been abandoned in consequence of the 
excitement in regard to the Indians. He took a company of riflemen and re-organized the fort. 
While there, Maj. B. F. Larned, Paymaster, arrived at the landing with money to pay ti-oops at 
Fort Snelling. The men had not been paid for two years. Maj. Larned could not pay them 
(the rifle corps) until he received orders from Washington, which the men could not understand, 
and they determined to rob him. Capt. Low had gone to the village. I sent a servant with 
milk to the company quarters, as I was in the habit of doing, but he returned saying the sentry 
would not pass him, something I did not understand, but I said I would see if I could pass him. 
As I approached the sentry, he said he could pass me out. No, I said, I did not wish to go out. 
I then saw the Captain coming, and I called to him, as I saw by the man's priming his gun that 
he was going to shoot. As he came up, the man pointed his gun at him, which he kicked up 
and knocked the man down ; then, seizing his gun, he knocked down eight or ten more of the 
guard who were forming, and ordered the drummer to call the roll. The men formed without 
their arms and had to submit. He sent some of the leaders into the guard-house and thus 
quelled the mutiny. The Major went on to Fort Snelling and paid the troops there. He always 
thought he owed his life to the energetic action of Capt. Low. 

In 1821, we moved in keel-boats to Fort Snelling, where we remained but a few months 
when my husband was ordered back to Fort Edwards, to relieve Maj. Marston. After a year 
and a half, Lieut. Low was ordered to Fort Armstrong under Maj. Vose. He remained there 



392 HISTORY OF COLI'MBIA COUNTY. 

eighteen months ; he was then ordered to Jefferson Barracks where we remained until ordered 
to Green Bay, in 1828. In August of that year, he was commissioned Captain. The Captain 
transported me and my two daughters in a small boat from St. Louis to Green Bay, by way of 
the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Fox Rivers. Gen. Twiggs was in command at Fort Winnebago, 
living in log buildings. In 1831, the Captain was ordered to Fort Winnebago, under Maj. 
Plympton, who was relieved by Col. E. Cutler. Afterward the command fell successively to 
Maj. Clark, Maj. Green, Maj. Cobb, Capt. Low, Capt. Jewett and finally to Lieut. Mumford, when 
he (Mumford) was, in 1845, ordered to evacuate the fort and remove all the property to St. Louis. 

Capt. Low resigned his commission the 29th of February, 1840, and we retired to private 
life. I had two daughters, Margarette F. and Elizabeth Missouri. Margarette was born in 
Easton, Penn.; was married to Charles Temple and removed to Vermont. He was a lawyer, 
but turned his attention to civil engineering. Subsequently, he returned to Wisconsin, and 
settled at Mineral Point, taking charge of the railroad as engineer. During the duties thereof, 
he contracted a disease of which he died. Elizabeth M. was born in St. Louis, Mo., and was 
married to Henry Merrill, at Portage, in 1847, but died in 1853, leaving a son and 
daughter. The Captain died in May, 1850, at Portage. 

It will be seen that I have traveled from St. Louis by keel-boats to Fort Snelling and back, 
and from St. Louis, by way of the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, to Green Bay by 
small boat, at an early day, when there was no other mode of conveyance. When we were going 
to Fort Snelling, in crossing Lake Pepin, the wind rose and the soldiers became frightened, and 
called to the men to let go the sail as the water was dashing into the keel-boat ; but the Captain 
saw it would not do, as we would be cast on to the rocks. He therefore caught up an oar or pole 
and said the first man who attempted to let go the sail he would knock into the lake, which saved 
us. I expected we would be sunk and put my two children to bed that they need not be fright- 
ened, as they were very young. 

While living in Carlisle, before I was married, I was very fond of horseback riding, and 
traveled from Carlisle to Bradford, eighty miles, in two days, and from Carlisle to Baltimore, about 
eighty miles, in two days, arid back in two days. While stationed at Fort Winnebago, I trav- 
eled, in the fall of 1832, after the Black Hawk war, from Fort Winnebago to Galena, 111., 
on horseback. 

At Fort Winnebago, I was well acquainted with Mr. Kinzie, the Indian agent, and his 
wife, and Gen. Twiggs, who turned traitor and surrendered his troops to the rebels in Texas. 
I knew Jefferson Davis at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, when he joined the army as 
Second Lieutenant, from West Point. He was afterward ordered to Fort Winnebago, and 
thence to Fort Snelling under Col. Taylor (afterward General and President). While there, 
he got leave of absence and went to Cincinnati, where the Colonel's daughter was at school, and 
married her without the knowledge of the Colonel, and sent in his resignation, settling in 
Mississippi. His wife died within a year, and her parents never saw her after her marriage. 

I was at Fort Winnebago during the Black Hawk war, when we had many fights, but noth- 
ing serious happened. At one time, a large party of Winnebagoes, who all claimed to be friendly 
to the whites, came on horseback to the fort, avowedly to assist in defending it. They wanted to 
come into the fort to encamp there, but Maj. Plympton, who was in command, would not allow 
them, but told them to encamp outside the stockade. There were but few soldiers in the fort, 
as a company had been picked out and sent to Lake Koshkonong, under Capt. Low. It was 
thought by many if they had been let in, the force would have been massacred. Being denied 
admission they all rode off. At one time, there were some rangers (militia) encamped on the 
bank of the Wisconsin River, one and half miles from the fort, and one evening there was heavy 
firing heard over there, and it was supposed Indians had attacked them, which caused much 
fright. Mr. Kinzie was living at the agency house, on a hill opposite the fort, half a mile off. 
The family ran over to the fort ; old Mrs. Kinzie, Mr. Kinzie's mother, left the supper-tablo 
and came into the fort with a biscuit in her hand, not knowing it, until her attention was called 
to it. The report proved to be the soldiers discharging their pieces. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 393 

III. BY JOHN T. DE LA RONDE.* 

My father, Louis Denys, Chevalier de La Ronde, was born at Detroit, Mich., during the 
period when his father, Francis Paul Denys de La Ronde, an officer in the French service, was 
stationed there, several years prior to the final surrender of Canada and its dependencies to the 
English, in 1760. After the death of my grandmother, my grandfather returned to France and 
was killed, with one of my uncles, at La Colle, in 1785, when Gen. Blackstone lost his life. 

My grandfather was the son of Louis Denys de La Ronde, an early commandant at Che- 
goimegon, on Lake Superior ; and, returning to Quebec, he died there in consequence of wounds 
received in two difierent engagements. One of my uncles, Philip Louis Denys de La Ronde, 
was killed at the fall of Quebec, September 13, 1759. He was a captain of marines, and served 
under Montcalm. f 

After the death of my grandfather, my father, who was Colonel, and in service in the French 
Army, remained in France till the battle of Waterloo. After the defeat of Napoleon, not wish- 
ing to live under the rule of Louis XVIII, he came to Canada with all his family, and was 
admitted a partner in the Northwest Company. He died soon after, and was buried in the Cath- 
olic Church of St. Anne, Montreal, May 12, 1818. 

I was born in Bordeaux, France, the 25th of February, 1802. After I left the College of 
Montreal, in ISld, I studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Robert Nelson V. Smith ; 
remaining with him, however, but a short time after my father's death. I had made the acquaint- 
ance of some clerks of the Northwest Company, and, in 1819, engaged myself to that company 
for the term of seven years. During this time, I went to London, England, as a witness in the 
dispute between the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Company. These two companies 
subsequently effected a compromise, and the business thereafter was carried on by the Hudson 
Bay Company, to whose service I was transferred. In 1826, my time of service having expired, 
I engaged for two years more. 

After my time was out as clerk for the Hudson Bay Company, April 10, 1828, 1 came to the 
straits of Sault Ste. Marie ; thence across to the American side, where I met Roderick McKenzie 
and Joseph Cadott. who were coming up to Mackinaw ; thence to the Mississippi, to visit 
that region and enjoy the excitement of hunting. I came to Mackinaw in a small bark canoe, 
and thence to the portage, in Wisconsin, now called Portage City, the 29th of May, 1828. 
There were at the portage, a log-house and barn, which then formed a trading-post of the Ameri- 
can Fur Company ; and Peter Pauquette and his family lived there. Pauquette was in charge 
of the post ; he was then absent at Washington, to assist in making a treaty between the Gov- 
ernment and the Winnebago Indians. John Kinzie, the sub-agent, and Judge Doty, Cha-ge- 
kaka, the son of Cha-chip-ka-ka, or the War Eagle, and Black Wolf's son. Dandy, called the 
Little Soldier, Yellow Thunder and his wife, and some others, went with him. The post was 
erected almost opposite where the mill was subsequently built on Fox River, and since burnt. 
There was another house where the sub-agent was living ; and still two others, occupied by half- 
breeds, and on the other, or east side of Fox River, there was a nice house belonging to Francis 
Le Roy, son of Joseph Le Roy, of Green Bay. Francis Le Roy was married to Therese 
Lecuyer, a half-breed woman ; the house was built where the fort is now. He used to keep 
merchandise to trade with the Indians, and to transfer boats from the Fox to the Wisconsin 
River. 

De-kau-ry, or Scha-chip-ka-ka, was principal chief of the Winnebagoes, often called by his 
■countrymen Ko-no-koh De-kau-ry, meaning the eldest De-kau-ry. Scha-chip-ka-ka was the son 
of Chouke-ka, called by the whites Spoon De-kau-ry, who was the son of Sabrevoir De 
Carrie, corrupted into De-kau-ry, an officer in the French army in 1699, under De Boisbriant ; 
he resigning his commission in 1729, became an Indian trader among the Winnebagoes, 

*The foot-notes to the reniini-scences of Mr. de La Ronde, marked '■ L C. D.," are bj Lyman C. Draper, LL.D., of Madison, Wis. — Ed. 

fThere was a La Ronde, probably Denys the elder, an officer at Louisburg, in 1733. Ensign Denys de La Ronde, evidently the j'onnger, 
■was sent to Chegoimegon, Lake Snperior, in June, 1747, and, ten years later, in July, 17.37, was slightly wounded, while serving as Captain 
■of French grenadiers, at Ticonderoga. See N. Y. Colonial Documents, V. 970 ; X 167, 1086. L. C. D, 



394 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

subsequently taking for a wife the head chiefs sister, named Wa-ho-po-e-kau, or the Glory of the 
Morning. After living with her seven or eight years, he left her, tind their two sons, whom she 
refused to let him take away, but permitted him to take their daughter. De Carrie re-entered 
the army, and was mortally wounded at Quebec, April 28, 1760, dying of his wounds at the 
hospital at Montreal. His eldest son, Chou-ke-ka, or the Spoon or Ladle, was made a chief, 
and was quite aged when he died at the portage, about 1816 ;* and, at his request, was buried 
in a sitting posture on the surface of the ground, with a small log structure over it, surrounded 
by a fence. I saw his burial-place in 1828, when the red-cedar posts, of which the fence was 
made, were yet undecayed. His widow died, two miles above Portage, about 1868, at a very 
advanced age. The old chief's sister, who had been taken by her father to Montreal, and edu- 
cated there, was married to Laurent Filly, a Quebec merchant, whose son, of the same name, 
was long a clerk for Augustin Grignon. 

Chou-ke-ka was succeeded by his son, Scha-chip-ka-ka, who had six brothers and five 
sisters. One of the brothers was called Ruch ka-scha-ka, or White Pigeon, called by the whites 
Bla«k De-kau-ry ; another, Chou-me-ne-ka-ka, or Raisin De kau-ry; another Ko-ke-mau-ne-ka, 
or He-who-walks-between-two-Stars, or the Star-walker ; another Young De-kau-ry, called by 
the whites, on account of his trickish character. Rascal De-kau-ry; another Wau-kon-gako, or 
the Thunder Hearer, and the sixth, Ongs-ka-ka, or White Wolf, who died young. Of the 
sisters, three married Indian husbands ; one married a trapper named Dennis De Riviere, and 
afterward Perrish Grignon ; the other married John B. Lecuyer, the father of Madame Le Roy. 

At the western end of the portage, there was a warehouse built, and three houses where 
Perrish Grignon and his wife, sister of the chief De-kau-ry, were living; the second one was 
occupied by his son, Lavoin Grignon ; the other one by J. B. Lecuyer. Mr. Le Roy was 
living near where Mr. 0. P. Williams' house was subsequently located. He told me that JNIaj. 
Twiggs, of the Fifth Regiment of infantry, required the place where his first house stood for 
post purposes ; for which, however, he paid him well. 

From the portage we went, in June, 1828, to the Mississippi. I had heard much about 
the Painted Rock, about twenty miles above the mouth of Black River; and while McKenzie 
and Cadott were looking for places to set their traps, I went to see the Calumet or Paiiited 
Rock. The Indians travel many hundred miles to obtain the red stone with which to make 
their pipes, and, while they are on that rock, not one will draw a bow or wield a hatchet against 
his most deadly enemy. I was sitting under a projecting rock of one of those bluffs, when I 
saw an Indian advancing on horseback. I kept hid from his view, that I might watch his 
motions, for I could see by his rigging of feathers, paint and beard that he was a chief of some 
tribe, which I judged to be the Sioux, from his long hair, nor was I mistaken. He was a powerful 
fellow, armed with his bow and arrow and shield, and his horse was as noble an animal as ever 
trod the prairies. When he arrived at the base of the bluff", he turned his horse loose, and walked 
upon the rock in silence for a few moments ; his lips moved as if engaged in prayer, then, taking 
a quantity of tobacco, he scattered it upon the rock. This ceremony being finished, he took a 
good smoke, and then commenced hammering upon the rock until he had knocked off" a large 
piece, which he began to fashion into a pipe. I had just made up my mind to show myself and 
make his acquaintance, when I saw another Indian coming rapidly on horseback toward the 
bluff's. Anxious to see how the two Indians would meet each other, I continued to remain con- 
cealed from their view, and then watching the new-comer, who advanced without slackening 
the speed of his horse, until he drew up to the foot of the same bluff" where the other Indian 
was. Like the former, he turned his horse loose, took a portion of tobacco which he scattered 
upon the rock, and, after having mumbled his prayer, he filled his pipe, and proceeded to the 
spot where the other Indian was manufacturing a pipe. He quietly took a seat beside him ; 
then lighted his pipe, and, after drawing one or two puff"s, handed it to the other, who, after a 
few whiffs, returned it to the owner. They seemed, by their actions, to be on the best of terms; 
but as they did not speak together, I became a little suspicious of their true feelings, and 

*Chou-ke-ka lived to sign the treaty at St. Louis, June 3, 18ir>, an<l iTobnbly dieci not long after his return.— L. C. T). 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 395 

concluded I should see a little fun before their separation. I was not long kept in suspense, for the 
last fellow, having knocked oflf as much stone as he wanted, caught his horse and prepared to 
depart. He was not as large as the Sioux Indian, but he was splendidly dressed, after the 
manner of the Pyeur or Pillager, Chippewa chief, and was armed like the Sioux, with bow and 
arrow and shield. The Sioux, when he saw the Pyeur or Pillager preparing to depart, made 
like preparations, and the two left the bluffs together, keeping company until they were about 
three hundred yards distant from the rock. Then I saw the Sioux, keeping a little back, shoot 
an arrow at the Pyeur, whom he missed. The Pyeur, turning as quick as lightning, was ready 
for the fray. They were both good horsemen, but the Pyeur understood how best to guard 
himself and his horse. He succeeded in killing the horse of his enemy, sent an arrow into the 
heart of the Sioux, killing him on the spot. I ran down the bluif as fast as I could, but before 

I came up to him the Sioux was dead, scalped, and the Pyeur had mounted his horse and 
departed. I never learned the names of either of them. 

I joined my partners. We wintered at the River St. Croix, and thence we went over to 
Canada. In the winter of 1832, I engaged myself as clerk to the American Fur Company ; 
and, early in the spring, we came West Avith 110 hired men for the company. Some were 
destined for Lake Superior, and some for Missouri. We came to Mackinaw in boats, and I 
remained a few weeks at that place. Then I took my departure in the schooner Nancy Dous- 
man. The passengers were H. L. Dousman, clerk for the American Fur Company; Maj. 
De Quant, Madame Coursolle and myself. When we left Mackinaw, in the night, there was a 
very heavy wind — so strong and rough that I believe I saw the bottom of Lake Michigan. We 
reached Green Bay about two hours before daylight, and we were obliged to wait two days for 
the keel-boats to come. Dousman started on horseback, and I took charge of the boat. We 
came to Kaukana, where there were two men of the name of Paul Ducharme, and a house 
belonging to Capt. Augustin Grignon ; and when we came to the place where is now the city of 
Oshkosh, there was a small log house, where Charles Grignon was living, and about four miles 
above, Nex, son-in-law of Charles Grignon, was residing. About six or seven miles above that, 
Capt. Grignon was living; he had goods, and was trading with the Menomonee Indians. From 
there we came to Lake Puckaway, where there was a trader of the name of Luther Gleasoii, 
having a Winnebago woman for a wife. There was no house between Gleason's and the 
portage. 

The fort was beginning to look very respectable, and there was a nice frame house for the 
sub-agent, on the same side as the post of the American Fur Company. There was another 
house, where William Gourdain, the blacksmith, was living ; and still another, occupied by 
Louis Managre. At the other end of the portage, a little north of the landing, Pierre Grignon 
resided, half-brother to Capt. Grignon. 

In the summer, about the 10th or 12th of July, I went, with Peter Pauquette, Kau-kish- 
ka-ka, or White Crow, commander of the Indians, Rascal De-kau-ry, Pa-nee-wah-sa-ka, or 
Pawnee Blanc, and a dozen other Winnebagoes, to the Fox and Sauk war. We joined Col. 
Dodge, accompanied by a detachment of soldiers from the portage, under Lieut. Hooe,* per- 
haps the whole of his company. We went to Rock River, found the enemy's trail and followed 
it to the Heights of Wisconsin; there we overtook Col. Dodge and Gen. Henry, and found 
the Indians. The battle began on the 21st of July, at 5 or 6 o'clock in the afternoon, the rain 
setting in about the commencement of the battle, and did not stop until after a heavy fall, about 

II at night. 

Peter Pauquette, the interpreter, having received orders that we, the Indian party, should 
return to the portage, we started off in the night and arrived there in the morning. A few 
days after, I went over to the village of Car-a-mau-nee, or the Counselor of the Baraboo, a 
little north of where the present village of that name is located. I went and saw the Devil's 
Lake, which is a little south of the village of Baraboo. The lake is surrounded by high bluffs. 

♦Alexander Seymour Hooe, of Virginia, v/a^ a cadet from 1823 to 1827, when he entered the army as a Brevet Second Lieutenant. H ■ 
became First Lieutenant in 18.33 ; a Captain in 1838; Brevet Major, for gallant and distinguished cotlduct in the battles of Palo Alto at-<l 
Resaca de la Palma, May 9, 18i6 ; lost an arm in August following; died at Baton Rouge, La., December 9, 1847. L. C. D. 



396 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

and I could not see the sun until about 10 or 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and it would disappear 
from view about 2 or 3 o'clock, so hemmed in by bluffs is this romantic body of water. The 
Indians gave it the name of Holy Water, declaring that there is a spirit or manitou that resides 
there. I saw a quantity of tobacco that the Indians had deposited there for the manitou. The 
French voyageurs denominated it the Devil's Lake, from the sound resembling hammering and 
tinkling of a bell that we hear all the time, and from the darkness of the place. 

From there, I went to a Winnebago town called the Little Sioux's Village, perhaps three- 
fourths of a mile above the present village of Reedsburg; and thence I proceeded to the 
Lemonweir River — Ca-na-man-woi Sepe — which means a child, or affluent. 

L'Espagnol, the Menomonee chief, who served in the war of 1812-1.5, lived almost oppo- 
site where Mauston is now situated. Near there, I met with Chaetar, who subsequently died 
at Turkey River, and One-Eyed De-kau-ry ; they were bringing with them, as prisoners, the 
Prophet and Black Hawk, whom they had taken at the Big Dells,* a little above the mouth of 
the Dell Creek. Black Hawk's camp was between two rocks, on the west side of the river, 
close to the water. The Prophet only was with him in his lodge, and they made no resistance 
when told that they were wanted. This camp was a mile and a half or two miles above Kil- 
bourn City. Chaetar and One-Eyed De-kau-ry were going to take their prisoners to Gen. 
John M. Street, the Winnebago Indian agent at Prairie du Chien. This was some time pretty 
well along in August. 

When I was stationed at Portage, Pauquette was interpreter, and used to pass boats from 
Fox River to the Wisconsin, and take the goods in wagons. We had a man that was attacked 
with the cholera. I left a man to take care of him, and obtained medicine for him from the 
doctor. I left him in an old house where no one was living, and the others of my party accom- 
panied me to Prairie du Chien. 

Some time in November, there arrived at the portage, from Mackinaw, a boat with a large 
number of soldiers, some destined for Prairie du Chien, and others for St. Peters, on the Mis- 
sissippi. Eighty-nine of them were left at the portage. The Captain asked me to furnish him 
a guide to go down the Wisconsin. I supplied him one, and, the next morning, Peter Pau- 
quette passed the boat and their goods over the portage. Pauquette had three yoke of oxen 
to drag the boat from one river to the other. He was the strongest man I ever saw. When 
he had drawn the boat about a rod from the river with the oxen, one of the oxen broke his 
bow, and Pauquette sent a man named Bareau to get another. As he thought he was a long 
time in procuring it, he took the yoke against his shoulder and told the teamster to give the 
whip to the oxen, and Pauquette kept up his end of the yoke across the portage, where the 
mud was about knee-deep. f 

On the 2Gth of November, a bark canoe passed the portage, conducted by four men. 
Judge Doty, afterward Governor, and Ebenezer Childs, Sheriff of Green Bay, took passage in 
it. As I had occasion to go down the Wisconsin to Prairie du Chien on business, I concluded to 
accompany them. I went to the landing-place on the Wisconsin, on the west side of the portage, 
where there was a warehouse belonging to Capt. Daniel Whitney. The same day, the Indians 
were receiving provisions from the Government, and among them was Chas-ka-ka, or White 
Ox, whose son had been killed by another Indian two days before. The murderer happened to 
be there, when the oldest son of White Ox took his rifle and shot the fellow, the ball pass- 
ing through his stomach and out a little above the right shoulder. The wounded Indian 
started on a run from the place where he was shot, near the warehouse and near the Fox River 
bridge. I met him about half-way between the two rivers. He was making wads in his 
mouth, and with them plugging up the holes made by the rifle-ball ; but the blood would 



* In previous articles on tlie geological forniationa of the county and on its rivers, the orthography " Dalles," has oeen preserved 83 
'being more in accordance with scientific usage than "Dells," but the spelling as last given is universal in Wisconsin, outside of works on 
geology, and is the one hereafter used in this history. — Ed. 

t There is a tradition current in Columljia County that, instead of Pauquette's taking " the yoke against his shoulder," he ran a long polo 
'through the o.x-bow and seizing hold of the farther end of the pole very easily managed to do his share of the work — taking, as he did, the ox 
Nit a great disadvantage ! — Ed. 






■''Y ..;i; 





PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 399 

•every now and then force out the wads. He succeeded in reaching the other end of the por- 
tage, near Whitney's warehouse, where his lodge was, and as he reached there he dropped 
dead. 

On the 22d of December, Abraham Godin was brought to our post by a Winnebago Indian 
named Big Fox. Godin was one of the hired men I had engaged in Montreal for the Amercan 
Fur Company. He had run away, near the mouth of the Wisconsin, from Mr. Rouseaux, the 
clerk of the company. He was lost twenty-two days. He said that he intended to go to St. 
Louis. He had with him his gun, and some bags containing his clothes, and a blanket. When 
he first missed his road, he lived well for a time ; but after his ammunition became exhausted he 
began to suifer from starvation. He lived upon birds some time; and some days he had noth- 
ing whatever. He came to a lake and found dead fish ; and soon reached another lake where 
the city of Madison now stands. From there, he walked two days without food ; and then, 
fortunately, he found the carcass of a deer that the wolves had left, from which he got a supply, 
such as it was, that lasted him for two days. He then came across an Indian trail, which he 
followed, without knowing where it would lead him. Godin at length took his course through 
the woods. Reaching a little creek, he followed it. It was now three days since he 
had eaten anything ; the bottoms of his feet were covered with blisters. He came to a deserted 
Indian camp where there was an old lodge made of grass and branches, and slept there. The 
next morning it was impossible for him to walk, his feet were so swelled and blistered, and he 
was well-nigh starved. He dragged himself out, picked up some branches to cover his body, 
and commended himself to the mercy of God, and laid down to die. Sleep overcame his ex- 
hausted nature, nor did he know how long he remained in that condition. When he awoke, he 
saw an old Indian that was administering to him refreshment with a wooden spoon. The Indian 
was Big Fox, who remained faithfully with him for two days, permitting him to eat only a little 
at a time, but very often of venison. He made some medicine for his feet, then left him, show- 
ing him where there was some venison. When Godin saw the Indian going off he felt very bad, 
thinking he was about to abandon him to his fate ; but he came back, bringing a horse for him 
to ride, and conveyed him to his lodge on Fox Lake — and from this Indian the lake took its 
name. As soon as Godin's feet got well. Big Fox brought him to us at Portage. Godin had 
given all the property he had to the Indian; but Big Fox returned to him all his clothes, re- 
taining the blanket and gun for his trouble. When the Indian brought him to us, I did not 
know him at all ; his long hair and beard added not a little to his haggard appearance. He 
asked me if I was willing to receive him to finish his time, according to agreement ; which I 
did, and he never again undertook to run away. 

In the summer of 1834, I went up to the head of the Lemonweir to establish a trading 
post for the winter. There were a good many Winnebagoes wintering there. On my way up, 
about the Seven Mile Creek, at the top of the bluff, I saw, at a considerable distance, an object 
which I took to be a deer ; but so far away that I was not certain about it. Leaving my horse 
at the foot of the bluff, I took my rifle and^went up ; but in some places, where there was sand, 
I saw the tracks of a man's feet, which I judged was a white man's, as when the 
white man walks he throws his feet outwards, while the Indian turns his quite the other way. 

After 1 got upon the top of the bluff, I saw a man, his clothes all in rags, looking toward 
the prairie. He heard me walking, turned his head and saw me, then jumped up and ran off. I 
discovered that he was afraid, and hallooed to him in French ; but he did not answer me and kept 
on running. I then called to him in English to stop, with assurances that I was not going to 
hurt him. He finally stopped and walked up to me, informing me that he came from the 
^Mississippi; that he had been hired to cut cordwood near about Coon Channel, on the Missis- 
sippi, for Judge Lockwood, of Prairie du Chien. That, starting with his gun to hunc partridges, 
about the 4th of May, he got lost. He kept on walking tdl he came to a little creek that he 
followed for a long time in the direction that he thought would take him to the Mississippi; he 
cime across an Indian trail that he lost sight of in the woods. He said that he kept his 
gun a long time after he had used up his ammunition ; but fatigue and weakness at length obliged 

F 



400 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

him to throw it away. He said that he iiad often heard the report of guns, but was afraid- it 
proceeded from Indians ; and that he would rather die in the woods of starvation, than be butch- 
ered by the savages. On one occasion, he came to a place where he saw, at a distance, three 
Indians ; and he ran with all his might in the woods, thinking every moment they were after 
him, and if overtaken, his life would pay the forfeit. After his shoes and clothes were worn 
out, he came to a lodge; he was so hungry and feeble that he resolved to venture in ; but it 
was empty, the owner having evidently gone off to hunt. He found plenty to eat of all kinds 
of meat, and indulged himself very heartily ; after which he went to sleep, and dreamed very 
bad dreams, causing him to get up earlier than he otherwise would have done. Taking a pair 
of moccasins, a pair of buckskin leggins, a blanket, as much venison as he could conveniently 
carry, a pouch full of tobccco, a ilint and steel, some punk and a pipe, he took his departure. 
About twenty days after, he found a dead Indian in the woods, which circumstance greatly 
increased his fears lest the Indians should think, if they came across him, that he had caused 
his death. He had with him a large butcher-knife ; and he told me that had he been chased by 
an Indian, he would have cut his own throat rather than to have been taken. He said that he 
had not lived very well, having subsisted on berries from about the 25th of June to the time I 
found him. He was lost 180 days. When I found him, he had scarcely the semblance of a 
human being. I made him ride behind me ; and after visiting the place where I proposed 
establishing my trading-post, I took him to Portage. He told me that his name was Dodge, 
and that he desired to go to Green Bay. I never saw or heard anything of him afterward. 

By the treaty made in 1832, at Fort Armstrong, by the Winnebagoes, Gens. Scott and 
Atkinson were the United States Commissioners. The Indians agreed to cultivate some of 
their lands, and the Government was to aid and instruct them in the effort. Peter Pauquette 
was employed by the Government to attend to the matter. Eight yoke of oxen, a plow, a drag 
and all the tools necessary for farming were furnished for the purpose. Pauquette chose for 
the Indians the place that used to be called Black Earth, now known as the Indian farm, in the 
town of Caledonia, Columbia County. The first plowing that was done there was on the lOth 
day of June, 1835. 

At a subsequent treaty, made in 1837, between the United States and the Winnebagoes, 
ratified by Congress the following year, the Indians sold all the lands they had east of the 
Mississippi. Capt. 'Gideon Low, formerly of the Fifth Regiment of infantry, located at Portage 
City, and made a claim on the same piece of land where the Indians had formerly their experi- 
mental farm. He employed Michael Arquette as farmer ; then Francis Provoncil, and, still 
later, his son-in-law. Temple, and many others. Capt. Low entered the land when it came into 
market, and Robert Tannant was the last man that managed his Indian farm. Low's heirs sold 
out to Mr. McKinzie, who now resides there. 

In 1836, the Indians had the misfortune to lose the best of their chiefs — Scha-chipka-ka, 
or De-kau-ry. His death occurred April 20, at the age of ninety, at his village — the locality 
now known as the Caffrey place, in the town of Caledonia, at the foot of the bluff, between the 
Wisconsin and Baraboo Rivers. The schoolhouse of District No. 5 now occupies the spot 
where the old chief died. De-kau-ry's town contained over one hundred lodges, and was the 
largest of the Winnebago villages. Before he died, De-kau-ry called the Catholic priest, Mr. 
Vanderbrook, who was at the portage at the time, by whom he was baptized, according to Cath- 
olic rites, the day of his death, and was buried in their cemetery near the present court house 
in Portage City ; and since the abandonment of that burial ground, the old chief's resting-place 
cannot be identified. He was succeeded by his son, called by the whites Little De-kau-ry, 
whose Indian name was Cha-ge-ka-ka ; and he did not long survive, dying six months after liis 
father. He was succeeded by his brother, Hope-ne-scha-ka, or White French. 

This part of Wisconsin, at the portage, was considered to be part of Brown County. 
Daniel Whitney, of Green Bay, had obtained a permit from the War Department to erect a 
saw-mill and cut pine logs on the Wisconsin, within the territory of the Indians. He built the 
first saw-mill at Whitney's Rapids, a little below Point Basse in 1831-32. Amable Grignon 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 401 

and Lieut. Marcy had also obtained the privilege to build a saw-mill at Grignon's Rapids in 
1836. These were the first saw-mills on the Wisconsin River. 

In 1836, by the treaty with the Menoraonee Indians at Cedar Point, on Fox River, held 
by Gov. Dodge, the Indian title was extinguished in this part of the country and the Upper 
Wisconsin region, six miles wide from Point Basse, for forty miles up the river. This was 
designed to open the route to the lumbermen. The high price and the large demand for lumber 
hurried the business. The river was explored from Point Baosse to Big Bull Falls that year, 
and no time was lost in the occupation and claim of the best localities. Messrs. Bloomer and 
Strong and George Cline took possession of the Grand Rapids ; Abraham Brawley commenced 
at Mill Creek ; Parry and Veeder on the same stream. 

In the year 1839, John L. Moore occupied the Little Bull Falls and George Steele the Big 
Bull Falls, so that all that region was in the possession of the lumbermen before the year 1810. 
In 1839, the Cedar. Point section, three miles wide, on that river, was ordered to be reported to 
the Surveyor General, at Dubuque. Joshua Hathaway, of Milwaukee, was appointed sur- 
veyor, and surveyed the Upper Wisconsin region. All the land in that section of country was 
offered at public sale at Mineral Point from 1840 to 1845. The saw-mills increased with great 
rapidity, villages and towns sprang up, so that when Mr. W. Owen and his party passed Portage 
in 1847, coming down from the Upper Wisconsin, the population at Wausau was estimated at 
three hundred and fifty, and that of the Upper Wisconsin country at more than a thousand. 
The Wisconsin pinery soon became extensively known throughout all the Northwest, and it fur- 
nished the lumber needful for the improvement and habitation of the immense prairies of Illinois, 
Iowa, and Missouri. 

In 1837, Leon Braux, who had a half-breed Winnebago woman named Mariette Grignon, 
daughter of Pierre Grignon, obtained permission to open a farm on the south side of the Baraboo, on 
the bluff where Moses Pauquette now lives. It was the second fiirm improved in the town of 
Caledonia. In the same year Silas Walsworth came to Portage on board a steamboat, the name 
of which I forget. Andrew Dunn, a man of the name of Baker, and Hugh McFarlane arrived 
the same year. The Indians were that year, 1837, invited to go to Washington to sell the 
remainder of their lands east of the Mississippi. One-eyed De-kaury,* Little De-kau-ry, Win- 
nosheek, Waukon De-kau-ry, and six other chiefs, complied with his request, taking me with 
them ; and ceded to the Government their remaining lands, but reserved the privilege of occu- 
pying them until 1840, and receive their annuity at Portage until that time. This did not 
prevent the whites from making claims on the ceded lands. 

I had a trading-post at To-kau-nee's village, where Mauston is now situated, then a small 
village of only five or six wigwams, named after its chief, a mixed blood of Winnebago and 
Menomonee, though his people were called Winnebagoes. 

Abraham Wood was keeping a grog-shop a little below Henry Carpenter's house, on the 
Wisconsin. An Indian came there to get some liquor by force, with his knife in his hand. 
Wood was a very strong man, and pushed old Vane Blanc, the Indian, and struck him on the 
head with a stick he had in his hand, breaking the skull, he falling dead. The Indians collected 
around the house to butcher him in their own way. I made myself a road through them to 
Wood's house for his protection. Early in the morning of the next day, I sent Wood to give 
himself up to Henry Merrell, who was then a Justice of the Peace ; and he told me that Merrell 
advised him to run off. Merrell did, however, issue a warrant at the request of the sub-agent, 
Thomas Buoy, which was served by Satterlee Clark, who overtook Wood at Asa Springer's and 
brought him back to the portage. He was sent to Green Bay for trial ; the grand jury did not 
find a bill against him. 

Wood, together with Wallace Rowan, went and made a claim on the Baraboo, in the fall of 
1840; they built a saw-mill just at the upper end of Baraboo Village. They supplied the lum- 
ber that was used in building up the place ; and they rafted lumber down the river, which is so 

* Wadge-hut-ta-kaw, or the Big Canoe, commonly culled One-Eyed De-kau-ry, son of Cha-poat-ka-kaw, or the Buzzard, and grandson o( 
the French De-kau-ry, died at the Channel, Monroe County, Wisconsin, in August, 1H64. L. 0. D. 



402 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTV. 

crooked that it caused them a good deal of fatigue and trouble to reach the Wisconsin. The 
same winter, 1 made up some square timber on the Lemonweir River near my trading-post. I 
'took the mill site just where the town of Mauston now stands. I am the first person who tried 
to take square timber from the Lemonweir : and was the first, in the same year, that undertook 
to make a wagon road from Portage to Lemonweir, and thence to La Crosse, where is now the 
city of La Crosse. At that time, there was but one trading-house at La Crosse, and that 
belonged to the American Fur Company. 

Edward Pezenne, and two or three men with him, came to Portage in the summer of 1836. 
Near the end of June, I went to the Four Lakes, where the city of Madison now stands, to 
trade some red deerskins. I had with me Simon Lecuyer, Pierre and John Le Roy. We 
found there, A. Godin, Oliver Arimell, his squaw and three or four children, and Michael St. 
Cyr ; Arimell, and St. Cyr used to get goods from traders at Portage ; and besides these, there 
were Charles Jalefoux and Joe Peltier, engaged in hunting and fishing. We met together, 
about the 4th of July, at the lake ; they had venison and fish, and we had flour, pork, tea, 
coffee, sugar and whisky. John Le Roy had his violin, and we had a great feast; I believe we 
were the first to celebrate the fourth at Madison. I do not remember that as many white men 
had ever met there before. 

In the spring of 1838, Martin Rowney. a discharged soldier, who had been trading with 
the Indians on the Puckaway Lake, came back to the portage, and had a spree for two weeks 
or more. I do not know whether he was tired of drinking, or wanted to break off; but he took 
an oath that he would not drink another drop of liquor as long as he lived. He was living with 
me in a house occupied by myself and Walsworth, a little below Carpenter's house. He slept 
in the same room that I did. He awoke in the night with terror, jumped close to my bed, and 
told me that the devil wanted to take him away. I pushed him with force, and told him that if 
the devil had him, he had no business with me. He began to cry and lament over his condi- 
tion, keeping it up some time. When tendered some liquor in the morning, he declined it, say- 
ing he had sworn not to drink any more, and he would rather die than taste it. I had toast 
and strong tea made for him at breakfast ; he barely tasted the bread, but drank two. cups of 
tea, and appeared much better. He told me he had an idea of going to Madison to take a lot 
there, as it seemed a point of some promise. He left us about 8 or 9 o'clock ; and about 
11 or 12, Smith, the mail carrier, told us that he saw a man four or five miles up the 
road crying, and appeared to be out of his mind. I started in company with J. Walsworth, 
Laront, Harin Carpenter, and old man Rowan ; we found the track about half a mile north of 
Rocky Run ; there was a little island surrounded by sand ; we measured it all around, and I 
found it twenty-five and a lialf feet on either side to where any trees or grass grew. On that 
patch of grass, thus surrounded, we found his coat, vest, pants, hat and other clothing, but no 
trace of himself. In his pocket there was a pocket-book containing some memorandum papers, 
and several dollars in money. We took all his things and brought them home. We met Capt. 
Low, and reported to him the sad story ; he told us to go and get some soldiers to aid us in 
making a further search. I engaged fifteen Indians, whom I promised to pay well, to find him 
dead or alive. Capt. Low came with twelve soldiers, and ten or twelve citizens joined in the 
search, which, witii a brief intermission, wa.s kept up till the close of the following day ; but no clew 
was found of him, and nothing was ever iieard of him afterward. I knew him to be very clumsy, 
not being able to jump three feet to save his life, and what became of him Avas a mystery. 

During that summer I opened a farm in Caledonia, where Thomas Prescott now lives ; it 
was the third farm put in cultivation in that townsiiip. In the fall of that year, John Baptiste 
Dubay improved a farm on the bluff, a little north of G. Geyman. In 1840, Thomas Riley 
improved a farm, or made a claim, where John Corridon lives; Thomas Robertson, one in Cale- 
donia in 1840-41, on the bank of the Wisconsin 'River, which Wardrop owns now. In 1841, 
Henry Lewis made a claim where Patrick Skerritt now lives. 

In 1810, the troops came to Portage to remove the Winnebago Indians, a p:irt of the Eighth 
Regiment of infantry under coinniand of Col. Worth, and a part of the Fifth Regiment of infantry 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 403 

under Gen. Brooke, with Gen. Atkinson as commander in chief. There were three interpreters 
employed by the Government, Antoine Grignon, Pierre Meneg and myself. Meneg was sent 
after Yellow Thunder and Black Wolfs son, inviting them to Portage to get provisions ; 
but instead of that, as soon as they arrived they were put into the guardhouse, with ball 
and chain, which hurt the feelings of the Indians very much, as they had done no harm to 
the Government. The General had understood that they were, going to revolt, refusing to 
emigrate, according to treaty stipulations ; but as soon as Gov. Dodge came here, they were 
released. They all promised faithfully to be at Portage, ready for removal, in three days, 
and they were all there the second day. 

There were two large boats, in which to take down such of the Indians as had no 
canoes. Antoine Grignon and Pierre Meneg went down with the boats. I was kept here by 
the order of Gen. Atkinson, at the suggestion of Gen Brady, to assist the dragoons commanded 
by Capt. Sumner* and Lieuts. McCratef and SteeleJ. We went down to Rock River, to 
look for Mas-i-ma-ni-ka-ka ; from there we went to Madison, and thence to Fox River. We 
picked up 250 Indians, men, women and children, and we took them down to Prairie du 
Chien. Before we got there, at the head of the Kickapoo River, we came to three Indian 
wigwams. The Captain directed me to order the Indians to break up their camp and come 
along Avith him. Two old women, sisters of Black Wolf, and another one came up, throwing 
themselves on their knees, crying and beseeching Capt. Sumner to kill them ; that they were 
old, and would rather die and be buried with their fathers, mothers and children, than be taken 
away, and that they were ready to receive their death-blows. Capt. Sumner had pity on 
them and permitted them to stay where they were, and left three young Indians to hunt for 
them. 

A little further on, we came to the camp of Ke ji-que-we-ka and others, when they 
were told by the Captain, through me, to break up their camp and put their things in ihe 
wagon and come along. After they had thus deposited their little property, they started south 
from where we were. The Captain bade me to ask them where they were going. They said 
they were going to bid good-bye to their fathers, mothers and children. The Captain directed 
me to go with them and watch them, and we found them on their knees, kissing the ground 
and crying very loud, where their relatives were buried. This touched the Captain's feel- 
ings, and he exclaimed, " Good God ! What harm could those poor Indians do among the 
rocks ? " 

I was employed by the Indian Department as interpreter at the time of the removal of 
the Indians from the portage to Turkey River, after the payment was made. It was late in 
the fall. I wintered at Prairie du Chien ; and, in the spring of 1841, came back to Cale- 
donia to improve my land. 

In 1842, James Wilson came with his family, and brought with him Thomas Roberts 
and family. Wilson made a claim in Caledonia, opposite Dekorra. 

In 1844, Capt. Sumner came here again, with the dragoons, and sent for me to help 
him in hunting in the woods after Dandy, the Winnebago chief. We found him at the head 
of the Baraboo, and the Captain made him ride on horseback, and fastened his legs with 
ox-chains under the horse's belly, when he demanded to be conducted to Gov. Dodge. This 

* Edwin V. Sumner was bom in Boston, Maes., in January, 1796, spending his early life in mercantile establishments, and entering the 
army as a Second Lieutenant in 1819. Became First Lieutenant in 1823, and served in the Black Hawk war. He was promoted to a captaincy 
of dragoons in 1833, and a Major in 1846. He led the famous cavalry i barge at Cerro Gordo, in April, 1847, in which he was woundt-d. and 
was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel ; and distinguished himself at Contreras, Churubusco and Molino del Rey, in the latter, commanding the 
whole cavalry force, and holding 5,01)0 Mexican lancers in check, for which he was brevetted Colonel. He wa.-* subsequently made Lieutenant 
Colonel of Dragoons, Military Governor of New Mexico, and, in 1857, led a successful expedition against the Cheyennes, whom be defeated at 
Solomon's Fork of Kansas Kiver. He was made first a Brigadier General, and then a Miijor General of A'olunteers, and a Brevet Slajor Gen- 
eral in the regular army in May, 1862. He commanded the left wing of tlie army at the siege of Yorktown; was in all the battles of the Pen- 
insula, and twice wounded. He was again wounded at Antietam ; and at Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, he commanded the right grand 
division of the army. He died at Syracuse, N. Y., March 21, 1863. L. C. 1>. 

tThomas McCrate, a native of Maine, was a cadet from 1832 to 1836, when he entered the army as a Second liieutenant of dragoons, 
serving on the frontiers and at Fort Crawford, in 1840-41, and subsequently on the frontiers, until his health failing him, when he retired on 
sick leave, dying at Boston Septtmber 18, 1845, at the age of thirty. L. G. D. 

J William Steele, of New York, was a cadet from 1836 to 1840, when he joined the army, in the dragoons, as Second Lieutenant, and, 
for good conduct in various battles in the Mexican war, was brevetted Captain, and, from 1848 to 1861, was mucli engaged on the frontiers, 
against the Indians. In May, 1861, he resigned and joined the Confederate forces, and survived the war. L. C. D. 



404 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

was granted, and he was taken to Mineral Point. Gov. Dodge asked him what he wanted 
of him, after having given so much trouble to the Government. He .said he Avaiited to talk with 
him in council, which request was granted. Then Dandy took a Bible from his bosom, and 
sisked the Governor, through me. if it was a good book. The Governor was surprised to see 
a Bible in the hands of an Indian, and bade me intjuire where he got it. Dandy answered 
that if the Governor would be so good as to answer his question, he would render an account 
of all he would like to know. Then the Governor told him that it was a good book — that he 
could never have a better one in his hand. " Then," said Dandy, " if a man would do all 
that was in that book, could any more be required of him?" The Governor said no. 
" Well," said Dandy, "look that book all through, and if you find in it that Dandy ought to 
be removed by the Government to Turkey River, then I will go right off; but if you do 
not find it, I will never go there to stay." The Governor gave him an answer that his trick 
had no effect. He was then replaced on the horse, chained up again and taken to Prairie 
du Chien. 

The chain had so blistered his legs and feet that it was two or three weeks before he was 
able to walk. Some time after, an order came from Turkey River to send Dandy there. He 
had been put in charge of a corporal at Fort Crawford, who was obliged to carry Dandy on 
his back when he had occasion to be moved. After the order was given to the Corporal to 
take his prisoner to Turkey River, he procured a buggy and drove it to the fort gate, carried 
Dandy on his back to the vehicle, and then went back into the fort to get his whip. He 
thought that the prisoner was not able to run away, as he could not walk. But as soon as 
the Corporal was out of sight. Dandy jumped from the buggy and took his course toward the 
bluffs, at a full run. When the Corporal returned, finding his prisoner gone, he went after 
him, but failed to overtake him. The Corporal swore that if he ever saw Dandy again he 
would kill him, as he had made him so much trouble in carrying him about from place to 
place, and then to play him such a bad trick. 

" That was the last time the military ever went after Dandy ; and the good old chief lived 
many a year thereafter, to recount his exploits. Like the most of his people, he was a great 
beggar, and dearly loved the "fire-water ' of the whites. He died at Peten Well, near Nece- 
dah, where he and his family were encamped, in June, 1870, at about the age of seventy- 
seven years.* 

IV BY SATTKRLEE CLARK. t 

To give a proper understanding of the history, not only of Fort Winnebago, but of the 
persons connected with it, it will be necessary to detail my early recollections, from my arrival 
in what is now the State of Wisconsin. On the 14th day of April, 1828, I landed at Green 
Bay, then considered a small French settlement. Fort Howard was then situated near where 
the" passenger depot of the Chicago & North- Western Railway now stands. On the opposite 
side of the river, where the city of Green Bay is located, there was a wilderness. Three miles 
above, on the river, was a small group of houses that could hardly be termed a village, but 
which was, nevertheless, called " Shanty Town." Residing there were several American 
families, among whom were Daniel Whitney, Henry S. Baird, Robert Irwin, Alexander Irwin, 
Samuel Irwin, and quite a number of French and half-breeds. The fort contained three com- 
panies of United States Infantry, and was commanded by then Major, afterward General, Twiggs. 
The companies were severally commanded by Captain, and his brother, Major, Buell, Capt. 
Spence, and Captain, since General, William Harney. 

The same season, 1828, the First Infantry was ordered to the portage to build a fort, to 
be called Fort Winnebago. They were relieved at Fort Howard by four companies of the Fifth 

* J. T. KiiiKHton furrii.shcs this date of Dandy'8 death aud his ag(>, di'iivod from his band of Winnelmgooi. " IVti-n Well," adds Mr. 
Kinestoii, •' is an isolated rockv peak, 250 feet ahove the surface of the river, inimediatcly on the west bank of the Wiaciinsin, and situated on 
Section !l, Tonii Is north. Uange 4 east." Owen, in his Geological Report, says : "It is the most elevated of all the isolated peaks measured on 
this part of the Wisconsin, being isa feet above the river. Its east face is nearly perpendicular; on the west side is a very steep elope, Kii) feet 
alwve tliH surface of the plain, thickly strewn with immense blocks of sandstone. The north side is worn into several subordinate peaks, but 
little inf.rior in height to the m lin mass, being about 200 feet above a creek that flows near their base." L. C. D. 

tThe foot-notes to Sir, Clark's reminiscence, marked " L. C. D," are from the able pen of Dr. Lyman C. Draper.— E». 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 405 

United States Infantry, under command of Col. William Lawrence. Previous to 1827 (the year 
of "the Winnebago war," under Red Bird, a Winnebago chief), the Indians had been in the 
habit of levying tolls on the goods of the American Fur Company, and others who were obligeil 
to unload to cross the portage. At the earnest solicitation of John Jacob Astor, who was then . 
the head of the American Fur Company, the Government concluded to erect a fort for their 
protection. 

Maj. Twiggs then left for the portage, where he erected temporary barracks of tamarack 
logs, in which to winter his command, and detailed a party to go up the Wisconsin and procure 
pine timber with which to erect a permanent fort. Another party was detailed to quarry stone 
at what was called " Stone Quarry Hill." With the first rise of water in the spring of 1829. 
the timber and logs were floated down to the portage, were hauled by teams to the fort, where 
all the lumber was sawed by hand with whip-saws with which to build the entire fort. The 
brick necessary for the chimneys, fire-places, etc., were burned just opposite the narrows, on the 
Wisconsin River, a short distance above. 

Of the officers stationed at Fort Winnebago from 1828 till the 5th of July, 1831, only two 
survive, to wit, Gen. William Harney and Lieut. Jefiierson Davis. Harney, at that time, was 
a Captain, and Davis was his subaltern. Both were considered among the best ofiicers in the 
service. I think it is conceded that, for frontier service, Capt. Harney had no superior any- 
where. There was no better disciplinarian, and no more indulgent officer to his men when 
their behavior was good. It has been said of him by persons in civil life that he was cruel to 
his men ; but this was not true. He was, however, a terror to evil-doers, whether soldiers or 
citizens. To give an idea of the man, he was over six feet in height, well proportioned, and 
exceedingly active and strong. I will relate an anecdote or two, which will give a more correct 
idea of his character. 

Gen. Harney once took offense at an Indian, and determined to cowhide him ; but was per- 
suaded to give him "a chance for his life." He had him taken half a mile above the Govern- 
ment wash-houses, on the bank of the river ; gave him 100 yards the start, with the agreement 
that, if the Indian passed the wash-houses before he was caught, he should go free for that time. 
Peter Pauquette gave the word, and away they went. Harney gained on him so rapidly that * 
he seemed sure to overtake him. There was a spot about 200 yards from the wash-house that 
only froze over in very cold weather, and opened again during the day. The night before was 
very cold, and this point had frozen over about half an inch thick. When they reached this 
point, Harney was just ready to put his hand on him, when the Indian, being quite light, crossed 
the thin ice safely. Not so, however, with the Captain ; he carried too many pounds, and 
down he went. He came to the surface at once, and called to a sentinel to shoot the Indian. 
The sentinel fired well and the ball struck the ice half a mile from the Indian. All the officers 
were on the bank witnessing the race and of course were convulsed with laughter. 

On another occasion it was necessary to punish the champion pugilist of the fort, a very 
large man named Hewitt. The man said to the Captain : " If you were an enlisted man, or I 
was a captain, you could not treat me in that way." Harney took him out behind the barracks, 
told him to consider himself a captain, and do his best. Hewitt pitched at the Captain fuwously, 
when the Captain knocked him down. This was repeated about a dozen times when he said," Cap- 
tain, I have been captain long enough to suit me, I would now like to be reduced to the ranks." 

At another time, Harney causht a citizen from the lead mines selling whisky to his men. 
He tied him up to the flag-staff and cowhided him with his own hand. 

Neither Harney nor Davis were addicted to those habits that destroyed so many worthy 
officers, and it in some measure accounts for their being still alive. 

In June, 1830, I was appointed sutler at Fort Winnebago, by Gen. Jackson, who was then 
President. Being under age, I was obliged to farm the privilege out to Oliver Newbury, of 
Detroit, and as the sutler was required to remain at the post, I was employed by Mr. Newbury 
as clerk, devoting most of my time to the Indian trade. I arrived at Fort Winnebago on the 
21st of July, 1830. 



406 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The most interesting event since my advent into Wisconsin was what is known as the- 
" Black Hawk war," the truthful history of which has never been published, and I think the 
causes which led to it, and the incidents connected therewith, are known to very f(W people 
now living. 

In 1831, in violation of a treaty stipulation, the Sauk and Fox Indians, under Black 
Hawk and the Prophet, crossed the Mississippi into Illinois. Black Hawk was a Fox Indian, 
and the Prophet was a Winnebago, who, with a small band, became discontented and left the 
Winnebagoes and joined the Sauk and Fox tribes, where they had intermarried, and became 
part of the same tribe. Gen. Atkinson was ordered to remove them. They offered to go back 
and remain for 60,000 bushels of corn, and as corn was only 5 cents a bushel he gave it to 
them and they retired. 

The following summer, thinking to get 60,000 bushels of corn quite easily, they again 
crossed the river, and again Gen. Atkinson was ordered to remove them. Instead of buying 
corn for them, he ordered all the available troops into the field, and the President ordered out 
the Illinois militia under the command of Gen. Henry and Gen. Alexander, all under the com- 
mand of Gen. Atkinson. The Indians started up Rock River, pursued by the troops, commit-, 
ting occasional depredations as they went along. After they got into Wisconsin the troops lost 
track of them, and Gen. Atkinson continued up Rock Riv^ to where the village of Fort Atkin- 
son now stands, where he established his headquarters and built a temporary fort. 

In the meantime. Black Hawk, learning from the Winnebagoes who also promised to assist 
him, that only thirty men remained in Fort Winnebago, determined to burn it and massacre its 
inmates. They accordingly came and encamped on the Fox River, about four miles above 
Swan Lake, and about eight miles from the fort. Every possible means that could be devised 
was adopted to protect the fort, and save the lives of the inhabitants, most of whom were women 
and children ; but after all had been done that was possible, the commanding officer concluded 
that without re-enforcements we would be lost, and determined to send to Gen. Atkinson for 
troops. I was selected for that duty for several reasons ; among which was my thorough 
acquaintance with the country, and another was the probability that the Winnebagoes would 
not harm me. 

Every day some Winnebago would come to me and advise me to go at night and stay in 
his wigwam, where, he said, I would be safe. At 9 o'clock at night I left the fort, with many a 
God speed you, armed with a small Ruggles rifle, my dispatches, a tomahawk and bowie-knife. 
I crossed the Fox River at a shallow point just above where the public stables used to stand, and 
keeping the Indian trail that led from here to White Crow's village* on Lake Kosh-ko-nong on 
my right, I traveled rapidly all night, walking up hill, and running down hill, and on a level. 
I struck the trail several times during the night, but left it immediately, as I feared some Indians 
might be encamped upon it, whose dogs would discover me before I would discover them. I 
arrived safely at the fort at half-past 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and delivered my dispatches to 
Gen. Atkinson, who sent 3,000 men at once to relieve Fort Winnebago. I may add, that Fort 
Atkinson was constructed of log pickets, with loop-holes for musketry, with block-houses on the 
southeast and northwest corners, with about an acre of ground within the inclosure. 

I slept till 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and then started on my return, following the trail of 
the mounted militia for twelve miles, when I passed them, and reached the head of a stream that 
used to be called Rowan's Creek, about twelve miles from the fort, shortly after daylight; and 
fearing to go further till night, I crawled into some brush and went to sleep. 

As soon as it was quite dark, I left my hiding-place and returned to the fort as near as pos- 
sible by the route Heft it, arriving between 10 and 11 o'clock P. M. I reported that the troops 
were on the way, and would arrive next evening. We kept close watch all that night, and at 4 
o'clock P. M. next day, the troops arrived. It may surprise some of my readers that I should 

* Mr. Clark writes thiit White Crow's village was built in the usual style of ludgee, nut wigwams, more like houses, covered with wliite 
cedar bark ; and contained a population of about twelve hundred souls. — L- C. V. 

[This estimate of the population of the White Crow's village is probably too large. — Ed.] 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 407 

travel so rapidly, and the mounted troops should be so long on the road ; but, you must recollent, 
the marshes were very wet at that time, that the whole country was a wilderness, and that when 
I jumped into a stream and waded through or walked across the marsh, the troops had to build 
bridges and causeways. 

The war would have been ended within two days if the militia had been in condition to fol- 
low the Indians; but the horses needed rest and food, rations had to be issued to the men, and 
many of them were without a change of underclothing, and it was absolutely necessary to wait 
at least one day at the fort. 

The second night the horses took fright (probably at some Winnebago Indians), and there was 
a regular stampede. Probably some of my readers may not thoroughly comprehend a stampede; 
and it may be proper to describe it, if possible, though only an eye-witness can properly appre- 
ciate how terrible it is. Some horse, or may be a few horses get frightened and start to run ; 
the entire drove may see nothing to alarm them, but, presuming there is danger, they fall into 
line, and once fairly under way nothing can stop them. 

Those in front cannot stop without being run over, and those in the rear run to keep up. 
On this occasion, several hundred horses started with a noise like thunder, running so close 
together that when one was so unfortunate as to face a tree he was either killed or so badly injured 
as to be unable to proceed, and was run over by the whole drove ; so, if a horse was unable to 
keep up, he was knocked down and killed ; between the bank of the Wisconsin and the point of 
land between there and the fort, thirty-seven horses were found dead. They took the trail they 
came on and ran to the prairie, a distance of about sixteen miles ; over sixty horses were killed, 
and it was late next day before those recovered were brought back.* 

This, of course, occasioned another delay, and it was not till the fifth day, that they lef 
the fort in pursuit of the Indians. 

The enemy, in the mean time, went to the Four Lakes, where, as I learned later, they 
were advised to cross the Wisconsin and the Mississippi as soon as possible. 

A few reliable Winnebagoes, under Peter Pauquette and myself, were secured for scouts. 

We had no difficulty in following their trail, and gained upon them rapidly, overtaking 
them on the bank of the Wisconsin, about twenty-five miles below, where the battle of the 
Wisconsin was fought. 

That battle made many heroes, and so it should. 

About one hundred and twenty half-starved Indians defended the pass against nearly three 
thousand whites, while the remainder of the Indians in plain sight were crossing the 
Wisconsin with the women and children, and, as soon as these were safe, the Indians broke 
and ran. Then came the struggle for scalps. Every man who could run started down 
the hill at his top speed, my Indian scouts and myself far ahead of the militia, and I was about 
thirty feet ahead of all. Just as I commenced raising the hill on the other side of the valley, 
Pauquette passed me on horseback, and, as he went by, I caught his horse by the tail and held 
on till we reached the top of the hill, where we found four dead Indians. Pauquette took 
one scalp, I took one, and the Indian scouts took the other two. 

The Indians lost four killed all told, and the whites one. This ended the battle of the Wis- 
consin, about which so much has been written. 

The Indians traveled as rapidly as possible to the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Bad Axe 
River. I went home. Shortly after, Capt. Alexander Johnson was ordered to take command of 
the regular troops, and endeavor to intercept the Indians and prevent their crossing the Mississippi. 

A steamboat was sent up the river from Fort Crawford, commanded by Jefferson Davis. 
He drove the Indians back, and they were all killed or taken prisoners except Black Hawk and 
the Prophet and their families, who crossed the river before the steamboat arrived. 

*Iii Wakefield's "History of the Sank and Fox War," published at Jacksonville, 111., in 1834, the following account is given of this 
stampede — the writer then servinf; with the Illinois troops : " Our horses were given to fripht and running in a most fearful manner ; and the 
army was constantly in danger of sufteriug great damage by their taking those frights. No one can tell what a horrid sight it i.s to see 2,1100 
horses coming at full speed toward an encampment in tlie dead hour of night. This night — at Fort Winnebago — they got more scared than 
common. There were about three hundred on this night, that ran about thirty miles before they stopped, and that, too, through the worst 
kind of swamps. This circumstance caused us to stay here two days, trying to recover our horses ; but all could not be found ; our road baoK 
the way we had come was hunted for upward of fifty miles, and still a great number of them was missing." L. C. D. 



408 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 

Gen. Winfield Scott offered a reward of $2,000 for the capture of Black Hawk and the 
Prophet, which was earned by a Winnebago called Little Thunder.* All were then taken to 
Rock Island, where Gen. Scott had established his headquarters. 

From there the leaders were taken to all the large cities in the country, to show them how 
impossible it was for them to wage successful war against the whites. 

That ended the Black Hawk war. 

In 1837, a detachment of recruits arrived at Fort Winnebago, among whom was a man 
named Carpenter, who was discharged because he was unable to pass the surgeon for muster. 
He had a wife, and determined to remain in the country. He accordingly located upon the 
bank of the Wisconsin River, and after that time kept a tavern for the accommodation of lum- 
bermen. 

It may safely be said of him that he was the first white civilian of Portage City, if bis 
house was within what are now the city limits. 

Then followed Andrew Dunn, Hugh McFarlane, Richard F. Veeder and others, and I 
think in the order I have named them. 

Capt. Gideon Low left the army in 1839 [1840], and settled on the portage, where he kept 
a public house a number of years. He died long ago. 

The old man Crelie was an important element in the early history of this locality, and I 
cannot well avoid giving him a passing notice. 

Mr. Crelie was the father-in-law of Pauquette, and was sixty years of age when I came to 
Fort Winnebago in 1830, so that when he was on exhibition at the several soldiers' home fairs 
in 1863, he was ninety-three years old. 

This corresponds with the opinion of Mr. Beouchard, a Frenchman, who came to the State 
much earlier than I did, as given in his letter to the Milwaukee Sentinel, while the old man was 
being exhibited at one hundred and forty. 

In 1832, during the Black Hawk war, he was bearer of dispatches, much too fatiguing a 
duty for a man more than sixty-two years of age. 

John T. De La Ronde, who died recently in the town of Caledonia, came to Wisconsin about 
the year 1834 instead of 1828. as is stated in an obituary I read recently.! It was the custom 
of the American Fur Company to enlist Canadians for a term of years and bring them into the 
Northwest to be used as voyagers and packers. De La Ronde was so enlisted, and was assigned 
to work for Peter Pauquette. 

Shortly after his arrival, he married the daughter of Whitehead De-kau-ry, who had once 
been a sort of morganatic wife of an officer of the army,+ and had been left a widow when he 
was ordered off. He lived with her until she died, and since then I have known very little of him. 

I must say something of Count Haraszthy and his family. In about 1842 or 1843, I am 
not certain which, Haraszthy came to Wisconsin, bought some property at Sauk City, on the 
Wisconsin, and settled there with his family. He was a nobleman in every sense, and he and 
his wife were among the most refined people I ever knew ; and both were exceedingly good 
looking. 

I saw them frequently, both at home and at Madison. At the latter place, they had a large 
number of friends and acquaintances, by whom they were much respected. Early in the spring 

* This appears to be an error. Traditions are valuable when sustaining and elaborating historical documents, written at the time and 
upon the spot, by reliable men ; but it wiil not he safe to set aside such written documents and substitute traditijuB. Gen. .Foseph M. .Street, 
then Indian agent at I'rairiedu Chien, writes from that place, Anguit 2", 18:i2: "At 11 o'clock to-day, Black Hawk and the Prophet were 
delivered to Gen. Joseph M. Street, by the One-Eyed Dccorri and Chaetar, Winnebagoes belonging to this agency" and then gives in full the 
address of Decorri and ('haetar, the latter claiming the chief merits of the capture, saying : " Near the Dalle, on the Wisconsin, I took Black 
Hawk. No one did it but me — I say this in the ears of all present, and they know it — and [ now appeal to the Great Spirit, our grandfather, 
and the earth, our grandmother, for the truth of what I say." In a subsequent letter of September ;i. Gen. Street adds: " The day after Gens. 
Scott and Atkinson left this place, I sent out t-vo parties of Winnebagoes to bring Black Hawk, the Prophet and Neopope to me." Thus Little 
Thunder may have been with the unsuccessful party, aud would perhaps speak of it subseipiently in such a way as to convey the idea that he 
aided in the capture of Black Hawk — that is, searched for him, but probably did not mean to be understood that he actually captured him. 
"^ . J- ^ 1,. U. D. 

t De La Ronde's first visit to the portage was in 1828, remaining but a few days. He returned in 1832. — En. 

X Capt. Tliomas Page Gwynne, who had entered the army as a cadet in 1813, serving in the Black Hawk war, had risen through regular 
grades to Major, in 1^47, and died at Norfolk, Va., February 26, 1861. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 409 

of 1849, he joined a party that left Madison to go overland to California. Among those who 
went out with him was Thomas W. Sutherland, who had formerly been United States District 
Attorney of the Territory. Haraszthy was (juite successful in raising grapes, and in the man- 
ufacture of wine and distilled spirits. Within two or three years last past, I read in some paper 
a thrilling account of his death. It seemed he had procured the exclusive privilege of man- 
ufacturing distilled spirits in Central America : that he went with a small party in search of a 
good locality for raising grapes and establishing a distillery ; that the party came to a bayou 
filled with crocodiles, over which there was a small foot bridge. Haraszthy, being in the advance, 
attempted to cross the bridge, which gave way, precipitating him into the water, and, before he 
could be recovered by his friends, a large crocodile caught him by the middle and carried him 
off, while a large number followed. His fate can well be imagined.* 

V. BY MKS JOHN H. KINZlE.f 

This day [they were traveling from Chicago to Fort Winnebago, in 1831], we were jour- 
neying in hopes to reach, at an early hour, that broad expanse of the Rock River which here 
forms the Kosh-ko-nong. The appellation of this water, rendered doubly affecting by the sub- 
sequent fate of its people, imports " the lake we live on." 

Our road for the early part of the day led through forests so thick and tangled that Grig- 
non and Lecuyer were often obliged to go in advance as pioneers with their axes, to cut away 
the obstructing shrubs and branches. It was slow work and at times quite discouraging, but we 
were through with it at last, and then we came into a country of altogether different description 
— low prairies, intersected with deep, narrow streams like canals, the passage of which, either by 
horses or carriages, was often a mitter of delay and even difficulty. 

Several times in the course of the forenoon, the horses were to be taken from the carriage 
and the latter pulled and pushed across the deep narrow channels as best it might. 

The wooded banks of the Kosh-ko-nong were never welcomed with greater delight than by 
us when they at length broke upon our sight. A ride of five or six miles through the beautiful 
oak openings brought us to Man-Eater's village, a collection of neat bark wigwams, with extensive 
fields on each side, of corn, beans, and squashes, recently planted, but already giving promise 
of a fine crop. In front was the broad blue lake, the shores of which, to the south, were open 
and marshy, but near the village and stretching far away to the north, were bordered by fine 
lofty trees. The village was built but a short distance below the point where the Rock River 
opens into the lake, and during a conversation between our party and the. Indians at the village, 
an arrangement was made with them to take us across at a spot about half a mile above. 

After a short halt, we again took up our line of march through the woods, along the bank 
of the river. 

A number of Winnebagoes (for we had been among our own people since leaving Gros-pied 
Lake) set out for the appointed place by water, paddling their canoes, of which they had selected 
the largest and strongest. 

Arrived at the spot indicated, we dismounted, and the men commenced the task of 
unsaddling and unloading. We were soon placed in the canoes, and paddled across to the oppo- 
site bank. Next, the horses were swum across — after them was to come the carriage. Two 
long wooden canoes were securely lashed together side by side, and being of sufficient width to 
admit of the carriage standing within them, the passage was commenced. Again and again the 
tottering barks would sway from side to side, and a cry or a shout would arise from our party 
on shore, as the whole mass seemed about to plunge sideways into the water, but it would pres- 
ently recover itself, and at length, after various deviations from the perpendicular, it reached the 
shore in safety. 

We now hoped that our troubles were at an end, and that we had nothing to do but to 
mount and trot on as fast as possible to Fort Winnebago. But no. Half a mile farther on was 

*Count Haraszthy'.^ deatli is elsewhere described in this booli with particularity, 
t From " Wau-Buii, the Early Day in the Northwest," pp. 264-26G. 



410 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

a formidable swamp, of no great width it is true, but with a depth of from two to three feet of 
mud and water. It was a question whether, with the carriage, we could get through it at all. 
Several of the Indians accompanied us to this place, partly to give us their aid and counsel, and 
partly to enjoy the fun of the spectacle. 

On reaching the swamp, we were disposed to laugh at the formidable representations which 
had been made to us. We 'saw only a strip of what seemed rather low land covered with tall, 
dry rushes. 

It is true, the ground looked a little wet, but there seemed nothing to justify all the ap- 
prehensions that had been excited. Great was my surprise, then, to see my husband, who had 
been a few minutes absent, returned to our circle attired in his duck trowsers, and without shoes 
or stockings. 

" What are you going to do ? " inquired I. 

" Carry you through the swamp on my shoulder. Come, Petaille, you are the strongest — 
you are to carry Madame Kinzie, and To-shun-nuck there (pointing to a tall, stout Winnebago), 
he will take Madame Helm." 

" Wait a moment," said I, and, seating myself on the grass, I deliberately took off my own 
boots and stockings. 

"What is that for ? " they all asked. 

" Because I do not wish to ride with wet feet all the rest of the day." 

" No danger of that," said they, and no one followed my example. By the time they were 
in the midst of the swamp, however, they found my precaution had been by no means useless. 
The water through which our bearers had to pass was of such a depth that no efforts of the 
ladies were sufficient to keep their feet above the surface, and I had the satisfaction of feeling 
that my burden upon my husband's shoulders was much less, from my being able to keep my 
first position, instead of changing constantly to avoid a contact with the water. 

The laugh was quite on my side when I resumed my equipment, and mounted, dry-shod, 
into my saddle. 

It will be perceived, that journeying in the woods is, in some degree, a deranger of cere- 
mony and formality ; that it necessarily restricts us somewhat in our conventionalities. The 
only remedy is, to make ourselves amends by a double share when we return to the civilized 
walks of life. 

By dint of much pulling, shouting, encouraging and threatening, the hoi'ses at length 
dragged the carriage through the difficult pass, and our red friends were left to return to their 
village, with, doubtless, a very exaggerated and amusing account of all that they had seen and 
assisted in. 

We had not forgotten our promise to Lieut. Foster to put up a "guide-board of some sort, 
for his accommodation in following us. We therefore, upon several occasions, carried with us 
from the woods a few pieces, of three or four feet in length, which we planted at certain points, 
with a transverse stick through a cleft in the top, thus marking the direction he and his party 
were to take. 

We therefore felt sure that, although a few days later, he would find our trail, and avail 
himself of the same assistance as we had, in getting through the difficulties of the way. 

Our encampins ground, this night, was to be not far distant from the Four Lakes. We 
were greatly fatigued by the heat and exercise of the day, and most anxiously did we look out 
for the clumps of willows and alders which were to mark the spot where water would be found. 
We felt hardly equal to pushing on quite to the bank of the nearest lake. Indeed, it would 
have taken us too much off our direct course. 

When we. at a late hour, came upon a spot fit for our purpose, we exchanged mutual con- 
gratulations that this was to be our last night upon the road. The next day we should be at 
Winnebago. 

Our journey had been most delightful, a continual scene of exhilaration and enjoyment ; 
for the various mishaps, although, for the moment, they had perplexed, yet, in the end, had but 



HISTORY OF COI-UMBIA COUNTY. 411 

added to our amusement. Still, with the inconstancy of human nature, we were pleased to 
■exchange its excitement for the quiet repose of home. 

Our next morning's ride was of a more tranquil character than any that had preceded it ; 
for, at an early hour, we entered upon what was known as the " Twenty Mile Prairie," and I 
may be permitted to observe that the miles are wonderfully long on the prairies. Our passage 
■over this was, except the absence of the sand, like crossing the desert. Mile after mile of 
unbroken expanse — not a tree, not a living object except ourselves. 

The sun, as if to make himself amends for his two months' seclusion, shone forth with 
redoubled brilliancy. There is no such thing as carrying an umbrella on horseback, though those 
in the wagon were able to avail themselves of such a shelter. 

Our mother's energies had sustained her in the saddle until this day, but she was now fairly 
■obliged to give in, and yield her place on little Brunet to Sister Margaret. 

Thus we went on, one little knoll rising beyond another, from the summit of each of which, 
in succession, we hoped to descry the distant woods, which were to us as the promised land. 

" Take courage !" were the cheering words, often repeated ; "Very soon you will begin to 
see the timber." 

Another hour would pass heavily by. 

" Now, when we reach the rising ground just ahead, look sharp .'" 

We would look sharp — nothing but the same unvarying landscape. 

There were not even streams to allay the feverish thirst occasioned by fatigue and 
impatience. 

At length a whoop from Shaw-nee-aw-kee broke the silence in which we were pursuing 
our way. 

"Le voila!" (There it is!) 

Our less-practiced eye could not, at first, discern the faint blue strip, edging the horizon, 
but it grew and grew upon our vision, and fatigue and all discomfort proportionately dis- 
appeared. 

We were in fine spirits by the time we reached Hasting's Woods, a noble forest, watered 
by a clear, sparkling stream. Grateful as was the refreshment of the green foliage and the cool- 
ing waters, we did not allow ourselves to forget that the day was wearing on, and that we must, 
if possible, complete our journey before sunset; so we soon braced up our minds to continue our 
route, although we would gladly have lingered another hour. 

The marsh of Duck Creek was, thanks to the heat of the past week, in a very difi"erent 
state from what it had been a few months previous, when I had been so unfortunately sub- 
merged in its icy waters. We passed it without difiiculty, and soon found ourselves upon the 
banks of the creek. 

The stream, at this point, was supposed to be always fordable ; and, even were it not so, 
that, to the majority of our party, would have been a matter of little moment ; to the ladies, how- 
ever, the subject seemed to demand consideration. 

" This water looks very deep. Are you sure we can cross it on horseback?" 

" Oh, yes ! Petaille, go before, and let us see how the water is." 

Petaille obeyed. He was mounted on a horse like a giraife, and, extending his feet hori- 
zontally, he certainly managed to pass through the stream without much of a wetting. 

It seemed certain that the water would come into the wagon, but that was of the less conse- 
quence, as, in case of the worst, the passengers could mount upon the seats. 

My horse Jerry was above the medium height, so that I soon passed over with no inconve- 
nience but that of being obliged to disengage my feet from the stirrups, and tuck them up snugly 
against the mane of the horse. 

Sister Margaret was still upon Brunet. She was advised to change him for one of the 
taller horses, but, while the matter was under debate, it was settled by the perverse little wretch 
taking to the water most unceremoniously, in obedience to the example of the other animals. 
He was soon beyond his depth, and we were at once alarmed and diverted at seeing his rider. 



412 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

with surprising adroitness, draw her feet from the stirrups and perch herself upon the tjp of the 
saddle, where she held her position, and navigated her little refractory steed safely to land. 

This was the last of our adventures. A pleasant ride of four miles brought us to the fort, 
just as the sun was throwing his last beams over the glowing landscape, and, on reaching the 
ferry, we were at once conducted, by the friends who were awaiting us, to the hospitable roof of 
Maj. Twiggs. 

VI. BY HENRY MERRELL.* 

Born and brought up to the age of fifteen in Utica, N. Y., I moved with my father's 
family to Sacket'.s Harbor, in that State, in 1819, where I lived, with the exception of two 
years, until the spring of 1834, when it was proposed to me to remove to Fort Winnebago, and 
carry on the sutler's business, and by the advice of Col. Cummings, Capt. Clitz and Bradley. t 
I decided upon going. Capt. Bradley had been through from Prairie du Chien, by way of the 
Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, to Green Bay, at an early date, stopping and making the portage 
at Fort Winnebago. Col. Cummings was also in Wisconsin at an early period, visiting Mil- 
waukee, when Solomon Juneau was the only trader and resident there, and from them I obtained 
valuable information, they being delighted with the country. 

In April of 18-34, I made arrangements, going to New York, purchasing goods and ship- 
ping them to Fort Winnebago, Wis., by way of Buifalo. I then returned to Sacket's Harbor, 
bidding my friends good-bye, who thought I was going to "the jumping-off place," as ,;ome 
expressed it ; and in company with J. L. Huntington, who was going out with me as clerk, 
started for Buffalo, meeting my goods there; but I found I could not ship them farther tlian 
Detroit by steam, so I shipped them on board the Pennsylvania, and started out on a beautiful day, 
the lake calm and smooth ; but before we got to Erie, Penn., the wind rose and blew fresh. 
We stopped a short time and started for Cleveland, the wind increasing, which made many sick 
ones, but we stood it without any trouble. The next morning when I went on deck, I found 
the land on the wrong side of us, and at first concluded the wind had blown us on the Canada 
shore: but on inquiry was told we were running back to Efie, having broken a shaft. When 
we arrived there, I concluded to take the stage for Cleveland, as I had got to stop there to pur- 
chase supplies of provisions, etc. The captain told me he would be there before me, but I 
hardly tliought so ; but when I got to Cleveland I found the steamer had passed. I found matiy 
old acquaintances here, and was much pleased with the town site. Getting through my 
business, I tnok boat for Detroit, arriving there the Tth of June. I found this a pleasant place, 
and thought it would become an important point eventually. Here I - also found many 
old acquaintances, Gen. Brady, Lieut. Backus and others. This place is an old settlement ; 
I am told it was settled before Philadelphia, and is so well known I need not attempt a 
description of it. In improving it, many old relics were found. In digging for the foundation 
of the Presbyterian Church, many bodies were disinterred, no one knowing when they were buried ; 
all of them had been tomahawked. The landlord called my attention to a tombstone, standing 
beside the house, which he said was dug up in the alley by his house, with the following inscrip- 
tion : " Here lyes the body of Johu Lewis Page, Ensign in the 31st regiment of foot, who died 
the 8th of May, 1770 ; " the stone was about two feet long, and evidently executed by some inex- 
perienced hand. 

As there was no certainty of a steamer going to the upper lakes, I shipped my goods on 
board a small schooner, the Commodore Lawrence, Capt. Nelson, master, and started on the 
11th of June for Green Bay, where we arrived on the 18th at evening, or rather at the mouth of 



•The foot-notes to this reminiscence of Mr. Merrell, marked " L. C. V.," are frum the pen of Dr. Lyman ('. Draper, Corresponding 
Secretary of the State Historical Society. — Ed. 

f Of these three army officers, early visitors of Wisconsin, Col. Alexander CumminKS was a native of Pennsylvania, entering the army 
in 1808, serving as captain during the war of 1812, a major in 181<J, a lieutenant colonel in 1828, and full colonel in 1830. lie died in New York 
City, January 31, 1842. 

John Clitz, a native of New York, entered the service in March, 1814, distinguishing himself at the sortie of Fort Erie, in Septemher 
ofthatyear; rose to the rank of captain, dying November 0, 183C.. while in command of Mackinaw. 

John Bradley was first a sergeant-major, second lieutenant in 1820, assistant quartermaster from 1826 to 1830, captain in 1834, 
resigned and retired from the service in 1830. L. C. D. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 413 

the river, and came to anchor as the wind died away. Soon after, a row-boat approached with 
Capt. Cruger and Dr. Worrel in it, from Fort Howard. They were in hopes we had a mail on 
board, but we, not knowing their necessities in this far-off world, had not thought of it. They 
kindly offered me a ride up town, which I gladly accepted. When they had landed me at 
Navarino, now Green Bay, they told me to go up the street until I came to a store with a cupola 
on top, and adjoining. Judge Arndt lived, who accommodated strangers, as tliere was no public 
house in the place. 1 called and got into very good quarters. Here I met Judge David Irvin, 
a judge of the territory, one of tlie executive lights, sent from the East to decide upon the law 
and evidence among the benighted inhabitants of this f;vr-off and wild country. He was 
boarding with Juilge Arndt. I wa^ told that, three years before, there was but one house in the 
place. Now there are eight or ten stores, two large public houses not yet opened, and many com- 
fortable dwellings. Previously, all the business, was done at Shanty Town, two or three miles up 
the river, and it was not thought possible to build a town on the present site of Green Bay, and 
when Daniel Whitney laid out a town there he was laughed at and called crazy, for it is a level 
plain, and was then covered with bushes. The soil was a blackish sand. 

Here I got acquainted with many estimable persons— Judge Doty, afterward Governor; M. 
L. Martin, Daniel Whitney, David Jones, Ebenezer Childs, Col. C. Tullar, A. G. Ellis, and a 
host of others; and at Fort Howard, situated across the river, Gen. Brooks, Maj. Forsyth, 
Capt. Denning, Lieuts. Sibley, Chapman, Marcy and others. I was much pleased with Green 
Bay, and have always valued the acquaintan3es I then made. At Shanty Town, I met Rev. Mr. 
Cadle, who had charge of the Episcopal Mission, delightfully situated on a hill back from the 
river in a be.iutiful grove ; Ale.xander Irwin and his lady, and Samuel, his bother, who were 
engaged in merchandise here ; and William Dickinson and others. 

Having letters of introduction to Daniel Whitney, I became well acquainted with him, and 
have considered him one ot the most enterprising men of the West. At this time he was doing 
an extensive business in merchandise, reaching on to the Wisconsin River, where he had built 
the first saw-mill upon the river at Point Basse, some seventy miles above the portage ; two 
large storehouses at the portage, one on the Wisconsin, and one on the Fox, a shot tower at 
Helena ; and extending his business to the Mississippi, at Galena and St. Louis. When, three 
years before, he persisted in building and laying off a town at Green Bay, although he was 
laughed at and called crazy, he was ahead of the times, and it proved a good investment, 
although Navarino did not prove one, for Green Bay is now a large and flourishing city. I after- 
ward met him often, and roamed over the country with him on horseback, as all our traveling 
was accomplished in that way in those days, sometimes without roads, and sometimes on Indian 
trails, fording streams, marshes, etc., etc., sometimes in the rain, and sometimes through snow, 
taking the ground for our beds, with our saddles for pillows, carrying provisions and blankets 
with us. I always found him a cheerful companion, and an estimable man. 

He gave me at one time an account, the minutes of which I took down, of a journey of 
his from Fort Snelling, on the St. Peters, to Detroit, Mich., in 1821, in the midst of winter, 
as follows : _ . 

December 6, 1821, he started in a canoe with two men, the ice running thick in the river. 
His acquaintances tried hard to persuade him to defer starting until the river closed ; but, no, 
business called him, and he must go. They soon found themselves in a bad fix, for the ice 
blocked up under the canoe, so as to raise it six feet above the water. After great exertion, 
they got to shore, as he said, more pleased than he ever was in his life at getting on land again. 
They then started on foot, and got only nine miles the first day and encamped. The next day, 
started down the river bank, packing their food and blankets on their backs, each carrying a gun, 
the weather extremely cold, and the snow six inches deep. They were five days in getting to 
Lake Pepin. In crossing the lake, Mr. Whitney broke through ; the lock of his gun catching on 
the ice was the only thing that saved him. The weather was so cold, some of the time, that they 
had to stop and build fires to warm themselves to keep from freezing. Thirty miles above Prai- 
rie du Chien, they got out of provisions, but, seeing a smoke, they made for it, and found Augustin 



414 HISTORY OF COLUMIUA COUNTY. 

Grignon encamped, an acquaintance from Green Bay. lie was on a trading voyage among 
the Indians; he supplied the travelers with provisions. In this way, they passed through Prai- 
rie du Chien, on to Fort Winnebago, and from there to Green Bay, where they arrived in twen- 
ty-one days from Fort Snelling. After remaining a few days, he took a guide and started on 
foot for Chicago, where he arrived in ten days, and from there to Detroit in ten days more, 
making his tramp in forty-one days from Fort Snelling, and said he could then make his forty 
miles a day, and found it easier than to ride on horseback. 

I shipped my goods by water, contracting with Alexander and Samuel Irwin to transport 
them to Fort Winnebago in Durham boats, and, in order to do so, it was necessary for them to 
assemble a large number of Indians at the rapids, to help them over with the boats. At Grand 
Kau-ka-lo, they had to unload and cart the goods about one mile, and the Indians going into 
the water, pushing, lifting and hauling the boats over the rapids ; then re-loading, and poling 
them up to the Grand Chute, where Appleton is now situated. There they had to unload and 
carry the goods up a hill and down the other side above the chute, which was a perpendicular 
fall of three or four feet. The Indians would wade in, as many as could stand around the boat, 
and lift it over, while others had a long cordelle, with a turn around a tree above, taking up the 
slack, and pulling as much as they could. When the boats were over, they were reloailcd, and 
then pushed ahead and poled from there to Fort Winnebago. Excepting in low water, they 
would have to make half-loads over the Winnebago Rapids at Neenah, and, with a fair wind, 
would sail through Lake Winnebago. 

This was the manner of transportation on Fox River at that time, taking from fifteen to 
eighteen days to reach Fort Winnebago, all of which has been changed by the improvement of 
the river. ' 

Having made my arrangements and engaged Hamilton Arndt as a guide, we mounted and 
pushed up the river to Depere, where we crossed in a scow, and followed an Indian trail up the 
river to thj Grand Kau-ka-lo, as it was called, where we stayed over night at Augustin Grignon's, 
a very comfortable place. Here we found his two sons, very pleasant and agreeable young men, 
having English educations. The ride to-day was delightful to me, for everything was new and 
pleasant, the trail running on a ridge of land fifty to seventy-five feet above the river, covered 
with scattered oaks, like an orchard, the ground bedecked with brightest flowers, and descending 
gradually to the river, which is a broad, beautiful stream, and on the opposite side the banks 
were covered with a dense forest. Riding over the prairies or openings on the jump, through 
such scenery, on a narrow foot-path, was something delightful to me. On the 25th, we started 
and forded the rapids, about eighty rods in width and knee-deep to our horses, as we concluded 
to go on the east side of Lake Winnebago, this being a new route to Portage. The usual way 
was to follow a trail on the west side of the lake, and cross the river at Knagg's Ferry, where 
Oshkosh now is. We struck the lake shore and followed it for a time, but concluded to strike 
for the road that led through the Stockbridge settlement; but, after wandering through the 
woods for some time, we went back to the lake shore, and saw an Indian, who directed us to the 
tVail, so we got to the road, which was one continuous mud hole. 

We wanted to get to a house for the night. Here was a road cut through heavy timber by 
the Stockbridge and Brothertown Indians, twenty-five or thirty miles beyond which the road did 
not extend. We stayed over night at a comfortable log house. In the morning, we rode to Mr. 
Abner's, where we got a good breakfiist. These people have comfortable buildings, fields fenced 
and cultivated, and I should have supposed we were passing through a white settlement, if I was 
not told to the contrary. These Brothertowns talk English, and have lost their Indian language. 
The lands are heavily timbered, and very rich, each family having 100 acres. 

About half a mile further on, we struck the praiiie, which to me was a beautiful sight. 
Here we could see a grass plat for four or five miles, and not a tree or bush on it. Then again, 
us we passed on, we would see orchards, as it were, the grass up to our horses' mouths, so that 
iliey would nip it as we rode upon the jump. 




4 



PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 417 

We soon came upon the bank of Lake Winnebago, which is about fifteen miles wide and 
thirty long. Here we found an Indian encampment. Arndt was acquainted with them, having 
traded with them ; in fact, the chief knew me, having seen me in Mr. Arndt's store at Green 
Bay. Arndt got him to send two boys to guide us to the crossing of Fond du Lac River, where 
we had to put our valises and blankets on our shoulders to keep them out of the water while 
fording the stream, as the water was nearly over our horses' backs. A little beyond, we had no 
track, but met the mail-carrier from the fort, who told us that Mr. Mullett and party were on 
the route surveying Government land, and we would get to his tent about time to encamp for 
the night. Judge Doty and Lieut. Center* had surveyed the road through to the fort, but on 
the prairie we had no guide ; but in the timber they had blazed the trees so we could follow 
them. When we struck the prairies, we had to judge, as near as we could, our course, and 
when we reached the timber, hunt up the blazes, and then go on. At evening, we discovered 
some surveyor's marks, that we thought were made that day, so we hallooed, and were answered, 
and soon came upon their camp. We found Mr. Mullett a very gentlemanly man, who invited 
us to partake of his pork, bread and tea, which were their daily fare. After partaking of it, we 
wrapped our cloaks around us, and crawled between two blankets, and slept finely. Mr. Mullett 
said he had not been in from the field for three months, and had been surveying for twelve 
years. He was from Detroit. I should think it would kill most men to be exposed so much, for 
they have to wade streams and marshes sometimes up to their arm-pits. 

We passed over some fine prairies. In many places they looked like cultivated fields. We 
would see an orchard in the distance, and before I knew it I was frequently looking for the 
house, not realizing there was none from fifteen to twenty miles of us. We arrived at Mr. Pau- 
quette's farm at Belle Fountaine on the 27th, and got a fine dinner of fried venison, etc., and 
from here to Fort Winnebago there was a good carriage road of twelve miles. At the fort, I 
met Lieut. Lacey,' Quartermaster and Commissary, who received me cordially, and said he had a 
bed at my disposal, as his wife was absent. He accompanied me in calling upon the command- 
ing ofiRcer, Col. Cutler,' and his lady, with whom I was acquainted. The Colonel said the store 
should be ready for me by the time my goods got here. I also met Lieuts. Van Cleve,^ Johnston,^ 
Collinsworth,' Ruggles," Hooe' and Read,^ together with Surgeon McDougall ; Capts. Low,''' Clark*" 
and Plympton" were absent at this time. Dr. L. Foot'' arrived in the fall. Out of thirty-six days, 

♦Alexander J. Center, a native of New York, a cadet from 1823 to 1827, when he entered the army, serving on frontier duty, participat- 
ingln the Black Hawk war, and assigned to topographical duty from 1832 to 1836, when he resigned. He has since been much engaged as a 
■civil engineer on canals and railroads; Superintendent of the overland mail route to California; President to a Maryland coal company, and 
of the Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad, retiring, in 186G, to New York City. L. C. D. 

1. Edgar M. Lacey, of New York, a cadet from 1822 to 1827, when he entered the army as Second Lieutenant. He was First Lieutenant 
in 183.5; Captain, 1838 ; serving from 1831 to 1838 at Fort Winnebago, then at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chicn, where he died April 2, 1839, at 
the age of thirty-two years. L. C. D. 

2. Gol. Enos Cutler, born at Brookfield, Mass., November 1, 1781 ; graduated at Brown University at the age of nineteen ; was tutor 
there a year and then studied law in Cincinnati. He entered the army in 1808 as Lieutenant, promoted to a captaincy in 1810, serving 
through the war of 1812 as Asaistilot .Adjutant General and Assistant Inspector General. He was Major in 1814; served under Gen. Jackson 
in the Creek, war, and on the Seminole campaign; was made Lieutenant Colonel in 1826, and Colonel in 1836. He resigned in 1839, and died 
at Salem, Mass., July 14, 1860. L. C. D. 

3. Horatio P. Van Cleve, of New Jersey, a cadet from 1827 to 1831, when he entered the army as Second Lieutenant, resigning in 1836, 
and becoming a civil engineer in Michigan. L. G. D. 

4. Alexander Johnston, a native of Pennsylvania, a cadet from 1820 to 1824, when he entered the army, serving at Fort Snelling from 
1825 to 1827, at Fort Crawford in 1827-28, and at Fort Winnebago from 1831 to 1835, during which he participated in the Black Hawk war, and 
was in the battle of Bad Axe ; Captain in 1836, and died at Pittsburgh, Penn., June 8, 184.5, at the ago of thirty-nine years. L. C. D. 

5. John T. Collingsworth, of Tennessee, a cadet from 1826 to 1830, when he" entered the army, serving on the frontier, being at Fort 
Winnebago from 1833 to 1836, in which latter year he resigned, and became Inspector General of the Army of the Republic of Texas, and 
died there January 28, 1837, at the age of twenty-eight. l>. C. D. 

6. Daniel Buggies, a native of Massachusetts, a cadet from 1829 to 1833, when he entered the army, serving at Fort Winnebago from 
1833 to 1835, and again in 183S ; served with reputation in the Mexican War, becoming a Captain and Brevet Major and Lieutenant Colonel, 
resigning in 1861 and joining the Confederates, and surviving the war. L. C. D. 

7. Lieut. Hooe has elsewhere been noticed. — Ed. 

8. John Chester Reid, a native of Massachusetts, a cadet from 1828 to 1833, when he entered the army, serving at Fort Winnebago in 
1833-34, and again in 1836-37 ; was Aid de Camp to Gen. Gaines from 1837 to 1845; served in the military occupation of Texas in 1845, and 
died November 17, in that year, at Wheeling, at the age of thirty-one years. L. C. D. 

9. See the Reminiscence of Mrs. M. C. Low in another chapter of this book. 

10. Nathan Clark, of Connecticut, entered the service in 1813; rose to the rank of Captain in 1824; he was Brevet Major in June, 
1834, and died at Fort Winnebago February 18, 1830. I.. C. D. 

11. Joseph Plympton was born at Sudbury, Mass., March 22, 1787 ; entered the army as a Lieutenant in January, 1812, serving with 
distinction on the northern frontier during the war of 1812-15 ; he was a Captain i n 1821 ; a Major in 1840 ; commanded in the attack on the 
Seminolea, near Dunn's Lake, Fla.. .January 25, 1842; he was Lieutenant Colonel, September, 1846, and led his regiment under Gen. Winlield 
Scott iu Mexico, and won brevets for gallantry at Cerro Gordo and Contreras. Ho was promoted to Colonel in 1853, and died at Staten Islanti 
Junes, 1800. L. C. D. 

12. Lyman Foot, of Connecticut, entered the army in 1818 as a Surgeon Mate, becoming a Surgeon in 1831, and dying at Port Lavaca, 
Tex., October 24, 1846. I,. C. D. 

G 



418 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

the Colonel told me, they had rain, more or less, thirty-one days. I found Burley Follett, 
Daniel Bushnell and Satterlee Clark, Jr., in charge of the sutler's store, as agents of 
Oliver Newberry of Detroit, for whom they were carrying on the business. Capt. McCabe,' 
Postmaster and Indian agent, was living in the agency house across the river; a fine jolly man 
I found him. 

My goods arrived on the 1st of July, six weeks from New York. How was that for speed? 
July 2, Capt. Low arrived at Duck Creek, four miles from the fort, with his wife and two 
daughters in a carriage, and sent up word for men to help them across. So the Colonel sent 
twenty men to help them across Duck Creek marsh, and they arrived safe at the fort. This fort 
was situated on a beautiful plateau forty or fifty feet above the Fox River, on the east side of it 
and of the portage, the river forming an oxbow around it on three sides. The grounds about 
the buildings embraced ten or fifteen acres, with a substantial board fence. The fort buildings 
were inclosed with an ornamental picket fence, in a circular form, with walks graded and kept 
in perfect order, together with the rest of the grounds, and altogether it was a delightful place. 
The portage is low ground one mile and a half across the Wisconsin River, over which they haul 
boats. Peter or Pierre Pauquette, a half-breed Indian trader, kept fifteen or twenty yoke of 
cattle to haul boats across from one river to the other, and finally had large wheels mounted, on 
which to convey the boats. As the American Fur Company sent all their furs from Prairie flu 
Chien this way to Mackinaw, thei'e were many boats that crossed the portage. 

At this time, there were no white American inhabitants outside the fort, except the Indian 
agent, Capt. McCabe, who had a shock of palsy, and left in August, when I was appointed 
Postmaster in his stead, which office I held for twelve yeare. After he left, the commanding 
ofiicer at the fort was ordered to perform the duties of Indian agent, and after that there was 
no other agent at this point, except for a few months, when Thomas A. B. Boyd was stationed 
here as sub-agent. Col. Cutler commanded until May, 1835, when he was ordered to New 
York, and Maj. Nathan Clark succeeded him, who died at this post; and Maj. John Green* took 
the command in October, 1835, Maj. W. V. Cobbsf succeeding him in 1838, he being disabled 
with palsy. Capt. Low was the chief officer for a short time, when Col. Mcintosh;]; succeeded 
him in 1840. The garrison was reduced to one company, finally, with Lieut. F. S. Mumford§ 
in command, who was ordered, in 1845, to remove the property and evacuate the fort, leaving 
Ordnance Sergeant Van Camp in charge of the premises, who soon after died, and William 
Weir, who left with the last troops, returning (he having been discharged), was put in charge 
of the property. In 1853, Col. F. H. Marston was ordered to sell the property. He had the 
lands of the reserve, consisting of about four thousand acres, surveyed ofi" into forty-acre lots, 
and sold them at public sale. Falling into the hands of a company, they were kept out of the 
market for a number of years, and the buildings went into decay, and the lands ran to waste. 

The fort was located there, I was told, in 1828, by Maj. David E. Twiggs, who came 
from Fort Howard with a command of soldiers, and lived here in tents until they could build 
log buildings, in which they wintered, and proceeded to erect the present buildings, into which 
they moved in 1830. Parties of soldiers went up the Wisconsin River, cut and floated down 
pine logs, out of which they cut all the lumber with whip-saws, and made shingles, timber, etc. 
Parties were set at work making brick near the bank of the Wisconsin, and another party sent 
out twelve miles, near Belle Fontaine, who made there all the lime needed. Fine gardens were 
made, where they raised all the vegetables necessary for the men and officers. 

1. Robert A. McCabe, a native of Pennsylvania, entered the army as an Ensign in January, 1812; participated in tlie battle «f 
Maguago, in Michigan, after which he was promoted to a lieutenancy and to a captaincy in 1824, serving much on the Northwestern frontier. 
He resigned in October, le3;j. He conducted two emi;;raling parties. L. C. D. 

* John Green, a native of Pennsylvania, entered tlie army in March, 1812, serving throughout the war that ensued, attaining the rank 
of Captain in 1814, IJrevet Major in 1824, Major in 18;j:i, Lieutenant Colonel in 1838, and dying at Tallahassee, Fla., September 21, 184(1. 

L. C. D. 

f W^addy V. Cobbs, a native of Virginia, entered the army as an Ensign in 1813, rose to Captain in 1810, Major in 1838, and died at 
Exeter, N. H., January 1, 184S. L. C. D. 

I James S. Mcintosh, born in Liberty County, Ga., June 19, 1787; entered the army in 1812; was in the affair at Sandy Creek, and 
wounded near Black Kook August :?, 1814 ; afterward served under Gen. -\Ddrew Jackson. He was Captain in 1817, Major in 1836, and Lieu- 
tenant Colonel in 183'.»; he served with distinction in the Mexican war, having been wounded during the battles of May 0, 184li, and was 
mortally wounded at the battle of Molino del Key, dying in the City of Mexico September 26 of that year. L. C. D. 

^ Ferdinand S. Mumford, of New York, a cadet from 1834 to 1838; he entered the army as Second Lieutenant; he became FitBt 
Lisutcnant in 18.39, Captain in 1848. and resigned in August, 1849. , L. C. D. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 419 

Although I met Twiggs, I had no particuhir acquaintance with him. He was a hirge, 
portly, pompous man, and had the reputation of being an arbitrary, overbearing officer — as Ebe- 
nezer Childs expressed it, "A little god, who could do as he pleased, in his own estimation." 
Many acts of his were told in the army, sucli as horsewhipping the Surgeon, having a soldier 
tied up to a tree and whipped every day for some time. The same man threatened to shoot 
him whenever he got out of his clutches; but he never had the opportunity, Twiggs being spared 
to turn traitor, and surrendered his army to the Confederates in 1861. 

When I arrived at the fort, the old chief De-kau-ry had his village on the west side of the 
Wisconsin River, about eight miles below the portage. His hair was as white as wool, and he 
must have been very old. He liad several brothers, but. from his looks, I should judge that he 
was the oldest of the family. He died soon after. His mother w.is pointed out to me some 
years afterward, when I was told she must be over one hundred and forty-three years old, for she 
recollected the massacre of the Indians at Butte des Morts, she being there at the time, which 
was 140 years previous ; but this, I think, must be a mistake, as I am informed that it was not 
so long since that massacre.* At the time I saw her, she was able to walk six or eight miles to 
and from the portage. She lived several years after, and finally came to her death by the 
burning of her wigwam. 

Joseph Crelie, the father of Madam Pauquette, lived to a great age. He carried the mail 
on horseback to and from Green Bay, and seemed to ride a horse as well as a young man, when 
he was thought to be one hundred years old. He died a few years ago, when, it was said, that 
from the best information that could be had, he was one hundred and thirty-odd years old, 
though I do not think he was as old as represented. 

In the fall of 1834, the Winnebago nation was assembled opposite the Fort, and received 
their payment from the Government, through the Quartermaster, together with a quantity of 
provisions. Over 3,000 men, women and children were assembled, which was quite a sight. I 
had a boat-load of goods started up from Green Bay, and, as it came on freezing weather, for 
fear it would be frozen in, I started Satterlee Clark down to put additional men on and rush the 
boat through. The next day, I jumped on a horse and started to meet them at Lake Pucka- 
way. I soon found I had taken a wrong road, it being a wood-track, on which the soldiers 
were hauling wood ; so I took a trail and followed it for some time, but concluded it led me too 
much east, so I drew up and started in a northwest course, as that would bring me to the road, 
which I finally struck ; and, knowing there was no other wagon-road, I took it and brought up 
at Gleason's house, where the town of Marquette now is. Gleason was a Vermonter, having a 
squaw wife, and was engaged in the Indian trade. He was absent. I found Clark had stored 
my goods there, and gone to the Fort, so I concluded I had missed him, I having traveled 
through the woods until I struck the road. The next morning, I started back, and, on arriv- 
ing at Pauquette's farm at Belle Fontaine, I met Clark, who said they thought at the Fort I 
must be lost; that Col. Cutler sent the bugler out with one man, with orders to blow the bugle 
and fire a gun every little distance. The Colonel, supposing I was not used to the woods, was 
sure I was lost. We got in all right, but the men did not put in an appeai'ance until a day < r 
two afterward. 

During the winter, it was rather a lonely life, to be confined to the garrison, with 'no city 
or village within 100 miles, and not even a farmhouse to visit. But we managed to enjoy our- 
selves pretty well, there being ladies enough to form one cotillon, and we often met at one of 
the officer's quarters, and danced, there being good musicians among the soldiers. 

One winter, the soldiers got up a theater, the officers contributing toward scenery and 
dresses. There being a great variety of character among the soldiers, they got up quite a 
respectable company, which afforded us much amusement. Then we would sometimes make up 
a party and go a-visiting, but, to do so, we had to go over 100 miles to Green Bay, Prairie 

* If in 17311, then it was 104 years before Mr. MttrreU*s advent at Fort WinOHba^o; if in 1746, as the trailition^ of Aiigustin Griguon 
fix the time, then it was only eighty-eiglit years before. But this aged Winnebago woman conld not have been presant, as it was the SaukB 
and Foxes, and not the Winnebagoes, whom the French attacked and deleated. L. C. D. 



420 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

du Chien, or Chicago. One visit we made to Chicago is very well told by Gen. Marcy, in a 
former number oi Harper' » Monthly * when we were all taken upon the road for stealing a buf- 
falo robe, for the purpose of filching money out of us, as they thought we would sooner pay 
than be detained at a log tavern over night. 

About the 1st of March, 1835, I got ready to start for New York on horseback, but the 
only sure way to go was via Galena, and from there to Chicago, as there were no roads through 
the country in any other direction, and if I attempted to cross the country to Milwaukee or 
Chicago, there were no bridges or ferries for crossing the streams. Capt. Harris, from Galena, 
came up to the Fort on business, and I gladly embraced the opportunity of accompanying him 
on his return. 

The first night, we stayed at Rowan's celebrated house, thirty-five miles from the fort. 
I had heard much of his inn, and found that it filled the bill. It consisted of two log buildings, 
with an open space about ten feet between, all under the same roof After taking care of our 
horses and getting something to eat, we inquired where we should sleep, and madam told us in 
the other house ; so we went in, and concluded we should do very well, as there was nothing in 
the room but a bed and one or two three-legged stools. After lying down, and by the time we 
were ready to go to sleep, there was an unearthly squeal and grunt of hogs in the open space 
between the two rooms, only a partition of logs between our heads and them. I was told that 
Gov. Doty once stayed there, and after supper, as was his custom, rolled himself in his blanket 
on the floor. The family all lived, cooked and slept in the one room, and in the night the 
Governor felt something poking about him, and found it was a pet pig the children had running 
about the house. The Governor felt of the puncheons of the floor, and found one loose, which 
he raised carefully, and, grabbing the pig, thrust him under, and was relieved of his company 
that night. The next morning, thei'e was a great search for the pig. 

Dr. Worrel, of the army, with a companion, arrived there at one time, and on hearing him 
called doctor, madam says, " I am dreadful glad you are a doctor, for my children are most rot- 
ten with the itch." When she was cooking supper, there was a dish of potatoes upon the 
hearth, and the pet pig stuck his nose in it ; the doctor says, '• Madam, I would like to be 
served before the pig." So, in traveling through the country, we came across some curious 
specimens of humanity. 

We journeyed on through Mineral Point to Galena; as we were going in, we met most of 
the population, as I judged, going out to a horse race. I called for dinner at Bonnet's Hotel, 
but it was difficult to get waited upon, as most of the folks had gone. So I got something to 
eat, and pushed on, taking the stage road via Dixon's Ferry. At night, I rode up in front of 
a house where a woman was standing in the door, and inquired if I could stay with them over 
night. " I reckon," said she. I looked at her, and thinks I to myself she means yes ; so con- 
cluded to find out by dismounting and walking in, when she informed me, as the men were not 
in, I would have to put my horse in the barn myself, which I was by this time well accustomed 
to do. I pushed on through Chicago around by Michigan City to Detroit, my pony and I 
'anding it well. I had prepared myself so well that I could stand it, storm or sunshine, 
i re I sold my pony, and took a steamer to Cleveland ; from there I had to stage it. 

T first visited Mineral Point in 1835, where I made many acquaintances ; Col. Abner 
Nichjls, a peculiar character, whom all will recollect who ever knew him; Col. William S. 
Hamilton, Col. Charles Bracken, Maj. Henry, Levi Sterling, Tom Parish, Mr. Black, a very 
amusing man — one who could keep a company laughing all the evening with his amusing 
stories; Col. Sheldon, Maj. Enos, Ebenezer Brigham, resident of Blue Mounds, who came into 
Wisconsin as a settler in 1828, a stanch, sound man ; James Morrison, who afterward settled in 
Madison ; Gen. Dodge, a firm old Roman, who, when in Congress as Senator with I. P. Walker, 
from Wisconsin, was instructed by resolution of the Legislature to vote against a clause in a 
bill applying to California, which was construed as admitting slavery. Walker, disregarding 

* September, 1869. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 421 

the dictation of the Legislature, voted for it. Gen. Dodge, being sick at the time, had himself 
carried into the Senate chamber, and when his name was called, requested the Clerk to read 
the instructions to her Senators from the Legislature of Wisconsin. When finished, he voted 
"No," which was looked upon as great a rebuke as could have been given to Walker, whose 
action then laid him on the shelf, for it was never forgotten or forgiven by the people of the 
State. Many others too numerous to mention I met there. 

After visiting Mineral Point, I called on friend N. Goodie, at Elk Grove, and then rode 
to the furnace of Tom Parish, a very genial man. Spending a short time with him, I pushed 
on, and it became very dark, and traveling on an Indian trail, so dark I could not see it, but 
let my horse take his own course. Finally I brought up to a fence, and following it, I came to 
a house where I was to stay, at Patch's Grove. I got into very good quarters, Mr. Patch being 
very sociable, as most people were in those days, for they were glad to see company and get the 
news, as probably they had no mails oftener than once a month, and neighbors being few and 
far between. After conversing a long time, he wanted to know what State I came from, for he 
said he could generally tell ; but in my case he could not make it out. When I told him I was 
from New York, he said he thought so ; for it was the only State he was puzzled about. The 
next morning, I followed a road to a ferry across the Wisconsin, and then pushed on three miles 
to Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien. 

This was my first visit to the great Father of Waters — the Mississippi, at Prairie du Chien, 

or "the Prairie of de d d dog," as I heard a Frenchman call it. At Fort Crawford I 

made many acquaintances, among them Col. Zachary Taylor, afterward General, and since 
President of the United States. Fort Crawford and most of the town were handsomely situ- 
ated on a beautiful plateau, rising, I should think, not more than ten or twelve feet above the 
high-water mark of the river. What was called the Old Town, where the French firSt built, 
was across a slough, but as the high waters of the river overflowed the ground, many moved 
across on to a higher situation. Here I became acquainted with Mr. Joseph Rolette, an old 
French trader, and a smart man in his way. He, together with Mr. Hercules L. Dousman, 
conducted the business of the American Fur Company. I had met them before, as their busi- 
ness took them, via Portage and Green Bay, to Mackinaw, through which route they transported 
all their fui's and peltries, Mackinaw being the depot of the company for the Northwest, where 
the furs were received and repacked, previous to being shipped to New York. Tiiis town [Prai- 
rie du Chien], being the oldest settled point, except Green Bay, by the whites, in the North- 
west, invested much interest in it. I thought it delightful, although there were but few 
Americans living there at the time, most of the inhabitants being French and half-breeds. 
Their houses were a curiosity to me, covered, as they were, I'oof and sides, with white cedar 
bark. The prairie is, I think, six miles long by about three miles back to the bluff. Like 
the locality where La Crosse is situated, I think it evidently all made ground, where ages ago 
was an extensive lake. 

The Mississippi is a noble river, it being filled with islands covered with a dense vegeta- 
tion, with the bluff sometimes rising perpendicularly to some hundreds of feet, varying in shape 
constantly at every turn in the river, with here and there a small valley or ravine reaching the 
stream from the hills or prairies ; and one never tires, while ascending or descending the river, 
in admiring the scenery. I was amused at the remarks of Daniel Whitney, from Green Bay, 
while he and I were standing on the bank watching the current. " Oh," said he, " I wish I 
had as many guineas as drops of water ever passed this place." I told him he was altogether 
too extravagant, laughing at his remark. 

In March, 1836, I wanted to go by the way of Sheboygan on a journey to New York, so 
the commanding officer gave a soldier by the name of Moore a furlough for the rest of his time 
— about a month — and his discharge, for the purpose of accompanying me. I got a jumper- 
sleigh and a harness, calculating to throw it away when it was necessary ; put my horse before 
it, and Moore and I started and went to Fond du Lac, where we found, on the bank of the 
stream, part of an old wigwam, and decided to encamp in it. I went to building a fire, and 



422 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Moore went to the stream for water. I heard him talking, and supposed some Indian had come 
up : but on his return he said he was swearing, for he had to cut through three feet of ice before 
he got water. We made our tea, ate our supper, and slept finely. 

Ne.xt morning we started east, but, after getting upon the high lands, the small bushes 
wore so thick, I told my companion we could not take the sleigh any further, so we left the 
sleigh and packed the baggage on the horse and took it oft foot. When I got tired, I mounted 
the horse and rode, and after getting rested would jump off and lead him. At length we struck 
a trail and followed it, supposing it must lead to Sheboygan, but, after going some distance, I 
concluded it led too far south. So we altered our course and struck north of east. As night 
approached, I selected a camping ground near a little lake, as we supposed. The snow was so 
frozen to the ground we could not get it off, so I cut a lot of bushes with the leaves on, and 
spread them on the frozen snow, upon which we laid ilown, after building a good tire and eating 
our supper. Moore said he cut through three feet of ice for water and struck into mud, thus 
proving it to be a marsh instead of a lake. We had to melt ice for water. 

The next day we pushed on, and, hearing the report of a gun, I called aloud and an Indian 
came up, who directed us to a trail, which took us to a house on the river, where a man by the 
name of Follett was living. I had intended stopping here a day to look at some land I had 
purchased, but Follett told me he had no hay or anything for my horse, and there was none to 
be had, as there were no other inhabitants in that region. I found he had some corn meal, 
and I persuaded him to let me have a peck for §1. I then decided upon going on in the 
morning. Moore struck up a bargain with Follett for a pony to ride to Chicago ; so we mounted 
in the morning and renewed our journey. At night we came to a place where logs had been 
put up for a house, inside of which we camped. We had provisions, but nothing for our horses. 
Next day, we arrived at Milwaukee, stopping at Mr. Vail's Cottage Inn. Here there was quite 
a crowd, so much so that they had to set several tables, and at meal times there was a great rush 
for the table. The hostler asked me how much oats he should give my horse. " Haifa bushel," 
I said. He stared at me. " I don't think they will hurt him," I added ; but when I came to 
settle the bill, they charged me at the rate of $3 a bushel for them, and I thought that was what 
astoni.shed him so much. I found that was the price along the road until we got to Chicago, for 
at that time provisions and grain had to be hauled from Indiana, and necessarily made the prices 
high. 

I sold my horse at Chicago and took stage, having the company of Capt. Hunter, since 
General, as far as Detroit. I became tired of stage-riding, and resolved to buy a horse the first 
chance I had, and secured one at Cleveland, thence going on horseback by way of Sacket's 
Harbor tr Utica, N. Y. I found I could get along by daylight as far as the stage could day and 
night, as the roads were heavy. 

On my return from Green Bay one season, I stayed at a house in the Stockbridge settle- 
ment, and, pursuing my journey alone through where Fond du Lac now is, seven miles south- 
west of it, I came to a creek, and there found a shanty put up by the soldiers when they were 
cutting a road through from Fort Winnebago. Thev had inserted some posts in the ground, and 
some poles across the top, with brush and a little straw for a roof. I concluded this was a good 
place to encamp, as it began to rain. So I spanceled my horse, ate my lunch, which I always 
carried with me through the country, then spread my horse blanket on some loose straw, hung 
up my saddlebags and saddle carefully, where I thought they would not get wet, and lay down, 
covering myself with the blanket and camlet cloak. But I had lain but a few moments 
before the Avatcr came in streams through the straw roof Soon I found the water settling under 
me ; it lodged upon the blanket and was forming a pool, so I pulled it from under me, and then 
the rain settled through the straw, and 1 went to sleep and slept soundly until afier sunrise. 

When I awoke, it was hard to get my eyes open ; I went to the creek and washed, when I 
found that all my clothing was soaking wet, even to my saddle-skirts. Having a flask of spirits 
along, I ate some crackers and took a good drink, saddled and mounted, it still raining. I 
hooked my cloak, letting it hang loosely around me, and rode through to the fort. It stopped 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 423 

raining in the afternoon, and from the exercise I got dry, at least next to my body. I never 
felt any ill effects from the thorough soaking I got, although I supposed, before my experience, 
that serious if not fatal results would have attended such an exposure. 

While I was Postmaster for many years at Fort Winnebago, for Dr. Charles W. Borup, 
who had charge of the American Fur Company's post at La Pointe — now Bayfield — near the 
head of Lake Superior, used to send through to me at Fort Winnebago, for his mail in the 
winter. The only way he could get it was to employ two or three voyageurs, as these men were 
called, who would come through prepared with their snow shoes, to use when necessary. In 
1836 or 1837, John Baptiste Dubay* came through with two men and a dog train. He pur- 
chased of me supplies (of flour and tallow principally) and loaded the train, together with a 
horse and French train which I sold him, and started off, four dogs hauling about 50U pounds 
on one train. They and the management of them were quite a curiosity. Those voyageurs, I 
was told, would start into the Indian country, carrying on their backs goods or furs to the amount 
of 150 pounds, and travel some days sixty or seventy miles. The daily rations allowed them 
were a pint of dry corn and two ounces of tallow. For anything else, they depended upon game 
or the Indians. This accounted for Boi'up's wanted tallow, which was at first a mystery to 
me. I had frequent communications from Mr. Borup for several years. He at last settled at 
St. Paul, I suppose retiring from business. 

One seasonf I arrived at Mineral Point on my way to New York, and found Messrs. M. 
M. Strong and John Catlin were going to Chicago, and they proposed we should all go together 
and strike a straight line for that place. We started, and went to the East Branch of the Peca- 
tonica, and found it full of running ice, so we concluded to encamp there, as we always went 
prepared with our blankets, etc., for it ; and, the next morning, we could build a raft so as to 
float our baggage over. In the morning, we cut down a small pine tree, and made two string- 
ers of it, and picked up some dry limbs, putting them across ; but we found it would not hold 
up our saddles. 

" Well," said Mr. Strong, " we can swim our horses across twice, and so get our baggage 
across," and he prepared himself, putting his papers in his hat, and swam his horse across, leav- 
ing his hat on the opposite shore, and returned ; by this time, he shook like an aspen leaf. We 
rolled him up in blankets, and he laid down by the fire, trying to get us to try it, but we 
declined. I told him I could swim my horse across once, but I would not try it twice, and the 
only way for us was to go to the West Branch, and around by Rockford. After urging us until 
he found it was of no use, he got warmed up, and mounted his horse and went over and got his hat 
and papers ; returning, we mounted and rode over to the West Branch ; then he got a canoe, 
and, putting our baggage in, swam our horses over by passing several times ; thence we went on 
to Rockford. 

One night we came to what we supposed a ravine full of water running from the prairie. 
Strong was on the lead. I, watching his horse closely, thought he stepped as though there was 
a causeway he was going over Catlin said to me, " Here is a narrower place ; I believe I will 
try it." I answered, " I see Strong has got over very well ; I will follow him," which I did, 
and Catlin followed me. But a little further on we came to a house we were to stay at over 
night. When we rode up, a man asked us which way we came, and how we got over the bridge. 
We told him we had not crossed any, when he said, if we had gone ten feet either side, we would 
have plunged into thirty feet of water. Strong tells the story that our horses crossed on the 
stringers, the bridge being carried off. We had a great deal of sport on our way, and I do not 
think either of us will ever forget the journey. 

Gov. Dodge, being at Portage in 1837, invited the Winnebagoes to send a delegation to 
visit their Great Father at Washington. Suspicious of a purpose to obtain their lands, they 

*Thi8 early voyageur and trader was born at Green Bay in 1810. L. C. D. 

tMoseB M. Strong states that he, in company with Mr. Merrell and Mr. Catlin, started on this trip from Mineral Point March 21, 
1837, reaching Chicago on the Seth. L. C. D. 



424 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

asked, " What for ? — to make a treaty?" The Governor evaded the point, suggesting that 
they could get acquainted with their Great Father, and obtain presents, and, after much per- 
suasion, it was agreed to send a delegation — Yellow Thunder and two other chiefs, the others 
being young men, generally sons of chiefs. Satterlee Clark accompanied them as one of the 
conductors. 

As soon as they reached Washington, they were beset to hold a treaty and cede their lands 
to the Government. They finally declined, saying they had no authority for any such purpose ; 
that the most of their chiefs were at home, who alone could enter into such a negotiation. Every 
influence was brought to bear upon them, and they began to get uneasy lest winter should set 
in and prevent their returning home. They were without means to defray their expenses back, 
and those managing Indian matters at Washington availed themselves of the necessities of the 
delegation, keeping them there, and urging them to enter into a treaty. 

At length they yielded, not their judgments, but to the pressure brought to bear upon 
them, and, while reluctantly signing the treaty, yet all the while stoutly protesting against hav- 
ing any show of authority to do so. The treaty, as they were informed, permitted them to 
remain in the peaceful occupancy of the ceded lands eight years, when in fact it was only that 
number of months ; and, as each went forward to attach his name, or rather mark, to the treaty, 
he would repeat what he understood as to the time they were to remain, " eight years," And 
thus the poor red men were deceived and outwitted by those who ought to have been their 
wards and protectors. 

One of the young men, son of a prominent chief, dared not, on his return home, visit his 
father for a long time. The whole nation felt that they had been outraged, and forced to leave 
their native homes. Yellow Thunder declared he would never go — that he would leave his 
bones in Wisconsin ; but he was invited, with young Black Wolf, into Fort Winnebago, on pre- 
tense of holding a conncil, when the gates were treacherously closed on them, and they and 
many others were conveyed by the United States troops beyond the Mississippi, But Yellow 
Thunder got back sooner than the soldiers who forced him away,* Then he induced John T. 
De La Ronde to accompany him to the Land Office at Mineral Point, and enter forty acres of 
land in his behalf, on the west side of the Wisconsin, about eight miles above Portage. At the 
Land Office, inquiry was made if Indians would be permitted to enter land? " Yes," was the 
reply, " Government had given no orders to the contrary," So Yellow Thunder, the head war 
chief of his peo]ile, secured a homestead, on which he settled, declaring that he was going to be 
a ■white man.t And there he has quietly lived ever since. 

The fraudulent treaty of November 1, 1837, caused the Government a vast deal of trouble 
and e.xpense, and very naturally engendered the most embittered feelings and recollections on 
the part of the Winnebagoes, Is it any wonder that we have Indian wars, when they are so 
treated ? I think it would be better to do as Great Britain does — not recognize any title in the 
Indians to the soil, and, when the lands are needed, say to them they must move, and give them 
a country where they can live, and make comfortable provision for them ; but probably it is too 
late to do that now. Still, it is wrong to deceive, cheat or mislead them, as they are as sharp to 
see through such management as civilized men, if not more so, for they have more time to think 

over transactions of this kind. 

*********** 

In 1839, I took charge of a fleet of lumber, and went on board a raft at the portage, float- 
ing down the Wisconsin to its mouth, and thence to St. Louis, I had a board shanty on the 
raft to sleep in, a canoe, or, as some called it, a " dug-out," so that when we came in sight of a 
town, I would jump into the canoe and paddle ahead, visit the town, and when the raft was near, 

*By the rep'irt eubniittei] to tliH House of Representatives, September 17, 1850, on the removal of the Winnebagoes, it appears that 
aboat 900 were forced from the Fort Winnebago region, while aI>out 300 remained in swamps, inaccessible to the troops bunting for them, of 
which there were over two regiments under Gens. W'ortli and Brooke. In 1816, a new treaty wa-* effected, by which it was stipulated that they 
were to rem»ve about 500 miles north of their allotted country in Iowa, and about 1,300 of them did so in the summer ot 1848, about 400 still 
lingering in Wisconsin and Iowa. In February, 1850, quite a band of them located between the Bad Axe and Black Kivera, became quite threat- 
ening and insolent; but they yielded to better counsels. L. C. D. 

fin the Report to Congress, in l.'*.50, on the removal of the Winnebagoes, Col. Francis Lee, commanding at Fort Howard, stated, in 
March of that year, that " Yellow Thunder lias bought forty acres of laud on Dell Creek, resided there, and is cultivating it.'' L. C. D. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 425 

go on board again. In this way, I called at nearly every town on each side of the river. After 
leaving the Wisconsin, we had all the Wisconsin rafts locked together, and floated down the Missis- 
sippi in that way. At some towns, men would comedown and take passage. I would tell them 
to come on. At one place, there was an old backwoodsman came on board, dressed with his 
hunting-shirt, bullet-pouch and powder-horn strung over his shoulder, having a long heavy riile, 
a quiet, modest old man, from Ohio. Soon after, there was a man of a very different class took 
passage, a swaggering boast of a fellow, from Texas. He had a small steel-barrel rifle, and told 
many large stories. Finally, he proposed to shoot at a mark with the old man, for the drinks 
all round, it being a fine calm day. So I put up a mark at one end of the raft, a board with a 
piece of paper the size of a silver dollar. The old mati did not shoot as close as I expected, 
and the brag rather beat him, but neither hit the mark. They then proposed that I should shoot. 
"Well," I said, "I will shoot the old man's rifle," and told him to load it. It was so heavy I 
could not hold it at arm's length, so I kneeled down and rested it over one knee, and drove the 
nail. That pleased the old man very much. The braggart left us at Fort Madison, without 
saying anything about the drinks, and the old man thought that was mean, not that he cared 
about the drinks ; but he could not get over his delight at ray beating him. I considered it 
rather luck than expertness. 

I enjoyed my trip vastly. I understood that one set of rafts, and one only, had been run 
down the river to St. Louis before mine, and many stories had been told of the dangers. I had 
a crew of Canadian Frenchmen, some of whom had had experience in Canadian waters. I got 
what information I could from the steamboat men about the river, and feared nothing; but at 
Dubuque some Frenchmen came on board and told my men we would have to hire a pilot, that 
we could not get over the rapids without, and they felt alarmed. I told them we would wait 
until we got to the rapids, and, if necessary, we would hire a pilot. I had learned enough of 
the river to know when we got to the rapids, from the descriptions given. So when we got 
into them and well down, " Here," says I, "boys, these are the great rapids you have been so 
much afraid of," at which they set up a tremendous shout and laugh. I heard no more of their 
fears, for it was the best running we had on the river. 

In 1840, a commission was sent to me by the United States Marshal, to take the census of 
the country, and, as there was no time to be lost, I started up the Wisconsin to Messrs. Camp- 
bell & Conant's mill, opposite where Stevens Point is now ; there I hired two Chippewas to 
paddle me up to Big Bull Falls, now Wausau. Leaving my horse at Little Bull Falls. I walked 
up along the west channel, while the Indians carried over the canoe. At Big Bull Falls, I found 
a mill built by Mr. George Stevens, who had not quite completed it. After getting the number 
of his employes, who constituted all the inhabitants, I started back in the canoe, and, on arriv- 
ing at Campbell & Conant's, I engaged Francis Shaurette and his brother to take me to the port^ 
age in a bark canoe, sending a boy with my horse. 

I had quite an exciting time of it going over Grand Rapids, but, having implicit confidence 
in the men, I had no fears. The way they would handle the canoe was admirable ; the one in 
the bow had as much to do in steering as the one in the stern, which was done by holding his 
paddle in the water and turning it when he wanted to change the course of the canoe, which 
sometimes had to be done almost as quick as lightning ; for now it would seem as though we 
must strike the bold rocks, and the bow seemed within a foot of them, but, as quick as thought, 
the canoe would sheer off" and clear them ; and such were the swells in the rapids, that the spray 
would dash all over us. I sat in the middle of the canoe, and enjoyed the ride very much. 
Further down the river, the rock views were grand and beautiful. At one point, we saw in front 
of us the rocks rising in one solid perpendicular front, a hundred or more feet, with the top 
scalloped, and pinnacles looking like some ancient fortifications, or the battlements of some old 
feudal castle. I wondered where the river was going to get by it, as it was directly facing us ; 
but the stream here took a turn, and we left the towering rock to the right of us. Then we 
passed through the dells, a narrow gorge through the rocks for nine miles, ending where Kilbourn 
City now is, the rocks rising in some places hundreds of feet perpendicularly, and deep water 



426 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

lashing the rocks on both sides, the abrasions of centuries having worked out the rocks into cor- 
nices, pilasters, etc., very much resembling the work of art. 

At another time, when I was coming down from the Upper Wisconsin alone on horseback, 
I was belated until it was so dark I could not see the trail, but had to let my faithful horse take 
his way, and he brought mc safely into Yellow Thunder's village. Yellow Thunder was the 
war chief of the Winnebagoes, and had his summer village about sixteen miles from the portage. 
I dismounted and went into a large lodge, twenty or twenty-five feet long, built of poles and 
covered with bark. Here I found Uandy and others, on a visit. Little Duck said to me " Go to 
my lodge; " so I followed him and soon reached it, a little distance off. I tied my horse near the 
entrance of his lodge, and he gave me .some corn with which to feed him, and some boiled corn 
for my supper, of which I had no need, as I had some provisions along. After this, he spread 
a clean mat on a sort of bunk made of poles, raised two feet from the gi-ound, reaching along 
the side of the lodge, for me to sleep on. On this I spread one of my blankets, and with the 
other one over me lay down and had almost got to sleep when, from the noise in the camp, I 
discovered there were drunken Indians about. I felt something touch me, and looking 
up saw it was the old man, who told me to take my horse into the bushes and tie him, giving 
me a long cord. I jumped up and led the horse off some distance into the bushes and tied him, know- 
ing the old Indian was afraid the drunken ones would meddle with him if they saw him. Then I 
returned and lay down again ; but gradually a drunken Indian approached the wigwam, as we 
could hear him, singing, crying and shouting all the time, as they generally do when they are 
drunk. Finally he came rushing into the lodge, and flung himself down by a few brands of fire 
in the center of the lodge, singing and grieving about something, I suppose because he could 
get no more whisky. In a short time the old man got up, called upon another Indian, and 
helped up the drunken fellow and marched him off, and, hearing no more of him, I slept 
finely. 

The ne.xt morning, I went out and found my horse had broken loose, and while I was look- 
ing for him. Dandy came up and wanted to know what was the matter. After telling him, he 
wanted to know how much cord was attached to him. Telling him as near as I could, he com- 
menced looking for his track and soon got on it. Following a short distance, he called to me 
and pointed out the horse, quietly standing by a large tree. I walked up to him and led him 
back to the lodge, and, after saddling him, mounted and bade good-bye to the hospitable 
Indians. 

Judge David Irvin was to hold court at the portage in, I think, 1841 or 1842. He sent 
me an appointment as Clerk of the Court, and as there was no time to lose, requested me to 
go to Columbus and have a jury list made out and put into the hands of the Sheriff. I did 
so, and the Judge held the first court in this county [then Portage] at the Franklin House, 
kept by Capt. Low — after which I resigned. 

In 1848, I was elected State Senator in the Second District, which embraced all that part 
of the State north of Dane County to Lake Superior, and including Sauk, Marquette, Green 
Lake and Portage Counties, since divided into eight or ten districts. I was elected as the 
Whig candidate, over the Hon. James T. Lewis, the Democratic nominee. In the Senate, 
there were but three Whigs. I served during tliis, the first session under the Constitution, 
which met at Madison on the 5th dav of June, 1848, and during the next session, which met 
on the 10th day of January, 1849. During these two sessions, there was an immense deal of 
work done, in organizing the State, revising the statutes, etc., etc. 

My first visit to La Crosse was in 1853, when I arrived in company with Benjamin L. 
Webb, of Detroit. La Crosse was then but a small village. The • United States Land Office 
had been removed there from Mineral Point. We met Judge Lord, Col. Rodolph, Hon. S. D. 
Hastings, Lieut. Gov. Timothy Burns, Ebenezer Childs (with whom I had long been acquainted) 
and many others. We stopped at the Tallmadge House over Sunday ; in the afternoon, I took 
a ramble nearly to the bluffs. La Crosse now, I believe, contains about twelve thousand inhab- 
itants ; then there could not, I should think, have been as many hundreds. 



HISTORY OF COLIMBIA COUNTY. 427 

We then took steamer for St. Paul, and a carriage thence a hundred miles above, crossing 
the Mississippi thirty miles west of Long Prairie, where the Winnebagoes were located, culti- 
vating the lands assigned them by the Government ; but they were uneasy, as I learned, for 
they were afraid of the Chippewa and Sioux Indians, which, I suppose, was the reason of their 
subsequent removal to a less exposed region. We returned, by way of Galena, to Fort Win- 
nebago. 

VII. — BY .1. T. KINGSTON. 

In the fall of 1836, Samuel B. Pilkington and the writer, the former a native of Ireland, 
while at Helena, on the Wisconsin River, heard of a very extensive forest of pine timber, and 
a spendid water-power on the Lemonweir River, about twelve miles from the mouth. As 
the Winnebago Indians had just sold their lands on the south side of that river to the Govern- 
ment, we conceived the idea of making an exploration in that direction, to ascertain the truth 
of those reports, intending, if matters were found as represented, to engage in the lumber 
business; but not then being just ready to make the trip, we concluded to wait until the next 
year. 

Accordingly, in the month of December, in the following year, 1837, we packed our Indian 
pony and started from Racine, to explore the valley in question. Our outfit consisted of a 
Mackinaw blanket and butcher-knife, an ax, a box of matches, and provisions for a week, besides 
the necessaiy camp fixtures, including a small fly tent. Firearms and ammunition we considered 
of no particular use, and carried none. 

We found but few settlers after crossing Fox River, thirty miles west of Racine, two or 
three at Spring Prairie, Luke Taylor and one or two others on Turtle Creek, near the present 
location of Delavan, a Mr. Johnson on the east e<lge of Rock Prairie, and Mr. Henry F. Janes 
living in a log house on the east bank of Rock River, near the present site of the city of Janes- 
ville. From Rock River to the four lakes, now Madison, no signs of the white man, but only 
a blazed line of trees, indicating the road to the future capital of the State. 

There being six or eight inches of snow on the ground, we did not reach Madison until 
about 9 o'clock on the second morning after leaving Rock River. Here we found a Mr. Peck 
and family. Col. A. A. Bird, and several other men, putting up the frame of a house for a hotel, 
and also some materials on the ground for the capitol building then in course of erection. From 
Col. Bird we obtained the proper directions, by landmarks, to reach Mr. Rowan's trading- 
post, on the military road, twelve miles from Fort Winnebago, and near the present village of 
Poynette. On the route from Madison, and ten or twelve miles out, we passed the body of a 
log house, afterward completed and occupied by a Mr. Lawrence, but no other marks of im- 
provement were noticed. We reached Rowan's late in the evening, tired, and glad to find a 
comfortable place for the night for ourselves and the pony. 

Following the military road, we reached Fort Winnebago about noon the next day, and 
found a stopping-place at the Indian agency house, owned by the Government, but then kept 
as a tavern by an Italian named Ubeldine, who had an Irish woman for a wife, and during our 
stay there of a week or more, we found the wife " the better man ; " at least Ubeldine was 
willing to acknowledge such to be the fact whenever any little family difficulty occurred, which 
was not unfrequent. 

Visited the fort next day, met Capt. Low, then in command, and also Mr. Henry Merrell, 
since of La Crosse, who kept a sutler's store near the fort. Procured a supply of provisions to 
last for six or eight days, and leaving the pony with Mr. Ubeldine, we proceeded. Passed the 
trading-post of Silas Walsworth, situated at the high point of land near the present railroad 
bridge over the canal ; followed the Point Basse trail about fifteen miles, to a cluster of bark 
wigwams, then deserted, situated on the land afterward owned and occupied for several years by 
Jared Walsworth. Camped here over night. Snow about a foot deep, and weather extremely 
cold. Tried the experiment of camping in a wigwam, but found it a bad one on account of not 
being able to keep up a sufficient fire. 



428 HISTORY OF COLl'MBl.V COUKTY. 

The next morning, continued on the trail three or four miles, and then struck west across 
the head of Dell Prairie, and reached the Wisconsin River at the foot of the Big Dell the even- 
ing of the second day after leaving the fort ; but finding the ice running in the river, and the 
crossing impracticable, we continued along the east bank of the stream until we found wood 
convenient and a good shelter from the wind, and camped for the night. In the morning, we 
started on our return to the fort, and reached there next day. 

We remained with Mr. Ubeldine about a week, and until the river closed sufficiently to 
cross on the ice, and again started on our explorations. Reaching the wigwams before men- 
tioned, we struck across the south end of Dell Prairie, arriving at the Wisconsin River opposite 
McEwen Rock. 

During our week's stay at the fort, there was quite a heavy fall of snow, and, after leaving 
the Point Basse trail, we found the traveling both slow and difficult. Before leaving on this 
second trip, Mother Ubeldine handed us a bottle of medicine, with the remark: '■'■ If you get 
frost-bited, try this ; it came from Auld Ireland." Feeling grateful for the kindly feelings 
which we knew accompanied the gift, we received it with thankfulness. 

The first night after leaving the fort, we camped about a mile from the east side of Dell 
Prairie. In the morning, we again started, but now without a trail, snow two feet deep, and 
weather extremely cold. Proceeding a few rods, we noticed a singular mound of snow, a short 
distance out of our direct course. Examined it, and found a one-horse sleigh, left a few 
days before by Robert Bloomer, on his way to the Grand Rapids. In the sleigh, we found a 
couple of smoked hams, some bread, crackers and chee.se. Made a note of it as a good place 
to obtain a supply of provisions on our return, if needed. 

Arriving at the edge of the prairie, and facing a cold west wind, we soon felt unmis- 
takable evidence of the frosty atmosphere, so much so that we concluded to halt and try 
the remedy in the bottle ; but here we found a difficulty — how to apply it. After mature 
consultation and reflection, we concluded to try an inward application, and I must say the result 
was equal to our highest expectations. And here I will digress so far from the narrative as to 
say that, although we found repeated occasion to try the " medicine," and always with the most 
satisfactory results, yet I would not recommend it as a remedy for constant use ; but only on 
occasions when you are making your way on foot through snow two feet deep, with a week's 
provisions in your pack. 

The second day we made across the prairie, and camped only two or three miles from the 
camping-place the night before. The third day, we crossed the Wisconsin, and camped that 
night on the higher part of the land at the foot of the Big Dell. Made three or four miles in 
distance this day. Weather continued extremely cold. Made our first and only experiment 
with dry pine-wood to keep up our fire for the night. Midnight, wood all gone; almost 
perished before morning. 

Fourth morning, up very early. Made the Lemonweir about noon, but were in consider- 
able doubt, owing to the crooked nature of the channel and the numerous sloughs, whether we 
had found the river we were looking for or not. Finally, to settle the matter beyond doubt, we 
concluded to follow the stream down to the mouth, and finding the country to answer the 
description given us before, we retraced our steps on the ice, and camped that night at Proon- 
sal's Trading Post, about two or three miles above the mouth of the river, which we found 
unoccupied. 

The Lemonweir had frozen over after the late heavy fall of snow, and this made the trav- 
eling comparatively easy. 

The fifth and sixth days, we followed up the river, on the ice, broke through two or three 
times, went ashore, built fires and dried our clothes, and then continued on. On the morning 
of the seventh day, we ate our breakfast, consisting of two crackers each, on the present site 
of the village of New Lisbon ; and then — December 29, 1837 — started on our return down 
the river, for Fort Winnebago. Following the other tr;iils, or slides, cutting the bends of the 
river, we found the distance greatly shortened ; tightened our belts two or three times a day, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNT Y". 429 

dreamed at night of the good times coming ; examined our depot of supplies, in the sleigh, but 
found that some " good Indians " had been there before us. 

Continuing on our journey, we arrived at the fort on the afternoon of December 31, the 
third day after turning back, weaker but not much wiser men — only learning that our exten- 
sive pine forest was a myth, and that our anticipated lumber speculation was a failure. 

Vni. — BY ROBERT L. REAM. 

Having business at Fort Winnebago, and there being no travel in that direction, I was 
compelled to make the journey [from Madison, in the latter part of April, 1838] alone, so I 
negotiated with Mr. Ubeldine for a roan-colored, bob-tailed Canadian pony, with cropped mane, 
large ears and white belly. Mr. Ubeldine kept the only livery stable, and this was the only 
horse to be hired in Madison. On this imposing steed I seated myself next day and started 
for the fort, forty miles distant by the trail. There was no wagon road from Madison in that 
direction, and the only two houses between there and the fort were those of William Lawrence, 
near Token Creek, and Wallace Rowan's hotel, on the military road, some thirty miles distant 
from Madison. At this hotel I put up for the night, and, being not much used to that particu- 
lar mode of locomotion, was very tired. Rowan's wife served me bountifully with hoe-cake 
and bacon. I then went to sleep and slept soundly until toward morning, when I was aroused 
by several cocks crowing simultaneously, in close proximity to my bed. I did not discover 
until daylight that the foot-rail of my bedstead was the roost of Mr. Rowan's chickens. 

I remained the next night at Fort Winnebago, and picketed my pony on a grass-plat near 
the hotel, giving him about thirty feet of rope. The hotel was the only house where travelers 
could be entertained, outside the garrison. Mr. Henry Merrell and his family lived in it. I 
found the accommodations excellent. An amusing incident occurred thei'e that night, which I 
cannot help mentioning. In the room in which I slept were four beds, one in each corner, and 
all curtained. I occupied one of these beds, and it appears that the other three were occupied 
by gentlemen and their wives. In the night, we were all aroused by a cry of " Robbers ! 
thieves ! Indians !" etc. All started up at the alarm, the ladies shrieking with fright. The 
room was dark, and, in the confusion, we ran against each other very amusingly. When a 
light was struck, the scene was extremely ludicrous — ladies in their night-clothes, looking like 
affrighted ghosts, some of them clinging to the wrong man ; men without any night-clothes, and 
very little of any other kind, making frantic exertions to find out the cause of the disturb- 
ance. The supposition was that some soldiers had been on a carousal, and had mistaken the 
hotel for the garrison ; but, under the charge of Capt. Low, such a breach of the regulations 
would never have been allowed, and the cause of the alarm was. not satisfactorily explained. 

I found my pony safe in the morning. The " gallinippers " had worried him badly, and 
kept him in motion most of the night. The blood was still oozing through his perforated skin. 
Then, and not until then, did I realize the true force of the expression, " thicker than mosqui- 
toes." The atmosphere was literally filled with them. In those days, persons in the habit of 
traveling much were obliged to protect their faces and heads with gauze or mosquito-bar veils, 
so very great was the annoyance of these insects. 

I will here digress, and relate some of the incidents told me at that time about the frontier 
soldier's life : , 

It often happens that the Government troops in these Western outposts become badly 
demoralized and mutinous. When watched so closely that they cannot safely carry bottles or 
jugs of liquor into quarters, they resort to every imaginable means of smuggling it in. They 
have been known to saturate their blankets, overcoats and other garments with whisky obtained 
of the sutler ; then pass the guards unsuspected, and, after reaching quarters, wring out the 
whisky and drink it. 

Shortly previous to my visit to the fort, a mutiny was threatened there. Capt. Low was 
in command. The sentinels at the gate refused to obey orders, which was reported to the 



430 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Captain. He made his appearance in due time, and demanded an explanation. As the sentinel 
■whom he suspected for disloyalty was performing some e.xtra evolutions, which the Captain did 
not care to exactly undei'stand, he suddenly raised his right foot and dexterously brought it with 
full force against tlie head of the sentinel, and brought him sprawling at his feet. This impro- 
vised tactic, not in the manual, was so demonstrative that the mutineers quailed before him, and 
at once subsided into submission, and no further attempt at mutiny was made during his com- 
mand at the fort. 

Returning to Madison, I spent the next night at Mr. Rowan's, slept in the same bed, and, 
as before, was awakened at cock-crowing. At the dawn of day, I discovered what I thought 
was a small flock of sheep, scattered around on the floor, but, on closer observation, I found 
they were Indians. They had come in during the night from some trading-post, where they 
had obtained new white blankets, and had taken possession of the floor, without ever disturbing 
my slumber. 

From Madison back to Monroe, there was no mode of conveyance, and I made this journey 
on foot in one day. It was then fully forty miles by the meanderings of the road. There were 
no bridges, and I was obliged to wade Sugar River and its tributaries, as well as several large 
marshes, in some of which the track lay knee-deep under water, and I sufiered severely with the 
rheumatism in consequence thereof. 

IX. — BY HUGH m'fARLANE. 

Andrew Dunn, A. Barker, Jonathan Cole, J. Garrison and I made claims in December, 
1837, west of the Wisconsin River. My claim and Dunn's were located on Section 8, Town- 
ship 12 north, of Range 9 east, in what is now the city of Portage, and extending back into 
Section 17. The other three — Cole, Barker and Garrison — made their claims adjoining ours 
on Sections 17 and 18. There were several other claims made at the same time by people who 
lived at Portage prior to our coming there. One Ubeldine, who kept hotel in the Indian agent's 
house, also made a claim joining us. He was an Italian and had a wife, the only white woman 
around Portage, outside the fort. Perrin and Buckley also made claims further down the 
river. I built a house on my claim in December, 1837 ; the others improved their claims by 
fencing. Dunn, Barker, Cole and Garrison made my house their headquarters until spring, 
when they intended to build houses on their claims. 

The only white settlers at this time, besides those who made claims, were Jared Walsworth 
and his father, Silas Walsworth, afterward known as Judge Walsworth. There was a trader's 
shanty on the river, below Bronson avenue, and four houses on the Menomonee land. Two 
stood immediately south of where Wood's store and the bank block now stand, near the canal. 
Two stood near where Mac street strikes the Wisconsin River. There was no person living in 
them in 1836-37. Before building our own house across the river, we camped in one of the houses 
immediately back of the bank building in 1838. There was a house built at the point where 
the St. Paul & Milwaukee Railroad crosses the canal. It was built for a boarding-house for tlie 
hands employed in building the canal across the portage. It had a large bell on top for call- 
ing the canal men from labor to meals. In the spring of 1838, Capt. Gideon Low, having 
resigned his office* and been relieved from command at Fort Winnebago, built a hotel on the flats, 
near what is now Bronson avenue, and commenced keeping hotel. He also, in the spring of 
that year, made a claim in the town of Caledonia, where Mr. McKinzie now lives, called at that 
time the Indian farm. Leon Braun, a Frenchman, with his half-breed wife, made a claim in 

1837, where Moses Pauquette now lives, in the town of Caledonia. 

In 1838, there was at the east end of the portage, on the Fox River, some houses ; among 
these were the American Fur Company's trading-house and Daniel Whitney's storehouse. In 

1838, Henry Merrell, after he quit being sutler at the fort, and being appointed Postmaster, 
commenced trading on his own account. He first opened his goods in one part of the sutler's 

♦Captain Low did not roign his office until February, 1840. — En. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 431 

Store, on the south side of the military roftd, about one hundred yards from the bridge across the 
Fox River. He boarded with the officers at the fort. In 1838, he built a store on the portage 
side of Fox River, and moved his goods and post office into the building. In 1838-39, he 
built a dwelling near his store and moved out of the fort. He then became a resident of what 
is now the city of Portage. In 1838-39, Mrs. Capt. Low and her two daughters, with Mrs. 
Henry Carpenter, and the one already mentioned, made, in all, five white women residing in 
Portage. There were considerable many French and half-breeds whom I do not recollect. 
John D. La Ronde was there in 1837. 

In 1838, there were no other white settlers in Columbia County, to my recollection, except 
Wallace Rowan and his wife. She was a white woman, but highly tinged with yellow, so much 
so that, at one time, I stopped at the hotel kept by her and her husband, at the place where 
Poynette is, when Gov. Horner was also a guest. He was a very social man, and, in conversa- 
tion with Mrs. Rowan, the landlady, he asked her to what nation or tribe she belonged. She 
answered, " Goll darn it, I don't belong to any tribe ! I came from Indianer." 

Maj. Dickason and wife were afterward on the Crawfish River, where Columbus now is, with 
his family. Clark Young came in 1838, also Alexander McDonald. There were two other white 
traders at Portage — one by the name of Wood, a Scotchman, and one by the name of Taffey 
Jones, a Welshman. There was also a man known as " Bill Tibbets," who was clerk for Henry 
Merrell. 

The reason for my making a claim at Portage was, the Fox River had just been meandered 
by Maj. Stevens, of Galena, 111., and a report made by him to Congress for the improvement of 
the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and to unite the same by canal. Among other things, the report 
set forth that the land was flat and low between the Fox and Wisconsin, where the canal began 
and terminated ; that there was no place for a town to be built, except on the hill where the 
fort stood, or on the west side of the Wisconsin River. Seeing this in the Oongressional Grlobe, 
of which I was a subscriber, my mind was made up to get that point at all hazards. 

In 1837, when I made my claim and built my house, and we were living in it, it was all 
chinked with dry grass that we cut with our knives. We could not get mud, as it was all sand 
around us ; we also cut hay for our beds. 

We were living quite comfortable, when, one night, while all were in bed and asleep, the 
Indians set fire to the tall grass on the windward side of our house, and, it being chinked with 
hay, it caught fire. We were soon awakened with smoke and flame. We had to run for our lives 
and get under the bank of the Wisconsin River, for protection against our own fireirms. There 
were four loaded rifies and two brace of double-barreled rifle-pistols, also loaded, in the house, 
and we were afraid of them, not knowing in what direction they might shoot. Well, by this 
fire, we were cast out of house and home, half naked, our provisions and clothing being all 
destroyed. 

This was the 28th of December, 1837. The Wisconsin River closed that evening, the 
anchor ice gorging on the island below and filling up the channel ; so we had but this choice 
left : to cross on the ice five hours after it froze over, or freeze to death. There was some 
lumber on the river, above the Pauquette place, now the Barden place. We went to the pile, 
and, without any noise, took from it each two boards*, sixteen feet long and one inch thick, 
and placed them on the ice. Then, in a low whisper, we consulted how to proceed. Andrew 
Dunn, who was my brother-in-law and my partner, volunteered to go first and try to get 
across, and, if successful, to give one whistle, which was the signal for the rest to proceed ; 
two whistles were to be the sign for great caution. Dunn and I both started, however, and 
I must say that it was the only time in my life that I thought of dying. Home, sweet home, 
with its many endearments, went through my mind like lightning. We started on the two 
boards, on our knees, pushing one board forward, then leaning on that board, we would push 
the other ahead, and so on till we got across. As soon as we got across, we gave the two 

*The reason for taking each two boards waa, that they would cover more surface on the weak ice. 



432 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

whistles, denoting caution. We listened, and could hear our partners slowly approach. They 
got over safe. 

I think there never were four human beings who tendered up to the throne of God more 
fervent prayers than we did, for our safe deliverance. 

After we got across, we went as fast as we could, with nothing on our feet but stockings. 
The ground was frozen hard, and no snow on it. We. could hardly keep from freezing. 
We got, at last, to Walsworth's trading-house, nearly chilled to death. We got warm punch, 
drank of it, felt good, got something to eat and went to bed on the floor, with plenty of 
Indian blankets under and over us. We left for our home at Mineral Point, to get a new- 
outfit. 

We came back in a month with a team and sleigh, laden with stuff, and went to making 
rails and fencing. We lived in one of the unoccupied houses belonging to the American 
Fur Company. Some of the time, we boarded at the Indian-agency house, kept by Ubel- 
dine. We paid $3 a day for board, the currency we had being only worth 50 cents on the 
dollar. 

My partner, Andrew Dunn, went into trade, keeping a general supply for lumbermen, up 
the river, and, at the same time, looked after our claim. I went back to the lead mines, to 
wind up our business there, and, in 1840, returned, with my wife and family, to Portage, and 
my partner and I bought out the Veeder Mills, on Mill Creek, I taking charge of the 
lumbering department, while Dunn staid at Portage, keeping a supply and trading store. 

At this time, the opening of the pinery gave a new start to everything, as Portage was 
the general place of supply. Clark Whitney at this time settled at Portage, and occupied the 
old Whitney storehouse. He soon after got married. Richard F. Veeder was the next set- 
tler, and occupied a house of accommodation for travelers. Then Andrew Dunn and Henry 
Carpenter built a hotel where the United States Hotel now stands. Next came Charles 
Temple, a lawyer, who married one of Capt. Low's daughters. Then came Jacob Low, son 
of Capt. Gideon Low. With him arrived John Schoemburgh, a son-in-law of the last-named. 
The next arrival was John Smith. 

X. — BY N. H. WOOD. 

In 1848, I was a merchant in Little Falls, N. Y.; got the Western land fever, and, with a 
pocketful of land-warrants, attended the Free-Soil Convention held in Buffalo in August of that 
year, and left for a journey around the lakes to Milwaukee, which city was enjoying the first 
visit of a negro minstrel troupe ; left at once for Fond du Lac, where, procuring a horse and 
plats of Columbia County from John Bannister, I started for Fort Winnebago. There were 
three equestrians in the party. Judge Warren, of Kingston, was the leader. We took the old 
military track ; found but few settlers between Fond du Lac and Kingston, the community at 
Cresco being north of us. The Judge, who had avowed his intention of dining at the first 
cabin whose mistress had a clean apron, halted about north of what is now Dartford. The set- 
tler had a field of ripe oats, and gave bundles to our horses. The " checked apron, clean," 
cooked us pork, potatoes and biscuits. At that day, no one expected more at a hotel, unless 
sauce from black, over-ripe, unpeeled Jersey peaches, which was added to encourage dyspepsia. 

At Green Lake, or Little Green, as it was called, we found Sat. Clark, a stanch Cass 
Democrat, trying to discourage his ill-advised neighbors, who had met to form a " Free-Soil 
Club," the news of the Buffalo Convention having reached them. This demonstration and a 
speech afterward at Fond du Lac by John Codding, the Free-Soiler and Abolitionist, was all I 
heard of " free-soil " in Wisconsin in 1848. 

At Kingston, we found a hotel without paint, and a mill in progress of construction, per- 
haps a dozen houses and a store. At Fort Winnebago, I found Capt. Weir and the garrison 
building shining ; Henry Merrill, with a small stock denoting Indian trade, and a departed gar- 
rison ; Capt. Low in the old Franklin House near by : Henry Carpenter in a long, one-story 






'f^ .^/c^^^^/.t 



ARLINGTON. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 435 

building where the United States Hotel was built in 1851. The Deans, of Madison, had a store 
near Carpenter's. " Dick " Veeder had removed from the bank of the Wisconsin River, and was 
keeping hotel near the present City Hotel. He was the only hotel-keeper within forty miles 
who sold any other liquor than whisky. Besides these, we remember Dunn, McFarlane, Clark, 
Whitney, Judge WalswOrth, who had married Pauquette's widow, and kept the ferry, living 
where S. W. Borden now lives, or, rather, had his small office and a barrel of whisky, exactly 
where Borden's house stands. I remember the barrel distinctly, because I was running section 
lines on the Baraboo, and, as the expense of crossing and recrossing the river to Carpenter's 
was $1, I sometimes stopped with the Judge, and, as he had a few Indians for guests, and said 
Indians were partial to fleas, I explained to the Judge that I was only a moderate drinker, and 
would prefer the office. I was allowed to sleep on the floor. 

There were at that time but few people in the county, among whom were Mr. Gay, of 
Belle Fontaine, James Bonney, Mr. Brice, who had a large family of girls, and, I believe, all 
" schoolmarms," for a short time only, as the matrimonial market was active, and shilling calico 
looked like silk. I asked Carpenter where I could get my linen " lilified." His reply was, 
" If you hear of a d — d homely woman, promise to marry her, and you may get it done." 
Doubting his authority, I made siege to Mrs. Carpenter and her girl, who were both remarka- 
bly good-looking, and the bundle came back washed ; but, remember, I was then only twenty- 
eight years of age ; but the girl got married speedily, and, one Saturday, Carpenter and myself 
visited the Prairie. Perhaps it was in the town of Scott, or Randolph, but then known as Port- 
age Prairie, from Lake Emily to a great distance east and south. We found the girl and her 
terms, which, besides a good salary (which was expected), she stipulated a journey home by 
Carpenter's team each Saturday, and a return journey Monday ; and it being Saturday, we 
returned. Carpenter agreeing to send his team again Monday. Such was " modern hired help " 
in 1848. 

In journeying to and fro, we only call to mind the Welsh settlement in Caledonia, " Daddy " 
Robinson at the mouth of the Baraboo, who was a genius in many respects, and who could impart 
more animation to a crowd of promiscuous people than any man 1 ever saw, except Henry Ward 
Beecher. Jamison kept a hotel at Poynette, where, in the basement of his log house, we could 
hear the best songs of Robert Burns executed in a masterly style. Dekorra had quite a huddle 
of buildings. Wilson had settled in Dekorra, Fred Curtis and Low in Lowville. Lots of 
Welsh were arriving, who first settled in groves, bordering upon the prairie, many of them 
without teams, and foot-paths were more observable across the prairies of the eastern portion of 
our county than wagon roads, as the Welsh never neglect the assembling of themselves together. 
The towns of Marcellon, Scott, Randolph — indeed the entire eastern or prairie portion of the 
county — had many settlers just arrived, among whom were a sprinkling from older States and 
England and Scotland. 

In 1851, I again visited Portage and arranged to have my buildings put up in Pacific. 
Came this time by team. Stopped at Birdsey's Hotel, in Columbus, which, being the oldest 
and most populous town, had, up to this time, been the county seat ; it had been removed to 
Wyocena, where it stayed a year, and was afterward removed to Fort- Winnebago, the records 
being kept in the barracks and the courts held there. A Wyocena farmer had brought a load 
of oats to Birdsey, who, having the stage horses to feed, was the only man in the county known 
to buy oats regularly for cash, which was hard to get in those days. Birdsey saw at a glance 
that a sale of his oats for cash was vitally important to the Wyocenean, and turning around to 
the farmer, his eye gleaming with mockery, said to him : " Why don't you sell your oats at the 
county seat ? " The man and his load returned. But what a change was here in Portage ! I 
found a young city on the Menomonee land, where the center of Portage now is, and all the 
adventurers in the State were here. The regular day's work in " Gougeville," as it was then 
called, was to punish a respectable amount of whisky, have several knock-downs and fights, jump 
at least six claims, and have as many lawsuits daily — a good school for young lawyers and 
pettifoggers. I found the canal partly dug. I found half of my big white-oak trees from the 

H 



436 . HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Baraboo alongside of the new locks then building, and McNeal, the contractor, and the Canal 
Commissioner, willing to pay for the same, but insisting that, as it was a State work, the State 
had a right to take its material where it could find it. Wonderful to tell, before I had fairly 
settled, railroads, which were hardly known west of Buffalo in 1850 (which reached Chicago, I 
believe, in 1851), "came as the winds come," impelled by a conviction among our farmers 
which amounted to an insane desire to mortgage their farms to build railroads and thereby 
obtain a permanent fortune. Of course, the population of Portage, adventurous from the first, 
continually changed, we losing many excellent men who have shone elsewhere, among whom we 
will name Chief Justice Dixon and Judge Pulling, also C. J. Pettibone, now of Fond du Lac, 
a merchant prince there and the hardest competitor the writer remembers. The first introduc- 
tion resulted in the mutual conviction that we two should fight for patronage. 

I think the settlers of Columbia County generally were as good and as practical men as 
any in the State ; the best of these, however, chose the prairie, and, of course, those who set- 
tled in the sand had less means, and, perhaps, less merit. The result, however, has shown that 
Pacific and Lewiston farmers, where they invested in stock, dairy and corn-raising, have suc- 
ceeded remarkably upon small means, and a dealer in agricultural implements tells mc that his 
promptest customers are in Pacific, Lewiston, Caledonia, Dekorra, Fort Winnebago and towns 
rated second-class, their crops and stock together seeming to insure success, with less disap- 
pointments than among more extensive wheat-growers. 

XI. BY WILLIAM T. WHIRRY. 

From a retrospective point of view, it seems but yesterday that the stillness of centuries on prai- 
ries and openings was broken by the advent of the pioneers ; but a present view (1873) dispels that 
illusion, and discloses the fact that the writer is the oldest settler of the English-speaking popu- 
lation of the town, and very forcibly reminds us that our old settlers are rapidly passing away — 
some to their last long homes, and some to the new homes in the West, and with them much that 
would be interesting and instructive to posterity ; and it is also to be regretted that the history 
of the town was not written years ago, when the actors were all here and able to refresh each 
other's memories with the trials and incidents inseparably connected with a pioneer life, and 
which will never be heard of more ; yet it is well to save from oblivion what we can while we 
can ; a few years hence would be too late. A quarter of a century makes great changes in a 
new country, and those who reside here now know but little of the trials and privations con- 
nected with the early settlement, but something might be imagined from the fact that in those 
times there were no roads, no stores, no post offices, no mills, no schools — nothing but a vast 
extent of beautiful, boundless country, just as nature had fashioned it, and the first settler might 
have exclaimed, " I am monarch of all I survey." 

The nearest post office [to the town of Randolph] was at Watertown ; there they went for 
groceries.; to Watertown or Janesville to mill ; to Columbus to vote, and to Fond du Lac to 
attend district conventions; our Senate and Assembly Districts (then called Council and Repre- 
sentative), even as late as 1846, consisted of ivhat was then the counties of Manitowoc, Sheboy- 
gan, Brown. Marquette, Fond du Lac, Portage, Calumet and Winnebago, nearly one-third of 
the State. Then, again, imagine the difference in living, for in those days wheat flour was a very 
scarce article, because but few could raise any wheat until they had been here two seasons, one 
to break up the land and rot it, and another to raise the crop in ; and, if a family got out of 
flour, there were no stores to go to in order to buy more, and but seldom any money ; nothing 
to do but borrow (unless, as was sometimes the case, all hands were out), until some lazy ox 
team arrived with all the grists of the neighborhood, after an absence of perhaps a week or more. 
Buckwheat and cornmeal was extensively used, the former sometimes ground in a coffee-mill and 
screened through a cloth and made into pancakes, and when they had flour they frequently had 
nothing to mix with it but water, and no meat, potatoes, butter or milk, to eat with it, and, after 
it was baked, it was as hard as a stone; but it had one redeeming quality, it would keep well, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 437 

SO that the getting-up of a meal was a simple operation after the bread was baked. The cook 
was not puzzled to know whether the meal would suit the taste of all or not ; there were no side 
glances cast around the board to see what delicacies were put on to tempt the appetite ; no one 
said "Not any, I thank you." Hard tack was all that they expected and hard tack they got, 
and they were satisfied, and believed that man's natural wants were but very few indeed. Again, 
all the schooling their children got, was what they were taught at home by some one of the family 
or by any female they could find who could read, write and cipher, and could be spared a few 
hours a day to instruct them, which was a rare thing, as they had all too much work to do ; for 
as soon as a settler had selected a piece of land, the first thing to be done was to provide shelter 
for his family, which, with some of the earliest settlers, was done by setting some crotclies in 
the ground and covering the tops with poles and wild hay, and the sides in the same manner, 
making a primitive shelter, impervious to wind and water ; and in some instances, if the family 
was large or they took in boarders — which was frequently the case in consequence of newcomers 
arriving — they would make bedrooms in the same manner but on a smaller scale, just high enough 
to creep into, and just long enough to lie at full length, and with the ground covered with hay; 
and though they didn't exactly live in clover it was the next thing to it — they lived in hay and 
were comfortable and contented, and when night came they would creep into their nests and 
sleep soundly, while packs of cowardly, hungry wolves rent the air with their unearthly bowl- 
ings, for the reader must bear in mind that, for a number of years, the large gray wolves were 
quite numerous, and that the smaller prairie wolves were very plenty, running in packs and 
howling all night long ; and also, as a matter of course, deer were very plenty, but when the 
deer left or were killed off, the wolves left also. But to return — a few who came late in the 
season, or were not able to build a house in time, and, dreading the cold winter, would dig a 
hole in the ground and cover the top with boards or hay, and in such a burrow or dungeon they 
passed their first long and dreary Wisconsin winter, and patiently, yet anxiously, awaited the 
approach of spring. How they passed their time must be left to the imagination of the reader, 
for even a log house must be a palace in comparison with a hole in the ground. To one of these 
subterranean dwellings a surveyor came one day in the spring, according to appointment, to sur- 
vey the land, but a heavy snowstorm had fallen during the night, and he found the place 
with difficulty, and only by shouting and waiting until those below had heard him and dug their 
way out through the heavy snowdrifts. But after these temporary shelters had been provided, 
the next thing to be done (and that was their highest ambition at that time), was to build a log 
house, which was done by cutting and hauling the logs, splitting out some oak shingles, or haul- 
ing some logs to a mill to be sawed into boards for floor, roof, etc., making it a hee, rolling up 
the logs and chinking and daubing the interstices with mud or clay. Every one helped cheer- 
fully, and it is pleasant to think how proud evei'y one was to have such rude hovels to live in ; 
and many did live in them for years, quite comfortable and happy. Some of our well-to-do 
farmers, who now live in stately mansions, recollect with pleasure the many happy years spent 
in that old log house, with parlor, kitchen, bedroom and storeroom, all in one, with its pole lad- 
der to mount up into the chamber, which was another single room of low dimensions, perhaps 
divided off with quilts, blankets, etc., and it would puzzle many a good housewife now to stow 
away so many mortals as used to find accommodations in that old log house, for if travelers or 
emigrants came along they were welcomed in a spirit of hospitality seen nowhere at the present 
day. Taverns had been left behind, and it was considered a pleasure to divide what little they 
had with them, and to those who thought of settling there to assist them in looking up land, 
nearly all seeming to try who could do the most to help the stranger in a strange land ; and it 
cheered up many a one who was fatigued and discouraged with the trials they had undergone 
since leaving a comfortable and perhaps luxurious home elsewhere. These were times that tried 
men's souls, and bodies, too, for there was work to be done which money could not purchase if 
they had it ; but money was a scarce article, so that all hands had to work, and they did work 
with a will. Fences had to be made, which required some hard work pounding to split the logs 
into rails, and before they could raise a crop the land had to be broken up, which required 



438 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

five yoke of oxen attached to a stout breaking plow ; and then, after they had raised a crop of 
wheat, it had to be hauled by teams all the way to Milwaukee, over roads which would now be 
called impassable, and only to get from 40 to 50 cents per bushel ; and many times it has taken 
the proceeds of a load to pay the expenses, as will be recollected to the sorrow of many an old 
settler. The writer remembers an instance of a man who stopped on his place while going to 
Milwaukee with a load of wheat, and stopped again on his return, about two weeks after, stating 
that he had spent the proceeds of his load, and had been compelled to borrow $5 in order to 
enable him to return home. After that, can any one wonder that the railroad swindlers and 
their agents succeeded so well in getting nearly all the farmers whose farms were unencumbered 
to mortgage them and be thus cheated. 

It is hard to tell who were the first white persons who ever set foot on territory now con- 
stituting the town of Randolph; but there is not much doubt that they were hunters, for a 
Frenchman, who died about three years ago near Lake Emily, over one hundred years of age, 
was wont to relate to the writer that these prairies and the adjacent lakes and marshes used to 
be a favorite resort of Canadian hunters, of whom he was one, who used to come here annually, 
over fifty years ago, in quest of furs, etc., at which time deer and other game were very numer- 
ous ; and in 1846, in one of my rambles, I found on an island in the marsh, on Section 1, the 
bleached skull and about one-half of the bones of a human being scattered about in different 
directions ; they had probably Iain there a number of years, as every particle of flesh and sinew 
was gone. I took the skull and jawbone, and kept them in the granary for a number of years, 
but they were finally stolen. All who saw the skull were of the opinion that it was the skull of 
a white man, but whether it was the remains of some early pioneer or hunter who had been 
killed by his companions in a quarrel, or had lost his way and perished, or whether brought 
there a captive by the Indians and killed by them and devoured by wolves, no one could tell ; 
it has remained a mystery, and, probably, always will. It is possible that, had he lived, he 
would have figured in this sketch as the first settler in this town, if a white man, of which there 
is not much doubt, as it is well known that the Indians take great care of their dead. About 
the time these bones were found, there was an Indian encampment near Lake Emily, and while 
there, one of their squaws died, and they bandaged her body up with matting, etc., and kept it 
up a tree for about two months while they remained there, and when they left they took it with 
them, so it may not be amiss to call him the first settler; at any rate, he was settled, and so we 
will leave him. To most persons, it may seem hard tobe disposed of thus, but, as Byron says : 
" What matters where we fall to fill the maws of worms ? " 

Yet, we all wish to have our remains kept together and to be decently buried when we die ; yet 
methinks that when Gabriel blows his trump at the last day, and the dead come forth from their 
graves, this poor fellow will have quite a job to get his bones together.* 

Hamilton Stevens, who first located at Lake Emily, selected the first land in the town of 
Randolph, in 1843, on Section 24, afterward sold to A. B. Alden. Said Stevens had three 
daughters, named Emily, Maria and Sarah, and it is said the three lakes of those names were so 
named by him — the first in Dodge County, the second in Green Lake County, and the last in 
Randolph. He made a business, principally, of locating land, and would show new-comers 
Government land, make a bargain, settle them on it, and then post off to the land ofiice to enter 
it. A good joke is told of him : A road had been recently laid out to Columbus, through the 
timber in what is now Courtland, and the trees had the usual mark of the letter H, signifying 
highway. The new-comers asked what H meant. Stevens replied, in his usual rough, bom- 
bastic way, " Hamilton Stevens, by G — d ! " His companions were, of course, astonished at 
his great wealth, as they imagined, for in their travels they had seen that H so frequently that 
they concluded that Stevens had bought out Uncle Sam, or, at least, that portion of the United 
States which was situated in Wisconsin. 



* Since the above was written, I havo been infurined of the following incident, which may be a solution of the mystery : In 1839, on© 
of the soldiers of Fort Winnebago left on a drunken spree, and never returned. He was Jast seen by the mail.carrier, near Wyocena, in a nude 
state jiiid inajine, A 6e;irch for bim discnvered only his clothes. He was never beard of more. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 439 

XII. BY AMPLIUS CHAMBERLAIN. 

In September, 1849, Mr. Levi Thomas, W. R. Clough, Mr. Bemus and myself, all of us 
from Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wis., started with two yoke of oxen and a lumber wagon, 
taking along sufficient cooking utensils, blankets and provisions, preparatory to camping out. 
We started north by way of Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, Lake Mills, Waterloo and Columbus to 
Portage, or what was better known at that time as Fort Winnebago. Then there was but one 
store at Portage, and that was kept by Smith & Wilson, the former of whom died in Portage a 
few years ago. Wilson is now a resident of New Lisbon, Juneau County. That store and the 
old Veeder House, a part of the old City Hotel, constituted, I think, all the buildings at Port- 
age. Carpenter and Sylvester were keeping each a tavern one mile below, on the flat. The 
old Franklin House stood midway between the Wisconsin River and Fort Winnebago, and was 
kept as a hotel. Thomas Reynolds, since better known as Col. Tom Reynolds, of Madison, had 
just commenced work on the canal at the fort. We looked about Portage for a day or so ; then 
continued on our journey over what was then known as the " old pinery road," and at that time 
that was the only road leading north into the pinery. Claims had been taken along the line of 
that road, and settlers (a few of them) living on the claims. 

Among the most prominent between Portage and Walsworth's place was E. F. Lewis, who 
is now living on the same place where he made his first claim. He lived for some time under 
the cover of his wagon-box for shelter, and, by the way, I retain a reminiscence of my first 
night's lodging at E. F. Lewis'. He had then moved into a part of his new log house ; had one 
room, where they cooked, ate and slept — all his guests, as well as his own. family. Before going 
to bed that night, we kille 1 three good-sized rattlesnakes between the sleepers of an unfinished 
addition he was building to his house. After this excitement was over, we all went to bed in 
one room, and I was contrasting in my mind the changed situation from my own home at Elk- 
horn and where we were there. As I was about going to sleep, I heard a wagon drive up full 
speed, several persons get out and walk into the unfinished part of the house, and open the door 
into where we all were. The first word spoken or sign given that I heard was, " Rise, Jupiter, 
and snuff the moon I" Lewis understood how it was, and struck a light, at the same time say- 
ing, " What's up now, Walsworth ?" It was Walsworth, whom all old settlers of this country 
will recollect. The first thing was a bottle of whisky, which Walsworth had possession of, and 
every one in that room had to rise up and take a drink, nationality or sex not being allowed as 
an excuse. 

We continued our journey on the pinery road as far' as Walsworth's place. At that time, 
there was no actual settlement made north of the old pinery road for some miles. A few 
claims had been marked out, but not occupied. The claims which include what is known as 
Briggsville were taken by two men named Aaron Town and Jonathan Butterfield. Mr. Town 
had gone back to New Hampshire for his family, who did not arrive on his claim until March, 
1850. Butterfield was stopping at Walsworth's. This Butterfield was a man of rather more 
ability naturally than the common run of first settlers, and was from one of the finest and most 
respectable families in Orange County, Vt. I was well acquainted with most of his relatives, 
but had lost sight of him for years, and never knew where he was until I found him at 
this time. He was an old bachelor, and was one of the party that came across the country 
from Milwaukee to Madison at the commencement of building the State capitol. He helped to 
get on the first timber for the first capitol building in the State. After leaving Madison, 
he made a claim on Portage Prairie, I think in Leeds. He sold to a man by the name 
of Bralley, and then made the claim including ground on which the village of Baraboo is built. 
He held this for a year, and sold, I think, to a man by name of Brown. His next and last 
claim was known as the water-power claim, ani included the ground on which the village of 
Briggsville is built. Whisky was his worst enemy, and he had been so long away from society, 
and so much addicted to drinking, that whatever good qualities he might at some previous time 
have possessed, seemed to have been wholly undermined. He seemed but a wreck of better 



440 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUI^TY. 

days. One of his last remarks before his death conveyed some idea that he was almost certain 
that it would be all right with him, and was characteristic of his mode of living. After he had 
been on a spree of a week, he came back to his boarding-place on Saturday, broken down and 
nearly used up. The lady where he was boarding, through kindness, talked to him of his 
course of living, saying : " You are getting old, Mr. Butterfield ; and without any of your 
relatives about you, and but few friends that take any special interest in you ; and you are a 
man capable of better deeds, and should be laying up something to help you in case of long 
sickness and to prevent your becoming a public charge." His answer was ready and quick: 
" I shall never trouble my friends in sickness nor become a public charge. I shall die quick 
when I die." This was on Sunday, and on Monday morning he started to go to the mill (we 
had got a mill at this time running at his old claim, now Briggsville) ; on his way he met two 
men in the vicinity of O.xford inquiring the way to Portage on the new pinery road (at 
that time we had a new river line out from the mill to Portage, which is now known as the new- 
pinery road), and, as Butterfield had interestetl himself considerably in the new road, he offered 
his services in piloting them over it to Portage, which they accepted. When within about two 
miles of Portage, they heard Butterfield make a rather strange noise, and, looking around, they 
saw he had fallen back from his seat and was dead — thus verifying the saying he had made to 
Mrs. Litchfield the day before. He was taken back, and buried on the banks of Small Lake, 
near Briggsville, on the last ground claimed by him. At the time we made our claims, 
the subdivisions into sections of the land had not been completed by Government. All that 
was necessary to be done to secure a claim was to look at some land, get on some high point and 
claim what you could see, mark your corners, blaze your line, build your claim shanty, move 
and live upon it within a certain time, being careful you did not encroach on any other's claim. 
At this time, we seemed out of any judicial law district, still we were, as we considered it, under 
still higher power, being under the three existing claim laws of this country, dealt out by the 
high court of Judges Walsworth, Tulls and Smith. Many a novel scene have I witnessed 
transacted in those high courts, which would be interesting, perhaps, to those not acquainted 
with this sort of government. It was all very well in its time and place in the absence 
of a better form, but 1 think they sometimes overreach, as some of our first settlers found out 
to their sorrow, one or two of them having served quite a time in the old Marquette County 
jail on account of holding on too long to claim law, and until LTncle Sam overtook them. At 
this time, we made claims near the Town and Butterfield claims, that is, Thomas and myself. 
Bemus did not like the situation, and returned to Elkhorn. W. R. Clough, father of the pres- 
ent Principal of the Portage High School, settled in Portage, and lived there until his death, 
in 1869. 

At this time (1849), no families had moved on their claims north of the pinery road. In 
October, 1849, I returned to Walworth County, and, in January, 1850, I moved with my fam- 
ily, which consisted of my wife and one child. Mr. Levi Thomas returned to Elkhorn in 1849, 
and remained there, never returning to his claim. Our nearest neighbors were three miles 
away, until the spring of 1850, and we had no road from the old pinery road to Neenali Creek. 
Mr. H. S. Thomas, Mr. Robert Thompson and Mr. Town, with their families, came in 1850. 
That same season a dozen or more families arrived and made settlement Mr. A. E. Briggs 
came here from Shoreham, Vt., in the fall. He and myself purchased an interest in the water- 
power claim of Butterfield & Town, and commenced work on the dam, which was the com- 
mencement of improvements at Briggsville. We first built a saw-mill, having to haul all our 
lumber and supplies from Portage ; started a store, having to haul the goods by team from 
Milwaukee. In 1853, Hiram and Lysander Chapman, who came from the State of New York, 
took an interest with us, and commenced building a tlouring-mill. About this time, Mr. 
William Murphy arrived and commenced selling goods, and is a well-to-do and flourishing mer- 
chant at that place now. Soon after, Mr. L. Waters came on from Vermont, and built a store 
and commenced business. He sold and went to Randolph, Columbia County, and Charles 
Waldo is now his successor, and is doing a good business at that place. 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 441 

The first hotel there was owned and kept by Charles Mason. The first lumber manufact- 
ured after getting our saw-mill running, was some heavy oak plank and joists, to be used in 
the building of the first jail erected at Portage. The plank was taken, on a flatboat, down the 
Neenah Creek to Fox River, and thence up the Fox to Fort Winnebago. When the survey- 
ors made the subdivisions, the land overflowed, by reason of the dam, was platted as Lake 
Mason. 

For some time after the first settlement, in the absence of regular attorneys, Mr. R. S. 
Thomas and myself had to assume the position of pettifoggers. Sometimes, our village Justice 
and high court in those days used to get tired, adjourn court and take a rest or go to sleep. 
In the mean time, the attorneys, jurymen, witnesses, plaintifi" and defendant would engage in a 
social game of seven-up. It has happened that, when the court woke up, he found all hands 
gone. During the social game, the parties all became reconciled, and, by advice of able coun- 
sel, the case was settled, and the court beat out of his fees. 

John Brickwell, now of Portage, was one of the first settlers, having made a claim between 
Lewis and Walworth, on the old pinery road. He took his first lessons in the justice business 
and law practice when living on his claim, but was not the Justice I have referred to, that used 
to adjourn his court to take a nap. 

XIII. — BY MOSES M. STRONG. 

During the winter of 1837, I was employed by James Duane Doty to survey and stake ofi" 
the capitol square, now usually designated " the park," in Madison, and some lots in the vicin- 
ity. On the 17th of February, John Catlin and I started from Mineral Point to perform this 
work. We spent the first night at the house of John Messersmith, about twelve miles east of 
Mineral Point, where we engaged his son George to go with us. Before we again started, we 
were joined by Josiah A. Noonan, who desired to have some surveying done in the same vicin- 
ity. I kept a diary while absent, and I find these entries therein : 

"February 17. Bought surveying-chain, shirt and gloves, and same day started, with 
John Catlin, for Madison, and stayed at Messersmith's. J. A. Noonan joined us, bringing a let- 
ter from Judge Doty. Noonan will go with us to Madison. 

" February 18. Bought, at Ebenezer Brigham's, provisions for the excursion, at $15, and 
went on to Steel's, on Hanly's Creek [near what is now Cross Plains Station, on Black Earth 
Creek, town of Cross Plains, Dane County], Noonan and George Messersmith in company. 

" February 19. Went to Michael St. Cyr's, and finished Noonan's work on north side of 
Fourth Lake [now Lake Mendota], and slept at St. Cyr's. 

" February 20. Finished meanders, on Fourth and Little Lake [the latter now known 
as Lake Wingra]. 

" February 21. Finished Noonan's meanders on Third Lake [now Lake Monona], and he 
paid me $70 for myself and Catlin. Then we commenced work for Doty, at Madison. 

" February 22. Continued Doty's work, at Madison. Camped there, and at daylight 
were driven oif by a severe snowstorm. We went to St. Cyr's and spent the day. 

" February 23. Remained at St. Cyr's, because of the snowstorm. 

" February 24. Continued Doty's work, at Madison, and camped there. 

" February 25. Continued Doty's work, at Madison, and went to St. Cyr's. 

" February 26. Returned to Madison and finished all of Doty's work west of canal, and 
then went to Wallace Rowan's and slept, having paid St. Cyr $13.50." 

Rowan lived about twelve miles south of Fort Winnebago at that time, where now is Poy- 
nette, Columbia County. He lived in the ordinary log house of those days. We slept on 
the floor. There was no appearance of his having just arrived there, though I cannot say just 
how long he had been living at that place. 

From Rowan's we went to the Wisconsin River ; followed down that stream to Helena, 
and thence went to Mineral Point. I am positive this was in February, 1837, both from my 
recollection and from documentary evidence in my possession. 



442 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



XIV. BY CHARLES AVIIITTLESEY. 

We arrived at Fort Winnebago late at night, having made one hundred and forty miles in 
two and a half days. [This was in September, 1832.] Fifty miles of this day's travel lay in 
a rolling prairie, over which a two-horse carriage traveled in company ; although no road had 
been constructed, nothing occurred to hinder the process of a vehicle except an occasional marsh. 
On the right of our track lay, at irregular distances, the Fox River, amd " Opukwa," or Rice 
Lakes, which were distantly seen as we rose the swells of the country. The garrison is at the 
portage, between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, on a handsome rise, overlooking the immediate 
valley of both streams. This valley is a meadow or swamp, about a half a mile across, over 
which the waters of both channels mingle, in time of flood, floating boats from the valley of the 
Mississippi to the valley of the lakes. Goods destined for posts on the Upper Mississippi, from 
the East, are here carted across and committed to the current of the Wisconsin. This river 
has capacity for steamboat navigation, but is filled with movable sand bars from the portage to 
its mouth. 

From the fort there were traveled roads leading to the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien, or 
Fort Crawford, at the mouth of Fever River, near Galena, and at other points. After two days' 
rest, we took the route for Galena by way of the " Blue Mounds." At the distance of about 
fifteen miles in a southwesterly direction, the traveler discovers that he has, imperceptibly, 
attained an elevation commanding the timbered valley of the Wisconsin, and from which the 
stockade and white houses of the garrison are distinctly visible. On the east and northeast, the 
Baribou [Baraboo] hills rise out of the flat woodland and stretch away northwardly toward Lake 
Superior. He stands upon an eminence of five hundred feet, sloping gently down on all sides, 
covered with waving grass. On the east and south, as far as the eye can distinguish, he per- 
ceives a succession of similar hills, their rounded summits ranging irregularly around — not a 
tree, nor a stone nor any fixed object to be seen in the whole prospect. In the spacious valleys 
that intervene, millions of small flowers mingle their bright colors with the green of the 
meadows, chastening and ruralizing the scene. An excitable person would exclaim at the sub- 
limity of such a scene, having the grandeur of a mountain without its loftiness, and the com- 
mand of the sea without its monotony. A painter would pass from the grand outlines and dwell 
with delight upon the beauty of its details. 

It was through such a country, varied by a few small lakes, that we spent this day. We 
startled a plenty of grouse, and frequently saw the deer quietly feeding on the hillsides, secure 
from our rifles in the distance. The sight of a prairie wolf was not an uncommon thing. This 
animal differs materially from the common wolf, being less in size, of a gray color, and wanting 
in speed. The former feeds upon the mice and small animals of the low prairie, seldom assault- 
ing the farmyard. He is less ferocious than the fox-tailed wolf, and may be soon overtaken 
with a fleet horse. Their uniform practice in regard to us, after running away at a moderate 
step a couple of yards, was to face about and examine the company. There were no Indians 
along the route. 

XV. BY FREEDOM SIMONS. 

My father, James H. Simons, was a soldier of the war of 1812. I was born in the war- 
time, when my father, with others, was fighting for liberty ; hence they gave me the appropriate 
name of Freedom. Sardis Dudley, my wife's father, was also a soldier, and both were pioneer 
settlers of Cayuga County, N. Y. I started from Cayuga County, N. Y., on the 6th 
day of September, 1842, with my family, consisting of my wife and three children. I came by 
way of the Erie Canal and the great lakes. We anchored in the Bay of Milwaukee, a half- 
mile off" shore, on the 17th of September, 1842. There were no docks nor piers there, at that 
early date, and our only chance of getting ourselves and goods on shore was by a small boat, 
called a lighter. We thought we had paid our fare to Milwaukee, but here was an additional 
expense. We were pulled over the sand-bar and up the Milwaukee River to Dousman's little, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 443 

one-story warehouse, which, at that period, accommodated all the freight business of Milwaukee. 
As there were no public conveyances inland at that early date, the best thing we could do was 
to charter what was known in those days as a "sucker team," a huge canvas-covered wagon, 
drawn by five yoke of oxen. After hard, weary traveling over broad marshes, crossing bridges 
made of tamarack poles, in six days we arrived at Prairie du Sac, the place of our destination. 

In the spring of 1843, after experiencing an extremely cold and snowy winter, we moved 
over the Wisconsin River, into Dane County, and settled in what is now the town of Spring- 
field. Ours was the only house between the outskirts of Madison and the Wisconsin River, a 
distance of twenty-two miles. North, toward Fort Winnebago, the nearest house was fifteen 
miles, near where the village of Poynette now stands ; while south, toward Mineral Point, we 
had neighbors within eight miles. In the fall of 184-3, a few settlers came in. 

In the spring of 1844, I took part in the election. The voting precinct consisted of all 
the territory between the Fourth Lake and the Wisconsin River. At this first election, west of 
Madison, seven votes were polled. I was elected Justice of the Peace, and, through the influ- 
ence of John Catlin, of Madison, received, the same year, the appointment of Postmaster. 

In 1845, John M. Babcock, with a large family, George 0. IJabcock and I. R. Waterberry 
came to the Territory. That year, I moved and settled on Section 32, in the town of Dane. I 
also took part in the organization of that town, and was elected to the ofiice of Assessor in the 
spring of 1846. The tide of emigration having fairly set in in this direction, what was known 
as Ohio Settlement, from Ohio, was commenced. This was a valuable acquisition. It is 
seldom that a community is made up of men and women so well qualified for pioneer life. All 
the men were of a high moral character, and deeply imbued with a Christian spirit, and pos- 
sessing a liberal education. They wielded a powerful influence in shaping the moral and relig- 
ious sentiment of the community. There were six men that came first — Miller Blachly, the 
old gentleman. Dr. Eben Blachly, Jackson Luce, Bell Blachly, William Dunlap and Samuel 
Bell. Miller Blachly died October 10, 1850. Miss Sarah Blachly was married to Rev. Mr. 
Bradly, of Siam, in November, 1848. There were many privations, trials and hardships to be 
endured by the pioneers, and this settlement was no exception to the rule. As one of the 
important incidents connected with our isolated condition in 1844, I will relate that Capt. 
Sumner, from Iowa, with seventy cavalry, suddenly, without any previous notice, came galloping 
up to the door of our house. A short consultation with the Quartermaster served to explain 
their sudden appearance and quiet the fears of the ladies of our household. They were from 
Iowa, sent out by the Government to capture the vagrant Indians that had escaped from Turkey 
River, Iowa, where they had formerly been located by the Government. Many of the Winne- 
bagoes, disliking their location, had wandered back to their old hunting-grounds. Fortunately 
for the Captain and his men, and for myself also, I had killed a beef the day before, and the 
Quartermaster wanted nearly the whole of it, with twenty-two hundred of hay for the seventy 
horses. The next morning, after paying liberally in silver coin for all their trouble, they 
sounded the bugle and departed, with many thanks for their hospitable entertainment. They 
made their way to Fort Winnebago, the place of their headquarters for nearly two months, while 
they were gathering up the vagrant Indians. After capturing about two hundred, they returned 
by the same route, and camped a little north of my house, with the main body of the Indians, while 
the old chief, De Kau-ry, his wife and sister, were sent on by team to our dwelling to lodge for 
the night. These three old people were not prisoners, but went voluntarily, and were well 
cared for. They were very old, and nearly blind. I shall always remember the stately, 
gigantic form of the old chief as he came in. We had, what was common in those days, an old- 
fashioned chimney and a large, open fire-place. It was a cold December night, and as the old 
chief beheld the comfortable, blazing fire on the hearth, he, seating himself, Indian style, on 
the floor before it, stretched out his hands and cried out, " Wah I" It was a real pleasure to 
see the venerable old man enjoy himself at my fireside. His ancient-looking, historic face 
seemed lighted up with joyful thanks for the kind care received. The next morning, Capt. 
Sumner and his troops, with the Indians, came along. Noticing the Indians carrying their 



444 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

own guns, I said to the Captain : "Don't you fear they will make you trouble? " "Ah!" 
he said, " I make them pack the guns and I pack the locks." 

Another startling incident of that year was the appearance of a few straggling black bears. 
As I was, one day, dragging on my prairie farm, on Section 32, about one mile from home, I 
saw a large black bear jump over the fence and put off through the openings. I immediately 
jumped on to a horse and went to the house, and thence rallied the neighbors. Three or four 
men constituted the whole party, but they captured old bruin and brought him to my house 
before sundown. Soon after, another made his appearance in sight of the house. Some passing 
traveler sighted him. My wife called to me, but when I came the bear was not to be seen. 
Nothing daunted, I took down the old musket and sallied out like a mighty Nimrod, though 
there was not the least prospect that the old flint-lock gun would go off; but, lucky for me, I 
did not see bruin. While I was absent, the bear came around the hill to the house, and within 
three rods of the front door halted. My wife stood in the door and called to the children to 
come and see the bear. The animal, from fright or some other cause, sprang up a tree a few 
feet, but soon came down and trotted off, and was not seen again in the vicinity. 

Our oldest son is said to be the first boy born in western Dane. In this year, I made my 
first trip to the Dekorra Mill, which is worthy of record as showing some of the trials of pioneer 
life. Two families of the Babcocks were living in the house with us, they having just come to 
the country from St. Lawrence County, N. Y. I had raised my first crop of wheat that 
year, and, one Friday morning in September, started to find Dekorra Mill. I had heard of it, 
but had never been there. I knew there was an old Indian trail from Fourth Lake to the Wis- 
consin River, at Dekorra, and that this deeply worn Indian path crossed the old military road 
somewhere between my place and Esminger's or Poynette ; that this Indian trail was used as 
the Dekorra road. So, taking my horse and one of Mr. Babcock's, I started out, and found 
the Indian trail ; but before night there came up a furious thunderstorm. Just before night, I 
came to Rowan Creek, and behold, the bridge planks were all burned off the stringers. Here 
was a dilemma. The wind was blowing furiously, and the rain was pelting my horses unmer- 
cifully. I could not go ahead, neither could I go back, for the night was setting in dark. I 
fixed up my horses and load as well as possible ; but by this time it was so dark 1 could see my 
way to the bridge only by the flashes of lightning, while the rain was pouring down upon me. 
I crossed over on my hands and knees on one of the stringers, for I had seen a shanty on the 
other side, but it was not inhabited. I thought I might find the mill if I could keep the well- 
worn trail, and find shelter. I could also make inquiries if there were some other crossing- 
place. But I .saw no sign or light ; and, after traveling two or three miles, I turned back to 
the creek, spent the night in the old deserted shanty, glad to see the morning light. I started 
out the second day to find Dekorra Mill ; took my back track to the military road, then by 
Poynette. The distance was about twelve miles, but I could not get my grist till in the night. 
So on Sunday morning I must go home, if I did break the Sabbath, for there were three families 
at home and no flour. When I arrived home, I found they had brought the old coffee-mill into 
requisition and actually ground wheat enough to make griddle-cakes for the large family. 
George Babcock declared they had had one good square meal. 

After living about eighteen months on our prairie farm, and digging fifty feet for water, 
without success, I got discouraged and sold out, and, attracted by the cold springs of Spring 
Creek, I bought three " eighties " on Section 4, along the line of Columbia County, and moved 
on to them in the spring of 1847 ; but, with no market nearer than Milwaukee, there was little 
encouragement in raising wheat at that early period. Being attracted by the prospect of a 
smart little town at Lodi, I accepted Judge Palmer's proposition of a donation of two lots on 
which I was to build a hotel and put up the back wing 16.x24, with a " lean-to " 12x24 ; I moved 
into it in January, 1849. 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNT i'. 445 



XVr. — G. W. FEATHERSTONHAUGH. 

About half-past 7, in the forenoon of a summer's day, 1835, we passed the West Fork 
[Neenah Creek] of Fox River, said to be ten miles from the American post of Fort Winne- 
bago. The stream had now diminished to about twenty yards in breadth. From this point, we 
had frequently to struggle through the wild rice, which had all but choked up the channel in 
various places, often paddling through the straw as if we were going through an inundated 
wheat-field. About 8, I landed at a sand-hill, about eighty feet high, along which some bowld- 
ers of primary rocks and limestone were lying. Ascending it, I observed several others in vari- 
ous parts of the country ; but whether they have been produced by blown sand, or are the 
remains of ancient beds of incolierent sandstone, I could not ascertain. There was, however, an 
occasional appearance of stratification, which favored the last opinion. 

Here we breakfasted, and starting again about 9 A. M., got so entangled in the rice-stalks 
and canes, ten feet high, that we could see nothing around us whatever. The channel was alto- 
gether obliterated, and the water became very shallow. Paddling became out of the question, 
and we all took to warping the canoe through by hauling upon the tall stalks, upon a course by 
compass for Fort Winnebago. My fear was that we should work the canoe into an immense 
rice-field, like that of the Lake Apachquay [Puckaway], and be very much embarrassed to extri- 
cate ourselves. Certainly, if night had overtaken us in this situation, we should have had to 
pass it in the canoe; but, after two hours' hard work, we got into clear water, and soon after — 
11 A. M. — had the great satisfaction of seeing the American Hag waving in a strong northwest 
breeze from Fort Winnebago. We now paddled away for the post, and, reaching it soon after 
noon, I landed and presented myself at the quarters of Maj. Grant, the commandant, a very 
gentlemanly person, who received me with the kind hospitality with which American officers 
always receive travelers. This gentleman had been a long time on duty in the Northwest coun- 
try. The dinner went off very pleasantly, and, when it was over. Dr. Foote, the very intelli- 
gent Surgeon of the garrison, was kind enough to walk with me to some of the sand-hills I had 
seen in the morning. It was so long since I had seen any rocks in place, that I was rather at 
a loss about the geology of the counti-y, and was exceedingly anxious to find out whereabouts I 
was. We had a very agreeable walk, during which we sprung several very large grouse [Tetrao 
Cupido). These birds seem to flourish on this high, dry land, for Fort Winnebago is most con- 
veniently situated upon the dividing summit that separates the Atlantic streams from those 
that flow into the Gulf of Mexico — one of the first flowing at the foot of the fort, and the Wis- 
consin being distant only half an hour's walk. 

The sand-hill we first reached was about sixty feet high, and was formed of sandstone in 
places, rather incoherent, with the strata horizontal, and pleasingly colored with streaks of red 
oxide of iron. The inspection of this outlier at once explained a great deal of what I had been 
observing for some days, but which I could not understand for want of the key. It was evident 
that an immense area of country had been, in ancient times, covered with a stratified arenaceous 
deposit, slightly coherent, and that this had been broken up and carried for the greater part 
away, when the waters had retreated in a violent and tumultuous manner. I found afterward, 
that, although the Wisconsin empties itself into the Mississippi, passing the fort at a distance 
short of two miles, yet, that the elevation of the ground betwixt the Wisconsin and Fox was so 
slight, that once in six or seven years, when the flood of the Wisconsin is high, its waters over- 
come the difference of level, and flow back into Fox River, so that a barge can at such times 
pass from one stream into another. I do not therefore hesitate to believe that all the country, 
including the great lakes and the Mississippi, have, at a remote period, formed one great area of 
fresh water. One of the consequences of the removal of the ancient strata is the present depres- 
sion of the surface of the country, the prevalence of wild rice marshes, and the deposition of 
sand over a great portion of the general surface. This loose sandstone reminded me so much of 
that which exists in the lead region of the State of Missouri, which I visited in 1834, that it 



446 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Struck me for the first time that the same formation might extend to the lead region of the AVis- 
consin Territory, a fact that I should soon have the best opportunity of examining into. 

Fort Winnebago, which, like all the American frontier posts, is an exceedingly neat place, 
is built upon an elevated piece of land, with Fox River and the rice marshes connected with it 
in front. To the southwest there is a range of hills, called Bonibou [Baraboo], which form an 
agreeable object. The fort is inclosed with a square picket, and contains two block-houses. At 
the period when this part of the Indian country was first occupied by American troops, the post 
was no doubt no more than adequate for defense against the Indians ; but, now that they are 
reduced to a state of insignificance, it would seem unnecessary to maintain a garrison there much 
longer. There is a military road not yet completed, which passes near to the post, leading from 
Green Bay to Prairie du Chien ; it is a wide path, cut out of the forest, with the stumps of the 
trees razed close to the ground, and the streams are traversed by good bridges, this branch of 
the military service of the United States being always well performed. 

Having got a comfortable night's rest in the fort, I rose at 5 A. M., and, taking my towels, 
etc., went down to the river to wash myself, and see what my men were doing. They were all 
comfortably under the canoe, except one man, who slept in the tent to take care of the hutin. 
At 7, I was called to breakfast with Maj. Clarke, and afterward went to Dr. Foote's quarters, 
who presented me with a very large conch-shell {cassis c), taken by him from a very ancient 
and lofty mound, resembling those at St. Louis and on the Muskingum. The last appear to be 
the oldest monuments of this kind in the country, and have been attributed by some persons to 
a race of Indians that preceded the present red men ; this shell, therefore, which I believe is not 
found at any point nearer than the Mexican side of the gulf, would seem to indicate the coun- 
try whence the race came that consti'ucted the mound. 

At 8, A. M., I bade adieu to the officers of the garrison, and turning my back upon the 
waters that flow into the Atlantic, I crossed the portage, and advanced to those that empty 
themselves into the Gulf of Mexico. The portage was a dead flat of black mud and sand, meas- 
uring exactly 2,650 paces ; it took me exactly twenty-eight minutes to walk across it. The 
canoe and luggage were conveyed to the shore of the Wisconsin in an ox-cart, and launched upon 
the river as soon as we reached it. It was a powerful, black-looking stream, resembling the 
the Arkansas, with broad sand-beaches, the whole breadth not appearing at the point where we 
struck it, on account of some islands which masked it; but it soon exhibited a breadth of 250 
yards. After struggling so many days as we had against the current of Fox River, an exertion 
requiring' so much care and labor as to keep down a great deal of enjoyment, it was exceedingly 
gratifying to find ourselves, on one of the most lovely mornings imaginable, carried down stream 
by a strong current of about three miles an hour, independent of our paddles ; and all very 
much exhilarated, we went joyously and noisily down the waters tliat are tributary to the Mis- 
sissippi, roaring out our chansons as we shot rapidly past picturesque islands and graceful banks 
of a noble river I had never been upon before — a feeling of peculiar enjoyment to me. 



It '- — --^gyivo CL.*!,^i^o*J aA^ 




HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 447 



CHAPTER VI. 

Political Divisions— County Officers from 1846 to 1880— Fox and Wisconsin Rivers Im- 
provement—Probate AND County Court— County Buildings— Agriculture— Agricult- 
ural Societies— Potter's Joint Stock Emigration Society'. 

political divisions. 

The political divisions of the county are the town*, city and village. 

The town government is intrusted to a Town Board of Supervisors, consisting of three 
members, elected annually at a town meeting. The other town officers are Town Clerk, Town 
Treasurer, one or more Assessors, four Justices of the Peace, Overseers of Highways, and Con- 
stables, not more than three. The Justices of the Peace hold office for two years, two being 
elected at each annual town meeting. The other officers are elected annually at the town 
meeting. 

The form of city government depends upon the charter granted by the State Legislature. 
There are generally a Mayor, the chief executive officer ; a Common Council, consisting of one 
or more representatives from each ward in the city, and the city officers — a City Clerk, City 
Treasurer, City Attorney, Chief of Police, Fire Marshal and City Surveyor. 

A village is governed by a Village Board, consisting of a President and six Trustees, 
elected at the annual charter election. At such election, there are also chosen a Village Clerk, 
Treasurer, Supervisor (to represent the village in the county government). Marshal and Consta- 
ble, and, when necessary, a Justice of the Peace and Police Justice, each of whom holds office 
for two years. 

The county government is in charge of a County Board of Supervisors, consisting of the 
Chairman of each Town Board, a Supervisor from each incorporated village, and one from each 
ward of every city in the county. The county officers are Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff, Coroner, 
Clerk of Circuit Court, District Attorney, Register of Deeds, Surveyor and Superintendent of 
Schools, all elected biennially. 

Where a county has more than 15,000 inhabitants, the County Board of Supervisors may, 
if they choose, divide the county into two superintendent districts, for school purposes. 

COUNTY OFFICERS FROM 1846 tO 1880. 

County Judges— ISil -4:8, Silas Walsworthf ; 1849, Moses R. Cobbt ; 1849-56, Joshua 
J. Guppey ; 1857-60, Guy C. Prentiss ; 1861-64, John T. Clark ; 1866-80, Joshua J. Guppey. 

Sheriffs— 1847-48, T. Clark Smith ; 1849-50, Jacob Low ; 1851-52, Alexander McDon- 
ald ; 1853-54, Perry Lee ; 1855-56, S. C. Higbie§ ; 1857-58, Edward F. Lewis ; 1859-60, 
Benjamin Williams ; 1861-62, William W. Drake ; 1863-64, Nathan Hazen ; 1865-66, P. 
Pool; 1867-68, S. K. Vaughan; 1869-70, 0. H. Sorrenson, 1871-72, P. Pool; 1873-74, 
William W. Drake ; 1875-76, J. 0. Prescott ; 1877-78, A. H. Russell ; 1879-80, Jonas Conk- 
lin. 

District Attorneys — 1847-48, James T. Lewis ; 1849-50, Diego John Miller Loop ; 
1851-52, Amasa G. Cook ; 1853-56, Luther S. Dixon ; 1857-60, Levi W. Barden ; 1861-64, 
Israel Holmes ; 1865-66, Gerry W. Hazleton ; 1867-68, John T. Clark ; 1869-74, Emmona 
Taylorll; 1875-80, J. H. Rogers. 

* There is no such thing in Wisconsin aa a township government. 

t Elected in September, 1S46, and failed to qualify, and James T. Lewis appointed. 

I Resigned and Joshua J. Gnppej" appointed September 29, 1849, to fill vacancy. 

9 Election contested and otfice awarded to George Bobinson. 

a Died April 13, and Amasa G. Cook appointed May 4, 1874, to fill vacancy. 



448 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUJfTY. 

Clerks of Circuit Court— lSi7-48, Henry Merrell (Clerk of District Court); 1848-50, 
Josiah Arnold ; 1851-53, J. Delaney, Jr.' ; 1854, A. W. Delaney ; 1855-56, S. K. Vaughan^; 
1857-58, S. K. Vaughan; 1859-60, A. Morehouse; 1861-62, A. J. Turner; 1863-65, H. M. 
HaskelF; 1866, James Chancellor (fill vacancy); 1867-71, C. A. Dibble^ 1872-78, S. M. 
Smith ; 1879-80, S. S. Lockhart. 

County Clerks — 1846, James C. Carr* ; 1847, W. B. Dyer* (appointed in place of Nelson 
Swarthout); 1848, James C. Carr* ; 1849, James B. Eaton*; 1850-54, Alvin B. Aldenf; 
1855-58, Thomas B. Haslamf; 1859-62, Julius Austinf ; 1868-68, Harvey H. Rustf ; 
1869-70. Ogden A. Southmaydf ; 1871-74, Ogden A. Southmayd ; 1875-80, L. S. Rolleston. 

Treasurers— 18i7 , James C. Carr; 1848^9, William J. Ensign^ ; 1850-51, Stephen 
Brayton ; 1852, Jerome B. Fargo ; 1853-54, Harrison S. Haskell ; 1855-56, Horace Rust" ; 
1857-60, George Ege; 1861-66, LI. Breese; 1867-68, Lewis Low; 1869-72, Miles T. Alver- 
son ; 1873-76, Oliver H. Sorrenson ; 1877-80, Henry Neef. 

Registers of Beeds-lSil . Elbert Dickason ; 1848, A. A. Brayton; 1849-50, F. F. Farn- 
ham; 1851-52^ Josiah Arnold; 1853-56, William Owen; 1857-58, Daniel F. Newcomb ; 
1859-62, James Chancellor" ; 1863-66, Abner H. Smead ; 1867-74, Thomas Yule ; 1875-76, 
Joseph Schivffer ; 1877-80, George Yule. 

^S-wrye^/ors— 1847-48, A. Topliff; 1849, N. P. Foster; 1851-52, A. Topliff; 1858-54, 
John Thomas; 1855-56, G. M. Bartholomew; 1857-60, A. Topliff; 1861-62, R. Cronk"; 
1868-66, A. Topliff; 1867-68, J. Whitney: 1869, E. Corning; 1870, H. Meriton (vacancy); 
1871-72, F. A. Brown; 1873-74, G. M. Bartholomew; 1875-76, Henry Meriton; 1877-78, 
G. M. Bartholomew; 1879-80, Henry Meriton. 

Coroners — 1847-50, Daniel E. Bassett ; 1851-54, Lsaac Smith : 1855-56, Erastus Cook ; 
1857-58, H. S. Haskell ; 1859-62, G. W. Marsh ; 1863-64, M. Barden ; 1865-66, C. Schnei- 
der; 1867-68, 0. H. Sorrenson; 1869-70, Charles Early; 1871-76, Z. J. D. Swift; 1877-78, 
William Snoad ; 1879-80, Z. J. D. Swift. 

County Superintendents of Schools — 1862-67, David W. Rosenkrans ; 1868-69, Levi 
Bath; 1870-71, John J. Loyd'; 1872-74, LeRoy J. Burlingame"; 1874-79, Kennedy Scott; 
1880-81, Henry Neill. 

FOX AND WISCONSIN RIVERS IMPROVEMENT. 

The Fo.\ and Wisconsin Rivers have been an important highway for nearly two hundred 
years. They were the route by which, in 1678, Louis Joliet and his companion. Father James 
Marquette discovered the Upper Mississippi. 

It was the wish of the founders of the republic to preserve this great natural water route 
unobstructed, and to make it a permanent means of communication between the lakes and the 
Mississippi. In the ordinance for the government of the territory of the United States north- 
west of the river Ohio, adopted July 14, 1787, it is provided that the navigable waters leading 
into the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between the same, shall be 
common highways, and forever free. 

The same provision, in substance, is embodied in an act of Congress relating to said terri- 
tory, passed August 7, 1789, after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States ; in 
an act of Congress establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin, approved April 20, 

1. Dri'wiied Mny 31, 1853. anil A. W. Delauey appointed to fill the vacancy. 

2. Certificate given to A. W. Delaney, but the office was given to S. K. Vaughan, on a contest. 

3. Resigned and James Chancellor appointed to fill vacancy. 

4. Resigned and S. M. Smith appointed December 6, 1S71, to fill vacancy. 

5. Mr. Brayton was elected in 1849, but BIr. Ensign claimed to hold over. He filed his resignation January S, 1850, and the Board of 
Supervisors appointed Isaiah Robinson to fill tiie vacancy. He as.-umed to act but a few weeks, when Mr. Brayton was adjudged to be entitled 
to the office, and toolt possession. 

6. Election contested and oftice awarded to Michael M. Ege. 

7. In Novemlier. 1862, Abner A. Smead appointed to fill vacancy supposed to exist. 

8. Alfred Topliff appointed in November, 1862, to fill vacancy occasioned by death of Mr. Cronk. 

9. Kennedy Scott appointed August 22, 1874, in place of Mr. Burlingame. 
* Called " Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners." 

t Called "Clerk of the Board of Supervisors." 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. ' 449 

1836 ; in an act of Congress relating to the admission of Wisconsin as a State into the Union, 
approved August 6, 1846, and in the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. 

In 1839, under the direction of the War Department of the Government, a preliminary 
survey of the rivers and the estimate of the cost of their improvement were made by Capt. 
Cram, of the United States Topographical Engineers. 

In 1846, by ah act of Congress approved August 8, a grant of lands was made to the 
State of Wisconsin, on the admission of such State into the Union, for the purpose of improving 
the navigation of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, in the Territory of Wisconsin, and of con- 
structing a canal to unite these rivers at or near the portage. 

In 1854 and 1855, acts of Congress were passed by which the grant of lands to Wisconsin 
was defined and enlarged. 

After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its Legislature, approved 
August 8, 1848, a Board of Public Works was created, through which the work of improving 
the said rivers, by the application thereto of the proceeds of the sale of the lands granted by 
Congress, was undertaken by the State. 

It soon became apparent that the moneys realized from the sale of lands were insufficient 
to meet the obligations of the State, issued by its Board of Public Works, as they became due ; 
and, in 1853, the work was turned over to the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement Company, a 
corporation created under an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin, approved July 6, 1853. In 
1856, by an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin, approved October 3, 1856, the lands granted 
by Congress then unsold were granted by the State, through the said company, to trustees, with 
power to sell, and the proceeds to hold in trust, for the payment of State indebtedness, the com- 
pletion of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by said company, and the 
balance, if any. for the company itself. 

In February, 1866, the trustees, in execution of the powers contained in the deed of trust 
made to them, and pursuant to a judgment of the Circuit Court of Fond du Lac County, sold 
at public sale at Appleton, Wis., the works of improvement and the balance of lands granted 
by Congress then unsold, and applied the proceeds to the purposes expressed in the deed of 
trust. The proceeds were sufficient to pay in full the expenses of the trust, the then outstand- 
ing State indebtedness, and to provide a fund sufficient to complete the work according to the 
plan specified in the act approved October 3, 1856. 

Under an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin, approved April 13, 1861, and the acts 
amendatory thereof, the purchasers at the sale, on the 15th day of August, 1866, filed their 
certificate in the office of the Secretary of State, and thereby became incorporated as the Green 
Bay and Mississippi Canal Company, holding, as such company, the works of improvement 
before mentioned. 

Under instructions from the Engineer Department of the United States, issued in July, 
1866, Maj. Gen. G. K. Warren took charge of the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. 
These were continued by the United States under the supervision of Gen. Warren and his suc- 
cessor, Col. D. C. Houston, until completed and perfected. 

By an act of Congress, approved July 7, 1870, the Secretary of War was dii-ected to 
adopt such a plan for the improvement of the Wisconsin River as should be approved by the 
Chief of Engineers, and also was authorized to appoint a Board of Arbitrators to ascertain how 
much, in justice, ought to be paid to the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company for the 
transfer of its property and rights, including locks, dams, canals, and other property, in and to 
the line of water communication between Portage City and Green Bay — the arbitrators, in 
making their award, being required to take into consideration the amount of money realized 
from the sale of lands theretofore granted by Congress to the State of Wisconsin to aid in the 
construction of the water communication, and to deduct the amount thereof from the actual 
value of the works of improvement as found by the arbitrators. 

The act also provided that all tolls to be received by the Government from the work should 
be deposited in the Treasury until the Government should be re-imbursed all moneys it should 
expend on the work. 



450 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The arbitration took place in 1871. It appeared that the moneys expended by the Green 
Bay and Mississippi Canal Company and its predecessors in interests considerably exceeded the 
sum of two million dollars, exclusive of interest. The arbitrators fixed the present value at 
$1,048,070, from which was deducted the full amount of money realized from the sale of lands 
granted by Congress, $723,070, leaving a balance of $325,000, all of which was to be paid to 
the company in case the Secretary of War should elect to take with the improvements the water- 
powers and the personal property ; and in case he should elect not to take the latter or either, 
the value of the water-powers was fixed at $140,000, and of the personal property, $40,000, 
leaving as applicable to the improvement the balance of $145,000. 

The Secretary of War elected to take the improvement only, and by act of Congress, 
approved June 10, 1872, an appropriation was made therefor. In October, 1872, the company 
delivered its deed of conveyance to the United States covering the works of improvement, etc., 
and received the sum of $145,000. 

The moneys for which the Government received credit on the purchase from the company - 
as the amount realized on the sale of the lands granted by Congress, with the expenses of sale, 
were about equal to $1.25 for every acre of land granted. 

The award was not satisfactory to the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company, 
especially as many of the corporators were heavy losers in both that and the preceding 
company. 

Subsequent appropriations for this work have been made by Congress. 

The Wisconsin River, having its rise in the northern part of the State of Wisconsin, runs 
southerly until it approaches the Fox River, turns abruptly southwesterly, and, running in that 
course 118 miles, empties into the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. The Fox River, having its 
rise in the southern part of Wisconsin, runs northwesterly until it approaches the Wisconsin 
River, turns abruptly northeasterly, and, running in that course 160 miles, empties into Lake 
Michigan at Green Bay. 

The course of the two rivers below the portage, the point of nearest approach, is surpris- 
ingly straight, and nearly upon a due line passing through Prairie du Chien and the straits 
of Mackinaw. The divide, or portage, separating the Wisconsin River waters, putting into the 
Gulf of Mexico, from the Fox River waters, putting into the St. Lawrence, is a level sand 
prairie, without rock, and in width one and one-half miles. The Wisconsin at the portage is at 
the summit-level. It is about eight feet higher than the Fox at the portage, and about 200 
feet higher than Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Fox, and 169 feet higher than the Missis- 
sippi at the mouth of the Wisconsin. 

A canal at the portage connects the Wisconsin and the Fox, and a slack-water communica- 
tion, extending from the portage to Green Bay, a distance of 160 miles, overcomes by locks and 
dams the fall of 200 feet, and connects the Wisconsin River with Lake Michigan. The Fox 
River, from its mouth to Oshkosh, on Lake Winnebago, has a low-water channel of about four 
feet, and from Lake Winnebago to the portage of about three feet. At stages of high water, 
boats of three, four and even five feet draught have passed from Lake Michigan up the Fox 
River, and down the Wisconsin into the Mississippi River. As late in the season as June, boats 
of 300 tons burden have made the passage. In stages of low water, the Wisconsin cannot be 
navigated, on account of the shifting sand. 

The slack-water improvement now in operation chiefly extends from the portage to the 
mouth of the Fox, and consists of levels formed by dams, extending across the river, around 
one end of each of which there are short canals, and in the canals, locks. In all there are 
twenty-two locks ; more locks than levels. The height overcome exceeds 200 feet, while 
the lockage does not exceed 195 feet. The intention is, by the locks, canals and dams, and by 
dredging, to make a permanent channel of five feet in depth, which will connect the waters of 
the VVisconsin with those of Lake Michigan. The canal at the portage is over two miles 
in length, while the canals at the dams are only long enough to furnish approaches to the 
locks. 





ORTAGE.CITY 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 453 

Taking all together, there are about six miles of canal. That at the portage is seventy feet 
wide, while the approaches to the locks are in many cases wider than seventy feet, and in all 
cases of sufficient width for the locks. The locks are 160 feet long; by 35 feet wide. 

The system of improvement on the Wisconsin is being carried forward upon the plan of 
wing and closing dams, which will narrow up the river to such a width that the current will 
scour out its own channel and maintain it. The work has not been carried on as fast on the 
Wisconsin as on the Fox River, as it required time to perfect the system so as to adjust it to 
what is believed will result in the effectual improvement of the stream. When this work is 
completed, there will be, it is confidently expected, a permanent channel of five feet in depth 
from the Mississippi to Green Bay. 

PROBATE AND COUNTY COURTS. 

Until January 1, 1850, the court having jurisdiction over the settlement of estates of 
deceased persons, and of the appointment of guardians to minors, spendthrifts, idiots and insane 
persons, was called Probate Court, and the title of the Judge thereof was Judge of Probate. 
After that date, the name of that court was County Court, and the designation of its Judge 
was County Judge. 

From January 1, 1850, to 1854, and from 1858 to 1860, the County Court of this county 
had civil jurisdiction ; but, with these exceptions, it has been and is now merely a court of 
probate, with certain additional authority in various county matters, conferred by the general 
laws of the State on county courts. 

A list of the Judges of the Probate and County Courts has already been given. 

James T. Lewis was the first Judge of Probate, and Joshua S. Guppy was the first 
County Judge. 

The first three wills admitted to probate in the county were the following : 

November 10, 1847 — Will of Elias Lyons, of Columbus ; Lucy Lyons, Executrix. 

November 11, 1847 — Will of Hiram L. Allen, of Columbus ; Margaret Allen, Ex- 
ecutrix. 

November 28, 1848 — Will of Joseph Mathews (residing in what is now Fountain Prairie) ; 
Mary Mathews, Executrix. 

The first three cases of administration were : 

December 3, 1847 — Estate of John Manden (drowned in the Wisconsin River) ; Henry 
Merrell, Administrator. 

October 3, 1848 — Estate of Samuel W. St. John, of Columbus ; Harriet St. John, 
Administratrix. 

November 10, 1848 — Estate of Elbert Dickason, of Wyocena; Obedience Dickason, 
Administratrix, and James D. Shuchly, Administrator. 

The following were the first three cases of guardianship : 

December 25, 1846 — Julius Higby appointed guardian of Orin H. Page ; both parties 
living in what is now Fountain Prairie. 

November 5, 1849 — Joseph Farrington appointed guardian of the minor heirs of Elbert 
Dickason (deceased), viz., Andrew J., Ruth J., Francis M., Oliver H., John W. and Lucinda 
Dickason, all of Wyocena. 

April 1, 1850 — Minor heirs of Samuel W. St. John (deceased). Levi St. John appointed 
guardian of Seth B. St. John, and Harriet St. John appointed guardian of Harriet M. 
St. John. 

The first three adoptions were : 

November 11, 1859 — James A. Stebbins and Mary A. Stebbins, his wife, of Scott, adopted 
Sarah McCutchin, child of John and Julia A. McCutchin. 

July 2, 1860 — Sylvanus Race and Sarah Race, his wife, of Portage, adopted Harriet S. 
Green, a child of Silas M. and Mary J. Green. 



454 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COU>!Ty. 

July 20. 1860 — Frank Dickerman and Laura, his wife, of Fort Winnebago, adopted Will- 
iam Armer, a child of Lydia 0. Purvis. 

COUXTT BUILDINGS. 

Oourt House. — After the question had been definitely settled that Portage was to be the future 
county seat, a deed was made to the county, by Messrs. Webb k Bronson, of Block No. 180 of their 
plat, for county purposes. The county records were removed to Portage, and, until 1856. the 
ofiBcials occupied the upper part of Lemuel Berry's store, on the east side of the canal. The 
old building is still in existence. It stands on the northeast corner of Clark and Pleasant 
streets, and is owned and used by the city for housing its fire apparatus. From the Berry 
store, the county records and officers removed to Vandercook's building. In 1861, the subject 
of a county building was agitated ; but the report from the committee on that subject, providing 
for building a court house, at an expense not exceeding $12,000, was laid on the table — ayes, 
12 ; noes, 11. 

In 1863, the subject was brought before the County Board again (the Board having been 
reduced to three), and L. W. Barden offered a resolution, appropriating $8,000 for building a 
court house. Barden was Chairman of the Board, and when he put the question, C. L. Brown 
voted "aye." Barden was silent, and the resolution was declared adopted. When the Board 
met, in January following, an effort was made to place the $8,000 in the general fund, but it 
was resisted by G. M. Bartholomew, who had just been elected Supervisor. The initiatory 
steps toward building were taken soon afterward. A plan was presented by Alexander Car- 
nagie, proposals were solicited, and a contract was let to Carnagie & Prescott February 10, 
1864, for building the court house, at the sum of $17,830. The site was presented to the 
county by citizens of Portage. Work on the building was commenced in the spring of the 
same year, and was completed in the fall of 1865, at the contract price, and, with the sidewalks, 
iron fence, grading, trees and all other improvements and additions, cost the county something 
less than $26,000. It is a model of architectural neatness and simplicity. Its dimensions are 
80 feet front by 60 feet deep, constructed of cream-colored brick, with dark trimmings. It is 
three stories high, with a well-proportioned dome, surmounted by a colossal statue of Justice, 
sword in hand and scales extended. Entering at the front of the court house, the visitor finds 
himself within a spacious hall-way, leading through the building, with a corridor passing at 
right angles in the center. The first door on the right, and near the entrance, bears the omi- 
nous inscription, " Sheriff," and one cannot help but think of executions, documentary and 
otherwise — principally otherwise. On the left is the Treasurer's office ; and we remember that 
it is the especial duty of the blind image that stands upon the zenith of the brown dome above 
to guard over this particular place, and to strike down with her sword the first who dares to 
misappropriate the funds within. At the north end of the corridor are the rooms of the County 
Judge and the Clerk of the Court ; at the south end, the oflSces of Register of Deeds, Clerk of 
the Board and District Attorney, all these offices having fire-proof vaults, for storing docu- 
ments, etc. On the second floor are the court-room and jury-rooms, the former being 58x56 
feet in size, handsomely finished, with a seating capacity of 400. 

The County Jail. — Within the walls of this institution are placed individuals of a retiring 
disposition, who forego the pleasures of freedom and outdoor exercise for definite periods, unless 
death or the Governor interferes. A refuge for this class was built in Columbia County in 
1851, by H. McNeil, upon a block of ground given to the county by Webb & Bronson. It 
was of stone, two stories in height, with cells in the upper part and the Sheriff's dwelling on the 
lower floor. It was destroyed by fire in 1864. The present jail was erected in 1865 by Carnagie 
& Prescott. It is of substantial stone, thirty-two feet square and two stories in height, sur- 
rounded by a brick wall, within which the prisoners are allowed to air themselves. The Sheriff's 
dwelling is a well-arranged two-story brick structure, standing in front of the jail. 

Columbia County Poor-House. — Prior to 1858, the care of the poor of Columbia County 
was vested in the towns in which the unfortunates resided. It was the duty of the town oflicers 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COL^NTY. 455 

to provide homes for all paupers within their jurisdiction, and pay the necessary expenses from 
a town fund set aside for that purpose. On the 3d of November of the year above mentioned, 
the County Board of Supervisors voted to abolish the town system, and measures adequate to 
the establishment of a county poor-house were immediately taken. At the same session of the 
board, Daniel White, John Quincy Adams and H. W. Roblier were appointed Superintendents 
of the Poor, and $1,500 was appropriated to aid them in the performance of their duties. The 
old E.xchange Hotel, together with one acre of land in the village of Wyocena, was purchased, 
and on the 30th of December, 1858, it was formally opened for the accommodation of the 
poor of the county. In 1867, a brick addition forty feet square and two stories high was built 
by Messrs. Carnagie & Prescott, and, in 1878, a second addition, 36.x40 feet and two stories 
high, was constructed by the same parties. The total expense incurred the last year (1858) the 
town system was in vogue was $7,633.74 ; during the first ten months under the county system 
the expenditures amounted to $3,929.40. In 1872. there were 26 inmates of the poor-house, of 
whom 11 were insane, and the cost of caring for them was something over $4,000, including 
the salary ($400) of Hugh Hill, the overseer, and $200 paid other help. The Superintendents, 
in their report for 1879, say : " The number of inmates at the poor-house at date of last report 
was 49 ; admitted during year, 49 ; total number at the poor-house during the year, 98. Of 
this number, 8 have died, 2 have been bound by indentures, 1 has been sent to the Industrial 
School for Girls at Milwaukee, 1 has been sent to the Reform School for Boys at Waukesha, 
and otherwise discharged, 38. Remaining at poor-house at date of this report, November 1, 
1879, 48. Of this number, 13 are insane, 3 are demented, 4 are blind, 2 crippled, 2 have a 
cancer, 2 are over eighty years of age, 8 are seventy years, 7 are over sixty, and none are under 
twenty-two years of age. There has been furnished at the poor-house during the year 2,983 
weeks' board, at a cost of $4,074.77, being $1.37 per week, which includes all expenses for 
provisions, clothing, bedding, furniture, fuel, lights, medicine, medical attendance, repairs, 
salary of steward, hired help and other miscellaneous expenses." 

The total expenses during 1879 were $6,829.28. Messrs. Adams and Roblier have been 
continually in oiEce as Superintendents. Upon the death of Mr. White, George Wall succeeded 
to the position. Mr. Wall was succeeded, in turn, by W. W. Corning. The county has 
acquired title to seven acres of land adjoining the original one acre bought in 1858, and, in 
1875, forty acres were purchased on Section 16, a short distance north of the village of 
Wyocena. 

AGRICULTURE. 

He who follows agriculture is the pioneer in all new countries, and prepares the way for 
lawyer, editor, miller, minister, blacksmith, and all others who depend upon anything but farm- 
ing for a livelihood, and who never fail to come after them when the soil has been made sufB- 
ciently productive. There are better agricultural counties in the State than Columbia, but they 
are few. There are poorer counties, too — much poorer — and a great many of them. Columbia 
County is therefore far above the average, as statistics will show. 

Any other condition of things would be unnatural, as, with its productive soil and good mar- 
kets, the county has always furnished a field for profitable returns to industry, skill and means 
applied to the labor of tilling the ground. The whole county is more than usually well watered. 
Where there are no springs, lakes and streams, good water is obtained at a moderate depth. Gen- 
erally, speaking, the soil is most suitable for raising wheat, or was when new, and that has always 
been the principal product. Corn, oats, barley, rye, flax, hops, tobacco, potatoes and other root 
crops, fruits and grasses, are also cultivated. The southeastern portion of the county is considered 
the richest in agricultural worth, though there are patches of very excellent land in other parts. 
A general idea of the productiveness of each town is herewith given : 

West Point. — Soil rich, above the average; wheat the principal product; more timber than 
prairie ; well watered ; no sand, or but very little in the soil ; especially noted as a hog-raising 
section ; land valued at $14 per acre. 



456 . HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Lodi. — Largely devoted to dairying ; generally well watered ; land surface more or less 
broken by bluffs ; northern portion sandy ; valuation, $14 per acre. 

Arlington. — Said by many to be the richest town in the county ; devoted almost exclusively 
to grain-raising ; no waste land in the town ; four-fifths of the area under cultivation unfenced ; 
but little attention paid to stock ; valuation, $19.50. 

Leeds. — Second in agricultural importance to Arlington, and especially noted for its flocks 
of fine-wool sheep ; largely prairie, but sufficiently wooded to make the lands valuable ; well 
watered ; valuation, $19. 

Hampden. — Somewhat more marshy and hilly than the two previously described towns, 
but none the less important as an agricultural section ; stock-raising is a leading industry ; val- 
uation, $19.50. 

Columbus. — One of the richest agricultural towns in the State ; in a high state of cultiva- 
tion ; no waste land ; excellent water ; valuation, $20.50. 

Fountain Prairie. — Much the same as Columbus, but with a greater area of marsh, espe- 
cially in the northern portion ; valuation, $14.50. 

Otsego. — Southern and middle parts exceptionally good ; northern portion broken, with 
considerable lowland ; valuation, $13.50. 

Lowville. — South and southeast parts prairie ; the northern portion hilly ; well supplied 
with timber ; agriculturally very rich ; boasts the most extensive farms in the county — Warren 
Gilbert's, for instance ; largely devoted to stock-raising ; valuation, $13.50 ; considered 
very low. 

Dekorra. — About one-half under cultivation ; timber abundant ; somewhat marshy ; 
sandy along the river ; quite a number of good farms in the town, however ; valuation, $6. 

Caledonia. — A great variety of soil ; rocky and broken ; marshy along the river ; soil gen- 
erally good ; valuation, $6.80. 

Pacific. — Some desirable land along the Fox River ; southern portion marshy ; well 
wooded ; valuation, $3.20. 

Wyocena. — Soil the better order of light lands or sandy loams ; mostly timbered ; some 
swamp ; wheat and corn the chief products ; dairying carried on to some extent ; two-thirds in 
cultivation; valuation, $7.20. 

Springvale. — About two-thirds under cultivation ; not materially unlike Wyocena as to 
soil, marsh and timber ; penetrated by small streams ; stock-raising quite a feature ; valuation, 
$10.50. 

Oourtland. — North third mostly prairie ; remainder made up of " openings " and marsh, 
sandy clay soil; a valuable farming section ; stock-raising to some extent; valuation, $16.75. 

Randolph. — South half mostly prairie, with black loam soil ; northern part covered with 
" openings," sandy clay soil ; quite a number of large farms ; considerable stock raised ; valua- 
tion, $18. 

Scott. — Something over one-third under cultivation ; southern part regarded as the garden 
spot of Columbia County ; noted for its natural meadows along the Fox River, marked by 
numerous " openings ; " stock-raising quite an interest ; valuation, $11, which is considered very 
low. 

Marcellon. — Nearly one-half under cultivation ; scarcely so rich as Scott ; the finest por- 
tions lie in the second and third tiers of sections running from east to west ; small amount of 
prairie; well timbered ; quite an area of tame meadows ; valuation, $7.25. 

Fort Winnebago. — About one-third under cultivation ; southern portion regarded as good 
land; northern part "bluffy ; " quite an area of marsh along the Fox River; valuation, $6.40. 

Lewiston. — A large proportion of this town is waste land, being for the most part low and 
wet; perhaps one-third of the town is under cultivation ; valuation, $3.20. 

Newport. — The best portion lies along the AVisconsin River ; the most thoroughly culti- 
vated part is that occupied by the Norwegians ; remainder of land below the average ; valua- 
tion, $5. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



467 



The following table exhibits the principal farm products growing in the county of Colum- 
bus at the time of making the annual assessment for the year 1879 : 



NAMES OV TOWNS, 
CITIES 

AND VILLAGES. 



Arlington 

Caledonia 

Columbus (town) 

Columbus (city) 

Courtland 

Dekorra 

Fort Winnebago 

Fountain Prairie 

Hampden 

Leeds 

Lewiston 

Lodi 

Lowville 

Marcellon 

Newport 

Otsego 

Pacific 

Portage 

Randolph 

Scott 

Springvale 

West Point 

*V T0CGD9, 

West Ward v'iirRandoiph 
Totals 



NUMBER OF ACRES. 



4452 
3780 
4950 

174 
5750 
262: 
170' 
3666 
4651 
6988 
1511 

672 
4194 
2452 

881 
4408 

435 
46 
5440 
5479 
3544 
1679 
1681 
10 



3178 

1389 

1456 

95 

1375 

1793 

1636 

1384 

1542 

1965 

1431 

1220 

1584 

1960 

449 

1845 

644.i 

151' 

2167 

1697 

1629 

2252 

1970 

10 



2122 

1317 

1238 

104 

917 

785.? 

469" 

1603 

1334 

1669 

1067 

867 

1142 

472 

368 

951 

86.5 

72' 

1577 

803 

826 

1387 

417 



1528 
395 
349 

10 
147 

97- 



324 

497 

903 

41 

202 

124 

28 

33 

249 



6 

272 

80 

53 

375 

5 



40 
154 



17 

463 

522 

25 

26 

37 

1200 

258 

102 

278 

334 

137 

313 

69 

69 

173 

101 

193 

615 



663 
122J 
113 



58 
51 
84 

231 
81 
82 

158 
37 
68J 
65^ 
6i 

134 

m 

30 

71^ 

43 

40A 

66" 

60 



3} 



2! 



14 



3i 



16 



69162 35122i 21594 5720A|5126 1740g 66] 1782 01404 35993 58202 11727 $171695 



Apple Or- 
chard. 



og 



>2 " .is" 






70} 
193 



110 

663 
104 



152 
69 
58 
71 
76i 

146| 
10 

104 

19] 
2 
99i 
92" 
120 
76 
43 



be , 



o o 

o a 2 



3351 

3786 
5765 



4300, 
2105 
28331 



4303 

3655 

■ 1305 

3712 

4104 

2834 

90(' 

3992 

755 

100 

3301 

3105 

2087 

3300 

1730 

75 



5122 

1462 

427 

180 

2209 

1830 

1008 

2029 

2020 

3076 

607 

867 

1096 

1669 

217 

1645 

30 

20 

3670 

1120 

1688 

2436 

1565 






1305 



1845 



1795 
4284 
2954 
3003 
2192 
3022 
428 



4116 

5422 
995 
737 

1181 



2620 
4633 
5200 
4184 
4427 



Milch Cowa. 



'A 



745 
719 
6^8 
150 
657 
480 
408 
860 
589 
492 
477 
525 
408 
375 
210 
675 
117 
438 
606 
416 
501 
658 
573 



11426 
9314 
8840 
2250 
7998 
5774 
5102 

17215 
7385 
8364 
6698 
7765 
5965 
4046 
3150 
9841 
1531 
6785 
6984 
7176 
9078 
9900 
9168 



In addition to the foregoing, there were grown iii the town of Caledonia, 1 acre of flax ; in the 
town of Fort Winnebago, 4 acres of cranberries ; in the town of Hampden, 1 acre of tobacco ; in the 
town of Lodi, 3 acres of cranberries and 19 acres of flax ; in the town of Randolph, 1 acre of flax, 
and in the town of Springvale, li acres of flax. There were also 188 acres of hops cultivated in 
the county, divided as follows : Caledonia, 23J acres ; Columbus, 5 ; Dekorra, 4 ; Fort Winne- 
bago, 1 ; Hampden, 3 ; Leeds, 5 ; Lewiston, 54 ; Marcellon, 6i ; Newport, 40 ; Otsego, 22 ; 
Portage City, 7 ; Springvale, 10 ; West Point, 3, and Wyocena, 4. For two or three years prior 
to 1868, hops were largely grown throughout the county. 

The early settlement of Columbia County was made by a robust, thrifty, industrious and 
frugal class of men and women, in their youth and prime of physical life, full of energy and 
days' work. They found a rich soil, like themselves new and young and full of fertility, yield- 
ing readily to the will and wishes of the earnest and ambitious toiler who owned and cultivated 
it, and rewarding his efibrts with abundant harvests of all kinds. The land yielded so abun- 
dantly and persistently, that the opinion prevailed for many years that the grain-producing 
qualities of the soil were inexhaustible, hence the straw was burned to get it out of the way, 
and the manure was permitted to go to waste. Crop after crop of grain was taken from the 
soil, and nothing returned in exchange therefor to preserve its fertility, until, through course of 
time, the crops became less and less, and less still, so that now, lands which at one time would 
yield with reasonable certainty thirty to forty bushels of wheat to the acre, cannot be depended 
upon to yield with like certainty ten or fifteen bushels of wheat to the acre. Meantime, the 
habits of slothfulness and waste, begotten of prosperity, have, in some cases, become a part of 
the farmer's being, and they seem to have no desire to shake off" the wretched and ill-begotten 



458 • HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

incubus that weighs and keeps them down, and places them at great disadvantage in the general 
struggle against impending adversity. There are exceptions to this, the general condition of the 
farmers of this county, but such exceptions merely establish the rule. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 

Columbia County Ai/ricultural Society. — It was at the autumn meeting of the Board 
of Sujiervisors of Columbia County, held at Portage in November, 1851, that a suggestion for 
the organization of an agricultural society was first acted upon. Jessie Van Ness, of West Point, 
made the suggestion. The members received the proposition With favor, and a preliminary 
meeting was called. It met in Schoolhouse No. 7, in the town of Fort Winnebago. Van Ness 
became President pro tem. Messrs. Joseph Kerr, of Randolph ; F. C. Curtis, of Lowville, and 
Guptil, of Scott, became the Committee on Constitution. Messrs. Ketchum and Bartholomew, 
of Lodi ; Jones, of Springvale ; Bushnell, of Wyocena, and Adams, of Fountain Prairie, were 
appointed a committee to nominate officers. On the 19th of the same month, the meeting re-as- 
sembled at the same place, when an address was delivered by Joseph Kerr, of Randolph ; an 
acceptable constitution was reported, including five short articles. The qualifications for mem- 
bers consisted in subscribing to the constitution and paying 2.5 cents. On that occasion the fol- 
lowing persons wrote their signatures and became the charter members : Jessie Van Ness, Fred 
C. Curtis, G. M. Bartholomew, A. Ketchum, J. Q. Adams, Thomas Dalzell, Perry Lee, J. B. 
Fargo, E. K. Vaughan, H. W. Phelps, Joseph Utley, Yates Ashley, Reuben Baughman, G. 
Smythe, Joseph Kerr, John Byrne, J. A. Guptil, Daniel S. Bushnell, Josiah Arnold, H. Car- 
penter, Alvin Alden, Elijah Lee, David Wyman, S. K. Vaughan, James Andrews, Shadrick 
Sherman, Hubbel West, Jr., Charles Spear, Fred G. Smythe, J. C. Smith, Henry Converse, J. 
Whitney, Jacob Rood, Stephen Brayton, 0. Jones, Michael Van Winter, Ransom H. Mead, C. 
M. Kingsbury, M. Wheeler, Mr. Sargeant, B. M. Haynes, John McTighe, Alex McDonald, 
A. A. Bull, Henry Ayer and J. W. Rhodes. 

The first oSicers of the society were : President, J. Van Ness, West Point ; First Vice 
President, Joseph Kerr, Randolph ; Second Vice President, Thomas C. Smith, Columbus ; 
Treasurer, F. C. Curtis, Lowville ; Recording Secretary, John A. Byrne, Otsego ; Correspond- 
ing Secretary, Henry Converse, Wyocena. Executive Committee — Messrs. Curtis, Guptil, 
Adams, Bartholomew, Bushnell and T. C. Smith. 

The first fair was held in November, 1852, on the commons at Wyocena. The receipts 
were $15.75, and the disbursements, f 11.80. The society claimed the gathering to be a success. 

January 4, 1853. At that date a meeting was held, various amendments to the by-laws 
were made, and the following officers elected : Joseph Kerr, President ; D. S. Bushnell and 
G. M. Bartholomew, Vice Presidents ; Henry Converse, Recording and Corresponding Secre- 
tary ; F. C. Curtis, Treasurer. Executive Committee — Messrs. Rockwood, Adams, Converse, 
Van Ness and Merrell. 

June 14, 1853, when Kerr, Van Ness and Converse, as Executive Committee, resolved to 
"hold the next show and cattle-fair at Wyocena, September 28, 185-3," and to " award premiums 
as the funds of the society would allow," judges for fourteen classes were appointed. At that 
exhibition there were nineteen entries under the department of horses, and twelve under that of 
cattle; poultry, one; farm implements, two — one of which was a plow and the other a vertical 
gate. The receipts of the exhibition were $20, and the disbursements, $18.81. 

In November of the same year, Joseph Kerr was elected President, Jessie Van Ness and 
J. T. Lewis, Vice Presidents, and Henry Converse and F. C. Curtis were continued as Secretary 
and Treasurer. The Executive Board chosen consisted of James C. Carr, William Wiley, D. S. 
Bushnell, J. F. Hand and Hugh McFarlane. At a subsequent meeting of the Executive Com- 
mittee, it was decided to hold the ensuing exhibition at Columbus, September 20, 1854. The 
scene of the rural festivities was at the forks of the road on the westward declivity of what is now 
Lewis & Cook's hill. The Mountain House, kept by A. P. Birdsey, then situated there, a little 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ' 459 

•building between the two roads owned by him, was the hall of fine arts, and in it were displayed 
a few fruits and some fine needlework, etc. There were ninety-nine entries in all. The 
receipts for fees of members were $32. Of this $18 was disbursed in premiums, together 
with 31 volumes of the Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, and sundry diplomas. 

The next business meeting of the society was held at Portage November 16, 1854, N. H. 
Wood presiding. James C. Carr, of Fountain Prairie, was elected President ; C. J. Pettibone, 
of Portage, and Peter Van Ness, of Lodi, Vice Presidents ; and Henry Converse, Secretary. 
E.xecutive Committee — William T. Whirry, of Randolph ; N. H. Wood, of Pacific ; John A. 
Bowen, of Columbus ; R. H. Mead, of Waushara ; and E. F. Lewis, of Lewiston. 

Since that date, fairs have been held and officers elected as follows: In September, 1855, 
Portage won the prize by offering a handsome donation. The receipts of the exhibition were 
$52.50, and $120 was paid in premiums. J. W. Earll delivered the address. OflBcers elected 
in November — President, Peter Van Ness ; Vice Presidents, M. W. Patton and Andrew Dunn ; 
Secretary, F. B. Haslim; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee — Messrs. Powers, 
Folsom, Adams, Hardy and McFarlane. 

1856— Fair held at Wyocena the 2d and 3d of October. Receipts, $117.19 ; disburse- 
ments, $126.15. Address delivered by J. J. Guppey. Officers — President, John Con- 
verse ; Vice Presidents, J. C. Carr and Daniel White ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, 
F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee— R. T. Graves, T. Terrill, T. Dalzell, A. P. Smith and 
John Ewing, Jr. 

1857 — Fair held at Wyocena September 22 and 23 ; address delivered by J. T. Lewis ; 
premiums, $84; receipts, $244; entries, 183. Officers — President, John Converse; Vice Presi- 
dents, W. T. Bradley and R. T. Graves ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. 
Executive Committee — A. W. Ingalsbee, Peter Van Ness, R. H. Mead, D. White and J. J. 
Guppey. 

1858 — Fair held at Portage September 23 and 24; receipts (including Portage City's sub- 
scription of $175 and the State appropriation of $100), $401 ; disbursements, $476.25. Offi- 
cers — Pi-esident, Royal T. Graves ; Vice Presidents, J. J. Guppey and J. C. Carr ; Secretary, 
Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee — D. White, W. T. Bradley, 
J. T. Lewis, P. Van Ness and E. F. Lewis. 

1859 — Fair held at Portage September 20 and 21 ; entries, 201 ; premiums, $303.50 ; 
funds on hand November 17, $67. Officers — President, J. J. Guppey; Vice Presidents, R. T. 
Graves and J. C. Carr ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive 
Committee — P. Van Ness, D. White, Samuel McConochie, John 0. Jones and Nathan Hazen. 

I860 — Fair held at Cambria, the citizens paying $165 for the luxury, September 18, 19 and 
20 ; receipts, $402 ; expenditures, $309. Officers — President, Daniel White ; Vice Presidents, 
R. T. Graves and J. Q. Adams; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Execu- 
tive Committee — H. S. Haskell, A. W. Ingalsbee, J. Whitney, C. L. Brown and W. N. Baker. 

1861 — Fair held at Portage September 18, 19 and 20; receipts (including appi-opriation 
and subscription), $475.21; expenses, $426; out of which had been paid $363 in premiums. 
Officers — President, John Q. Adams ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. B. Dwinnell ; 
Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee — P. Van Ness, 
R. T. Graves, Conrad Collipp, Thomas Robertson and G. W. Campbell. At the business meet- 
ing of November it was decided that elections for officers should take place on the second day 
of the fair of each year. 

1862 — Fair held at Portage September 24, 25 and 26. Officers — President, J. B. Dwin- 
nell ; Vice Presidents, John Pardee and Ervin McCall; Secretary, H. B. Munn ; Treasurer, 
F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee — C. Collipp, W. Rice, J. Van Ness, B. Williams, P. 
Houston, R. McConochie, W. Young, J. Bradley and J. Q. Adams. 

1863 — Fair held at Lodi September 22, 23 and 24 ; receipts (including two years' State 
appropriation), $769; disbursements, $607. OfHcers — President, J. B. Dwinnell; Vice Presi- 
dents, R. McConochie and J. F. Hand ; Secretary, H. B. Munn ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. 



460 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Executive Committee — C. Collipp, A. McDonald, P. Van Ness, R. T. Graves, P. Houston, J- 
R. Jones, F. Clark Smith, J. W. Bobinson and C. Roys. 

1864 — Fair held at Columbus September 21, 22 and 23; receipts, $619; disbursemetits, 
$480 ; Officers — President, J. 0. Eaton ; Vice Presidents, R. McConochie and J. Q. Adams ; 
Secretary, H. B. Munn ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee — J. P. McGregor, 

A. McDonald, H. M. Ayer, J. W. Robinson, E. Fairbanks, A. W. Ingalsbee, J. 0. Jones, J. 

B. Smith and Henry Converse. 

1865 — Fair held at Portage September 19, 20 and 21 ; receipts, $687 ; disbursements, 
$632. Officers — President, J. Q. Adams ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. 0. Jones ; 
Secretary, C. C. Britt ; Treasurer, J. B. Dwinnell. Executive Committee — J. Van Ness, C. 
Collipp, P. McKenzie, F. C. Curtis, R. B. Sanderson, A. W. Ingalsbee, R. McConochie, J. 
B. Jones and J. B. Smith. 

1866 — Fair held at Portage September 19, 20 and 21 ; receipts, $812 ; disbursements, 
$992, including $112 expended in building Floral Hall. Officers — President, J. Q. Adams ; 
Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and F. C. Curtis ; Secretary, C. C. Britt ; Treasurer, J. B. 
Dwinnell. Executive Committee — Cyrus Hill, R. 0. Loomis, David Owen, J. T. Lewis, L. H. 
Doyle, J. W. Robinson, R. T. Graves, R. McConochie and J. R. Jones. 

1867 — Fair held at Columbus September 18, 19 and 20; receipts, $877; disbursements, 
$926. Officers— President, H. S. Haskell; Vice Presidents, F. C. Curtis, J. T. Lewis; Secre- 
tary, C. C. Dow ; Treasurer, J. B. Dwinnell. Executive Committee — R. 0. Loomis, C. C. 
Britt, David Owen, J. Q. Adams, J. W. Robinson, L. H. Doyle, E. Woodard, J. R. Jones and 
R. T. Graves. 

1868 — Fair held at Portage September 23, 24 and 25 ; receipts, $977 ; disbursements, 
$1,125, including $200 for a tent and $175 for Floral Hall. Officers— President, F. C. Curtis ; 
Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. T. Lewis ; Secretary, C. C, Britt ; Treasurer, J. Q. 
Adams. Executive Committee — J. B. Dwinnell, P. Pool, D. Owen, L. H. Doyle, T. Sander- 
son, F. L. Henry, I. McCall, L. Lloyd and J. Pardee. 

1869 — Fair held at Columbus September 22, 23 and 24 ; receipts, $960 ; disbursements, 
$780 ; 700 entries were made, which was far in excess of any previous year. Officers — Presi- 
dent, F. C. Curtis; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. T. Lewis ; Secretary, L. H. Doyle; 
Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Executive Committee — J. B. Dwinnell, E. F. Lewis, R. 0. Loomis, 

A. G. Cook, F. L. Henry, E. Fairbanks, M. W. Twitchell, J. R. Jones and David H. Langdon. 

1870 — Fair held at Portage September 21, 22 and 23; receipts, $909; disbursements, 
$867. Officers— President, A. G. Cook ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and F. C. Curtis ; 
Secretary, L. H. Doyle ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors (one from each town) — G. A. 
Clark, J. S. Richmond, F. F. Farnham, J. R. Jones, S. M. Carr, C. Baker, J. Foster, E. Fair- 
banks, J. W. Robinson, J. Ewing, J. B. Dwinnell, F. L. Henry, M. H. Smith, E. T. Hooker, 
D. Buchanan, B. F. Flower, C. Collipp, G. Perry, P. Houston, I. McCall, J. Van Ness and M. 
W. Twitchell. 

1871 — Fair held at Columbus September 19, 20 and 21 ; receipts, $1,267 ; disbursements, 
$1,248 ; entries, 700. Officers— President, A. G. Cook ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and 

F. C. Curtis ; Secretary, L. H. Doyle ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors — John H. Young, 
John S. Richmond, F.F. Farnham, J. R. Jones, J. McKenzie, C. Baker, J. Foster, E. Fair- 
banks, C. L. Brown, J. Ewing, J. B. Dwinnell, F. L. Henry, G. Smith, M. H. Smith, S. Jones, 

B. F. Flower, R. 0. Loomis, G. G. Marvin, P. Houston, K. Scott, J. Van Ness and D. S. 
Bushnell. 

1872 — Fair held at Portage September 18, 19 and 20 ; receipts, $761 ; disbursements, 
$954. Officers — President, E. Fairbanks; Vice Presidents, F. C. Curtis and L. W. Barden ; 
Secretary, L. H. Doyle ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors — G. H. Clark, D. Owen, J. R. 
Jones, Henry Morse, H. Jamieson, E. S. Baker, J. Foster, S. Hasey, C. L. Brown, J. Ewing, 
J. B. Dwinnell, F. L. Henry, E. Woodard, G. F. Noble, J. Batty, J. L. Porter, C. Collipp, 

G. G. Marvin, P. Houston, J. R. Rowlands, J. Van Ness and M. W. Twitchell. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 461 

1873 — Fair held at Columbus September 17, 18 and 19; receipts, $1,115; disbursements, 
$1,032. Officers — President, E. Fairbanks ; Vice Presidents, L. W. Barden and F. C. Curtis ; 
Secretary, L. H. Doyle ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors — G. F. Richardson, D. Owen, J. 
R. Jones, Henry Morse, H. Jamieson, E. S. Baker, J. Foster, S. Hasey, S. J. Scott, E. F, 
Lewis, -T. B. Dwinnell, F. L. Henry, E. Woodard, G. F. Noble, D. Buchanan, A. Coapman, C. 
Collipp, G. G. Marvin, P. Houston, J. R. Rowlands, J. Van Ness and M. W. Twitchell. 

1874 — Fair held at Portage September 29 and 30 and October 1 ; receipts, $1,012 ; dis- 
bursements, $925. Officers — President, L. W. Barden ; Vice Presidents, F. C. Curtis and D. 
Buchanan; Secretary, L. H. Doyle; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors — T. Graham, J. 
Ewing, E. Woodard, I. W. York, R. C. Rockwood, J. Marvin, D. H. Langdon, 0. R. Luey, J. 
T. Lewis, G. Richards, J. Foster, E. Fairbanks, T. Thompson, J. R. Rowlands, R. Lloyd, D. 
Owen, J. McKenzie, T. Sanderson, J. B. Dwinnell, F. L. Henry, B. F. Flower, J. Van Ness 
and D. S. Bushnell. 

1875 — Fair held at Portage September 28, 29 and 30; receipts, $1,087 ; disbursements, 
$1,045. Officers — President, R. C. Rockwood ; Vice Presidents, F. C. Curtis and J. Van 
Ness ; Secretary, L. H. Doyle ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors — G. Perry, G. Paine, Z. 
Merrill, C. Baker, E. F. Lewis, C. A. Noyes, S. M. Carr, E. E. Chapin, G. Robinson, E. 
Roys, P. Boutwell, J. Foster, G. Richards, S. Huntley, J. Collins, D. Owen, W. Reedal, F. 
L. Henry, C. L. IJrown, W. M. Bartholomew, B. F. Flower, R. Wilson, 0. D. Vandusen. 

1876 — Fair held at Portage September 26, 27 and 28 ; receipts, $1,135 ; disbursements, 
$1,314. Officers — President, F. C. Curtis; Vice Presidents, V. E. Brewer; and J. Foster 
Secretary, E. S. Baker ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors — J. Whitney, W. McDonald, M. 
H. Smith, P. G. Stroud, E. S. Purdy, G. G. Marvin, D. H. Langdon, J. W. Leffingwell, J. J. 
Sutton, J. R. Jones, H. C. Field, E. Roys, K. Scott, A. C. Jennings, Louis Lintner, D. Owen, 
N. P. Irons, T. Sanderson, J. B. Dwinnell, G. W. Webb, J. F. Warren, J. Van Ness and C. 
Spear. F. C. Curtis delivered an address on butter making and the care of cows. 

1877 — Fair held at Portage September 18, 19 and 20 ; receipts, $2,441 ; disbursements, 
$2,867 (including $1,500 paid for the Floral Hall). The society's financial standing at that 
date is figured up as follows: New Floral Hall, built by Lewis Green, A. Carnagie, architect, 
$1,500 ; fixtures, library, etc., $450 ; total, $1,950. Deduct $409 indebtedness, and the soci- 
ety considered itself worth $1,540. Officers — President, F. C. Curtis ; Vice Presidents, V. E. 
Brewer and C. L. Brown ; Secretary, Z. J. D. Swift; Treasurer, J. A. Adams. Directors — 
L. Lintner, H. J. Fisk, M. Adams, 'M. H. Smith, E. F. Lewis, A. B. Stearns, E. S. Purdy, D. 
S. Merrell, W. Morris, D. H. Langdon, G. Richards, J. E. McMahon, S. Hasey, D. Buchanan, 
S. Scott, D. Owen, J. McKenzie, S. J. Scott, J. Wilson, Jr., S. Dunn, J. L. Porter, J. Van 
Ness and W. Yale. 

1878 — Fair held at Portage September 24, 25 and 26 ; receipts, $1,368 ; expenditures, 
$1,938. Officers — President, L. W. Barden; Vice Presidents, D. Buchanan and D. Richards; 
Secretary, Z. J. D. Swift ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors — L. Lintner, H. J. Fisk, A. 
W. Ingalsbee, M. H. Smith, E. F. Lewis, A. B. Stearns, W. W. Corning, C. Baker, J. San- 
derson, C. F. Roberts, C. Lawrence, H. Stanley, J. Jones, J. Foster, C. Roys, K. Scott, G. 
Hall, D. Owen, W. Reedal, T. Sanderson, J. B. Dwinnell, F. C. Curtis and J. Van Ness. 

1879 — Fair held at Portage September 16, 17 and 18; receipts, $1,499; disbursements, 
$1,493. Officers — President, D. Buchanan ; Vice-Presidents, G. Richards and W. Currie ; 
Secretary, Z. J. D. Swift ; Treasurer, G. Yule. Directors — L. Lintner, D. Owen, J. Lloyd, 
H. J. Fisk, J. Q. Adams, D. McCulloch, J. Foster, J. Whitney, C. Roys, W. McDonald, C. 
L. Brown, C. J. Pardee, G. Bartholomew, F. C. Curtis, D. B. Herrman, A. B. Stearns, K. 
Scott, B. F. Flower, W. W. Corning, W. Morris, L. H. Langden, A. C. Jennings and Isaac 
Van Ness. 

At a meeting of the Board of Directors, held February 24, 1880, it was decided to hold 
the next fair at Portage, September 13, 14 and 15, 1880. It was also decided to issue compli- 
mentary tickets to editors and clergymen, and the Treasurer's bond was fixed at $1,0(10. The 



462 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

present indebtedness of the society is $597.50. Article XII, of the society's rules and regula- 
tions, contains the following: "No games of chance, or pools on horse-racing will be allowed on 
the grounds during the fair, and the sale of malt and spirituous liquors is strictly prohibited." 
And it is worthy of remark that its provisions have been implicitly adhered to. 

Union Fair. — A meeting was called to assemble at the building of Leuders & Krause, in 
Columbus, Saturday, August 7, 1875, to consider the propriety of organizing an agricultural 
society, composed of people living in that vicinity. On motion, A. G. Cook was made Chair- 
man, and H. D. Bath, Secretary. On taking the chair, Mr. Cook said that he supposed all 
understood the object of the present meeting was to determine whether a fair for this section of 
the country should be held at or near the city that fall, and declared the question open for con- 
sideration. C. L. Bering understood the object to be also the election of officers. He stated 
that Capt. Wisner had the Bearer Dam subscription, and had the consent of the persons named 
thereon to transfer the same to Columbus. The amount that had been secured was $215, and 
this was without any special effort, and when only $200 had been asked. The Chairman said it 
was customary when such bodies were organized to adopt articles of association. As it was 
proposed to make this fair a permanent institution, that course, doubtless, would be proper. G. 
W. Hazelton said at the suggestion of some parties he had drafted some resolutions which could 
be used if desired. He supposed it was the design of the people living contiguous to Columbus 
to organize a local fair. Fairs have lately become local expositions. On account of the small 
premiums necessarily offered, it was impossible to draw competition any great distance. No 
antagonism was meditated against the Columbia County fair. It was designed merely to make 
this a local organization for the benefit of people contiguous to Columbus, and to accommodate 
a section not accommodated by any other fair as they are now located. He then read the sub- 
joined resolutions. 

The citizens of tlie counties of Columbus, Dodge and Dane, residing in, and within convenient distance of' 
Columtnis, assembled, pursuant to notice, at Holmes' Hall, in said city, August 6, 1875, for the purpose of taking 
into consideration the organization of a local fair, to be held at or near said city, do hereby adopt the following 
resolutions, viz.: 

Resolved, For the purpose of bringing together annually, or so often as may be deemed best, at the city of Colum- 
bus, all persons interested in a periodical exposition of stock, farm products, specimens of mechanical skill, of the fine 
arts, etc., we do hereby organize a fair to be known as the Columbus Union Fair, and cordially invite the co-opera- 
tion herein of the surrounding towns. 

Resolved, That the officers of the Columbus Union Fair shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary 
and Treasurer, and an executive committee of five persons shall hereafter be elected annually, for the term of one 
year. 

Resolved, That the said officers and the said executive committee shall, until a code of by-laws shall be prepared 
and adopted, be fully empowered to take hold of this subject, and make all needful rules and regulations to carry out 
the purposes of this organization ; to fix a time and place for holding the fair ; to prepare and publish a listof Judges, 
together with a premium list, and to do all acts and things necessary in the premises, and that a majority of said 
officers, including the committee, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 

Resolved, That the following persons are hereby designated and elected as officers for the current year, and 
until their successors shall he duly chosen. 

The following officers were then elected : President, Clarendon Roys, of Hampden ; Vice 
President, J. Webster, of Elba ; Secretary, C. L. Bering, of Columbus ; Treasurer, M. Adams, 
of Columbus. The following gentlemen were selected as the Executive Committee : John Fos- 
ter, of Fountain Prairie ; E. Fairbanks, of Hampden ; G. Weeks, of York ; J. J. Sutton, of Colum- 
bus ; C. K. Stewart, of Elba. Mr. Hazelton suggested that the working committee ought not 
to be too cumbersome, and favored the appointment of a co-operation of one from each of eight 
or ten adjoining towns, to take hold of the fair and help make it a success. The following were 
at length selected as such committee : W. A. Pulver, Otsego ; Henry Fields, Fountain Prairie: 
Levi Nelson, Hampden; W. W. Drake, Columbus ; Harvey Baxter, Bristol; Eli Sherman, 
York; S. Austin, Portland; H. J. Rol)erts, Elba; William Williams, Calamus. On motion of 
G. W. Hazelton, A. G. Cook, of Columbus, was added as Chairman of the above committee. 
Mr. Cook expressed the opinion that a permanent fair could be organized, and that it would not 
be difficult in time to raise money to erect suitable buildings, and, perhaps, purchase the required 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 463 

grounds. C. L. Bering moved that a committee of three be appointed by the chair to solicit aid 
and obtain the funds necessary for immediate use. Adopted. Adam McConnell, M. B. Misner 
and Dr. D. C. Davies were selected as such committee. 

The first fair of the society was held on the 6th, 7th and 8th days of October, 1875, and 
was a complete success financially and otherwise. The total receipts were $1,587.50, from 
which were paid out for premiums, $894 ; general expenses, $395.66 ; Secretary's office, $31 ; 
leaving a balance on hand of $26J.84. • * 

The second annual fair was held October 10, 11, 12 and 13, 1876. Total receipts, 
$1,917.99. Paid for premiums, $1,319.80 ; expenses, $543.79 ; Secretary's expenses, $54.40. 
The exhibition was a success, but financially it was not satisfactory. The officers of the society 
were the same as the previous year. 

In 1877, another successful fair was held. The total receipts were $1,730.55 ; premiums 
paid, $1,166.82 ; fair expenses, $510.85 ; Secretary's oflBce, $52,88. The fair was held the 
3d, 4th, 5th and 6th of October. The officers at this time were John Foster, President ; Chas. 
L. Bering, Secretary ; M. Adams, Treasurer. 

In 1878, the fair was held September 18, 19, 20 and 21, with total receipts amounting to 
$562.17, from which premiums were paid of $200 ; expenses, $288.66 ; Secretary's ofiice, $50. 
Owing to a storm which destroyed the main building during the second day of the fair, the latter 
was a comparative failure. Officers for the year, James Webster, President; Charles L. Bering, 
Secretary, M. Adams, Treasurer. 

The officers for 1879 were James Webster, President ; M. Adams, Secretary ; L. Birdsey, 
Treasurer; the annual fair was held September 24, 25 and 26, with total receipts of $1,199.11, 
from which were paid for premiums $740.50 ; fair expenses, $321.24 ; Secretary's office, $45 ; 
leaving a balance on hand of $42.37. It was a success in every particular, greatly encouraging 
to its officers and friends. 

The exhibition grounds of the society are owned by A. W. Ingalsbee, and are situated one- 
half mile northeast of the city, and are well adapted for the purpose. The society is not a 
joint-stock company, and was formed simply by the people organizing and electing officers. Its 
resources consist in the proceeds of their exhibitions, after expenses are paid, together with 
$100 anually appropriated by the State. 

Lodi Union Agricultural Society. — The Columbia County Agricultural Society had its 
annual exhibition in the village of Lodi September 22, 23 and 24, 1863. The fair was a suc- 
cess financially and otherwise ; the attendance was good, although but few attended outside of 
the towns immediately surrounding. This fact suggested to James 0. Eaton, of Lodi, the idea 
of an organization of a union fair composed of citizens of neighboring towns. In the issue of 
the Lodi Herald, October 7, 1863, was published from his pen, the following letter : 

" Editor Herald : — Permit me through your columns to call the attention of the farmers 
and others interested in agricultural matters, in the towns of Bekorra, West Point, Lodi and 
Arlington, in Columbia County, and Roxbury, Bane and Vienna, in Bane County, to the propriety 
of organizing a union agricultural society. At the fair recently held in this place, the receipts 
were nearly $600, and probably not $25 of the amount were received from persons living beyond 
the limits of these towns, while a number of premiums went beyond the limits of those towns 
in Columbia County ; and those towns in Bane County, which contributed largely to the receipts 
of the fair, received no part in the disbursement of the premiums. That those towns in this 
county are, as regards county fairs, isolated from the balance of the county, was fully demon- 
strated by the non-attendance at the fair in this place, of persons living in other portions of the 
county. Nature intended that these towns in Dane County should aflSliate with those in Colum- 
bia County, and it is self-evident that the people do not intend to deviate from the course pointed 
out by nature. Lodi as a central point would give but a short distance for gathering together 
of stock, and from the fact that all these towns are first-class agricultural towns, but little effort 
would be necessary to get up and sustain from year to year, one of the most successful fairs in 
the State. 



464 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

" What say you, gentlemen agricultui'ists, to having a meeting of the friends of the enterprise, 
for the purpose of organizing such an association ? * 

"LoDi, October 5." 

It was not until 1866, that the suggestions of the letter were carried out. A preliminary 
meeting for the organization of the society was held at the Lyon House, in the village of Lodi, 
July 28, 1866, pursuantto the following call: 

All persons in the towns of Roxbury, Dane, Vienna, West Point, Dekorra, Arlington and Lodi, who are in favor 
of organizing a union agricultural society, are requested to meet at the Lyon House on Saturday, .July 28, at 3 o'clock 
P. M., to organize such a society. 

[Signed] Many Citizens. 

July '2i, 1806. 

At this meeting, James 0. Eaton was elected temporary Chairman, and George Yule, tem- 
porary Secretary. On motion, it was resolved that the meeting proceed to organize an agricult- 
ural society, embracing the towns of Roxbury, Dane and Vienna, in Dane County, and Wes- 
Point, Dekorra, Arlington and Lodi, in Columbia County. It was also voted that the' organizat 
tion be known as the Lodi Union Agricultural Society. Richard Lindsay, W. S. Schermerhorn 
and Alpheus King were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws to be sub- 
mitted at the annual meeting in October. Alpheus King, of Dane, was elected President ; H. 
W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary, and H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 

The first fair of the society was held in the village of Lodi, October 2, 3 and 4, 1866, and 
was regarded as a success. Annual fairs have since been held up to and including 1879, from 
which were received from all sources $13,872.7:2, of which amount have been e.xpended for 
premiums, $6,652.55 ; rent of grounds, $1,295; fitting up of grounds, $2,938.12. It has paid 
its premiums in full every year, excepting in 1878, when the weather was so unfavorable the 
fair was a comparative failure. 

A constitution and by-laws were adopted at the annual meeting in October, 1866. The 
oflicers of the society from that date to 1880 have been as follows : 1866 — Alpheus King, of 
Dane, President ; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary ; H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1867 — 
Alpheus King, of Dane, President ; H. AV. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary ; H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, 
Treasurer. 1868 — Alpheus King, of Dane, President ; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary ; II. 
M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1869— Fred Perry, of West Point, President ; H. W. Cass, of 
Lodi, Secretary: H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1870 — Jonas Narrecong, of Lodi, Presi- 
dent; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary; J. B. Dwinnell, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1871 — Jonas 
Narrecong, of Lodi, President; Isaac Van Ness, of West Point, Secretary; J. B. Dwinnell, of 
Lodi, Treasurer. 1872 — P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, President ; Isaac Van Ness, of West Point, 
Secretary ; J. B. Dwinnell, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1873 — P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, President ; 
Isaac Van Ness, of West Point, Secretary ; J. B. Dwinnell, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1874 — 
Robert Steele, of Dane, President; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary; D. C. Stanley, of 
Vienna, Treasurer (died during the year). 1875 — Robert Steele, of Dane, President ; E. .W. 
Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1876 — J. T. Collins, of 
Arlington, President ; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, Treasurer. 
1877 — J. 0. Eaton, of Lodi, President ; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; J. Caldwell, of 
Arlington, Treasurer. 1878 — J. 0. Eaton, of Lodi, President ; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Sec- 
retary ; J. Caldwell, of Arlington, Treasurer. 1879 — Robert Steele, of Dane, President ; E. 
W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; Job Mills, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1880 — A. A. Boyce. of 
Vienna, President ; E. W. GartJner, of Lodi, Secretary ; Job Mills, of Lodi, Treasurer. 

At a special meeting of the Executive Committee, held February 12, 1870, a contract was 
made with James McCloud for grounds for a period of five years, for the purpose of holding 
the annual fairs, Mr. McCloud to fit up and furnish the same for the convenience of the fair, 
and to receive an annual rent therefor of $250. 

At the annual meeting of the society, August 30, 1873, on petition of Thomas Sanderson 
and twenty-five other freeholders of the town of Leeds, that town was admitted to all the privi- 
leges of the society. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 465 

In 1875, an arrangement was made with the Lodi Driving Park Association, by which the 
* society was to have the use of their park for fair purposes, and its meetings have since been 
held at that place. The grounds have been well fitted up for all purposes of an agricultural 
society. One of the best half-mile tracks in the State affords an opportunity for the display or 
training of fast horses ; an art hall, 34x110 feet, suitably arranged for the display of such arti- 
cles as are found therein, and a hall for agricultural products, are among the attractions. At this 
time (1880), the society has no floating debt, but is owing $675, due in 1884, contracted for 
fitting up the grounds. By legislative action, it has been placed on the same footing, for State 
aid, as the county societies. 

potters' joint-stock emigration society. 

In 1844, the Potters' Union, of Staffordshire, England, was supporting in idleness a large 
number of unemployed potters, at an expense of some £70 per week. The idea was then con- 
ceived of organizing an emigration society, in order to give these unemployed men, or others 
"of their trade, an opportunity of emigrating to America, where lands were cheap and where 
industry would surely be rewarded, thus relieving their country of surplus labor, and enabling 
those that remained to obtain better wages. It was argued that a redundancy of hands depre- 
ciates the value of labor and lowers it in price ; if, therefore, any plan could be acted upon by 
which that redundancy could be destroyed, an efficient blow would be given to the cause of 
labor's wrongs. " Low prices are the effect of surplus labor ; surplus labor is a consequence of 
the increasing power of production and the ignorance of the working classes. If the working 
classes had possessed intelligence, the millions of money expended by them in battling with 
effects — in useless strikes for a raise of price when starving men were in the land, and prepared 
to work at any price — would have been devoted to a more sterling object; to the eradicating of 
the cause that produced low prices, and the consequent distress that has existed and that now 
exists among the working classes of this empire."* 

It was to this process of reasoning that the pottei's of Staffordshire owed the existence of 
their joint-stock emigration society. If a general plan of emigration could be brought into 
practical operation, the £70 per week being expended could speedily be dispensed with, by the 
removal of its claimants to happy homes in this Western World, where they would not have to 
starve on the charitable pittance of their brethren and to waste their days in idleness, but where 
all the powers of their existence would be called into active operation, and where industry and 
economy would be certain of producing independence in the progress of time. 

The "Potters' Joint-Stock Emigration Society and Savings Fund" was organized, accord- 
ing to an act of Parliament, May, 1844. Its object was " to raise a fund, by weekly contribu- 
tions from each member, according to the number of shares held by such member, to purchase, 
in the Western States of the North American Union, 12,000 acres of land ; to raise on the 
same buildings for the use of British operative potters desiring to emigrate, through the medium 
of shares, of not less than =£1 each." 

It was proposed that, with the moneys realized by these ,£1 shares, a given number of fam- 
ilies, elected by ballot, should be sent to the society's land, to each of which families should be 
given twenty acres of land, and the migrating expenses of the whole to be defrayed by the com- 
pany's funds. It was also permitted of any member who had paid £1, the privilege of emigrat- 
ing, he bearing his own expenses, and to choose twenty acres of land, erecting thereon a build- 
ing, and to cultivate the same. Any one elected by ballot, who did not choose to go, was per- 
mitted to dispose of his chance as he might think proper to any member of the society. Women 
were permitted to become members of the society, but were not permitted to hold office. Its 
general management was vested in a President, Vice President, Secretary, two Money Stew- 
ards, three Trustees, two Treasurers, one Estate Steward and one Deputy Estate Steward, who 
were permitted to remain in office so long as they gave general satisfaction, and did their duty 
according to its rules and regulations. 

* P<j««-s' Examiner, June 22, 1864. 



466 HISTORY OF COLUMHIA COUNTY. 

The objects of the society met with the approval of the great body of men in whose inter- 
est it was organized; its membership rapidly increased, and. in 184G, when a sufficient fund ' 
had been raised for the purpose, Hamlet Copeland, John Sawyer and James Hammond were 
sent out to purchase land and make such preparations as were necessary for the welfare of 
those who desired to emigrate. They brought with them a fine set of fancy pottery, designed 
as a present for the General Land Commissioner, at Washington. When they arrived in that 
city, the Commissioner was absent, but his brother,, who was a clerk in the department, received 
them, and in his name accepted the present and advised them to seek a home in Wisconsin. 
Coming to this State, they carefully looked over the field, and selected 1,640 acres in a body 
in the town of Scott, Columbia County. This they had surveyed into twenty-acre tracts, on 
each of which was to be erected a dwelling-house for the occupancy of the emigrants. 

In the pottery trade, as carried on in England, there were eight branches, and each branch 
had its separate union. After a sufficient time had elapsed, as the society thought, for the com- 
mittee sent out to make all due preparation, each of these unions selected one of their number 
to form an Estate Committee, who were to come with the emigrants, and see that each member 
of their respective unions received his just credits and was not imposed on by the General Com- 
mittee. This Estate Committee was composed of Isaac Smith, Henry Dooley, Enoch Pickering, 
George Summerfield, Joseph Cloous, Samuel Fox, George Robertshaw and William Bradshaw. 
Easter week, 1847, a band of emigrants, consisting of the eight mentioned and others to the 
number of forty-four, left the potteries in Staffiardshire, accompanied by a band of music and a 
turnout of several thousand people, who came to see them off and bid fiirewell. Taking ship at 
Liverpool, they sailed for New York, and, after spending five long, dreary weeks upon the 
water, they landed at Castle Garden. By way of the Erie Canal they journeyed to Buffalo, N. 
Y., and thence to Milwaukee by lake. Here they were met by James Hammond, who was to 
be their conductor to the "promised land." 

Arriving in Scott, they found but four houses erected, and all in an unfinished condition — 
not a window in nor a door hung, and no real provision made for their comfort ; but this was 
not the fault of the committee, as they had not been given time enough to have all things in 
readiness. The men were of necessity required to go to work and build houses for themselves, 
in the mean time living as best they could. At this time, provisions were hard to obtain, with 
or without money, and starvation seemed to stare them in the face. For days and weeks, bread 
was not to be obtained ; potatoes, too, were scarce, butter unknown, and the outlook was dreary 
indeed. Discouraging reports were sent back to friends in England, which had the effect of 
discouraging emigration and to cripple the work of the society. Many who had taken an active 
interest in the work, withdrew their aid, so much so that sufficient funds could not be raised to 
even supply the wants of those who had already been sent out, much less to send others. At 
this juncture, the society was re-organized, and, instead of limiting the membership to the pot- 
ters, all trades were permitted to unite in furtherance of the object which brought it into exist- 
ence. Every effort was made by the society to prevent the spread of discouraging reports. 
Circulars were issued and scattered broadcast, in one of which the general agent spoke as fol- 
lows: "At the commencement of the Potters' Joint-Stock Emigration Society, and up to the 
present time [May, 1848], its operations were confined to working potters alone. It is now the 
pleasure of the founder to announce that these o])erations are thrown open to the service of 
other trades ; and that the success of the potters in their land movement for trade's protection, 
is of the most cheering character. Apart from strikes, they have succeeded in raising the price 
of their labor upward of 20 per cent, and throughout a long and unparalleled stagnation of 
trade, they have conserved the improved price thus secured. This great success is wholly a 
consequence of their land operations. Instead of resorting to ruinous strikes, they have put 
the ax to the root of all trades' evil — surplus labor. In ninety-nine cases out of every hun- 
dred, these just demands have been complied with ; and when refused, and men discharged from 
their employ, these objects of persecution were at once removed to self-supporting twepty-acre 
farms, rejoicing in their release from the oppressor's yoke." 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 467 

On the first purchase of land by the society, in the town of Scott, were settled in the first 
year 134 persons. The settlement was given the name of Pottersville. 

The new rules adopted by the society secured to each individual who chose to avail himself 
of the privilege, twenty acres of land and two years' credit for twelve months' provisions on 
the store of the colony. To every balloted member, twenty acres of land, five broken up, sown 
and fenced ; a good substantial log dwelling ; passage money for family, and two years' credit 
for provisions — all for the small contribution of sixpence per week. The balloted member had 
also all the emigrating expenses of himself, wife and children, under eighteen years of age, 
defrayed by the society. 

In 184'J, Thomas Twigg was sent out with full power to purchase 50,000 acres of land, 
and did purchase a considerable amount in the towns of Fort Winnebago, Columbia County, and 
Moundville, Marquette County. On Section 4, on the banks of the b'ox River, at a place called 
Twigg's Landing, he opened a store for the society and also put in operation a blacksmith-shop, 
A branch store was also started in the town of Scott. The Trustees at this time were John 
Johnson, Charles Adams and Thomas Twiggs. The Stewards in charge of the store were 
unfortunate in the transaction of the business, contracting debts which could not be paid on 
maturity. Suits were brought against the society, judgment obtained, and a levy made upon the 
tract of land first purchased in the town of Scott. Friends of the parties then living on the land, 
bought it in and permitted the occupants to remain thereon, paying therefor a proportionate 
part of the amount paid. News of this state of affairs was sent back to England, confidence 
was lost in the management of the society and it soon disbanded. A few of the emigrants 
returned to England, but the greater part remained, some of whom entered land for themselves 
elsewhere in this and adjoining counties, and in due course of time became substantial citizens. 




468 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Dells— County Statistics— Cointy Maps and Atlas— Cui!lin<i— Columbia County 
Bible Society— Fish Culture— Railroads- Dark Deeds— Abstract Office — The 
Welsh Literary Movement in Columbia County. 

THE DELLS. 

The Wisconsin River comes down from a great timber country to the north, on its way to 
the Mississippi, cutting through a sandstone section of country, maicing what are called the 
Dells. Here is a crooked waterway several miles in length, down which the stream goes twist- 
ing, bending and pushing its way along in the effort to get into more "easy circumstances " 
below. In its work of forcing a passage through the sand formation, the stream has made and 
abandoned as many attempts as does a drunken man in going home after a hard day's spreeing. 
So it has pushed this way and that way, cutting out chambers, nooks, crannies, ravines, alleys, 
and all manner of hiding-places. 

These Dells are a great curiosity, as marvelous in their way as anything that can be found 
in the United States. Until within a few years, they were not known or thought of as worthy 
of attention. Some years since, a photographer living at Kilbourn City, began looking about 
him, finding something wonderful and beautiful every day, until at last he was inspired to take 
his camera and produce pictures. Men would not believe what he said, but when tliey saw the 
pictures which were the reflection of nature, then they began to be convinced, and to express 
themselves as willing to believe that there was something about the Dells more than usually 
attractive. Meanwhile, he kept on with his work, rowing up the Wisconsin into the nooks and 
crannies, setting his three-legged contrivance up. and obtaining views, which the people began 
to want. As these pictures went into circulation about the country, attracting, through the eye, 
the minds of men and women, people began to turn their steps toward the Dells to look at the 
beautiful scenery, and then to go home and tell their neighbors that the half had not been told. 

Following this, there came a demand for boats and for boys to row them. Then some one 
said, " Why not have a steamboat on the river — something light, quick and safe, whereby men, 
women and children can be transported from place to place as they wish, to see the beauties of 
the Dells — to enjoy picnic dinners, to get off the boat and ramble in ravines, in nooks, in 
gulches. At last, men began the building of a steamer, then another, a very neat, comfortable 
craft, which would carry about three hundred excursionists. In the course of time, the last- 
mentioned was completed, and the former taken to Fox River ; but, not content with this, 
another was put on the river. This is now upon the placid bosom of Devil's Lake. Mean- 
while, the fourth boat made its appearance, which now plies upon the Wisconsin. So it is that 
the people of the State and^he United States are beginning to learn that they need not go to 
Europe to find scenery that is interesting to the lovers of nature for its strange, grotesque 
beauty. 

The Dells are a narrow passage cut by the Wisconsin River through high grounds, which, 
after bounding its valley on both sides for many miles, gradually approach and join. The total 
length of the gorge is about seven and one-half miles. At the upper end, about two miles north 
of the south line of the counties of Juneau and Adams, the river narrows suddenly from a width 
of over one-third of a mile to one of not more than 200 feet. Throughout the whole length of 
the passage, the width does not ever much exceed this, whilst in one place it is only fifty feet. 
The water in the gorge is very deep, although immediately above it there are broad sand-flats, 
with scarcely enough water, at low stages, to float a canoe. The perpendicular sandstone walls 
are from fifteen to eighty feet in height, the country immediately on top of them being about 





PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 471 

one hundred feet above the river. From this level, about midway in the passage, there is a 
rapid rise in both directions to the summit of the high country on each side. In several places, 
branch gorges deviate from the main gorge, returning again to it ; these are evidently old river 
channels, and are now closed by sand. The streams entering the river in this portion of its 
course make similar canyons on a small scale. 

Section 28, in Township 14 north, of Range 6 east, lies both in Adams and Juneau 
Counties. The Wisconsin River, which is here the boundary between them, enters the north line 
of that section, and just at this point begin the Dells — the " upper jaws," as they are familiarly 
called. The stream flows in nearly a south course through the middle of Section 28, until it 
crosses into Section 33. It continues through the last-named section, passing through the 
"lower jaws," and just at the point in the middle of the river where it crosses its southern line 
are the corners of Columbia, Adams, Juneau and Sauk Counties. It flows on across the north 
line of Section 4, in Township 13 north, of Range 6 east, with a course bearing to the east- 
ward, crossing into Section 3, but soon turning back again into Section 4. Here a dam crosses 
the river. All above this point is known as the " Upper Dells." From this dam is seen 
Columbia County and the village of Kilbourn City in the town of Newport, on the right; Sauk 
County and the town of Delton, on the left ; the river forming the boundary between the two 
counties. Below the dam — or, what is specific enough, below Kilbourn City — ^are the " Lower 
Dells;" while, as we have seen, above are the " Upper Dells." The former occupy about the 
same distance down the river as is occupied by the latter %ip the stream, the east side being in 
Columbia County and the town of Newport ; the west side in Sauk County and the town of 
Delton ; but the general trend of the Wisconsin is toward a southeast course in the " Lower 
Dells." At the point where the river loses its characteristics of a gorge, it is called "the Foot 
of the Dells." Throughout the whole length of the narrow passage, from the "Upper Jaws" 
to "the Foot of the Dells," fanciful names have been given to the most striking objects and 
places. 

The Upper Dells. » 

Beginning at the dam and traveling up the river, the first striking feature of the gorge is 
Angel Rock, situated about one-half mile from the steamboat landing in Kilbourn, on the right- 
hand side of the river. It is a rugged projection, curiously shaped. This lofty crag a lively 
imagination can easily transform into a huge angel with outspread wings ; hence the name. It 
is also called Marble Rock, from the peculiar little round lumps of sandstone found on the ledge 
and in the river below. 

Sivallows' Rock, or where the swallows live, is a little further along on the same side. In 
early spring and summer, thousands of beautiful little swallows may be seen here in the brown 
cliff's, occupying innumerable holes in the rock, safe from danger, and the happiest family to be 
found anywhere. Their jolly twittering can be heard far out upon the water. 

The Jaws of the Dells, or entrance to the Dells proper, are guarded by two immense 
rocks — High Rock and Romance Cliff — standing like sentinels on duty and sternly looking 
down in their stately grandeur, as if disputing the right of man to explore the intricate passage 
beyond. 

High Rock, on the right, rises from fifty to seventy-five feet above the river. It presents 
a rugged, rough aspect, with curiously shaped sides, and has a meager growth of stunted pines, 
birch, and other trees and foliage. 

Romance Cliff, on the left, is a grand old pile of stately rocks covered with a dense growth 
of trees and shrubbery. It is somewhat higher and more stately than its vis-a-vis. High Rock, 
and has much more of the curious and wonderful in its make-up and general appearance. It 
is suggestive of the stately crags and beetling clifl's of the weird and grand scenery of the 
Rocky Mountains. 

Chimney Rock is one of nature's singular freaks, left standing for innumerable ages, 
formed by the action of the wild waters, looking like the old-fashioned stick and mortar chim- 
ney of the days of the forefathers. Standing out from the cliff" behind, it looks as if the touch 



472 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

of a child's finger would topple it into the river. It is on the right, just beyond High Rock. 
Not far above is 

Echo Cove. — A most pleasing echo can be heard here. It repeats everything, and is a 
beautiful place for bathing and enjoying a quiet hour in a cool, pleasant retreat. 

The Dell House, " a wild, rambling old rookery," on the left, is one of the first frame 
houses ever built on the river above Portage. It was erected in the year 1837-38, by Robert 
V. Allen, and for many years was used as a tavern. 

Chapel Gorge is the next point on the right hand, and nearly opposite the Dell House. 
It is a beautiful, shaded glen, and is named from the peculiarly shapen rock at its entrance, 
resembling a chapel or place of worship. The Gorge is pleasant and shady. 

Boat Cave is just beyond the Chapel, on the same (east) side of the river. It should 
always be visited to be appreciated, although a general idea may be had from the steamer's 
deck. It is one of the most peculiar formations, showing the action of the water upon the soft 
sandstone. It can only be traversed in a small boat. Beginning with a perfectly arched door- 
way, only large enough to admit an ordinary skiff, it opens out in a vaulted chamber in the solid 
rock of the cliff, then turns at right angles and through another hall with a water floor, ends in 
a large door farther up the river. 

Circle Bend is the next place of interest in ascending the stream, where the river and 
rocks form a half circle. The rocks are high and bold, presenting a cliff of solid masonry, 
formed and carved and hewn and worn into a wall of adamant by the action of the whirling 
waters. Its top is covered with a dense growth of cedar, hemlock, pine, birch, oak, and all the 
many varieties of ferns and shrubbery that so abundantly abound throughout the Dells. 

Sturgeon Bock, on the left, is a bold, projecting rock, resembling a sturgeon. Here we 
enter upon the looked-for wild grandeur of the Dells. 

Navy Yard is on the left of Sturgeon Rock, and is one of the most picturesque and won- 
derful formations on the river. Here the imagination pictures huge stone vessels of war, with 
prows and sides and ribs so solid and stanch that for ages they have withstood the battles and 
warring of the waters, and as time has rolled on they have become more complete and shapely 
in form and build. Bold guardians are they of the Narrows. 

Eaton Grotto is a long, deep opening — a rift in the face of the clifi" from top to bottom — 
extending back some forty feet into the rugged wall of rock. It is on the opposite side from the 
Navy Yard. 

Skylight Cave is a very similar opening to that of Eaton Grotto, and is just at the head of 
the Navy Yard, on the same side of the river as the latter. Here, with a small boat, one can seek 
the deep recess of the rock for upward of a hundred feet, lighted only by a little rift in the 
rocks overhead. It is a delightful place to visit. 

Gates' Bavine, also on the right, is a few hundred yards farther up the stream, and extends 
back from the river nearly a mile. It is a delightful place for a ramble, and is filled with beau- 
tiful ferns and flowers, tall cliffs, rugged crags and sparkling streams. 

The Narrows. — Here the river suddenly narrows to the width of only fifty-two feet, and the 
water is eighty feet in depth. The river is now running upon its edge, hemmed in on either 
side by ponderous rocks. In low water, the current is nearly as calm and placid as at any point 
on the Dells, but when the river is up, the raging waters come pouring through this narrow 
gorge with great force. 

The Old Bridge. — In the year 1850, Schuyler S. Gates erected a substantial bridge across 
the Narrows. This was the first bridge ever built across the A\"isconsin, and was used for a 
number of years. Thousands of teams and passengers paid toll here. It was carried away by 
the high water of 1866. 

The Devil's Elbow is the point where the river makes an almost square turn just at the 
entrance of the Narrows. 

Black Haivk's Cave can now be seen on the left hand. It was here (the legend hath it) 
where the old chief hid safe and secure in the days of the Black Hawk war. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 473 

Notch Rock. — This is (to raftsmen) the dread of the Narrows. It is a square, bowlder- 
looking rock, on the left, and is known as Raftsmen's Terror, on which, in high water, rafts are 
sometimes broken, and lives lost. It can be seen close down to the water's edge. 

Rattlesnake Rock is the high crag or solitary looking rock on the left, just back of Notch 
Rock. It is covered with shrubbery. 

Artist's Glen. — This is one of the most beautiful ravines on the river. It is on the right, 
nearly opposite Rattlesnake Rock. This glen is delightful for picnic grounds, and has a large 
number of fine butternut and other trees, affording an elegant retreat. 

Sliding Rocks are here upon either side of the stream, and are so called from their peculiar 
formation, the sides being oval-shaped and sliding inward, throwing the water to the center of 
the stream. 

The Ancient River-Bed is seen as a sand bank on the left. In an early day, the river 
divided here, and a part ran around, coming out and uniting with the main river at or below the 
Dell House, forming a large island. 

Coldwater Canyon. — This canyon requires a full half-day to explore thoroughly. It is one 
of the grand features of the Dells. You proceed through a rocky defile and under frowning 
crags — a glory of cavern and valley. Far-distant archways are seen overhead. Here one 
scrambles and slides, between towering chasm walls, so near together that both sides can be 
reached at once by the hands. In this canyon fourteen varieties of ferns are found, including one 
that is fragrant. Finally, you come to the 

Devil's Jug. — In a moment you reach a deep, wild, narrow gorge, walled in with rocks, 
which are in some places almost vertical, and in others overhanging the pathway. The g'jrge is 
so narrow that we do not see the Jug until we step inside of it, and look around with wondering 
curiosity upon its splendid curves and magnificent proportions. It is, of course, a broken jug, 
the ravine extending through and beyond it for a considerable distance, and on one side the lines 
are imperfect, owing, doubtless, to the unusual hardness of the rocks ; but the other side is hol- 
lowed into a perfect resemblance of the inside of an immense jug, as smoothly fashioned as if 
turned upon a potter's wheel. The entire width of the jug is about thirty-five feet at the bot- 
tom, and its height is not far from seventy feet. The rift at the top is quite narrow, admitting 
light enough to see with tolerable distinctness, but leaving the upper part of the cavern in twi- 
light gloom. The gorge beyond the Jug is passable for some distance. A ramble through this 
vast canyon, and a visit to the Jug will afford a world of pleasure. All the many varieties of 
ferns and mosses may be gathered here. 

The Devil's Arm Chair. — You will wonder why his Satanic Majesty should perch his 
chair in such a place, unless he too is an admirer of the wonders of nature. It is on the left and 
but a short distance up the river from Coldwatfer Canyon. The next place of note is the 

Clam Banks, in which nothing is to be found except the name to remind us of the delicious 
bivalves gathered on the shores of Narragansett Bay, unless, in imagination, a collection of pro- 
digious stones is converted into clams. 

Ruffle Rocks are upon each side of the stream, and would look well on the shirt fronts of 
the giants of olden days. They adorn with becoming grace the river's sides for a long distance. 

Chameleon Cave is a seam in the bank, andean only be visited by climbing a ladder from the 
steamer's deck, going to the high bank, and then down into the earth. You will need the light 
of a lantern and guide to reach the bottom. It contains beautiful changing mosses. It is on the 
right just above Steamboat Rock. 

Steamboat Rock challenges especial attention. It stands an island in a curious circular 
cove, and resembles, from some points, a huge ocean steamer, without smoke-stack and wheel- 
house. It is about 250 feet long by 100 feet wide and some 40 to 50 feet in height, with per- 
pendicular rugged sides and covered with pine, oak and shrubbery. 

Rood's Glen. — This is just beyond Steamboat Rock, on the right. It is a large cavern, 
and if it were near a large city would be made useful as a lager-beer hall. 

Honey Bee Spring is on the left, just above. The rock is shaped like an eagle's beak. 



474 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Arch Cove is a delightful place for picnic parties. It is here one can get the best view of 
the many islands at the head of the Dells, and of the river for a long distance. The Cove is a 
beautiful, shady recess, and contains an elegant spring of pure, fresh water. It is on the left- 
hand side of the river. Nearly opposite, on the right side of the river, at the upper jaws of 
the Dells, is the 

Witches Gulch. — At the head of the Dells, on the right, extending three-quarters of a 
mile from the shore, will be found this remarkable gulch. The precipitous rocks tower aloft on 
either side to the height of perhaps a hundred feet, their sides being worn smooth and their 
ragged edges rounded off by the long-continued action of the water. One can almost touch with 
outstretched arms both sides of this gloomy gorge, which surpasses in grandeur anything hitherto 
seen in the Dells. The rocks overhead are in many places shelving and rounded into immense 
scollops. The stream through this wild pass is in many places waist-deep. It contains many 
curious points — a miniature waterfall. Phantom Chamber, Fairy Grotto, and hundreds of other 
remarkable features. 

The Islands. — From the head of the Dells, or " Upper Jaws," a fine view of the river, bluifs 
and islands is had for a long distance. This view is often compared to a similar scene in Lake 
George. Above the Dells the river " spreads itself" all over the country, as it were, and is full 
one-half mile in width and very shallow, the water in summer being not over one or two feet in 
depth. About three-fourths of a mile above Witches' Gulch, are seen on the left bank, a num- 
ber of interesting points. 

Hornets' Nest has the shape, and at a short distance the general appearance of an 
immense hornets' nest. It serves as a pillar in front of a natural portico, the rock having in 
the course of time been washed out, leaving a flat roof overhead, with the Hornets' Nest as its 
principal support. Passing through the archway formed by this singular rock, we ascend and 
follow the hillside for a few rods, and presently stand in 

Luncheon Hall. — The waters have at some remote period swept through here with great 
force, wearing a passage through and under the rocks, and leaving the flat rocks which formerly 
stood at the " top of the heap," as a natural roof for the hall, which is of considerable extent. 
The roof has a single break, a few inches wide ; otherwise it is perfect ; find the rocks which 
support it furnish convenient seats and tables. Located on the top of a ridge, the hall presents 
a grand appearance to the spectator at a distance, and commands a fine view of the river. Once 
within its massive portals, awe gives place to curiosity, and the visitor finds pleasure in observ- 
ing the odd shapes which the rocks have assumed under the slow but persistent action of the cur- 
rent which once swept the Wisconsin Valley, leaving its impress on every hill, and cutting its 
way through the rocks until it formed the romantic channel through which the river now runs. 
A short distance from Luncheon Hall, is found #he wonderful 

Stand Rock. — To reach this, one must ascend the bank a short distance and follow along 
the edge of the ridge, coming to the rock upon the upper side. The top of the rock — a large 
sandstone slab — is nearly as level as a floor, and its superficial area is about eighteen by twenty- 
four feet. A pathway leads to the foot of it, and the view from below is more interesting than 
that from above. The water-rounded column which supports the super-poised tablet is of rather 
irregular shape and is sixty-two feet high. With the neighboring rock a sort of arch is formed, 
somewhat resembling the cavernous opening at Luncheon Hall. All around is a scene of beauty. 
The hills are covered with trees clothed with magnificent summer foliage ; a fine farm, trees and 
shrubs spread out up-riverward, and tlie glen is full of ferns and flowers in great profusion. 

TiiK. Lower Dells. 

The river here is broader and the banks present a greater diversity of bluff and bottom 
than in the Upper Dells, but the character of the rock composing the banks is the same, 
and a similar, though varied, succession of curious and pleasing forms is presented. The 
rocks have been worn and hollowed and rounded into every imaginable shape. In some 
places, great shelves, with stalwart young pines growing upon their very edges, overhang the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 475 

dark waters; elsewhere, perpendicular walls loom up like the front of some vast fortifica- 
tion, and, a little further on, a similar wall is supplemented with coigns, bastions, projecting 
towers and covered archways ; again, the rocks are rounded at their bases, so as to resem- 
ble the sterns of small vessels — much inferior in size and appearance to the ponderous hulks 
at the Navy Yard in the Dells above. Then the rocks slope gently downward to the green, 
grassy vale, where a pretty farm gives charming variety to the panorama, and on the opposite 
side to the broad bottom, where the village of Newport once stood in her pride, now inter- 
esting in her remarkable decay. 

Farther down the river are more noted objects. The lofty banks here, as above the 
dam, are crowned with a luxuriant growth of trees, shrubs, plants and grass. The first 
attraction after leaving the dam, going down the river, is Taylor's Glen, on the left — a wild 
half cavern and half vale, which winds around and under the village of Kilbourn City. 

Echo Pom^.— Standing upon the rocky cliff where the tunnel from Taylor's Glen comes 
out under the railroad,- any unusual elevation of the voice brings a prompt and distinct 
response from the massive, smooth-faced cliff" opposite, every word and tone being repeated 
■with surprising clearness and accuracy. Persons curious in such matters (and who is not ?) 
may easily reach Echo Point by walking a few rods down the railway, to the river-bend, and 
descending the pathway to near the mouth of the tunnel, where the benches of the rock 
aff"ord good standing-places. 

Bears Cave is on the same side, a few rods below, and is a hole in the rock, with a 
cleft extending out to the edge of the clifi", and thence downward to the water's edge, the 
cave forming a recess near the top. 

Chimney Rock is a little further down, on the same side, and in size is less than the one 
up the river, but greatly resembling it in situation and appearance. 

Then comes the Pulpit, standing near the water's edge, and shaped like the sacred desk 
in some sanctuaries. Below this on the river, but above it in height, is 

Observation Point, standing upon which you can see a magnificent landscape. On the 
opposite side is 

Stultz Rock, a terror to raftsmen, whose rafts are sometimes drawn into the eddy and whirled 
to destruction thereon. Steering clear of this treacherous place, and turning a point, we have 
in front of us 

Signal Peak, upon which the red man, it is said, used to light his signal fires to warn his 
brethren up and down the river when there were enemies around. Swinging around the bend, 
we soon come to the 

Sugar Bowl, which stands out in the stream, as cleverly molded as one could wish. The 
shape of this singular freak of nature is as true to its name as that of anything up the river, 
though it is hardly so striking as the interior view of the Devil's Jug. 

The Inkstand next claims attention. At first view it seems a counterpart of the Sugar 
Bowl, but we soon perceive a diff'erence. The rock, entire at the top, parts a little way down, 
and the passage, tapering gradually, is at the water wide enough to admit a small canoe. It 
bristles on top with small pines. • 

Lone Rock stands in massive majesty mid-river, smiling with its summer chaplet of verdure 
upon the tawny flood that washes its feet. It is a broad oval in shape. As we approach we 
find that its sides are perforated with caverns, into the largest of which, the 

Cave of the Dark Waters, or, as the Indians called it, the place of the Nah-huh-nah, we push 
our boat and rest awhile. From the other side, a few straggling gleams of light reach us through 

Reflection Arch. Nothing in this vicinity is more curious and wonderful than this rock, 
the outer walls and internal caverns of which show the abrading effects of different currents and 
eddies of water. Leaving this romantic spot, we head up stream along the south side of the 
river, to 

G-rotto Rock. This is formed by an immense flat rock, and is supported by massive jambs of 
the same material. It is quite spacious, and is surmounted and surrounded by the luxuriant 



476 HISTORY OF COLUMUIA COUNTY. 

arborescence and verdure, which throw a graceful charm over all the scenery of this region, and 
form a lovely setting for many a striking or quaint and curious picture. 

Places of interest in the Lower Dells besides those already mentioned, are Falls of the Dam, 
Coldwater Spring, Earle's Cave, The Ovens, Hawk's Bill, Bald Hill, Cobble Stone Cove, and 

many others. 

TiiK DiJLLs ix 18.")8. 

" Somewhere about two miles (as they measure them here, and that is with a ' woolen string ') 
above Kilbourn City, through a rough and unsettled opening country," said a writer in 1858, 
"' is the — or are the, I do not know whether singular or plural — Dells, so much spoken of, so 
often written about. I availed myself of a 'lift' on one of the stages that left Kilbourn City 
in good season in the morning, to visit for the first time that truly wonderful place on the largest 
river in the State. As I neared the stream, and came in sight, I was struck with the wild, 
rough, but truly beautiful, and, I might say, sublime, scenery, appearing on every hand. The 
morning was anything but pleasant, a regular Scotch mist hung hovering about the trees, little 
spirts of rain fed a chilly wind, the country around was dull, not a bird to be seen, the trees 
were leafless, not even a bud or flower in sight ; the drab-colored bark of the white oaks, with 
their scraggy tops, the dead-looking black or pin oaks, all destitute of foliage, their tops cur- 
tained with the gossamer haze of the mist, that was borne along on the wind, that chilled the 
face and somewhat dimmed the eye, all looking dreary ; solitude seemed to be reigning. The 
only relief to the scene, before actually reaching the river, were the fine, handsome tops of the 
pines that, like cones of bright green, here and there, reared their heads tapering off to sharp 
points in many places, high above the oaks, appearing like so many green spots in the waste. 
Turning from the course I was 'steering,' for I had missed my way, I found the road that led 
to the Dells' bridge, that is stretched from rock to rock over the Dells, I believe about two miles 
from their mouth, or jaws (I prefer the latter term), where the water is now eighty feet deep. 

" On the bridge is a fine view both up and down the current of a dirty, spiteful and wicked 
looking river (speaking nautically). Here a river of hundreds of miles in length, that has leaped 
cataracts and rushed almost unchecked over rapids, spreads at will over plains, and piled up in 
its playfulness san(i-bars of acres in size, suddenly finds itself contracted ; high walls of rough 
rocks, built up layer upon layer, until they attain at some places fifty and even a hundred feet 
in height, have prescribed its limits. As if maddened beyond control, in the height of its anger, 
apparently, it dashes into the jaws of the rocky monster that appears to swallow it. Here the 
fun begins in earnest, and is kept up for, I suppose, about two and a half miles, when the river 
again expands and the rapidity of the current is lessened. 

" Taking a good look at the stream from the top of the bridge, I crossed, and, proceeding 
for some distance up its side, I soon came in view of some rafts preparing to enter what 
to many a poor fellow has been the ' Valley of Death.' A request that I might have a passage 
was readily granted, and. in a few minutes, by some maneuvering, the raft was started, and on 
we went gliding gracefully down the stream. The current appeared to me to get swifter and 
swifter and swifter, until the whole raft of cribs of lumber pinned together seemed lo tremble 
and twist and be determined to go to pieces just because I was on it. I have heard of a lake 
somewhere up here called Devil's Lake ; the same name should be given to this part of the 
Wisconsin River, in my opinion. We are fairly afloat on the fierce, rolling, rushing tide, 
speeding on or rather down toward the turn above the bridge, where projecting into the stream 
is the dangerous rock, on the starboard hand of the river, called Notch Rock. Having sheered 
too much, or given too wide a berth to the eddy, or some whirl on the opposite side of 
the stream, we swung too far and came too near the Notch, passing within, it seemed to me, 
about four feet of the savage-looking point of the rock. On we went, the men plying their sweeps 
or oars with a vigor that appeared to denote a danger at hand. Looking up at the sides of the 
Dells when close to the bridge, I beheld a scene of which I have never seen the equal. In 
some places, the points of the massive masonry of rocks seemed ready to fall on the raft and 
crush it to atoms. Their upper points or promontories, that hung over and far above the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 477 

Stream, seemed held in their places only by the strong roots of some towering pines, whose 
points or apex seemed lost in the clouds, and the roots of which had grappled with the mon- 
strous stone or wall, running into every crevice, rift or fissure, as though the two had united 
their strength to resist the efforts of some hurricane that had sought to dislodge them. Upon 
the outward limbs of some of these Norway pine-trees, here and there was seen a bird resem- 
bling greatly the kingfisher, calmly looking down upon the swift water, that here, in its narrow- 
est limits, was maddened and infuriated, writhing, twisting, whirling, seething, foaming and 
boiling and bubbling, like some huge watery monster that was in an agony of pain as it forced 
itself through the craggy passage. Little bii'ds were seen hopping about the crevices of the 
rocks with ease, picking up insects from the moss ; and pretty little shrubs could be seen 
snugly stowed away ' under the lee,' or in the crooks of the stony banks, safe from rain or harm 
from wind, as though they had 

" ' Chosen the humble valley, and had rather 

Grow a safe shrub below, than dare the winds 

And be a cedar.' 

Just as we passed the bridge, a hole or concave place appeared in sight, close ahead of the 
raft, looking as if some leviathan had suddenly sucked down a hollow in the water ; this place 
of hollow water seemed at least twenty feet across, and into this eddy the two forward cribs of 
the raft appeared to sink and to disappear, the water rushing upon the lumber and the whole 
raft feeling as if it was about to turn over with a twirl and go to the bottom of the vortex. I 
fancied I read in the faces of two of those belonging to the raft a sign of more than common 
danger ; and a rushing backward and forward with the sweeps as the men put out all their 
strength and activity, induced me to commence the process of taking off an overcoat, that under 
any circumstances, would have been an encumbrance in the water. This elicited a laugh from 
two of the "red shirts;" however, it was apparent to me that unless the craft speedily righted, 
it would soon be — " every man for himself and God for us all." This was the " Grand Eddy." 
I call it the Maelstrom, on a small scale, but large enough. How, or in what manner to account 
for it, I do not know. I have no doubt that men accustomed to running the Dells get blunted 
to the danger, but I fully believe that to the unfortunate who gets overboard in the Wisconsin 
near the Dells, death is certain ; no swimming would avail him a particle; a blown bladder 
would be sucked down in some of the numerous eddies and swirls. I have passed many years 
of my life on the sea, been tempest tossed in some of the worst gales that ever swept any ocean. 
I have seen the crested waves of Cape Horn kiss the topsail yard-arms of more than one good 
ship ; I was ofi" Nantucket shores in that memorable equinoctial gale, that some eighteen years since 
hurled dozens of vessels upon the American coast, in which two pilot boats were lost, foundered 
off New York in a gale that sent hundreds of sailors to their ocean sepulcher. I have floated 
on and laughed at the Atlantic when in its wildest fury, when the good old liner, the Caledonia, 
of New York, reeled to and fro like a drunken man, and cries came up out of the deep ; but 
never have I felt as I did when the raft dipped its forward end in the " Grand Eddy " below the 
Dells bridge, when I believed danger was really near ; when the vision of a wife and two bright 
blue-eyed little ones, flashed before my view ; perhaps it was not fear, but it was certainly a 
realizing sense of the fact that, had the raft broke up, and I got overboard, as I certainly should, 
death to me, who cannot swim a stroke, was certain. I tell the truth and say that I was thankful 
when we got into smooth water, and I found my feet on terra firma, at the Dells House, out of 
all danger." 

A Tot'kist's Impkession of the Dells in 1879. 

" Onward and upward," says a recent writer, " we steamed, and such scenery as burst upon 
our startled vision ! As we advanced, the river grew narrower and the rocks higher. Such 
immensity of rocks— rocks of all sizes and all shapes — rocks that rise in great masses, layer 
upon layer, to a perpendicular height of one hundred feet or more — projecting rocks that hang 
butting over an awful crag, looking as though they must instantly loosen their frail hold and 
come crushing down to seek a securer bed in the bottom of the flowing river ! 



478 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

" The incessant action of the water has given to these rocks all sorts of shapes," continues 
the tourist, " and invention has been taxed to find them suitable names. In many instances, 
however, the artistic skill of the flood has wrought out forms that at once suggest what thev 
ought to be called. In one place, about half-way up the rugged steep, from the foundation of 
a projecting ledge, towers a lofty pile, which has been christened ' Chimney Rock ; ' and the 
shape it bears sufficiently indicates the propriety of the name. And then we have the ' Navy 
Yard,' a succession of immense rocks, each one of which is supposed to bear a resemblance to a 
ship. ' Steamboat Rock ' is a huge pile, separated from the shore by a narrow channel of water, 
thus creating an island, in shape very much like a large steamer. As we struck a bend in the 
river and entered its narrowest point, the Captain with a bold sweep brought his obedient boat 
around so as to avoid contact with the rugged wall of perpendicular rock that hemmed us in on 
both sides. He remarked : ' The water is eighty feet deep here, and I have known it to be 
forty feet higher than it is now.' 

" Some distance above, I observed an opening or gully on the right, pointing inland. We 
had made the shore and I was standing on a sandy beach. A walk of about forty rods along a 
well-trodden pathway, winding through brush, through briar, over bridge and around obstruct- 
ing bowlders, brought us face to face with a frowning pile of high towering rocks that rose up, 
away up into the blue sky, and here I supposed our further progress was staved ; but suddenlv 
our guide disappeared in a dark hole that opened before us, and we followed into this ' mouth of 
hell.' We had entered the ' Witches' Gulch.' ' Prodigious,' was my first exclamation as I looked 
around and up. Onward through the dark gulch I followed my guide ; onward into the increas- 
ing gloom ; onward between black walls of high-reaching rocks ; the projecting summits of 
which sometimes came so near together as to leave but a narrow streak of gray light glimmering 
upon us ; onward, discovering new objects of interest, new sources of wonder at each step ! 

"All through this gulch there flows a tiny stream of water, which of course adds much to 
the romantic interest of the witching scene. About half-way up, we pause before an open basin 
in the rock, into which a spring pours its grateful tribute. Some thirsty Moses had smitten the 
rock and the generous water gushed forth ; and it has been ' gushing ' ever since. A little 
further on, and the music of a miniature cataract greets our ears with a most enchanting sound, 
and soon after, our eyes are rewarded with the romantic sight of a little leaping cascade, tum- 
bling down a steep declivity of rocks a distance of several feet. Indeed, there are two of these 
tiny waterfalls, gilding the round pathway with their bright and foaming sprays. Up these 
ascents we must climb by a rather narrow stairway, and then, by a still rugged and slim path, 
we pursued our way until finally we suddenly issued forth from this Plutonian abode into the 
broad light of open day. 

" On my way back to the steamer, I once more found myself in the dark passage of the 
'Witches' Gulch.' I have now plenty of time, so I will proceed at leisure. I now come to 
the more deliberate conclusion that the ' Witches' Gulch ' is an original, a unique, a wonderful, 
a big thing. It is one of those things which humorous nature built when in her most eccentric 
mood. I examined the rocks more carefully this time. Occasionally these mighty stone giants 
form a lofty arch over my head, with just enough of an opening to enable me to catch a glimpse 
of the blue sky above ; then again they stand a perpendicular wall on either side of me, rising 
up a hundred feet, and so close together that I can touch their moss-covered sides with out- 
stretched hands as I move along the narrow pathway. And now, after descending two ladders, 
I stand once more at the foot of the rocky ledges down which rush the tiny cascades. 
Although the stream which forms these waterfalls is not more than a foot broad, its fall upon 
the hard rock below creates such a thundering sound in the vaulted room that we must lift our 
voices high in order to carry on intelligible conversation. But loud as is the noise, we would 
not part with such a musical roar — ' such sweet thunder ' — for even the softened tone with which 
gentle love breathes forth its most passionate story. There is something almost entrancing in 
the deep melody of these falling waters as they dash down the time-worn rocks. For some 
time, I stood in silence, enjoying the grateful scene and listening to the muflled roar of the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 479 

waters. But I must close this account of my visit to the Dells, although I have omitted men- 
tioning many — very many — interesting scenes." 

COUNTY STATISTICS. 

The vote of Columbia County for Governor. at each gubernatorial election since the admis- 
sion of Wisconsin into the Union, was as follows : 

1849— Alexander L. Collins, W., 432; Nelson Dewey, i>.,410; Warren Chase, Ab.,16. 

1851— Don A. J. Upham, B., 738; Leonard J. Farwell, W., 714 ; Allen Chaffee, 1. 

1853— William A. Barstow, B., 816 ; Henry S. Baird, W., 206 ; Edward D. Holton, Ab.,- 
706. 

1856 — William A. Barstow, D., 906 ; Coles Bashford, R., 1,585 ; scattering, 7. 

1857— James B. Cross, B., 1,280 ; Alexander W. Randall, R., 1,731. 

1859 — Alexander W. Randall, R., 2,595 ; Harrison C. Hobart, 2>., 1,645 ; scattering, 1. 

1861 — Louis P. Harvey, R., 1,925; Benjamin Ferguson, B., 741. 

1863— James T. Lewis, R., 2,896 ; Henry L. Palmer, D., 1,262. 

1865— Lucius Fairchild, R., 2,021 ; Harrison C. Hobart, B., 1,087. 

1867 — Lucius Fairchild, R., 2,649 ; John J. Talraadge, B., 1,603 ; scattering, 1. 

1869— Lucius Fairchild, R., 2,185 ; Charles D. Robinson, B., 1,342 ; Anthony Van 
Wyck, 1. 

1871 — Cadwallader C. Washburn, R., 2,248 ; James R. Doolittle, B., 1,579 ; scattering, 3. 

1878— Cadwallader C. Washburn, R., 2,001 ; William R. Taylor, Reformer, 1,509. 

1875— William R. Taylor, B., 1,618 ; Harrison Luddington, R., 2,413 ; C. F. Ham- 
mond, P., 31. 

1877— William E. Smith, R., 2,048 ; James A. Mallorv, B., 1,597 ; Edward P. AUis, G. 
B., 118 ; J. C. Hall, P., 14; C M. Campbell, 2. 

1879— William E. Smith, R., 2,862 ; James G. Jenkins, B., 1,673 ; Reuben May, G. B., 
126 ; W. R. Bloomfield, 5. 

The Presidential vote in Columbia County has been as follows: 

1848— Zachary Taylor, W., 308; Martin Van Buren, F. S., 166 : Lewis Cass, 2)., 145. 

1852— Franklin Pierce, B., 1,233 ; Winfield Scott, W., 1,111 ; John P. Hale, F. S., 81. 

1856 — John C. Fremont, R., 2,951 ; James Buchanan, B., 1,242 ; Millard Fillmore, A., 7. 

1860— Abraham Lincoln, R., 3,386 ; Stephen A. Douglas, B., 1,614 ; John Bell, U., 4. 

1864— Abraham Lincoln, R., 2,652 ; George B. McClellan, B., 1,483. 

1868— Ulysses S. Grant, R., 8,867 ; Horatio Seymour, B., 1,893. 

1872— Ulysses S. Grant, R., 3,070 : Horace Greeley, L., 1,835 ; Charles O'Connor, B., 11. 

1876— Rutherford B. Hayes, R., 3,532; Samuel J. Tilden, B., 2,494. 



The distances from Portage to various points are (1) By wagon road to Baraboo, 17 miles; 
Lodi, 20 ; Montello, 22 ; Kingston, 22 ; Oxford, 20 ; Poynette, 12 ; Pardeeville, 9 ; Briggsville, 
12 ; Reedsburg, 80 ; Friendship, 42 ; Westfield, 30 ; Packwaukee, 20 ; Sauk City, 30 ; Merri- 
mac, 16 ; Devil's Lake, 21 ; Cambria, 20 ; Randolph, 24 ; Columbus, 30 ; Kilbourn City, 20 ; 
Rio, 15; Otsego, 20; Wyocena, 10. 

(2) By airline to Lewiston Station, 9.2; Kilbourn City, 16.8; Pardeeville, 8.1; Cam- 
bria, 17.4; Randolph Center, 20.2; Wyocena, 8.4; Rio, 12.7; Doylestown, 17.4; Otsego, 
17.3; Fall River, 23.3; Columbus, 26.2; Hartman Station, 7.2; Poynette, 10.6; Arlington, 
14.4; Dekorra, 5.5; Iiodi, 14.4; Leeds Center, 16.6. 

(3) By railroad to Lewiston, 9; Kilbourn, 17; Lyndon, 25; Lemon weir, 33; Mauston, 
36 ; Lisbon, 41 ; Orange, 47 ; Camp Douglas, 50 ; Tomah, 62 ; Greenfield, 65 ; Sparta, 79 ; 
Bangor, 89 ; West Salem, 93 ; La Crosse, 104 ; Winona, 138 ; Wabasha, 186 ; Lake City, 201 ; 
Redwing, 219; Prescott, 249; Hastings, 252; St. Paul, 284; Wyocena, 8; Otsego, 18; Fall 
River, 24; Columbus, 28; Lowell, 37; Watertown, 47; Oconomowoc, 64; Pewaukee, 78; 



480 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUKTY. 



Brookfield, 82 ; Milwaukee, 91 ; Pacific, 5 ; Hartman, 10 ; Poynette, 14 ; Arlington, 19 ; Mor- 
rison, 21; De Forest, 23; Windsor, 27; Sanderson, 32; East Madison, 37; Madison, 38; 
Janesville, 77; Chicago, 168; Pardeeville, 8; Cambria, 18; Randolph, 23; Beaver Dam, 34; 
Minnesota Junction, 41 ; Iron Ridge, 50; Horicon, 44; Fox Lake, 28 ; Corning, 6 ; Mound- 
ville, 10; Packwaukee, 16; Westfield, 26; Steven's Point, 71. 



Following are the abstracts of assessments of the several towns, cities and villages in the 
county of Columbia, as returned to the County Clerk, for the year 1879, under the provisions of 
"Chapter 106, of General Laws of 1869 ; also the average valuation of the items in detail of personal 
property, and average price per acre of farming lands, together with the aggregate valuation 
of all property for 1879 : 



TOWNS. 



Arlingtou 

Caledonia 

CoIumbuB Town 

Columbus City 

Courtland 

Dekorra 

Fort Winnebago 

Fountain Prairie 

Hampden 

Leeds 

Lewiston 

Lodi 

Lowville 

Marcellon 

Newport 

Otsego 

Pacific 

Portage 

Randolph 

Scott 

Springvale 

West Point 

W^yocena 

W. W. v. Kandolph 

Total 



SKAT CATTLB. 



.MUX.E8 AND ASSES. 



No. 



At. 
Value. 



569 
573 
59: 
263 
507 
447 
304 
526 
682 
527 
394 
424 
410 
429 
237 
618 
114 
322 
.528 
438 
421 
448 
422 
14 



Total 
Value. 



No. 



$57 82 

43 65 
46 48 
,50 12 
36 14 

41 67 

35 26 

42 57 

39 36 
46 26 
45 82 

60 76 
53 26 

30 62 

61 76 

44 39 

31 67 
51 24 
51 86 

40 59 
28 74 
42 66 

36 55 
53 57 



$32899 
26012 
27565 
12680 
18323; 
18680! 
1072"! 
22390 
268:18: 
24376' 
18054 ; 
21518 
21838' 
13135 
12265 
27435 
.3610 
1649S 
27380 
17779 
12009, 
19111 
15425, 
760; 



2040 
2367 
1468 
2:i3 
1309 
1384 
905 
1901 
1629 
1104 
1286 
1673 
964 
856 
498 
1335 
447 
647 
1606 
1276 
1308 
1686 
H89 



10300 $43 76 $446279' 28869 SIO 63 $306731' 163 $44 48 



At. 
Value. 



$10 64 
9 54 
10 2' 

12 76 
10 66 

9 47 
9 22 
10 .19 
9 11 

13 45 

10 35 

11 11 

12 62 
9 00 

14 45 

10 88 
9 71 

15 12 

11 30 
10 02 

9 30 
10 98 
10 86 
20 56 



Total 
Value. 



No. 



$21713 

22676 

14969 

2974 

13954, 

13111 

8:i41 

20124! 

14842, 

14846 

13305 

18592 

12167 

7706 

7201 

14519 

4341 

8271 

18146 

127901 

121641 

18507 

11288 

185 



$77 85 
42 00 



At. 
Value. 



Total 
Value. 



50 00 

27 50 
33 76 
35 00 
42 50 
32 00 
42 00 
46 07 
54 52 
30 00 
32 50 
46 92 

28 00 



50 00 
55 63 
35 00 
30 00 
43 45 
26 25 



8545 
210 



SHEEP AND LAUB8. 



No. 



At. 
Value, 



lOO 

110' 
135 
14o! 
6'.0 
16o: 
2101 
646 1 
1146 
60 
130 
610' 
140! 



260 
446 

140] 
180' 
8.36 
106 



3460 
2132 
6163 

715 
6638 
1694 
1402 
3737 
3631 
3682 

860 

686 
2788 
3612 

456 
2477 

613 
13 
7559 
4328 
4139 
1608 
1306 



$6806' 62278 $1 42 



$1 98 
1 48 
1 69 
1 46 
1 27 
1 43 
1 71 
1 30 
1 34 
1 55 
1 34 
1 97 
1 73 
1 03 
1 28 
1 45 
1 24 
1 69 
1 18 
1 29 

1 24 

2 01 



Total 
Value. 



31.58 
8188 
1045 
8406 
2282 
2396 
4866 
4738 
6657 
1140 
1349 
4826 
3727 

634 
3601 

633 
22 
9929 
6476 
6141 
3.3;)2 
1281 



1910 

875 

1218 

129 

1614 

1009 

914 

1883 

1250 

919 

891 

870 

684 

1008 

410 

1124 

256 

260 

1706 

1404 

1287 

1439 

634 

5 



At. Total 
Value. Value. 



$2 66 
2 31 
2 29 
2 20 

1 62 

2 41 

1 87 

2 15| 

2 01 

3 22' 
2 46, 
2 81 
2 91 
2 32| 

2 06| 

3 13! 

1 96 

2 22' 
2 15' 

2 48 
1 09 

3 21, 

1 93' 

2 00, 



$5081 
2022 
2793 

284 
2449 
2434 
1712 
4047 
2516 
2967 
2192 
2443 
2002 
2339 

842 
3520 

503 

577 
3672 
3488 
1409 
4624 
1221 
10 



$88518' 23699 $2 33' $65137 





WAGONS, CAR- 
RIAGES & SLEIGHS. 


GOLD A SILVER WATCHES. 


PI A N OS AND 

MELODEONS. 


BANK STOCK. 


Merchants 

& Man'frs 
Stock. 


All other 
Personal 
Property. 


Total All 
Personal 
Property. 


TOWNS. 


No. 


Total 
Value. 


No. 


Average 
Value. 


Total 
Value. 


No. 


Total 
Value. 


No. 


Value. 


Value. 


Value. 


Value. 




308 
295 
148 
243 
2.32 
276 
195 
190 
212 
129 
227 
282 
196 
263 
130 
224 

46 
400 
350 
202 
245 
270 
192 

23 


$4390 
4188 
3400 
7205 
3296 
3282 
2.333 
3089 
4733 
2897 
3032 
6728 
3682 
3475 
3429 
3860 

624 
13205 
7495 
2631 
1083 
4406 
2543 

765 


16 
32 

3 
62 
44 
39 
10 

2 
IS 

4 
19 
76 

7 
20 
76 
23 


221 
20 
30 
30 
29 

8 
12 


$ 9 06 

4 16 

23 33 
29 36 
13 11 
9 95 

7 90 
60 00 

8 06 
21 25 

6 21 
15 57 
15 71 

6 25 
17 04 

10 78 
6 00 

23 36 

9 00 

5 60 
4 40 
9 66 

11 25 
27 08 


$145 
133 

70 
1820 
577 
388 

79 
100 
14.5 

85 
118 
1163 
110 
125 
1295 
248 

36 
5172 
180 
165 
132 
280 

90 
325 


2U 

6 

17 

72 

26 

33 

11 

24 

13 

19 

5 

67 

23 

22 

34 

30 

1 

152 

16 

18 

29 
7 


$ 1075 
200 
455 

6355 
685 

14.50 
31(1 
946 
495 
595 
130 

3005 
623 
8U0 

1815 

1285 
26 
11243 
630 
210 
150 
877 
990 
946 






$ 1760 


$ 27369 
13102 
28263 
159755 
25197 
19826 

2967 
22064 
21676 
26813 

&»38 
34162 
10327 

5643 
12360 
211.54 

2625 

164249 

10626 

11691 

4635 
21719 

2835 

8400 


$101805 








711701 










85703 


Columbu.s City 


500 


$40000 


94350 
14050 
12110 


325668 




87crt7 


Dekorra 




1775 


75373 








Fountain Prairie 






3310 


81445 








76042 








8150 


86484 








45051 


Lodi 






26566 


1 15671 


LowTille 






55634 










37080 








25965 
12985 


66:166 








88747 








12402 


Portage 


6 


13500 


16469:1 
160 


397580 




785.53 








64369 


Springrale 








36093 








73391 








4940 
4776 


40718 


\V. W. Vil. Randolph 






1G166 










Total 


6277 


$96771 


807 


$16 08 


$12981 


682 


$33903 


606 


$6,5275 


$372694 


$663682 


$2137866 



HISTORY OF COLIMBIA COUNTY. 



481 



The following is the 


report of the Committee on Equalization 


for the year 1879 : 




TOWNS. 


< 

6 

z; 


<! 
o 


Is 

1" 


p. 


> 


® 

s 

s 






22783 
38196 
20364 

1751 
22787 
28620 
21861 
22963 
22567 
22652 
32810 
18894 
22881 
22850 
14440 
22625 
12985 

2711 
23083 
22776 
26049 
19726 
25340 
47 


119 50 
6 80 

2 50 
40 00 
16 75 

6 00 

6 40 
14 50 
19 50 
19 00 

3 20 
14 00 
13 50 

7 25 
5 00 

13 .50 
3 20 

10 00 
18 00 

11 00 
10 50 

14 00 
7 20 

30 00 


S444268 
259732 
417462 
70040 
381682 
171720 
139910 
332963 
440056 
430388 
104992 
264516 
308893 




$ 80626 
62920 
80000 

330000 
83000 
62550 
30094 
78000 
80550 
80000 
35683 

109920 
55000 
42775 
55000 
82600 
10290 

335000 
80000 
52000 
50000 
60000 
4500U 
18000 


$524893 






422652 






497462 




$37.5000 
44235 
30000 


776040 




508917 




264270 




17(004 




18000 


428963 




520606 






510388 






140675 


Lodi 


72000 


446436 




363893 




165662 

72200 

305437 

415.52 

27110 

415494 

250536 

273514 

276164 

182448 

1410 




208437 




85000 
26600 


212200 




414637 




51842 




620000 
4000 


982110 




499494 


Scott 


302536 






323514 






336164 




20000 
10000 


247448 


W. W Village of Randolph.... 


29410 








Totals 






$.5778149 


$1304835 


$1909007 


$9081991 



At the time of making the assessment for the year 1879, there was a certified statement 
made of the number of acres of the principal farm products growing at that time. From this 
statement it is ascertained there were growing 69,162 acres of wheat ; 35,122 acres of corn ; 
21,594 acres of oats; 5,720 acres of barley; 5,126 acres of rye; 1,740 acres of potatoes, and 
1,784 apple orchards. 

Following is a comparative statement of the assessments made in the county for the years 
1875, 1876, 1877, 1878 and 1879 : 



TOWNS. 


TOTAL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY, AS 
ASSESSED BY TOWNS. 


TOTAL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY, AS 
ASSESSED BY COUNTY BOARD. 




1879. 


1878. 


1877. 


1876. 


1875. 


1876. 


1876. 


1877. 


1878. 


1879. 




$629019 
419580 
711603 
83267S 
541442 
299354 
187655 
328705 
619B72 
552178 
162467 
471098 
389704 
203030 
266697 
465472 
62595 

1160967 
544803 
295947 
315493 
296733 
240751 
31330 


J6551109 
4298S5 
745927 
951206 
562292 
317279 
250411 
424465 
526487 
550510 
184288 
.532969 
396048 
240723 
336666 
486396 
74474 

1150904 
5611204 
293916 
329429 
322624 
261223 
31454 


$489716 
321472 
501671 
819954 
548569 
204868 
168647 
420650 
498442 
457.-)12 
134024 
614667 
319070 
193970 
222815 
396186 
G1868 

11198242 
437673 
282723 
333411 
256334 
192734 
34833 


$486400 
367113 
608634 
761309 
564661 
271095 
160940 
418835 
492193 
465202 
145853 
606019 
321841 
191602 
2372-9 
398473 

62991 
1082406 
4921114 
2.3734" 
343104 
260571 
. 190841 

37401 


$474208 
316261 
514524 
742848 
656250 
271998 
161462 
420466 
620576 
456573 
142327 
603160 
325325 
198166 
244132 
384626 
54541 

1074065 
523888 
301307 
355093 
263649 
202070 
31447 


$527607 
314989 
508640 
758974 
499226 
264695 
169300 
414934 
508699 
496774 
139039 
435641 
350325 
208376 
239687 
396696 
54872 
886566 
472566 
289467 
3231172 
332247 
250434 
24380 


$525024 
317235 
611887 
771064 
499290 
263612 
170193 
4211058 
5077S3 
49402.". 
144345 
467:'.G7 
360659 
208607 
223300 
381316 

63789 
976065 
472423 
288645 
322874 
3321911 
346898 

33820 


$621286 
320S06 
497236 
766280 
496633 
261371 
170554 
417034 
618771 
499025 
139225 
448537 
350568 
207132 
208300 
403342 

611G9 
976055 
472297 
289101 
318961 
334872 
245837 

31175 


$524913 
319049 
497462 
775080 
497660 
2G4611 
170010 
440446 
620576 
510407 
140829 
445891 
363907 
207298 
212515 
414641 

61841 
982110 
499494 
302636 
323625 
336178 
248716 

29426 


$524893 




322652 




497462 




775040 




508917 




264270 




170004 


Fouutain Prairie 


428963 




520606 




510388 




140676 


Lodi 


446436 




363893 




208437 




212200 




414637 


Pacific 


61842 




982110 




499494 




302536 




323614 




336164 




247448 


W W Vil Randolph 


29410 






Total 


$9928863 


$10603688 


$89589«_ 


S892456G 


$9037840 


$8866184 


$7972448 


$8944621 


$9078918 


$9081991 



482 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The census of 1875 as compared with 1870, is as follows : 



TOWNS. 


Population. 


a 


! 

i 

a 


i 

s 


J 

1 


1 


.a 

a 
a 


1 
M. 

1 
3 




1870. 


1875. 


s 




822 

1180 
962 


1009 
1223 

881 

607 

533 

763 

1903 

1309 

1280 

727 

1461 

1012 

1103 

1046 

1448 

886 

858 

1721 

1496 

249 

725 
755 
905 

1029 
923 

4337 

1186 
783 
770 
923 

1120 
67 


187 
43 


"n 


512 
639 
481 

276 
265 
371 
912 
662 
662 
376 
749 
515 
597 
541 
705 
449 
448 
856 
759 
130 

371 

361 

441 

526 

472 

2171 

1 630 

409 

423 

486 

580 

33 


497 
584 
400 

331 
268 
392 

991 
647 
618 
351 
712 
497 
506 
505 
743 
437 
410 
865 
737 
119 

354 
394 
464 
503 
451 








Columbus Town (6) 

Columbus City 

First Ward (c) 




























Third Ward 


















1888 
1388 
1397 

709 
1286 
1000 
1098 
1031 
1566 

879 

920 
1702 
1715 

247 

684 
707 
473 

1117 
964 

3946 

1157 
832 
797 
949 

1281 
61 


15 

"is 

175 

12 

5 

15 

.....^ 

""19 
""'2 


"■79 

117 

"ii's 

'62 
"219 








1 






















Fort Winnebago 















Hampden 


i 
'5 

6 

"7 

3 
1 

1 


2 

"i 

"ti 
2 


1 
1 
3 
1 
1 
1 
1 

"i 

1 
2 




Lewiston 

Lodi id) . 


2 
1 












1 










Portftge 

First Ward 


1 


Second Wnrd 






8 










Fourth Ward (/") 






"i 

1 
9 


"3 


1 












392 

29 

""e 

925 


'49 
27 
21 

161 

924 


2I661I2 
556... 


5 
1 


Scott 


374L..! 1 


t 




347 








1 


West Point 


442 

540 

34 


.. 


2 

1 


"4 






13 


West Ward V Randolph. 














Totals 


28802 


28803 


1472S 


14078 


24I18 


21 


25 



COUNTY MAPS AND ATLAS. 

The first map of Columbia County was published in 1861, by A. Menger & Co., of Mad- 
ison, and "compiled from the latest records and actual surveys," by A. Ligowsky and C. Wasmund. 
On this map Arlington is given thirty sections and Lodi thirty-six. The plat of " Wisconsin 
Village" (Newport) is given, it not being vacated at that time. The mechanical work of the 
map was excellent. It was regarded as generally correct. 

In 1877, Merrill, Woodard & Co., of Milwaukee, published a large wall-map which is a 
very creditable piece of work. 

An "Atlas of Columbia Co., Wisconsin, drawn from actual surveys and county records," 
was published by Harrison k Warner, of Madison, in 1878. This atlas contained a sectional 
map of the county, one of each of the towns, showing plainly every railroad, wagon-road, river 
and creek, with names of all owners of real estate, and is a valuable work. 



fa) Six sections added to the town from Lodi in 1870. 

(6) A portion of the town of Columbus added to the city in 1874. 

(c) City of Columbus created in 1874 out of the village and a portion 
of the town. 

(d) Six sectiouB taken from the town and added to Arlington. 



(e) Limits of ward extended eo as to include aportion of the Fourth 

and Fifth Wards. 
(/) A portion of the ward added to the Third Ward. 
(g) .V portion of the ward added to the Third Ward. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 483 



CURLING. 



The game of curling is so identified with the land of Scott and Burns and with the magic 
name of Scotland, that apart from its real merits its mention is always winsome. It is associ- 
ated with brae and burn, craig and loch, and with all the natural scenery of a country as 
romantic as any on the globe. It is, indeed, one of the heartiest and most exhilarating of sports, 
and binds its lovers in a genial devotion that it makes them for the time "brithers a'." It is 
pre-eminently a healthy and manly game, and rewards its followers with pure blood and good 
digestion. Though its practice is on the increase, it is far from being an universal game, and, 
outside of bonnie Scotland, it would be difficult to find a locality where more interest is felt in 
it than in Columbia County. Portage for years has had a well-organized club. There are 
many skilled players about Poynette and in Caledonia, and Otsego now has a good club. Con- 
siderable obscurity hangs over the origin of the game. Some contend it is merely Scottish ; 
others that it has been imported from abroad. It is certain that the amusement is not known 
to have been practiced, until a comparatively recent period, anywhere out of Scotland, and, 
further, that the old curling stones that have been preserved or discovered, indicate a mode of 
play so very rude and primitive as greatly to favor the notion of its indigenous origin. On 
the other hand, etymology favors the idea that the continent of Europe was its original home. 

Pennant, who made his celebrated tour through Scotland in 1771, thus speaks of the game: 
" Of all the sports in this part, curling is the favorite. It is an amusement of the winter and is 
played upon the ice by sliding from one mark to another — great stones from forty to seventy 
pounds in weight, of hemispherical form with a wooden or iron handle at the top. The object 
of the player is to lay the stone as near the mark as possible and guard that of his partner 
which has been well laid before, or to strike off that of his antagonist." This is so far not an 
incorrect description of the popular Scottish sport as it must have presented itself to the 
observant eye of the Welsh naturalist, one hundred years ago. The progress of curling in Scot- 
land, since the beginning of this century, has been very marked. Still in many of the more 
purely highland districts, it is even to this day almost as unknown as it is in England. Indeed, 
to a comparatively recent period, the great bulk of the Scottish curlers were to be found south 
of the Forth. The Royal Caledonian Curling Club, which was established in 1838, has done 
much to introduce the game further northward, as the northern men are proverbially loyal, and 
now we believe there are few parishes, except, of course, in the highlands, without a curling 
club. In this country, the love of the game is fast spreading over the length and breadth of 
the land, and the Grand National Curling Club is nobly doing its duty toward fostering the 
spread of a knowledge of the game. 

Before the Reformation in Scotland, curling was generally practiced on Sundays ; and i n 
former and more feudal days, when the nobility were principally resident on their estates, it was 
customary for one baron and his tenantry to challenge another. Year after year, the friendly 
feud was waged on the icy board with somewhat of the ancient hereditary keenness. Now, 
however, it is parish vs. parish, or district vs. district, for a boll of meal or coals for the poor of 
of the parish or the district. Toward the close of the old or the opening of the new year, the 
curler began to look out for his sport. Frost in some seasons sets in as early as Christmas, and 
continues through the months of January and February. How anxiously the aspect of the sky 
and the direction of the wind are watched when the day has been fixed for some important 
bonspiel. And how gladly is the brisk, keen, frosty air of the eventful morning welcomed by 
the expectant combatants. Three days hard frost is required to fit the ice for playing. Arti- 
ficial curling-ponds exist in some places and have the advantage that, a single night's frost fits 
them for use, while a fresh coating of ice may be secured each morning. These ponds, 
however, require considerable outlay to keep them up, and are, necessarily, of limited extent, 
and, though excellent for private games, are unfit for the ordinary bonspiels, where considerable 
numbers are engaged. During some of the calm days of severe winter weather, when the hills 
are snow-covered and every leaflet and blade of grass is crisp to the footfall ; when the sun 



484 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

perchance begins to look through the cool, bracing air, and to shed its beaming warmth on the • 
smooth mirror of the frozen loch, it is a joy to engage in the game of curling. The recollec- 
tions of such days, with their memories of battle and victory and, perhaps, the inspiration also 
of the festive gatherings when the play is over, has prompted many a local poet curler to sing 
in honor of his loved pastime, and many pleasing ditties are the result of such inspiration. No 
sport is so productive of sociality and good feeling as that of curling. It binds class to class. 
All distinctions of rank and social positions vanish before the all-absorbing interest of the game. 
On the icy fields may be seen, either as spectator or eagerly engaged in the contest — 

"Tlie tenant with his jolly laird. 
The pastor with his flocli." 

The Scottish poet, Graham, the author of the "Sabbath," in the true spirit of a curler, 
thus describes the crisis of a game of curling : 

" Keen, keener still, as lite itself were staked, 
Kindles the friendly strife. One points the line 
To him, who, poising, aims and aims again ; 
Another runs and sweeps wliere nothing lies. 
Success alternately, from side to side. 
Changes, and quick the hours unnoted fly, 
Till light begins to fail, and, deep below, 
Till player, as he stoops to lift his stone. 
Sees, half-incredulous, the rising moon. 
But now the final, the decisive, spell 
Begins. Near and more near, the sounding stones 
Come winding in, and some, bearing straight along, 
Crowd jostling all around the mark, with one 
Just slightly touching. Victory depends 
I'pon the final aim; long swings the stone — 
Then, with full force, careening, furiously 
Rattling, it strikes aside both friend and foe, 
Maintains its force and takes the victor's place." 

COLUMlilA COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. 

This society was organized in June, 1854, as an auxiliary to the American Bible Society, 
its object being to promote the circulation of the Bible "without note or comment," and in 
English — those of the commonly received version. It was provided in the constitution of the 
society that any person contributing $1 or more, should receive, if called for within one year, a 
common Bible in return, and those contributing $15 at one time, or $20 in two payments, 
should be members for life. It was proposed to keep a good supply of books on hand, and 
appoint agents to make collections, and see that every family was provided with a Bible. Branch 
societies have been formed in Lodi, Rio, Leeds Center, Kilbourn City, Poynette, and Pardee- 
ville ; but at this time (1880) only those of Leeds Center, Rio, Poynette and Pardeeville, are 
co-operating. S. M. Smith is President ; E. J. S. Wright, Secrettiry ; and W. T. Parry, Treas- 
urer. The first President was Rev. Mr. Miner ; Secretary, Rev. W. W. McNair ; Treasurer, 
Dr. C. G. Culloch. 

FISH CULTURE. 

Three-fourths of a mile southeast of the village of Lodi, on the East Branch of Spring 
Creek, may be found the fish ponds of James McCloud. Others are near. In the park of 
Mr. McCloud are five ponds stocked with fish. Within this park are about a dozen springs, out 
of which gushes the purest spring water, which maintains almost an even temperature through- 
out the year. In April, 1875, Mr. McCloud made two ponds, in one of which he put 1,000 
young brook trout or fry, and in the other 5,000 fry of the Atlantic salmon. In the fall of the 
same year, he made four more ponds, one of which he stocked with brook trout one year old ; 
one with white and black bass, and with the bass he also put in four sturgeon. One pond he 
stocked with catfish. In November, 1875, he put into his hatching-house 10,000 spawn of the 
the California salmon, which hatched out during the winter. A recent writer, who visited the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 485 

ponds, says : " The fish had been fed during the morning, and Mr. McCloud thought his pets 
would not, on that account, evince as keen an appetite as usual. We approached pond No. 1, 
and peered over the bank, eager to catch a glimpse of the beauties. Not a fish deigned to show 
himself The water was clear as crystal, with here and there a few aquatic plants and grasses. 
These were distinctly visible, but where were the fish ? Mr. McCloud knew the secret of bring- 
ing them up to the ' dress parade,' and a few spoonfuls of the liver thrown into the water, 
brought in full view the flashing forms of six hundred brook trout, that would weigh from one- 
half to two pounds each. And such a scramble as ensued for the dainty repast that was fur- 
nished them is easier alluded to than described. 

"In pond No. 2, a little larger than No. 1, were five hundred Atlantic salmon, whose 
speckled, glistening sides seemed to reflect every hue of the raiivbow, as they lazily swam to and 
fro. The white line on the lower part of their fins added greatly to the elegance of their appear- 
ance. Every motion could be observed in the depths of the limpid stream as readily as the gyra- 
tions of gold fish in a crystal globe. The casting upon the waters of some of our stock of liver 
had a similar effect as in the former case, and jjroved that their prison life had not seriously im- 
paired their relish for food. 

" In pond No. 3 were about 1,000 California salmon, which seemed to enjoy their food as 
well as the more common varieties. 

" We approached pond No. 4 by means of a plank, level with the water, and, while upon 
this plank, Mr. McCloud held a spoon containing some pieces of liver about two inches above 
the surface of the water, and now began a scene that I was not prepared to witness. We knew, 
for Holy Writ tells us so, that " the ass knoweth his master's crib," but we were not aware that 
fish knew their master's spoon. So tame had the little fellows become, that they leaped out of 
their natural element to gobble the contents of the spoon as eagerly as a pack of hungry wolves 
would go for a flock of sheep. When the hand was placed gently in the water, it was quickly 
surrounded by the confiding little creatures, and the experimenter was convinced in this case 
that a nibble was better than a bite. 

" The fifth or last pond of the series was devoted to native fish. All I know of the number 
is that it was legion. Bass, perch and suckers dwelt in commendable unison herein. 

" These facts demonstrate that fish culture may be prosecuted with every reasonable assu- 
rance of success. Whoever has a spring or brook on his farm can, with very little outlay and 
trouble, have this greatest of luxuries at all times at his command, for they thrive equally well 
in hard as in soft water." 

Several years' experience enables Mr. McCloud to speak knowingly of fish culture in 
Columbia County. He says : 

" My fish are all doing well, except the Atlantic salmon, which have not been a success. 
They prospered for the two first years, when they commenced dying. I have lost the most of 
them. The surviving ones are not over one-half as large as the California salmon. The latter 
are the fastest-growing fish in the ponds, and I think are doing the best of any. They com- 
menced spawning at three years old, and are all healthy so far. The brook trout are also 
healthy and are doing well. The water in my pond is hard, or limestone water. I find the 
brook trout get their full growth at about four years old. They began spawning at two years 
of age. They are the tamest and nicest fish to take care of that I have ever raised. The bass 
and catfish do not require as much care as trout and salmon, as they eat a great variety of food 
that the latter will not." 

RAILROADS. 

A brief outline of the changing interests of the various branches of railroad passing 
through the county will serve the purpose of preserving the essentia] features of their history. 
The present Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company has grown up out of the former 
La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company, now the La Crosse Division of the present line of 
road. It will only be necessary to refer to the lines belonging to this mammoth corporation 
which affect Columbia County. 



486 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The La Crosse & Milwaukee Company was incorporated by an act of the Legislature 
approved April 2, 1852, and Timothy Burns, Samuel T. Smith, Benjamin Healey, of La 
Crosse County ; Moses M. Strong, of Iowa County ; Thomas J. Moorman, of Portage County ; 
Henry Weil and Patrick Toland, of Washington County ; John Lowth, of Dodge County ; 
Hugh McFarlane, of Columbia County ; Patrick Rogan, of Jefferson County ; Henry Shears, 
of Waukesha County ; Leonard J. Farwell, of Dane County ; D. C. Reed, Edwin H. Good- 
rich, Levi Blossom and Garrett Vliet, of Milwaukee County, were appointed Commissioners to 
organize the company. At the first meeting of the stockholders, the following officers were 
elected : President, Byron Kilbourn ; Secretary, E. H. Goodrich ; Treasurer, Jacob L. Bean. 
Directors — Byron Kilbourn, Moses M. Strong, Edwin H. Goodrich, George W. Strong, Garrett 
Vliet, Timothy Burns, Jacob L. Bean. In 1854, stock subscriptions were procured, surveys 
were made, and the general line of the road established. 

In 1851, an act of the Legislature had been passed incorporating the Milwaukee & Fond 
du Lac Railroad Company, and, in 1853, a company was chartered called the Milwaukee, Fond 
du Lac & Green Bay Railroad Company. By an act of the Legislature approved June 27, 
1853, these two companies were authorized to consolidate with each other. This consolidation 
occurred, and the new company commenced the construction of a railroad toward Fond du Lac. 
In the mean time, the officers of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Company had held public meet- 
ings on the line of their proposed railroad, and had applied the system of farm mortgages to 
procure means for its construction. In 1854, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green Bay Rail- 
road Company consolidated with the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company, assuming the 
name of the latter, and proceeded with the construction of the railroad already commenced, but 
turned it in the direction of La Crosse. 

The ne.Kt election of Directors was held February 7, 1855, and the following were chosen: 
President, Stoddard Judd. Directors — Hiram Barber, S. L. Rose, Byron Kilbourn, Moses 
Kneeland, James Ludington, William Dawes, E. D. Clinton, Moses M. Strong, Edwin H. 
Goodrich, Edwin Townsend, Samuel T. Smith, Hugh McFarlane, Russell S. Kneeland, Chase 
A. Stephens. C. D. Cook elected in place of Dawes resigned. 

At the special legislative session of 1836, the western portion of the land grant donated 
to the State by Congress to aid in railroad construction was conferred by the State on the La 
Crosse & Milwaukee Company. The road was completed to Fox Lake, sixty-eight miles from 
Milwaukee, November 1, and to Portage, ninety-eight miles from Milwaukee, and one-half the 
distance to La Crosse, March 14, 1857. In that year, the company suffered by the financial 
depression of the times, and there were repeated changes in its board of officers. 

In August, 1857, the track was completed to Kilbourn City, and in November, to New 
Lisbon, forty-three miles west of Portage. At the close of the year 1857, the stock of the 
road amounted to $7,687,540.20 : the mortgage and floating debt were $8,263,660.91. In the 
annual report of the company for that year, the melancholy story of the financial embarrass- 
ments are given, and among the rest, ample admission is made in guarded language, of the 
disastrous results to the company itself of the legislative and other official corruption by which 
the land grant was secured the pi-evious year. The report says : " In referring to the causes 
that have produced the present embarrassments of the company, it cannot be disguised that the 
land grant itself, so eagerly sought, has, by the expense of the contest for its possession, con- 
tributed very largely to the result." 

On the 27th of September, 1857, the road passed into the hands of Selah Chamberlain, as 
lessee, by whom, as (Contractor, a large portion of it had been built. He leased from the 
La Crosse & Milwaukee Company, and continued the construction of the road during the 
balance of 1857, and till October 1, 1858, when the whole line was opened to La Crosse. 
He continued to operate the road as such lessee till 1860, when he sarrendered control to 
Bronson and Sutter, the trustees of the second mortgage bondholders. At that time, an 
order had been made in the United States District Coui-t, appointing Hans Crocker receiver 
of the Western Division of the road from Portage to La Crosse. A motion was also pending 




GOVERNOR OP WISCONSIN, 1864-65. 
COLUMBUS. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 489 

for the appointment of a receiver of the Eastern Division of the road, which was granted 
a few days after, and the same receiver was appointed. As such receiver Col. Crocker 
took possession of the entire road at the close of business, June 11, 1860, and operated 
it till June 12, 1863, when, on an order of the court, he surrendered possession of the 
Western Division, from Portage to La Crosse, to the Milwaukee & St. Paul Company, as 
purchaser. By another order, he surrendered the Eastern Division to the same company, to 
operate under him as receiver. Col. Crocker continued to act as receiver of the Eastern Division 
till January 9, 1866, when he surrendered that road to the Milwaukee & Minnesota Railroad 
Company. That company continued to operate it till March 6, 1867, when they surrendered 
it to the Milwaukee & St. Paul Company, under a decree rendered on the so-called Cleveland 
judgment, in the Circuit Court of the United States. 

The history of the Milwaukee & Minnesota Railroad Company is thus described : On the 
21st day of June, 1858, what was called the Albany board of the La Crosse Company, made a 
mortgage to William Barries, of Albany, commonly known as the third mortgage, as security 
for $2,000,000 of boods which they proposed to issue. Of this sum in bonds, $550,000 were 
set apart for delivery, and were delivered to Stoddard Judd, as trustee, to take up farm mort- 
gages, but were never used for that purpose. About $150,000 in bonds were used in paying the 
company's debts. Over $700,000 were hypothecated for the sum of $35,000 in cash, and were 
suffered to be sold at 5 cents on the dollar, and were bought in by some of the Directors, and by 
certain other Eastern parties acting in concert with them. These bonds bore interest from July 
1, 1858. Default was made in the payment of interest January 1, 1859, and proceedings were 
at once begun to foreclose the mortgage, the trustees claiming that all the bonds had been dis- 
posed of. No suit for the foreclosure was prosecuted, but a sale was had under the power in the 
mortgage, and the property was bid off for the bondholders by the trustees, William Barnes, 
May 21, 1859. Immediately thereafter, he, with persons claiming to hold $1,400,000 of the 
bonds, formed articles of association as the Milwaukee & Minnesota Railroad Company. By 
the articles of association, Russell Sage, of New York ; Ludlow A. Battershall, of Troy, N. Y. ; 
William Gould, of Albany, N. Y. ; William B. Gilbert, of Syracuse, N. Y. ; Hans Crocker, Nor- 
man J. Emmons and Lemuel W. Weeks, of Milwaukee ; William R. Sill, of La Crosse ; and 
William E. Smith, of Fox Lake ; were named as Directors. This organization never had con- 
trol of the road, and was a mere paper organization. Some time in 1862, a new board of 
directors was elected, and in 1866, they obtained possession of the road, holding it until March 
9, 1867, as before described. 

In 1863, Isaac Seymour, N. A. Cowdrey, Horace Galpen, David H. Hughes, William 
Gould, Frederick P. James and George Smith, all of New York, and Asahel Finch and William 
H. White, both of Milwaukee, associated themselves under articles of agreement, dated May 5, 
of that year, as the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. They had purchased, at mort- 
gage sale, the Western Division of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad, being that portion of 
the lines between Poi'tage and La Crosse, and in their articles of agreement stipulated that they 
might purchase the Milwaukee & Western Railroad, commonly called the Watertown road, 
running from Milwaukee to Columbus, with a branch to Sun Prairie ; the Milwaukee & Horicon 
road, running from Horicon to Berlin, and the Eastern Division of the La Crosse & Milw^^iikee 
road, when practicable ; and these purchases were subsequently perfected. Other persons after- 
ward became associated with them, and the company operated, under orders of the United States 
Court, the Eastern Division of the La Crosse & Milwaukee road, accounting to the court for its 
use. The lines owned by the company, under the purchases made by them, were as follows : 
From Milwaukee to Columbus, via Watertown, 78 miles ; from Portage to La Crosse, 98 miles ; 
from Watertown to Sun Prairie, 26 miles ; from Horicon to Berlin, 49 miles ; from Ripon to 
Omro, 10 miles. In order to own a through line from Milwaukee to La Crosse, the company 
constructed 28 miles of track, from Columbus to Portage, which was completed in September, 
1864, when the through line was open to travel. All through trains previous to that time had 
I'un over the Eastern Division of the La Crosse road. The cost of the lines of road and entire 



490 HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

property purchased by the company, of which they entered into the possession June 13, 1863, 
was $8,144,138, for 261 miles of road, or $31,203 per mile. 

In 1864, Russell Sage was elected President of the company in place of D. M. Hughes, 
and filled that office till July 1, 1865, when he was succeeded by Alexander Mitchell. During 
the balance of the year 1863, after the formation of the St. Paul Company, and during 1864, 
its organization was perfected, and the difi"erent interests represented by the capitalists composing 
the corporation were harmonized and consolidated. 

During the year 1865, the struggle over the possession of the Eastern Division of the La 
Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad continued between the Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Milwaukee 
& Minnesota Companies. There was a vigorous but unsuccessful effort made in the Legislature 
of that year to procure legislation which would authorize the latter company to run through 
trains between Milwaukee and La Crosse over the track of the former company, west of Port- 
age; and the failure of this project still further impaired the resources of the weaker company. 

In April, 1856, a pooling arrangement was made between the Milwaukee & St. Paul Com- 
pany and the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Company. This experiment proved successful, 
and led to a still closer relation between the two companies, and a majority of the stock of the 
Prairie du Chien Company was transferred to the St. Paul Company's trustees. As a result, 
the Directors of the Prairie du Chien Company, elected in that year, were fully identified in 
interest with the St. Paul Company, and negotiations progressed favorably for a complete union 
of the two companies by the absorption of the property of the Prairie du Chien line in the St. 
Paul corporation. In fact, the arrangement progressed so far during the year that at its close, 
the reports of the two roads were consolidated so far as the miles of road in operation, and the 
total cost, indebtedness, revenues and expenses of the two companies were concerned. During 
this year, the litigation over the possession of the Eastern Division of the La Crosse & Milwau- 
kee road proceeded, but it was not completed, though close approaches were made to the right 
of possession in the St. Paul Company. The earnings of the company for 1866 were $2,538,- 
799.96. The expenses were $1,604,696.49. 

On the 1st of January, 1872, the Milwaukee & St. Paul Company formally effected the 
purchase of the Chicago & St. Paul Railroad, running 138 miles, from St. Paul to Winona and 
La Crescent, opposite to La Crosse. The purchase was made by giving the bonds of the St. Paul 
Company for £800,000, or about $4,000,000 in gold, payable in London in A. D. 1902, at 7 per 
cent. The line of the road between Milwaukee and Chicago, eighty-five miles, was also completed 
in the fall of 1872, but its formal transfer to the St. Paul Company was not efiected till the fol- 
lowing year. This completed the route between Chicago and St. Paul, a distance of 410 miles. 

In 1873, the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry became numerous and powerful in Wiscon- 
sin, and they cultivated a popular sentiment unfriendly to the existing system of railroad man- 
agement. The wheat crop of the Northwest was enormously productive, and the price ruled 
high. The railroad companies, not satisfied with the large profits they had been making, 
crop or no crop, advanced the rates of freight on all their lines. This step led to increased hos- 
tility from the Grange organizations. 

The Legislature of Wisconsin, which met in January, 1874, enacted the law limiting the 
rates to be charged by railroad companies for transporting passengers and freight, and also pro- 
viding for the appointment of a board of railroad commissioners. George H. Paul, John W. 
Hoyt and Joseph H. Osboi'n were appointed such commissioners, and the " Potter law," as the 
act in question was called, went into effect May 1. The railroad companies, regarding the law 
as unconstitutional, refused to acquiesce in the reduction of charges which the law established, 
and the State authorities enforced the requirements of the law by legal proceedings, resulting in 
final judgment in the Supreme Court, affirming the paramount control of the Legislature over 
all corporations created by law. This judgment became operative on the railroad companies 
October 1, 1874, and their subsequent charges conformed to the prices fixed by law. During 
this year, and the course of this litigation, public feeling ran high, and intense hostility existed 
in many localities of the State on the part of the people against the railroad companies. By an 



i 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 491 

act of the Legislature, in February, 1874, the name of this company was changed to " The Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company." 

The Legislature of 1876 repealed the '"Potter law " and enacted in its stead a law estab- 
lishing maximum prices for freights. By the terms of this law the maximum prices established 
were the rates fixed by the St. Paul Company in its schedule of freights, adopted in June, 
1872. 

The Columbus ^ Portage Line. — The Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad was incorporated 
by an act of the Legislature, approved March 11, 1851, and Edward D. Holton, Alexander 
Mitchell, Eliphalet Cramer, James Kneeland, Daniel Wells, Jr., Hans Crocker, John H. 
Tweedy, George H. Walker, Byron Kilbourn, Daniel H. Chandler, John W. Medberry, all of 
Milwaukee County, William M. Dennis, Daniel Jones, Benjamin F. Fay, Luther A. Cole, 
Simeon Ford, Peter Rogan, Peter V. Brown and Edward Oilman, of Jefferson County, were 
appointed Commissioners to form the company. This charter authorized the company to build 
a railroad from some point in the city of Milwaukee, or on the line of the Milwaukee & Missis- 
sippi Railroad in the county of Waukesha, to Watertown. By subsequent amendments, the 
company was authorized to extend its line to Columbus. A preliminary survey of the line of 
the road between Milwaukee and Watertown was made in the same month, and was extended to 
Fort Winnebago in the March following, and the construction of the road at Brookfield Junc- 
tion, thirteen miles from Milwaukee, was commenced. In 1851, the line was opened for traffic to 
Oconomowoc, and on the 1st day of October, 1855, the road was completed to Watertown. In 
the winter of 185G-57, the line reached Columbus. About this time. Congress donated to the 
State of Wisconsin an extensive land grant to aid in the construction of railroads, and one line 
of road provided for in the grant was to extend from Madison or Columbus to Portage City, and 
thence to Lake St. Croix, from there to the head of Lake Superior and to Bayfield. The Mil- 
waukee & Watertown Company, though owning but a short line of road pointing in the direction 
of the prescribed land-grant route, was, as will be seen, under the management of an association 
of the ablest business men in the State, and entered into vigorous competition with the La 
Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company as an applicant for the grant. A special session of the 
Legislature was held, commencing September 3, 1856, for the purpose of disposing of this grant. 
The struggle between the rival roads was animated, until September 20, when the antagonistic 
interests were compromised by the consolidation of Milwaukee & Watertown Company with the 
La Crosse & Milwaukee Company. The line in question is now a part of the great system 
under the control of Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company. 

The Madison ;)'• Portage Line. — In 1856-57, the La Crosse & Milwaukee Company partly 
graded a track for a railroad between Madison and Portage, as a part of its land-grant line, but 
with the collapse of that company the work was abandoned. In 1860, a new company was 
formed, which procured the right of way and grade of the old company. Principally through 
the efforts of James Campbell and R. B. Sanderson, the track was completed and the road 
opened January 8, 1871, a large delegation of Portage citizens going to Madison by invitation 
on the first passenger train over the line. It was for a time operated by the St. Paul Company 
under a lease, and, in 1878, that company secured the ownership of the road, which now forms 
a part of its general lines. 

Chicago tf- North western. — A stretch of about seven and a half miles of this road passes through 
Columbia County. In 1870, the Baraboo Air Line Railroad Company was incorporated with 
authority to build a railroad from Columbus, AVatertown, Madison, or any point intermediate, via 
the village of Lodi, Baraboo, Abelman's Mills and Reedsburg, to Tomah, La Crosse, or any point 
on the Mississippi River above La Crosse. In 1871, the Baraboo Air Line Company was consoli- 
dated with the Beloit and Madison Company, and both were then consolidated with the North- 
western Company, and the construction of the road northwest of Madison, or the Madison 
Extension, as it was called, was rapidly pushed forward toward AVinona Junction, a distance of 129 
miles. Aid was voted to the Air Line road previous to the consolidation, and was paid to aid its 
construction as follows: City of Madison, $25,000 cash ; Lodi, $25,000 bonds and $15,000 cash; 



492 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

West Point, $5,000 ; Baraboo, $70,000 bonds ; Excelsior, $12,500 ; Freedom, $7,500; Green- 
field. $5,000 ; Reedsburg, $25,000 ; Winfield, $5,000 ; Sparta, $63,000 ; RidgeviUe, $2,500. 
In this year the line was opened to Lodi ; in 1872, to Reedsburg ; in 1873 it was completed to 
Elroy, and through trains from Chicago ran to St. Paul over the Northwestern and West Wis- 
consin Roads. In 1874, this line was completed to Winona Junction, and the whole is now 
operated as the Madison Division. 

The Wisconsin Central. — By Chapter 80, Laws of Congress of 1864, there was granted to 
the State of Wisconsin every alternate section of public land, designated by odd numbers, for 
ten sections in width on each mile of said road, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of 
a railroad from Portage City, Berlin, Doty's Island, or Fond du Lac, as the State by its Legislature 
might determine, to Bayfield, thence to Superior. By joint resolution of the Legislature of the 
State, approved March 20, 1865, the grant was accepted " and the State of Wisconsin hereby 
consents to execute the said trust created, by the aforesaid act of Congress, pursuant in all 
things to the terms, limitations and conditions of said act." The Legislature of that year failed 
to agree upon a bill for the disposition of the land grant. The contest over it was renewed the 
next winter, and after a protracted struggle between the contesting interests, the grant was dis- 
posed of by fixing the city of Portage as the point of commencement and conferring the grant 
upon the Portage & Superior Company, with a joint ownership in it to the Winnebago & Lake 
Superior Company from Stevens Point to the lake. It was also provided that the road should 
be built via Ripon, provided Congress should give its assent to the change of route, which was 
given by joint resolution of Congress, adopted June 21, 1866. The first Directors of the Portage 
& Superior Company, were C. C. Washburn, John P. McGregor, George Esterly, E. W. 
Keyes, J. H. Rountree, W. W. Reed, H. S. Winsor, T. C. Pound, W. W. Corning, H. L. 
Palmer, John Nazro, E. H. Galloway, H. G. Webb, S. 0. Raymond, W. H. Doe, Asaph Whit- 
tlesey and H. P. Strong. Mr. Washburn declining to accept a directorship, C. H. Upham 
succeeded him in the board. The board was organized at Portage, June 5, 1866, by the elec- 
tion of John P. McGregor, as President; H. L. Palmer, Vice President ; Henry B. Munn, 
Secretary, and John Nazro, Treasurer. Mr. Munn shortly after resigned the secretaryship, and 
A. J. Turner was elected to succeed him. At this meeting of the board, a formal acceptance of 
the grant was made by a resolution presented by H. L. Palmer, in the following language : 

Resolved, That the Portage & .Superior Railroad Company accepts the trust lands granted for railroad purposes, 
conferred upon and granted to the said company by an act of the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin, approved 
April 9, 1866, * * * upon the terms and conditions prescribed in said act of the Legislature, and in the said 
act of Congress ; and that the President and Secretary of the company are hereby directed to file a notice of such 
acceptance in the name of the company in the ofBce of the Secretary of State. 

The first directory of the Winnebago & Superior Company was organized about the same 
time the organization of the Portage & Superior Company was made. It being at a time when 
railroad projects in this State were at a standstill, hut little progress was made toward active 
work. Finding it inconvenient to operate separately, the two companies were consolidated as 
authorized by act of the Legislature, Chapter 257, Laws of 1869, under the name of the Port- 
age, Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company, and an organization of the two companies was 
effected at Oshkosh June 2, 1869, with George Reed as President; John P. McGregor, Vice 
President; Julius S. Buck, Secretary; Henry Hewitt, Treasurer; S. W. Budlong, Chief Engi- 
neer. On the 15th day of June, 1869, the first stake for the line of the road was set at Port- 
age, and a preliminary line was run through to Lake Superior, and the lands granted to the com- 
pany were withdrawn from the market. Through the active efforts of Hon. George Reed, the 
President of the consolidated company. Eastern capitalists were enlisted in the enterprise, with 
Gardner Colby, of Boston, at the head, and sufficient local aid was secured to induce the com- 
pany to put a portion of the line under contract, commencing at Menasha in June, 1871, reach- 
ing Stevens Point in November of the same year. In 1871, the name of the company was 
changed to the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company. In the early stages of the organization 
of this company, the Winnebago & Superior Company was also consolidated with the Manitowoc 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 493 

& Minnesota Company, the last-named company having been empowered to build a road from 
Manitowoc on Lake Michigan, west through Menasha and Stevens Point to the Mississippi 
River, but the road had not been constructed. Its chartered rights, however, passed by consoli- 
dation into the Portage, Winnebago & Superior Company. 

In 1870, the Portage, Stevens Point & Superior Railroad Company was incorporated, with 
W. W. Corning, S. A. Pease, A. J. Turner, Robert Cochran, G. L. Park, J. 0. Raymond, 
Seth Reeves, George A. Neeves and Joseph Wood as Directors, with the purpose of building a 
road on a direct line from Portage to Stevens Point, to connect with the land-grant road. On 
the 3d of December, of the same year, at Montello, the company was consolidated with the 
Portage, Winnebago & Superior Company, and its line was adopted as the line of the land-grant 
road. The Legislature of 1876 gave its consent to the change of route, which was ratified by 
act of Congress in the same year. 

The Wisconsin Central commenced to build its road from Menasha west, in the spring of 
1871, and in spite of almost insurmountable obstacles, and during a time of severe panics in the 
money markets, it pressed the work of construction forward and laid its last rail in June, 1877, 
having constructed 330 miles of railroad, all in the State of Wisconsin. The cost of this road 
in cash was about $9,000,000. It has had so far a hard struggle to pay its expenses and the 
interest on its coupons, which were funded in July, 1875. 

DARK DEEDS. 

"State of Wisconsin vs. Edward Leahey." The defendant in this suit was an ex-Catholic 
priest, who married, emigrated from Ireland, and settled in the town of Scott, in the year 1850. 
He was a very passionate man, and exceedingly jealous of his wife. Bernard Mauley was a 
near neighbor, and, on his return from a lecturing tour, Leahey had him arrested on a charge of 
seducing his wife. An examination of Mauley was had before a Justice, in the village of Par- 
deeville, on the 6th day of August, 1852, when he was acquitted. On leaving the court room, 
he was shot and instantly killed by Leahey, who was promptly arrested, committed to jail, and 
an indictment found against him by the grand jury, September 30, 1852. A continuance was 
granted at the September term of court, his trial taking place at the April term, 1853, the jury 
finding him guilty of murder in the first degree. Sentence was not passed upon him until the 
7th day of October, 1853, when he was sentenced by Judge Charles H. Larrabee to the peni- 
tentiary for life, with twenty days' solitary confinement. On the 6th day of July, 1860, he was 
pardoned and restored to citizenship by Gov. Alexander W. Randall. 

John Baptist Dubay came to Portage at an early day, and for some time traded vith the 
Indians, the American Fur Company furnishing him with goods, but he finally moved up the 
Wisconsin, at a trading-post above Stevens Point. When the canal at Portage was made, Nel- 
son McNeil leased from the State the water power and built a mill, and, when the military 
reserve (on which Fort Winnebago was built), was sold out, about thirty acres were reserved by 
the Government to go with the water-power to the State, or rather to the Fox River Company, 
as the State had turned over the improvement to them. Dubay was made to believe he had a 
claim there, having lived on the same land. The fur company had, through their agents, lived 
upon it for several years, and some men standing high in the State contended that Dubay had 
a claim upon the land, and tried hard to get Congress and, it is believed, the Legislature to recog- 
nize it, which appeared strange to those who knew there was not any legitimate claim there, for 
the fur company could not preempt. McNeil sold out his mill and lease to Reynolds & Craigh, 
and they went to putting up a house for the millers. Dubay had a small house on the land not 
far from where they commenced building. They had had the studding put up and a part of the 
roof boards on, when Dubay went over there and took an ax and chopped it down. Afterward, 
Reynolds went over to look at it, and as he passed the house some words passed between them, 
when Dubay went into his house and got his gun and shot, killing Reynolds immediately. This 
tragical event took place August 15, 1857. 



494 HISTORY OF COLOMBIA COUNTY. 

" I was standing in the street in front of my house," says Henry Merrell, " perhaps half a 
mile from the mill, when McNeil came past, his horse on a run ; as he passed me he said, ' Dubay 
has shot Reynolds.' I immediately went down to the mill, and found several men there watch- 
ing the house, but none dared go near it. I inquired if any one was watching to see if he 
escaped into the woods, and was informed there was. Soon a wagon drove up, filled with men, 
who jumped out, and called for a rope; while they were going into the mill, Sheriff Edward F. 
Lewis drove up in a buggy, and crossed over the other side of the canal to the house and hur-. 
ried Dubay into the buggy and drove up the north bank of the canal. When the men saw that 
move, they jumped into the wagon and drove back the way they came. I, knowing Lewis could 
not get over on that bank, concluded the men would catch him ; but Lewis drove as far as he 
could, and left the buggy and horse, and hurried Dubay on foot, getting to the jail before the 
men got around, as they had some distance farther to go to get the wagon through. Quite a 
crowd assembled, determined to lynch Dubay; but Lewis foiled them. One man by the name 
of Mason cried, ' Come on, boys,' but as he made a rush for the door, Lewis stood there with a 
pair of iron shackles in his hand, and, as Mason rushed at him, he hit him over the head, knock- 
ing him down. So no others backed him up, and the mob dispersed. The wildest excitement 
ensued. An attempt was made to lynch the murderer ; but Sheriff Lewis, by diligent effort, 
secured him as a prisoner, and took him to Madison, where he was tried twice, the jury not 
agreeing. So he was discharged." 

On the afternoon of the 16th of September, 1869, the city of Portage witnessed a revolt- 
ing double tragedy — the shooting of Barney Britt, on one of the most public thoroughfares, by 
William H. Spain, and the subsequent lynching of the murderer by a mob within a stone's 
throw of the spot where Britt fell. Both Britt and Spain were Irishmen, and former members 
of Company D, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteers, Spain succeeding to the captaincy of the 
company on the promotion of Col. Vaughan, Britt being a private. During their service, bitter 
feelings were engendered between them, and they scarcely ever met without some hard words 
ensuing. On the day of the tragedy, Britt, who lived in the town of Fort Winnebago, came to 
the city, and, meeting Spain, the old feud was revived. During the afternoon, Spain went to 
his house, and jirocured a loaded revolver; upon his return, he perceived Britt following after 
him. He stopped and informed Britt that he must not follow him. Britt replied that he was 
not following him, but was going about his business. Spain repeated his admonition, and was 
replied to as before, whereupon he raised his weapon, and, muttering an oath, fired, shooting 
Britt through the heart, killing him instantly. The shooting was witnessed by a large number 
of people, and the news, spreading rapidly, created an excitement and consternation. The cry 
of " Hang him I " " Hang him ! " was soon raised, and Spain started for Justice Haskell's 
office, with the intention of surrendering himself. He was overtaken at the head of the stairs by 
Marshal Hickey and Deputy Sheriff Pool, who arrested him, and started for the jail. When 
near Heartel's saloon they were met by a crowd of excited people, who violently took the pris- 
oner from them, and, forcing him into the express office, detailed a posse to guard the door. In 
a few moments, surging crowds of people came, seemingly, from every quarter. The door of the 
express office was forced open, a rojie thrown about Spain's neck, and, within a few minutes, he 
had been dragged through the street and hanged to the limb of a tree. Spain's body, having 
been cut down by Sheriff Pool soon afterward, was removed to the home of his brother's in the 
town of Fort Winnebago. Spain was at one time Register of Deeds in Adams County, but for 
six months previous to the tragedy, he had practiced law in Columbia County. Britt left a wife 
and eight children. Spain was also a man of fiimily, having a wife and four children. 

About 1 o'clock of the morning of Saturday, September 18, not quite two days after the 
shooting of Britt, and the lynching of Spain, Pat Wildrick, a notorious desperado, was taken from 
the Columbia County Jail and hanged to a tree near by. This was done by a mob of unknown men, 
who came into the city during the night. Wildrick was probably one of the worst men that ever 
trod upon Wisconsin soil. He had served two years at Waupun for highway robbery, and soon 
after his release, Schuyler S. Gates, who, with his wife and household goods, was moving down 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 495 

the AVisconsin River from Kilbourn City on two boats lashed together, was robbed, while encamped 
on the bank of the river at night, of about |2,400, Mrs. Gates being outraged by one of the 
robbers, whom the people had every reason to believe was none other than Pat. Wildrick. At 
any rate, Wildrick was arrested and lodged in jail, being taken to Sauk County, where he was 
indicted, and, having his case continued, he broke jail, but was recaptured. Pending his trial, 
which was set for October 9, Wildrick was released on bail. He then came to Portage, where, 
almost immediately afterward, he was caught in the act of perpetrating a highway robbery. 
During his examination for this latter offense, Mr. Gates was murdered near Kilbourn City, and 
it was generally believed Wildrick's accomplices in the robbery were the perpetrators of the 
deed, as Gates would have been an important witness in the case. 

The lynching of Wildrick was conducted shrewdly. Two men, with a third one between them, 
went to the jail and knocked upon the door. Deputy Koerner, upon answering the knock, was 
informed by one of the outsiders that they were officers in charge of a criminal whom they 
wished to lock up. The door was opened and they were admitted, whereupon Koerner was 
seized and others of the party immediately entered the jail. Sheriff Sorrenson, coming upon 
the scene, was also secured, his hands being tied behind him and a handkerchief being placed 
over his mouth. The key to Wildrick's cell was then taken from Koerner's pocket. What 
followed need not be repeated, but Wildrick's dead body was found hanging to a tree the next 
morning. 

In December the grand jury returned indictments against eleven of the supposed lynchers, 
but it was subsequently shown that one-third of the members of that jury were disqualified on 
account of being aliens. It also appeared that one of the eleven men indicted was many miles 
away when the tragedy was enacted. The whole matter was finally dropped. 

" State of Wisconsin vs. John Maloney." On the 4th day of August, 1875, John Maloney, 
of Doylestown, shot and killed his wife, for which crime he was arrested, and on the 18th day 
of December, of the same year was tried, convicted of murder in the first degree, and sentenced 
to the State prison for life. 

ABSTRACT OFFICE. 

Absolutely certain knowledge in regard to the title of land is important to every owner or 
prospective owner of a home or of any parcel of real estate. In this country, the records of 
conveyance in the office of Register of Deeds govern as to the ownership of real property, and 
every transfer or mortgage is supposed to be recorded therein. There are, however, other facts 
which may be of consequence as affecting the condition of title, which the law does not require 
to be registered in that office. Moreover, it is a frequently a tedious and difficult task to obtain 
at the Register's office the statement of a long chain of title. For these and other reasons, 
abstract offices, as they are called, have been established throughout the country. They con- 
tain a complete and perfect history, so far as it is possible to obtain it, of every piece of land 
in the counties where they are located, so arranged as to be accessible with the least possible 
delay or difficulty. 

The abstract office for Columbia County is regarded as one of the most perfect in Wiscon- 
sin. It was started by A. B. Alden, who issued his first abstract in 1859. He recorded 
58,320 conveyances, No. 1 of which, was, of course, the first conveyance ever of record in 
this county. 

The foundation of the abstract office required an immense amount of attention and labor, 
much of which was bestowed in the early stages of the enterprise by A. B. Alden and his 
brother-in-law, M. P. Wing, Charles Holden, Charles J. Randall, 0. C. Dibble and Ambrose 
Hoffman. Mr. Alden was Clerk of the Board of Supervisors when he founded the abstract 
office, and, his time being occupied by his official duties, it was managed successively by the 
individuals mentioned above. In September, 1872, he sold the business to M. T. Alverson and 
Thomas Yule. Both of the latter were real-estate men and very accurate, and they did much 
to perfect the records of the office and more thoroughly systematize its methods. During their 



496 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

time, the number of conveyances reached 70,169, 11,849 of which were made while they were 
in the ofBce. 

On the 1st of November, 1878, S. M. Smith and C. L. Bering assumed the management 
of the business, which they had purchased from Alverson & Yule, and to which they now devote 
everv requisite attention. Mr. Bering is an attorney and real-estate conveyancer of long expe- 
rience, and Mr. Smith is well known as a careful, methodical man, abundantly qualified to con- 
duct the affairs of the ofiice. Up to and including the 31st day of March, 1880, and after 
November 1, 1878, they recorded 3,104 transfers, which made the whole number in Columbia 
County 73,273 at the close of the day first mentioned. 

The Columbia County Abstract Ofiice now contains eleven volumes of abstracts, so called, 
three index books, a volume each of abstracts of Government and State entries, one volume of 
powers of attorney, a volume of judgment, as liens on real estate, a volume of mechanics' 
liens, etc., etc. 

Already there are in Columbia County parcels of realty which have changed owners from 
one hundred and fifty to two hundred times, and there are but very few pieces of land that have 
not been repeatedly sold. Suppose, now, that A wants to buy of B certain land, almost the 
first detail about which the former will desire information will be in reference to the title ; and 
it is the vendor's business to show him that his right to the property is complete, to do which he 
must obtain an abstract of title. As already stated, the abstract ofiice contains the history of 
every piece of land in Columbia County, embodying every legal detail which can in any way 
afiect its title. Now, for the purpose of illustrating the methods of the abstract office, suppose 
that, on the morning of 1st of April, 1880, Messrs. Smith & Bering, in making their daily 
visit to the Register of Beeds' OflBce, found that another conveyance has been recorded there. 
They at once make a virtual copy of the deed, and on their return to the abstract ofiice they 
transfer it to what they call the book of abstracts. Each conveyance in this volume is desig- 
nated by a number, and in the case we have supposed the number would be 73,274. Opposite 
this number, they will note volume and page on which the instrument is recorded with the Reg- 
ister ; names of grantor and grantee ; date of the deed, date of acknowledgment ; date, hour 
and minute of record ; nature of the instrument ; description of the property ; consideration, etc. 
The next step is what is termed posting on the index-book, which is arranged for reference by descrip- 
tion of lands, and which contains a printed description of every forty and of every city and village 
lot in this county, and opposite it is simply placed that number, which completes the record 
there so far as this transfer is concerned. Of course, all previous transfers have previously 
been similarly indicated by recording their numbers from the abstract-book ; so that the index- 
book consists merely of descriptions of forties and lots, with the numbers indicating each con- 
veyance set opposite them. When an abstract of title is desired, the land described is readily 
found by reference to the index-book, and there, opposite the description, are found numbers 
indicating all the transfers of that property that have ever been made. Those numbers are 
readily found by reference to the abstract-book, where, opposite each number, are set forth all 
the details of that conveyance. Thus it will be seen that an abstract may be obtained for any 
piece of land by simply sending a description of it, and without even mentioning the name of 
the present owner. Of course, the utmost care is required in these entries, and every record is 
subjected to a double comparison before it is relinquished as accurate. Thus far, all the 
information alluded to as regarding land has been obtained from the Register's office, but there 
are legal facts other than those which the law requires the Register to spread upon his books 
that may, to some extent, aflfect the right to realty. For instance, a judgment become a lien 
on real estate, a record of which is to be found in the Clerk of the Court's office. And there 
is a large amount of other information which it is essential that a perfect abstract oflBce should 
possess, and which is obtained from the General Land Ofiice at Washington, the State Land 
Ofiice, the County Treasurer's oflSce, and elsewhere. Indeed, the abstract business requires the 
constant exercise of vigilance and the utmost care, and is a constant source of outlay, so that 
the occasional expensiveness of abstracts need not surprise the applicant for it. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 497 

The Columbia County Abstract Office is located in the bank building in Portage, on the corner 
of Cook and Wisconsin streets, and in the rear of the office is a stone vault, absolutely fire-proof, 
within which is a fire-proof safe, where all the books and papers belonging to the business are 
nightly secured. Many of the business men of this city have availed themselves of this certain 
protection against fire by placing their valuable papers in the custody of Smith & Bering ; and 
as there is never any money deposited there, nor any papers of value except to the owners, there 
is nothing to excite the cupidity of burglars. 

THE WELSH LITERAKY MOVEMENT IN COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The Welsh commenced to settle in Columbia County in the summer of 1845. They were' 
almost without exception, from the northern part of Wales — most of them from the counties of 
Carnarvon, Anglesea and Denbigh — from the neighborhood of Snowdon, Moel Siabod and other 
glorious mountains. 

Eminent writers maintain that the general aspect of nature has a decided influence on the 
habits, thoughts and characteristics of the human mind. They further assert that mountain 
scenery and air nourish poetical and musical tendencies, and encourage moral feelings. 

If this is so, the Welsh emigrants who first settled in Columbia County, nurtured in that 
part of Europe described by one of their bards as 

" Rude, rugged and romantic land of e'erlasting hills, 
Where echo sounds terrific, 'midst cataracts and rills — 
Mountains of ancient glory adorned with lovely vales — 
Creation in its beauty, my Home, my dearest Wales," 

should have imaginative, religious and industrious minds. The above theory proved true in the 
case of the first settlers as shown in the particular attention paid to public religious worship, 
even before houses were secured for the families. Music was cultivated from the very first; but 
not until the year 1848 did the difierent settlements organize and form into a musical union. 

It was then decided that the inhabitants of the different settlements in Columbia County 
should join in a grove about eight miles north of the present village of Cambria, to celebrate 
the Fourth of July in a manner worthy of the day. Music was furnished by a large and well- 
trained choir. E. B. Williams delivered a philosophical lecture on music. Several speeches 
on different subjects were made by many who were present from different settlements. 

It is worthy of mention that this manner of celebrating the Fourth of July became popu- 
lar and much good came out of it. Every year brought some new celebrity to the platform 
and more cultivation to the choir. This musical union continued to gain ground steadily for 
about fifteen years, when religious revivalists claimed the privilege to hold a prayer-meeting on 
the same day. The prayer-meeting was held but once, but that was enough to break up the 
musical union. Were it not for that fact, it is probable that the Fourth would have continued, 
to this day, to be celebrated in the same manner as of old. 

Still, nothing was done to encourage and cultivate the literary tastes of the people until 
Dr. J. LI. Williams returned from Pennsylvania and settled in Cambria in the year 1853. He 
was the founder, first teacher and patron of literature among the Welsh in this part of Colum- 
bia County. He organized literary societies in every schoolhouse, aroused and held regular 
weekly or two-weekly meetings, which were well attended, especially by the young people. 
Different subjects were given for competitory compositions in prose and verse ; lectures and 
speeches were delivered, and music in its various forms was taught and encouraged. 

In the month of April, 1856, the first grand Eistedfod was held in the old church or 
chapel, called Zion, on Welsh Prairie. This was well attended by musicians, poets, lecturers 
and other literary characters, from all parts of' the State, and was a decided success. Not only 
that that particular congress of bards and literati was a success in itself; but, by drawing out 
talents not previously known to the public, it proved that there was material enough among the 
Welsh population for holding such meetings in future. 



498 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



The Eistedfod is an ancient institution, and was probably peculiar to the Celts. Now it 
is peculiar to that small branch of the Celts inhabiting Wales and their children in foreign 
countries. First established by the Druids, and being then of much more importance than at 
present — all public matters in law, religion and literature being settled in those meetings in 
presence of the public therein assembled — it was deemed necessary, or at least beneficial, to 
keep up this Bardic assembly, after the overthrow of Dru^dism by Christianity, in order to fos- 
ter learning and especially poetry. For ages, each Eistedfod was held under the auspices and 
protection of some Welsh prince ; afterward they were under the patronage of the Barons, and, 
last of all, they were licensed by the English sovereigns. The last royal license was granted 
by Queen Elizabeth in 1.567 or 1568. Since that time, the Welsh have felt independent 
enough to hold an Eistedfod when and wherever they choose, without asking any one's consent. 

The Welsh in Columbia County have held an Eistedfod (sometimes on rather a small scale) 
at home, or have joined with others to hold one in some other part of the State almost every 
year since 1856. Money is sometimes contributed beforehand ; sometimes the sale of tickets 
to the meetings is depended upon and rewards are offered for the best compositions in prose, 
verse and music, and sometimes for works of art. Umpires are usually chosen from a distance, 
to determine upon the merits of the competitors. Everything is arranged as well as can be to 
secure justice. Each of these occasions brings out a great number of competitors, and it does 
much to stimulate and encourage the youths to labor hard for excellency, and it has contributed 
not a little to the education of those who must educate themselves or remain uneducated. 




HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 499 



OHAPTEE Tni. • 

Some of Columbia County's Illustrious Dead— Peter Pauquette, Elbert Dickason, La Pay- 
ette Hill, John A. Brown, Jeremiah Drake, Joseph M. Doty, Baron Steuben Doty, 
William T. Whirry', Emmons Taylor, Jacob Low, Carl Haertel, William Wier, 
Squire Sherwood Case, John Converse, Alfred Topliff, Harrison S. Haskell, Samuel 
Stephen Brannan, ANDRE^v Dunn, Thomas J. Emerton, Joseph Bailey, Henry Merrell, 
Julius Con\'erse Chandler, Samuel K. Vaugiian, Joseph Kerr, John Pardee, Andrew 
Sweany". 

PETER pauquette 

was the son of a French father and a Winnebago mother. He was born in the year 1796, and 
was married in St. Louis in 1818 to Theresa Crelie, whose father, "old Crelie," was a Canadian 
half-breed, and whose mother was a half-breed Sac. At the date of his marriage, which event 
took place at Prairie du Chien, he was in the employ of the American Fur Company. Pau- 
quette was the interpreter at the treaties with the Winnebagoes at Green Bay, in 1828 ; at 
Prairie du Chien, in 1825; and at Rock Island in 1832. In the year last mentioned, he was 
active in raising a party of Winnebagoes to unite with the Americans 'against Black Hawk. 
After this war, he was engaged as a trader, on the west side of the Wisconsin, at Portage. He 
had two children — Therese J., the eldest, was born at the portage in 1826 ; she has been twice 
married, and is a resident of Columbia County. Her brother, Moses Pauquette, was born in 
1828, also at the portage ; and he, too, is still a resident of the county. 

Pauquette was always reputed to be one of the best friends and counselors of the Winne- 
bagoes. No man who knew him ever suspected his honesty or patriotism. In October, 1836, 
he was shot and killed at the portage, by an Indian. 

On the 17th of October, [1836], says John de La Ronde, " Gov. Dodge came to Portage to 
hold a council with the Indians ; H. L. Dousman and Joseph Brisbois came also ; Peter Pau- 
quette acted as interpreter. The result of the council was advising the Winnebagoes to sell 
their lands east of the Mississippi. The Indians could not agi-ee, and the matter was postponed 
until the next year, and a treaty for the sale of the land was abandoned, they preferring an 
annuity, and Peter Pauquette demanded for them twenty-one boxes of money — $21,000 — declar- 
ing that that was the amount due him from the Indians for goods and provisions advanced 
to them. 

" Man-ze-mon-e-ka, a son of one of the chiefs of the Rock River band, residing a mile or 
two above the present locality of Watertown, named Wau-kon-ge-we-ka, or Whirling Thunder, 
or One-who-walks-on-the-iron, objected on the ground that he belonged to the Rock River band, 
and had received no provisions or goods from Pauquette, desiring that the money should be 
divided between the several bands ; then those who were indebted to Pauquette, might pay him 
if they chose, as for himself, or his band, they had their own debts to pay to the traders at Rock 
River. The result was that the council dissolved without coming to a decision. 

" Pauquette crossed the Wisconsin, going to a saloon where Carpenter's house now stands, 
and there indulged in drinking. Man-ze-mon-e-ka, who had spoken so frankly in the council, 
also happened there, when Pauquette whipped him. I came there at the time, and with the 
help of others rescued the Indian from Pauquette. The chief retired to the other end of the 
portage, near where the house of Henry Merrell once stood, on Fox River ; Pauquette followed 
him there and whipped him again. Satterlee Clark and I took the Indian away from him again, 
who was by this time badly bruised. He went home, which was near where Armstrong's brickyard 
now is ; and Pauquette went to the old post of the American Fur Company near the grist-mill ; 
and while on his way home, between 1 and 2 o'clock in the morning, he stopped at my place. 



500 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

I was then living in the house that used to belong to Francis Le Roy, near where 0. P. Will- 
iams' bouse stood before it was burnt. I did all that I could to persuade him to stay with me 
that night, seeing that he was under the influence of liquor, but he would go on ; his brother- 
in-law, Touissant St. Huge, and AVilliam Powell (not Capt. William Powell, of Butte des Morts), 
from Green Lake, were with him. There were some Indians drinking at the house of Paul 
Grignon — the same house now used for a stable by 0. P. Williams. Among these Indians were 
Black Wolf and his son. Rascal De-kau-ry, the Elk, Big Thunder and others. 

" When Pauquette arrived there, he whipped Black Wolf; Rascal De-kau-ry ran away 
north from where they were, right in the direction of the lodge of Man-ze-mon-e-ka, whom Pau- 
quette had beaten the preceding day. On arriving at the chief's cabin, he informed him that 
Pauquette was coming to whip him again. Man-ze-mon-e-ka emerged from his lodge and told 
Pauquette very pointedly not to come any farther; that he had whipped him twice the day before 
without a cause, and if he advanced another step he was a dead man. Pauquette, putting his 
hand to his breast, said, 'Fire if you are brave,' when Man-ze-mon-e-ka shot and Pauquette fell. 
William Powell was close to Pauquette at the time, and as soon as I heard the report of the gun 
I ran for the spot as fast as I could. It was close to where I was living. I met William Powell 
running toward the fort, and asked him was the matter ; but he was going so fast that he did 
not hear me. I went where Pauquette was, took his hand, which was warm, and asked him if 
he knew me to press my hand ; but he was dead. The ball had passed through his heart. Old 
Crelie, father-in-law to Pauquette, wanted to carry him home, but I would not allow him to 
touch him until the jury came. William Powell arrived there with Lieut. Hooe, Sergt. Pollinger, 
ten private soldiers, Satterlee Clark, and, I believe, Henry Merrell. Lieut. Hooe refused to go 
into the lodge to take the Indian ; the chief. White French, went and brought him out, when 
they took him across in a scow ; the body of Pauquette being also taken over. They asked 
Man-ze-mon-e-ka if he shot Pauquette, which he frankly acknowledged. I really believe that he 
thought he was going to be killed on the spot, as he sang his death-song. He was taken to the 
garrison, kept in strict confinement, and afterward conveyed to Green Bay, where he was tried 
by regular authority, and finally acquitted, it being determined on a second trial that he had 
killed Pauquette in self-defense. 

Says Satterlee Clark : 

" Peter Pauquette was born in the y^ar 1800, of a French father and a Winnebago mother ; 
the latter was buried nearly in front of the Old Agency house opposite the fort. He was thirty 
years old when I first knew him, and was the very best specimen of a man I ever saw. He was 
six feet two inches in height, and weighed 240 pounds — hardly ever varying a single pound. 
He was a very handsome man, hospitable, generous and kind, and I think I never saw a better- 
natured man. 

" I had heard much of his strength before I left Green Bay, and of course, was anxious to 
see him perform some of the wonderful feats of strength of which I had beard. From my first 
acquaintance with him to the day of his death I was his most intimate friend, and consequently 
had a better opportunity to know him than any other person. * * * jjg often 

told me that all persons seemed alike to him. When I was nineteen or twenty years old, my 
business kept me constantly in training, and though I weighed less than 150 pounds, my muscles 
were like iron ; notwithstanding he often said it was no more trouble to take me across his 
lap than a child one year old. and so it seemed to me. ****** 

" He was employed by the American Fur Company up to the day of his death. For the 
last four years of his life he had a bookkeeper, but previous to that time (not being able to read 
or write), he gave credit to hundreds of Indians, relying entirely on his memory, and their hon- 
esty. Those who have been acquainted with the Indian character only since their association 
with the whites has degraded them, will be amused to hear of the honesty of the Indians ; and 
I desire to do them the justice to say, that while they saw no impropriety in stealing from 
another and a hostile tribe, I never knew them to steal from a trader, or refuse to pay what they 
owed him, till whisky was introduced among them by the worst class of whites. The women 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUJfTY. 501 

were especially honest and virtuous. Their marriage amounted to the purchase of the daughter 
from the father, whether by an Indian or a white man ; when, as soon as the trade was made, the 
girl considered herself the wife of the purchaser, and accompanied him home often (when pur- 
chased by a white man who could not speak the Indian language) very reluctantly, and in tears ; 
still the right of the father was never resisted. 

" But to continue as to Pauquette. The last of September, 1836, the War Department (then 
having the Indian Bureau), directed Gov. Dodge to assemble the Winnebagoes, at Fort Winne- 
bago, and if possible treat with them for all the lands they owned east of the Mississippi; and 
he called to his assistance all the half-blood Winnebagoes he could get. The council lasted 
several weeks, during which time every possible effort was made to induce them to sell ; but 
there seemed to be an undercurrent somewhere to prevent it, and the Governor failed. This he 
attributed to the influence of Pauquette and myself, and I think we never denied it. In the 
Governor's next official report, he recommended that no license be granted to one Satterlee Clark 
to trade with the Winnebagoes, for the reason that his iniluence with the Indians was so great 
that he prevented them from doing what the Government desired, and caused them to do what 
the Government did not desire to be done ; and that he further induced them to give large sums 
of money out of their annuity to himself and friends. Pauquette would undoubtedly have been 
included with me in this report, but for his death. 

" This council closed on the 17th day of October, 1836, and the next day Pauquette came 
to my store to rejoice over our victory. ()n this occasion, he drank too much wine, and became 
just enough intoxicated to be impatient of contradiction. In this condition, he started home on 
foot, and when within about one quarter of a mile of the ferry, opposite his house, he found an 
Indian and his wife sitting by a little fire in the bushes. The Indian was Man-ze-mon-e-ka, 
or Iron Walker, who was also drunk. What there occurred, is only known as related by the 
squaw that night. She said Pauquette kicked the fire apart, the Indian arose up and said some- 
thing that offended Pauquette, who slapped the Indian's face, knocking him down. The Indian 
got up, saying, ' You knocked me down ; but I got up. I will knock you down, and you will 
never get up. I will go for my gun.' Pauquette only laughed and sat down. The Indian 
returned, when Pauquette stood up, pulled open his coat, placed his hand on his breast and said, 
' Strike, and see a brave man die.' The Indian fired, killing him instantly, the ball severing 
one of the main arteries leading from the heart. No man in Wisconsin could have died who 
was so much regretted. His death can safely be attributed to intoxication, though it was the 
first time I ever knew or heard of his being in that condition.* 

"Man-ze-mon-e-ka was tried, convicted and sentenced to be hung; but the judgment 
was reversed by the ^preme Court, and he never was punished. He is long since dead. 

" There has been some doubt as to where Mr. Pauquette was buried, and I will state what 
I know of his burial. In the first instance, while he did not claim to belong to any religious 
denomination, his wife being a Catholic, he built a small church near the center of what is now 
Portage City. At his death, I assisted to bury his remains under the floor of this church. Sub- 
sequently the church was burned ; and still later, while I was living at Green Lake, I received a 
summons to come up and point out the grave, some of his friends being desirous to remove his 
body. I came up and found the locality without any difficulty ; but never heard whether he 
was removed, or, if so, where. At that time Portage City had been surveyed,, and his grave 
was in the middle of a street.'' 



* The Galena Adverlieer, of Saturday, October 22, 1836, thus referred to Pauquette's death : After mentioning that Gov. Dodge had failed in 
hia negotiation with the Winnebago Indians for a further ceasion of their lands to the United States, stated : " On Monday eveninglast [October 
17], Mr. Pauquette, long and favorably known as an Indian trader and interpreter, was shot by a son of Whirling Thunder, a prominent chief 
of the tribe." The Belmont Gazette gives the following account of Pauquette's death from an eye witness : "Some of the Indians, instigated, 
it was said, by a family of half-breeds, named Grignon, propagated a report that Pauquette had acted treacherously in his capacity of interpreter. 
Indignant athaving his correctness questioned, he pursued several of the Grignon family, all of whom fled before him, until he was some con- 
siderable distance from the place where the treaty was being held. While returning from the fruitless pursuit, his murderer emerged from a 
copse of wood, and ordering him to Btand,^avowed bis intention of shouting him. Pauquette deliberately bared his bnsom, and remarking that 
he feared not to die, bade him fire. The ball ot the Indian passed through his heart, and he almost instantly expired. The author of the deed, 
with stoical indifl'erence, expressed a perfect willingness to expiate his olfense with his own life. Mr. Pauquette, we are informed, was a man 
of noble and generous qualities, and had scarcely an enemy in the world. He wa.s in our service during the Black Hawk war, and distin- 
guished himself by hi.s cool and collected courage in every emergency." 

Col. Ebenezer Childs, in a letter to hia wife written at Belmont, November 1,1836, speaking of his journey there, states : "At Pau- 
quette's farm, I got the news of poor Pauquette's death, and waa never more astonished in my life." — Ed. 



502 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Henry Merrell thus wrote of Pauquette : 

" Peter Pauquette lived opposite Fort AVinnebago, on what was called the Agency Hill. 
I considered him the best specimen of Nature's noblemen I ever met. He was born, I think, 
in Missouri, and engaged in the Indian trade at an early day. When I knew him he was six 
feet two inches in height, large and fleshy, but his flesh was hard, and felt more like my knee- 
pan than common flesh. I once took my handerchief and measured round his thigh, and it just 
reached around my waist. He was the strongest man I ever knew ; he would pick up a barrel 
of pork and throw it into a wagon as easily as a man would a ten-gallon keg. I had a cask of 
dry white lead at my door, with 800 pounds of lead in it, and I was told by my clerk that he 
took it by the chimes, and lifted it off the ground. ***** 

He was of a mild disposition, could neither read nor write ; but had as fine a sense of honor 
as any gentleman I ever knew ; and all who knew him would take his word as soon as any 
man's bond. 

" He and a companion (as he told me) were trading among some Indians in the Northwest 
until some others, the Flat Heads, took them prisoners, and determined to burn them ; they 
tied them each to a tree with their arms around it, then piled brush and wood around them, and 
set fire to the pile around his companion. He thought his time had come; but witnessing the 
excruciating sufferings of his fellow, he gave one superhuman pull at his thongs, and felt them 
give way. As he did so, an old squaw, the only one near him, caught him by the arm and gave a 
scream. He tried to shake her ofl", but could not; so he caught her hatchet and embedded it in her 
head, which loosened her hold, and he jumped and ran, the Indians at his heels after him ; but he 
could outrun almost any man, and outstripped them. Night coming on, he secreted himself, and 
finally got to a trading-post, after three days. He finally settled at Portage in the Indian trade ; 
and at the time I knew him, he had such influence over the chiefs of the Winnebagoes, that he was 
considered at the head of the nation. He could talk the Winnebago, French and English languages 
fluently, and was the only good Winnebago interpreter in the country. He was with Col. Dodge 
in the Sauk war, and the Colonel would always call for him to interpret when he held councils with 
the Winnebagoes. He used to trust the Indians, from year to year, I am informed, without any 
books, carrying their accounts in his head ; and when they would come in with their furs, he 
would tell them what they owed him, and they were invariably satisfied. When I arrived, he 
was trading for the American Fur Company, they furnishing him with goods and a book-keeper, 
he in the spring turning over to them his furs, they fi.xing the prices of his goods and furs. 
Thus they of course had it all their own way. John T. De La Ronde was his clerk when I 
came, but he finally discharged him. 

" In the fall of 1836, Gov. Dodge came to t\\e fort, and had the Indians called in to meet 
him, and receive their payment. The chiefs met him in council, with Pauquette as interpreter. 
The Governor proposed to make a treaty with them, and buy their country between the Wiscon- 
sin and Mississippi. After they had counseled for some days, tliey refused to sell their country. 
It was generally supposed, as Pauquette advised them, they would act; therefore, the story was 
raised that Pauquette had advised them not to sell, and that he had not interpreted truly, which 
came to the ears of Pauquette, and he said it was untrue. He told me the chiefs asked his 
advice, but he told them he could not advise them, for he did not know anything about the 
country the Government wanted them to go to ; and therefore, they must make up their own 
minds about it. 

" The traders and half-breeds, all the way from Prairie du Chien and Green Bay, were assem- 
bled here; and it was supposed that many of them, if not most of them, wanted the Indians to form 
a treaty, so they could get money by it. As it was thought that Pauquette had as much influ- 
ence with the nation as a king, he was courted as well as feared by all ; therefore every man 
of them wanted to court his favor, and would treat him, and urge him to drink. The conse- 
quence was, that after getting through interpreting, and settling up with Gov. Dodge, which was 
the latter part of the third day, he drank too much — the first time I ever saw him under the 
influence of liquor. I had a long talk with him .in the afternoon, when he told me he was 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUJTTY. 603 

satisfied the agents of the fur company had cheated him, and he should settle off with them 
as soon as the payment was over, which was to take place the next day, if he could get any one 
to furnish him. I told him I would furnish him all the goods he wanted. 'Will you?' said 
he. 'If I had known that, I would have proposed it long ago.' I told him that no one 
supposed that he could be induced to leave the fur company. He then appeared to be per- 
fectly himself 

" After tea, Satterlee Clark and I went down to the sutler's store ; met there Pauquette, 
and Messrs. Powell and Gleason. We stood in the yard in front of the store, talking for some 
time. Pauquette said some of the traders had been lying about him, and he would lick some of 
them before they left the ground. As he felt so aggrieved, and dwelt so much upon it, I feared 
he would get into a quarrel with them. While we were talking, Paul Grignon rode up on 
horseback, and Pauquette caught hold of him and pulled him off of his horse, playfully ; and, 
laughing, commenced talking to him, but we, not understanding the language, did not know 
what was said. Finally, I saw he became enraged, having hold of the man's cravat, a black silk 
one, tied loosely around his neck, with his left hand, and flourishing his right, as though he 
would strike him. I said to the men, ' Don't let him hurt Grignon,' and remarked to Pauquette, 
' Don't hurt him, for he is no more than a child in your hands.' Three men, all strong ones, 
caught hold of his right arm, but he would sway them backward and forward as though they 
were children ; but as long as they held on to his arm he could not strike him ; I, in the 
mean time, trying to unfasten his grip, but, finding I could not, as his grasp seemed like a vise, 
I took out my knife and cut the cravat in two, jerking Grignon away at the same time, and tell- 
ing him to clear out, as Pauquette was crazy, and would kill him. He then readily jumped 
upon his horse and rode off. Pauquette seemed to give up, and did not try to stop him, but 
said he would whip some of them yet. He stayed and talked with us for a time. 

" There were (juite a number of the Grignons at the portage from Green Bay and the 
country, and Pauquette said it was some of them who had lied about him. By this time, it was 
getting dark, and he started to go over to the Agency Hill, as it was called, about half a mile 
opposite the fort, where the traders and half-breeds were encamped, some in tents and some in 
wigwams. I said to Satterlee Clark, he had better go and see that he did not get into a fight, 
for if he did he would kill some one, or would get killed himself He started, but Pauquette 
told him to go back as he did not want to get any of his friends into a scrape, so Clark turned 
back, and I asked him if he was not going, when he said no. I then said to Mr. Gleason, ' We 
must go.' 'Agreed,' said he, and we followed him over. I told Gleason we would keep out of 
his sight, but watch him, which we did. Pauquette went into a wigwam, and chatted a few 
minutes, and then went into Judge Law's tent, and talked with him a short time. After com- 
ing out, he met Amable Grignon, who had on a plaid cloak, hooked at the neck. He com- 
menced talking with him, but soon got into a rage, as he had before, and insisted upon 
fighting him, pulling off his coat. Several went up and tried to appease him, but could not. 
Louis Grignon finally came up, and I supposed he would quiet him, as I had reason to believe 
Pauquette thought a great deal of him, as he always called him Father Grignon ; but he would 
not listen to him. 

" Then I thought I would try and see what I could do ; so I took his coat and went up to 
him, saying, • Pauquette, what are you doing out here, a sick man, in the night air, without his 
coat on ?' 'I ain't sick,' he replied. ' Well, you will be, if you expose yourself in this way ; 
put on your coat, and go with me over to the shanty ; there is no use quarreling, for we are all 
friends here.' ' Well, I will, if you say so,' said he. He then put on his coat, and went over 
with us to the sutler's store, to my astonishment, for I never supposed I had so much influence 
over him as the circumstance indicated. This night he stayed with us (there being several 
ofiicers in), conversing with us until 11 o'clock. Ever and anon he would speak about the 
reports about him, and the lies told, so that I saw it was the one thing uppermost in his mind. 
He said he would not tell a lie for any man, not even his father, and they should not lie about' 
him. All at once, he started out of the door, and down across the bridge, Gleason and I after 



504 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

him. When Gleason got on the bridge, he called to him, when Pauquette stopped and asked 
what he wanted. ' Merrell wants you,' said Gleason. ' What does he want ?' said Pauquette. 

" Just then I came up, and said to him, ' Pauquette, there is no use of your going over 
there; you will only get into a scrape if you do ; but go over home; Gleason, Powell and 
Touissant will go home with you and stay to-night.' ' Well, agreed,' he replied, ' if you say so.' 
They all started, and went over toward the Wisconsin River, across which he lived, and Satter- 
lee Clark and I went to bed, thinking he was safe, but, about 12 or 1 o'clock, Mr. Powell rapped 
at our window, and said Pauquette was killed by an Indian. We sent word to the officers, and 
a number of us mounted our horses — -Lieut. Hooe taking a file of soldiers — and went over and 
found, sure enough, he lay dead in the bushes, near where the Catholic Church now stands. We 
took the body and carried it over to his house, he having a ferry-boat for his own use. 

" I, being a Justice of the Peace, commenced taking the testimony, when an Indian came 
in, and said the Indian who shot Pauquette was in a wigwam across the river, and if the soldiers 
would go he would show them where he was. So Lieut. Hooe went with his men, but, before 
reaching the wigwam, the Indians proposed going in and pinioning him, as he was armed, which 
they did, and delivered him up to Lieut. Hooe, who said the Indians wanted he should let them 
kill him on the spot, but he would not let them, and brought him over to the house. The 
Indian proved to be Man-ze-mon-e-ka, son of the chief Whirling Thunder, who, according to 
his mother's statement, came up from the mines determined to kill Pauquette. 

" William Powell, from Green Lake, who was with Pauquette when he was shot down, tes- 
tified that on their way they stopped at Mr. Gleason's house, a short distance from where we 
found the body, and Pauquette went out. That he, Powell, went to look for him, and found him 
sitting, talking with an Indian by a small fire ; and seeing he was without his coat, he went to 
the house and got it, and helped him on with it, and started for the ferry. Soon they met the 
Indian with his gun on his shoulder, and passed him, who immediately turned and said, " Pau- 
quette, is that you ? ' Pauquette turned and said, ' Yes — what do you want ? ' The Indian asked 
' Are you a man ? ' ' Yes,' was his reply, striking his breast with his hands, ' and a good man, 
too.' The Indian leveled his gun, and shot, the ball passing through the left lung ; and Powell 
further related, that he was so near the Indian that he caught hold of the gun, but it went ofi" at 
that instant. Powell ran to the house, and called the men out, thinking the Indian would fall 
on him. When they got to Pauquette, he was just breathing his last. The Indian said Pau- 
quette stuck him over the head with a brand from the fire ; but there was no mark on his head, 
and his mother's statement, who witnessed it, was thought to be the correct one. 

" I committed Man-ze-mon-e-ka, and requested the commanding officer at the fort to keep 
him until the Sheriflf from Green Bay could come up and take him to jail, which was done, and 
he was taken to Green Bay, tried, and sentenced to be hanged. The Sheriff" made all preparations 
to hang him. but, on the day he was to be executed, there came an order to the Sheriff" to stay 
proceedings, that a new trial would be granted ; so he was not hanged on that day, and then it 
was found out he could not be tried a second time, and so was released ; but he never dared let 
himself be seen in the nation again, as many Indians were determined to kill him if they could 
find him, for they felt — and there was no doubt in the minds of any one — that they had lost the 
best friend they ever had.* Pauquette was always called upon to divide the provisions and 
goods, furnished them by the Government, among the several bands, of which there were si.\ or 
eight, which was done in this way : The heads of families of each band were seated on the ground 
in a large circle, and Pauquette would go into the center of the ring, and deal out to each the 
proportion according to the size of the families, of flour, pork, salt, tobacco, etc. Here was one 
cause of jealousy. Then he trusted the Indians, receiving their furs when they came in; and, 
of course, those who were the best hunters, got the greatest credits — and this was another camSe 
of jealousy. 

• In Schoolcrafta *' History and Condition of the Indian Tribes," Vol. iii, page 281, is thiecorroborative testimony of Pau.juette's good char- 
acter: " One of the worst acts, and which stains thi-ir cliaracter liy iti atrocity, was the assassination of Peter Pauquette, the interpreter at the 
agency, on the Wisconsin Portage. He was a man of Winnebago lineage, and was reputed to be one of the best friends and counselors of the 
nation." 




COLUM BUS. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 507 

" In the preceding summer of 1836, the chiefs came in, and requested the commanding 
officer, who was acting as Indian agent, by order of the War Department, to pay Pauquette 
when their payment was made, for goods and provisions, to be furnished the nation, as they were 
in a starving condition; and the commandant agreed to pay him at their request $22,000, which 
would have been his the next day had he lived ; but, after his death, they refused and forbade it 
being paid to the agent of the American Fur Company. Whirling Thunder had fallen into dis- 
grace with the other chiefs, as he did not live in the country with the nation, but lived in the 
mines, pitching his wigwam near the dwelling of a man by the name of Doherty, who had taken 
Thunder's daughter for his wife; and as Pauquette, Doherty thought, stood in his way of influ- 
ence with the nation, as well as trade, it was believed he felt it for his interest to prejudice the 
chief and his son against Pauquette, and the son got so wrought up that he determined to make 
way with him. 

" At one time, Doherty came to the fort, and tried to get the chiefs to sign an agreement 
to give his wife and children each a section of land, when they made a treaty, and Pauquette 
laughed at it, as he knew the Government had decided not to give any more lands to the half- 
breeds, but would give money instead ; but Doherty would not believe it. In this way, probably, 
the feeling against Pauquette was kept up. Man-ze-mon-e-ka said Pauquette did not give them 
their share of goods and provisions, and would not trust them as he did other Indians. 

" I have dwelt upon this the longer as many stories were raised in regard to the cause of 
the Indians being incited to the deed. One was, that Pauquette had whipped him once or twice, 
which was the cause; but there was no evidence of it, and no one who knew all the facts believed 
it for a moment. 

" Some years after, Capt. Thompson was out with a party of soldiers gathering up the 
Indians to remove them west of the Mississippi, and came across a young Indian whom he 
induced to guide him to Man-ze-mon-e-ka's camp, and he surrounded his wigwam before the 
Indian knew it. The Captain said he found him on an island in Winnebago swamp — since Lake 
Horicon — and never could have discovered his retreat but for his guide. Man-ze-mon-e-ka was 
taken to Prairie du Chien, from which he soon disappeared, and no one knew what became of 
him. Capt. Thompson said that Man-ze-mon-e-ka, after taking him, said that he was never 
happy after killing Pauquette, as he dare not venture himself among his nation, and had to 
secrete himself. He probably lived the rest of his life away from his people. 

" Pauquette had purchased a number of sections of land from half-breeds, besides three 
sections which were given him by the Indians under their treaties, so that, at his death, he had 
twelve or sixteen sections of land, a large number of cattle and horses, together with a fine 
store of Indian goods and other personal property. 

" The agent of the fur company took possession of the goods, and sold them for the benefit 
of the company, giving, as he said, Pauquette credit for them. 

" In 1838, the company i-eceived the $22,000 which the Indians owed Pauquette at his 
death. The lands were disposed of by the administrator, and all this property disappeared 
without the heirs receiving a cent of it, and some outside debts were never paid. Had he 
lived, I have no doubt he would have been very wealthy. He had put up a log building for a 
Catholic church, which was not finished, and his remains were deposited under it. The build- 
ing was afterward burned down. The lot belonged to Benjamin L. Webb, of Detroit, who 
reserved it from sale, for he (the owner) esteemed Pauquette so highly that he intended erecting 
a monument to his memory. Webb was tlie proprietor of Portage, platted as Fort Winnebago, 
originally a French grant of 640 acres, granted to a Frenchman named Lecuyer. I being 
Webbs agent, the Catholic priest applied' to me for the lot, but I could not let him have it. He 
then got the consent of the family, which Mr. Webb required, and the lot was deeded to the 
church, stipulating that they should take care of the grave. Another church was built near 
the spot, which was afterward turned into a Catholic schoolhouse. 

" At one time, Pauquette proposed, when the old men of the Winnebago Nation were in, 
that he would get them together and inform me, so as to have them give their history, and I 



508 " HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

take it down ; but, to my regret, the opportunity never occurred, as he was too soon cut oflf. 
He told me the nation was divided into two sects — one believing the Great Spirit was a large 
animal, describing the mammoth, and they took their tribal names from animals, such as the 
bear, the elk, the wolf, beaver, fox, etc., etc., and carved the likeness of some animal upon their 
war-clubs, guns, and other things ; the other believed him to be a great bird, and took their 
names from thunder and birds, such as the eagle, the hawk, the crow, etc., etc., and always 
marked upon their articles the likeness of some bird. 

" There was an old Indian and his squaw, who lived in their wigwam close by Pauquette's 
house — whether any relation or not I never knew ; but Pauquette was very kind to them, and 
supplied them with provisions. We at the fort called him Pony Blau or Blaw. One day, he 
and wife had been over to some whisky shanty, and came across the portage singing, hand in 
hand ; and when they got near the bridge leading to the fort, one says to the other, ' Let's go 
and see the Great Spirit ' — believing him to be in a cave under Fo.x River. ' Agreed,' said the 
other; so they walked off into the river. Pauquette happened along just then and pulled 
them out, else they would have drowned. 

" I was told that, in the Sauk war, there was a company of rangers, I believe from Illinois, 
who encamped on the bank of the Wisconsin, and Paucjuette was walking around, looking at 
them, when a large man kicked a little dog following Pauquette. The latter said to the soldier, 
'Don't kick that dog, he is mine.' The man replied, 'I'll kick you if you say much. Who 
are you? ' 'My name is Pauquette,' was the response. 'Ah,' said the ranger, 'you are the 
very fellow I want to see. I have heard of you, and came up here on purpose to lick you.' 
Thereupon he pitched at Pauquette, who struck the man but once, peeling the skin from his 
cheek and knocking him down. Then he caught the man by the throat, raising him to his 
feet, and, shaking him like an aspen leaf, asked him if he called himself a man. ' I was a man 
where I came from,' was the reply, ' but I see I ain't here.' Thus it ended. The soldier con- 
cluded he would not whip Pauquette." 

ELBERT DICKASON. 

When Milwaukee was but a straggling village, with most of her populous and busy streets 
and splendid architecture scarcely disturbed by the pale-face, and when East Water street, the 
great thoroughfare of Wisconsin, was yet a swamp, with the wild rice on its surface instead of 
Nicholson pavement, a certain New York capitalist named Nelson, we are told, sent the elder 
James Luddington to the Territory of Wisconsin, then the Far West, to secure land at low 
rates. He came to Milwaukee, and, as it is stated, meeting with Maj. Dickason, induced him 
to come to what is now Columbus, and assisted him with means to secure a large amount of land, 
Maj. Dickason may be regarded as the founder of Columbus. 

He was a Virginian by birth, and removed to Ohio and subsequently to Illinois. When he 
came to this county, he was somewhat advanced in middle life, and is described as a tall spare 
man with light hair, which he always wore long upon his shoulder. He is represented as a very 
brave man and extremely generous. He served during the whole of the memorable Black Hawk 
war, and it was from that fact that he gained his designation as Major, and most of his knowl- 
edge of this Western country. 

He erected the first habitation ever built by a white man in Columbus. It was a log cabin 
and stood upon the Crawfish, just beyond the site of the present depot. The Major brought with 
him, as previously reported, sixty or seventy head of cattle, upward of twenty horses and four 
or five wagons, and took possession of a considerable amount of land, which he had purchased 
of Luddington and another on time. The Major seemed to have a Daniel Boone idea of retain- 
ing sufficient hunting ground for himself. He believed that the wooded ground between 
Mud Lake and Lost Lake would never be settled, and that prairie lands alone would be 
ample for all the demands of agriculture. But it is also reported that, shortly after he 
he arrived here, he staked out twelve lots near his cabin for village purposes and called them 
Columbus, the embryo of a beautiful and prosperous village. The first ground broken by the 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 509 

plow extended beyond the hill upon which are now situated the residences of James T. Lewis 
and William L. Lewis and that of A. G. Cook. Here the Major stacked his first harvest 
of wheat, and here the stealthy savage applied the torch to his stacks and burned them. He 
also erected on the spot now occupied by the grist-mill in Columbus a saw-mill, and built near it 
a blacksmith-shop. 

The Major was of a hospitable and free-hearted nature. Even in the months succeeding 
the period we have mentioned, when blazed trees were the only milestones and guides to the 
adventurer on this frontier, the wave of civilization was flowing rapidly westward into the inte- 
rior of this Territory, and not a few men exploring these wilds in search of future homes, and 
whoever stopped with the Major departed without charge. He was not by nature intended for 
a farmer, and was not successful. Unable to meet his liabilities, he gave up his claim of 1,300 
acres, now partially occupied by the city of Columbus, to Luddington, receiving a small sum for 
what he had done. With a team or two, he removed to Wyocena, where he remained until his 
death. 

His cabin remained standing in Columbus for some time, and was afterward occupied by 
some of " the first families." A story is told about a hurricane which passed over the village 
and partially unroofed this cabin ; the cellar underneath it was merely a hole in the ground, but 
the family, terrified by the blackness of the air and the fury of the tornado, sought refuge in it 
and closed the door in the floor after them ; the deluge poure I through the rent roof in torrents 
and passed into the cellar, until the inmates, to prevent being submerged, were compelled, before 
the storm was fairly abated, to seek refuge at their next neighbor's. 

" After considerable consideration, Lewis Luddington and myself," says Mr. Hustis, "were 
induced to purchase for Maj. Dickason about seventeen hundred acres of land on and about the site 
of Columbus, in the month of February, 1839, each of us taking about one-half of that amount 
of land in our mutual arrangements about the several tracts. Mr. Luddington took the 
water power, and I, the cultivated land. It so happened at the sale of the Milwaukee land dis- 
trict, I became the first purchaser of land sold, by bidding-in part of Section 12, near Columbus,* 
and closed the sale by purchasing a tract on Section 28, near Racine. These tracts, near and 
including Columbus, were at once contracted to Dickason on a four-years credit, and Mr. 
Luddington aided him in building a saw-mill, and afterward in constructing for him a grist-mill. 
Dickason was in occupancy of the property for a period extending over the four years without 
paying either of us a cent of principal or interest, or any of the taxes levied thereon. We found 
that we had considerable of an elephant on our hands. Finally, Luddington gave Dickason 
some $600 in cash and the income of the mill for one year, it having been leased to Col. Drake. 
With these means, Dickason made a purchase of what was afterward Wyocena." 

"Not a few of our old residents," says a Columbus writer, " remember Maj. Dickason, and 
are familiar with many incidents concerning him. He was the pioneer of Columbus, and among 
the very first white men who wandered over these prairies and through these groves. The little 
log cabin he built upon the banks of the Crawfish River, where the railroad depot now stands, 
in the dawn of settlement here, remained until a few years ago. The old borderer is buried at 
Wyocena. His grave is in a weedy, straggling cemetery encircled by Duck Creek, which here 
widens into quite a river, and shores as blue and gold of a cold, clear morning as some more pre- 
tentious waters, but the surroundings are desolate even in the brightest morning. Sandy slopes 
dotted with brown brush, wide-spreading marshes to the eastward, and a low line of dark woods, 
form the outline. Wyocena is within full view. The old Major's grave has a respectable slab, 
bearing the inscription : ' Maj. Elbert Dickason, died August 9, 1848, aged 48 years 9 months 
and 9 days.'" 

LA FAYETTE HILL. 

La Fayette Hill was the son of John and Cynthia Hill, and was born in Burlington, Vt., 
August 28, 1812. He received a common-school education, such as was afforded by the times 

* The entrj' here spoki'ii of was made on the 18th of February, and on the same day Lews Luddington also entered a portion < f Section 
12. Mr. Luddington entered, at the same time, the half of Sections 13 and 24. — Ed. 



510 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

in which he lived. Just before completing his majority, he removed to Rochester, N. Y. Here 
he made the acquaintance of Elizabetli French, daughter of Amos H. French, and was united 
with her in marriage February 18, 1835. In the fall of that year, the young couple removed 
to Chicago, 111., but the outlook not being sufficiently encouraging, in the fall of 1836, he 
moved to Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained until August, 1837, and on the 21st day of that 
month he landed in Columbia County, and in the newly platted village of " Kentucky City," 
now Dekorra, he erected a public house, which he kept for eleven years. " Kentucky City," 
at this time, aspired to be the State capital, and its founders, Thompson, Trimble & Morton, 
were making every effort to that end. In the fall of 1846, without solicitation on his part, he 
received the nomination for member of the Constitutional Convention, and was elected without 
opposition. He was elected several times member of the Town Board of Supervisors, Justice 
of the Peace, and member of the County Board of Supervisors. He was also, at different 
times, solicited to use his name for the office of Sheriff, but, having no special love for political 
life, and his private business being such as to require his personal supervision, he invariably 
declined. In 1848, Mr. Hill purchased the northeast quarter of Section 9, in the town of 
Dekorra, and here laid out the village of Oshaukuta. He also erected here the first hotel in the 
village, and " Hill's Tavern " was soon known far and wide. This attempt to found here a 
village was unsuccessful. La Fayette Hill was a man universally esteemed. His kindness of 
heart was proverbial. In the family circle, not a harsh word was ever spoken by him ; he was 
kind in the extreme. It mattered not under what circumstances a favor was asked by a mem- 
ber of the family, he was ever ready and willing to accede to it if in his power. On the 7th 
day of July, 1853, he was called to his rest, after a lingering illness of six months, leaving his 
loved companion to mourn his loss. 

JOHN A. BROWN 

was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., on the 10th of November, 1812, and was emphatically a self- 
made man. He enjoyed only the ordinary advantages of a common-school education, in what 
w^as then a backwoods country. He graduated where so many of the ablest, most successful and 
distinguished men of our country have graduated — in the printing office. His trade was learned 
in that good old school of good practical printers — Batavia — working in David Miller's office while 
Miller was publishing Morgan's famous book on Freemasonry, and [when the office and all hands 
were threatened with violence from an excited community. In the intervals of an industrious 
application as an apprentice to an old established printer, he made himself acquainted with the 
classic literature of our own tongue, and paid some attention to Latin and mathematics. In 
those studious nights of boyiiood, he stored his mind with choice selections of English poetry and 
prose, which his retentive memory enjoyed to the last. At the age of nineteen, he assumed the 
editorship of the Hartford (Conn.) IntelUgencvr. Here he was brought into contact with some 
of the leading minds of American literature at that time, and formed friendships which lasted 
through life. Some time was thus spent in a round of genial duties, when, in 1833, the love of 
adventure drove him to sea. For some two or three years at least, he was well acquainted with 
the changing moods of the great deep in all latitudes and longtitudes, and once was among the 
very few saved from a wreck of the ship of which he was second officer, on the coast of South 
America. 

He returned to his own country shortly after this occurrence, and taking to his old employ- 
ment, removed to then Territory of Michigan, in 1837, joining his brother Beriah at Tecumseh, 
where they published the Democrat, until, in February, 1838, he joined C. C. Britt, at Niles. 
Here he remained as a partner in the publication of the Xiles Intdligencer until 1 841, when he 
removed to Galena, 111., where he published a paper several months. This enterprise was unsuc- 
cessful, and he went to Rockford, where he published the Rockford Pilot until the fall of 1842, 
when he removed to Chicago and took charge of the Daily Democrat of that city — its proprietor 
having been nominated for Congress. In 1843, he came to Wisconsin, taking up his residence 
in Milwaukee, and publishing until 1847 the Milwaukee Courier, afterward the Dailt/ Wiscotmn. 



HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 511 

He then went to Washington County, and there established a Democratic paper at Port 
Washington, which he subsequently published at Grafton. Thence he removed to Janesville, 
where he published the Badger State, which he published until his removal to Madison, where 
he was engaged with his brother on the Madison Democrat, afterward the Daily Argus and 
Democrat. In 1853, he came to Portage, a point which he had kept a long time in view, and 
where he had determined to make a permanent home. He began his work there with the ardor 
and energy of youth, purchasing the River Times newspaper, the name of which he changed to 
that which had become a favorite, and which he had come to regard as his own — the Badger 
State. Continuing its publication in connection with Mr. Britt, his political friends forced upon 
him, in 1856, the oiEce of Postmaster, to which he was again appointed just previous to his 
death by President Buchanan, and confirmed by the Senate of the United States. He died in 
Madison February 10, 1859, and was buried in Portage on the 12th, after appropriate and 
impressive funeral services. Thus, at the age of forty-six, closed the career of a brave, true 
man, of refined and generous sentiments^the exemplary citizen, the chivalrous champion of the 
innocent and oppressed, who rebuked vice, detested meanness, and, hating with a cordial hatred 
all falsehood, all dishonesty, and all trickery, worked faithfully to fulfill the law of truth and 
love. 

JEKEMIAH DRAKE 

was born in Ulster County, N. Y., and at an early age removed to Herkimer County in 
the same State. When quite young, he was thrown upon his own resources, and supported 
himself by the fruits of his own labor. Thus early was laid the foundation of that self-reliance 
and that independence of spirit which distinguished his whole life, and thus was developed a 
strong and vigorous constitution, and a mind fitted in a remarkable degree for the transaction of 
business. Western New York at that time was a wilderness. The busy tongue of enterprise 
had as yet uttered no prophecy of its future development. Mr. Drake was among the early 
pioneers who explored that portion of the State. He was among those who projected and 
urged to completion the Erie Canal. He saw the first section completed, and was present when 
the first trip was made. As the work progressed, he superintended large contracts, and saw 
this great line of communication stretching from Albany to Buff'alo, thus connecting the East 
with the then unknown West. He was largely acquainted with the leading men of those times, 
and took a deep interest in the political ((uestions of the day. His piety was a principle rooted 
in the heart, and yielding the fruits of righteousness. His sympathy was always with progress, 
laboring to advance those measures that should result in general good. Statesmen of a past 
generation were his neighbors. De Witt Clinton was his friend, and he remembered Gov. 
Seward as a mere stripling. He was for a time largely engaged in public works in the State of 
New Jersey, and during the war of 1812 he was in the lumber trade in Canada. He came to 
what is now the city of Columbus in 1842, when there were but fcAv improvements, and thus 
he took rank among the early pioneers of the West. He repaired and enlarged the grist-mill, 
and built the first frame house in Columbus. After residing there five years, he removed on a 
farm three miles south, where he remained until the gradual decay of nature rendered it neces- 
sary for him to relinquish his business and seek that rest which he had so richly earned by a 
long life of labor. But the rest was short. Old age has but few comforts at best. Mr. Drake 
was a man to whom honor was more than a name. He was a man positive in his principles, of 
remarkable energy and perseverance, strong in his political views, firm in his Christian faith, 
reliable in his business as a man tried and true. He died early in December, 1868, aged 
eighty-four. 

JOSEPH JI. DOTY. 

Mr. Doty was born in Lewis County, N. Y., and entered Union College at the age of six- 
teen. After graduating, he read law in the office of Davis & Pierson, of Troy, N. Y., and, oa 
completing the course, took up his residence in Ogdensburg, N. Y. Taking an active part in 
the current politics of the day, and enjoying the. friendship of that eminent statesman, the 



512 HISTORY OF COLI'MBIA COUXTY. 

lamented Silas Wright, as well as of Preston King, he at once took a high position in the party 
whose cause he had espoused, and was appointed, by President Polk, Postmaster at Ogdens- 
burg, which position he held for four years. His natural tastes, however, led him into the 
editorial chair, and for five years he was editor of the Buffalo Courier, the leading Democratic 
paper in Western New York. Removing to the West, he was editorially engaged in Milwaukee 
for awhile, and afterward was associated with H. D. Barron, in the editorial conduct of a 
Democratic paper at Waukesha. Removing to Portage, where his parents resided, he became 
editorially connected with the Badger State, in conjunction with John A. Brown, and on his 
retirement from the sheet he became the sole editor. He wont to Florida in the spring of 1861, 
for the benefit of his health, and was there when the war broke out. After the war was over, 
he edited a paper for awhile, but latterly was engaged in fruit-growing. A residence of several 
years in Portage — during which time he took a leading and conspicuous part in all public mat- 
ters — as editor of the Badger State, gained for him many friends who will, through life, ever 
cherish the virtues which distinguished him. 

Few men possessed more of those peculiar abilities which distinguish the good editor than 
Mr. Doty. Possessed of fine scholarly attainments and culture, with a fondness for all public 
matters, more especially politics, and with a large fund of rare good nature and humor, the posi- 
tion of editor was one exactly adapted to his tastes and habits, and he lent to the columns of his 
paper unusual interest. Always liberal in sentiment, generous and courteous, he never suffered 
his columns to be defiled by coarse, vulgar abuse of political adversaries, and never allowed 
political differences to disturb personal friendships. He died in Jacksonville, Fla., June 19, 
1868, aged forty-five years. 

BAKON STEUBEN DOTY 

was born at Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., in 1795, but removed to Lewis County with his 
father when a child. He was educated under Dr. Alexander, at Fairfield, and subsequently 
studied law at Cherry Valley with Mr. Hammond, an eminent jurist of his day, and completed 
his seven years' course with Judge Williams, at Utica. He went into practice with Ela Collins, 
District Attorney of Lewis County, in 1818. Mr. Doty was a brother of James Duane Doty, 
one of the Territorial Governors of the State. About 1818, he married. Subsequently, he 
removed to Ogdensburg, and was there associated in business with Bishop Perkins. In 
1826-2/, he served St. Lawrence County in the Legislature of New York. Jabez D. Ham- 
mond, the eminent political historian, makes special mention of Mr. Doty, speaking of him as 
one of the most prominent of the Democratic members, and with others named respectable for 
talents and intelligence. He was the political associate of the lamented Silas Wright and 
Preston King, and was appointed Collector of the port at Ogdensburg by Gen. Jackson, which 
position he held through the administration. Removing to Buffalo, he remained there for a 
few years. He came to Wisconsin about the year 1851, first settling at Green Bay. He 
removed to Portage about 1855. Here he practiced law. For several years, he was the Treas- 
urer of Portage. Judge Doty, as he was accustomed to be called, was truly a gentleman of 
the old school. His manner and habits of life were formed at a time of which few of the 
present generation have any knowledge. He had a proud, dignified sj)irit, a courtly bearing, 
and in his intercourse with men was a true gentleman. He attracted friends to him and won 
their attachment by his magnetic influences and forever held them by his faithfulness to them 
under all circumstances. He died in Portage on the 28th day of October, 1872. 

WILLI.\M T. WHIRRY 

was a native of England, and was about sixty-five years of age at the time of his death. He 
came to this country at an early date, taking up his residence in Randolph, and sharing with 
his few neighbors all the hardships incident to the settling up of a new county. Twenty years 
ago, he was elected to the Assembly from the northern district of this county, and discharged 
the duties of the position with rare judgment and unquestioned fidelity. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 513 

He died at his residence in the village of Randolph the 18th of November, 1874. He 
was the Supervisor of the West Ward of that village, and he left a sick-bed to come up to the 
county seat the week before his death, to attend to his official duties. But he was unable to 
meet with the board except on a single occasion, and it was apparent to all that he was under- 
going great bodily suflfering at that time. He returned to his room at the hotel, but his asso- 
ciates on the Board freely expressed their fears that he would never meet with them in deliber- 
ation aorain. Their fears were soon confirmed. His time had come. 

EMMONS TAYLOR 

was born in the town of Rupert, Bennington Co.. Vt., June 26, 1828. He entered Williams 
College, at Williamstown, Mass., at the early age of fifteen, and graduated when only nineteen 
years old. He read law at Granville, N. Y., in the office of J. C. Hopkins, afterward United 
States Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin, and, on being admitted to the practice, he 
came to this State, taking up his residence, in 1857, in Portage, and becoming the business 
partner of L. S. Dixon, afterward Chief Justice of Wisconsin. He continued in that rela- 
tion until Mr. Dixon's elevation to the bench, in 1859. More recently, a like partnership was 
formed with his brother, J. B. Taylor, which continued to his death. 

In 1868, Mr. Taylor was elected District Attorney of Columbia County, and was unani- 
mously re-elected in 1870, and again in 1872. In political sentiment, he was a Republican, 
but not a partisan. His talents would have given him almost any position he might have 
aspired to, had his ambition led him into the field of politics, which it did not. Political 
preferment had no charms for him. The law was his chosen profession, and he devoted 
himself to it with an assiduity rarely excelled. It is not a matter of wonder, then, that he 
achieved a high distinction at the bar. He died April 13, 1874, in Portage, after an ill- 
ness of about ten weeks' duration. He left no family, his wife — Martha Pride, having pre- 
ceded him to the grave something more than a year before his death, and his infant boy a few 
months earlier still. 

"Nature was bountiful in her gifts to Mr. Taylor," said one who knew him well. " She 
gave him a kindness that reached out to all with whom he became acquainted. She gave him 
80 full a love of justice that it was the guiding star of all his actions. She bestowed on him the 
gift of oratory, and an intellect of no common power, accompanied by an ambition that secured 
their careful and generous culture. He was, therefore, a kindly, justice-loving, talented man, 
a fine scholar and an accomplished orator. In the closer walks of professional life, the qualities 
I have named gave their coloring to all his thoughts, all his words and all his actions. In his 
intercourse with his brethren, he was a pleasant and genial companion, a reliable associate and 
an honorable opponent, who kept his promise in spirit as well as in letter. He never forgot the 
obligation of the attorney to give his client the most intelligent and faithful labor that careful 
preparation and diligent study could furnish. Victory never elated him so as to make him 
forget the amenities of the profession, or the courtesy due to the losing party, nor did defeat 
ever make him unjust to the court, to the jury, or to an opposing counsel. In short, his bearing 
and conduct, under all circumstances, were so commendable that the man seemed greater than 
the lawyer." 

Says another who was brought into intimate association with Mr. Taylor, as a member of 
an ancient and honorable society, in which at the time of his death he was prominent in official 
position : "As a lawyer. Gen. Taylor — the name by which we all delighted to call him — was 
the equal and peer of any member of the bar. He was studious, earnest, careful in all the 
practice of the profession. He was laborious, painstaking, thoughtful in all matters of prepar- 
ation. He was in action and execution vigorous, strong and emphatic. The hammer in his 
hand was carefully poised ; and the blow from it that followed carried with it the added power 
of the preparation that preceded. His inclinations and his habits were to do thoroughly and 
well all that he deemed worthy to be done at all. His work was not slighted or neglected, 
when once entered upon, but was diligently, thoroughly and conscientiously performed. And so 



514 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

his labor was earnest and untiring. He was industrious in the most faithful sense of the terra." 
" His great abilities and acquirements," wrote a friend eminently qualified to judge of 
them, " placed him in the very front rank of his profession. As a counselor he was thoughtful, 
impartial, conscientious and judicious. He always told the truth to his client and gave honest 
and candid advice, whether it was encouraging or discouraging to the preconceived opinions of 
the client, and without regard to consequences to himself or others. As an advocate, he had 
few superiors, if any, at the bar. 

" His presence and bearing when before the coart and jury, in forensic debate, were 
dignified, courteous and manly, his manner most impressive and convincing, his logic sound and 
lucid, his language well chosen and his elocution perfect. His well-rounded periods, pro- 
nounced in a strong and well-modulated voice, were correctly interspersed with accent and 
emphasis, always conveying his exact meaning, and always producing effect. His sarcasm and 
denunciation were terrific and his pathos and tender feeling most melting and sympathetic. He 
was, in short, invested with all the elements and graces'of the advocate and orator. Amongst 
his brother lawyers, and in his legal practice, he was the very soul of honor ; kind, courteous 
and obliging in every sense — the highest type of the lawyer and gentleman. In social life, he 
was most eminently fitted to both ornament and influence society, and his friendships were well 
chosen, most intimate, disinterested, strong and lasting. He was a most kind and tender hus- 
band, a warm and generous friend, and so attached to the scenes, associations and labors of his 
home, that it was with great reluctance and effort that he was ever induced to go abroad and 
enlarge the sphere of his acquaintance, influence, and professional practice and triumphs. It 
was owing to these local and friendly attachments, more than to anything else, that his appre- 
ciation and his fame were not as great throughout the country as in his own State, and in the 
county of Columbia. 

JACOB LOW. 

Jacob Low, only son of Capt. Gideon Low, was born in the town of Hyde Park, Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., November 5, 1807. He died at his home in Lowville, Columbia Co., Wis., June 24, 
1875. His fondness for travel and adventure led him to adopt, while quite young, a sailor's life, 
and, by diligence and strict attention to business, he was soon promoted to commander of a steamer. 
During the time not actively engaged on the water, he learned the hatter's trade, at which he 
was very expert, and to which, in after years, he often referred with pride. His wife objecting 
to his seafaring life, and having saved something with which to start business for himself, he 
opened a hat store in Albany, N. Y., where soon, in the general crash of business, in 1837, he 
found his $10,000 swept away, and himself again with only his hands with which to fight the 
battle of life. 

He could see no better chance to retrieve his fortunes than to again try the water. Through 
the assistance of his brother-in-law, Capt. Winship, of the ship Richmond, he was made super- 
cargo of the vessel, which was trading at most of the principal seaports of Europe and the Indies. 
To these visits to the Old AVorld was he indebted for his extensive knowledge of characters, cus- 
toms and things, which, added to his native wit, rendered him so entertaining and instructive a 
conversationalist. On one of these voyages, an attack of yellow fever came near bringing his 
life to a close, sapping his constitution and leaving him ever after fragile and weakly. On his 
return, he opened a grocery store in New York City, and, while there, was a member of the 
famous old Seventh Regiment, New York State Militia. 

His ventures on shore, however, not proving remunerative, he emigrated with his family, 
early in 1843, to Green Bay, Wis., where he conducted a hotel called the Astor House, and, in 
the fall of the same year, removed to old Fort Winnebago, Columbia Co., Wis., where, in com- 
pany with his brother-in-law, John Schaumburgh, he operated a general store, the principal por- 
tion of their trade being with the Indians. 

In 1845, he removed to his farm in what is now the town of Lowville, but at that time 
simply a delightful spot, where the prairie and openings seemed to contest their right to the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 515 

beautiful little rivulet which separated the two, and after that date formed one of two halting^ 
places on the road leading from Fort Winnebago to Madison, the other at Token Creek being 
an older claim. Here he erected his buildings, subdued the virgin soil, reared his children, and 
passed his maturer years. Here he lived and died, honored and respected by his kindred and 
neighbors, many of whom had been attracted to the vicinity through his influence. Not being 
hardy enough to labor in the field on this new farm himself, his time was employed in making 
home beautiful, advising his neighbors, and dispensing hospitality to the many strangers who 
were then flocking to Wisconsin. As a host he had no superior; his friends were always enter- 
tained in royal good style, and made to feel a welcome seldom experienced elsewhere. Whoever 
enjoyed his unbounded hospitality were indeed fortunate. 

He was quick and impulsive ; his friends could do nothing wrong, his enemies nothing right. 
His convictions were strong and his influence positive. As an instance : when Deacon Clinton 
and his associates went to him to assist them in obtaining mortgages for the old LaCrosse Rail- 
road Company, he told them plainly that he considered it a dangerous experiment, and would 
neither mortgage his own farm nor assist them in obtaining mortgages from others. The soph- 
istry of the smooth-tongued Deacon could not prevail, and, as the neighboring farmers were 
accustomed to refer to him for advice on matters not fully understood by themselves, but a soli- 
tary mortgage was obtained in that vicinity. In politics, he was a radical, originally a Whig, 
and latterly an active worker in the formation of the Republican party ; with him language was 
not strong enough to express his condemnation of the Democratic party. As a Whig, he was 
elected Sheriff of Columbia County in 1850 ; and, as a Republican, he was elected to the Assem- 
bly from the Third District for the year 1872. In 1863, he was appointed by the Governor as 
State Agent to look after the interests of the sick and wounded soldiers, with headquarters at 
Memphis. In 1859, he was Assistant Sergeant-at-arms in the Wisconsin State Assembly. 

He was married at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., May 6, 1836, to Catherine Morgan, only daugh- 
ter of David Morgan, of that city. Had four children — Lewis, born January 27, 1837, who 
died January 19, 1873 ; Bartlett Marshall, born February 1, 1839 ; Melissa A., born March 
28, 1841, and John H., born December 29, 1842. 

The disease which finally ended his life was consumption. The home where he resided for 
thirty years, and which was a landmark so long, has passed into other hands, and the living 
members of the family are all removed from the town. The monument in the pleasant little 
country cemetery, less than a mile from his old home, and the name bequeathed the township, 
are the only outward indications to remind the present generation of the warm, true-hearted 
pioneer, who was once so important a factor in the life of the community. 

CARL HAERTEL 

was born on the 16th of June, 1824, in the village of Bechenheim, Grand Duchy of Hesse- 
Darmstadt. At fourteen, he was bound to learn the trade of cooper and brewer ; at the expira- 
tion of his apprenticeship, he made extensive travels in Europe. In 1851, he came to the United 
States with his sister, Mrs. Fauerbach, of Madison. In 1852, he came to Portage and took up 
his residence, residing here until his death, which occurred Wednesday, June 7, 1876. Begin- 
ning business in Portage on a small scale, and in a manner commensurate with his limited means, 
by prudence, industry, and strict attention to business, he soon laid the foundation for the large 
estate he subsequently acquired. The fine buildings and business blocks he has erected are 
enduring monuments to his enterprise, sagacity and public spirit. 

Mr. Haertel was thoroughly domestic in his habits, and rarely left home for more than a 
day or two at a time. He loved his home, and he loved his adopted city with all the aft'ection 
he felt for his Fatherland. Coming here when it was a mere hamlet, he knew all the people ; 
started with them in their battle for life ; shared their joys and their sorrows, and had an attach- 
ment for them all that amounted almost to a brotherly affection. No word, no act, no assistance 
was ever withheld by him that would promote the happiness of his fellow. No man that ever 



616 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

lived had a kinder heart or more unlimited benevolence than Mr. Haertel. His reputation in 
this respect was not confined to Portage, but it was co-extensive with the State, and his country- 
men left their homes from across the sea, to come to Portage and vicinity, and they sought the 
counsel and invoked the aid of Mr. Haertel with as much confidence as the little child flies to 
its parent for protection, and they were never denied any assistance it was possible for his great 
heart to extend. His public spirit was no less marked than his private enter]irise. Everything 
having for its object the advancement and the local interests of Portage found in him an active and 
and liberal supporter. No public man or distinguished citizen ever came to Portage, whose comfort 
was not sought to be promoted by Mr. Haertel. He desired every stranger who came here to leave 
with a good impression of the city and its people, and to him is due in a great measure the reputation 
the city has gained for its public spirit, liberality and good fellowship. His unbounded humor 
Was also a distinguishing feature of his character, and in the years to come early settlers of Port- 
age and their children will often recount a pleasant anecdote of Cai'l Haertel. On the 9th of 
June, 1876, he was laid away to rest in the beautiful Silver Lake Cemetery. 

WILLIAM WIER. 

William Wier, one of the earliest settlers and most eccentric residents of Portage, died very 
suddenly on the 6th day of July, 1877, aged about sixty years. He was in his usual health on 
the day previous, and was at the old fort on that day, but was drenched in a storm. He was a 
native of Scotland, and first appeared in this country as a soldier in a British regiment, stationed 
in Canada. He subsequently enlisted in the First United States Infantry, and, as a member of 
that regiment, served in the Seminole war. At the close of the Florida war, in 1842, he came 
with his regiment to Fort Winnebago, and remained here until the troops were ordered to Mex- 
ico in 1845. His term of service was close upon its expiration, and he was soon after mustered 
out at one of the forts in the Southwest. He then returned to Fort Winnebago, which had been 
left in charge of Sergt. Van Camp. The latter died within a brief period, and Weir succeeded 
him. Fort Winnebago became Portage ; this frontier grew to be a center of civilization, and 
the old fort that is the dejected memento of so many stirring memories, became a deserted ruin. 
Silence and desolation succeeded the sounds of reveille and retreat, and all the martial activity 
that once gave life to the place. But it was ever the same with Fort Winnebago to him, and he 
always considered himself its commander and special guardian. When the rebellion broke out. 
he enlisted in the Nineteenth Wisconsin. He was afterward promoted to a second lieutenancy 
in the Thirty-third, and was mustered out as a Captain. 

The worn old veteran, who was out of his sphere in these piping times of peace, was buried 
in the neglected cemetery on the fort grounds, and he is entitled to the sound sleep of a faithful 
soldier. 

SQUIRE SHERWOOD CASE 

was born in Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., September 27, 1801. During his childhood, his 
parents removed to Chautauqua County, N. Y., then the extreme western limit of civilization. 
Here his father engaged in farming, lumbering and kindred occupations, and, as help was scarce 
and high, the boy here laid the foundation of the habits of industry which sei'ved him so welt 
in after life. He removed, when about twenty-one years of age, to Buffalo, N. Y., and rented 
the Farmers' Hotel in that place, which, after three years, he was enabled to buy. His con- 
nection with this hotel, first as lessee, then as proprietor, continued eleven years. He then took 
up the business of contracting for the building of public works and pursued it for a time with 
great success. He built the first macadamized road in the western part of New York, thereby 
converting an almost impassable road into a fine drive, an achievement which was then con- 
sidered one of the wonders of the age. Unfortunately, however, he took a contract on the Erie 
Canal, and, by the suspension of work on it in 1842, he lost the bulk of his property. While 
in Buffalo, he was a member of the Common Council for ten or twelve years. He was Colonel 
of the Two Hundred and Eighth Regiment, New Yoi-k Militia, and served under Scott in the 



HISTORY OF CODUMBIA COUNTY. 517 

Patriot war. He represented Erie County in the New York Legislature in 1837 and also in 
1842. 

After the loss of his property in 1842, he removed to Wisconsin and took up a farm in 
what is now Merton Township, Waukesha County, formerly a portion of Milwaukee County. 
But farming was less to his taste than mechanical work, so, in 18.51, he removed to Waukesha 
Village and purchased the car-shops there. He built the first cars used in the construction of 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He obtained the right of way for the company 
between La Crosse and Portage, to which latter city he removed in the spring of 1857. In the 
fall of 1857, he became station agent at Portage, which position he held for ten years. In the 
spring of 1868, he moved to Mauston, and, being advanced in years and broken in health, 
never again took an active part in business or politics. His death occurred at Mauston March 
30, 1878. 

In summing up the events of Mr. Case's active and useful life, it must not be forgotten that 
he was a member of the convention which formed the State Constitution. In this convention, 
he represented in part the county of Waukesha. 

JOHN CONVERSE. 

Mr. Converse was born at Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., November 9, 1797. He removed thence 
to Stafford, Tolland Co., Conn. About the year 1820, was married to Miss Azubah Pinney, of 
Stafford, and lived there and at Chesterfield, N. H., until about 1843, when he removed west- 
ward. He stopped a short time at Tully, N. Y., but came to Randolph in this county about 
1844 or 1845, and resided in Columbia County until 1877. For some years, he resided with his 
daughter, Mrs. A. B. Alden, in this city, but at her death he removed to Dundas, Minn., and 
made his home with his son, Frederick J., an<l died there August 10, 1879. His wife survived 
him, though then over eighty-four years of age. Their children were Mrs. A. B. Alden 
(deceased), J. Phelps Converse (deceased), Fred J. Converse, L. P. Converse, H. B. Converse, 
Mrs. E. W. Gaylord, Mary Converse (deceased), and Mrs. James Taylor (deceased). 

Mr. Converse was a man of great benevolence. He at one time had a large quantity of 
land in Randolph. He built a grist-mill now standing about two miles north of Randolph Vil- 
lage. He also kept a hotel at Randolph Village, which was then called, after him, " Converse- 
ville." He was for several years Postmaster there, and for some time station agent at Ran- 
dolph. This was his last regular business. His remains were interred at Faribault, Minn. 

ALFRED TOPLIFF. 

Mr. Toplifi" was born in Westfield, Mass., November 11, 1799, and was the youngest of a fam- 
ily all of whom died comparatively young, except Mr. Topliff", who, had he lived eight days 
more, would have reached the grand old age of fourscore. He died early in November, 1879. 
In the spring of 1844, he came to Columbus, and soon afterward settled in the town of Hamp- 
den, and there went to work making improvements and preparing the way for the reception of 
his family, who were then East. In 1846, he went back after his family, and when he returned 
he found he was elected to the ofiice of County Surveyor, an office which he held until about 
year 1870, when he resigned, but the instruments which he loved so well were not allowed to 
become rusty for want of use. Many were the lines run and roads laid out by the good-natured 
Squire. In 1851, he was elected a member of the Wisconsin Legislature, and re-elected in 1852, 
proving himself to be an active, intelligent and honest member of that body. In 1855, he 
moved to Columbus, then a small village, and resided here until he died. It was always a 
pleasure to meet the good old gentleman. Kind, intelligent, courteous, a good word for every- 
body, always appearing to look on the bright side of the picture, and with that quaint humor, 
of which he was so fond, and which was ever at his command, he was sure to dispel what gloom 
might be upon his auditor, leaving him for the time being, at least, a transformed being, feeling 



518 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA C0U:NTY. 

better for having conversed with the good old man. He was a religious man in the true mean- 
ing of the word ; nothing egotistical or pharasaical about him, but a true, square, intelligent 
belief in God, and his Savior guarded and controlled him through the latter part of his earthly 
career. 

HARRISON S. HASKELL 

was born at Tunbridge, Vt., on the 8th day of September, 1818. He had only the advantage, 
of the common school in his early days, but these he improved diligently, and when he attained 
his majority, he had not only acquired a good common-school education, but he had the desire 
and the determination to possess what only college training could give him. Mainly by his own 
unaided efforts, he made his preparation for college, and entered the Vermont University, from 
which he graduated with high standing in 184.5. Immediately, he entered upon the study of 
law in his native State, but the next year, 1846, found him in Beloit, Wis., in the law oflBce of 
Noggle & Spaulding, where he pursued his legal study sufficiently to secure his admission to the 
bar. He commenced practice at the village of Columbus, in this county, in 1847, connecting 
with his law practice a general land agency in 1848. At Columbus, he formed a law part- 
nership with J. J. Guppy, which existed until 1851, when the latter removed to Portage. These 
young men, by their strict integrity and their diligent attention to business, soon won the confi- 
dence of the people among whom they had chosen their homes. In 1852, Mr. Haskell was 
elected County Treasurer of his county, and entered upon the duties of that office at Portage, 
on the 1st day of .January, 185.3. Prior to the expiration of his office, he became cashier of 
Columbia County Bank, in which position he was succeeded by John P. McGregor. For several 
years, he was an extensive dealer in rea,l estate, both within and without the city of Portage, 
where he continued to reside after his election as Treasurer. He was elected Justice of the 
Peace of the Fourth Ward, and, until he received the appointment of Postmaster in the year 
1874, he was repeatedly chosen to that office, though the ward in politics was strongly against 
him. He held for many years, and until within a few days of his death, the office of Circuit 
Court Commissioner. At the time of his death, he was Postmaster of Portage. From the 
organization of the Columbia County Agricultural Society, he was one of its fast friends. At 
diflferent times, he held almost every office in that society, and in all places he labored for its 
interest with ceaseless diligence. He had much more than average artistic taste, which, culti- 
vated as it had been for many years, gave him a place at the head of almost every committee by 
which the merits of any production of fine arts were to be judged. 

He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor and a most devoted husband. He died on the 13th 
of February, 1879. 

SAMUEL STEPHEN BRANNAN 

was born at Silver Creek, Chautauqua County, N. Y., February 2, 1835, where he remained 
with his parents until about fourteen years of age, when, in 1849, they removed to Wisconsin, 
first settling at Calumet. In the spring of 1850, they removed to Portage. During the same 
year, he engaged to the Delaney Brothers as, a printer's apprentice, and in that capacity did duty 
as the " roller boy " on the first number of the Hirer Times, the first paper published in Col- 
umbia County ; so his connection with the press of Portage is antedated by no one. In 1853, 
he became inoculated with the California fever which so largely prevailed throughout the entire 
land at that time, and he determined to join a party which was being formed here to seek their 
fortunes in the new El Dorado. This he did, and although but eighteen years of age, he set out 
in the spring of that year for an overland trip to California. To make the journey to that then 
far-off land, through wilderness, desert and canyon, following the trail " into a silence as pro- 
found as the grave," was quite a different matter from what it is now. Then the journeying was 
principally by foot, the "canopy of heaven" serving as a blanket in fair weather, and the bot- 
tom-boards of the wagon utilized as shelter in case of a storm. After six months of weary 
travel, the party found itself in the Golden Land. Mr. Brannan soon obtained employment 
in a newspaper office at Downieville. In 1856, he returned to Portage, arriving home in the 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 519 

fall of that year. Here he was again employed in the newspaper offices of the city, and for 
several months he " held a case " as a compositor in the ofSce of the Madison Patriot. In 

1860, he was elected Marshal of Portage City ; in 1861, he was elected Alderman of the Third 
Ward, and was repeatedly re-elected to the same position ; in 1871, he was elected Mayor of the 
city, and re-elected in 1872, each time receiving a unanimous vote, although the opposing party 
was largely in the majority in the city ; he was elected to the County Board of Supervisors in 

1861, and was repeatedly re-elected. In 1872, he was elected to the assembly from this district, 
and was known as one of the most popular members of that body. He was frequently called to 
serve as a member of the Board of Education and in other minor official positions, and in every 
capacity as a public officer he served with credit to himself and acceptance to the public. 

In 1861, he purchased the material of the old Badger State, then lying idle, and consoli- 
dated the office with the Portage City Record, which had been purchased by I. Holmes and A. 
J. Turner, under the name of the Wisconsin State Register. Mr. Holmes disposed of his inter- 
est in the establishment in 1864, and Messrs. Brannan & Turner continued to publish the paper 
until 1878, a period of seventeen years, when, Mr. Brannan's health failing him, the office was 
disposed of to John T. Clark, one of its present proprietors. In the fall of 1877, he decided 
upon a trip to Colorado, in the hope that his health, which had already become seriously impaired, 
might be restored. There he remained until the following summer, when he returned home, 
feeling that he had been greatly benefited, and confident that he was once more fit for active 
duty. After a few weeks, he returned again to Colorado, attracted thither by the excitement 
always attending the opening-up of a mining country. Just then, the Leadville mines were 
beginning to attract attention. Indeed, before they had become more than locally known, he 
formed a very high opinion of their extent and richness, for, as he expressed it, it was " bound 
to become the gi-eatest mining camp in the world." There he determined to set his stakes and 
go into business, which he did. With a partner, he opened a supply 'store, but it was late in the 
season, and there being few of the comforts of life in that remote locality, the altitude being far 
too great for susceptible constitutions and the weather being very severe, he underwent privations 
that produced a return of the malady from which he had suifered, and he was forced to relin- 
quish business and return home to Portage. He improved somewhat in health through the win- 
ter, and, upon the death of Postmaster Haskell, was appointed to succeed him, and was able to 
assume charge of the office April 1, 1879. During the summer there was apparently a decided 
improvement in his health, and it was fondly hoped that thei'e were yet nlany yeai-s of useful- 
ness and a fair degree of health in store for him. But the insidious disease which had so long 
preyed upon him was lurking in his system, and, a little more than two months before his death, 
compelled him to remain almost entirely in his rooms. Each succeeding day showed a gradual 
decline in his condition, and it was apparent that the lotcommon to all was not far distant. It came at 
last to his relief. He died in Portage April 5, 1880. He would gladly have lived, for he had 
" tasted the wine of existence " and he loved it ; but when he knew that the balance of life was 
resolved into a few days, he gladly welcomed death, and on a beautiful afternoon, surrounded by 
his family and many of those friends who were nearest and dearest to him, passed away quietly, 
calmly and with scarcely a struggle. 

The funeral ceremonies were imposing. People came from all parts of the county and 
State to pay their last tribute of afi"ection to their deceased friend, attesting the deep respect in 
which he was held while living. There was hardly a town in the county that was not repre- 
sented at the funeral by scores of citizens, and the Presbyterian Church afforded room for but a 
small portion of those present. Fi-iends from Milwaukee who were unable to attend sent kind 
words of condolence to the family, accompanied by gracefully wrought crescents, crosses and 
anchors, composed of beautiful flowers, and many ladies of Portage also sent lovely floral offerings. 

Mr. Brannan's Masonic history is as follows : Initiated an Entered Apprentice January 
12, 1861 ; passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft March 2, 1861 ; raised to the Sublime Degree 
of Master Mason August 10, 1861, in Fort AVinnebago Lodge, No. 3-3; advanced to the Hon- 
orary Degree of Mark Master June 29, 187-1: : elected and presided as Past Master October 



520 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

12, 1874 ; received and acknowledged a Most Excellent Master November 9, 1874 ; and 
exalted to the August Degree of Royal Arch Mason March 11, 1875, in Fort Winnebago 
Chapter, No. 14, Royal Arch Masons ; constituted a Knight of the Red Cross March 9, 1876 ; 
created a Knight Templar, Knight of Malta, of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, April 6, 
1876, in Fort Winnebago Commandery, No. 4, of Knights Templar. 

Mr. Brannan was the son of William and Prussia Brannan. He was one of five children, 
having had two sisters and two brothers, all of whom died of consumption, and his father finally 
dying of the same malady. He was married on the 27th day of August, 1861, to Miss Caro- 
line M. Prentiss, of Portage. The fruits of this union were four children — Prentiss S., Willie 
R., Kittie C. and Jack T., all of whom survive him. 

Mr. Brannan was personally known to almost every one in Columbia County, and it may 
be safely said, that no man had more friends or fewer enemies than he. There was something 
in his nature that attracted men and women to him with an irresistible force, and bound them 
to him in friendship as with bands of steel. He wanted to think well of everybody, and was 
never happier than when he was able by some kind word, act or deed, to promote the pleasure 
and welfare of his friends. His considerate and obliging nature was so thoroughly understood 
that men and women and young people went to him with their sorrows and troubles, much as 
the child goes to its mother with its grief, or the parishioner to the prelate with his affliction. 
This perfect confidence in his disposition to aid them, which so many seemed to feel, was the 
highest possible compliment that could have been paid him. His aid, counsel and assistance 
were sought by those sorely in need, and no one ever left him, after such a mission, regretfully. 
That these invocations frequently came from persons who had but little personal acijuaintance 
with him, was all the more complimentary, as it showed that his kindly and sympathetic nature 
was known wherever his name was spoken. How many went to him with their sorrows of which 
no one knows but themselves, cannot be conjectured, for he never betrayed a confidence that 
had been reposed in him. 

On a sunny slope in Silver Lake Cemetery, in that "windowless palace of rest," reposes 
all that was mortal of Samuel Stephen Brannan. The hands of affection will plant shrubs and 
flowers around it, .,,■•. u o 

i.v/in,io .».v/uuvx i.,, " And the prame s sweet wild flowers 

In their odorous beauty around it ware 

Through all the sunny hours — 

The still, bright sunny hours ; 
And the birds shall sing in the tufted grass, 

And the nectar-laden bee, 
With his dreamy hum, on his gauze wings pass.'' 

ANDREW DUNN 

was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, in the month of October, 1816. He was the oldest 
son of Samuel and Letitia Dunn. In the year 1834, he emigrated to the United States, being 
then eighteen years old. He landed in New York, and immediately started West to the lead 
mines of Wisconsin, at Mineral Point, where he commenced digging for lead ore. He followed 
the mining business until December, 18-37, when he came to Fort Winnebago, now Portage. 
He there and then made a claim on Section 8, on the west side of the Wisconsin River, on a 
part of the plat of Portage, and he then went into trade in a house a little below where the 
United States Hotel now stands, on Bronson avenue. He kept a general supply store for lum- 
bermen of the Wisconsin pinery, and Indian goods for Indian trade. He continued to live in 
Portage, and, in 1852, made and proved up a pre-emption right to the southeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 6, Township 12, Range 9, which covers that portion of tlie- plat of Portage lying west of 
Mac street and north of Conant street, including the railroad and depot buildings. In 1858, 
he sold out all his interest at Portage, and invested his means in the village of New Lisbon, 
Juneau County, purchasing one-half of the village plat, and the saw and grist mills of the 
place, where he lived until his death, which occurred in January, 1868. His death was 
occasioned by softening of the brain. He held many places of public trust, among which were 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 521 

Mayor of Portage, a member of the Board of County Commissioners, Deputy United States 
Marshal, Justice of the Peace, and, in 1847, he was commissioned by the Governor a Lieu- 
tenant Colonel of Columbia County Militia. He built, with Hugh McFarlane, four saw-mills, 
two in the Wisconsin pinery and two on the Lemonweir, Juneau County. These men were in 
partnership in mining, lumbering and trading from 1835 up to June, 1852, a period of seven- 
teen years. Andrew Dunn spent considerable money for the improvement of Portage City. 
He built a fine dwelling-house on the site where N. H. Woods' residence now stands ; he also 
built the present Corning House ; he built, at his own expense, the depot buildings and gave 
the railroad company a deed of four blocks for nothing, as an inducement to the railroad com- 
pany to locate the depot where it now stands. In his pecuniary matters, he was industrious in 
accumulating and economical in all his habits. He had an eye to competent retirement, and 
to this end selected a beautiful location in the village of New Lisbon and built a good house for 
his final home. He left a wife and eight children — three sons and five daughters. One strong 
and prominent trait of his character was the sympathy of his nature. His benignity of man- 
hood was the master key to Andrew Dunn's whole private and public life. They made him 
what all who surrounded him in life gladly knew him to be — a genial and high-toned gentle^ 
man ; a generous, guileless man, free from all pretense and deceit ; gentle-hearted and large- 
minded ; sagacious, moderate, judicious, faithful, true and just, whose charity never wearied 
and never slept : who held his own and his friends' honor above all the blandishments of 
passion, and all the temptations of ambition and wealth, and who came as near as our nature 
can come to loving his neighbor as himself. 

THOMAS J. EMERTON. 

Thomas J., son of Thomas and Rachel (Perkins) Emerton, was born in Groton, N. H., 
March 15, 1805. Here he resided with his parents until nineteen years of age, assisting his 
father on the farm and attending the common schools of that section. When he reached the age 
mentioned, he left the paternal roof and emigrated to the northern part of the State and settled 
in Coos County, where he began the laborious work of clearing a farm. After he had been 
here two years, his parents also came, making their home with him until his marriage, February 
19, 18-33, with Rebecca L. Rogers. Three children were born unto him — Benjamin J., Lucy R. 
and Andrew J. ; all of whom reached the age of maturity, and are now (1880) worthy citizens 
of Columbia County. 

On the 3d day of April, 1851, Mr. Emerton and his family left his native State for the 
great West, arriving at Fort Winnebago in about one month. Here he purchased a farm in the 
town of Fort Winnebago, on which he resided sixteen yeai-s, when he removed to Westfield, 
Marquette County, where he died January, 1870, leaving his aged companion and three children 
to mourn his loss. 

When a young man, he affiliated with the Democratic party, but when the slavery question 
was prominently agitated in the early day, he embraced the principles of the Free-Soil partv, 
and was a delegate to the convention which nominated John P. Hale for President, and was its 
presiding officer. On the organization of the Republican party, he identified himself with it, 
and was a consistent advocate of its principles until death. While a citizen of New Hampshire, 
he was often elected to town office, and was a member of the Legislature of the State for two 
years. On his removal to this State, though often solicited, he invariably declined to become a 
candidate for any office, preferring the pleasures of a private life to the excitement and turmoil 
attending the life of the politician. 

Shortly after his marriage, together with his wife, he united with the Presbyterian Church, 
with which body he was a consistent member until he was called to his reward above. To him 
death had no terrors, for he did not die as one without hope. 

While Mr. Emerton only received the advantages of a common-school education, he was a 
well-read man ; well versed in political, scientific and religious subjects, and especially in general 
history. Few men were better posted in this latter department. 



622 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

It has been we!! said of him that he was a gentleman of the old school. It mattered not 
under what circumstances he was placed ; whether dressed in the common every-day clothes of 
the toiling farmer, or in the broadcloth of the man of leisure ; whether in company with the 
rich or poor, the scholar or the ignorant man, he was ever the same pleasant, cultured gentleman. 
It was natural with him. In the family circle, he was kind and indulgent, having great love for 
his wife and children ; ever ready to sacrifice his own comfort for their pleasure. He was always 
in good humor, and fond of a good joke ; a good story-teller, and was always ready to match a 
good one related by another by a better one. His wit was proverbial, and few cared to test 
him in a war of words, or wete ever satisfied at the end of the encounter. 

JOSEPH BAILEY 

was born in May, 1827, in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and removed in 18.32, with his father's family, 
to Livingston, Fulton Co., 111., and completed his education at Quincy. He spent much of his 
early life in the lead mines near Galena, and in exploring for minerals in Kansas and Missouri. 

In 18-50, he took up his residence in Columbia County, Wis., and, in conjunction with Jona- 
than Bowman, founded the village of Newport. When the rebellion broke out, he was engaged 
in the real-estate !)usiness, lumbering, and contracting on the public works. He imme- 
diately proceeded to raise a company of lumbermen, and tendering its services to Gov. Randall, 
it was accepted. He was commissioned as Captain, and his company assigned to the Fourth 
Regiment, Col. Paine, and moved with his regiment to Baltimore. Here Capt. Bailey's peculiar 
talents were brought into use. AVhile stationed at the Relay House, he superintended the con- 
struction of Fort Dix, a small but powerful work, which commanded the "viaduct" at that 
point. After this, he was employed in the construction of barracks for the regiment, in Pat- 
terson Park, Baltimore, and in twenty-eight days completed a building 1,550x28 feet, with quar- 
termaster and commissary buildings, and officers' quarters. 

Capt. Bailey accompanied the movements of the Fourth Wisconsin to Ship Island, New 
Orleans, and up the river to Vicksburg. Here he spent three days with six of his men, recon- 
noitering in the rear of the city, ascertaining that the enemy had eight guns in position. Return- 
ing with the second expedition, Capt. Bailey was placed in command of the " working details " 
on the famous Butler "canal" or "cut-off." The work was engineered by a Polish engineer, 
and proved a failure. Continuing with the Fourth Wisconsin until September, 1862, Capt. 
Bailey was detached by Gen. Butler to superintend the construction of Government levees, In 
October, he was ordered to construct a fortification on the right of Fort Parapet. After its 
completion, another work was constructed on the south side of the Parapet, and also a sti'ong 
fort on the west side of the river. These works occupied his attention during the winter of 
1862-6.3. 

About this time, he was appointed Chief Engineer on Gen. W. T. Sherman's staff, and was 
subsequently employed in erecting heavy fortifications at Pass Manchac. 

Capt. Bailey was promoted to Major of the Fourth Wisconsin, in March, 1863, but still 
retained his position on the staff of Gen. Sherman. In tlie investment of Port Hudson, in May, 
it was found necessary to plant a battery on a ridge, which was commanded by a direct and 
enfilading fire of the enemy's artillery and musketry. The project was pronounced impracti- 
cable, except at a great loss of life, by "the Chief Engineer and his subordinates, except Maj. 
Bailey, who thought it might be accomplished, and urged his opinion with such pertinacity that 
the commanding General consented that the Major should make the attempt at its construction. 
Furnished with a detail from the Engineer Corps, and a regiment of infantry as supi)orts, with 
characteristic energy the Major commenced his work, and, notwithstanding the doubts and sneers 
of educated engineers, which were plentifully bestowed, in seventy-two hours he astonished the 
enemy by unmasking, within 320 yards of their strongest work, a powerful battery of eighteen 
nine-inch guns, which completely silenced, and kept silent, the enemy in his front. Maj. Bailey 
also constructed a mine under one of the principal works of the enemy, by running a drift to a 




^ (^DECEASED^ COLUMBUS 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 525 

point in front of the water-side of the citadel, a distance of over four hundred yards ; from this 
he approached, by a series of parallels, to the base of the enemy's works, under which he exca- 
vated a horizontal shaft, 180 feet in length, and at the terminus deposited twelve barrels of pow- 
der, and was nearly ready to explode the mine, on the 4th of July, when the place was surren- 
dered. For his services during the siege, he was highly complimented by Gen. Banks, who 
issued an order promoting him to the colonelcy of the Fourth Regiment. He at once took 
command of the regiment, but the authority of Gen. Banks to promote oiEcers in the field was 
not recognized by the War Department, and Col. Boardman was placed in command of the regi- 
ment, Maj. Bailey being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, patriotically acquiescing in the decision 
of his superiors. 

During the winter of 186-3-64, Lieut. Col. Bailey was engaged in recruiting in Wisconsin, 
and, in February, 1864, returned to the regiment with recruits sufficient to fill the Fourth Wis- 
consin to the maximum as a cavalry regiment. 

On the 8th of March, he was detached, to serve as Chief Engineer on the staff of Gen. 
Franklin, that General commanding the Nineteenth Corps, and accompanied that corps on the 
Red River expedition, returning with the army of Gen. Banks to Alexandria, where it was 
ascertained that the water in Red River was so low that the fleet of gunboats and transports 
could not pass the lower falls. 

With an army dispirited by disaster, a powerful force of the enemy threatening an attack 
hourly, commissary supplies nearly exhausted, with the fleet of gunboats and transports thus 
helpless and useless, every expedient to relieve them was abandoned as hopeless by those who 
had made military engineering a study for life. It was left for an obscure lumberman from 
Columbia County to put in practice that experience which, on a smaller scale, had enabled him 
and his brother-raftsmen to get their rafts o9' the sand-bars and obstructions common to the 
streams on which they ply their trade. 

Col. Bailey suggested the building of a dam, 640 feet in length, to raise the water on the 
rapids, to enable the imprisoned vessels to pass over. The project was scoffed at by the regular 
engineers, but Col. Bailey obtained permission and at once went to work, and within eleven 
days had the dam completed, and, after a little delay, gunboats and transports were passed over 
the obstructions, and the army started on its way rejoicing. 

This was the crowning glory in the military career of Col. Bailey. He received from all 
sides compliments for his skill and ingenuity. Commodore Porter thanked him in a public let- 
ter. Congress passed the following vote of thanks : 

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congresa be and 
are hereby tendered Lieut. Col. .Joseph Bailey, of the Fourth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. Acting Engineer of 
the Nineteenth Army Corps, for distinguished services in recent campaigns on Red River, by which the gunboat flo- 
tilla, under Rear Admiral David D. Porter, was rescued from imminent peril. And be it further resolved. That the 
President of the United States be requested to cause a copy of this resolution to be transmitted to Lieut. Col. Bailey. 

The rank of Brevet Brigadier General was also conferred upon him, as a slight acknowl- 
edgement for his important services. 

In the passage of the army across the Atchafalaya, at Simonsport, the ingenuity of Col. 
Bailey constructed a bridge of the transports of the fleet, which passed the whole army safely 
over, and, in twelve minutes after the last wagon had crossed, the fleet of floats which had con- 
stituted the bridge were steaming rapidly toward the Mississippi. 

On the 10th of June, 1864, Col. Bailey was brevetted Brigadier General, as previously 
mentioned, an^l was consigned to the command of a brigade, and was stationed on the Missis- 
sippi and White Rivers, and was subsequently assigned to the command of all the besieging 
forces operating against Fort Morgan, in Mobile Bay, and took the place. After this, he was 
sent to Pensacola, took command of the district, and was successful in three small engagements. 

On the 10th of November, he received a commission as Brigadier General. He returned 
to Baton Rouge and commanded the First Division of Gen. Davidson's corps of cavalry, on his 
raid through Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Returning, with his division, to Baton 

M 



526 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Rouge, he was put in command of the Northern District of Louisiana, with headquarters at 
Baton Rouge, and, in March, 1865, was ordered to join Gen. Canby, on Mobile Bay, and com- 
manded all the engineer forces, consisting of a division and detachments of the army which 
finally took Mobile. 

After the fall of Mobile, he was placed in command of a cavalry division, and moved from 
there to Baton Rouge, by land, with orders to look after Jeff Davis, who was then trying to 
leave the country. Gen. Bailey remained in this position until he resigned. During his mili- 
tary career, he was several times wounded, but not severely enough to detain him from duty 
for more than two days. 

Gen. Bailey was married in 1846 to Miss Mary Spaulding, by whom he had seven chil- 
dren. In the fall of 1865, after returning from the army, he removed to Missouri, settling finally 
in Vernon County. In the fall of 1866, he was elected Sheriff of the county, and, in the discharge 
of his official duties, he was killed by two brothers named Pixley, March 25, 1867. The mur- 
derers escaped and were never captured, notwithstanding a reward of $5,000 was offered 
and every effort made for their capture. A widow and five children were left to mourn 
his loss. 

Gen. Bailey was highly respected by all who knew him, being brave and generous to a 
fault. He was very fond of his family, and never so happy as when with them. He was a 
member of the Masonic Fraternity, and was buried with Masonic honors. 

HENRY MERRELL. 

His father, Benajah Merrell, was born in New Hartford, Conn., June 18, 1766. His 
mother, Lucretia Henderson, was born in the same place September 7, 1768. Very little of 
the history of his parents is known, save that they were farmers in moderate circumstances. 
His mother relates that, prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, those who used tea 
were considered as Tories, therefore little, if any, was used ; that at one time, supposed to be 
when the news of the battle of Lexington had reached them, her father rushed into the church 
where the people had assembled for worship, crying, " Turn out ! turn out ! the British are 
coming ! " which had the effect of hastily breaking up the meeting. The marriage of Benajah 
Merrell and Miss Henderson occurred in their native town September 18, 1789. Soon after 
this, they moved to New Hartford, N. Y. This was before there were any public conveyances 
west of Albany, N. Y., Mrs. Merrell traveling the entire distance on horseback. Passing 
through Utica, where there were at the time but a few log houses, and, not fancying its location, 
they proceeded four miles beyond and settled on the river, in New Hartford. Here Mr. Merrell 
embarked in the mercantile business, at the same time building a grist-mill — the first in that 
region, and, probably, the first west of Albany. While here, he sold a span of horses to Jason 
Parker, and went with him into the woods to cut the poles to cover the wagon to be used as a 
stage — the first ever run between Albany and Utica. Subsequently, he removed to L^tica, and 
was elected Sheriff. Eight children were born to this worthy couple, four sons and four 
daughters, all of whom grew to men's and women's estate. The subject of this sketch was the 
seventh child, and was born in Utica, N. Y., August 7, 1804, where he obtained his education. 
In 1819, with his father's family, he removed to Sacket's Harbor, N. Y., where his elder brother, 
Hiram, had been since 1812, engaged in the mercantile business. In a short time, Mr. Merrell 
went into his brother's store as a clerk, and remained with him until 1823. In the fall of that 
year, he received a proposal from, and went to Utica and engaged with, Alexander Seymour, as 
head clerk and book-keeper of his establishment. Here he made many influential friends and 
acquaintances, among whom were Montgomery Hunt, President of the Utica Bank ; Mr. 
Lathrop, of the Ontario Bank ; Henry Seymour, Canal Commissioner and father of ex-Gov. 
Seymour, and many others. While here, he had the privilege of hearing William Lloyd Garri- 
son deliver an Abolition lecture, the first in his life. 

In the spring of 1825, his brother Hiram made him an ofier to return to Sacket's Harbor 
and embark with him in the mercantile business, which was accepted. Here the entire charge 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 527 

of the store was thrown upon him, giving him experience useful to him in after life. At this 
place, he formed the acquaintance of Commodore Woolsey, Gen. Brady, Col. Cummings, Maj. 
N. Clark, Paymaster Satterlee Clark, Sr., Gen. Wool, and many others famous in history. 

In 1834, he made up his mind to go West, and Capt. Clitz, a recruiting officer in Utica, 
hearing of it, wrote him of an opportunity to embark in the sutler business at Fort Winnebago, 
Wis., and advised him to come to Utica and see about it. This letter was shown to his friend, 
Lieut. Bradley, who advised him to go, representing the country as the most beautiful he ever 
saw. Taking the stage for Utica, Mr. Merrell called upon Capt. Clitz, and was fortunate 
in there meeting Col. Cummings, who had been through Wisconsin also. He was by these men 
introduced to Satterlee Clark, Sr., who held the appointment of sutler at the fort. An arrange- 
ment was effected, and Mr. Merrell returned to Sacket's Harbor to make his arrangements for 
embarking in the business. The brother of Mr. Merrell was greatly surprised that he should 
undertake any business without first consulting him, and inquired where he was to get the money 
necessary. Henry replied he intended asking a certain person to indorse for him. This greatly 
amused the brother, as the gentleman named was known to be very close and cautious in all 
things, and seldom indorsed for any one. But Henry was not mistaken in his man. His note 
was indorsed, money obtained, and he went to New York to purchase his stock. 

In New York, he was fortunate in meeting several old acquaintances, who favored him by 
introducing him to leading business houses, where he obtained credit for all the stock desired. 
He was also fortunate in meeting several sutlers from other posts, who gave him much valuable 
information as to what he should buy. He came to Fort Winnebago when it was a military 
post, in 1834, and held the position of sutler. He was engaged in merchandising for a number of 
years, and was elected Senator from the Portage District after the adoption of the State Consti- 
tution in 1848. He resided here from 1834 till his death, but devoted his time to business 
rather than public matters, and by his energy and foresight acquired a handsome fortune. For 
a number of years previous to his death, he had been engaged in active business in La Crosse, 
and came to his home from that city the previous week feeling unwell, and two days afterward 
fell into a stupor, from which he was raised with great difficulty by his attending physicians. 
After he was restored to consciousness, he did not recover his strength, but continued to decline 
gradually, but certainly, up to the last hour, when he passed away without a struggle. During 
his long residence in Portage, he always commanded the greatest respect. His amiability and 
cheerfulness of character, and his active sympathy in every good and charitable work, endeared 
him to his friends and the community where he so long resided. His name was intimately inter- 
woven with the early settlers and pioneers of Wisconsin, by all of whom he was respected and 
esteemed. He passed away after a busy life, at a ripe old age, without a blemish on his record, 
and universally regretted. His death occurred May 5, 1876. 

JULIUS CONVEESE CHANDLER 

was born at West Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., August 23, 1833. The disease of which he 
died was dropsy, induced by cirrhosis of the liver. 

He was the fifth son of William B. Chandler, in a fiimily of thirteen children, all of whom 
possessed strong characteristics, and several of them have occupied important and responsible 
positions, both in civil and public life. Julius entered as an apprentice to the printing trade at 
an early age in the office of the Green Mountain Freeinan, published at Montpelier, Vt., which 
was the leading paper in the State. 

On completing his apprenticeship, he set out as a journeyman, his first stopping-place 
being Quincy, Mass. In 1858, he went thence to Cleveland, Ohio, where his brother William 
then resided, and worked for a time as compositor on the Leader. In the fall of the same year, 
he weat back to Quincy, and was married to Miss Helen W. Adams, of that place. Returning 
to Cleveland, he contiiaifcd his work there until August, 1854, when he removed to Janesville, 
in this State, where he worked on the Democrat, of which Judge Armstrong was editor. From 
Janesville he came to Portage, where he and his brother, John A., started the Independent. 



528 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

John withdrew at the end of nine months, and after the paper had lived two years, Julius sold 
to Robert B. Wentworth. He continued a year longer in Portage, out of business and then 
went to Friendship and started the Adams County Independent , which he published till the 
war broke out, when enlisted in the Second Regiment. In the first battle of Bull 
Run, he was disabled so that he was discharged from the sei'vice. He then returned to 
Friendship, and continued the Independent irregularly till May, 1864, when he again enlisted, 
this time in the Fortieth, a 100-day regiment, serving till October. In December of the same 
year, he entered the service of his brother, William W., as traveling agent of the Star Freight 
Line, and so continued for about two years and a half, in the mean time selling his office at 
Friendship. In 1867, he removed to Baraboo, after which his career was still more erratic and 
unsteady than before. There he published for awhile the Baraboo Independent^ and again the 
Sauk County Herald. Still later, he made newspaper ventures at Augusta, Eau Claire and 
Elroy, and, in 1877, he edited a paper called Frontiei- Business, at Morris, Minn. In the 
intervals between these many ventures were times when he was wholly out of business or 
employment. 

The sobriquet, " Shanghai," was given to him by the local Democratic politicians, as the 
representative of the Republican or " Shanghai " party, as it was called by the Democracy in 
1854—55. The new species of Shanghai poultry was introduced into the State about the time 
the Republican party was in the period of incubation. When it finally made its appearance, it 
was dubbed the " Shanghai party," because it was a new species of fowl in the political barn- 
yard. Mr. Chandler's ardent advocacy of the principles of the new party, as well as his per- 
sonal appearance, obtained for him the cognomen of " the Shanghai ;" he accepted it and used 
it as his nom de plume in some of his correspondence, and by it he ever after was generally 
known. He died at Baraboo, Sauk Co., Wis., August 28, 1878, aged forty-five years and five 
days. 

SAMUEL K. VAUGHAN 

was born in South Adams, Mass., April 20, 1824, In 1841 the family moved to West Troy, 
N. Y., where his father and he engaged in the boot and shoe business. He was married on the 
10th of June, 1844, to Miss Lavinna W. Wandell, of West Troy. He came West in 1848, 
and opened a boot and shoe establishment at Waupun, where he remained nearly four years. 
Meanwhile he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Fond du Lac in 1852, and the same 
yes-r he moved to Wyocena, which was then the county seat of Columbia County. He 
was elected Clerk of the Court, in 1852, and when the county seat was changed he 
removed to Portage ; he was re-elected and served acceptably. He then re-established 
himself in the boot and shoe business in Portage. When Fort Sumter was fired on, he 
promptly organized a company in Portage, of which he was commissioned Second Lieu- 
tenant, to rank from April 25, 1861. His company was mustered in as "three months' men," 
in the Second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was in the first battle of Bull 
Run, soon after which he was taken sick and was discharged. He came home, recovered, raised a 
company and was commissioned a Captain in the Nineteenth Regiment, to rank from December 19, 
1861. On the 3d of December, 1863. he was promoted to the rank of Major. His commission as 
Lieutenant Colonel ranks from April 28, 1865. His commission as Colonel, by brevet, dates 
August y, 1865, and his colonelcy ranks from August 31, 1865. On the 22d of May, 1866, he 
was honored with the commission of Brigadier General, by brevet, in recognition of his "efficient 
and zealous services," and he was to rank as such from August 9, 1865, which was the date of his 
discharge at Richmond, Va. He was elected Sherifi" of Columbia County, in the fall of 1866. 
and served during the years 1867 and 1868. At the expiration of his office, he engaged in the 
manufacture of fanning-mills. The Colonel's health was never good after the war ; his final ill- 
ness was brief but severe ; the leading cause of his death was rheumatism of the heart. He died 
on the 27th of September, 1872. Few men e.xcelled him in attractive social qualities ; he was 
public-spirited and deservedly popular. While a resident of Fond du Lac County, he served 
several terms on the Board of Supervisors. His home was the abode of generous hospitality. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 529 

He was domestic in his tastes and devotedly attached to his family. While in the service, he 
was a faithful home correspondent. In his early life he was an active Good Templar, and was 
always a consistent temperance man. He was a prominent member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows ; a man of strong convictions, a positive character, but his sound sense and good 
nature prevented his making enemies. He was a kind friend and a valued citizen. His widow 
still lives in Portage, on the homestead. He was the father of four children. 

JOSEPH KERR. 

Mr. Kerr was one of the first settlers of Columbia County. Scarcely any man in it had 
been more intimately connected with its history, or had taken a livelier interest in its growth 
and prosperity, for the ten years preceding his death, than Mr. Kerr. In his own town, Ran- 
dolph, he was rapidly called by the suffrages of his townsmen to fill offices of trust and impor- 
tance. He was for years Chairman of its Board of Supervisors, and three times elected Chair- 
man of the County Board. He represented Columbia County in the Legislature for two terms 
— 1848 and 1849 — with honor and ability; and, at the time of his death, he was a Director in 
the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company. 

Possessing fair ability, with good business talents, in whatever station he was placed, he 
acquitted himself honorably and to the satisfaction of all. A devoted and affectionate husband, 
a kind and indulgent parent, a good neighbor and obliging friend, and honest man and a sincere 
Christian, Mr. Kerr lived beloved and respected, and died January 22, 1855, in Randolph, 
mourned by all who knew him. 

JOHN PARDEE. 

Mr. Pardee was born in Norfolk, Litchfield Co., Conn., February 15, 1796. He removed 
with his parents, when quite young, to Marcellus (now Skaneateles), Onondaga Co., N. Y. At 
the age of sixteen, he was left, by the death of his father, in charge of a family of six younger 
brothers and sisters, of whom he had charge until they were grown. He served in the war of 
1812. In 1824, he removed with his mother to Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio, where he 
engaged in merchandising for thirty years. • He removed to Wisconsin in 1859, settling at 
Pardeeville, remaining there until his death, which occurred on the 26th of June, 1873, after a 
lingering illness of more than three years' duration. Mr. Pardee was always affable and 
courteous in his manner, and impressed all with whom he came in contact as being a gentleman 
at all times and under all circumstances. 

ANDREW SWEANY 

was born in the town of Luny, county of Derry, Ireland, October 29, 1829. He came to 
Quebec, Canada, in July, 1842 ; thence he removed directly to the State of Vermont. After a 
few weeks he went to Schuyler Falls, N. Y., and attended a high school at that place, taking a 
very high rank as a scholar, in the class of which he was a member. After remaining there a 
few years, he went to St. John's, Canada. From this place he moved to New Hampshire. On 
the 4th of October, 1849, he, with the rest of the fiimily, came to the town of Fort Winnebago. 
He was elected Superintendent of Schools, for the town, in 1852 ; in 1855 was chosen Town 
Clerk ; he was elected Chairman of the town for the years 1857 and 1858. During the sessions 
of the County Board in these years, he was an active and prominent member. As Chairman of 
the Committee on the Poor, he recommended and strenuously advocated the " County System " 
for their maintenance. Through his efforts, with those of some other members, he had the satis- 
faction of seeing the present Poor system for the county adopted, at the session in 1858. He 
remained in the vicinity until he entered a seminary some years previous to his death. He 
considered he had a call for the ministry of the Catholic Church. Had he commenced his 
studies sooner, he would undoubtedly have become an able, learned and zealous clergyman. It 
should, however, be remarked that he had commenced to study for the same end, when sixteen 



530 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



years of age; but his parents, fearing for his health, advised him to discontinue, which, in 
obedience to their wishes, he did ; but the desire still remained. 

He was of remarkable depth of mind, gifted with a clear, well-poised intellect and good 
natural endow^ments. His apprehension was quick and judgment accurate. No one could more 
nicely or justly discriminate the defects or excellencies of a performance, or the exhibition of 
talent or genius, but his good sense and self-difBdence generally suppressed the declaration of 
his sentiments. He valued and appreciated erudition in all its branches and for all its legitimate 
purposes, and strove patiently and laboriously to acquire an extensive knowledge of sound litera- 
ture. He was a rapid, correct and instructive writer ; he could speak, too, and when he did so, 
it told with effect — it was always to the point. He was a firm, consistent and conscientious 
Catholic, but his homage was a reasonable one. He was not fanatic or visionary. His venera- 
tion for religion and its ministers was not servile or forced ; not springing from ignorance or 
superstition, but voluntary and enlightened. For those who differed with him in his religious 
convictions, he retained neither hatred nor prejudice. His nature was to show respect and proper 
appreciation for tlie honest opinions and convictions of his fellow-creatures ; he did not display 
aggressiveness, even when convinced of the justness of his cause; hence the respect in which 
his opinions were held, even by those wtio did not agree or coincide with them. He died in the 
town of Fort Winnebago March 20, 1873. 




HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 531 



CHAPTER IX. 

The Columbia County Pbess— Common Schools— County Board of Supervisors— Authors 
AND Artists— President Hayes and Party— Columbia County's War Record— Colum- 
bia County' of To-Day-. 

the columbia county press. 

Thirty years ago, John Delaney settled in Portage, and commenced practicing law. He 
had pursued the duties of his profession but a short time when he was induced to take advan- 
tage of an opportunity then offering to establish a newspaper in what, even at that early date, 
promised to be a leading city of the Badger State. Procuring a few cases of type and an 
ancient printing-press, he commenced business, having his brother James for a partner. 
"Delaney Brothers" was the style and title of the firm, and the first number of their paper 
bore date of July 4, 1850, being issued from a small wooden building which stood on the 
northwest side of the canal, in the vicinity of Lewis' lumber-yard. It was called the River 
Times, was a six-column folio. Democratic in politics, and thoroughly en rapport with the 
spirit of improvement then existing. 

The editor, in his salutatory, said : " We this day publish the first number of the Fox 
and Wisconsin River Times. If it is not a curiosity now, it will be hereafter, as the first 
paper published in the city of Fort Winnebago." Truly, the transfer of a printing-office to 
Fort Winnebago (as Portage was then called) and the setting it in motion must have been no 
light task, and the first issue implies the exercise of much energy and enterprise. Evi- 
dently, the men who accomplished the work were not then deterred by trifles. " That gov- 
ernment is best which governs least " was the motto of the River Times, and above the edito- 
rial columns appeared the unqualified assertion, " The world is governed too much." 

The initial number was a well-printed, creditable sheet, full of vigor and vigilance for 
those days. Its contents were : A beautiful poetic selection from the Louisville Journal; 
" London at Night ; " "England and the United States;" " The Lady ; " " A New Orleans 
Mazzaroni " — a story wherein was told how a New Orleans burglar had stolen the jewelry of 
a young husband and wife, from beneath their pillow while they were asleep, and, with cool 
impudence, had kissed the bride on departing ; "Advice to Unmarried Ladies" is followed 
by a spirited and hopeful editorial on Northern Wisconsin, in which the writer cites the causes 
of immigration, and tells why it has hitherto settled chiefly in the eastern portion of the State. 
But he declares that the era for the opening-up of the prairies, the forests, the streams and the 
lakes of Northern and Western Wisconsin, is at hand. And succeeding years have told how 
truly he prophesied. Even then, he speaks of the feasibility of the Fox and Wisconsin 
Improvement — a direct inland water communication between New York and New Orleans, via 
Portage^ — as placed beyond question, with the means at hand for its completion. He declares 
that the short canal to connect the streams will be finished that summer, and states that the 
Wisconsin is traversed regularly by steamers throughout the whole route, and that the navi- 
gable portions of the Fox have each its steamboat, plying between towns and cities. He has 
much else to say in support of this scheme, and reprints, in its favor, large extracts from the 
Green Bay Advocate and Oshkosh Democrat. 

But the advertisements of that number will give something of an idea of who were doing 
business in Portage that summer, thirty years ago. T. Dean & Co. continued to hold out 
inducements to the trading public, in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, 
stoves and tin and hardware ; John Strong, of the Banner Store, was a wholesale and retail 
dealer much in the same line of goods. Keegan & Moore had the prices of these commodities 



532 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

at an enticingly low ebb, at Fort Winnebago, and handled also lumber, square timber and 
shingles, in Wauona, which was Gov. Doty's Indian for the Portage. Walter W. Kellogg was 
an attorney and counselor at law and Justice of the Peace. M. D. Ingraham did business also 
as an attorney, counselor and land and collecting agent, and was a Notary. William R. De 
Witt and J. A. Johnson, too, were attorneys and counselors and solicitors in chancery. L. Van 
Slyck was a Justice ; and G. T. Getty, as Postmaster, advertised an extensive list of unclaimed 
letters remaining in the post office at Fort Winnebago. 

Editor Delaney, in a supplemental greeting to the public, apologizes for not describing the 
town and adjacent localities. He is willing, moreover, to receive advertising patronage. His 
establishment cost him $1,000, and current expenses were heavy ; but he hopes that he has not 
commenced prematurely, and that he will be reimbursed and do a good business, the newspaper 
having become necessary to civilization. He is not quite sure of his subscription list, however, 
and for the purpose of ascertaining who his patrons are, will postpone the ne.xt issue for three 
or four weeks. The next paper, in fact, was not published until August 5. 

This initial number contains also some sharp comments on the action of the Legislature, 
the conduct of which is pronounced disgraceful to the State ; in this connection appears a long 
communication from Abrara Vanderpool in regard to a law on taxation, of which he is the reputed 
father. There is also a two-column editorial on general politics, and another long article on the 
balance of trade. Resolutions of the Legislature are printed, instructing the Senators and 
Representatives of Wisconsin to oppose the admission of any more Slave States, and to exert their 
influence against slavery and the slave trade in the District of Columbia. The editor says that 
the resolution against the admission of new Slave States would be an infamous violation of national 
faith, pledged to Texas on her annexation. He admires the truly national spirit of Webster, 
Clay, Cass and Dickenson, and prints a summary of the remarks of the former on the bill to 
admit California. 

There was bad blood in these borders then concerning the action of the " Potters' Emigration 
Society," in England, of which various residents of this locality were members. A meeting 
was held here, June 3, 1850. to consider misrepresentations against certain individuals of the 
society. Walter Kellogg was Chairman, and L. A. Uliss, Secretary. Thomas Bliss, agent of 
the society, invited to attend and answer, did not appear. It was the sense of the meeting that 
the " Potters' Emigration Society" was a direct deception on the woi'king classes of the British 
empire ; and L. A. Bliss, John S. Campbell, James Henman and William Ward, were 
appointed to draft a memorial to Thomas Duncombe, Esq., member of Parliament for Maryle- 
bone, to obtain his influence to prevent the people of Great Britain from emigrating under the 
auspices of such society. 

A communication from a spectator tells how a two-year old daughter of one Marion, an Irish 
laborer on the canal, fell into the Fox River near the bathing-house ; how Catherine Rolland 
leaped after the child into the water fourteen feet deep ; how the two were finally rescued by 
John Kennedy, and how Dr. Prentice restored the child in about twenty minutes. The editor 
that week received the Sauk County Standard, printed at Baraboo, by McFaden k McLaugh- 
lin ; a sheet firmly Whig, and full of epithet against Democracy. 

There is other reading in this first issue of the River Times, among which is the full text of 
a treaty between the United States, by Commissioner William Medill, and the chiefs of the 
Menomonee Indians, made at Lake Powaw-hay-kon-nay, October 18, 1848, James K. Polk being 
President, and James Buchanan, Secretary of State. 

Volume III, No. 21 (June 6, 1853), mourns with turned column rules the death of James 
Delaney, Jr., one of the proprietors of the River Times. The unfortunate journalist waa 
drowned in the Wisconsin River May 31. At the time of his death, he was City Clerk of Port- 
age, and but twenty-seven years of age. The August following, John A. Brown became asso- 
ciated with Joseph Delaney, brother of John and James, in the publication of the paper. About 
the same time John Delaney 's name appears as associate editor. The office was removed to the 
second story of Moore & Gorman's Building, opposite the Pettibone Block, where the paper 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. , 533 

continued to be published under the new management until its suspension, as the River Times, 
September 17, 1853. This event was announced in an able editorial signed by John, Joseph 
and Arthur W. Delaney, closing as follows : " We have labored to maintain the Democratic 
party in its integrity, and to employ the best intellect of that party in the offices of the State 
and nation. In the result, so far. our highest hopes are realized, and we feel that we can with 
propriety leave the editorial field with others, having done our part in days of trial and depres- 
sion. Gen. John A. Brown is now sole proprietor and editor of the River Times. In his capa- 
city and integrity we have the fullest confidence. We ask the Democracy to sustain him as a man 
every way worthy." An idea of the growth of Portage and the prosperity of the Times is had 
in a comparison of the first number of the paper with the last. During its three years' exist- 
ence the advertising patronage grew from half a column to ten columns, while the circulation 
was all that could be asked, and augured well for the intelligence of the people. 

John Delaney, while living in Portage, was regarded as a man of unusual brilliancy. He 
served his apprenticeship in the office of the Green Bay Intelligencer, the first newspaper pub- 
lished in Wisconsin, setting his first type in 1834. He was the Nestor of the press in Columbia 
County. 

The Badger State. — The termination of the existence of the River Times was not all that 
is implied by the use of the word suspension ; it was simply a change of name and owners. On 
the 1st of October, 1853, Mr. Brown commenced the publication of the Badger State, with the 
following modest announcement : " Under the new arrangement, we have taken a new name 
for the paper; not because we had any objection to that of the River Times, but we have a 
a decided partiality for our old name of Badger State.* It was endeared to us in earlier times 
— during the old constitution fight, when we joined to raise the chorus, 

" We are a band of brothers 
In the new Badger State." 

" The name is distinctive and apprapriate for a newspaper published at the geographical 
center, a point by natural laws destined to be the business center of the State, at no remote 
period. As the Badger State now shines as a bright particular star in the galaxy of the Union, 
it shall be our pride and ambition to make our paper worthy of that name in the journalistic 
firmament, associated as it is with liberality, intelligence, enterprise and the progressive spirit 
of the age." 

There was no change in political principles or public patronage ; the Badger State opposed 
Whigs and Whiggery with the same earnestness and ability that had characterized the course of 
its predecessor, while its patronage showed no lack of confidence on the part of the citizens, as 
to the ability of the new management. Mr. Brown seemed to be not of the opinion that '' the 
world is governed too much," but he had lived long enough to discover that "power is always 
stealing from the many to the few;" at least such was the motto chosen for the Badger State, 
and, with the somewhat democratic idea that such a condition of things was diametrically opposed 
to the principles of the old Democratic party, the editor, with a trenchant pen, strove to pre- 
vent the concentration of political power — outside the Democratic party. Fortune seems to 
have smiled upon his efforts to make a good local paper, however, and at the close of the first 
volume the Badger State was enlarged to twenty-eight columns, though the circulation, it 
appears, was not all Mr. Brown had reason to expect, as will be inferred from the following 
characteristically modest item : " Those who from personal friendship, for love of the prin- 
ciples we advocate, or for their own general interest, may use their exertions to extend our 
circulation, will confer upon us a favor." 

On the l-4th of April, 1855, Chauncey C. Britt took an equal partnership with Mr. Brown 
in the Badger State, the event being announced in an article reiterating the political convictions 
of the senior proprietor, which, of course, were in accord with the ideas of the new proprietary 
acquisition. Both gentlemen were practical printers of some twenty years' experience. " We 

* Mr. Brown formerly published a paper by this name at Janesville. 



634 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

are," continues the article, " the exclusive owners of all the materials of the office, as well as 
the consciences of the editors, and believe in and shall practice upon the principle that the 
amenities which obtain in social life should govern the editorial profession, and that a man 
should be held as strictly to account for what he publishes in his paper as for what he utters 
with his tongue. There is no more excuse for palliating official and public wrongs than for 
pandering to private vice and individual crimes. We love the old Democratic party, and will fight 
for it to the last extremity — provided the party bears itself as becomes a great national party. 
But the party must purge itself of the piratical crew led by the Pierces, the Douglases and 
some lesser lights nearer home, to make it worthy the hearts and hands of true men." 

June 6, 1856, saw the enlargement of the Badger State to thirty-two columns, and other 
marked typographical changes, among them a new heading of patriotic design, the letters being 
dotted and streaked with stars and stripes. Power seems to have ceased to steal " from the 
many to the few," and the editors had arrived at the conclusion that " the world is governed too 
much " — the latter sentiment, in big letters, being substituted for the former motto. " The 
position of the Democratic i)arty " was the caption of what may be termed a " heavy editorial " 
in this enlarged number of the Badger. " It is very evident," the article begins, " that a union 
of the elements opposed to the Democratic party will take the field in the present campaign, 
without making any issue of general principles, but depending for success upon exciting a polit- 
ical phrenzy similar to the 'hard-cider' excitement of 1840." The "elements" referred to 
were the Know-Nothing and Republican parties. The national political issues at that time were 
concentrated in the destiny of that monstrosity, slavery ; the Missouri Compromise and Kansas 
Repeal were comcoraitant parts. 

On the 15th of August, 1856, the Badger State office was removed to the new Badger 
Block, and the editors invited their friends to " call and make themselves comfortable in the 
prettiest printing office in the State." On the 27th of February, 1857, Chauncey C. Britt's 
name appears in the Badger State indicating that gentleman as the sole publisher. Mr. Britt 
conducted the paper until December 11, of the same year, when William K. McHugh &: Co. 
became the proprietors, and Joseph M. Doty, who had been editorially connected with the paper 
for a year previous, was announced as the responsible editor, with all the glory and emoluments 
of the position. Brother Britt's valedictory re-assures us that the Badger's Democracy had 
been preserved in all its original purity, and. in his usual graceful style, confidently hoped that 
it would remain untainted. Mr. Doty's name disappears from the editorial mast-head Septem- 
ber 18, 1858, but his contributions did not cease. On the 4th of December, John A. Brown 
again became the proprietor, and the paper was reduced in size to twenty-eight columns. But, 
as had been evident for some time, " misfortuno was upon them." The frequent changes in the 
management of the paper, the reduction in size, and various other unhealthy signs, gave evidence 
of the early and inevitable dissolution that must soon follow. And when on the 10th of Feb- 
ruary, 185U, death stilled the throbbing heart of the proprietor of the Badger State, there was 
but little left to cling to. The paper survived the demise of its original publisher about ten 
months, the widow assuming the management. J. M. Doty was in editorial charge until the 
date of its suspension, December 10, 1859. 

The Independent. — This paper was established in Portage in 1855, by John A. and Julius 
C. Chandler, the first number being issued the 3d day of February, of that year. It was the 
outgrowth of a political necessity, and is numbered among the thousand other newspapers that 
espoused the cause of the Republican party early in its remarkable history. The Independent 
took uncompromising ground against slavery, and advocated the enactment by the Legislature 
of a prohibitory liquor law, as the best means of educating the people to a moral sense of their 
social and political welfare. John A. Ciiandler's name appears at the head of the editorial 
column, indicating that gentleman as the responsible scribe, and across the title page appears the 
following inscription : " A weekly newspaper, devoted to literature, temperance, morality, news, 
general intelligence, and the dissemination of Republican principles.'' The first number con- 
tained, among other choice and readable things, a caustic criticism of the proceedings of the 



II 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNT i'. ' S35 

United States oflBcials against Sherman M. Booth. One particularly pointed paragraph in the 
article reads : " There is not a slave trader in the land, or a slave pirate on the high seas, who 
would have any reason to find fault with the proceedings in Miller's court against Mr. Booth." 
There is also an article from the Vermont Freeman, giving the number of slaveholders in the 
United States at that date. It may be interesting to know that there were then 347,525 persons 
in the Union who subsisted, as individual owners, upon the bondage of the now emancipated 
blacks. The advertising patronage of the Independent, for the first few weeks, was conspicuous 
for its absence, but the necessary support from this direction was soon forthcoming, and the 
Independent is believed to have become a paying institution. 

On the 22d of March, John A. Chandler's name disappears from the customary position 
indicating editorial responsibility, though, until February t, 1856, he retained a proprietary 
interest in the paper, and continued to furnish political pabulum for its columns. Julius C- 
Chandler then became sole proprietor, and it is noticeable that about this time the Independent's 
previous hostility to the extension of slavery grew into the most outspoken opposition to the 
existence of the "peculiar institution" in any part of the Union. The editor's arguments in 
this regard were clear, concise and convincing. 

The Independent indorsed the nominations of the Philadelphia Convention in the following 
language: "We place this week* at the head of our columns the names of John C. Fre- 
mont, of California, and William L. Dayton, of New Jersey, and invite every freeman — all 
who love free institutions and equal rights — to unite in elevating these men, respectively, to the 
offices of President and Vice President of the United States. Never, since the first organization 
of the Government, has there been a Presidential election involving principles of such magni- 
tude. * * * * On one side go forth Douglas, Pierce, Atchison, 
Stringfellow, Brooks and their followers, with Buchanan for a standard-bearer, champions for the 
extension of slavery ; on the other stands arrayed the hosts of freedom, with such leaders as 
Seward, Chase and the glorious, gallant John C. Fremont at the head, fighting manfully, 
earnestly, for the extension of liberty. Can freemen hesitate and doubt with which party to 
unite? Is not the path of duty, of interest, of patriotism perfectly plain ? 

On the 14th of April, 1857, the Independent ceased to exist in name, but not in form, and 
■Mr. Chandler bade adieu to his friends and patrons in a few well-chosen words, assuring them 
that his journalistic relations with them had been a source of pleasure as well as of profit to 
him. In his valedictory appears the following concerning the Republican party : " Only two 
years ago, the now great, mighty and glorious Republican party was in its infancy, scarcely 
organized, in sooth, in Columbia County. What advance has the party made? The 1,709 
majority for Fremont and liberty answers the question. Proud, indeed, are we that have been 
an advocate of a righteous party whose principles of truth have so triumphed. Columbia has 
assumed the proudest political position of any county of the commonwealth." 

Julius C. Chandler, more familiarly known as "Shanghai " Chandler, was a man of recog- 
nized ability. A vein of eccentric humor pervaded his writings, revealing his possession of a 
rare genius, in comparison with which the reputations of our greatest American humorists would 
not sufl'er. Soon after disposing of the Independent, Mr. Chandler purchased the material that 
had been used in the office of the Columbia County Reporter, a Democratic paper published by 
Carr Huntington, and, removing it to Adams County, established a paper at Friendship. He 
died a few years ago in Baraboo. 

Portage City Record. — Upon the fortunes of the Independent was founded the Portage 
City Record, a newspaper more within the meaning of the term ; for the Independent was noted 
less for its local news than for its National and State political articles. The Record, however, 
was the recognized party organ, the official paper of the county. Republicanism being the 
accepted faith of its manager and proprietor, Robert B. Wentworth. The first number was issued 
April 29, 1857. The names of M. M. Davis and A. J. Turner appear as editors. Mr. Davis' 
editorial contributions had been attracting some attention from the readers of the Independent, 

* June 26, 1856. , 



536 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

and his acknowledged ability was a material aid in sustaining the enterprise. Mr. Turner was 
younger then than now by nearly a quarter of a century. He has grown some in stature, and 
become more generally known, having passed through the various grades of journalism and 
been honored, as all journalists should be, with office. "Perhaps it is hardly necessary," says 
Mr. Davis in his salutatory, " for us to say that while this paper is under our control, editorially, 
it will be untiring in its opposition to the nationalization of slavery. The General Government, 
being one of delegated powers only, we hold that all exercise of assumed powers, either by its 
executive, legislative or judicial departments, is a dangerous usurpation, and should not be 
peaceably acquiesced in by the States or the people, in whom all sovereignty lies. Since the 
passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and more recently the decision of 
the Dred Scott case, the whole question of the legitimacy of the slave power in this nation is fairly 
open for full and free discussion, and, for one. we intend to write about it and talk about it at 
our will." 

Mr. Wentworth, the proprietor of the Record, was an experienced journalist, in so far as 
the general management of a newspaper was concerned. He had formerly been associated with 
Charles Billinghurst, of the Dodge County Gazette, at Juneau. The first thirteen numbers of 
the Record were the same size (twenty-eight columns) of its predecessor, the Independent, but 
on the 29th of July it was enlarged, another column being added to each of its four pages. 
There were other marked and favorable changes. The Record, moreover, adopted a motto at this 
date : " Resistance to Tyrants is Obedience to God." 

On the 11th of November, Mr. Davia severed his connection with the Record as editorial 
writer, leaving that duty to devolve upon bis associate, Mr. Turner, who remained but a short 
time in that capacity, going to Friendship, Adams County, with " Shanghai " Chandler, with 
whom he was engaged in the publication of a paper. Returning to Portage in March, 1859, he 
resumed his former relations with the Record, and was thereafter during the existence of the 
paper known as the " heavy man" of the institution. At the head of the editorial column of 
the first number of Volume III (April 27, 1859) appear the names of Messrs. Wentworth and 
Turner as editors, the former continuing as sole proprietor. The Record, at that date, was, per- 
haps, the most prosperous paper in Central Wisconsin. It was and had for some time been in 
the enjoyment of the Republican patronage of the county, with liberal profits to its publisher. 
This, of course, was in accordance with the "eternal fitness of things," for the county was 
largely Republican, and, there being no competing organ, the Record, as the successor of the 
first Republican paper in the county, was clearly entitled to consideration as the party organ. 
But many changes are wrought in the furnace of time. When the Record had attained its 
fourth year of prosperity, a difference of opinion arose among the Republican managers as to 
the propriety of sustaining it further. There was no fault to be found with its Republicanism ; 
that was sufficiently sound ; but the personal interest of a few of the party leaders seemed to 
demand a division of patronage, and on the ITth of April, 1861, the publisher announced the 
sale of the Record to A. J. Turner, one of the conditions being that the purchaser was to supply 
the paper to all subscribers who had paid to that date. In the same issue were announced the 
commencement of hostilities at Charleston, and the subsequent surrender of Fort Sumter. In 
retiring from journalism Mr. Wentworth bade an affectionate adieu to his readers, thanking them 
for their liberal patronage. As illustrating his characteristic candor, the following paragraph 
from his valedictory is given : " We have attended to the aftairs of the office very closely, so 
much so that our health is impaired ; and have succeeded pecuniarily, as well or better, perhaps, 
than the majority of publishers of country papers, and in that particular retire from the estab- 
lishment perfectly satisfied with the result of our four years' labor. 

The Wisconsin State Register. — Of the numerous journals founded in Portage at an early 
day, the Wisconsin State Register is now the only one in existence. It was established by 
Samuel S. Brannan on the 16th of March, 1861, nearly twenty years ago, upon the ruins of the 
Badger State ; the latter, as has already been shown, having supplanted the River Times, the first 
paper published in Columbia County. The material used in its publication was that from which 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 537 

the Badger State was formerly printed, and typographically, the Register closely resembled the 
defunct Democratic organ. The editor, in saluting his friends, said : " Having long been con- 
vinced of the necessity for a representative organ in this city, one which will fully and fairly 
reflect the views of the Republican party, and having received such assurances as will justify 
the enterprise, we have concluded to commence the publication of the Wisconsin State Regis- 
ter. * * * To enable us more fully to complete our arrangements for the publication of 
the paper, no sheet will be issued for the next week or two from this office. We shall, early in 
Api-il, enlarge and otherwise improve our paper." 

Following this was an article announcing John T. Clark as the Republican nominee for 
County Judge. Mr. Clai'k's name also appeared in the "candidate's corner," almost in the 
identical place it is now to be seen as editor of the Register . In the same column was an arti- 
cle on the prospective evacuation of Fort Sumter. In it were reflected the war sentiments of 
the Register as follows : " The Government may see fit to occupy or evacuate any one of the 
fortresses of the country as a measure of strategy merely, and the people will be willing to sub- 
mit to the judgment of the military commanders who direct the steps ; but they will not consent 
to the abandonment of the public property to traitors as a stroke of policy to placate them." 

President Lincoln's inaugural address appears in full on the first page, and is reviewed at 
length editorially, receiving high indorsement and full approval. On the local page, among 
other interesting items, we find a notice of the Portage City Light Guards, giving an account 
of their organization, description of the uniforms, etc., and concluding as follows: "When 
civil war shall have been declared (we are getting chilly) and re-enforcements are wanted, and 
the Portage Light Guards are drafted and on their way to South Carolina (Bohag,* hand us 
that bottle). * * * J^or Sale — A very cheap, but somewhat flashy, suit of clothes, with 
brass buttons, designed for military service. The ownerf is seriously indisposed, and his phy- 
sician recommends his immediate withdrawal from the army. This suit will probably last the 
purchaser as long as he lives. Apply at this oflice." 

On the 27th of Api-il, soon after the suspension of the Record, the Register appeared 
enlarged from a seven to an eight column folio ; Brannan, Turner & Co., pi'oprietors ; Israel 
Holmes and A. J. Turner, editors, and S. S Brannan, local editor. The change is announced 
in the following brief card, signed by Mr. Turner : " In the last Portage Oitg Record, 
announcement was made of the fact that the oflice had been sold to the undersigned. This 
week, 'I have the further announcement to make that I have united my interest in the oflice with 
those of S. S. Brannan, of the State Register, and that henceforth both papers will be pub- 
lished unitedly, under the name of the Wisconsin State Register, by Brannan, Turner & Co., 
and will be conducted by I. Holmes and A. J. Turner as principal editors, and S. S. Brannan 
as local editor. No further number of the Record will be issued, except a small edition to close 
up some legal advertisements. Advertisers in the iJecorc?, residing out of the city, will have 
their contracts completed in the State Register. All accounts with the Record will be adjusted 
by R. B. Wentworth. All subscribers who overpaid for the Record will be furnished with the 
State Register to ihe close of their subscriptions." 

Mr. Holmes, the leading editorial writer for the Register, was a lawyer by profession, and 
a very able man. His articles were thoroughly in accord with all the measures of the Repub- 
lican party, save, perhaps, those which many other stanch Union men then regarded as 
extremely radical, but which have since been acknowledged to have been paramount in crushing 
the rebellion. In April, 1864, Mr. Holmes disposed of his interest in the Register to Messrs. 
Brannan & Turner, and retired from journalism. Mr. Turner then became the responsible 
writer, being ably assisted in his labors by his partner, Mr. Brannan. Both were practical 
men, having passed through the various grades of the newspaper business, and, this being true, 
it is not strange that the paper grew in influence and circulation. 

*Bohag was the Satanic imp of the printing office. 
fMr. Brannan was a member of the Light Guards. 



538 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

In July, 1864, the price of the Register was increased from ^1.50 to $2 per year. The pro- 
prietors placed a large part of their profits from the business in improvements about the office, 
calculated to increase the value of their paper. Among other'mechanical accessories was a large 
power press, of the Taylor make, purchased in 1869. It is still in use, and is one of the largest 
and best of the kind in the Northwest. Messrs. Brannan & Turner continued the publication 
of the Register until the 23d day of February, 1878, when the establishment was sold to John 
T. Clark and B. F. Goodell, the present owners. In bidding farewell to their friends, the veteran 
publishers gave some very interesting reminiscences of their newspaporial careers in Portage. 
Extracts from the joint valedictory are herewith given : " In severing our connection with the 
paper, it seems fitting that we should indulge in a brief retrospect of our connection with the press 
of this city. On the 4th day of July, 1850, the River Times, the first paper ever published in 
this city, made its appearance. It was printed at the little hamlet over near the fort, and it 
was before the Portage of to-day had any existence. Engaged in the mechanical department as 
roller-boy, or ' devil ' in printing office nomenclature, was Mr. Brannan ; so his connection with 
the press of this city dates from its very incipiency, nearly twenty-eight years ago. 

" In 1855," continues Mr. Turner, " we arrived in this city with a capital of just ten cents, 
without friends and a total stranger to nearly every person in the county. We found employ- 
ment as compositor in the Independent office, of which ' Shanghai ' Chandler was the proprietor, 
and in the columns of this paper, in that year, appeared our first articles for the press. In 
1856 and '57, we were employed in the composing room of the State Journal, at Madison, and 
for a few months served as legislative reporter and local editor of that paper. In the spring of 
1857, we returned to Portage and were associated with Dr. M. M. Davis, as one of the editors of 
the Portage City Record, published by the Hon. R. B. Wentworth. Mr. Went worth had pur- 
chased the Independent office of Mr. Chandler, and given it the name above mentioned, and 
Mr. Brannan, who had about this time returned from California, held a case in the Badger 
State office, published by John A. Brown and C. C. Britt. In the spring of 1861, Mr. Brannan 
purchased the Badger State office and commenced the publication of the Wisco7isin State Reg- 
ister. About a month later, A. J. Turner purchased the Record office, and the papers were 
consolidated with I. Holmes as one of the partners. In April, 1864, Mr. Holmes disposed of 
his interest in the office to his partners, since which time the paper has been published continu- 
ously by Brannan k Turner. At the end of seventeen years, the whirligig of time has brought 
a new revolution, and henceforth the readers of the State Register will receive their news 
pabulum from other hands. * * * Wg have paid to our compositors, for paper bills and 
other incidental expenses of the office, more than ^60,000. We have, with unfailing regularity, 
paid our employes every Saturday. We have never suffered a paper bill or any other bill to go 
past due ; we have held tax receipt No. 1 for many years ; we generally stand recorded as No. 1 
on the poll list at each election, and we have paid our pew rent promptly and cheerfully, and 
have most unselfishly permitted other people to occupy that pew more than we have ourselves, 
if we are not mistaken.'' 

Mr. Brannan, when the transfer of the Register was concluded, was absent in Colorado for 
his health, but the sale was made with his entire approval, he having left the matter in the hands 
of his partner. When he received information of the change, he wrote from Denver as follows : 
* * * "I trust I may be pardoned for a word of allusion to the services which I 

think we have rendered in graduating from our office so many young men who have taken high 
rank and honorable positions among their fellows. Robert Campbell, R. J. Flint, E. H. Weber, 
B. F. Goodell, W. R. Finch, F. 0. Wisner, Henry Marvin and Rody Keegan are but a few of 
the goodly number of good boys whose remembrances come to me now, who have gone forth 
rising men, due to good tuition, and, may I not say, the excellent example set before them. 
Poor Jimmy Dempsey, ever glorious and true, sleeps in Dixie's land, a martyr to the slave- 
holders' rebellion, while faithful and true-hearted W. F. Ward reposes in Silver Lake Cemetery, 
a victim of dise&se engendered in the tented "field. May green ever grow the graves on the 
little mounds which rise over them. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. .539 

" In looking over the past, I do so without descrying here and there little paragraphs which 
I would gladly blot out, but I may truthfully say, never a line which has been written was ever 
inspired by malice toward a fellow mortal. * * * 

" ' Farewell, my friends, farewell, my foes; 
My peace with these — my love with those.' " 

The new proprietors of the State Register entered upon their duties with that spirit of 
determination which is generally rewarded with success. Mr. Clark took his position at the 
editorial helm, while Mr. Goodell assumed charge of the mechanical departments. The editor, 
in his salutatory, after briefly reviewing his pioneer experiences in Columbia County, says : 
" I have been a subscriber to this journal from the beginning, and feel the same attachment as 
such patron to it that you feel. It is one of the established institutions of Columbia County. 
Indeed, the county would hardly be itself without it. I do not propose to change the name, 
for the reason that it must still have a name, and I am satisfied with the old one. I do not 
propose to change its politics, for with them I have been generally in hearty accord. It will 
still advocate the principles of the Republican party, and endeavor to secure and maintain the 
supremacy of that party. At the same time it will be unsparing in its efforts to keep that [^arty 
pure and worthy of support. * * * Great inconvenience and losses result from 

changing one's business, but there are some compensations. You know how it is in your 
neighbor's calling when you have been there yourself. If you have been a lawyer, you know 
how to sympathize with them, how things appear from his standpoint. If you have been a 
lender of money, you know how to sympathize with him. If you have been obliged to be a 
borrower, paying high interest, you can feel for him. If you have been a farmer, working hard 
to compel Mother Earth to bring forth her increase, and just as you have been upon the point of 
securing it, some vile bug has snatched it from your hand, making all your labor vain, you can 
appreciate the condition of the farmer during these few past years. You have learned that 
when the orator at the fair says : ' Tickle Mother Earth with a hoe, and she will laugh with a 
harvest,' he is reciting poetry. * * * j cannot expect to agree on every subject 

which will be discussed in these columns with all my patrons, because I know too many of them 
are independent thinkers, and such can never entirely concur ; but I will endeavor to treat every 
topic introduced, candidly, and truly represent the position of the opposite side. t * * 
I fully realize that this paper has been a power in this county and State, and hope it will remain 
such. Encouraged by the large list of subscribers already on the Register's list, and hoping 
the old ones will stand by it still, the time has come when the 'I' must be exchanged for a 'we,' 
and ' we ' must take oif ' our ' coat and go at the work." 

Just how far the efforts of the present publishers to make an acceptable newspaper have 
been seconded by the intelligent citizens of Columbia County is illustrated in the extent of 
patronage they have received ; and the measure of patronage is shown by the recent enlarge- 
ment of the paper from thirty-two to thirty-six columns and the purchase of a handsome outfit 
of new type. The Register wore its new dress for the first time on the morning of the 10th of 
April, 1880. Most of the old material composing its former habiliments had been in use for a 
quarter of a century. 

Politically, the Register still adheres to its original faith, and is as soundly Republican in 
all its teachings and aspirations as any organ of the party in the State. Locally, the Register 
is singularly complete and reliable. It also claims the somewhat unusual distinction of being a 
purely home-made paper, which means that both sides are printed at home. 

Portage Democrat. — In March, 1877, at the solicitation of Democratic friends in Portage, 
Henry D. Bath, editor of the Columbus Democrat, and his brother, W. E. Bath,* established 
the Portage Democrat, a seven-column folio. " To-day," said the editors in their salutatory, 
" for the first time in almost twenty years, a Democratic newspaper in the English language is 
issued in this city. We are here for the establishment of a legitimate business, and to meet a 

* Died in June, 1S79. 



640 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

need which has long and repeatedly been represented to us as existing in this community. We 
are not here to encroach upon the province of any other journal, but to do work in an open field. 
The Jtegister is an old and ably conducted newspaper, which has done very much to advance 
the material interests of Portage. Its editors are our personal friends, and we hope they will 
remain so, however divergent the line of our political operations may be. The Advance is not 
at all in our way, having its own great work to accomplish ; and the Weaker is our ally. We 
propose, in the interests of Reform-Democracy, and not in subserviency to any ring or clique 
of it, to make as good a newspaper as we can. To this end, we invoke the co-operation of 
every member of the party, and will devote our utmost endeavors to render it the most efficient 
aid within our power. But the political work of a local journal is, after all, but a small part 
of the labor which it has to do. It should be ever busy in furtherance of the business interests 
and social welfare of the community where it is published. It is a record of the life of the 
people in its vicinity; the chronicler of their joys and sorrows, their successes and reverses, 
and its general purpose is to do good to those within the circle of its influence, and to be of 
value to them in the accomplishment of worthy subjects. Such are the aims of the Portage 
De)iioc7-at." 

♦Early in 1878, the health of W. E. Bath failing, Irving Bath, formerly a clerk in the 
Land Office at Madison, took an interest in the paper, and it is now conducted in his name. In 
March, 1878, at the close of the first volume, the size and form of the paper were changed to a 
six-column quarto. Early in April, the publisher purchased an improved Cottrell & Bab- 
cock press and a three-horse power Bookwalter engine, making it the only steam printing-office 
in the county. The Democrat has performed its part well toward giving accounts of local 
occurrences, and is being rewarded in the measure of its merit. 

Columbia County Weaker was published by Gustavus A. Selbach, the first number being 
issued September 1, 1874. The Weaker is a German newspaper, the only one in Columbia 
County, and was established in Portage at the request of the leading German citizens. It was 
originally a seven-column folio, but was enlai'ged a year ago to eight columns. It has a circu- 
lation of 500 copies, but is jirobably read by from 2,000 to .5,000 people, owing to an economi- 
cal custom among its patrons, by which a single copy is perused by several families. Mr. Sel- 
bach is a veteran journalist, having established a paper in Appleton. the Volksfreund, in Feb- 
ruary, 1870, and one at Mansfield, Ohio, the Mansfield Courier, in 1872. Politically, the 
Weaker is Democratic. The name, translated to English, means " wake up," and the editor 
loses no opportunity to disturb the mental lethargy of his readers. 

The Northern Mepublic was a Whig paper, established in 1851, the first number being issued 
December 20, by W. W. Noyes, brother of Col. Noyes, of Baraboo. The Republic was well 
received by the River Times, the Democratic organ, and a period of nearly three full weeks 
elapsed before the rival editors " locked horns " on political questions. The Republic seems to 
have met with inferior patronage, as its suspension was soon announced, the material being taken 
to Baraboo, where it was used in the publication of the Baraboo Republic. 

The Columbia County Reporter was established by Carr Huntington, in 1857, as a Democratic 
paper. Misfortune seems to have frowned upon the enterprise, as the paper suspended in the 
fall of 1857, tlie material being sold under Sheriff's execution, on a chattel mortgage. " Shang- 
hai " Chandler purchased the entire outfit, and removed it to Friendship, in Adams County, 
where he established a paper. Mr. Huntington went to Beaver Dam, where, in 1858, he com- 
menced the publication of the Beaver Dam Democrat, which is also defunct. 

The Rara Avis was a literary and musical monthly, the first number of which was issued Jan- 
uary 30, 1857, Horace Norton, editor and proprietor. The Rara Avis was a sixteen-page 
quarto, very creditable in appearance and very ably edited. Had it been establislied in a larger 
city, its success might have been permanent. A year or more of unprofitable labor taught Mr. 
Norton this, and, in July, 1858, he advertised the entire outfit for sale. A suspension soon fol- 
lowed. 





PORTAGE, CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 64:3 

The Columbus Reporter. — This was the name of the first paper published in Columbus, but 
diligent search and inquiry have failed us in ascertaining the date of the first number. From 
all that can be learned in regard to it, it is safe to say it did not exist prior to 1853. Gov. 
Lewis holds a receipt for subscription, dated June 20, 1854, signed by Carr Huntington, editor 
and proprietor of the Reporter, as follows: " Received of James T. Lewis four dollars in full 
for publishing notices, and in full for the Columbia Reporter, for the years A. D. 1853, 1854, 
and up to the 15th of June, 1855." The Reporter was of the Democratic persuasion in politics. 
The office of the Reporter was located on Broadway, near the present site of Erhart's harness- 
shop. The date of its suspension is also unknown. That it did suspend, however, before it 
had attained any great age or influence, is undoubted, for the editor betook himself to Portage 
early in 1857, and there re-established his paper, continuing to publish it until the latter part of 
that year, when the oflice was sold out under a sheriff's execution. Mr. Huntington is now in- 
culcating Democracy at Blue Earth, Minn. 

The Columbus Journal. — On the 22d day of January, 1855, Daniel Mallo, and his son- 
in-law, Delancy L. Thayer, issued the first number of the Columbus Weekly Journal, a seven- 
column folio, devoted to the interests of the then newly fledged Republican party. The editor 
promised, in his salutatory, to " studiously avoid at all times intentionally wounding the feelings 
of those who do not think as we do. It is a well-known fact," continues the editor, "that it is 
not in the scope of human nature to please everybody, and of the whole human race the con- 
ductor of a public journal has the hardest and most difficult task of all." On the 30th of 
December, 1856, Mr. Thayer retired from the Journal, leaving Mr. Mallo sole editor and pro- 
prietor. On the 10th of March, 1859, Marcus A. Mallo, a practical printer and a ready writer, 
became associated with the paper as junior editor, the firm becoming Mallo & Son. This copart- 
nership was severed on the 4th day of February, 1860, through the death of the son, at the age of 
twenty-two years and four months. The elder Mallo continued the publication of the Journal until 
June 6, 1861, when D. H. Pulcifer and J. F. Hazelton, the latter as editor, took charge. In 
tiieir first issue they mourned the death of Stephen A. Douglas with turned column rules. In 
April, 1862, Mr. Pulcifer withdrew from the management, and a few months later, Mr. Hazelton 
did likewise, the old veteran, Daniel Mallo, again assuming charge, and continuing in the capa3- 
ity of editor until the 30th of October, 1864, when death put an end to his toils, his trials and 
his tribulations. Mr. Mallo was one of the oldest publishers in the Northwest. He was born 
in York, Penn., November 20, 1799, and commenced his career as a printer upon the York Gazette 
at the age of seventeen years, coming to Wisconsin in 1842, and taking a position on the Madison 
Gazette. But one number of the Journal was issued after the death of Mr. Mallo. In it was 
printed, among other things, the obituary of the deceased journalist, written by E. E. Chapin, 
whose contributions had enlivened the Journal throughout most of its existence. Henry D. 
Bath, editor of the Democrat, then a law student in Mr. Chapin's office, put the article in 
type. 

The Columbus Transcript. — Some time in the winter of 1864-65, Valentine Baltuff, who, 
with his brother John, had been publishing the Lodi Weekly Herald, which suspended Novem- 
ber 9, 1864, came to Columbus with the material of the defunct journal, and established the 
Columbus Transcript, unfolding the Republican banner, and pledging himself, beneath its 
folds, to support the great national party in all that was consistent with the wants of a large 
constituency. Mr. Baltuff possessed but little literary ability, but wielded a composing-stick 
with great fluency. There was sufficient local genius abroad, however, to supply the Tran- 
script with editorial pabulum, and the paper flourished. 

In August, 1868, in the heat of summer and a memorable political campaign, a somewhat 
sudden, but not altogether unexpected, change took place in the office of the Transcript. Mr. 
Baltuff disposed of the concern, and, soon afterward, went to Floyd County, Iowa, where he 
reestablished in the same line of business. 

The Columbus Democrat. — Henry D. Bath was the purchaser of the effects of the Tran- 
script, and, on the 10th of September, 1868, he ushered into the journalistic world a seven-column 

N 



544 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

folio newspaper — the Columbus Democrat — with marked political inclinatioDS, strongly the 
reverse of those of its predecessor, as was indicated in the names of presidential preferences that 
floated from the mast-head, and their emphatic indorsement editorially. Mr. Bath, in his 
"To the Public," said: 

" It is already known by many that the Columbus Transcript, which was formerly issued 
from this oflBce, has changed hands, and to-day, for the first time, we believe, in ten years, 
the colors of the Democratic party are hoisted by a newspaper in Columbia County." 

The editor seems to have been conversant with the difficulties that usually beset interior 
publishers, and wide awake to the requirements of the important position he had chosen to 
occupy. " The progress of the times," he says, " has changed, to a great degree, the province 
of a paper published in the interior. The locomotive and the lightning now labor for men. 
The daily metropolitan newspapers are dropped in our midst with each revolution of the earth, 
and from them we learn what Europe was doing only yesterday. They tell us of the status of 
parties, and to a much greater extent than a country newspaper. But who chronicles our local 
events — those occurrences which most intimately concern us ? Who makes public the ravages 
of death and the inroads of matrimony in our midst ? Who speaks of our crops and our mar- 
kets, our home improvements and questions relating to matters immediately surrounding us ? 
AVho tells us of the good fortune or disaster to our neighbors ? Who does all this and a hun- 
dred other services ? It is done through the agency of the local press ; and any town of the 
size and enterprise of Columbus, which does not possess a good local paper, loses a powerful 
auxiliary to its prosperity. We are here for this purpose, and here we propose to remain." 

Considering the adverse political circumstances under which the Democrat was established, 
the editor and his friends have cause for congratulation in the growth and influence of the 
paper. There has been but one change in its management, and that was only temporary. 
From October, 1870, to March, 1871, the father of Mr. Bath was associated with the Democrat 
as publisher. In 1872, the form of the paper was changed to a six-column quarto. 

Mr. Bath was, for two years prior to 1868, city editor of the Milwaukee News, resigning 
his position on account of ill health, and has, therefore, had some of the experience calculated 
to test one's journalistic qualifications. His views concerning the province of interior jour- 
nals have been carried out to the extent of making the Democrat a valuable narrator of 
local happenings. Mr. Bath has been especially industrious in the work of perpetuating the 
early history of Columbus. 

The Columbus Republican. — In the Presidential campaign of 1868, by an adroit maneuver 
of the Democracy, the material of the Transcripit changed hands, and with it a Democratic 
sheet was started. This was less than eight weeks before election, and the political cauldron was 
boiling fiercely. There was a strong Republican majority in town and county, and a Demo- 
cratic paper would not go down, and set well on a Republican stomach. J. R. Decker was at the 
time publishing the Waupun Times, but such inducements were offered that he sold out that 
paper and came to Columbus, his route being by way of Chicago, where he bought an entire 
new printing office, including a job press, something novel in Columbus. The office was estab- 
lished on the second floor of Shaffer's Block, in the room that for many years has been Squire 
Farnham's Justice office. The room was soon found to be too small, and after various removals 
the office is now located on Ludington street, occupying a spacious first floor. 

The first issue of the Republican was on October 7, 1868. It was a seven-column folio, 
ably edited and handsomely printed, several pithy local writers contributing, and giving the new 
paper a " boost " through the few weeks before election. In the first years of the Republican, 
Mr. Le Roy Irons, a young man recently arrived from the East, contributed liberally to its 
local and literary departments. In December of 1869, the local was printed on the first page, 
as the prominent feature of the paper, and commencing with January of 1870, Mr. Irons' name 
appears as one of the editors, an arrangement continuing three months. He was a vigorous 
writer of prose, and a poet of acknowledged merit, but physically he was weak, and he has since 
passed over the river. In December of 1871, the Republican yi&s enlarged to nine columns to 



f 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 545 

a page, the increase of advertising patronage making a larger sheet necessary. These propor- 
tions were maintained until July of 1873, when an increase in the price of paper and a shrink- 
age in advertising brought down the paper to eight columns. In 1878, the style was changed 
to the popular six-column quarto. Finer type was adopted for city and county news, a corps of 
correspondents were secured throughout the county, and new vigor awakened in the paper. It 
now ranks among the best of the country papers in the West, especially in point of home news. 

Mr. Decker, the editor and proprietoi-, is a thorough practical printer, having acquired the 
art when boys had to learn a trade. He has a reputation for fine work that extends throughout 
the West, and specimens of jobs done at the office have been solicited by artistic printers from 
as far East as New York, as far South as Georgia, and as far West as San Francisco. 

Having received instructions in stereotyping in Chicago, and procured a fair outfit fordoing 
the work, this useful adjunct to a printing office is made to contribute to the completeness of the 
establishment. The Republican and the Republican job printing office, are institutions of which 
Columbia County is, and should be, proud. 

The Lodi Flag, published quarterly, was first issued in July, 1856, by J. 0. & A. Eaton, 
a small quarto of three columns, only three numbers of which (for July and November of 1856, 
and for May, 1857) were issued. 

• The Lodi Weekly Herald, established February 25, 1863, by Baltuff Bros.,* publishers 
and proprietors. " We commence," say the editors, in their salutatory, " the publication of a 
paper, under the above title, in this town ; and, believing the wants of the people to be more 
for a strictly local journal than a political one, we design the publication of an independent 
paper." It was a six-column paper, of a very respectable appearance. The first business cards 
were those of " Richard Lindsay, attorney and counselor at law ; " •' G. H. Irwin, M. D.," and 
"J. 0. Eaton, Notary Public." On the 2d of March, 1864. the copartnership in tlte establish- 
ment of the paper was dissolved, and Valentine Baltuif appears alone as editor and proprietor. 
This event occurred at the beginning of the second volume, but the paper was discontinued 
after the issuing of the thirty-fifth number, November 9, 1864, which was issued on a half- 
sheet only. 

Tlie Lodi Journal. — In October, 1870, was issued the first number of the Lodi Journal,, 
by Charles H. Fullerton, editor and publisher. It was a five-column quarto, and was edited 
with ability until April 16, 1873, when the editor said " Good-bye," and the Journal ceased 
to exist. 

The Lodi Valley News was established by Peter Richards, in the spring of 1874, the first 
issue being on the 22d of April of that year. It has had a circulation, since the close of its 
first year, of about four hundred copies weekly, and has been published regularly each week, 
without a single omission, from the start. In jts first issue, the announcement was made that 
the paper would be, in its political complexion, an Independent Republican paper, and it has 
been the aim of its proprietor to hold it to that character as closely as possible. Its circulation 
has been very uniform from the start, seldom varying in any two years more than half a quire. 
The News is well printed, and edited with ability. 

TJie Wisconsin Mirror. — In the fall of 1855, the Wisconsin River Hydraulic Company 
decided upon founding a new village — Kilbourn City — upon Section 3, Township 13 north. 
Range 6 east. Alanson Holly, of Warsaw, N. Y., was then West looking for a location, and, 
visiting the site of the proposed village, he decided at once to settle. A dwelling was hastily 
erected for his family, and a small building for a printing office (the first houses in the prospective 
village), and, on the 1st day of January, 1856, the first issue of the Wisconsin Mirror was 
struck from the press. This issue was gotten up under difficulties. On the 22d day of Decem- 
ber previous, the building was inclosed, and, while the plasterers were at work, the hands of the office 
unboxed the type and setup the press. It was so cold the compositors had to bathe their fingers 
in warm water every ten minutes to make them limber. As the paper was being made ready for the 
press, a number of friends gathered in the office, and it was proposed to sell the first copy ai 

* Valentine and John. 



546 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COINTI. 

auction, which was accordingly done, it bringing the handsome sum of $65. The second and 
third copies were also put up. bringing §10 and $5, respectively. Another instance of the kind 
is probably not on record. The question might naturally arise, where the patrons of the paper 
were to come from — a paper published in the woods, with owls, squirrels and rabbits for neigh- 
bors. The editor had faith in the future of the village, and, until it should become a large and 
prosperous village, it was expected to be printed at pecuniary loss, though many copies would be 
taken by parties interested in the welfare of the place, and sent away to those who were likely 
to be attracted thither. For many months, mails were only received once, twice or three times a 
week, at the village of Newport, two miles distant, and to this place the editor was compelled to 
go for his postal matter. Notwithstanding all these difficulties, the Mirror was always a readable 
paper. It continued to exist for nearly three years, when a suspension took place for a time, 
and it was then revived by H. A. Holly, with Alanson Holly as editor. In due course of time, 
it was sold to T. 0. Thompson, who in turn sold to Davis, Wright ct Davis, Mr. Wright remain- 
ing with it but a short time, when D. I*. & E. B. Davis became proprietors. In January, 1872. 
it passed into the hands of Frank 0. Wesner, who continued it until July, 1876. Mr. Wesner 
was in a measure successful, devoting attention principally to local matters. When he retired, 
W. M. Cole became proprietor, and continued to publish until October, 1876, when the office was 
destroyed by fire. No attempt was made to revive it. 

The Kilhourn City Guard was issued by Wesley Moran, for the first time, November 15, 
1876; it was continued with varying success until April 30, 187U, when it was suspended. 
The size was a seven-column folio ; price, $2 ; politics. Republican. It was edited with ability 
during its brief existence. 

The Reporter. — On the 3d of June, 1875, F. A. Brown, a Columbia County pioneer, 
issued the first number of the Poynette Reporter, a six-column folio, neutral in politics. The 
" home side " was printed at the office of the Western Advance, a small temjierance weekly, 
published for a time at Portage by E. W. Stevens. The Reporter survived one year. Mr. 
Brown came to Columbia County in 1849, and lived here about twenty-seven years. He is now 
publishing the Monroe County Democrat, at Sparta, Wis. 

COMMON SCHOOLS. 

The educational system of the State embraces common schools, normal schools and the 
State University. 

Towns are generally divided into a number of school districts, in each of which the school 
affairs are in charge of a district school board, consisting of three members, each holding office 
for three years, one being elected at each annual school meeting. The officers of this board are 
Director, Treasurer and Clerk. The Clerk reports to the Town Clerk, and the Town Clerk to 
the County Superintendent. Some towns have what is called the township system, with one 
school board for the whole town. 

The schools in cities are generally under the control of a Board of Education, and in 
charge of a city Superintendent of schools. 

In most of the cities and in some of the villages, the schools are graded, the highest grade 
being called the high school. 

The schools of the State are principally supported by local taxation, district and county. 
The remainder of their support, about one-thirteenth, comes from the income of the State school 
fund, which amounts at present to about 40 cents for each child of school age. Some of the 
high schools under certain regulations receive special aid from the State. ' 

From lack of normal schools, academies and colleges within her boundaries or near them, 
Columbia County has nt> reason to boast of her educational advantages, except such as are 
furnished by her high, graded and common schools. Of the latter she has good reason to be 
proud. The ample provision made by the State for common schools has been liberally supple- 
mented bv the tax-payers of this county. The need of the influence and inspiration derived 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 547 

from institutions of higher culture is greatly felt, but the want is being rapidly outgrown by 
reason of the increased facilities for getting to and from places of higher learning. 

The early schools of Columbia County were, like all others in a new country, small in their 
beginnings. Previous to 1850, Eliza Haight taught a private school at "the portage," as did 
also Delos Brown in the year just mentioned. The first district formed in the vicinity of Cam- 
bria was in 1848 ; a schoolhouse was built in the same year, and a public school taught by 
Miss Betsy Griffin. In 1852, Julia Landt taught in the town of Newport, near Kilbourn, for 
$1.25 per week, and "board around; " and Frances Howard taught the same school for $2.50 
per week, and boarded herself 

The first year of public schools reported was in 1849, when the average wages paid male 
teachers were $11.75 a month; female, $5.39. The average value of the schoolhouses for each 
town in the State was $575, which for the eleven towns reported of Columbia County, would 
give an aggregate of $6,223.25; and, if the forty-one districts in these towns that reported had 
each a schoolhouse, the average value would be about $150. 

Just thirty years after this, in 1879, the county contained 146 " regular " school districts, 
with schoolhouses valued on the average at over $500 each. There were also seventy-three 
"parts" of districts, and forty "joint " districts. The average wages paid male teachers were 
$37.07 per month, and female teachers, $20.87. The whole number of children of school age in 
the county is 8,550, of whom 6,370 have attended school. Outside of school age, which is from 
four to twenty years, eighty-three have also attended public schools. To teach all these, 272 
different teachers have been employed during the year 1879, only 163 of whom could be teach- 
ing during the same term. The total amount of money received by the county for school pur- 
poses, from all sources, was very nearly $46,000, of which there has been paid out for teachers' 
wages alone the sura of $32,167. The total expense of the common schools of Columbia County 
for 1879 was very nearly $58,000, or about $9 for each one of those attending school. 

Through the agency of teachers' associations and institutes, the more advanced ideas and 
methods of modern teaching are disseminated throughout the county, and many good teachers 
are found in the common schools even at the present low rate of wages. This year (1880) is 
also witnessing an increased activity in the building of new schoolhouses, and the repairing of 
old ones, and the introducing of modern and improved styles of school furniture and apparatus. 

Exclusive of the high schools in the cities of Portage and Columbus, there is a free high 
school at Lodi. This was established as a graded school in September, 1864, with A. J. Riley 
as Principal at a salary of $850. In 1869, a high-school building was built, and for five years 
Mr. Yocum was Principal. He was followed in 1874 by A. A. Miller, and subsequently, ih 
1877, by W. E. Todd, who is still Principal and has done much to give the school its present 
excellent reputation. On the 29th of March, 1878, the building was burned down and a new 
one afterward erected at a cost of about $8,000. There are six departments, employing as 
many teachers, with an attendance of 275 pupils, seventy-five of whom are in the high-school 
department. 

In the village of Kilbourn there is a graded school of five departments, employing six 
teachers, with an attendance of 384 pupils. The schoolhouse was built in 1869 at a cost of 
$16,000, and the annual running expenses for 1879 were about $2,750. 

At Cambria, a school of two departments was organized in 1859, and enlarged to three 
departments in 1869. In 1867, the total enrollment of scholars was 311, and again in 1879 
the number was 253. The total expense yearly of running the school is $1,125. In the list of 
Principals are the names of Henry Rust, J. J. Lloyd, Orson Kellogg, D. A. Strong, Kennedy Scott 
and Zed. Merrill. There is also a school of two departments and three teachers at Poynette, 
which was first organized in the fall of 1862, with Miles T. Alverson as Principal. The total 
expense that year was $400. The number of children enrolled in the district was 127, and the 
attendance in both departments 103. The total attendance in 1880 is about 140, and the 
annual expense of running the school over $1,000. To within a year two teachers only have 
been employed. Besides these there are schools of two departments at Wyocena, Pardeeville, 



648 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Rio, Fall River and Randolph, all of which tend to draw in the larger scholars from the sur- 
rounding country districts. 

The supervision of schools was in the care of town Superintendents until the close of 1861, 
when the county superintendency was adopted. The first to fill the oflBce of County Superin- 
tendent of Schools of Columbia County was D. W. Rosenkrans, of Columbus, six years, 1862- 
67 ; then Levi Bath, of Columbus, two years, 1868-69 ; J. J. Lloyd, of Cambria, two years, 
1870-'71 ; L. J. Burlingame, of West Point, three years, 1872-74 ; Kennedy Scott, five years, 
1875-79, and the incumbent, Henry Neill, of Caledonia, elected for the term of 1880-81. 

COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. 

The following, are the towns, cities and villages in Columbia County entitled each to one 
representative upon the County Board : 

Towtfs. — Arlington, Caledonia, Columbus, Courtland, Dekorra, Fort Winnebago, Fountain 
Prairie, Hampden, Leeds, Lewiston, Loili, Lowville, Marcellon, Newport, Otsego, Pacific, Ran- 
dolph, Scott, Springvale, West Point and Wyocena — 21. 

Cities. — Columbus, First Ward, Second Ward, Third Ward ; Portage, First Ward, Second 
Ward, Third Ward, Fourth Ward, Fifth Ward— 8. 

Villages. — Cambria, Kilbourn City, Lodi, Randolph (West Ward) — 4. 

The following are the names of the membei's of the Board of County Commissioners and 
Board of Supervisors for the years mentioned : 

County CommissionerH.* — 1846 — Solomon Leach, J. Q. Adams, John Langdon.f 

1847— R. F. Veeder, N. Griffin, J. D. McCall. 

1848 — J. Q. Adams, J. J. Guppey, G. M. Bartholomew. 

1849 — J. C. Carr, LaFayette Hill, John 0. Jones. 

Board of Supervisors. — 184!t — A. A. Brayton, S. Brayton, 0. Kincaid, J. 0. Jones, W. 
T. Whirry, AV. K. Custar, L. Warner, J. Williams, W. W. Patton, Linus Blair, Edwin Sylves- 
ter, M. C. Bartholomew, Bishop Johnson — 13. 

1850 — Jeremiah Drake, J. Kerr, J. Hewett, J. Seavey, J. Whitney, E. Cook, B. Johnson, 

D. Bisbee, J. 0. Jones, J. Williams, A. A. Brayton, 0. Kincaid, 0. C. Howe, I. Polley, T. 
Dalziel, E. Lee — 16. 

1851 — Joseph Kerr, J. Q. Adams, D. S. Bushnell, G. M. Bartholomew, F. C. Curtis, 
Thomas Dalziel, J. H. Guptil, J. 0. Jones, A. C. Ketchum, 0. Kincaid, Elijah Lee, J. W. 
Rhoades, J. Rood, T. C. Smith, R. H. Mead, Jesse Van Ness, J. Whitney — 17. 

1852 — Joseph Kerr, J. Q. Adams, G. M. Bartholomew, M. F. Cass, William W. Drake, 
J. M. Forrest, F. Folsom, Elijah Lee, R. H. Mead, John Pate, M. W. Patton, D. Vandercook, 
Jesse Van Ness, D. White, C. J. Chapin, R. Closs, F. C. Curtis, F. E. Whiton— 18. 

1853— Jesse Van Ness, W. G. Simons, W. H. Young, W. W. Drake, J. C. Carr, G. D. 
Mead, J. F. Hand, D. White, J. S. Richmond, C. H. Moore, H. Converse, J. 0. Jones. R. H. 
Mead, Benjamin Williams, W. Wiley, E. Williams, Abram Dates, Samuel Reeder, J. Christy, 

E. Lee— 20. 

1854 — F. C. Curtis, M. Barden, John Hagan, E. A. Tolles, George Wall, H. Converse, 
J. 0. Jones, R. H. Mead, F. Folsom, D. White, J. S. Richmond, Peter Van Ness, M. C. Bar- 
tholomew, John Derr, J. A. Bowen, E. F. Lewis, J. C. Carr, E. A. McDowell, Benjamin Dow, 
W. T. Whirry, W. H. Young— 21. 

1855 — M. W. Patton, Nathan Hazen, Thomas Robertson, N. Griffin, J. Drake, S. Cook, 
John Hagan, J. Walton, J. Montgomery, I. C. Sargent, F. C. Curtis, M. C. Bartholomew, 
Jacob Jacobia, J. Seavey, Ed. Dawes, F. Folsom, Benjamin Dow, Andrew Dunn, J. N. Hardy, 
John 0. Jones, S. W. Walker, S. H. Briggs— 22. 

1856— F. C. Curtis, A. N. Smith, Thomas Robertson, W. W. Drake, F. G. Randall, 
Daniel AVhite, J. C. Carr, J. Devlin, Ed. Fairbanks, J. Ewing, Jr., S. Dutton, M. F. Cass, E. 

♦The fii-st officer named in each year, in this Board, and in tlie Board of Supervisors, waa Chairman. 
fDid not qualify. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 549 

Dawes, C. S. Tompkins, William Weir, G. G. Marvin, M. W. Patton, N. White, W. M. Blair, 
T. Tirrill, N. Goodall, Josiah Arnold— 22. 

1857 — Peter Van Ness, J. Austin, Alexander McDonald, W. W. Drake. R. H. Mead, 
Daniel White, S. M. Smith, A. Sweany, E. Fairbanks, S. A. Wheeler, W. G. Simons, W. T. 
Bradley, Samuel Dunn, J. H. Bonney, Ed. Dawes, Frank Folsom, J. P. McGregor, William 
Weir, R. T. Graves, M. Barden, J. 0. Jones, H. Converse — 22. 

1858— J. C. Carr, J. Austin, J. Williams, Thomas Robertson. W. M. Griswold, D. White, 
A. Sweany, Henry Lull, S. Dunn, W. T. Bradley, J. B. Dwinnell, J. Devine, J. H. Bonney, 
S. Blood, F. G. Smythe, Francis Wood, L. G. Sever, S. E. Dana, G. N. Richmond, R. S. 
Stoyell, R. T. Graves, M. Barden, Evan Meredith, J. Pound, H. W. Roblier— 25. 

" 1859 — J. C. Carr, J. T. Hillyer, Thomas Robertson, J. D. Jones, William M. Griswold, 
W. Waugh, L. Sweany, W. K. Custar, W. N. Baker, James Devine, J. F..Hand, C. L. Brown, 
M. M. Williams, J. Bowman, J. L. Burk, F. Wood, P. Sheehan, John Graham, A. M. Craig, 
J. Collins, A. Warren, M. Barden, E. Meredith, Ira PoUey, N. B. Ellis— 25. 

I860— W. N. Baker, J. T. Hillyer, W. Stevenson, W. Bump, Thomas Silsbee, D. White, 
J. Q. Adams, 0. S. Smith, Ed. Fairbanks, James Devine, Delos Bundy, C. L. Brown, S. A. 
Knapp, J. W. King, C. S. Tompkins, Henry Emder, S. E. Dana, A. P. Bennett, H. W. 
Emery, A. Weir, Abram Warren, M. Barden, R. B. Sanderson, N. Coapman, Ira Policy — 25. 

1861— W. N. Baker, H. J. Sill, W. Stevenson, S. Harvey, A. G. Cook, Hugh Jamieson, 
0. S. Smith, E. H. Wood, J. H. Sutton, L. A. Squire, L. D. Dean, J. F. Hand, S. A. 
Knapp, J. W. King, J. L. Burk, Andrew Weir, Ed. O'Keeffe, John Graham, S. S. Brannan, 
G. H. Osborn, G. G. Marvin, J. 0. Jones, M. Barden, George Yule, E. B. Blaisdell — 25. 

1862 — Levi W. Barden, C. L. Brown, Marcus Barden. 

1863 — Levi W. Barden, C. L. Brown, Marcus Barden. 

1864— W. W. Drake, G. M. Bartholomew, M. Barden. 

1865— W. W. Drake, G. M. Bartholomew, M. Barden. 

1866— W. W. Drake, E. F. Lewis, M. Barden. 

1867— Marcus Barden, E. F. Lewis, W. W. Drake. 

1868— E. F. Lewis, W. W. Drake, M. Barden. 

1869— G. M. Bartholomew, Ira H. Ford, J. Meredith. 

1870 — A. J. Turner. H. McFarlane, Alexander Prentice, A. G. Cook, A. W. Ingalsbe, 
H. B. Rust, E. 0. Jones, H. Jamieson, Abram Dates, W. H. Proctor, S. Hasey, L. A. Squire, 
E. F. Lewis, Joel Pruyn, W. H. Young, Hiram Albee, George Smith, D. B. Kuney, J. L. 
Burk, B. F. Flower, Thomas Dalton, S. S. Brannan, E. Arthur, W. W. Corning, S. S. Tor- 
bert, S. M. Smith, M. Barden, J. R. Rowlands, Jr., F. 0. Sisson, E. B. Blaisdell— 30. 

1871— William M. Griswold, H. McFarlane, J. G. Staudenmayer, E. 0. Jones, W. W. 
Drake, G. M. Bennett, John McKenzie, Charles Sweany, H. C. Field, Samuel Hasey, D. B. 
Kuney, L. A. Squire, E. B. Craig, Joel Pruyn, Samuel Dunn, H. Albee, George Smith, J. L. 
Burk, Stephen Calverly, L. G. Bever, John Gates, Daniel Wells, W. W. Corning, C. Wheeler, 
G. G. Marvin, M. Barden, J. R. Rowlands, J. L. Farr, E. B. Blaisdell, S. M. Smith— 30. 

1872 — A. J. Turner, H. McFarlane, J. G. Staudenmayer, E. 0. Jones, I. Smith, E. E. 
Chapin, G. M. Bennett, J. McKenzie, Charles Sweany, H. C. Field, C. S. Tompkins, D. B. 
Kuney, L. A. Squire, Albert Sharf, A. Eaton, John Foote, Samuel Dunn, Hiram Albee, George 
Smith, J. Boutwell, J. L. Porter, L. Prehn, James Fyfe, B. Doherty, W. W. Corning, John 
Chamberlin, M. Barden, J. R. Rowlands, J. L. Farr, C. J. Pardee, S. M. Smith — 31. 

187-3 — A. J. Turner, H. McFarlane, J. G. Staudenmayer, E. 0. Jones, J. J. Sutton, E. E. 

Chapin, G. M. Bennett, J. McKenzie, Abram Dates, H. C. Field, Samuel Hasey, P. G. Stroud, 

. W. C. Kleinert, Albert Sharf, A. Eaton, J. Foote, Samuel Dunn, Hiram Albee, I. W. York, J. 

Boutwell, S. Calverly, Louis Prehn, S. S. Brannan, B. Doherty, J. Collins, W. T. Whirry, M. 

Barden, J. R. Rowlands, J. L. Farr, Charles Spear, J. Stolker — 31. 

1874 — A. J. Turner, H. McFarlane, J. G. Staudenmayer, R. J. Rowlands, Paul Miller, 
W. M. Griswold, C L. Dering, H. A. Whitney, G. M. Bennett, J. McKenzie, Charles Sweany, 



650 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

H. C. Field, John Derr, M. Griffin, W. C. Kleinert, Alber; Sharf, A. Eaton, John Foote, 
Samuel Dunn, Hiram Albee, A. Chamberlin, J. Boutwell, Edward Smith, Peter Mahon, Will- 
iam Meacher, Evan Arthur, W. W. Corning.* Samuel Clark, Marcus Barden, J. R. Rowlands, 
J. A. Parr, C. J. Pardee, W. T. Whirryf— 33. 

1875 — A. J. Turner, Hiram Albee, Evan Arthur, Alan Bogue, Stephen Calverly, Samuel 
Clark, John Derr, John Foote, Michael Griffin, Alfred Hasey, J. C. Hoppin, D. M. Hall, Evan 
0. Jones, Hugh Jamieson, J. R. Jones, W. C. Kleinert, Matthew Lowth, John W. Lee, I. G. 
Loomis, Peter Mahon, William Meacher, W. H. Proctor, Charles J. Pardee, F. G. Randall, J. 
G. Staudenmayer, Charles Sweany, Albert Sharf, John Sawyer, Joseph Stalker, Matbias Traut. 
James Wilson, Jr., I. W. York, George Yule — 33. 

1876 — A. J. Turner, Alan Bogue, William Black, M. W. Patton, Matthew Lowth, J. R. 
Decker, A. Hasey, N. C. Bissell, John W. Lee, A. Hastie, Charles Sweany. 0. W. Field, John 
Derr, P. G. Stroud, W. C. Kleinert, Peter Tennison, James Wilson, A. Eaton, F. C. Curtis, 0. 

D. Coleman, I. W. York, T. Thompson, Edward Smith, Peter Mahon, S. S. Brannan, S. S. 
Johnson, I. G. Loomis, John Sanderson, John Sawyer, John R. Jones, John Evans, C. J. Par- 
dee, Joseph Stalker — 33. 

1877 — J. R. Decker, Alan Bogue, Charles McLeish, John Davis, Matthew Lowth, A. 
Hasey, A. G. Cook, John W. Lee, A. Hastie, Charles Sweany, W. H. Proctor, Thomas San- 
derson, P. G. Stroud, W. C. Kleinert, Albert Sharf, James Wilson, Addison Eaton, F. C. Cur- 
tis, 0. D. Coleman, I. W. York, Thornton Thompson, J. L. Porter, Jacob Bauer, LI. Breese, 
M. Waterhouse, C. C. Britt, N. H. Wood, John Sanderson, D. C. Merrill, John D. Jones, A, 
Vanderpoel, Stephen Calverly, Joseph Stalker — 33. 

1878— J. R. Decker, Alan Bogue, Robert Whitelaw, J. J. Edwards, J. W. Leffingwell, A. 
Hasey, C. L. Dering, John J. Lloyd, A. Hastie, Charles Sweany, M. C. Hobart, J. Montgom- 
ery, P. G. Stroud, L. L. Phinney, John H. Clark, Charles Goodall, Addison Eaton, F. C. Cur- 
tis, Asa Smith, I. W. York, Samuel Sampson, Henry Jennings, Jacob Bauer, William Meacher, 

E. C. Maine, C. C. Britt, N. H. Wood, J. B. Smith, D. C. Merrill, John D. Jones, J. A. Parr, 
Stephen Calverly, G. C. Foster— 33. 

1879— J. R. Decker, Alan Bogue, Robert Whitelaw, E. W. Lloyd, J. W. Leffingwell. A. 
Hasey, Hobart R. Cook, D. D. Morris, J. R. Hastie, Charles Sweany, M. C. Hobart, Edward 
Fairbanks, P. G. Stroud, L. L. Phinney, John H. Clark, Charles Goodall, Addison Eaton, John 
W. Palmer, Asa Smith, L W. York, Hans H. Tongen, Edward Smith, Jacob Bauer, George 
Shackell, Sr., Evan Arthur, R. C. Rockwood, C. Collipp, J. B. Smith, John Sawyer, John 
Leatherman, Julius A. Parr, M. G. Tucker, G. C. Foster — 33. 

1880— Alan Bogue, C. F. Mohr, Evan W. Loyd, J. W. Leffingwell, M. Burnham, Alfred 
Hasey, H. A. Whitney, D. D. Morris, J. R. Hastie, Charle^ Sweaney, Spencer Randall, H. R. 
Clark, William C. Kleinert, John H. Clark, James Wilson, Addison Eaton, .James Price, P. G. 
Stroud, Asa Smith, I. W. York, H. Phillips, Andrew Weir, John Brickwell, George Shackell, 
Evan Arthur, M. T. Alverson, C. C. Collipp, Thomas Williams, Marcus Barden, John Leather- 
man, William H. Cook, R. C. Falkner, G. C. Foster, — 33. Chairman not yet elected for 
1880. 

authors and artists. 
Hattie Tyng Grlswold 

was born in Boston on the 26th of January, 1842. She is the daughter of the Rev. Dudley 
Tyng, a Universalist divine, now deceased. At the age of eleven years she came with her 
parents to Wisconsin, and when fourteen years old began to attract attention as one marked 
with literary ability by her short stories and poems in the Madison State Journal. She also 
wrote for the Knickerbocker Magazine and the Home Journal, New York publications of note, 
and the Louisville Courier-Journal. In 1878, Mrs. Griswold collected many of her poems 

• Resigned and Charles C. Dow appointed. 

t W. T. Whirry, deceased, and J. Stalker appointed. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 551 

and published them, with others not before given in printer's ink, in a neat little volume entitled 
"Apple Blossoms." 

*' These poems illustrate this fact, that a born singer must sing, no matter how or where ; no 
matter what coveted boons of culture fortune may withhold, or how niggardly fate may be of 
outward advantage. Mrs. Griswold is a student of nature and sings the emotions of common 
humanity. Hers is a healthful, hopeful, songful book for everybody who has soul enough to 
love a singing bird and sense to appreciate truth. The sun is called the sun, not Phoebus, in 
this book, and home here is home, and heart, simply heart. The author seems to love the 
unpretending household phrase of the land, and she knows no disdain for any soul of humanity, 
who is sincere and earnest and truth-seeking." 

One of the Apple Blossoms is 

" INACHIEVED. 

" I am sad for the poems which have been but dreamed, 

For the books which have never been writ, • ' 

For the pictifres which never on canvas have gleamed, 
For the thought which no language would fit. 

" I am sad for the songs that have burdened the brain 
Of the singer, but could not find birth : 
For the melodies struggling, and struggling in vain, 
To break on the world with their worth. 

" 1 am sad for the work which has never been wrought 
By the hands which were pinioned and pent ; 
I lament that the deed could not equal the thought. 
Nor the action the spirit's intent. 

" Alas ! for the deeds wliich have never been done, 
So heroic, and grand, and sublime ; 
Alas ! for the battles which have not been won, 
In this contest with life and with time. 

" Alas I for the possible loves in the heart 
Of the man who loves never at all ; 
For the sadness and sorrow of lives set apart, 
Who might have found joy in love's thrall. 

" Ah, me ! fur the idols we make to our souls, 
And who live not, save in our ideal ; 
Alas ! for the sorrow that over us rolls, 

When our dreams are dispersed by the real. 

" Every life has two strands : the life that we see. 
And the other, that which might have been ; 
The being we are, and the one we might be — 
Who shall say where they end or begin ? 

" And who, that there is not success in defeat, 
And a failure in every success ; 
That the battle-field held may not be a retreat, 
And the wrong that we suffer, redress ?" 

An intelligent critic pronounced Mrs. Griswold's book one of rare merit. He says an 
undertone of sadness, a refrain of grief and pathos, runs through all her poems ; but their les- 
son is always of patience and resignation and hope, rather than despondency or despair. Their 
sadness is that of life and of a woman's heart, when it has known " a sorrow's crown of sor- 
rows," such as is portrayed in 

"THREE KISSES. 

" I have three kisses in my life 
So sweet and sacred unto me. 
That now, till death-dews on them rest, 
My lips shall ever kissless be. 

"One kiss was given in childhood s hour. 
By one who never gave another ; 
Through life and death, I still shall feel 
That last kiss of my mother. 



552 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

" The next kiss burned by lips for years ; 
For years my wild heart reeled in bliss 
At every memory of that hour, 

When my lips felt young love's first kiss. 

"The last kiss of the sacred three 

Had all the woe %vhich e'er can move 
The heart of woman ; it was pressed 
Upon the dead lips of my love. 

" When lips have felt the dying kiss, 
And felt the kiss of burning love, 
And kissed the dead, tlien nevermore 
In kissing should they think to move." 

One of this poet's gifted friends truly says of her : " She writes out of the fullness of a 
rich nature. She has thrilled at the heroism and self-sacrifice of Father Marquette, and has 
told tenderly a mother's sorrow over ' A little one quietly sleeping.' " " Apple Blossoms " has 
reached its second volume. 

Sarah Dyer Hobart 

is the daughter of Wayne B. Dyer, and was born at Otsego, in Columbia County, in 1846. 
She commenced her literary career at the age of eighteen, writing for the local newspapers. She 
has written a number of poems of acknowledged merit, among them, "The Record of Company 
B," " The Legend of St. Freda "' and " Hector's Recompense. " As a regular prose contributor 
to the Toledo Blade she wrote over the nom de plume of " Floyd Bentley." Her superior talents 
as a musician have won for her a reputation reaching beyond local confines, and of late years 
she has turned her attention almost exclusively to the divine art of melody. The follow- 
ing is 

"THE RECORD OF COMPANY B. 

" At the open door of the cottage, 
With a book upon her knee, 
A fair-haired child sat reading 
The record of Company B. 

" ' Father, the names are many. 

And the lists are long,' she said ; 
' But tell me, who are the living. 

And who were the wounded and dead.' 

" Then he took the ancient record 
And laid it on his knee, 
And he told, in the purple twilight, 
The story of Company B. 

" They came fmm the heart of the prairie, 
These men so brave and true. 
Who left their homes and dear ones, 
To march in the army-blue. 

" One hundred stalwart yeomen. 
Plowing in springtime sweet. 
Gathering the sheaves in autumn, 
Reaping the ripened wheat. 

" They marched in storm and sunshine, 
They fought in the battle-rain ; 
Ah me ! 'twas different labor 
From gathering golden grain. 



' In the wild Virginia mountains 
8ome rendered up their lives. 
With prayers for the stricken country. 
With prayers for mothers and wives. 



•HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 653 

" On the plains of sunny Georgia 
Others were laid to rest, 
With traitor-soil around them, 
And its clods upon their breast. 

" Some died on the dreary marches — 
Hungry, weary and worn — 
And some in Southern prisons, 
From friends and comrades torn. 

" And when the crippled remnant 
Came back, and peace was given, 
Of the hundred who enlisted, 
» The veterans were but seven. 

" By many a blue- waved river. 
And where old ocean's surge 
Wakes through the solemn ages 
An anthem and a dirge — 

" Unmoved by bugle's summons 
Or drum's deep reveille, 
While angels guard above, 
Sleep the men of Company B. 

" ' Ah me ! ' she sighed, 'the record 

Is sad, and full of pain; • 

Praise God, the war is over. 
And the land's at rest again ! 

" ' But I'm proud that, when the country 
Was torn from sea to sea, 
My father fought to save her 
In the ranks of Company B.' " 

The following brief extract clearly shows the remarkable power of Mrs. Hobart as a poet. 
Jt is from a poem entitled 

" UNREQUITED. 

" I gave my all, with a lavish hand, 
With a holy love, with a purpose grand ; 
I robbed my life of its rarest flowers, 
To brighten another's lonely hours. 

" I crushed my pride with an iron will. 
To shield another from pain and ill; 
For I said, ' When the night of gloom shall cease, 
Above me shall dawn the morn of peace.' \ 

" In vain ! In vain ! The years roll on, 
And the joy of youth is forever gone ; 
And the happy bird on the wind-tossed tree 
Singeth no song of bliss for me. 

" mother earth, on thy bosom brown 
Let the child in painless rest lie down ; 
Hope's bark lies wrecked on the rocks of time. 
And the boon I crave shall never be mine. " 

Le Boy Irons. 

In his former home at Winfield, N. Y., the early days of Le Roy Irons were full of the 
brightest promise of a fine literary career. He was the life of society, the ready writer of prose or 
verse. But with failing health, commenced the struggle against fate. He came to Columbus 
about the year 1867. He contributed largely to the Republican, of that city, and, for about 
three months, had editorial control of the paper. He was, also, for a few months, local editor 
of the Duluth Morning Call. He at one time contributed largely to the columns of the New 
York Ledger, and was almost always writing for the local papers where he might be living. 



554 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Some of the best of his poems were collected in 1876, and published under the title of " Cen- 
tennial Columbia." From this work is selected a short poem, as illustrative of his facility of 
versification, entitled 

" HESTLING. 

" Come, ilarling, fair darling, creep into the fold, 
The winters are long, and the frosts are cold, 
And the snows for your feet are many-fold. 

"Come, darling, bright darling, the nest is so warm, 
And the world is so sorrowful under the storm ; 
Creep to thy nesting-place, happy and warm. 

" And darling, oh 1 darling, sweet daisy of ours, 
Half life is toilsome, half golden with flowers. 
Half tempest and shadow, half sunshine and showers. 

" Then come while you may, darling, unto your rest. 
The moon breaks the clouds, ragged edged, in the west. 
Creep in while you may to your warm, warm nest." 

He was married, in the spring of 1872, to Miss Frank Langworthy, of Clarksville, N. Y. 
He died in April, 1877, leaving his wife and little daughter to mourn his loss. 

Mrs. a. C. Kellogg. 

The maiden name of Mrs. A. C. Kellogg was Harriet R. Aokerman. She was born in 
the town of Brownville, Jefferson Co., N. Y. When quite young, she was put in boarding- 
school (at Fairfield Seminary, Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y.), where she remained several 
years. She evinced a decided taste for the study of nature. Her parents, thinking this merely a 
childish freak, compelled her to fill up her spare time with music, which she considered of minor 
value. Leaving this branch, she commenced the study of art, and soon drew and painted in a 
very creditable manner for the time and advantage she had in her course at Fairfield. 

At the age of eighteen, she assumed the responsibilities of teacher of the art department 
in the same institution, which position she filled three years. She afterward taught nearly two 
years in Hungerford Collegiate Institute, until the building was destroyed by fire. While in 
these institutions, she did much for the cultivation of art. She then made preparations to con- 
tinue the study of art in New York City and Philadelphia, when she was urged to accept the 
vocation of art teaching in the Wesleyan Female College at Wilmington, Del., where she 
remained two years, teaching a class of young ladies and zealously pursuing her art studies. 
She visited Philadelphia two and three times a week, having access to Mr. Earl's gallery, mean- 
while receiving several complimentary notices through the press. 

Miss Ackerman came to Wisconsin, in the summer of 1870, with the intention of return- 
ing when the fall term commenced at Hungerford Collegiate Institute, which was then rebuilt. 
Her health being delicate, she concluded to remain in this State. She has since instructed a 
large number of pupils in oil painting, and has done much for the cultivation of art in Portage. 

She was married to Dr. A. C. Kellogg September 27, 1871. 

" The Valley in Autumn," Wisconsin scenery, is a painting on which Mrs. Kellogg has 
lavished much wealth of coloring. Its title is suggestive ; a widespread and faithful landscape, 
with perspective handsomely displayed, and a general effect whose beauty is marred by no hasty 
finish of details. The water, transparent and yielding, reflects with soft luster what the bank 
presents. Still beyond the scenes already noted, there stretch away the Baraboo hill-tops, 
their summits tipped with the radiance of the sun. It possesses a freshness of color that 
charms, an atmosphere elastic, yet subdued and mellowed by the genial rays of an autumn sun. 

"The Brook Trout" is a painting also worthy of special mention. It is much smaller 
than the one already spoken of. Its harmony of color is excellent, and the trout, that seem to 
have just been taken from the crystal brook, are very life-like. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 555 



PRESIDENT HAYES AND PARTY. 



Tuesday, September 10, 1878, was a gala day in Portage. Attached to the regular 8 
o'clock train from St. Paul, was a special car, containing President Hayes and party, consisting 
in all of forty-six gentlemen and ladies. The distinguished visitors were received at the depot 
by the Uuppey Guard, with the Schulze Band, and a large number of prominent citizens of Port- 
age ; also by a committee of gentlemen — Horace Rublee, L. B. Caswell, George W. Burchard, 
Sat. Clark and H. M. Lewis — who came up from Madison the evening before to escort the party to 
the State capital. Amid the commingling of cheers and music, the guests were escorted to the din- 
ing-hall of the Fox House, where an excellent breakfast awaited them. After partaking of the 
morning repast, the President was introduced by Mr. Caswell. He expressed himself pleased 
to meet and become acquainted with people of the Northwest, spoke of his recent visit to Dakota 
and the Red River country, and said that what had been regarded in years past as the " Great 
American Desert" was in fact a region of almost unlimited agricultural and mineral resources. 
He said he had become a convert to the advice of Horace Greeley — " Go West, young man." 

The President then introduced Attorney General Devens, who was pleased to meet everybody, 
especially those with whom he had been associated during the war. " The material evidences 
of the war are sinking out of sight every day ; the fortifications and entrenchments, which have 
been the scenes of conflict, are gradually vanishing from sight. So every other evidence of 
the war should sink out of sight except the grand result — freedom for all men." 

Mrs. Hayes, being introduced, smiled pleasantly and bowed gracefully to the assemblage. 
The distinguished party then arose, and, escorted by the Guppey Guard, the Schulze Band and 
the committee from Madison as escort, boarded the train and took their departure. 

COLUMBIA county's WAR RECORD. 

Treason, always despicable, even unto the eyes of traitors, never became more intensely 
odious than in 18G1, when the climax of a conspiracyj long brewing, was reached, and the best 
government under the sun found itself face to face with an unholy and unrighteous civil war. 
The object of the South in attempting a separation of the Union was the erection of a great 
slave empire, encircling the Mexican Gulf; the duty of the North was clearly to prevent the 
success of a scheme so monstrous and inhuman. The fii'st movements of the Confederates were 
made under very favorable circumstances. They were in possession of many of the chief 
national offices, and they very largely controlled the army and the navy. Their military plan 
embraced three principal objects— ^the seizure of the forts and coast defenses, the capture of the 
national capital and the possession of the Mississippi River. The South was, nevertheless, thrown 
upon the defensive from the beginning of the struggle, and very soon effectually beleaguered. It 
was the unfaltering aim of the North to bring the war to a close, with as little bloodshed as pos- 
sible, by the capture of Richmond, the rebel capital ; but the first forward movement terminated 
almost disastrously at Bull Run on the 21st of July, 1861. This battle, however, was without 
military significance, since it did not secure the seizure of Washington by the rebels. It taught 
the North the real nature of the terrific struggle in which they were engaged. On the day 
after the battle. Congress voted $500,000,000 and called for 500,000 volunteers. From that 
moment the rebellion was doomed. This act of President Lincoln and his patriotic Congress 
increased the nation's confidence in them to deal the righteous blow, and, at the same time, 
struck terror to the hearts of the Secessionists. 

The responses to the call were immediate and of the most encoui-aging character. Already 
a previous call for three-months' volunteers had been filled. No State in the Union was more 
prompt in sending forward volunteers than was Wisconsin, and no part of Wisconsin responded 
with greater vigor than did Columbia County. When the first call for troops was made, the 
Portage Light Guard immediately offered its services to the Governor. Simultaneous action on 
the part of other military organizations 'throughout the State, more favorably situated, for a 



556 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

time delayed the Governor's acceptance, and the Light Guard was compelled to take a place as 
Company G in the Second Regiment of Infantry, being mustered in at Camp Randall, on the 
11th of June, 1861. With it went the heartfelt sympathies of the citizens of Columbia County 
for the integrity of the Government. It was the substantial result of their first patriotic efforts 
toward maintaining that Government. But they did not pause. Volunteers continued to go 
forward until the serpent-twined palmetto had ceased to wave, and the " peculiar institution," 
slavery, was entombed, never again to exist in a free and enlightened country. 

From the descriptive book of Company G, now in the possession of Capt. C. C. Dow, of 
Portage, the following correct list of the names of those who joined its ranks is obtained. It 
is an authentic roll of Columbia County's first contribution to the grand army that preserved 
the Union : 

Capt. John Mansfield, First Lieut. A. S. Hill, Second Lieut. S. K. Vaughan, Sergeants 
— W. S. M. Abbott, *G. W. Marsh, Charles D. Ettinger, John G. Kent. Corporals — Julius 
C. Chandler, Hervey G. Clark, *Charles C. Dow, Horace E. Emerson, J. C. Allen, E. S. 
Fletcher, 0. F. Winnie and *Charles P. Austin. Musicians — * Anson Linscott and J. A. 
Stanton. 

Privates— M. C. Alfred, Henry Acker, A. 0. Adams, E. S. Best, R. 0. Batson, G. W. 
Briffett, G. W. Blanchard, C. Bloom, P. V. Brisbois, A. R. Clement, H. R. Cofiin, D. F. 
Crane, T. F. Cowing, J. M. Carr, 0. W. Davis, J. B. Divin, W. Dean, T. H. Dolan, E. H. 
Dorsey, J. Chapman, G. Elterman, T. Fletcher, G. Folinsbee, E. Fout, F. J. Gilmore, J. H. 
Grace, S. H. Hammond, F. D. Helmes, G. Hill, *W. Holden, C. P. Heath, J. House, 
G. H. Irwin, P. C. Irvine, J. Jacobsen, I. Jordan, F. Kanzenbeck, G. Leclair, F. M. Lewis, 
*Archa Linscott, J. Lynch, J. T. Metcalf, J. P. McDermott, S. McHugh, G. H. Miles, S. H. 
Morrison, W. H. Matthewson, G. W. Mack, J. Noonan, P. Maloney, F. Noble, H. Neally, S. A. 
Nichols, D. O'Brien, A. F. Pardee, W. L. Plumsted, M. S. Phillips, C. Rice, E. Rice, C. E. 
Reynolds, J. Russell, H. Rensimer, J. P. Schildgen, G. Slierwood, F. Smith, H. Smith, J. A. 
Snyder, J. Stone, H. Sweetman, M. Sweeney, A. P. Tifi"any, J. X'wycross. J. M. Vantassell, 
W. H. Williams, G. Williams, J. A. .Wisor, R. V. Dey, M. McMahon, W. Whitney and J. 
Chrystie. 

The following enlisted October 7, 1861, at Fort Tillinghast, Va. : Van R. Bentley, C. 
Blackman, J. Castly, A. B. Cole, W. H. Church, *Charles Delaney, S. R. Eggleston, E. Jack- 
son, J. H. Langdon, G. F. Leeds, J. Lester, J. T. Loomer, C. Mooter, R. C. McDonald, E. H. H. 
May, C. R. Mosher, W. L. Pratt, 0. Parker, J. B. Rowell, C. E. Reiley, J. H. Sharpe, J. T. 
Sines, G. Stalker, H. C. Tupper and L. Wilkins. 

Subsecjuent enlistments were as follows : T. J. Staley, November 1, 18lil ; H. S. Cave, 
March 19, 1862; W. T. Davis, December 10, 1868; B. Cooper, January 6, 1864; C. B. 
Allen, J. Ford, W. Wilds, F. O'Neil, G. A. Lupient, M. Kane and D. Bracey, January 16, 
1864; I. S. Allen, *M. W. Hartman and A. Keebaugh, January 26, 1864; R. K. Chrystie, 
February 6, 1864 ; T. W. Jones, W. N. Sheeks, E. Van Horn and H. Williams, February 
17, 1864. 

A brief account of the wonderful experience of Company G is herewith given : The Second 
Regiment was originally enrolled under the President's call for 75,000 three-months volunteers. 
Under orders to rendezvous at Camp Randall, the various companies were organised early in 
May, 1861. Meanwhile, the General Government had decided to accept no more troops for this 
short term of service, and accordingly, on the 16th of May, the regiment was called upon to 
re-enlist "for three years or during the war." With the exception of one company, the entire 
regiment complied enthusiastically. On the 11th of June, the Second Regiment, thus organ- 
ized, was mustered into the United States service, being the first Wisconsin organization so mus- 
tered. On the 20th of the same month, the regiment left for Washington, and was the first body 
of three-years men to appear at the capital. On the 2d of July, tliey were ordered to Fort 
Corcoran, on the Fairfax road, where they were brigaded with three New York regiments, under 

* At preuent residing iD Columbia County. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 557 

Col. (now Gen.), Sherman, and, on the 16th, when the movement on Manassas was made, 
were attached to Gen. Tyler's Division, by whom the enemy was engaged at Blackburn's Ford, 
on Bull Run. On the 21st, the Second Regiment was ordered to assault one of the enemy's 
batteries. They moved up, under a terrific enfilading fire of shell and canister from other bat- 
teries, formed in line at the foot of a hill and charged up, driving back the rebel infantry which 
had emerged from cover in pursuit of a body of our troops just repulsed in a similar assault. 
Here they fought against enormous odds for over an hour, but, the enemy being reinforced, 
were compelled to fall back, having suffered a loss of 30 killed, 105 wounded and 60 prisoners. 

On the 23d, the regiment went into camp near Fort Corcoran, where they remained until 
August 27, when they were transferred from Col. Sherman's command to that of Brig. Gen. 
Rufus King, which then consisted of the Fifth and Sixth Wisconsin and the Nineteenth Indiana, 
composing what afterward became known as the " Iron Brigade." Thus organized, they crossed 
the Potomac on the 5th of September, and, after assisting in the construction of Fort Marcy, 
recrossed the river, and, October 5, went into winter quarters at Fort Tillinghast, on Arlington 
Heights, Va. Here they remained until March 10, 1862, when they took part in the advance 
upon Manassas. Nothing of startling importance occurred until the forenoon of the 28th of 
August. The brigade having been assigned a position in the advance line of the Army of Vir- 
ginia, they proceeded slowly on the left of the ai-my, via Gainesville, to Groveton, where they 
turned to the right on the Bethlehem Church road, and lay under arms until 5 in the afternoon, 
when they returned to the Warrenton pike, marching toward Centerville. While moving by the 
flank, the Second Regiment was attacked by a battery posted on a wooded eminence to the left. 
The regiment promptly advanced upon the battery, and soon encountered the enemy's infantry. 
While awaiting the arrival of the rest of the brigade, this regiment sustained and checked for 
nearly twenty minutes the onset of " Stonewall " Jackson's entire division, under a murderous 
concentric fire of musketry. When the brigade arrived, the battle was continued until 9 in the 
evening, when the enemy was repulsed. 

August 30, the Second, having been temporarily consolidated with the Seventh Wisconsin, 
moved with the brigade in the second line of battle, to assault the enemy's left, posted in a thick 
wood. While engaged in assaulting this position, the success of the rebel attack upon the left 
flank of our army made it necessary to fall back. The " Iron Brigade " formed in line of bat- 
tle, retained the position until the entire army had passed on the road to Centerville. 

The Second Regiment also participated in the movements of the army under the command 
of Gen. McClellan, and, on the 14th of September, with the rest of the brigade, was assigned 
the duty of storming Turner's Pass, of South Mountain, where the rebels were strongly posted 
in a gorge. The enemy was routed and driven from the pass with heavy loss. This movement 
led them to take a prominent part in the battle of Antietam, and afterward in the memorable 
battle of Fredericksburg, December 13. During that winter, the Second engaged in several 
very profitable expeditions in Virginia, under Col. Fairchild, and, in April following, under 
command of Gen. Hooker, forced a passage of the Rappahannock at Fitz Hugh's Crossing, 
driving the rebels from their rifle-pits, and capturing several hundred prisoners. 

June 1, they found themselves near Gettysburg, and the Second, having that day the lead 
of the marching column, first met the enemy, under an order to support Gen. Buford's cavalry. 
The regiment came into line, on the double-quick, behind a slight elevation, and, without wait- 
ing for the rest of the brigade to form, advanced over the crest, and received a volley which cut 
down over 30 per cent of the rank and file. But they dashed upon the enemy's center and 
crushed it, thus checking the rebel advance. At that date, the loss of the Second Regiment 
since its re-enlistment, in killed, wounded and missing, amounted to 652. 

In December, 1863, forty members of the Second Regiment re-enlisted, and, on the 28th 
of January, 1864, arrived at Madison, received their furloughs and dispersed to their homes to 
enjoy a short respite from duty. During the absence of the re-enlisted men, the remainder of 
the Second, with the non-veterans of the brigade, participated in a reconnaissance to the Rapidan 
River. About the 1st of March, the veterans returned to the front, and their regiment was 



558 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

soon after assigned to position in the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifth Army Corps. 
Accompanying the grand forward movement of the Army of the Potomac, under Gens. Grant 
and Meade, the Iron Brigade participated in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania 
Court House, after which, the Second Regiment, having been reduced to less than one hundred 
men present for duty, and having lost both field officers, was detailed as provost guard to the 
Foui'th Division, Fifth Army Corps, thus severing its connection with the " Iron Brigade." 
The battle-scarred members of the regiment followed the destinies of that division in the grand 
movement to the left, arriving June 6 at Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy, where they 
remained until the expiration of their term of service. Those absent on detached duty were 
recalled, and on June 11 the remnant of the regiment took its departure for home, arriving in 
Madison on the 18th, being enthusiastically welcomed. 

By order of the division commander, those who had joined the regiment at various times 
after its original organization were formed into an independent battalion of two companies under 
Capt. D. B. Dailey, and assigned to duty as provost guard of the Fourth Division, Fifth Army 
Corps. Crossing the James River, on the 16th of June, they took part in the battle before 
Petersburg. They participated in various unimportant engagements until November 30, when 
thev were transferred, as Companies G, and H, to the Sixth Wisconsin, with which they were 
thereafter connected until mustered out. The names of those of the original Company G who 
were killed in battle, or died from the effects of wounds or disease, are as follows : 

Bull Run, July 21, 1861 : Killed — Privates Henry R. Coffin, John Christie, John Nooman 
and William H. Williams. 

Gainesville, August 28, 1862 : Killed — Sergt. John G. Kent ; Corps. Owen W. Davis and 
Gustav Leclair ; Privates Charles Bloom, William Dean, Edwin Jackson, John Lester, Randall 
McDonald, George W. Mack, Andrew F. Pardee, Walter C. Plumstead, Monroe L. Phillips, 
Orson Parker, John P. Schildgen, Guy Sherwood, James D. Snyder, and Trevyllian J. Staley. 

Antietam, September 17, 1862 : Killed — Gustav Etterman. 

Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 : Killed — Patrick Moloney and Hanford Tupper. 

Died of wounds — Van R. Bentley and Theodore Fletcher. 

Died of disease — C. B. Allen, Joseph Castley, J. Chapman, John Ford, Stephen McHugh, 
H. Ransaeler, James T. Sines, J. H. Sharpe, Alonzo P. Tiffany. 

Capt. Mansfield was made a Major in February, 1863. He is now Lieutenant Governor of 
California. Lieut. Hill was wounded at the first Bull Run, and also at Antietam ; was pro- 
moted to captaincy in March, 1863 : discharged in July of the same year. Second Lieut. 
Vaughan resigned in September, 1861. Sergt. Dow was wounded in the neck at Gainesville, 
August 28, 1862 ; made a Second Lieutenant in September, 1862 ; promoted to First Lieuten- 
ant in March, 1863, and to a captaincy in August following. The Second Regiment was 
under fire the first time at Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861. Company G went into the battle 
of Gainesville (the second Bull Run) with 54 men and lost in killed and wounded 43 — 13 being 
killed outright. 

Anson Linscott, now a resident of Portage, went out with Company G as a musician at the 
age of fifteen years, and afterward became drum major of the regiment. After the battle of 
Gainesville, young Linscott penned the following brief but graphic letter to his parents in 

Portage : 

Camp near Munson Hii.l, Va., Sept. 3, 1862. 
Dtar FiithtT and Mother: I thought I would write you a few lines about the awful battles we have had. We 
have been under heavy cannon and musket tire and in bittles for the last two weeks. Our regiment is about all gone, 
killed and wounded. There are only about ten men left in our company. The last battle we fought was on the old 
Bull Run battle-field, where we were engaged more than a year ago. I will try and give you a list of the killed. 
*.\rcha was shot through the neck. I was in the rear of the regiment, with the ambulances, taking care of the 
wounded, and saw him fall, but we could not save him : he died in a few minutes. Poor brother, it is hard, but it is 
true. Snyder, Billy Dean, Staley, Kent, Owen Davis, Plumbstead and some others fell dead, and a great many of our 
company are wounded. The regiment has about two hundred and fifty men left. I suppose they will put us in some 
place to stay awhile and recruit ; if they do, I will have a better chance to write to you. I have a poor chance now 

* Recovered ami still living. 







/ A 




tJf 7^K^-^<iy 



PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 561 

to write. We are marcbing and fighting all the time. I got out all safe, but I had many narrow escapes. All of our 
musicians had to go with the ambulances right up into the fight. I tell you, the bombshells and bullets whistled for 
miles around. Several shells hit close to me. Every time I could hear them coming I would drop fiat on the grass. 
It was awful Our regiment stood up and fought like tigers. Some New York troops threw down their arms and 
ran like sheep. Poor Archa was shot through the windpipe and lived only a few minutes. Ii is hard, father, but 
it cannot be helped. Archa took care of me when I was sick. There have been a great many men killed in these 
battles. I will write to you again in a few days and give you more particulars. 

Anson Linscott, 
Drum Major Second Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers — what there is left of them. 

Company D, Fourth Regiment. — This Company was recruited at Kilbourn City, and went 
into camp at Racine, June 6, 1861, with the following commissioned officers : Joseph Bailey, 
Captain ; Walter S. Payn, First Lieutenant ; Edwin R. Herren, Second Lieutenant. On the loth 
of July they left for Baltimore ; remained in Maryland acquiring discipline and drill until Novem- 
ber 4, when they embarked on an expedition to the eastern shore of Virginia. The regiment 
returned to Baltimore and remained until February 19, 1862, when they embarked on transports 
to join the Army of the Gulf, arriving at Ship Island, Miss., on the 12th of March. The hard- 
ships of the voyage engendered much disease, and many of the soldiers found a grave in the sandy 
bosom of this ocean solitude. Were present at the bombardment and capture, by Porter and 
Farragut, of the forts in the Southwest Pass, and formed a part of the array of occupation. In 
May, they embarked in captured transports for an expedition which extended to Vicksburg, near 
which place they engaged some rebel cavalry. Upon the return, they occupied Baton Rouge, 
and in June again moved upon Vicksburg, taking part in the thirty-day siege which followed. 
On the 5th of August, they found themselves once more in Baton Rouge, defending the place 
against an attack by rebels under Breckinridge. The evacuation of Baton Rouge, becoming 
necessary, the Fourth Regiment reached Carrollton, near New Orleans, the latter part of the 
same month, remaining there until December, when they moved against Baton Rouge under 
Gen. Banks, and the New Year found them encamped in the suburbs of that city. Some verv 
successful reconnaissances were made and one battle fought — Bayou Teche — during the succeed- 
ing four months. On the 22d of April, the Fourth was mounted and sent in pursuit of a 
battalion of Texas cavalry. May 7, the army occupied Alexandria, the Fourth being con- 
stantly engaged in expeditions, during one of which they captured " Dick " Taylor's rear guard. 
On the 26th they reached Port Hudson, where, two days later, they led the advance in driving 
the enemy within his works, gaining a commanding position within 100 yards of his fortifica- 
tions, which they held for six days before being relieved. In that fearful carnage the regiment 
lost 5 officers and 55 men killed and wounded. Returning to the siege, they led a charge 
against the works on the 14th of June, from which, out of 220 men, but 80 returned, having 
lost 12 killed, 75 wounded, and 53 missing, the latter having been taken prisoners inside the fort. 

On the 25th of July the regiment returned to Baton Rouge, and in September, 1863, were 
completely equipped as cavalry. Thus mounted, they continued to do excellent service in 
repelling guerrilla raids and preventing rebel communication. The details of their daring exploits 
would make a good-sized volume. On the 2d of August, 1864, they were at San Antonio, 
Tex., and were the first Union troops to penetrate the territory west of that place, engaging 
in frequent expeditions against the Indians. In May, 1866, they encountered a pal'ty of Mexi- 
can marauders, near Brownsville, and killed 6 of them. The Fourth Regiment was mustered 
out of service on the 28th of May, 1866, and reached Madison on the 16th of June. 

The following members of Company D were killed in action : Privates Michael Brown, 
Peter Beaumont, Frank Dawes, Horace Dike, F. C. Ferris, John Kerr, W. P. Stillick and C. 
W. Shafier. Died of wounds : First Lieut. I. N. Earl, Sergt. G. M. Martin, Privates J. W. 
Baldwin, S. C. Grinnols and E. 0. White. Died of disease: Second Lieut W. J. Duffield, 
Sergts. R. S. Chase and A. P. Niles, Corporals Milo Wood and W. McKinstry, Privates D. 
Brewster, J. W. Earl, D. W. Early, 0. S. Foster, H. Garthwait, J. M. Jones, M. M. McCune, 
M. McCarthy, T. Meredith, M. Newell, C. S. Pickard, C. A. Rue, A. Stivers, G. W. Under- 
wood, L. Weiss and S. W. S. West. Died of accidents : J. J. Geer, R. Lyons, W. Manes, 
J. H. Needham and G. Turner. 





562 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Capt. Bailey, in May, 1864, had reached the rank of Brigadier General, by promotion. 
The company, during its existence, had the following Captains, in the order as they appear : 
Joseph Bailey, E. R. Herron, G. C. Pierce and A. C. Ketchum. First Lieutenants : VV. S. 
Payn, E. R. Herron, G. C. Pierce, I. N. Earl, A. C. Ketchum, A. Boynton and D. C. Free- 
land. Second Lieutenants: E. R. Herron, G. C. Pierce, I. N. Earl, W. J. Duffield, A. C. 
Ketchum, A. Boynton, D. C. Freeland and M. Skinner. 

The Seventh Regiment. — Companies A and B, of the Seventh, were from Columbia 
County ; the former from Lodi, and the latter from Portage, known as the Columbia County 
Cadets. Co. A was commanded by Capt. George Bill ; with Hollon Richardson as First, and 
Richard Lindsay as Second, Lieutenant ; Co. B, by Capt. James H. Huntington, with John 
Walton as First, and S. L. Bachelder as Second, Lieutenant. The Seventh regiment rendez- 
voused at Camp Randall in August, 1861, and mustered into service in September, leaving for 
Washington on the 21st of that month. They joined Gen. King's command in October, and 
thereafter, till mustered out, formed one important part of the " Iron Brigade," the history of 
which has been briefly related. The principal losses to A and B occurred at the two Bull Runs, 
South Mountain, the Wilderness, Gettysburg and Fredericksburg. The casualties sustained 
were as follows: 

Company A. — Killed in action : First Lieut. James Holmes, Sergts. M. Shehan and L. 
Porter Holmes, Corps. M. Chase, I. H. Meed, A. T. McCalvey and R. Phillips, Privates J. M. 
Bartholemew, M. Burke, J. Brown, J. Clelland, William Collins, A. F. Douglass, 0. B. Hobart, 
C. Hort, S. Johnson, W. Kurst, J. Kalb, A. Le Barr, C. E. Mills, J. Moor, S. Riopel, P. 
Raflferty, J. D. Sawyer, D. E. Steei"S, J. W. Sanderson and J. Zinger. Died of wounds : Sergt. 
Lewis Bascom, Corps. W. Hinton and H. M. Buck, Privates J. N. Charles, P. Clune, J. Car- 
row, G. W. Evans, J. Faith, W. F. Lasky, T. McCalvey, H. Pierce, T. H. Stilson, J. Simmers, 
and A. Van Walker. Died of disease : Corp. E. P. Sayre, Privates J. Agan, J. Bascom, F. 
H. Beauregard, H. Ball, W. P. Carter, B. Carter, 0. N. Cole, P. Frazer, F. A. Fowler, A. 
Hall, E. M. Hicks, P. Lock, S. J. Osborne and A. Stone. 

Company B. — Killed : Capt. George H. Brayton, Sergts. J. H. Miller and T. Heln, 
Corps. C. E. Plummer, 0. H. Hulbert, VV. Richardson and P. A. Batteau, Privates E. Bronson, 
S. Frost, B. F. Graham, C. Kippen, J. Lewis, W. Myers, J. H. Maxfield, L. Provost and E. 
Wheeler. Died of wounds : Sergt. M. C. Monroe, Corp. E. R. Hancock, Privates R. Cole, 
G. H. H. Hawes and S. Hatfield. Died of disease: Sergts. W. D. Acres and M. P. Bronson, 
Corp. J. A. Petts, Privates J. Brown, 0. B. Cromwell, P. Carney, P. Caseney, A. Casson, D. 
Dustin, A. Frost, J. T. Hillicker, A. Miller, H. Newell and C. Wenel. 

Capt. Bill and Lieut. Richardson, of Company A. and Lieut. Hobart, of Company B, were 
promoted to the rank of Major. Company A's Captains were : George Bill, H. Richardson, 
James Johnson and Oley Grasley. Company B's : J. H. Huntington, G. H. Boynton, M. C. 
Hobart and C. E. Weeks. 

Qampany D, Tenth Regiment. — This company was formed in August, 1861, and was 
known as the Fremont Rifles. James L. Coffin was the Captain, Thomas L. Kennan, First 
Lieutenant,- and George W. Marsh, Second Lieutenant. Joshua J. Guppey went out as Lieu- 
tenant Colonel of the Tenth, and was promoted to the colonelcy of the Twenty-third Regiment, 
July 2.5, 1862. The Tenth was mustered into service October 14, 1861, at Camp Hutton, 
Milwaukee, leaving that place under orders of November 9, for Kentucky, where it took its 
place in Colonel Sills brigade, which was assigned to position on the right of the Third Division, 
under Gen. Mitchell. In February, 1862, they marched toward Bowling Green, which was 
evacuated by the rebels on their approach. March 19 found the regiment at Murfreesboro, 
acting as provost guard. The 5th of September brought them to Nashville, Tenn., after having 
captured Huntsville, Stevenson, Decatur and Tuscumbia. On the 8th of October, they met the 
enemy under Gen. Bragg, and took part in the battle of Chaplin Hills, where, out of 276 men 
they lost 36 killed, 110 wounded, and 1 missing. The next important engagement was at 
Chickamauga, where the Tenth was twice assigned the first line of battle. By an awkward 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 563 

movement on the second day of the battle, they ran directly into the lines of the enemy, who 
captured a large number of officers and men. During the two-days conflict the regiment, lost 
18 killed, 56 wounded, and 132 prisoners, leaving 3 officers and 26 men. In February, 186-4, 
this small handful of men led the advance against Tunnel Hill and Buzzard Roost, going into 
camp nine miles from Chattanooga, where they remained until May, about which time they took 
position in the army, under Gen. Sherman, then advancing toward Atlanta. With the P'ourteenth 
Corps, they participated in the operations at Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and Peach Tree Creek. 
Tlie recruits who had joined the regiment since its organization having been transferred to the 
Twenty-first Wisconsin, the Tenth Regiment, having completed its term of service, left for 
home, arriving in Milwaukee October 25, 1864. 

The fatalities in Company D were : Killed in action — -Sergt. C. Forsyth, Corp. James 
Di.Kon; Privates Irwin Clark, M. Conlon, A. Farnham, E. Hunt, H. C. Luther, H. Morey, 
A. H. Parmenter. J. Rosebaugh and G. W. Rouse. Died of wounds — Privates A. H. Bull, 
and A. Jones. Died of disease — Corps. A. Crouch and E. Sweet ; Privates F. Beach, J. 
D. Bannister, C. Ellis, G. Hand, G. W. Moore, C. C. Merrill, P. Morties, M. M. Parmenter, 
0. M. Smoke and A. VViltse. 

The commissioned officers of the company from time to time were: Captains — James L. 
Coffin, Orestes B. Twogood and William A. Collins; First Lieutenants — Thomas L. Kennan, 
Ciiarles H. Ford and August E. Patchin ; Second — George W. Marsh, A. E. Patehin and 
Elisha P. Stowell. 

Company H, Eleventh Regiment. — Organized in September, 1861, and accepted at Camp 
Randall, for service, October 18, with Alexander Christie as Captain; Eli H. Mix was First, 
and Isaac J. Wright was Second, Lieutenant. The Eleventh Regiment was attached to the Sec- 
ond Brigade, under Col. Ilovey, in Gen. Steele's command, and under orders to proceed South, 
passed through Missouri into Arkansas. The first engagement of any note was at Bayou Cache, 
on the 7th of July, when Companies D, G, H and I held in check a vastly superior force of 
rebels until re-enforcements arrived. The Eleventii's losses were four killed and twenty wounded. 
They arrived at Helena on the 13th. In October, they returned to Pilot Knob, Mo., and 
remained in that State during the winter. On the 15th of March. 1868, they embarked at St. 
Genevieve for iNIemphis. From there they proceeded to Milliken's Bend, La., and took posi- 
tion in the Second Brigade, Fourteenth Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. The 1st of April 
dawned upon the Eleventh Regiment leading the advance at Anderson Hill, near Port Gibson, 
Miss., Avhere the rebels were driven back in confusion. May 15, the brigade took part in the 
battle of Champion Hills, and the next day cut oif the retreat of the enemy at Black River 
Bridge, the Eleventh Regiment taking upward of 1,001) prisoners, with a regimental stand of 
colors. On the 19th they were in the trenches before Vicksburg, and participated in the ter- 
rible charge of the 22d. They were actively employed in the siege that followed, and were there 
when the place surrendered. Immediately after that event the Eleventh joined the expedition 
to Jackson, and took part in the " Second Teche Campaign," going as far as Opelousas. Return- 
ing over almost impassable roads, they embarked at Algiers on the 19th of November for Bra- 
zos Santiago, Tex. There they received orders to re-enforce Gen. Banks at Aranzas Pass, and 
af'^erward to proceed to Fort Esperanza, where they arrived too late to assist Gen. Washburn in 
reducing the enemy at that place. Three-fourths of the regiment having re-eniisted, they were 
relieved from duty on the 11th of February, and mustered in as veterans on the 13th. The 
non-veterans were temporarily transferred to Col. Guppey's regiment (the Thirty-third). The 
re-enlisted portion reached Madison March 21, and were received in splendid style by the State 
authorities and citizens. They again left the State on the 25th of April, and proceeded to 
Memphis. They afterward participated in the various expeditions in Northern Mississippi and 
Alabama, doing good service for which they were highly commended by the commanding officers. 
The regiment was mustered out in Mobile September 4, 1865, and reached home on the 18th. 

Following are the death losses of Company H : Killed in action — Sergts. A. C. Bacon 
and C. Brunaller, and Private F. M. Hartson. Died of wounds — Sergt. W. H. Jacobus ; 



564 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Corps. B. P. Benson, W. N. Tay, J. Hubanks, and Privates R. Bacon, W. Kent, W. H. 
Powderly and 0. S. Robinson. Died of disease — First Lieut. C. A. Johnson ; Sergts. 
George Parsons and Rufus C. Phillips ; Corp. D. I. Washburn ; Privates E. Ackerman, S. 
Almy, H. Almy, E. W. Bidwell, A. Colborn, W. A. Delap, G. W. Faith, John Faith, R. 
Hornby, J. E. Jones, F. Langdon, A. C. Miller, W. Mather, W. McElroy, W. P. Newman, D. 
H. Olmstead, H. Porter, G. Richardson, P. Richardson, H. Sheldon, R. G. Sawyer, 0. Wash- 
burn and E. C. Wheelock. 

The regiment suffered a death loss of 348 — 262 of whom died of disease. Captain Christie 
resigned January, 1864, and was succeeded by Lieut. James O'Neal. 

Company Z>, Nineteenth Regiment. — Recruited in December, 1861, with Samuel K. 
Vaughan as Captain, William H. Spain as First Lieutenant, and Edward 0. Emmerson as 
Second Lieutenant. They were mustered into service April -30, 1862, and left for the Potomac 
on the 2d of June. Going to Norfolk, Va., soon afterward, they remained there until 
April, 1863, and thereafter did outpost and picket duty in Virginia and North Carolina. They 
were engaged for the first time at Newbern, N. C, on the 1st of Februai'y, 1864. On the 12th 
of May, a portion of the regiment, including Company D, participated in the movement upon 
Fort Darling, and on the 16th, in attempting to dislodge a party of rebel skirmishers, lost 
twenty-five men killed and wounded. In June, they accompanied the advance of Gen. Grant's 
army upon Petersburg, and participated in the celebrated assault upon the enemy's works. In 
August, the re-enlisted men of the regiment, 250 in number, received veteran furloughs, and 
reached Madison on the 22d of that month, returning in October, and proceeding at once to 
the trenches before Richmond. On the 21st of October, they took part in the battle of Fair 
Oaks, leaving on the field seven officers and 136 enlisted men, most of whom were wounded and 
captured. The regiment returned to Camp Chapin, before Richmond, with eighty men, where 
they were joined by the non-veteran portion, who had been on duty at Norfolk. On the 3d of 
April, 1865, they were ordered to assault the enemy's works, and, meeting with but little 
opposition, marched into the city and planted the regimental colors upon the city hall. Their 
subsequent movements were unimportant, save that which brought them home. They were 
mustered out of service on the 9th of August, in the rebel capital, and reached Madison on 
the 15th. 

The fatalities in Company D were : Killed in action. Corps. Sylvester Richmond and 
Albert Waldref; Privates C. Allen, B. Sherwin and N. Shandt. Died of disease — Corp. B. 
S. Daniels; Privates W. Alverson, J, Congor, G. Dey, C. Gilson, D Hall, A. Kline, J. Lord, 
P. Redmond and G. R. Smith. 

Capt. Vaughan, through various promotions, was Colonel of the regiment when mustered 
out, Lieut. Spain succeeding him as Captain. 

Twenty-third Begiment, Companies 0, G- and H. — i ully one-third of this regiment went 
from Columbia County. Company C was organized in Portage, with Edgar P. Hill as Cap- 
tain ; Oliver H. Sorrenson, First Lieutenant, and John Shoemaker, Second Lieutenant. Com- 
panyG was from Columbus, James F. Hazelton, Captain ; Chester W. Tuttle, First Lieutenant, 
and William H. Dunham, Second Lieutenant. Company H was from Lodi, with K. Howard 
Irwin as Captain ; D. Cyrus Holdridge, First Lieutenant, and Robert Steele, Second Lieu- 
tenant. J. J. Guppey, promoted from the Tenth, was Colonel of the Twenty-third during its 
entire service. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Carrion Crow Bayou, La., November 3, 
1863, and exchanged in December, 1864. Captain Hill, of Company C, became Lieutenant 
Colonel of the regiment in August, 1863. 

The regimental organization was perfected at Camp Randall, under the superintendence of 
Col. Guppey, and left for active service September 15, 1862, under orders to proceed to 
Cincinnati, then menaced by Kirby Smith's forces. Parsing through Cincinnati, they crossed 
into Kentucky, and were assigned to position in Gen. Green Clay Smith's Division. After 
marching through various parts of the Blue Grass State, they proceeded to Memphis, Tenn., by 
water, arriving on the 27th of November. The regiment was there assigned to the First Brigade, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 565 

Tenth Division, and at once took position in the army destined for the reduction of Vicksburg. 
Their first engagement of any note occurred at Fort Hindman, on the Arkansas River, January 
11, 1863. While moving forward, the Twenty-third was assailed by an unexpected enfilading 
fire from the enemy's rifle-pits. Companies B, G and K were thrown out as skirmishers, the 
remaining companies attacking the rifle-pits. The conflict continued with great fury for three 
hours, when the rebels, anticipating the charge which had been ordered, raised the white flag 
and surrendered unconditionally. The regiment received many congratulations for their conduct 
from the division and brigade commanders. Their loss was 4 killed and 34 wounded. The 
regiment then returned to Young's Point, near Vicksburg, but the malaria of the Yazoo swamps 
came near accomplishing what the rebels had failed to do, and of 700 men in line of battle, three- 
fourths were under the surgeon's care. The health of the regiment improving, their next active 
work was at Cypress Bend, Ark., on the 18th of February, when a body of rebels were driven 
through the native swamp, some prisoners and munitions of war being taken. March 30 found 
them on the battle-field at Fort Gibson, Miss., and on the 2d of May, were the first to enter that 
village. On the 15th, the line of march was resumed, and the 16th witnessed the battle of 
Champion Hills, in which the Twenty-third participated with such ardor and effect as to receive 
the congratulations of the commanding General. The next day, they pushed forward to Black 
River Bridge, capturing the Sixtieth Tennessee, with its colors. The 18th brought them to 
within three miles of Vicksburg, and on the 22d they took part in the general assault on the 
enemy's works, pushing forward to the base of one of the forts. At the close of the siege that 
followed, the Twenty-third numbered but 150 men for duty. August 24, they proceeded south, 
in transports, to Algiers, opposite New Orleans. After an extended expedition through Missis- 
sippi, the brigade was attacked, at Carrion Crow Bayou, on the 3d of November, by a vastly 
superior force. The Twenty-third stood firm, doing eff"ective work, until flanked on both sides, 
when the order was given to fall back. This movement was executed without panic, and upon 
the arrival of re-enforcements, they again advanced in line, forcing the enemy back and gaining 
possession of the field. The regiment, at the beginning of the action, numbered 220 oflicers and 
men, of whom 128 were killed, wounded or taken prisoners, the latter including Col. Guppey 
and Capt. Sorrenson, who were severely wounded. The regiment thereafter engaged in the 
Texas and Red River expedition. On the 8th of April, 1864, occurred the battle of Sabine 
Cross Roads, in which the Twenty-third lost 7 killed, 14 wounded aud 43 prisoners. The last 
general engagement in which they participated was at Mobile, Ala. In the mean time, they 
had performed some wonderful marches and engaged in numerous skirmishes. They were 
mustered out of service July 4, 1865, reached Madison on the 16th, and were disbanded ott 
the 24th. 

The losses of the three companies from Columbia County, were : Killed — Sergt. J. A. 
Lewis and Private Martin Cook, Company C ; Corp. J. G. Jones, Privates N. Dedish and J. 
Williams, Company G ; Privates John Bates, C. L. Brown and J. D. Stroud, Company H. Died 
of wounds — Corp. L. Cobb, Company C ; Privates M. L. Johnson and C. E. Quinn, Company 
G ; Sergt. W. T. Shurtliff, Corp. J. F. Stahl, Privates E. Brownfield and J. W. Shaw, Com- 
pany H. Died of disease: Company C — Sergts. T. E. Halsey, S. E. Van Zandt and J. Dempsey, 
Corp. P. Glasgow, Privates R. Anderson, G. W. Becker, J. Crosley, J. L. Edgerton, W. Eastman, 
J. F. Fitts, C. B. Flower, J. W. Hosford, J. Hewett, Jr., W. E. Jones, N. Morrison, S. D. North- 
rup, G. G. Parmenter, J. H. Pulver, W. M. Roberts, F. Rosecrans, J. Smith, C. Townley, N. 
D. Wilson and J. D. Williams. Company G — Sergt. E. E. Eason, Corps. J. Kelley, J. 
M. Moore, and E. Parry, Privates E. Bentley, F. S. Cowes, A. E. Fuller, W. H. Grindall, L. 
Kehler, F. F. Keifei, N. H. Nickerson, F. Nelson, L. Plumb, Q. A. Page (drowned), M. 
Rogers, S. Trask, R. R. Williams, D. C. Warner and W. J. Whiting. Company H — Sergt. 
C. F. Stacker, Privates T. Bunker, T. J. Dowden, A. F. Duel, 0. Ellingson, F. A. G. 
Eaton, 0. E. Holcomb, J. Harmley, W. J. Jones, G. W. Kingsley, J. Kenworthy, L. Olesoa 
(accidentally killed), J. Petit, W. H. H. Rood, W. Ring, E. C. Riddle, G. H. Varrender and 
L. C. Warriner. The total deaths in the regiment were 287, of whom 249 died of disease- 



5(36 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Companies A and E, Twenty-ninth Regiment. — Company A was composed almost entirely 
of citizens of Columbia County. Bradford Hancock, who, in April, 1865, became Colonel of 
the regiment, was its first Captain, being succeeded by Lieut. 0. F. Mattice, in April, 1863. 
Capt. Mattice was succeeded, upon his death in June, 1864, by Lieut. 0. D. Ray. promoted 
from the ranks. Company E recruited along the border between Dodge and Columbia Coun- 
ties. Its Captains were Hezekiah Dunham, Darius J. Weils and Joshua A. Stark, the two 
latter by promotion from lieutenancies. 

The Twenty-ninth was mustered into service at Camp Randall September 27, 1862, and 
left to join the army in the Southwest November 2, arriving opposite Helena, Ark., on the 7th. 
Their first active duty was the routing of guerrilla bands in that vicinity. During February, 
1863, they made nn expedition to the Ya/.oo country, returning to Helena March 1. The regi- 
ment was soon afterward assigned position in the Thirteenth Army Corps. Their first battle 
was at Port Gibson. In this connection the brigade commander said of them : " I cannot refrain 
from special mention of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. It is a new regiment, but they fought 
like veterans, suffering severely, as their list of casualties will show." Their loss was 75 killed 
and wounded. They marched tiirough the village the day after the battle, and, on the 15th of 
May, while going in the direction of Vicksburg, fell in with the enemy near Balton. On the 
16th, the battle of Champion Hills was fought, the Twenty-ninth making one of the most brill- 
iant bayonet charges on record, capturing over 300 prisoners, a stand of colors, and a brass 
battery. Their loss was 19 killed and 95 wounded. Six days later, they were before Vicks- 
burg, engaged in the general assault upon the enemy's works, and during the remainder of the 
celebrated siege were employed in the rifle-pits before the rebel stronghold, losing 6 men killed 
and wounded. When Vicksburg surrendered they took part in the siege of Jackson, losing 5 
men killed and wounded, returning to Vicksburg July 22. November 3 found them support- 
ing a Missouri battery at the battle of Carrion Crow Bayou. January 5, 1864, they embarked 
at Algiers to take part in the Texas expedition, returning to New Orleans February 23. On 
the 8th of April, they took part in the battle at Sabine Cross Roads, and out of 183 men 
engaged 63 were reported killed, wounded and missing. After aiding in the construction of the 
famous Red River dam, they took part in the battle of Simmsport on the 18th of May. The 
remainder of their service was devoted to those worse forms of warfare, forced marches and 
guard and picket duty, concluding with the battle of Mobile, at which place 2 members of the 
regiment were killed by the explosion of a magazine. The Twenty-ninth was mustered out of 
service June 22, 1865, and reached Madison July 5, receiving their pay and being disbanded 
on the 17th. 

The death losses in Company A were : Killed in action — Corp. C. F. Matthews ; Privates 
N. H. Carter, li. Coughlan, J. King and W. Peschock. Died of wounds — Sergt. L. E. Rob- 
bins ; Privates C. B. Andrews, J. S. Bridges and W. J. Blocker. Died of disease — Capt. 
Oscar F. Mattice ; Privates John Agnew, G. Balcom. N. Butler, J. Cruger, T. Draugerson. 
G. K. Gaskins, F. D. Griffin, L. B. Gregg, C. B. Lintner, T. Levere, J. Nelson, W. H. Parks, 
F. Smith, J. Spooner. H. Thompson, A. Wilsey, W. Wetmore, L. Yerges. 

Company E : Killed in action — Sergts. D. S. Ketchum and G. W. Alexander ; Privates 
J. Jackson and A. Sawistaskie. Died of wounds — Privates R. D. Fendon, A. J. Floyd, C. 
Grosse, W. R. Herrick, G. Hugget, H. J. Spring and G. Van Arnum. Died of disease — 
Corps. J. W. Bennett, N. Powers and R. Seckerson ; Privates C. Bryant, S. Barrett, N. 
Carlisle, H. H. Evans, W. Follet, A. D. Gary, S. Mead, S. B. Oliver, J. O'Riley, G. Ragow, 
B. W. Wilbur and P. Derivan (suicide.) The total deaths in the regiment were 296, all but 
86 of this number dying of disease. 

Company K, Thirty-second Regiment. — Recruited in August, 1862, and mustered into 
service September 25, 1862, at Camp Bragg, Oshkosh, with John E. Grant as Captain, Lewis 
Low, First Lieutenant, and John Walton as Second Lieutenant. The regiment joined Gen. 
Sherman's command at Memphis, Tenn., on the 3d of November, taking a place in the army 
that advanced toward Jackson, Miss., on the 26th of the same month. The surrender of Holly 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 567 

Springs having caused an abandonment of the movement southward, the Thirty-second was the 
first to enter the town after its capture. Returning by way of Jackson, Tenn., they arrived at 
Memphis toward the latter part of January, 1863, where they remained until the following 
November. Moscow being threatened by Gen. Lee, the Second Brigade, to which the Thirty- 
second belonged, arrived just in time to repulse the attack. They subsequently moved to 
Vicksburg, where they joined Sherman's Meridian expedition, marching over two hundred miles 
into rebeldom, and returning to Vicksburg March 4, 1864. From there they went to Cairo, 
111. ; thence into Tennessee and Alabama, arriving at Decatur on the 10th of April, where they 
Were employed in guard duty and building fortifications with the Third Brigade, to which they 
had been transferred. While stationed at Decatur, they made three eflective reconnaissances, 
returning each time with rebel prisoners and other worthless trophies. On one occasion, they 
met a largely superior force, and lost eight men, who were taken prisoners. On the 7th of 
August, they joined the Union forces in front of Atlanta, where they remained in the trenches 
until the 26th. On that day, they accompanied the Army of the Tennessee in its movement to 
the right, and when twenty-two miles from Atlanta, were attacked by the rebels. In the two- 
days engagement that followed, they lost six killed, fifteen prisoners and six wounded. Re- 
joining Sherman's forces, they set out on the march to Savannah, November 15, encountering 
the rebels on several occasions, and putting them to flight quite as often. On the 3d of January, 
1865, they embarked at Savannah for Beaufort, S. C, arriving there on the 5th. On the 1st 
of February, they encountered the enemy at Rivers' Bridge on the Salkehatchie. On the 3d, 
after a hard day's fight, the enemy having retreated, the regiment moved into his abandoned 
works, having worked from six in the morning until four in the afternoon, in water from one to 
four feet deep, sustaining a loss during the day of eight killed and forty-three wounded. On 
the yth, they again came upon the rebel hosts, strongly fortified, on the Sout^ Edisto River. 
The stream being crossed by means of pontons, the enemy's works were carried by assault at 
9 o'clock in the evening. In this gallant affair, the regiment lost one killed and five wounded. 
Similar encounters with the rebels were experienced until the 21st of March, when they came 
Upon the enemy in full force near Bentonville. Charging through a swamp, two miles wide, they 
captured his works, driving him from the field in confusion. The Thirty-second held the cap- 
tui-ed ground until all support had fallen back, when they received orders to withdraw. In this 
action they sustained a loss of two killed, twenty-three wounded and two missing. On the 14th 
of April, they arrived at Raleigh, N. C, and reached Richmond, Va., May 9. On the 24th 
of that month, they took part in the grand review of troops at Washington, and were mustered 
out June 12, 1865. 

Company K's losses were : Killed in action — Privates J. Bissett, S. Taunt and A. White. 
Died of wounds — Privates M. Gunderson and D. Mason. Died of disease — Corp. J. Hunting, 
Jr., Privates T. C. Babcock, A. Baker, I. Bissett, J. Carman, R. F. Davis, C. Eichle, C. 
Esterbrook, B. J. Fromdol, T. Gillson, N. W. Hunting, E. W. Morgan, A. Oleson, D. Prevot, 
A. Simmonson, P. Thompson, E. E. Warner, A. W. Wright, I. N. Watson, A. Whitehead and 
S. Dumbleton (drowned). There were 274 deaths in the regiment, 243 being from natural 
causes. 

Companies G and JE, Forty-second Regiment. — These companies recruited in the summer 
and fall of 1864, only a portion of the latter being raised in Columbia County. They were 
mustered in at Camp Randall, as a part of the Forty-second Regiment, on the 7th of Septem- 
ber. George McHumphrey was Captain ; Robert Steele, First Lieutenant, and Cassius M. 
Bush, Second Lieutenant of Company C. Augustus Haight, B. M. Low and Joseph Curtis 
held corresponding positions in Company E. They reached Cairo, 111., under orders, on the 
22d of September, where they were employed in post and garrison duty. On the 25th of 
October, Companies B, E, G, H and K were ordered to Springfield, 111., where they remained 
until April, 1865, returning to Cairo. In June following, they were mustered out of the 
service, reaching Madison on the 20th of that month, without having participated in any 
engagements. Nearly all their death losses were from disease. Company C losing two men 



568 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

— U. S. West and Henry Koch, the latter having been drowned at Cairo. Company E did 
not fare so well. Its losses were as follows : Privates L. W. Benson, C. Cherwick, J. B. 
Howlett, B. Hampton, I. M. Lewis, W. Moore, I. Outland, H. Smith, F. A. Saddoris and R. 
H. Baker. The latter was drowned at Paducah, Ky. 

Company Z), Forty-sivth Regiment. — Recruited in the two first months in 1865, and mus- 
tered out on the 27th of September of the same year. Company D's officers were : John E. 
Grout (promoted from Second Lieutenant), Captain ; Gilson Hinton, First Lieutenant. The 
regiment left Camp Randall on the 5th of March, under orders to report at Louisville, Ky., 
arriving on the 10th, and proceeding, the following day, to Athens, Ala., on the Nashville & 
Decatur Railroad, along which they were stationed at various points. In September, they 
proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., and were mustered out as above stated, arriving in Madison 
October 2. During their service, three of the members cf Company D — Corp. C. P. Hen- 
ton, and Privates W. A. Brown and T. O'Connor — died of disease. 

Cavalry — Company E, Second Regiment. — This company was known as Columbia 
County Cavalry. It recruited in the fall of 1861, and was accepted for service at various 
dates between December 3, 1861, and March 12, 1862. The commissioned officers of Com- 
pany E were : George N. Richmond, Captain ; Wallace Smith, First Lieutenant, and Joseph 
T. Dean, Second Lieutenant. Captain Richmond, in April, 1863, was promoted Major of 
the Third Battalion — C. W. Beach, who had in the mean time succeeded Lieut. Smith, 
becoming Captain. Stephen Woodward was Captain when the company was mustered out, in 
November. 1865. 

The regiment left Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, March 24, 1862. Proceeding to Benton 
Barracks, near St. Louis, they were thoroughly equipped. Marching south through Missouri, 
they joined Gen. Curtis' forces at Augusta, Ark., June 14, and a month later arrived at Helena. 
Here they remained until the latter part of January, 1863, when they moved up the Mississippi 
to Memphis. In June, they proceeded south and took part in the operations against Vicksburg 
Upon the surrender of that place, they joined Gen. Sherman's Jackson (Miss.) expedition, 
returning to Redbone Church, near Vicksburg, soon afterward. Here the second and third bat- 
talions remained until April 1864, when they moved to Vicksburg. The first battalion, com- 
prising Companies A, D, 6 and K, during all this time, had been on duty in Missouri. In Septem- 
ber, 1864, they joined the main body of the regiment at Vicksburg, where they continued to 
remain until November 23, when they joined an expedition into Mississippi, during which they 
destroyed large quantities of rebel property, and, on the 1st of December, engaged the enemy 
near Yazoo City, in considerable force. A brisk encounter followed, in which the Second lost 
five killed, nine wounded, and twenty-five missing. The return to Vicksburg was made by the 
fifth, and, after three days' stay, they embarked for Memphis. On the 25th, they joined an 
expedition under Gen. Grierson, and marching in a southeasterly direction, destroying rebel 
stores, railroads and bridges, engaged and defeated the enemy on the 2Sth, at Egypt Station, 
capturing a large number of prisoners. After marching over four hundred miles, the expedi- 
tion arrived at Vicksburg ou the 5th of January, 1865. January 13, they again embarked for 
Memphis, and, on the 26th, descended the Mississippi to Gaines' Landing, Ark., returning to 
Memphis February 17. 

In March, a short expedition was made into Mississippi, and, on the 9th of May, 330 men 
of the Second set out from Memphis for Grenada, Miss., arriving there on the 14th. The regi- 
ment came together again at Alexandria, La., July 6. Here they were assigned to the Second 
Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, Military Division of the Gulf. Leaving Alexandria on the 
8th of August, they arrived at Hempstead, Tex., 310 miles distant, on the 26th. From there 
they went to Austin, Tex., where they were mustered out November 15, 1865. 

The casualties to Company E during their service were : Killed in action — Private Will 
Payne; died of disease — Sergt. M. Z. Riblett; Corp. E. H. Moore: Privates W. Atkin- 
son, J. Chandler, J. Cook, J. Carr, T. Day, E. Evans, T. Ferguson, C. C. Fuller, J. Ferguson, 
E. W. Hale, C. C. Heath, E. Herriman, W. H. Lee, H. Mills, R. Murray, J. McCaroll, E. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



569 



Mathewson, W. Parker, G. W. Ross, W. Stollman, W. Sholes, R. Singleton, L. Taylor and R. 
Whiting. Total deaths in the regiment 293, 265 being from natural causes. 

Company F, First Heavy Artillery. — Organized in Portage, in September, 1864. with 
Erastus Cook as Captain ; Herman Fenner, Senior First Lieutenant ; Asa P. Peck, Junior 
First Lieutenant ; Jared S. W. Pardee, Senior Second Lieutenant, and Thomas Graham, Junior 
Second Lieutenant. The company left Camp Randall on the 3d of October, 1864, and was 
assigned to duty in the defenses of Washington, as part of the Fourth Brigade, De Russey's 
Division of the Twenty-second Army Corps, where it remained until June 26, 1865, being mus- 
tered out of service at that date. It is the only company of troops going from Columbia County 
which returned without loss of life. 

The Draft. — The first official steps taken in Columbia County toward conscription occurred 
in May, 1863. For many months previous, rumors of an impending draft had been rife ; the 
local press teemed with appeals to the loyal citizens to volunteer their services in defense of the 
Union in sufficient numbers to remove the necessity for such an alternative. And although 
they responded with alacrity, and notwithstanding the fact that the county's representation in 
the army was equal to any other section of the State, in proportion to population, the inevit- 
able finally came. In June, Provost Marshal S. J. M. Putnam, of Janesville, under orders, 
appointed the following enrolling officers to take the names of those liable to military duty in 
Columbia County: Perry G. Stroud, Newport; E. F. Lewis, Lewiston ; J. B. Wood, Fort 
Winnebago ; Hiram Albee, Marcellon ; David H. Langdon, Scott ; John M. Bay, Randolph ; 
Jeremiah Williams, Courtland ; John R. Rowlands, Springvale ; Henry Converse, Wyocena ; 
Wells M. Butler, Portage and Pacific ; J. C. Mohr, Caledonia ; Jacob Cosad, Dekorra, Jesse F. 
Hand, Lowville ; E. W. McNett, Otsego ; E. T. Kerney, Fountain Prairie ; G. W. Campbell, 
Columbus ; William K. Custer, Hampden ; Ammond Christophers, Leeds ; A. G. Dunning, 
Arlington ; Thomas Yule, Lodi ; Cyrus Hill, West Point. 

Toward the latter part of July, the enrolling officers having completed their work, it was 
shown that the number of persons in Columbia County liable to military duty, was 2,045 of the 
first class, and 1,609 of the second. Under the President's call for 800,000 men in 1863, the 
quota to be filled in the county was about two hundred and seventy. In this connection, the 
following table, compiled by Adjt. Gen. Gaylord, showing the quotas of towns in Columbia 
County, under the calls for volunteers made in 1861-62, will be interesting : 



ArliDgton 

Caledonia 

Columbus 

Courtland 

Dekorra 

Fort Winnebago... 
Fountain Prairie.. 

H.ampden 

Leeds 

Lewiston 

Lodi 



Quota. 


Vols. 


63 


53 


40 


34 


134 


166 


63 


58 


67 


90 


32 


33 


54 


93 


.50 


47 


59 


36 


42 


42 


83 


142 



Towns. 



Lowville 

Marcellon... 

Newport 

Otsego 

Pacific 

Portage 

Randolph .. 

Scott 

Springvale.. 
West Point. 
Wyocena 



Total 1342 



Quota. 



54 


78 


43 


49 


59 


66 


57 


48 


10 


17 


171 


242 


67 


77 


47 


38 


41 


34 


52 


68 


64 


88 



1599 



After the first enrollment, three persons enlisted — one each from the towns of Columbus, 
Marcellon and Randolph — making the total number of volunteers from the county up to 
August 20, 1863, 1,602, or 260 in excess of the quotas under the calls of 1861-62. 

Notice of the draft of 1863, under the President's call for 300,000 men, given by S. J. 
M. Putnam, Captain and Provost Marshal for the Second District, was dated Janesville, Novem- 
ber 11, 1863. Accompanying the notification, was a statement of the number to be drafted in 
each of the towns of Columbia County, with " the 50 per cent added," as follows : West Point, 
12; Lodi, 20; Arlington, 13; Leeds, 14; Hampden, 16 ; Columbus, 32 ; Fountain Prairie, 



570 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



11; Otsego, 14; Lowville, 14; Dekorra, 21; Caledonia, 12; Portage and Pacific, 46; Wyo- 
cena, 11 ; Springvale, 15 ; Courtland, 23 ; Randolph, 17 ; Scott, 13 ; Marcellon, 12 ; Fort 
Winnebago, 8 ; Lewiston, 11 ; Newport, 18. Total, 353. The excess of 260 on the quotas 
under the 1861-62 calls being deducted, there remained but 93 to be supplied under the call of 
January, 1863. 

Under the calls of the President for 500,000 and 200,000, the quota in the latter call not 
having been filled, Columbia County's quota in April, 1864, stood as follows : Total number of 
men to be furnished, 871 ; total credits since date of first call, 731, leaving a deficit of 140 
men. 

On the 18th of July, another call was issued for 500,000 more, and after a deal of figuring 
among those interested in the prospective drawing, it was discovered that Columbia County's 
quota of men to be furnished was 806. This included the deficiency under previous calls, 
amounting to ninety-eight men in the county at large. Numerous credits subsequently made a 
deduction of almost one-third in this number. But the inevitable came at last, and the 2l8t of 
September was an interesting day to those whose names went into the box at Janesville. The 
quota of Portage was eighty-six. Prominent among those who drew prizes were E. C. Maine, 
1). G. Muir, H. 0. Lewis, V. Helmann, William Armstrong, J. P. McGregor, F. H. Ellsworth, 
W. W. Corning, LI. Breese, John T. Clark, James Collins, Carl Haertel, A. J. Turner, Alva 
Stewart, Israel Holmes and many others. Most of those mentioned belonged to the " Draft 
Insurance Club," and were entitled to draw $380 each from a citizens' fund to pay substitutes. 
Supplemental drafts soon followed in a few of the towns in the county. 

Another call for 300,000 volunteers having been made on the 19th of December, 1864, it 
was ascertained that Columbia County's quota would amount to about 540 men, according to the 
number of votes polled at the last preceding election, but it afterward transpired that the 
actual number to be raised was 423, including all deficiencies and deducting all credits. The 
quota of Portage by wards was fifty-one. There was some lively volunteering about this time, 
under the patriotic influence of nearly $500 bounty, $200 wages for a year, with board and clothes, 
and very little prospect for a fight. 

A draft took place in the towns of Marcellon and Lewiston on the 27th of February, 1865, 
but by the time the drawing was announced, nearly every man in those towns liable to be drafted 
had enlisted. 

Following is a statement of the bounty money raised in the various towns mentioned : 



Arlington $17,453 00 

Courtland 25, .576 00 

Columbus 30,204 R9 

Caledonia 10,912 90 

Dekorra 13,304 00 

Fort Winnebago 7,182 00 

Fountain Prairie 15,200 00 

Hampden 14,638 00 

Leeds 18,712 35 



Lodi $23,000 00 

Newport 14,300 00 

Otsego 18,384 00 

Pacific 1,.595 00 

Randolph 17,160 00 

Scott 11,430 00 

Springvale 18,.S03 00 

West Point 10,814 11 

Wyocena 6,500 00 



Certain iiistorical events occurring in the spring and summer of 1865, made further drafts 
unnecessary. The Union had been preserved. Old veterans and new volunteers returned to 
their homes. Peace reigned again. Above the smoke of battles well-fought, floated the starry 
emblem of liberty, humanity and equality. A million lives had been sacrificed beneath its folds, 
but it still waved aloft, brighter and more brilliant, bathed in the life-fluid of patriots dead. 

'• But what shall be the fate of those 
Who designed that sea of blood ? 
It cannot be that they shall die 
To grace the throne of God ! " 

The Roll of Honor. — Following is a list of the names of soldiers occupying patriots' 
graves in Columbia County : Silver Lake Cemetery, Portage — Col. S. K. Vaughan, Company 
D, Nineteenth Regiment ; Herman W. Kind, Company C, Twenty-third Regiment ; Corp. 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 571 

John A. Harmon, Company A, Twenty-fifth Regiment; Henry Junge, Second Cavalry; 
Andrew J. McFarlane. Company K, Thirty-third Regiment ; Melvin Merrill, Company G, 
Twentieth Regiment ; William F. Ward, Company C, Twenty-third Regiment ; John Crosby, 
Jr., Company C, Twenty-third Regiment ; Martin Bellinghauser, Company D, Nineteenth Regi- 
ment ; Judson A. Lewis, Company C, Twenty-third Regiment; George Parmenter, Company 
C, Twenty-third Regiment; Walter Plumstead, Company G, Second Regiment; Francis H. 
Snow, Company K, Third Cavalry ; Capt. Erastus Cook, Battery F, First Artillery ; Col. Frank 

A. Haskell, Thirty-sixth Regiment. 

Columbus — Dr. Charles C. Axtel ; Sabins J. Bennett; Sergt. Benjamin Campbell, Sixth 
Regiment, died of disease ; Bissell Carter, Company A, Seventh Regiment, died of disease ; 
Walter P. Carter, Company A, Seventh Regiment, died in Andersonville ; Francis Fouler, 
Company A. Seventh Regiment, died in Andersonville: Alfred Fuller; Walter Houton, Com- 
pany A, Seventh Regiment, died of wounds ; Sergt. L. P. Holmes, Company A, Seventh Regi- 
ment, killed at the battle of the Wilderness ; Lieut. James Holmes, Company A, Seventh 
Regiment, killed at the battle of the Wilderness ; A. T. Hopkins ; W. H. Horton ; Dr. James ; 
William Kurst, Company A, Seventh Regiment, killed at the battle of the Wilderness ; Uri F. 
Laskey, Company A, Seventh Regiment, killed at Gainesville ; Albert McCalvey, Company A, 
Seventh Regiment, killed at Petersburg ; Charles E. Mills, Company A. Seventh Regiment, 
killed at Gainesville ; Edwin E. Polly, Company A, Seventh Regiment, killed at Cedar Mount- 
ain ; William Richards, Third Regiment, killed at Five Forks; Seymour A. Sawyer, Company 

B, Forty-first Wisconsin Regiment ; Jacob D. Sawyer, Company A, Seventh Regiment, killed 
at Antietam ; Eli P. Sawyer, Company A, Seventh Regiment, died of disease; E. Silsbee; M. 
Silsbee ; Asher M. Starkweather, Company D, Fortieth Wisconsin Regiment; Stutson ; C. 
Tuttle ; Allen Vanwalker, Company A, Seventh Regiment, died of wounds ; Milo Waterhouse, 
Company A, Seventh Regiment, killed at Antietam ; Warren J. Wheeling. 

Fall River — George Adams, Company I, Eighteenth Regiment, killed at Pittsburg Landing; 
Israel Bissett, Thirty-second Regiment, killed in action ; Joseph Bissett, Thirty-second Regiment, 
died ; John Bissett, Company B, Thirty-second Regiment, killed at the battle of the Wilderness ; 
Capt. George H. Brayton, Company B, Seventh Regiment, killed at the battle of Gainesville ; Eli 
Bronsen, Company B, Seventh Regiment, killed at Antietam ; Lorin Bronsen, Company I, 
Eighteenth Regiment, killed at Pittsburg Landing ; Manly Bronson, Company B, Seventh 
Regiment, killed at Belle Plain ; George Brossard, Eleventh Regiment, died ; Alpheus Cassen, 
Company B, Seventh Regiment, died at Madison ; Nathan Chase, died at Cumberland Gap, 
Tenn. ; Jerome Comar, Thirty-second Regiment, died; George C. Farrand, Fifty-first Regiment; 
Brainard Graves, Company B, Seventh Regiment, died ; Aldro A. Grant, Company B, Seventh 
Regiment, died ; Edwin Hancock, Company B, Seventh Regiment, killed at South Mountain ; 
Perry Henton, Forty-first Regiment, died ; A. D. Hicks, Company C, Fifty-first Regiment, died 
at Milwaukee; James 0. Hellaker, died in Andersonville Prison; Wright Hunburg, Thirty- 
second Regiment, died of disease ; Jabey Hunburg, Thirty-second Regiment, died of wounds ; 
RufuB Kendall, Government employe, killed by bushwhackers ; Charles Machen, Thirty-second 
Regiment, returned at close of war and was killed in a flouring-mill at Beaver Dam ; Augustus 
Martin, Third Cavalry, killed by bushwhackers ; Charles Plummer, Company B, Seventh Regi- 
ment, killed at Gainesville, Va. ; Dennis Prevot, Company B, Seventh Regiment, killed by 
bushwhackers ; Lewis Prevot, Company B; Thirty-second Regiment, died at Oshkosh ; William 
Rumsey, a patriot of Florida and Mexican wars ; Felix Sainlong, Government employe, 
killed by bushwhackers ; Benjamin Schaefier, Company I, Eighteenth Regiment, killed at Pitts- 
burg Landing ; Charles Sickles, died in hospital ; Frank Smith, died at Sulphur Springs ; 
Francis A. Smith, Forty-ninth Regiment, died since discharged ; Seth Thurber, killed by bush- 
whackers ; Seneca Warner, a patriot of the war of 1812; Newton Watson, Thirty-second 
Regiment, died ; John Wood, Company I, Eighteenth Regiment, died after he was dis- 
charged ; Joseph Zeeman, Company B, Seventh Regiment, died of disease contracted in the 
army. 



572 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Wyocena — Bull Alansen, Company D, Tenth Regiment, killed at Perryville ; Volney 
Carpenter, (,'ompany C, Nineteenth Regiment, killed at the battle of the Wilderness ; Henry 
Coffin, killed at the first battle of Bull Run ; Michael Conlon, Company — , Tenth Regiment, 
killed at Stone River ; Girard Dey, Thirty-second Regiment, died on the Potomac ; James 
Dixon, Company D, Tenth Regiment, killed at Perryville ; John Grover, Company G, Twenty- 
fifth Regiment, killed at Kenesaw Mountain, the only man wounded in Company G, and he had 
nine bullets in him ; George Hand, Company D, Tenth Regiment, died at Andersonville ; 
Alonzo Jones, Company D, Tenth Regiment, buried at Wyocena ; Hobart Parmenter, Company 
D, Tenth Regiment, shot at Perryville ; Marcus Parmenter, Company D, Tenth Regiment, died 
in Nashville ; Alexander Wilsey, ^Company D, Tenth Regiment, died in Nashville ; Harlon 
Wiltham, Company D, Tenth Regiment, killed at Chickamauga. 

Scraps of War Ristorij. — It would be almost impossible to generalize, so far as loca' 
history is concerned, in a description or statement of occurrences during the war. Of course, 
there was intense excitement following the news that Fort Sumter had been assaulted. Citizens 
of all classes, no matter what may have been their sympathies, were deeply interested through- 
out the momentous struggle that culminated with the fall of Richmond and the capture of the 
traitor President of the Southern Confederacy. We herewith present a compilation of local 
events, chronologically arranged, pertaining to a history of the " war at home : " 

1861, March — S. E. Dana, of Portage, appointed Colonel, and H. S. Haskell, also of 
Portage, appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Wisconsin Militia by 
Gov." Randall. Portage Light Guard vote unanimously to offer their services to Gov. Randall. 

April — Flag-raising in Wyocena ; enthusiastic Union meeting. Yates Ashley, Pardee- 
ville, commissioned to raise a company. Large number of volunteers from Lodi and vicinity 
enrolled themselves in Madison companies. Portage Light Guard accepted by the Governor, 
and assigned to the Second Regiment. Meeting of citizens in Portage, at which strong Union 
resolutions were passed. City Council of Portage resolved to provide for the needy families of 
those who volunteered, the credit of the city being pledged to the extent of $1,000. Grand 
military supper at the Ellsworth House to Portage Light Guard. 

May — Enthusiastic meeting in Portage, and presentation of Stars and Stripes, made by 
ladies, to Light Guard ; patriotic speeches by Emmons Taylor, Alva Stewart and others. 
Departure of the Guard for Camp Randall. The Stars and Stripes unfurled from Bank Block, 
amid the singing of national airs by the various church choirs of Portage, the firing of rockets, 
burning of bonfires, etc. A complete company formed at Lodi. Meeting of citizens at Verandah 
Hall, Portage, for the purpose of organizing another military company; officers elected as fol- 
lows : Captain, H. W. Emery ; First Lieutenant, A. Stewart ; Ensign, C. Schneider ; First 
Sergeant, A. Blockwitz; Second, S. V. Bedford; Third, J. Jolley ; Fourth, T. E. Best; First 
Corporal, C. Brunhoeter; Second, P. Shehan ; Third, H. Bolting; Fourth, T. Dalton ; to be 
called the Portage Rifles. A large number of the members of the Portage Light Guard return 
from Camp Randall, having reached that point too late to be accepted as a part of the first 
quota of Wisconsin under the President's call for 75,000 three-iponths' volunteers ; most of 
them re-enlist, however, for three years. The Columbia Rifles, of Kilbourn City, having offered 
their services under the first call too late for acceptance, re-enlist for " three years or during 
the war ; " flag presentation to the Rifles, and patriotic speeches. 

June — The Rifles go into camp at Racine. Flag raising in Marcellon, and enthusi- 
astic gathering of the citizens. 

July — Capt. Christie organizes a company in Portage. Battle of Bull Run ; the first 
blood of Portage patriots shed on the field of battle ; the casualties in Company G, Capt. Mans- 
field, Second Regiment, were : Killed — W. H. Williams, shot through the heart ; H. R. Coffin, 
son of Dr. Coffin, of Wyocena, shot through the head ; Johd Noonan. Wounded — Lieut. A. S. 
Hill, R. 0. Batson, A. R. Clement, H. Neally, M. L. Phillips, C. C. Dow, J. A. Wiser and 
John Lynch. Missing — E. S. Best, J. P. Christie, John House, D. F. Crane, D. O'Brien, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 673 

Peter Irvine and G. W. Briflett. It afterward transpired that O'Brien and Christie were taken 
prisoners. 

August — George W. Marsh, of Company G, returned, discharged, on account of injuries 
received at Bull Run. Funeral of H. R. Coffin, at Wyocena. Capt. Christie tenders the 
services of his "Dixon Guard," which are accepted by the Governor. Erastus Cook, City 
Marshal of Portage, commissioned to enroll men for an artillery company. Mayor Richmond, 
of Portage, appointed Captain, with authority to raise a company of cavalry. Commissions 
issued to Dr. J. L. Coffin, of Wyocena, as Captain, and T. L. Kennan, of Portage, as First 
Lieutenant, to raise a company of infantry. J. J. Guppey appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 
Tenth Regiment. The ladies of Portage engaged in making clothing for the Light Guard. 

September — Lieut. Hill, of the Portage Light Guard, while at home nursing wounds 
received at Bull Run, enrolled the following recruits to fill the depleted ranks of his com- 
pany : Van R. Bentley, C. Blackman, J. Castley, A. Carter, W. H. Church, C. Delaney, 
S. K. Eggleston, E. Hathaway, E. Jackson, T. H. Kennedy, G. F. Leeds, J. H. Langdon, C. 
Morter, R. C. McDonald, E. H. A. May, C. H. Mosher, W. L. Pratt, 0. Parker, C. C. Reiley, 
J. B. Rowell, J. T. Lines, J. Sharp, H. C. Tapper and L. Wilkins. Departure of the 
Seventh Wisconsin from Madison for the seat of war. Company A being the Lodi Guards 
(Capt. George Bill), and Company B the Columbia County Cadets (Capt. J. H. Huntington). 
The Fremont Rifles (Capt. Coffin) assigned to the Tenth Regiment, and ordered into camp. 
Dr. Robert Mitchell, of Portage, appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Tenth. Departure of 
Lieut. Hill and his recruits to join the Light Guard. 

October — George W. Marsh (" Agawara ") recovers from his disabilities, re-enlists and 
is appointed Second Lieutenant of the Fremont Rifles. Lieut. S. K. Vaughan, of the Light 
Guard, resigns, and is succeeded by W. S. M. Abbott. Capt. Christie's Dixon Guards 
assigned to the Eleventh Regiment, as Company H, and go into camp at Madison. Letter 
from Swift Best, who was wounded and taken prisoner at Bull Run, announcing his incar- 
ceration in the Richmond Prison Hospital ; also announcing the death of John P. Christie, 
who, seriously wounded, fell into the hands of the rebels in the same battle. 

November — Return of Capt. Mansfield, of the Portage Light Guard, to enlist recruits 
for the Second , Regiment. Capt. Christie, of the Dixon Guards, presented with an elegant 
sword by L. S. Dixon, in honor of whom the company was named. Dr. G. F. Huntington, of 
Portage, appointed Surgeon of the Eighteenth Regiment. Capt. Coffin, of the Fremont Rifles, 
appointed Chaplain of the Tenth Regiment. W. A. Coleman, Ira Ford and 0. A. South- 
mayd, of Columbus, granted commissions to raise a company of infantry. Return of J. C. 
Chandler (" Shanghai ") of the Portage Light Guard, honorably discharged from service. 
Capt. Richmond's cavalry company go into camp in Milwaukee. 

December — Death of John D. Bannister, of Company D (Fremont Rifles), Tenth Regi- 
ment, at Shepherdsville, Ky. A recruiting rendezvous for the Thirteenth Infantry, regular 
army, opened at the City Hotel, Portage. John Delaney received a Captain's commission to 
recruit a company for the Eighteenth Regiment. S. K. Vaughan commissioned as Captain, 
with authority to raise a company for the Nineteenth Regiment. 

1862, January — Return of Capt. Richmond, George Race and Surgeon Huntington, on a 
flying visit from "Dixie. "' 

February. — Lieut. Hill presented with a $100-sword by the Portage Light Guard. Lieut. 
H. B. Converse opens a recruiting office in Portage, to fill the depleted ranks of the Second 
Regiment. The fall of Donelson. Great rejoicing throughout the county. In Portage, the 
*' big gun " boomed, church bells rang and locomotives screamed. Uncle Sherwood declared 
that the man who failed to get drunk on such an occasion would be declared a secessionist ; the 
test of loyalty said to have been a complete success. 

April — Battle of Pittsburg Landing ; large number of Columbia County patriots engaged ; 
members of the Lewis Rangers write : " Those known to have been killed are R. Cronk, Maurice 
Cook, George Hillman, Benjamin Shorer, and one other, name unknown, torn to shreds by a 



57-4 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

cannon ball ; among the missing are Allen Church and John Sines, of Dekorra ; William Mil- 
ler, of Caledonia, was wounded in the mouth by a ball, and the last seen of him he was down 
at the river washing his wound ; Peter Mead, John Cook, John Delaney and Ole Severson are 
among the missing ; we lost everything except what we had on when the fight commenced ; 
Lieuts. Ford and Southmayd were taken prisoners. 

May — Anson Linscott, the petite drummer of the Light Guard, promoted to the post of 
Drum Major of the Second Regiment. George Carnes and Wells M. Butler receive commis- 
sions as Captain and Lieutenant, respectively, to raise a company of infantry, and open a 
recruiting office in Verandah Block. 

June — Swift Best, of the Portage Light Guard, taken prisoner at the battle of Bull Run ; 
released after a year's sojourn in rebel prison-pens. 

July — Thomas H. Dolan, Portage Light Guard, discharged on account of sickness. Capt. 
Mansfield, Portage Light Guard, in the capacity of Military Governor of Fredericksburg, Va., 
stirs up the ''secesh " citizens. Deatli of Fred Langdon, William IL Powers and P. Newman, 
Capt. Christie's company, in Arkansas. Return of Capt. Christie on account of wounds received 
at the battle of Bayou Cache. Edgar P. Mills commissioned to raise a company for the Twenty- 
third Regiment ; Lieut. Col. Guppey, of the Tenth Regiment, appointed Colonel of the Twenty- 
Third. 

August — Resignation of Lieut. Kennan, of the Fremont Rifles (Company D, Tenth Regi- 
ment), on account of ill health. Capt. Mansfield arrested and taken to Washington, charged 
with favoring the rebels, by allowing contraband trade through the Federal lines. Intense war 
feeling throughout the county owing to the call for .300,000 men and the prospective draft ; 
enthusiastic war meeting at Pettibone's Hall, addressed by Alva Stewart, Col. Guppey, Capt. 
Hill, M. M. Davis and others ; committee of tiiirteen appointed to canvass the city and obtain 
subscriptions to a bounty fund ; .$3,200 subscribed within two days. War meeting at Kilbourn 
City ; $1,000 subscribed and eight men enlisted. War meeting in Caledonia ; §1,000 subscribed 
and seven men enlisted. W. ll. Bennett, J. P. Corbin, D. C. Holdridge, A. M. Kent, W. A. 
Dunham and 0. H. Sorrenson, Portage veterans, promoted to lieutenancies in Col. Guppey's 
regiment (the Twenty-third). M. M. Davis appointed Commissioner to superintend the draft 
in the county, and Robert W. Earle, of Columbus, Examining Surgeon. One, thousand dollars 
subscribed to the war fund and seventeen men enlisted in the town of Lowville ; town of Scott 
contributes $1,200; Lodi, §1,500 and fifty-two men; the town of Arlington oilers .flOO and a 
cow to each recruit. Dr. James Prentice appointed Surgeon of the Twenty-third Regiment. 
War meeting at West Point ; $760 si^bscribed, eight men enlisted and $50 voted for each mar- 
ried and $25 for each unmarried volunteer. Departure of Capt. Hill's company for Camp 
Randall. 

October — Lieuts. Ford, Southmayd and their associates of the Eighteenth Regiment taken 
prisoners at Corinth, released on parole, and return of Capt. Chrystie. taken prisoner near 
Helena, Ark. Death of Dr. Axtell, of Columbus. Assistant Surgeon of the Twenty-third Regi- 
ment. Death of Col. Emory of the Fifth Rotriment. 

November — A court of inquiry vindicates Capt. Mansfield of the crime of " disloyal con- 
duct " while Provost Marshal of Fredericksburg, Va. 

December — C. C. Dow, of Portage, promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company G (Light 
Guard), Second Regiment. D. P. Slierwood, of tlie Eighteenth Regiment returns, honorably 
discharged. Capt. Hill appointed Brigade Quartermaster of the Twenty-third. 

1863. January — Return of Lieut. Hill, Company G, of the immortal Second, for the 
purpose of raising recruits. Capt. Irwin, Company H, Twenty-third Regiment resigns ; Lieut. 
Holdridge promoted to fill vacancy ; E. F. Fletcher promoted to Captain of Company K, same 
regiment, vice Frost, deceased. James Dempsey, Company C, Twenty-third, killed by one of 
his own company, while on picket duty, near Vicksburg. 

February — Capt. Mansfield promoted to the rank of Major of the Second. Death of James 
F. Fitts, Company C, Twenty-third Regiment, fi-om typhoid fever, in the hospital at Memphis, 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 675 

Tenn. Death of John W. Hosford and S. E. Van Zandt, Company C, Twenty-third Regiment, 
in the hospital at St. Louis. Resignation of Dr. Prentice, as Surgeon of the Twenty-third. 
Bohag, of the Second Cavalry, and ex-devil of the State Register, chases a " secesh" Lieutenant 
two miles, and takes him prisoner. 

March — Death of Chester B. Flower, Nelson Morrison and John Smith, Company C, 
Twenty-third, First Lieut. A. S. Hill, appointed Captain Company G, Second Regiment, vice 
Mansfield, promoted ; Second Lieut. C. C. Dow, appointed First Lieutenant, vice Hill, pro- 
moted. Accidental death of Adelbert Staley, Company F, Seventh Regiment, near Belle Plain, 
Va. 

April— Capt. E. P. Hill promoted to the majorship of the Twenty-third Regiment ; Capt. J. 
Bailey promoted to a similar rank in the Fourth Regiment. Acknowledgment by Company G, 
Second Regiment, of the receipt of " various and divers bottles, and cans of fruit, pickles and 
other luxuries," from Mrs. F. H. Ellsworth, Mrs. A. P. Bennett and Mrs. McGregor. 

May — Promotions of Portage Soldiers : George N. Richmond, as Major of the Third Bat- 
tallion vice Luxton, resigned ; First Lieut. 0. H. Sorrenson as Captain of Company C, Twenty 
third Regiment, vice Hill, promoted ; Second Lieut. Schoemaker, as First Lieutenant, vice 
Sorrenson, promoted ; J. W. Richardson, as Second Lieutenant, vice Schoemaker, promoted. 

June — Organization of a Home League in Poynette. E. F. Lewis, of Lewiston, appointed 
Deputy Provost Marshal for Columbia County. Enthusiastic Union meeting at Poynette, 
addressed by Gov. Solomon, Rev. Henry Drew, W. C. Webb, Rev. D. Y. Kilgour and N. H. 
Wood. 

July — Lieut. Chas Allen, Company H., Eleventh Regiment, returns to Portage, having 
suffered the loss of a foot in the assault upon Vicksburg. Capt. A. S. Hill, Company G, Second 
Regiment, discharged from service on account of wounds received at South Mountain. Death, in 
Portage, of Lieut. A. J. McFarlane, Company K, Twenty-third Regiment, from wounds received 
at Vicksburg. Fall of Vicksburg ! Great rejoicing. Return of Col. Guppey from Vicksburg, on 
a twenty-day furlough ; an ovation, including aserenade by the Bohemian band. Joseph Bailey, 
who went into the service as Captain of Company D, Fourth Regiment, promoted to a colonelcy 
by Gen. Banks, for gallant and meritorious conduct before Port Hudson. 

August — Lieut. J. L. Jolly, Major E. P. Hill, Capt. 0. H. Sorrenson and Lieut. John 
Schoemaker, of the Twenty- third Regiment, home on short furloughs. Maj. John Mansfield 
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regiment ; Lieut. C. C. Dow made Captain of 
Company G, and S. H. Morrison First Lieutenant. Return of Maj. Richardson, of the Sec- 
ond Cavalry, on furlough, after an absence of two years in Secessia. 

October — Maj. E. P. Hill, Twenty-third Regiment, appointed Lieutenant Colonel in place 
of Vilas, resigned. Capt. M. A. Leahy, Thirty-fifth Regiment, opens a recruiting office in 
Portage, offering $402 bounty to nine-month veterans, and $200 to novices in the art of war. 
Resolutions of respect by the pupils of the Portage High School, to the memories of Melvin E. 
Merrell, Richard Williams, Judson A. Lewis, Edward Owen, Trevyllian J. Staley and Edward 
C. Andrews, killed in the war against rebellion. 

November — Grand ball at Pettibone's hall. Portage, by the ladies of the Soldier's Aid 
Society. E. H. Bronson, First Sergeant, Company K, Thirty-second Regiment, detailed to 
recruit in the towns of Fountain Prairie, Columbus, Otsego, Lowville, Leeds and Dekorra. 

December — Special town meetings held in Fountain Prairie and Marcellon, at which it was 
voted to pay $200 bounty, to volunteers. Resignation of Lieut. Wanner, Twenty-third Regi- 
ment. 

1864, January — Col. Guppey and Capt. 0. H. Sorrenson, of the Twenty-third Regiment, 
released by the rebels. ,War meeting at Vandercook Hall, Portage, at which over $(!00 was 
subscribed as bounty money. Town of Scott votes $250 bounty to volunteers ; Fort Winnebago 
votes $200 ; Dekorra raises $1,950 cash as a fund to supply her quota of thirteen. Capt. 
Vaughan, Nineteenth Regiment, promoted to the rank of Major. Sergt. Joseph Twycross, 
Company G, Second Regiment, receives a first lieutenant's commission. 



676 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

February — First Lieut. W. F. D. Bailey appointed Captain of Company G, Thirty-second 
Regiment. Death of W. F. Ward, one of the trio of Reghter printers who enlisted in the 
Twenty-third Regiment, in 1862. Lieut. Lewis Low, of Lowville, promoted to the captaincy 
of Company K, Thirty-second Regiment. 

March — The citizens of Portage vote to appropriate $3,500 for a volunteer fund ; 276 
votes were cast, of which number 27 were against the proposition. 

April — Portage offers a bounty of $150 each for volunteers to avoid the impending draft. 

June — Grand reception to the returned remnants of the valorous Second Regiment, to 
which the Portage Light Guard belonged as Company G ; but ten of this company's members 
were spared to reach home, as follows : Capt. C. C. Dow, Sergt. Joseph Twycross, George Hill, 
Freeman Smith, Fritz Kanzenbach, Henry J. Acker, Simon Jordan, C. P. Austin, J. A. Stan- 
ton and Anson Linscott. 

July — John A. Jolly made Second Lieutenant Company C, Twenty-third Regiment. 
Lieut. John Schoemaker, Company C, Twenty-third Regiment, made Captain of Company I, 
same regiment. Speaking of the impending draft, a local newspaper said : " The thing is now 
reduced to a single allspice, and every man must make arrangements for a fight or skedaddle to 
Canada." 

September — Erastus Cook reports si.xty men enlisted for his artillery company. Maj. 
Vaughan, Nineteenth Regiment, home on furlough. Vigorous volunteering under the stimulus 
of high-bounty patriotism. Col. Mansfield and Lieut. Newton, paroled from Libby Prison, 
return home. Capt. Cook's company of heavy artillery leave for Madison ; in the ranks were 
five brothers, the Douglas boys of Lewiston. Formation of a " draft insurance club " in Por- 
tage. John Jolly opens a recruiting office in Portage for the Fifth Regiment. 

November — Col. Guppey appointed Post Commandant at Paducah, Ky. Columbia County 
gives 1,178 majority for Lincoln. Rev. J. B. Bachman, of Portage, appointed Chaplain of 
the Thirty-second Regiment. Death in a Southern prison hospital of Paul V. Brisbois, Com- 
pany G, Second Regiment, from wounds received at the Wilderness. 

1865, January — Dr. T. E. Best, of Portage, appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Four- 
teenth Ilegiment. Arthur W. Delaney, of Portage, appointed Adjutant of the Forty-seventh 
Regiment. Town of Newport votes a tax of $6,000, and raises a subscription of $2,000, for 
the purpose of filling the quota under the last call. Portage City votes almost unanimously in 
favor of a bounty tax. Organization of the Portage Relief Association. 

February — Another special (bounty) election in Portage; 205 for to 5 against appropri- 
ating $200 each for volunteers to fill quota ; volunteering becomes brisk. Lodi fills her quota 
from the ranks of her own citizens. Great rejoicing throughout the county over the occupation 
of Charleston, the capture of Fort Anderson, etc., by Federal troops. James T. Hulihane, a 
three-years Portage veteran, appointed Second Lieutenant of Company C, Forty-seventh Regi- 
ment. 

April — Capture of Richmond ! Great rejoicing throughout the county ; the "big gun " 
brought out in Portage and fired at short intervals throughout the day and ensuing evening; church 
bells rung, schools dismissed, and a general suspension of business. But alas ! joy turned to 
grief; assassination of President Lincoln ; imposing obsequies; services in all the churches. 

May — Return of veterans mustered out under orders tor a reduction of the army. Capture 
of Mother Davis. Secession scotched I 

A Jteminiscence. — The adventures of the brave boys who fought our country's battles 
would make a volume of massive size, but the following narrative of love and danger should 
no longer remain hidden in the mass of good things that still remain to be told : About three 
miles from the little village of Fall River, in Columbia County, is a successful and highly 
respected farmer, whose history during the four years of war was full of interest. He tried to 
enter the service under the call for 75,000 men. but was a little too late. Very soon after the 
the second call issued, he enlisted as a member of Company B, Seventh Regiment, and was 
made Third Sergeant. The spring of 1862, when Capt. Huntington resigned, George H. Bray ton^ 





^::^^--^i<^<^ .-^/^-^rAJsL^ 



LO D 1 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 579 

of whom I shall speak hereafter, was made Captain, and Sergt. M. C. Hobart, the farmer to 
whom reference is made, was commissioned First Lieutenant, at the battle of Gainesville, August 
28, 1862, the first general engagement the Iron Brigade, of which the Seventh Regiment was 
a part, participated in, and in which battle the brigade fought, for more than two hours, Ewell's 
whole division of Stonewall Jackson's famous fighting corps, losing between SOU and 900 men 
in killed and wounded. Capt. Brayton was shot in the head and immediately expired. Hobart 
succeeded him as Captain, at the battle of Gettysburg, where Hobart was conspicuous for cool- 
ness, bravery and good management ; the brigade lost heavily in prisoners as well as killed and 
wounded. He was among the prisoners. On their second day's journeying toward Richmond 
and Libby Prison, while crossing the mountains, Capt. Hobart stealthily dodged in the friendly 
thicket and in a short time was a free man. The next day he joined his regiment, and parti- 
cipated in the chase after Lee's broken, defeated and demoralized army. At the battle of the 
Wilderness, in May, 1864, Capt. Hobart was again made prisoner ; though making several 
attempts to escape the vigilance of his captors, they all failed, until after he had been a prisoner 
some time. It was while at Columbia, S. C, if we mistake not, Hobart, in company with 
others, made his escape ; after many days and nights of fatigue and hardship, that in these 
times of peace and general comfort would seem unbearable, he was re-captured near 
the Union lines at Knoxville, East Tennessee, and taken to Danville, N. C. ; thence 
to Libby Prison, Richmond ; was paroled February 22, 1865, and exchanged and returned to 
his regiment in April of the same year. Not long after that he was made Major of the Seventh, 
and in the spring of 1865, he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, Gen. Hallon Richardson, 
of Chippewa Falls, being Colonel, and Lieut. George S. Hoyt, now of the regular army, being 
Major. Col. Hobart was severely wounded in one of the many battles he participated in, two 
or three inches of one of the bones of his arm being removed. Hobart is as modest and unassum- 
ing in his role of a successful farmer, as he was brave, modest and unassuming as a soldier. 
The history of Company B, of the Seventh, would make entertaining reading ; counting its 
original members and the recruits forwarded at various times, it had 140 men ; a great many 
of these were killed, and nearly every one of those who came home bore a bullet, bayonet or 
shell mark. Some of them were shot a half a dozen times ; a majority of the survivors are, 
very properly, drawing pensions. Spencer H. Bronson, Fall River's Postmaster, a gentleman 
highly esteemed both as an ofiicial and as a citizen, was one of its members. He was first shot 
at Gainesville, then at Fitzhugh's Crossing, below Fredricksburg, in May, 1863, and again 
seriously at the Wilderness, in 1864. Capt. G. H. Brayton, who was killed at Gainesville, 
entered the army as Orderly Sergeant. He was educated at Lawrence University, and one of 
the most promising young men in Columbia County when the war broke out. His men about 
idolized him, and no young officer in the regiment stood higher ; he had a bright future. 
Speaking of the Seventh, it may be well to mention an incident in connection with the early 
history of the regiment. While in winter quarters on Arlington Heights, opposite Washington, 
the winter of 1861-62, the family of Col. W. W. Robinson joined him. In the family was a 
bright and handsome daughter ; Lieut. Richardson, of Company A, met and loved her, and 
wanted to marry her. She was willing, but Col. Robinson did not want his daughter to marry 
a man who was liable at almost any moment, when hostilities commenced, to be killed, and he 
lost no time in making this fact known to the daughter and the Lieutenant. But what was the 
use, the young people had made up their minds to marry, and marry they did, the ceremony 
taking place in Washington, unknown to the Colonel and his family. It was some weeks before 
he learned he had a disobedient daughter and son-in-law, and it was years before he became 
reconciled. Having been an officer in the Mexican war, and being a regimental commander in 
the war of the rebellion, he had imbibed the notion, quite naturally too, that his orders must 
be obeyed. It proved a happy marriage. The Lieutenant became a Captain, then Major, 
Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, and left the army Brevet Brigadier General. Col. Robinson 
is United States Consul at Madagascar. 



580 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



EOSTER, 



THE CITY OF PORTAGE — FIRST WABI). 

Second Infantry— Qo. G— Alfred Stanton, I. T. Staley, 
John G. Viegt, M. C. Alfred, I. C. Allen, .lohn .Tacobson. 
Co. K — S. H. Morrison, .lames Bates, John K. Bates. 

Fifth Infantry— Co. A— Hugh 0. -Veil. Co. G— Charles 
Bohag. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. E— Oliver H. Sorensen, W. F. 
Worcester. Co. F — .\deloit Staley. 

JS'inth Infantry — Co. I — Wexzel Wackerhausen. 

Tenth Infantry — -Co. H — James T. Hulehan. 

Elevetth Infantry — Co. H — Charles George, William 
Kent. William Anderson. Willibald Gneedig. 

Fifteenth Infantry — Co. D — Halver V. Halverson, Elias 
Peterson, Lars Tologen. 

Seventeenth Infantry — Co. li — Daniel learden. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. I — Dudley Bracy, M. W. 
.'springer. Duncan McClurg, George W. Hillman, W. B. 
Kenyon, William Mills, John Martin, Jacob Pratt, James 
.M. Brown, Friederick Everson, Charles Everson, W. H. 
C. Ferguson, William W. .\lvey, C. C. Andrus. Co. K— 
Thomas .Madden. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. B — James G. Lowery, Will- 
iam Weir, Bishop Johnson, Baron S. Daniels, John M. 
Hagan. Co. D — Martin Billinghausen, David Ferguson, 
Ira .Schoemaker. 

Twenty-thira Infantry — Co. C — Herman H. Kent, Fred 
Ford, Patrick Farmer, David Culbert, James F. Fitts, 
Charles Sorensou. Co. C — Andrew Mesch, Francis 
Boesler, Isaac Sorenson, Louis Heduck. 

Second Cavalry — Co. E — 0. C. Bellude, Washington 
Parker. Alfred Bohag, Horace Carpenter, William Stahl- 
man, George Ross, William McCormick. 

Sixteenth U. S. Regulars — Company unknown — Timothy 
Hulehan. 

Regiment unknown — William Bohag. 

CITY OF PORTAOE — SECOND WARD. 

Second Infantry — Co. G — Capt. John Mansfield, First 
Lieut. A. S. Hill,' Walter L. Plumbstead, John F. Metcalf, 
Joseph Tiv, Swift E. Best, Charles P. Austin, William A. 
Williams, W. S. M. Abbot. 

Seventh Infantry- — Co. E — Joseph Harrington. 

Fourteenth Infantry — Co. K — James Dolan. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. G — lohn Delaney. Co. I — 
Daniel Sherwood. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Oliver E. Tilliston. Co. 
B — G. W. Morris, Louis Cavana, Joseph Rein, Patrick 
Redmund, Friedlieb Kienlieb. Co. D — Capt. S. K. 
Vaughn, M. D. Vaughn. 

Twentieth Infantry — Company unknown — Wm. O'Neil, 
Birney Ackerman, Melvin E. .Merrill, Philemon Cross, 
Judson Packard, Anthony Rogers, Joseph Vermilyen, 
Thomas Warren. James Whitehead, George Green, Ira 
Allen, John Hamilton, George Bohag, .lohn Holden. 

Tii'enty-third Infantry — Co. C — Second Lieut. John 
Shomaker, John Crosby, James Uempsey, H. L. Asher, 
Edmund Vanzant, Rockwell J. Flint, William F. Bailey, 
James T. Graham. Co. H — Leonard F. Warner. 

CITY OF PORTAGE THIRD WAKl). 

Second Infantry — Co. G — Oscar F. Wiune, Owen Davis, 
Gay Sherwood, Fritz Kauzenbach, Paul V. Brisbois, 
James A. Snider. 



Seventh Infantry — Co. E — Thomas E. Best, Alexander 
Stephens. 

.Eleventh Infantry — Co. H — Capt. .\lexander Chrystie, 
Thomas R. Edmonds, I. W. Brisbois, John L. Lavin 

Nineteenth Infantry- — Co. B — S. Kline, E. 0. Emerson, 
John Jones, D. D. Burdick, Ludwig Booth, Charles 
Bracey, Adam Brickford, John Brooks. A. S. Cooper. B. 
D. Carpenter, George N". Dempsey, John Funk, 0. L. 
Gilson. John I. Holden, .Mexander Kline, Edward 
McGrath. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. C — Newton Wilson, John 
W. Hosford, Marcellus Blanchard, George G. Parmiter, 

0. P. Weston, A. S. Warren. 

Twenty-seventh Infantry — Co. H — George C. Snider. 
Second Cavalry — Co. E — Capt. George N. Richmond, 

1. H. Walter, Henry Young, D. M. Hunter. 

CITY OF PORTAGE FOURTH WARD. 

Second Infantry — Co. G — Archy Linscott. Anson Lins- 
cott, Charles Ettinger, I. A. Wiser, William \. Williams, 
George Miles, Gustav Eltermann, E. S. Fletcher. James 
Grace, Thomas Dolan, Gustave La Claire, Horace Emer- 
son, Cornelius Riley, William T. Dean, S. A. Stanton, J. 
M. Carr, Francis Gillmore, A. Parker, C. C. Dow, J. T. 
Mttcalf, Henry H. Williams. 

Fifth Infantry — Lieut. Col. Harvey W. Emmery, Chap< 
lain Rev. Robert Langley. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. E — James Briggs. 

Ninth Infantry — Co. E — Casper Frohlich. Co. K — 
Henry Voight. 

Tenth Infantry — Co. D — First Lieut. Thomas L. Ken- 
nan, Asst. Surg. Robert Mitchell, T. L. Vennan, E. P. 
Stogell, George Bell, William Thompson. I. E. Webster, 
B. F. Woodard. Co. E — Dennis Marsh. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. H — Silas W. Green, Charles 
Brunohler, Frank V. Douglass, Charles Allen, Harvey 
Alma. 

Sixteenth Infantry — Co. F — Duncan Forbes. Company 
unknown — Thomas Donohue, Samuel Reed, Benjamin F. 
Douglas, Daniel Howard. 

Seventeenth Infantry — Co. A — Michael Sanders. 

Eighteenth Irifantry — Surg. George F. Huntington. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. B — James Hunter. Co. C — 
Charles Case. Co. D — Michael Kane, Frederick Lang- 
don. Co. K — Barney Britt. 

Twentieth Infantry — Company unknown — John Hamil. 
ton. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Col. .loshua J. Guppey, Surg. 
James Prentice. Co. C — H. F. Merrill, Henry G. Luther, 
George Carpenter, William F. Ward, Thomas Murray, 
Peter Ball, T. E. Ilalsey, Franlin A. Blood, Joseph W. 
Richardson, Wenzel Roesler, John L. Jolly, Cassius P. 
Edwards, James McDonough, Henry Watley, Charles 
Slater, James Whitney, Capt. Edgar P. Hill. Co. II — 
Robert Giller, Vincuz Weber, Julius Weincr. 

Twenty-fourth Infantry — Co. F — lohn W. Sargent, 
Patrick Cleary, James 8. Anderson, (Jcorge T. Thomp- 
son. 

First Cavalry — Co. E — Ira Suffan. 

Second Cavalry— Co. E— Robert Murray. W. W. Pot- 
ter, (Jeorge S. Race, Earl Race, Samuel Slifer, George 
Hewitt, August Wagenhecht, A. H. Brown, William 
Clark, David Mitchell, Charles Orville, Wallace Smith, 



HISTOKV OF COLUMBIA COUXTY, 



581 



Second Arlillert/ — James S. Dudley. 

Stzth Battery — Frederick Melish, Alfred Bield. 

Srventh Battery — Charles H. Green. 

Tinth Battery — Charles Robinson. 

TOWN OF ARLINGTON. 

Second Infantry — Co. A — Henry H. Grant, George 
Farnsworth. Co. G — Warren L. Pratt. Co. H — Orville 
J. Hurlburt, Orville S. Hurlburt, Thomas Malone, P. C. 
Fryer, Seeman Allen. Co. I — .Joseph Webber, Hiland H. 
Harlocker. Company not known — 

Third Infantry — Co. F — Moses Rose, Amos Petteys. 
Company unknown — Joseph Verber. 

Fifth Infantry— Co. D— Charles A. Urown. Co. F— 
John Blondell. 

Sevmth Infantry — Co. A — Isaac Clapp, William Wood. 
Co G — Harrison L. Wiard, F. I). Best, H. C. Jesse, 
George Sytle. 

Twelfth Ivfantry — Company unknown — William Van 
Hoosen. 

Sixteenth Infantry — Co. B — Patrick Collins, Edward 
Paul, C. H. Smith. " 

Nineteenth Infanl--y — Co. A — Edward Leonard, Frank- 
lin Winchester. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. C — Wesley Richardson, 
John W. Stearns, James Collins. Co. H — 1). W. Knap- 
peer. iMilo N. Blood, Harlow J. Younians, Allen John- 
son, W. D Edgbert, A. J. McFarlan, Stephen W. Green, 
Oliver 0. Holcomb, John Mancka, Lewis Oleson. 

First Cavalry — Co. G — James M. Wheeler, Richard 
Singleton. 

Second Cavalry — Co. E — Charles C. Lee, William Clark, 
Thomas Cartright, Thomas Havercroft, Prosper L. Knap- 
pen, Oliver Saterlee. 

Sixth Battery — Company not known — Harlan P. Dunn- 
ing. 

TOWN OF C.4LED0NIA. 

Seccnd Infantry — Co. G — Paul V. Brisbois. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. H — Robert Murray, Jr., James 
O'Neil, B. Johnson, John L. Lavine, H. Aliiia, W, 
Grudig. 

Fourteinth Infantry — Co. K — William O'Xeil. 

Seventeenth Infantry — Co. H — Thomas Harper, Hugh 
Harper. 

Eigl teenth Infantry — Co. I — William Miller, John 
.Morton . 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. D — William H. Hill. 

Twenty-third Infantry— Qo. C— William M. Ro'-erts, 
Hugh f. Williains, Harris Tuttle, William E. Jones, 
Howell T. Phillips. William Anacker, William Donald, 
Hugh Lindsay, Kdward Owen, John D. Williams, Will- 
iam I'Mwards, Peter Henderson, James T. Graham, James 
Lee, Jr., William Semple. Co. F— E. L. Stoner. Co. H— 
.J. Jennings. 

Second Cavalry — Co. F, — Robert Murray. 

Third Cavalry— Co. E— W illiam Stoner. 

Cnknown — Company unknown — lames Roberts Will- 
iam Willianis, Joseph Robertson, John Bricker. 

TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 

First Infantry — Co. G — Lansing Williams, Harvey K. 
Dodge, Charles A. Searls (Lieutenant on Gen. Stark- 
weather's staff), Adison S. Gardiner, Oscar Bordman. 

Second Infantry — Co. A — Thomas Downs, William 
Kuhl, John Foley, Thomas Greene, William Dutcher, 
James McDonald, Reuben H. Clark. Rufus N. Clark. 

Third Infantry-Co. K— Edwin E. Polly (died), Milo I. 
Waterhouse (died in service), G. Dailey, 



Fomth fnfant'y— Co. D— Albert W. James. Co. E — 
Walan W. Mallo. 

Fifth Infantry— Co. B— D. McLarty, Arch. McFadden, 
C. W. Skinner (Second Lieutenant). James Conlan. 

S'Xth Infantry — Co. D — Benjamin Campbell (died in 
service), William Flanagan. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. A — M. B. Misner (Captain Fourth 
Cavalry, Co. .M ), James Johnson, James Holmes (killed), 
Eli P. Sayers (died in service), Alfred Miller, William B. 
I'aige, James McCabe, Charles Browning, William Cum- 
mings, George P. Uix, Francis A. Fowler (died at Ander- 
sonville), Rufus Hodgeman, .Milo Hawks, Edward I Hurd, 
Lewis P. Holmes (killed), Simeon B. Kendall, I'Mward 
G. Perry, Henry Leyraan, Albert McCalvey, Jacob D. 
Swanger, Hnrlo A. Safield, William I. Townlee. Co. B — 
William A. McAlvey, William H. Dunham (Second Lieu- 
tenant) Co. G — ^yilliam Richards. 

Eighth Infantry — Co. X — Alvin D. Gano. 
Elevintti 'infantrif—Co. B— William P. Williams, Co. 
C— M. V. Thompson. 

Twelfth Infantry — Co. C — George W. Brce!=e. 
Fifteenth Infantry — Co. B. — Jems 0. Mol, Jems Larson. 
Sixteenth. Infantry — Co. D — John I. Downey. Joseph 
Edwards, Louis Flashbine, William Hamilton, Thomas I. 
Winston, Frederich Wolfe. 

Sevinteenth Infantry — Co. B — Emanuel Muyer. 
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. I — Michael Corigan, Morris 
E. Cook, Thomas I. Chapell. Hugh ('arey, Theodore 
Dickerson, Samuel C. Dale, John A. Ehtinger, Nelson 
Everson, Saniutl 15. Flithorp (died in service). Jacob 
Flack, George W. Fossuch. Delansen Griffin, Cilus E. 
Greene, Herbert Gilpin, Philomson Haskins, W. I. 
Hughes, William Jones, George Kurth, Harrison Ijoomis, 
Sylvanus Langdon. .Morrow E. Loveless, James Scilch, 
John South, Charles ilcLevey, Daniel E. Newton, Allen 
D. Randall, John Topp, James Flynn, William A. Cole- 
man (("aptain). First Lieut. (J. A. Soulhmayde. Peter 
Mclntyre, Hiram L. Randall, Andrew 1. Hewing, Benja- 
min W. Shaver, Elias M. Haight, .John .M. James, John 
Wood, George Bunker, Hiram H. Brown, Ferdinand 
Banta, George D. Bellows. 

Twiniy-third Infantry — Co. G — George S. Campbell, 
John H. Hughes, George H. Harrington, Lewis Kehlep, 
John I. Morey, Abel H. Silsbee, Charles E. Quinn, 
Joseph S. Edwards, Daniel C. Cooper, Seth Trask, Ches- 
ter W. Tuttle, John .Mahl, Warren I. Wliiting, Garrilt 
Halverson, Robert Swanger, .Michael Karney, Alfred E. 
Fuller, Edward Grey, John W. Jones, James M. Tibbel5>, 
Elijah Walrod, Theophilus Perry, Henry Weis, James 
Nolan, Herman Klug, Nicholas Didesh, George W. Gib- 
son, Ira Trobridge, Allen D. Thomas, Edward Parry, 
Henry Beaver, Henry Russell, .\lfred W. Fuller, IJenja- 
min Dayton, E. K, Eason, William H. Grindell, Francis 
W. Wright, Quincy A. Page, August Hein, Charles W. 
Allen, John Krouse. Joshua Tompkins, James Downey, 
John Wagoner, John F. Kent. MatView Loulh, Daniel 
O'Rourke, John Rohan. Nathan W. Mead, Capt. J. F. 
Hazeilon, J. ("'. Axtel! (.Second .Assistant Surgeon). James 
McConnell (Fife Major). 

Twenty fijiiilh Infantry — Co. .\ — C. J. Woodward. 
Third Cavalry — Co. E — Inman C. Haines, James Kel- 
sey, John Williams. Simeon Crampton, I. W. Haines, P. 
W' Wright. Co. L — Almond S. Trumbull. 
Buttery No. 9. — Frederick Page. 

Marshal Guards (Bradford Hancock, Captain)— Melvin 
Harrington, George Kenney. 

Thirli/second Infmlry — Co. K — Benjamin F. Wa<son. 
Thirty-sixth Infantry — Jeremiah Morton. 



582 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



TOWN OF COIRTLANI). 

Sfcnmi Infanlrii — Co. A — Daniel Bennett, Silas Ben- 
nett, Henry Bennett, Milo Bennett, Harmon Buog, Sam- 
uel Cook. Solomon Cudderbag, John Enos, J. H. Gould, 
George L. Hnbbs, David C. Jonea, James H. Lewis, Lewis 
Norton, Stephen Varnt, James Walters, Alexander Ogden, 
George Williams. 

Sixth Iiifnntry — Co. C — Henry Rust. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. E — William Jones. 

Eighth Infantnj— Co. D— Daniel D. Morris, R. T. Pugh, 
Earnest Adams. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. A — Festus Hartson. Co. D — 
Joseph Dickerson. Co. I — Thomas Dixon, Joseph Kerr. 

Eighleinth Infantry — Co. I — George Banker. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. D — J. H. Wheelock. 

Twentyfint Infantry — Co. A — John W. Hughes. 

Enlisted at East Randolph, in Capt. Dunham's company , 
E. Gaylord, J. N. Olin, J. W, Bennett, Thomas Dixon, Jr., 
Anton Frehing, Henry Furnell, J. Burrell Ireland, D. 
Ketchuni, N. Palmer, George Smith, Joshua A. Stark. 

Enlisted at Cambria, in the 'Prairie Tigers" Co. — 
Joseph Burnby, Henry T. Williams, J. C. Griffiths, Evan 
R. Jones, Richard Andrews, Thomas H. Hughes, George 
AV. Lewis, Joseph Letellier. David G. Williams, David R. 
Davies, Lewis E. Evans, Griffith Evans, Richard Williams, 
D. W. Williams. 

Joined a Racine company, Capt. 0. Griffiths' — Owen K. 
Jones, Evan G. Roberts, Rowland Edwards. 

Enlbted at Trenton, Dodge County — B. W. Brown. 

Second Cavalry — Co. H — Francis Hughes. 

TOWN OF DEEORRA. 

Second Infantry — Co. G — Charles Rice, William Fletcher, 
Charles Massee, A. Cole, J. T. Loomer, Jeremiah Allen, 
John Sharp, E. Bently, Lucian Wilkins, Van H. Bently, 
James Sines, W. H. Church, C. Blackman, Henry Cave. 
Co. H— George H. Wilbur, Henry McCollum, Frank Wil- 
kins, 0. Tillotson, Roscoe Brown, Charles Erickson, Isaac 
Kenuteson, Thomas Kenuteson, Thomas Murphy, Arch. 
McCollum, Henry Brayton. 

Fflh Infantry — Co. F — John Blundell. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. A — A. Georgison, James Bates, 
John Bates. Daniel Ackaman, Burnet Ackerman, Henry 
M. Buck, J. Ryan, Kenute Kenuteson, John Kenuteson. 
Co. B — Joseph Thomas. 

Eighth Infantry — Co. I — Victor Perham. Company 
unknown, Wesley Richardson. 

Tenth Infantry — Co. D — John Woodard, Elmore Hath- 
away. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. H — William Newman. 

Thirteenth Infantry — Co. G — W. S. Leitch. 

Seventeenth Infantry — Co. A — W.Blundel. Co. F-Henry 
Boslic. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. I — John Sines, Jacob Pratt, D. 
Bracy, Charles Everson, Frederick Everson, Nelson Ever- 
son, G. Nancarron, Nathan Springer, A. Blackman, George 
W. Hilman, Marom Holden Duncan McCloud, Allen 
Church, Wallace Kenyon. 

Alneteenth Infantry — Co. A — Harlo Sheldon. Co. D — 
Bishop Johnson, O. Tillotson, Andrew Bickford, James 
Everson. 

Twentieth Infantry — Co. B — Judson Packard, Burnett 
Ackaman. Company unknown — Ira Allen, Philemon 
Cross, R. Bartlett. 

Twenty-third Infantry —('o. C — Charles Carman, John 
Carman, I. P. Blood, Greenleaf Ackaman, C.P.Edmunds, 
Dabolt Pfremmer, G. Hartman, Tillman H. Hartman. 



James McCollum, Wesley Richardson. Co. H — Jacob 
Stroud, (^ompany unknown — Stoner Hassel, Frederick 
Wait, D. Frazier, Silas Packard. 

Ticenly-fourth Infantry — Co. A — William McDonald. 

Second Cavalry — Co. H. — T. Howard Charles C. Lee, 
Charles L. Lee, W. R. Streeler, David Quackinbush. 

Regiment unknown — Peter Post. 

Artillery — Timothy Kennedy. 

TOWN OF FORT WINNEBAGO. 

First Infantry — Co. H — Franklin Ross, Clark Ross. 

Second Infantry — Co. G — A. P. Tiffany. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. E — lames A. Briggs. 

Tenth Inf.nlry—Co. D— Samuel Cronch. Co. E— Da- 
rius Marsh. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. H — William McAlrong, Patrick 
Downey, Thomas Singleton, Sylvester Eastman. 

Seventeeiith Infantry — Co. H — Thomas Obeir. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. D — Charles W. Bradle.y, Will- 
iam Gambel, John Gambel. 

Tirentirth Infantry — Company unknown — Melvin E. 
Merril. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. C — John Robins, Isaac D. 
Pasco, Amos R. Spiser, John H. Pulver, Louis R. 
Graves, Samuel D. Eastman, William Potter, Charles F. 
Cooley. 

Fifty-seventh Infantry — Cd. C (Illinois) — R. 0. Nelson, 
Jacob C. Becker, James Clithero. Adelbert Eastman. 

Second Cavalry — Co. E — Henry Clithero, Alexander 
Gamble, John Scott, John Fink, James Gamble, Robert 
Whiting, David Gamble, William W. French. 

Sixteenth Regulars — George B. Smith, John W. Clark. 

TOWN OF FOUNTAIN PBAIRIE. 

Second Infan'ry — Co. A — J. H. Smith, Charles Brooks, 
Cas. Neaymuer, Payson. 

Sevmth Infantry — Co. .V — Gilson Henton. Co. B — 
Capt. James H. Huntington, Lieut. S. L. Bachelder, 
George II. Brftyton, Capt. Martin C. Hobart, William H. 
Morgan, Manley T. Bronsen (died in service), Edwin R. 
Hancock, Milton C. Monroe, Cas. E. Plummer, Amos 
Bisselt, John Bissett, Eli Bronson, Spencer H. Bronson, 
Alfred Casson, Elisha A. Dean, Herbert D. Dyer, Chas. 
Foster, Frank Graham, James 0. Hilaker, Harrison 
Lamson, William Myers, William Sickles, Charles 
Sickles, George P. Stanton, David Snow, Henry Jaunt, 
Dexter Titcomb, Joseph Zeman, Julius Englekee. Lyman 
Farrand, Orian C. Crandall, John Hughes. 

Tenth Infantry — Co. E — lames E. Judd. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. B — A. A. Grout, John Hicks, 
Enos Grout, William P. Williams (died in service), Frank 
Livermore, George W. Brossard. 

Sixteenth Infantry — Co. D — Silas B. Loyd, James San- 
tong, William McConnell. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. I — Albert Turck, Loren 
Bronson, George L. Adams, John S. Field, Stephen 
Crossman, Theodore Dickerson, Stephen Jaunt, John 
Payson. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. D — lohn Brooks. 

Thirty-s'cond Infantry — Co. K — Capt. John E. Grout, 
Sanford L. Batchelder, Second Lieut. E. H. Bronson, 
William V. Little, James Cornei, Patrick Burk, Theo- 
dore Wood, Alfred Wright, Lieut. James S. Babcock, 
Augustus Hoofman. Lewis P. Horton, E. T. Kerney, 
Henry Funnell, Thomas Gilson. Israel Bissett, Theodore 
Jenkins, H. W. Hancock, Thomas Tasker, Jr., Abram 
Woodhead, Michael Foley, George Allen, Samuel King, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



58 S 



William Grout, Frederick Virgil, John Walton, James 
HoiightoD, Horace O'Brien, A. S. Sizor. 

Third Cavalry — Co. E— Wayne B. Dyer, Milo W. Mar- 
tin, Leonard Sage, Judson Brown, Nelson Brayton, Hi- 
ram Barber, Alvin Hastings, George Bliss, D. K. Potter, 
Charles Green. 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN. 

Fourth Infantry — Co. D— Albert W. James. Co. H — 
Andrew Weitzart. 

Sixth Infantry — Co. D — William Flanagan. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. A — Herbert K. Lull, Isaac H. 
Mead, Wallace Hinton, Uri Lakey. 

Fifteenth Infantry — Co. D — Thoma Thomas, John 
Bcayer. Co. H — John L. Johnson, Amphon Thomson. 

Sixteenth Infantry — Co. D — Frederick Wolf, Darwin B. 
Sowards, James Digon, Capt. Edwin B. Royes, Daniel 
Kalahan, Henry Riggie. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. I — Capt. Ira H. Ford, Gerden 
G. Beckwith, Almon R. Root, William Smith, Peter Mead, 
Frederick A. Brewer. James Flynn, William Yarns, 
Thomas Laskey. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Company unknown — John Miller. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. A — Frederick Hine. Co. 
B — Daniel Warner, Herbert D. James, Elijah Hoteling, 
Frank Lull, Chancey N. Elithorp, John Wagoner, Preston 
Sowards, William Holshetile, August Hine, Joseph Ed- 
wards, Ira Durbuu, Ole J. Oleson, Matthias L. Johnson, 
Charles McDonald, G. W. McDonald, T. G. Oleson, 
Marius Anderson. 

Third Cavalry — Co. E — Hiram R. Tripp. 

TOWN or LEEDS. 

First Infantry — Co. B — James Durkee, Joseph Durkee. 

Second Infantry — Co. G — David Brown, Sylvester Fos- 
ter. 

Third Infantry — Co. K — Milo J. Waterhouse. 

Eighth Infantry — Co. I — Eugene Perham, John O'Kielf. 

Thirteenth Infantry — Co. A — Ole Anderson, Ole Am- 
mondson. 

Fifteenth Infatdry — Co. B — John S. Opatell, Angle 
Johnson, .lohn Slarkson. Co. F — Knute Iverson. Co. H 
— Stephen Lewis, Marcus Johnson, Knute Larson, 
Knute Nelson. Co. I — Nels Beanson, Arma Turtleson. 
Company unknown — Thomas Thomas, Nels Albert. 

Seventeenth Infantry — Co. D — William Yarns. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. I — George Murray Dexter. 

Thirty-second Infantry — Co. K — Samuel Dumbottom, 
Cuyler Green, William Kinehart, George Simmons, 
Chauncy Estabrook, George Kuby, Hiram H. Freeman, 
Krants Harenburg, Martin Wolfley, Conrad Bonneraan, 
Casper Eichle, Hendrick Casper, Andrew Oleson, William 
Blake, Andrew Anderson, Lars Larson Hans, Charles 
Bulow, Neil Beryonson. 

Third Cavalry — Company unknown — George Retting. 

Cavalry unknown — O. C. Bellroide. 

Regiment itnknown — Surg. Henry M. Mixer, S. L. Lass, 
John 0' Keith. 

TOWN OF LEWISTON. 

Second Infantry — Co. A — Thomas McFarlin. Co. G — 
Simon Jordan, Theodore Flet'-her, Stampbor. 

Ninth Infantry — Co. I — William Seifert, Wencel Waker- 
shausor, Mathias Wagner. 

Tenth Infantry — Co. D — John Gaffany, William Carel, 
Michael Callahan, John B. Banister, Oliver Fellows. 
Co. K — Anton Clement. 

Twelfth Infantry — Co. E — Henry Dyre. 



Fifteenth Infantry — Co. D — Elias Peterson, Ole M. 
Bendickson, .\ndrew A. Dahl, Andrew Mickleson, Lars 
G. Tobackson, Elias P. Lewis. 

Sixteenth Infantry — Co. H — Lepold Bach. 

Seventeenth Infantry — Company unknown — Patrick Me 
Mahon, Thomas McMahon. Co. D — Charles Bach. 
Rodolf Mulish. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. G — John Anderson, Peter 
Tenison. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. D — George Dempsay. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. C — Orrin Hay, John Mc- 
Mahon, Carl Hussenfus, Judson A. Lewis, John A. Peter- 
sen, 0. A. Tolackson, Elias Ereckson, Tonas Dolivar. 
Daniel Devine. William C. Hanson. 

First Cavalry — -Company unknown — Scot Wossen. 

Second Cavalry — Company unknown — Asa Brown. 

Sixth Baiteiy — Frederick Mulish. 

Twelfth Battery — Louis Hiekether, Herman Kune. 

Regiment unknown — Henry .Mudley, Michael Jordon, 
Stumpt. 

TOWN OF LODI. 

Second Infantry — Co. G — George H. Irwin. Co. H — 
George M. Humphrey, Theodore D. Bahn, William L. 
Black, D. Syrus Holdridge, Thomas Knuteson, John 
Kisk, Charles Erickson, Jerry Grover, Sidney Wells, 
Jonathan R. Bryan, F. J. Burnett, Ole Omensen, Will- 
iam Mcintosh, Thomas Murphy. Wilbur F. Turner, 
William H. Kibby. H. C. Hyatt, Thomas W. Canning, 
James E Northrop, Benjamin F.Stahl, David C. Edwards, 

Joseph Wall, Titus, Edward Loney, Roscoe Browne, 

Charles Moore, Orlando S. Hawkins, S. Faup, John 
Joryson. Co. I — James Osborn. 

Third Infantrn — Co. K — I. Q. Lyman. 

Fifth Infantry — Co. H — A. Armor. 

Seventh Infantry — Co A — William Chalfaut. Philander 
Phinney, Lucius Phinney, George D Phinney, Joseph 
Ring, Samuel Osborn, Alexander Hull, S. Morrow, 
John Grant. Thomas Sweet, John Small, Eben B. Dunlap, 
Elijah B. Hinds, Henry F. Turner, Thomas Buchanan, E. 
Brown, Capt. George Bill, M. C. Bartholomew, Joseph 
Merryman Bartholomew, John Bartholomew, Samuel 
Bachman, Edward Chalfaut, Michael Burck, C. B. Fumey, 
J. W. Sanderson. Co. G — R. J. Varnuilu. 

Tenth Infantry— Co. H— Stephen D. Duel. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. K — W. W. Rood. 

Fourteenth Infantry — Co. K — S. Casper, Henry Wolf,. 
Stephen Wood, Horace Foster. 

Fifteenth Infantry — -Co. H — Ole Amfrison. 

Seventeenth Infantry — Co. A — Michael Landree. Co. H, 
Edwin Chapman. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. H — Hiram Brown, Daniel 
Leitch. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. G — Samuel Holdridge. Co. 
H — Simon Cleland, Andrew J. Ryle, Thomas Bunker, 
William Ring, Alpheus W. Baker, Thomas Yule, Isaac 
Ring, Leander Wells, John F. Stahl, John Lawrence, 
Franklin A. G. Eaton, John Civenaugh, .James Pettit, 
Ransom P. Ray. John Sweet, Joseph Church. Patrick 
Farrell, Anthony Philips, Charles Ring, Lyman Williams, 
Adolphus Graves, Joseph Michael Bartholomew, Thomas 
Furber, George W. Kingsley, John R. Scott, Joseph C. 
Brown, Cornelius Dever, Ansen S. Burlingame, Henry A. 
Shaw, Henry Bates, Thomas Dowden, Leonard F. War- 
ner, Joseph Eells, Jr., George Phinney, Thomas C. 
Armor, Henry L. Bancroft, Christian Stacker, Joseph R. 
Collin, H.C. Lockwood, James Quinn, Seth B. Lannchill, 
G. E. Reynolds, Thomas Townsend, Capt. E. Howard 
Irwin, Charles L. Brown. 



584 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



Twtntylhird Infantry— Qo. K— George Van Loan. 
FiTtl "CiwaJry— Company unknown— William Iravis, 
Rohen Travis, Thomas Auferson. 
Second Cavalry— Qo. E— E. Morse. 
Sixth Battery— George W. Barney. 
U. S. /ie^uiars— William Leach. 

TOW.N OF LOWVILLE. 

F,r,t /nf,wtry—Co. E-R. McUonaM. Co. G- A. Gard- 
ner, Homer Brintnall, A. D. Bundy. , , „, , 

Second /,„-„„^.,/_ro.G- Randall McDonald. Charles 
llelaney, .lohn Rowell, .Joseph Coslley, George W^btalker, 
John Lynch, John Lester, Charles Inex. to. H— C. H. 

^iCrd Manlry -Co. K-Charles Curtis, Alva Newell. 

.S«;«,(A lnfan,ry-Co. B-George H. H. Hawes, Edwin 
Dye, Theodore Fletcher. . " , „ j 

Tenth Mantr,/-Co. D-Peter Montier, (.eorge Hand, 
Michael Couloni.lohnBorabaugh, Leonard Jnnton, Lewis 
Green Thomas Darrow, Lyman Burleson, .lohn Brady. 

aievenfh Infantry— Qo. I— Cyrus Benjaniin. 

Eiffktemth 'l„/a„try-Co. I-OIiver Gunderson, James 
Mettler, OleSeverson, A. J. Herring. x i. n 

Tu'er,lietli Infanlry-Go. K-Albert Morse, Joseph D. 

Vermilyier. .. , ■ t t„„ p 

nirty-second Infantry— Vo. K-Lewis Low, Jac. G. 
Herring Hemy Catf. Theodore Northrop, Calvin Andrews, 
Anson White, Eli^s H. Webb, Jonathan Gilbert. Ambrose 
Oleson, Andrew Arenson, Andrew Simmonson, Michael 
Gunderson, Ever Sampson, John McCann, Oavid Chase, 
Horace Stalker, Charles Carman, John Carman, James 
Gilson, Levi Reeves, Ole Kittleaon. 

First fan/Zry— Company unknown— John Midberry, 
Alfred C. Wait. „..„. , 

Second Carulry— Co. E— James Price, W illis Leasure. 



TOWN OF MARCEI.LON. 

Second Infanlry-Co. G_Homer Smith, George Mills, 
George Leeds, Freeman Smith, William Powderly, Ohas. 
P Healh, Homer Sweetman. 

TInrd Infantry -Co. — Edward Vining, Harrison 

Vining. ,„ , „. 

Fourth Infantry-Co. D— Alfred Kinney. 
Sev.nlh Infantry-Co. B-Edwin Dye. 
7V«/A l„fanlry-Co: D-Harlow Wittam, Winfield Wit- 

"'shteertth Infantry— Comy^my unknown— W isley Clark. 

Tw.ntv-th.rd l„fanlry-\S. W. Austin, John L. Edger- 
ton Daniel .Icrome, Leonard Cobb, Clinton Hoyt, Eugene 
Williams, John Smith, Malhew Reardon, tieorge W. 
Hcnick, Martin Cook, Oscar Hill, Vjarlin liriggs, 
Duwavne Mctjuean, Patrick Glasgow. William Fairheld, 
Benjamin Pace, Ira Kinney, Nelson Morrison, James 
Atkinson, Samuel Qviinn. , „ „ u . v.,,. 

Second Curalry-Co. E-J. C. Blodgctt, Robert Van 
iSieinlmrg, William Albee. William Comstock, Carmi 
lieach George Ames, Albert Stedman, Co H-Emmel 
WeVt Gilman Smith, Henry Cook, Hiram Miles, William 
French, S. B. Roberts, T. .1. A. Fletcher. 

KegimenI unkno«n-\\i[\i&m Ketchum, W lUiam Will- 

iams 

TOW.V OF NEWPORT. 

First /„/-«»/rv— Company unknown-I. Sleriiburg 
Fourth Infantry-Co. D-Capt. Joseph Hx'l^y. «■ ';■ 
Herren, Charles Mueler, George W.Por>er, J. W. 1 ore , 
W. S. Payne, Myron Skinner, Virgil Thayer, Lnos Vliet, 
E. P. WooruflF. 



Seventh Infantry— Co. A— J. M. Perry. Co. B— Geo. 
Gayman. , , ^ 

Tenth Infantry— Co. D— Halver Halverson, Freman 
Buder. Co. H — P. Edmundson. 

rwe/fth Infantry— Co. E— H. Bennett, E. F. Bennett, 
F M " t'anfi'eld, William Fisher, James M. GuUck, J. 
Hawes, .lohn Soman, L. Woodworth, William Watson. 
Fifteenth Infanlnj— Company unknown— H. Oleson. 
Seventeenth Infantry— Co. H— J. H. Colbourn, John 
Guger, Joel Hamlin, T. Morrison. 

Eiahteenth. Infantry-Co. G-J. H. Shield, C. Shield. 
Co H— Heman Bradway. Co. K— William Buck, K. 
Crunst, Andrew Hooker, Jefferson Kingsley, John 
O'Connor, David Brothers, James N. Shield, J. A. Whip- 
ple. S. W. .lerard P.ardee. 

Nineteenth Infanlry—Vo. G— H. W. Kingsbury, Elmer 
Hathaway, Jacob Guger. 

Thirtv-fint Infantrv— Co. I— Milton Armstrong, M. C. 
Armstrong, Rason ■Bonnell. J. K. Conner, Osmund 
Christoferson, C. H. Gould, Ole Kuttleson, J. W. Ker- 
zarter, Henry Shinks, William Sweet, W. A. York. 

First Cavalry— Com\Mny unknown— A Blood. Co. C— 
W. H. Casweli, George A. Caswell, F. M. Compton. Co. F 
— Harvey E. Wety. „ n i 

Third Cavalry— Co. H— Willis A. Hawes. Co. F-J. 
H. Clerk. Company unknown — H. R. Smith. 

^ ^ TOWN OF OTSEGO. 

First Infantry— Co. G— George N. Lawton. 

Second 'infantry— Co. A— Henry M. Hunting, Bramard 
D. Graves, Philo Pason. 

Siith Infantry-Co. C— Henry M. Botten. 

Seventh Infantry— Co. A— Wallace llenton, (.^yrus Hen- 
ton l"o B— David B. Pulver, Richard Weatly, John H. 
Smith John Hughes, Alexander Hughes, Azel Stoddard, 
Azel S Miller, John E. McMahon. Henry Sickels, Daniel 
Sickels, C. C. Spalding, D. B. Pormer, George Bush. Co. 
E— Tolly Ogden. Co. G— Nathaniel Jones. 

T.nth Infantry— Co. D— Lyman M. Burleson, Thomas 
P. Darre, Alson Bush. 
! Sixteenth Infantry— Co. B— Alphanso Hernngton. Co. 
D — Lewis Pettis. „ „ , • 

, Eighteenth Infantry-Co. I-Hiram H. Brown, Lewis 

1 Anderson. 

Twenty-third Infantry— Co. G— Hugh Halb. 

Thirt'n-second 'infantry-Co. K-Newton Aekerman, 
Ancel Starr, James Pulver, Charles Lee, B. J. Fromdall, 
James A. llano, Lewis H. Stickney, George M. Sticknoy, 
Jabez Hunting, Jr , Dennis Blenis, Edwin Memn- ^■*- 
Holly, George S. Harring, Hiram Pittis, William An 
drews. 

First Cavalry— Co. L— Joseph R. Lee. 

Third Cavnlry— Co. L— James McMahon. 

Regiment unknown — Silas B. Roat. 



TOWN OF TAOIFlC. 

Second Infantry— Co. G— Francis Gilmore.' 

Tenth lnfantn,-Co. D-Hiram Mason, Samuel Mur- 
rey, Alfred Holmes, George W. Marsh, William Dow, 
Lorenzo How. 

Fourteenth Infantry-Co. E-David tjuackinbush. 

Sixtimth Infantry— Co. I— John Sines^ 

Eighteenth Infanlr,/-Co. l-Francis Eaverson, Nathan 
Eaverson, James Eaverson. Company unknown-Owen 

"^^'^NMeeirh Infantry^Co. D-Ludwick Booth, William 
Mar. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



585 



Twenty-third Infantry — Co. C — Chester B. Flowers, 
Jamea Holmes. 

TOWN OF EANDOLPH. 

Second Infantry — Co. A — George E. Maynard, .Jasper 
Daniels, Charles Fletcher, William H. Thomas, Chester 
p. Thomas, Charles C. Thomas, Martin V. Bloodgood, 
Lewis Norton, Frederick Martin, Amasa Ketcham, Dan- 
iel Williams, William Lewis, Robert Welch. 

Eighth Infantry — Co. D — Samael Fanstenod, J. C. 
Voteman, G. B. Finney, Carlos F. Manser, Avery Rob- 
inson, George H. Whirry, Thomas Collins, William Fitts, 
Henry Hockmer, George S. Holsie, Elisha Fletcher, John 
Wilson, Ftancis Gale, .John Carlisle, George Plank, 
David L. L. D. -Jones. 

Tenth Infantry — Company unknown — Jos. G. Thomas. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. H — Jonson Anderson, Fred- 
erick Langdon. 

Sixteenth Infantry — Co. B — Lorenzo Ford. Co. D — 
Josiah Fields, James Sims. Co. H — Isaac Vanorunm, 
John Vanorunm. Company unknown — George Herriok. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. B — William W. Griffith. Co. 
D — Edward McGrath, Byron Daniels, John Jones, John 
Griffith. Company unknown — Thomas Jones. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. <J — Porter Langdon, Byron 
Anderson. 

Twenty-ninth Infantry — Co. E — Patrick Bada, Scott 
Carlisle, Jerome Gordon, John W, Phillips, James Dib- 
ble, Oliver Walch, Joseph Thomas, Job W. Perry, Sam- 
uel Mead, Lucius Cole. 

TOWN OF RANDOLPH. 

Twenty-ninth Infantry — Co. E — John Egau, Alfred 
Gary, John Jackson, John Riley, William Jackson, John 
Dutton, Alphonzo Dibble, Cornelius Palmitier, Frederick 
Hawky, Andrew Onto, Richard Perrott, Samuel Daward. 

Regiment unknown — I'erry Thompson, Richard H. Jones, 
David Griffith, Lewis Evans, E. H. Prichard. 

Second Cavalry — Co. H — Even Evens. 

Third Cavalry — Co. I — Edward Rice. 

TOWN OF SCOTT. 

First Infantry — Co. A — Melvin L. Fuller. 

Second Infantry — Co. A — Samuel Cook, James Lewis. 
Co. G — Horner Sweetman, John H. Langdon. 

Tenth Infantry — Co. K — Horace Fuller. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. G — James Lee. Co. H — James 
O'Neil. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. G — Theodore Thomas. Co. I 
— Morris Cook, Hilard Taylor, George Garsuch, S. Lang- 
don, Adrastus Cook. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. G — Charles Odey. 

Twenty-thtrd Infantry — Co. C — John D. Parish, Free- 
man Bentley, Israel Cannon, Josepli Hewitt, Jr. 

Regiment unknown — John Marshall, John J. Edwards, 
Thomas T. Roberts, John Luther Dutton, Reynold 
Nemitz, Mark Mead, Edward Wight, Erwiu Grover, 
Charles Chapman. 

Light Artillery — Co. B — George Stancer (SHch.). 

First Cavalry — Co. F — Martin Mayhew, Robert Wright. 

Second Cavalry — Co. E — Stephen Woodard, Charles 

Heath, Herbert Heath, Frank Hughes, Stallman. 

Company unknown — William Stallman. 

Third Cavalry — Co. C — Martyr Judge. 

TOWN OF SPRINGVALE. 

Second Infantry — Co. G — John Hause, Francis Gilmore, 
Horace Neely. 

Eighth Infantry — Co. D — Daniel L. Morris. 



Tenth Infantry — ^Co. D — Alexander Wiltsy, Allen Grow. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. C — Hugh Kelley. 

Fourteenth Infantry — Co. K — Peller Palmitier, Kneel- 
ious Palmitier. 

Sixteenth Infantry — Co. A — Joseph C. Kelley. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. I — Evan H. Williams, William 
Furgursou, John Giance, 

Nineteenth Infantry — Company unknown — Hendry 
Funk. 

Twenty-second Infantry — Co. I — Evan Roberts, Robert 
Williams. 

Regiment unknown — Failo Brower, Joe Carrier, Hugh 
W. Hughes, Rowland Morris, Thomas Babcock, Edward 
Hartt, George Morgan, Edward Morgan, David Jones, 
John Williams, John Roberts, Edward Williams, David 
Williams, Owen Hughes. 

Second Cavalry — Co. E — Austin Camian, Faiett Can- 
non. 

Third Cavalry — Co. C — Hendrey Brower, James Palmer. 

TOWN or WEST POINT. 

Second Infantry — Co. A — William Kibby, James E. Nor- 
throp. Co. G — Charles Morter, Jr. Co. H — Thomas 
Kannon. 

Sixth Infantry — Co. A — Marshal Keyes. 

Seventh Infantry — Co. A — Albert 0' Conner, JohnO'Con- 
ner. Co. D— P. T. Battan. Co. G— James H. Rodgers. 
Co. H — Oscar Parry, Edward Fenton, Hiram Wyatt, John 
Yule. 

Eleventh Infantry — Co. A — William Madison, James 
Henderson, Michael Donahoe, Frederick Raymond, John 
Story. Co. H — Horace Policy, William Haassor, Harvey 
S. Barnes, Ed. Finton. 

Fourteenth Infantry — Co. K — Lewis Lyman, Horace D. 
Lyman, Hiram Burroughs, Richard Jennep, Hiram T. 
Johnson, Samuel B. Johnson, Horace A. Foster, Azro 
Abbott, Harmon Tiffany. 

Seoenteenth Infantry — Co. H — Ausil J. Bugby. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. H — Edgar Richmond, 
Alonzo Duel, Byron Waffle, H. P. Waffle, Charles Passage, 
Earnest Danger, Robert Mayward, A. B. Avery, Rufus 
Morrell, Lorenzo C. Warrener, Edward Streeter. Co. K 
— William Ballard, Martin Delaney, Henry H. Avery, 
Patrick Morrisy, Patrick Byon, John Kehoe, William T. 
Shirtliff. 

Second Cavalry — Company unknown — Edward H. 
Moore, Myron Z. Ribbet. 

Third Cavalry — Arnold Pratt. 

Sixth Battery — Alonzo B.Avery, Samuel Clark, Charles 
Hutchinson, Thomas C. Jackson, Edwin Barberia, Andy 
Herren, Augustus Dilly, William Dowden, Frank Baker, 
W. W. Wyman, George \. Bigford. 

Twelfth Battery — David Kyes. 

Sixth Regiment — Webster Kyes, Orin Kyes. 

TOWN OP WYOOENA. 

Second Infantry— Co. G— S. A. Nichols, Peter Irwin, 
Edward Rice, George Briffett, Richard V. Dey, James 
Holden, Charles Johnson, George Mack, Henry Reusi- 
more, John Chapman, Stephen Eggleston, Charles Rey- 
nolds, George Williams, George Blanchard, Andron F. 
Pardee, H. K. Coffin, John House, W. H. Mathewson. 
Yates Ashley, Charles P. Bloom, Charles Rice, Richard 
Batson, John M. Carr, Charles Heath, Theodore Fletcher, 
George Hodgedon. 

Fifth Infantry — Co. D — John Brady. 

Sixth Infantry— Co. A— W. W. Spear. 



586 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



Seventh Infantry — Co. B — .Tames K, .Salisbury. Co. E 
— Edward Bowen, Ira D. Grow. Charles H. .Tohnson. 

Eighth Infantry — Regimental Band — Samuel W. Jones, 
Norman Coapman, Henry H. Blair. .Samuel 0. Leonard, 
Charles Cook, D. H. Cummings, Jr. 

Tenth Iiifonlri/— Co. D— H. C. Luther, Henry Thrall, 
Diiniel Babcock. Rollin Nichols. F. M. Spear, A. E. 
Patchin, Henry Oviatt, James Dickson, David H. Cum- 
mings, Sr., Charles W. Hill. Alfonso Jones, Frank Cum- 
mings, Thomas Knowles, N. D. Cone. Charles Cone, 
Alanson A. Bull, Royal Hawkins, George Rouse, Hobert 
I'armenter. Marcus Parmenter, C. C. Merrill, James 



Hayes, Chap. James L. Coffin, M. Smoke, Alson Bush, 
Wescott Austin, James Forrister, Marlin Gerry, Thomas 
R. Powers, Charles Rockwood, John Purves. 

Eighteenth Infantry — Co. F — Henry Cooledge. 

Nineteenth Infantry — Co. D — Volney D. Carpenter. 
Gerard Dey, Peter McGuire, Augustus Lobdell, Highland 
Whelock, John Pallister, John Ballard. 

Twenty-third Infantry — Co. C — Albert L. Bounell, John 
Hunt, William Boothe! Co. F— Henry C. Stanley. 

Second Cavalry — John Brown, Jacob Luzeler, George 
Mack, Albert Steadman, Allen Grow. 

Regiment vnknown — Richard Williams. 



COLUMBIA COUNTY OF TO-DAY. 

The general surface of Columbia County is gently rolling prairie and openings, with some 
level marsh. There is about 40 per cent of the land that is styled openings, where the timber 
is mainly white, burr and black oak, and the balance is nearly equally divided into prairie, 
timber and marsh land. The timber is principally oak, maple, basswood and elm. The county 
contains 492, .500 acres ; 485,.580 acres of these are owned by actual settlers, which are assessed 
at an average value of $12.8-3 per acre. Nearly two-thirds of the land are now cultivated. 
There are a number of excellent water-powers. Numerous quarries of lime and sandstone, and 
beds of clay, furnish first-class material for building purposes. The railroad communications 
are excellent ; there is no point in the county more than twelve miles from a line of road, and 
it will also have, at no distant day, it is believed, uninterrupted water communication with the 
Mississippi and Lake Michigan. On the Wisconsin River, where it passes through the county, 
some of the grandest scenery is to be found in the West. It has already been shown how cele- 
brated are the Dells of the Wisconsin. They are much visited by tourists, the number annually 
increasing. Two good boats make their regular trips daily, in the summer, and objects of 
interest are shown and fully explained to visitors. 

The State census of 1875 showed a population of 28,803 ; of these, 19,653 are natives of 
the States, and 9,150 are foreigners, including 2,774 from Germany ; 2,681 from England and 
Scotland; 1,564 from Sweden and Norway; 1,332 from Ireland, and 511 from Canada. There 
are twenty-one towns, and two cities, containing an area of 800 square miles. The city of 
Portage has a total assessed value of real estate of $647,110, and personal property to the 
amount of $335,000. Her public buildings, business blocks and private dwelling houses are a 
credit to the place. The city of Columbus has real estate to the amount of $445,040, and per- 
sonal property amounting to $330,000. The principal villages in the county are Lodi, Kilbourn 
City, and Cambria. The other villages of the county are Wyocena, Rio, Otsego, Doylestown, 
Fall River, Pardeeville, Okee, Poynette, Arlington, and a part of Randolph. Besides the 
post offices in Portage and Columbus and in these villages, there are those in the county named 
Randolph Center, Leeds Center, Leeds. North Leeds, Keyeser, Lowville, Marcellon, Bellefoun- 
tain. Midland, Port Hope, Hampden, West Point, Farr's Corners, Rocky Run, Dekorra, Alloa, 
Colburn, Lewiston, Pacific and Hartman. 

All parts of the county are well supplied with water, and the various streams afford com- 
plete drainage. The Fox River and its tributaries drain the northern part; Rock River the 
eastern part, emptying into the Mississippi at Rock Island, 111. ; the Wisconsin the remainder, 
pouring its waters into the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. Many of the streams afford good 
water privileges, which are utilized at several points in the driving of flouring-mills. Spring 
Creek has now six; Duck Creek, four; Rowan Creek, two; Rocky Run, one; Crawfish, two ; 
Fox Run, one. The majority are custom mills and do only local work. 

Stock raising is now recognized as quite an industry among the farmers. As the land 
becomes less adapted for the cereals, pasture lands take their place, and the hills and valleys are 
now seen dotted with herds of cattle and flocks of sheep ; of the latter the finer breeds are 
being introduced. As an outgrowth of the cattle feeding and grazing, together with the low 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



58T 



price of wheat, the dairy business was begun. A number of cheese factories are distributed at 
diflPerent points, the export during the season of 1878 amounting to about 1,000,000 pounds. 

Three lines of railroad enter the county and afford easy exit in all directions. These are 
the Wisconsin Central, which has Portage City for its southern terminus, and connects with 
points to the northward ; the Madison, Northern and La Crosse Divisions of the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul ; and the Chicago & North-Western. In all there are about one hundred and 
twenty miles of road within the limits of the county. 

The educational facilities in the county are excellent. There are 149 schoolhouses, a large 
proportion being in good condition. Instruction is spurred on by Institutes, by the County 
Teachers' Association, and by the visits to the schools of the County Superintendent. 

There are seven newspapers in the county. These, in mechanical appearance and editorial 
ability, take high rank in the State. The State Register, Democrat and Columbia County 
Weaker are published in Portage ; the Democrat and Republican, at Columbus ; the Valley 
Neivs, at Lodi ; and the DelU Reporter, at Kilbourn City. 

In the internal improvements of the county are found abundant indications of the enter- 
prise, good taste and prosperity of its citizens. A large number of first-class farm houses and 
private residences is seen. Church edifices are numerous, and are respectable in size and 
appearance. The county buildings are large, convenient and well adapted to the purposes for 
which they are designed, and no more faithful, intelligent and accommodating county ofiicers 
are anywhere to be found. 

Considering its geographical position, its physical features, its agricultural, social and 
financial advantages, and the intelligence and enterprise of its inhabitants. Columbia County 
may be regarded as a model county. 




588 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE CITY OF PORTAGE. 

Early Settlement— Growth of Portage— Portage Thirty Years Ago— Portage in 1860— 
"Claim Twenty-one"— Richard Freeman Veeder— The Guppey Plat and Veeder 
Claim— Organization and Government of Portage— The Canal— The Schools— Relig- 
ious Institutions— Manufactories— Ferries and Bridges— The Fire Department 
AND Fire Record— Bank.s— Wisconsin Editorial A.ssociation— Early Justice in Port- 
age—The ScHULZE Band— The Post Office— Hotels— Public Halls— Local Militia- 
Orders and Societies— Cemeteries— Portage of To-day. 

early settlement. 

Henry Carpenter, now residing at Coloma, Waushara County, was the first white man to 
make, within the present city limits of Portage, improvements of a permanent and progressive 
character, though preceded, as a resident, by Silas Walsworth. Mr. Carpenter says : 

" I landed in Portage in July, 1837 — my wife and I and a man and wife by the name of 
Hart. Henry Merrell was keeping a sutler's store when I came, in a building close by the 
fort.* He afterward built and moved to the west side of Fox River. The first white woman 
who came to the portage, and permanently settled there, was Sarah Carpenter, my wife ; the first 
white child born at the portage was George Carpenter, my son. Silas Walsworth kept a small 
grocery on the Wiscpnsin River, near the place where I built my hotel. Gideon Low (an army 
officer), then living at the fort, was building the Franklin House when I came, and afterward 
moved into it." 

Neither Carpenter nor Low came to Portage to settle there, although they finally became resi- 
dents. The same may be said of Henry Merrell, who was a suttler at Fort Winnebago, and came to the 
portage in 18-34. He built a store on the west side of the Fox River, opposite the fort, in the summer 
or fall of 1837, about the same time that Carpenter erected the old original United States Hotel. 
Both Merrell and Low lived and died in Portage. Silas Walsworth, whom Carpenter found 
living on the portage in July, 1837, came the same year. He afterward married the Widow 
Pervonsal, more familiarly known as Madame Pauquette, and, in 1846, when Columbia County 
was organized, was chosen to fill the responsible office of County Judge, though he failed to 
qualify and assume its duties. He came to the portage as a trader who might at any time leave 
for another place. 

The year 1838 witnessed the advent of Andrew Dunn, Hugh McFarlane, Clark Whitney, 
J. Garrison, Archibald Barker, Jonathan Cole and others. Dunn, McFarlane and Whitney, it 
seems, were the only ones who "came to stay." The full tide of immigration set in during 
1839-40, and continued unabated for nearly twenty years. 

GROWTH OF PORTAGK. 

The development of Portage, during the first fifteen years of its existence, was rapid. 
Unlike most Wisconsin cities and villages, dependent upon the local water-power site for their 
earlier greatness. Portage commanded a large share of the trade of all those portions of the 
State lying between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien ; that is to say, the products of the region 
of country extending along the Fox and' Wisconsin Rivers found their way to Portage, where 
exchanges and sales were made, and thus the place became, and, in fact, has since remained the 
entrepot of Central Wisconsin. Under these circumstances, its growth has been rapid, though 
of a less substantial nature in the earlier part of its history than now. In fact, from 1849 to 

* East of Fox Rirer, and therefore outside the pre-^ent city limits. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY". 689 

1860 may be denominated the speculative period in its development ; while the era of permanent 
progress occupies the time from the latter date to the present. The canal, of course, was the 
improvement toward which every one looked and the thoughts of all reverted. When it was 
finally decided that there should be a canal, before the survey had been made, great excitement 
prevailed among the people owning and occupying the little cluster of houses along Wisconsin 
street. It was generally believed that the two rivers would be connected through Bronson 
avenue, inasmuch as the two streams approached nearest together at this point, and a demand 
for property along the avenue was necessarily soon manifested. But, as some experience has 
long since taught, there is no telling where canals and railroads are going until they get there ; 
the Portage Canal was no exception to the rule. Bronson avenue property owners were seriously 
disappointed when the fiat went forth that the canal, with a perplexing elbow in it, should be 
located some distance northwest of them. This announcement created confusion, and real estate 
values were sadly effected. Immigrants were constantly pouring in, but very few of them chose 
to locate upon " the flat;" they preferred high ground. And then it was that the first settle- 
ments were made along the brow of the semi-circular hill, then so clearly discernible, in what 
are now the Second and Third Wards. The population of this new settlement was composed 
almost entirely of former residents of Fremont, Ohio. A very brisk rivalry soon sprang up 
between the old residents of " Lower Town " and the new comers of "Upper Town;" and 
when the latter became influential enough to secure the removal of the post-office to the north 
side of the canal, the name " Gougeville " was immediately substituted for " Upper Town " by 
the chagrined denizens of "The Flat. " The energy and industry of all classes, however, soon 
united in the common cause of progress. The two settlements became one, and local differences 
of a character to retard development were thereafter seldom indulged in. 

In the fall of 18.5o, there were ten dry goods stores in Portage, with an aggregate stock 
worth nearly a quarter of a million of dollars. Of other mercantile establishments, such as 
grocery, drug, clothing, hardware, jewelry and tin stores, thei'e were sixteen. This number did 
not include the "grocery stores " where liquor was the chief commodity dealt in. In several of 
the establishments mentioned, the daily receipts were from $100 to $150, and it was generally 
conceded that more business was transacted in Portage (then but three or four years of age) 
than in Jamesville, the latter having the advantage of three times the population and twenty 
years' experience. 

" Three years ago," says a writer of 1854, "it was but a bare frontier settlement around 
the old Fort Winnebago ; now it numbers 3,000 inhabitants, and is the center of trade for a 
large tract of the best country in the State. Two freight and passenger steamers are running 
to this place weekly from the Mississippi River, thereby connecting Portage with St. Louis and 
New Orleans. There is but one check to its growth, and that I regard as only temporary ; I 
mean the Veeder claim dispute, just decided by the Supreme Court in favor of Veeder." 

During 1854. manufacturing institutions, schools and churches sprang up on every hand. 
The very atmosphere appeared to throb with the pulsations of progi'ess. McNeal & Burgher 
completed their four-story stone flouring-mill on the canal in this year ; Smith & Blair estab- 
lished a furnace on Dodge street ; work was commenced on the La Crosse & Milwaukee Rail- 
road depot buildings ; a classical institute was placed upon a sound footing ; a daily mail was estab- 
lished between Madison and Portage ; H. Orton organized a circus, and gave a performance for 
the benefit of the poor ; while numerous other progressive movements were made. 

In 185.5, D. Vandercook built and finished his substantial brick block, 46x65, three stories 
high ; B. F. Pixley erected a steam planing-mill, on the north bank of the river, near the ferry. 
Arnold, Fai'go, Mappa, Dunn and McFarlane broke ground for an extensive brick structure 
(now the- Corning House), on the northwest corner of Cook and Wisconsin streets ; Mr. Sexton 
completed a block of stores on Cook street ; six brick buildings, the property of Mr. McTighe, 
were in course of construction ; the Methodist Church was completed ; the Presbyterian Church 
was commenced ; the Episcopal Church was finished, and numerous private residences were 
occupied for the first time A local editor sums up the work of two years as follows: " Two 



590 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

years ago this month (August), we took possession of the room we now occupy as a printing 
ofBce — which was hurriedly finished for the purpose — in an isolated building, with a few tempo- 
rary cabins in the immediate neighborhood. The corner opposite was cultivated as a vegetable 
garden, and one unfinished building on DeWitt street stood alone between us and the corner 
above. Now, the space, from street to street, is covered with handsome business blocks — one 
banking house, twelve new stores, offices, saloons and shops — and the busy hum of trade rises 
from the spot then covered with cabbages and potatoes. On the next corner, where the grass- 
plat spread so invitingly for the circus folks to pitch their tents, now stands a block of fireproof 
buildings, fifty-four feet high from cellar to battlement, with a front of one hundred and thirty 
feet, and built in a style unexcelled by any in the State. Alongside of this, fronting on Wis- 
consin and Cook streets, masons iire actively engaged in raising the walls of a block of still 
larger size ; and still another store and brick building is being erected on the northwest corner 
of Wisconsin and Cook streets, by Mr. Haertel. Three handsome church edifices are being fin- 
ished with all the dispatch that circumstances will admit." At this date, the population of Port- 
age, officially ascertained, was 2,062, as follows : First Ward, 612 ; Second Ward, 443 ; Third 
Ward, 464 ; Fourth Ward, 543. This did not include the residents in the vicinity of the Fort, 
those in Pacific or that portion of Lewiston embraced in the business of the city. In September, 
Prospect Hill was surveyed and laid out in city building lots by Dr. McCuUoch, and in the 
early part of October, Milo H. Pettibone purchased of Thomas Christopher the lots corner of 
DeWitt and Cook streets, paying therefor $4,000. One of the conditions of the sale required 
Mr. Pettibone to erect within one year a brick block, not less than three stories high, and to 
occupy the entire front on DeWitt street (114 feet). C. J. Pettibone was then at work on a 
similar structure on the opposite side of the street. As showing the normal condition of things 
at that date, it is stated that during three months of the summer and fall of 1855, more than 
ten thousand persons, with their teams, stock, etc., crossed the Wisconsin River in the neighbor- 
hood of Portage, en route for homes in the great Northwest. 

At the beginning of the year 1856, contracts had been let for the completion of 100 
buildings the then coming season. Among other institutions in successful operation at 
that date, there were five hotels, one iron foundry and machine-shop, one steam saw-mill, one 
planing-mill, one flouring-mill and three brick-yards. Besides the numerous mercantile institu- 
tions already established, eleven brick structures, to be filled with new goods when completed, 
were then in process of construction ; five churches and three printing-offices helped to make up 
the list of important things. 

In the fall of 1856. Ketchum's Second Addition to Portage was laid out, and became a 
part of the city ; the Portage Bridge Company was organized, and preparations made for the 
construction of the great bridge over the Wisconsin River. About the middle of November, on 
a damp, still morning, the heavy atmosphere vibrated to notes never before heard in the vicinity. 
Whence came they? The "thing" screamed again. The oldest settlers' knees trembled, 
and women are said to have fainted. The citizens assembled in little knots on the street cor- 
ners, and, finally, a Committee of Safety having been appointed, it was ascertained that a rail- 
way construction train, somewhere between Pondsville and Cambria, had run out to the end of 
the road to wake up the natives with its little whistle. Fear and sorrow was soon afterward 
turned to joy when the iron horse came puffing into the city. 

A local newspaper, announcing some of the principal business changes within the month, 
tells us that " Mr. Van Winter's Block, on Cook street, is now in working order, Mr. Van 
Winter having removed his stock round the corner into No. 1, and Messrs. Emmerson & 
McGrath having taken possession of No. 2. Messrs. B. & S. Schwartz, finding their three 
stores, on the east side of the canal, too small for their stock, have taken the one recently 
vacated by Mr. Van Winter. J. Servis & Co. (newcomers in town) have taken the store 
formerly occupied by G. W. Babcock, in Pettibone's Block, which they have filled with ready- 
made clothing. Mr. Babcock has changed his quarters to Verandah Block, in the store hereto- 
fore occupied by J. B. Miller. 0. Case still offers bargains at the 'People's Store,' formerly 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 591 

known as Anderson's." At that date, the population of Portage was 4,364. It is not surpris- 
ing that new additions to the city and new stores and manufactories were so frequently 
announced. Building did not cease through the entire winter (and it was a cold one). A pub- 
lic sale of real estate took place the day after Christmas, at which $13,000 changed hands for 
•city lots, most of the purchasers proceeding immediately to rear houses thereon. 

The panicky condition of affairs in 1857 had its effect upon the progress of Portage. There 
■was noticeably less activity in all kind of business. Real estate ceased to advance in price, 
there was less demand for building material, money became scarce, cash customers were in 
greater demand and the people moved cautiously. The end of the speculative era had arrived. 
Then commenced the substantial and permanent period of the young city's growth. The com- 
pletion of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad and the spanning of the Wisconsin River with 
the great bridge in this year are important items in the history of Portage. It was cause for 
congratulation that the citizens had never voted the credit of the city, except to aid in the 
building of the bridge, and, while other cities and villages were struggling to meet their bonded 
obligations, Portage occupied the enviable position of a brilliant exception in the matter of 
indebtedness. Private capital was no less plenty than in years past, but there was less of it in 
sight. 

In the spring of 1858, in spite of the hard times, there were from fifty to eighty buildings 
being erected, many of them of brick, of the most substantial character. Labor, lumber and 
lots had become as good a circulating medium as coin itself. Lumber men bought lots, built 
houses and paid in lumber ; laborers obtained lumber and building lots in exchange for work, 
while land-owners contracted for work, lumber and other material, and gave an equivalent in lots. 

In 1859, the assessed real and personal property, in the city of Portage, was valued at 
■$588,169. A correspondent draws the following picture : " Seven years ago, I entered Portage 
on a lumber-wagon, after a tedious four days journey from Milwaukee. What is now a large, 
well-built city, with an enterprising population, was then an unreclaimed waste, dotted by a few 
straggling houses. Its growth has been almost magical. It contains many structures that 
would do honor to a much larger city. The churches, especially, are unusually fine edifices, 
and speak well for the intelligence and morality of the inhabitants. There are also several large 
blocks built in a substantial and tasteful manner. The color of the brick made here is the same 
as that of the far-famed Milwaukee brick, and gives to the place a cheerful and pleasing 
appearance." 

The war of the rebellion came, and the unparelleled progress that has always character- 
ized the history of Portage was again temporarily checked. The implements of industry were 
laid aside, and the destructive weapons of war taken up. Hundreds of the best men composing 
the thriving population gave up their pursuits of peace and joined the grand army to aid in 
•obliterating treason. Many of them never returned. A new generation has grown up. Con- 
fidence in the integrity of the Government has been fully restored. The rays of a new indus- 
trial era are just beginning to shed their welcome splendor over the battlements of progress. 
Portage, through all the tribulations that resulted disastrously to other cities, has not receded. 
Her commercial supremacy has been steadily maintained. Her reverses have simply checked, 
not diminished, her prosperity. She boasts of shrewd and enterprising merchants. All that is 
now lacking is the development of the manufacturing advantages she naturally possesses, she 
being, as it were, the "half-way house " of Wisconsin. 

PORTAGE THIRTY YEARS AGO. 

Fort Winnebago, in 1850, claimed a population of 300 or 400 inhabitants, but had, by 
actual count, probably 200 ; and no small share of these were merely transient stoppers in the 
place. There were three villages then — the little collection of houses under the hill this side 
of the Fox River at the fort, the little hamlet down the plank road at the United States Hotel, 
and what is now the site of the city. A Detroit firm, Webb & Bronson, had bought and platted 



592 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

a large tract, including a portion of what is now the Second Ward, and extending nearly to the 
fort; and for a long time the proprietors did not give up the idea that over near the fort was 
to be the future city ; for none of the inhabitants even then doubted that Portage was to be an 
important point. In that little burg were to be found Henry and G. H. Merrell, in the dry- 
goods and grocery business ; L. Berry, in the same line ; A. Sheret, we believe, Bully O'Neil, 
the tinker, in the tin business, and somebody running a blacksmith-shop. The post office for 
this whole section of country, with a semi-weekly mail, was also over there, and was kept by 
G. T. Getty, and John Graham was the first clerk. M. R. Keegan and C. H. Moore held 
forth in the old Government building at the left of the bridge, on the opposite side of the river, 
and ran a grocery and provision store ; F. Steber occupying one corner of the store as a watch- 
maker and jeweler. Mr. Moore afterward conducted a store on his own account on Canal 
street, just in the rear of the building afterward occupied by N. M. Henry. Later, he pulled 
up stakes and went West. Mr. Steber also soon after removed over and continued in the jew- 
elry business until his death in 1872. Dr. Prentice lived at the fort, in one of the officers' 
buildings, at the right of the road, and practiced his profession. He also, a few years later, 
removed "into town," where he still resides. C. D. Hottenstein, also physician and surgeon, 
resided in that locality as well ; but in 18.')6 or 1857, removed to Columbia, Penn. William 
Spain resided at the fort, and occupied his time in civil engineering. James Chancellor, now 
of St. Louis, taught school there during the week, and preached on Sundays. Erastus Cook 
lived in a little house on the avenue in front of the Franklin House. He and a Mr. Burnham 
kept a little store near the Franklin House. Capt. Low lived in the old agency building. • 

The Franklin House was a somewhat noted hotel, and for a short time was kept by Mr. 
Ahlum, who removed to California the same year. He was succeeded by Burnham & Arrasby 
as proprietors, and, a little later in the year, Aaron Thompson, afterward Marshal of the city, 
assumed control. John Graham acted as clerk for Ahlum, and Charlie Thompson officiated for 
his father as clerk, hostler and " bar keep." 

The post office was, late that year or early the following year, removed over to " Gouge- 
ville," as Uncle Henry Carpenter delighted to call this portion of the town, and was kept in 
the store of T. Dean & Co. — N. W. Dean, of Madison, being the Co. — and John H. Clark was 
the post office clerk. L. Berry succeeded Mr. Dean as Postmaster. Thad. Dean, in 1852, 
went over the Plains to California, but in a few years returned. 

The little burg at the fort was not entirely abandoned for a number of years after, but no 
traces of a town are now left, the buildings having either rotted down or been removed. 

Uncle Carpenter's town down the plank road, consisted of a dry-goods store, kept by 
himself, with 0. P. Williams, as clerk ; the Wisconsin House, kept by M. Van Winter ; the 
old United States Hotel, with mine host Carpenter as proprietor ;, one or two private houses ; 
and a first-class steamboat landing. Mr. Van Winter continued there for a time, but yielding 
gradually to the onward march of progress in this direction, he first removed half-way up and 
located a store about where the channel of the Wisconsin River now is, and afterward abandoned 
the flat entirely, came into town and erected the handsome brick block now occupied by Loomis, 
Gallett & Breese, as a dry-goods store. 

On the morning of the 2d of February, 1852, the old United States Hotel, located a few 
rods south of the presant building, was destroyed by fire. In the hall of this building, Lan- 
grische & Atwater and the elder Adams' theatrical troupes used to delight the natives in the 
rendition of tragedies that would make a saint weep and a Winnebago Indian lay his tomahawk 
down at the foot-lights. It is related that Moses M. Strong, being present at one of these 
entertainments, was called out by the boys and responded by " You'd scarce e.xpect one of my 
age to speak in public on the stage, etc.," which called forth rounds of applause. And here, 
too. the young folks, together with the festive old devotees of Terpsichore, occasionally assembled 
and " hoed it down " with great animation and delight. It may be mentioned, also, that in 
this building historic tradition hath it tliat the first wliite child was born in the city — George 
Carpenter. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. . 593 

Portage proper was confined, principally, to a limit east of De Witt street and south of 
Pleasant, with a few scattering houses to Ketchum's Point, and about an equal number south of 
the canal. That year, Edwin Sylvester erected the Washington House on the corner south of 
where now stands the First Ward Schoolhouse, John Graham officiating as clerk. Perry Lee 
afterward became proprietor, and ran the hotel till it was burned in 1859 or 1860. Theophilus" 
Muelhause (old Louis) acted as hostler for him for a number of years. R. Twentyman erected 
a building in the opposite block, and opened a store. He soon left for England, and died in two 
hours after reaching his home. Stewart & Anderson, with Hoppock & Greenwood, of New 
York, opened a store in the building opposite Hank James' old ball alley. The firm never got 
rich there, but were always happy, and Harve would always be in fashion if he never laid up a 
cent. A steam mill by Campbell, Buchanan & Murison was in contemplation, and partially 
constructed that fall. These, together with a few isolated buildings, constituted nearly all south 
of the canal. 

That which has become so beautiful and thickly settled a residence, as well as business por- 
tion of the town, was then straggling enough ; and its residents were exceedinfily sensitive as to 
any intimation that north of the canal, on the ridge, was not the center of Portage, and, possibly 
of the State. The feeling between the different localities was oftentimes bitter, and men's 
interests in one or the other little hamlet had entirely too much to do with the opinions of each 
other. It is strange now to remember that such strong jealousies ever existed. The main 
institutions on the present site of the city were Uncle Dick Veeder's tavern, C. B. Smith's store 
and a liberty pole. The town was then, however, as now, rich in saloons, for the population. 
Main street was the principal business street. Veeder's tavern stood opposite the old barn, and 
in 1860, together with the new and commodious structure of that name, was consumed by fire. 
In the old "tavern," for "Uncle Dick" never allowed any one to speak of it as an "hotel" 
without a rebuke, there were many incidents, and much of interest which would repay a recital, 
but would fill a volume. The old house was known far and wide, and was the favorite stopping 
place of lumbermen in their weary return from Galena and other points below, long before emigra- 
tion set this way. E. B. Treadwell was the faithful and obliging clerk. C. B. Smith's store 
was the store of the place. Smith was a rollicking genius, and exactly suited to work up a lively 
trade with the equally rollicking and devil-may-care community. During the summer months, 
his goods were transported by river, from Galena, by the old steamer Enterprise, a stern-wheeler 
of no mean pretensions at that early day. She made regular weekly trips, was well patronized 
and did a thrifty and profitable business. In the fall, Ellas Thomas inaugurated the system of 
hauling goods by teapi, from Milwaukee, for Smith, and the succeeding years witnessed an immense 
business in that line, which was continued until superseded by the iron horse in the winter 
of 1856. Lorenzo Burger clerked for him and afterward went to California. Riley Moulton 
also clerked for Smith, and afterward married his widow. They removed to New Lisbon, where 
Mrs. Moulton died. A little later, the store of Smith was occupied by Isaac Brill, a dry-goods 
and clothing store, and in the winter of 1851 or 1852, was destroyed by fire. 

The spring and summer of 1850 wittnessed the coming, from Ohio, of C. J. Pettlbone, C. G. 
McCulloch, George Wall, John A. Johnson, E. L. Jaeger and perhaps others. Mr. Pettlbone 
opened a store in an old building. He brought on a large stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., 
and opened for awhile, without, however, very flattering success. He finally, with a portion of 
his goods, started for Madison. On his way down he became mud-bound, and, while absent, his 
wise disposed of barrels of sugar, and other goods in proportion, to customers 80 and 100 miles 
north. On his return, with this flattering evidence of business, he concluded to remain. He 
succeeded beyond expectation, and he here laid the foundation for a large fortune. Mr. E. L. 
Jigger was the head clerk for him at that time, and remained with him for a number of years 
thereafter. McCulloch soon became the leading druggist and was located at the head of Main 
street and on the north side of Conant, and Dr. Best ran a smaller establishment of the kind 
further down the street, and also practiced at his profession. Fred. A. Peabody, a wide-awake 
Yankee, ran a grocery on Main street. Mr. Brewer run a butcher-shop on the opposite side. 



594 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

while Dave Morgan and a curly-headed mulatto ran a barber-shop a door or two below Dr. 
Best's. Frank Winnie was shoeing horses on Conant street. John Gates came in the fall of 
1850, and opened the " Janesville store," in a building opposite the City Hotel, on Cook street. 
Mr. Older came with him. Mr. Gates " organized" the first dray in town. George and Robert 
Norris run a tin-shop next door to Mr. Gates. The Time» office was opened in a building which 
then stood on Cook street. It was afterward removed to Canal street. 

The legal fraternity was represented then by John Delaney, M. D. Ingraham, D. J. M. 
Loop, L. Van Slyck, Alvah Hand, Judge Kellogg, W. R. De Witt, A. C. Ketchum, J. A. 
Johnson and L. S. Dixon. John Delaney was eminent in his profession, and was widely known 
as a politician. M. D. Ingraham was another gifted and brilliant young man, whom all old 
settlers remember well, and his death, a year later, was universally lamented. D. J. M. 
Loop — and who, of all old neighbors, cannot remember him ? Van Slyck was Justice then, 
and Loop practiced in Van's court, and it was Van's chief delight, when the frisky little disci- 
ple of Blackstone became enraged and unruly, to take him by the nape of his neck and the seat 
of his pants and throw him bodily through the window into the street. Alvah Hand, ever faith- 
ful to his client, continued the practice here till his death, which event occurred several years 
ago. Judge Kellogg died in 1874 at Rio. De Witt went West in search of another " rattle- 
trap " farm in 1860. A. C. Ketchum went to Memphis. John A. Johnson was the first part- 
ner of L. S. Dixon. Judge Dixon came late in the fall of 1850, fresh from the Vermont 
University, and the law school at Ballston Spa, we think, and here laid the foundation for the 
eminence he subsequently achieved at the bar and on the bench 

The town was soon full of mechanics, among them Alexander Carnagie. Alexander 
Chrystie and a man named Johnson ran a carpenter-shop on the corner near the City Hotel, 
and the building was afterward occupied by Col. Vaughan (brother-in-law to LeRoy Gates), a 
daguerrian, who removed to the Territories years later. H. Sexton and L. S. Thompson car- 
ried on the furniture business at HoUenbeck's old stand. 

The first and only schoolhouse, at that time, excepting the Portage High School, with Mrs. 
Butz (afterward Mrs. Cornwall) as Principal, was situated in a small building and Delos Brown 
was the pedagogue. 

The Presbyterians were the only denomination who could afibrd a church building, and 
Rev. W. W. McNair, who was the only preacher living there, preached the first season, at least, 
to the greater portion of the church-going community. Jenny Lind Williams used to come in 
eight or ten miles each Sunday to preside at the organ. The church stood on Cook street, 
nearly opposite the jail. Mr. McNair built and lived in the Doty House, and a few years after 
removed to the northwest part of the State. Williams is dead. 

The construction of the canal between the two rivers, by the" State, was then in progress, 
and a large number of laborers were attracted hither seeking employment, which was readily 
obtained. Thomas Reynolds had the contract for the work proper, while Gelson McNeal con- 
structed the locks. Charlie Kingsbury, of iSt. Joseph, Mo., was in charge of the dredge boat, 
then working its way up the Fox, and a Mr. Alton was chief engineer, and had general super- 
vision over all. The first boat through the canal was the steamer John L. Mitchell, which 
event occurred May 23, 1851. The appearance of the boat called out quite a concourse of peo- 
ple who gazed upon it in wonder and indulged in extravagant prediction? as to the future. The 
first steamboat whistle ever heard on the " Wisconse" in this region, was that of the old Enter- 
prise. Perry Williams was the first man to catch the shrill sound. Never having heard its 
like before. Perry mistook the sound for the cries of some drowning raftsman in the last agonies 
of despair, secured a skiff and started to his relief. An experienced riverman happening along, 
informed Perry that he was a "'cussed dunce and had better go West," or words to that effect. 

C. W. Mappa erected the first warehouse, which stood opposite the upper lock on the river 
bank. It afterward toppled over and was long since removed. 

Capt. William Weir then took the fort under his protecting wing, as captain of the post in 
charge, and guarded faithfully and well the interests of " Uncle Sam." 





PORTAGE , CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 597 

Michel Brisbois lived where John Graham's new brick block now stands. Mrs. B. was the 
■daughter of Pierre Pauquette. Valentine Helmann was then shoving the jack-plane, while 
Owen, John and Larey Ward, Tom Dalton, Pat Sheehan, Jack Maloney and others, were 
like-wise engaged when not studying the sand bars and intricate channel of the " old Wis- 
conse." 

Of those not already mentioned, there were La Fayette Van Dusen, Dr. Seaman and Henry 
Ensign. All three are living in the Golden State. Of others now absent or dead, there are 
remembered Dr. F. W. Miller (an excellent physician, trusty friend and esteemed citizen), L. 
Cornwell, Amasa Wilson, E. Childs, J. M. Crawford, Deputy Sheriif Spoor, Dan Boylan, Jim 
Scott, Doc. Rollins, Dick Lamb, Thornton Thompson, Gale Anderson, Sam Carpenter, Charlie 
McNeal, D. B. Peck, Uncle Major Linn, Col. Morehouse and family, John Lodge, J. B. Sand- 
derson, W. E. Waite, and last, though perhaps least, in size, little Sam Pearsoll. 

The spring and summer witnessed the coming of a large number who have since been 
identified as among the city's most prominent citizens: J. J. Guppey, Josiah Arnold, J. B. 
Fargo, Q. N. Richmond, Samuel Edwards, R. 0. Loomis, H. S. Haskell, Milo and William 
Pettibone, A. B. Alden, 0. Ward and others. Guppey then, as now, was County Judge. Not 
that he has held the office continuously since that time, for, be it remembered, he was an active 
participant in the late war, first entering the service as Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth 
Regiment, and afterward assuming command of the Twenty-third, as Colonel. 

Felix McLinden, "when the sun was low," assisted Samuel Reynolds about the improve- 
ment, and officiated in those days as Sergeant-at-arms of the Assembly. In a little building on 
Main street, N. H. Wood ran an auction store. H. G. Hansen and 0. C. Bellrude kept a 
shoe-shop on Conant street, at the head of Main, and Thomas Buttrey had a similar institu- 
tion, also on Conant street. Among other ancient "landmarks" deserving a passing notice 
were old Jo Robinson and old Uncle Lord, both graduates from the militai-y post at Fort 
Winnebago. 

The jumping of claims was of daily occurrence, and a street fight or a "knock-down " 
among the contestants for a corner lot was a frequent and indeed animating pastime ; and may 
we not be pardoned for incidentally mentioning, at this late day, that we also occasionally "got 
one in under the ear," ourselves, but always, however, in defense of an honest claim. " Oh, 
dem was good times." The whole town site west of De Witt street, with occasionally here and 
there a house, was then in its primeval condition, being almost entirely covered with under- 
growth. Main, and the east end of Cook, Conant and a little settlement in the Third Ward on 
Pleasant street were in town, and anywhere outside of them seemed like going into the 
country. Down by Hiurtel's Brewery, Emder's, the bank corner and Coming's store, pigeons 
were hunted among the then dense oak-trees, with no indifferent success. Mr. Whitney, one 
of the early pioneers (who died a year or two after), resided in a little frame house fronting on 
Canal street. The house formerly stood where Emder's Hotel now stands, and Whitney's 
always had a little wheat-field in his inclosure. Beyond Mr. Whitney's and near the upper 
lock, resided old Mr. Dempsey, who afterward removed to Lewiston, and, a few years ago, while 
fulfilling a contract for wood with us, fell from a load, was run over and instantly killed. A 
little further up and just beyond the lock, stood the building so long occupied by 0. P. Will- 
iams as a residence, and which was afterward burned. In this house lived Hugh McFarlane, 
and in one end of the same he conducted a store. Here John Delany was dividing his time in 
reading law and waiting on any stray customer who chanced to favor him with a call. In the 
upper part of the building, Mrs. Cornwell conducted the Portage High School, an institution 
which was alike creditable to the enterprising citizens and its accomplished preceptress. From 
McFarlane's it was a short half-mile walk through the woods to the house of the late Andrew 
Dunn. Dunn, McFarlane and William Armstrong were early pioneers, and laid claim to a 
large tract of land, embracing the most of that part of the city. McFarlane was Portage's first 
representative in the assembly, and in making laws for the "boys" and advocating the inter- 
ests of his constituents in general, proved himself a valuable member. Dunn, in 1857 or 



598 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1858, removed to New Lisbon, and, a few years later, died in the insane asylum at Madison. 
Across Silver Lake a mile from Dunn's, was, and still is, Conrad Collipp, the happy possessor 
of a valuable tract of land which has, under his supervision, been improved and beautified, and 
also increased in value tenfold. Samuel Slifer was Mr. Collipp's nearest neighbor. He died 
in 1851. Patrick Carroll made claim to what is now known as the Pettibone farm on the hill 
half a mile east from Collipp's. There was no road there in those days, the new pinery road 
not having been laid out until a year or two after. Benjamin Schulze made his claim that 
year, and was then living, as now, in the Second Ward. Out on ihe old pinery road. Coop. 
Lemour, from Canada, stuck his stakes and erected a small brick house, and, still further on, 
Enoch Pixley, also from Canada, pitched his tent and soon thereafter erected a brick building, 
and, for a time, ran a hotel for the accommotlation of the pinery trade. These two buildings 
were the only brick structures in the whole village. Lemour removed to California in 1858. 
Bemus J. Pixley lived out in the bush opposite Mayor Gallett's residence, and James Marrs 
lived in the old dilapidated building in front of H. S. Haskell's. Solomon Leach and 0. F. 
Waggoner landed here some time subsequent to the flood. Mr. Leach is rightfully entitled to 
the honor of building the first saw-mill which was situated on the island in the river opposite 
his house above the bridge. The mill was noted chiefly for its speed, the saw running on the 
same time-table with the Oxford stage, up one day and down the next. Mr. Waggoner for a 
year maintained the ferry across the river where the bridge now stands. He afterward located 
on the bluft' which now bears his name, four miles up the river, but having a natural love for 
the attractions of the frontiersman's life, he soon thereafter moved further to the front. These 
half-dozen residents composed about all of what now constitutes the thickly settled and popu- 
lous Fourth and Fifth Wards. Communication with the outside world was then by Frink & 
Walker's stage line to Madison, and the Veeder House, which was the stage house, oftentimes 
swarmed with travelers and river men on their way to the pinery. 

A writer in November, 1850, says: "The canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers 
at this point is very nearly completed. The work of excavation is finished, and but a small 
portion remains to be planked. The locks at each end are nearly finished — all, we believe, 
except the hanging of the gates. In addition to this improvement a levee or embankment is 
being erected by Messrs. Webb & Bronson (the enterprising proprietors of that part of the land 
on which the city is located, sold by the General Government), extending from the high land, or 
blufi", on the south side of the canal to the bluif on the other side of the portage. This embank- 
ment, when completed, will entirely prevent the overflow of the portage. It is now far advanced, 
and will cost about $16,000. Messrs. Webb & Bronson have also completed a turnpike road 
across the portage, from Carpenter's Hotel, on the Wisconsin River, to old Fort Winnebago, on 
Fox River, at a cost of $1,700. 

" Heretofore, there has been but little said on the subject of the progress of our city, for 
the reason that while its progress has been rapid beyond parallel, it has been steady and 
unmarked by any particular distinguished incident. Good buildings have been erected and 
others are still going up. The number built within the past year is over two hundred. Among 
them are stores of all descriptions, mechanics' shops, taverns, offices, etc. The population of 
the city, as shown by the Marshal's returns, is 1,176, and is steadily increasing. This rapid 
improvement, startling and wonderful as it is, has been made in the face of the most serious 
drawbacks. Previous to the erection of the levee on the shore of the Wisconsin, eligible sites 
for building could only be found on the lands lately purchased from the Menomonee Indians, to 
which no higher title than that of a claim could be obtained. The ultimate value of such a title 
is subject to many contingencies, and present values and the safety of erecting buildings are 
determined entirely by the moral sense of the present inhabitants. So far, the confidence of 
those who placed a high estimate upon that moral sense has not been abused. 

" The noise of hammers and saws is to be heard on every hand. The present progress of 
improvement is accelerated beyond that of any former time, and, during the rise of our city, the 
settlement in the surrounding country has more than kept pace with it. Building materials, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 599 

water-powers of any capacity desired, and a rich, rapidly settling country are with us and around 
us. No obstacle, save that of the title to the land, stands in the track of our advancement." 

'- The tourist finds at this place," says a writer at Fort Winnebago, in October, 1851, 
"objects of deep interest. Here is the line that divides the northern and southern waters. Let 
us ascend the beautiful elevation that lies between the two rivers, for observations. On facing 
the east, we see the wide tracts once possessed by the Winnebagoes. On the right hand rolls in 
silent majesty the Wisconsin River, which, emptying into the Mississippi, at length reaches the 
Gulf of Mexico. On the river is the flourishing village of Fort Winnebago, or, as it is called, 
Portage City. Here, but a few years since, we wandered through a grove, where naught but 
the grav; of the murdered Pauquette arrested the attention. Now, how changed the prospect ! 
The place is sprinkled over with pretty white cottages and substantial stores of various kinds. 
A small, neat church stands in bold relief upon the brow of the table land ; and this being the 
shire village of Columbia County, the spot where the court house is to be erected is very attract- 
ive. Standing on the high ground, it is to be a splendid building, facing a square. The courts 
are now held in the old garrison. On the south rise the Baraboo hills, and on the left hand the 
fertile lands, lately ceded to the United States by the Menomonees, stretch out in boundless 
extent." 

PORTAGE IN 18t)0. 

"I noticed," says a writer in 1860, "some very extensive stores in which the quality of 
goods and amount of display were not a whit behind Milwaukee. In W. W. Forbes magnifi- 
cent establishment in Pettibone's Block, there are no less than a dozen clerks busily engaged in 
their various departments. C. J. Pettibone's 'headquarters,' as he calls it, is in full operation. 
Pettibone opened his store in Portage eight or nine years ago, when it was a small village of only 
one tavern, one grocery, and a blacksmith-shop, where the lumbermen and farmers got cheated 
so badly that they christened it Gougeville. Indeed, that was the regular name for a long while 
of the now important and pretentious Portage. Pettibone's store has been carried on upon an 
honest principle, and has been largely influential, by square dealing, in removing from the incipi- 
ent city its odious name. I also observed some fine stores on Cook street, and in the Vander- 
cook Block, which appear to be prospering. 

" Portage has one thing that is peculiarly enviable, and that is the beautiful cream-colored 
brick, of which most of her best buildings are made. Those who visit the place cannot fail to 
admire the splendid appearance of the Bank Block, Pettibone and Vandercook buildings, the 
Presbyterian Church, etc. These edifices owe their chief beauty to the material of which they 
are composed. I think that the pressed brick here are equal, if not superior, to the famous 
Milwaukee article. An extensive stone quarry back of Fort Winnebago furnishes substantial 
foundations for these beautiful structures, but there seems to be no disposition to use stone above 
the ground when brick and lumber are so easily obtained. The only stone building that I saw, 
except the county jail, was Reynolds, Craig & Co.'s Fort Winnebago Mill, at the junction of 
the canal and Fox River. This is an enormous building, four stories high, and now literally 
crammed with grain and flour, there being only room enough for six or eight runs of stone to 
operate in. The mill grinds steadily from Monday morning till Saturday night without cessa- 
tion. Large quantities of flour and feed are sold and sent ofl' daily. 

" Portage is insufficiently supplied just now witli good hotels. Last winter the, Lee House 
burned down, and, about a month ago, the famous Veeder House was destroyed by the same means. 
The City Hotel and the McTighe or Ellsworth House are all that are now left to fill the vacancy, 
and they are crowded to repletion. 

" The system of union schools just established here is in great favor. Prof MagoSin, 
foi-merly of Carroll College, and more recently Principal of the Waukesha Union School, is at 
the head of an able corps of teachers, and is doing much in the cause of education." 



600 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



" CLAIM TWENTY-ONE. 



The land upon which a large portion of Portage now stands presents historical features of 
interest. Although the city is still young, title to a very important part of its site dates back 
many years. The land in question is that covered by what is known as the "Grignon Claim," 
frequently referred to as " Claim No. 21." The following is a copy of a deed made by the 

:■ United States Government in 1832: 

.1. 

. I UNITKU STATES TO AUOUSTIX GRIGNON. 

' I IThe United States of America to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : Know ye that there has been depos- 
ited in the General Land Office a certificate, numbered "266, of the Register of the Land Office at Detroit, in the Territory 
of Michigan, whereby it appears that, by the second section of the act of Congress approved on the 17th day of 
April, 1828, entitled "An Act to confirm certain claims to lands in the Territory of Michigan," Augustin Grignon 
was confirmed, saving the rights of the heirs of John Ecuyer [or Lecuyer], deceased, in his claim in volume num- 
bered one of the Reports of the (Jommissioners on Land Claims in the Territory of Michigan, to the tract of land 
containing six hundred and forty-eight acres and eighty-two hundredths of an acre, situate at the portage of the 

■'Ouisoonsin and Fox Rivers, bounded and described as follows, to wit: 

y-. Ueginning on the northeast bank of the Ouisoonsin River, one-fourth of a mile below the landing-place, at a 

post from which a birch twelve inches in diameter bears north 3o degrees west, distant eleven links, and a birch 14 
inches diameter bears south G4 degrees east, distant To links ; thence up the river north forty degrees, west twenty 
chains, to the landing-place (entered prairie at five chains), north 70 degrees, west five chains, north 01 degrees, west 
26 chains and .5(1 liuks (at three chains foot of island), south 81 degrees, west eight chains and uO links to an aspen 

'seven inches in diameter (corner on the bank of the river); thence north 10 degrees and 15 minutes, west thirty 
i chains thro\igh prairie to the top of the hill to the corner of the pickets which surround the grave of the late .John 
Ecuyer (no post, no bearings near) ; thence north 50 degrees east (at 15 chains enter barrens, after passing through 
' old field at 41 chains a pond, at 46 chains left the pond, and at 58 chains a wet prairie), 118 chains to a post on the 

■'left bank of Fox River, from which a white oak five inches in diameter bears north 56i degrees west, distant three 

V jahains and 46 links ; thence up Fox River south five degrees, west three chains, south 16 degrees, west 9 chains and 

ji,60 links to landing-place at Portage, south 47 degrees, east '2i chains and 40 links to a post on the margin of,river in a 
marsh : thence south 25 degrees and 30 minutes, west 116 chains and 70 links (entering timber land at 100 chains) 

•"to the beginning. 

III. There is, therefore, granted by the United States unto the said .ALUgustin Grignon and to his heirs, saving any 

J^ight or claim which the said heirs of .John Ecuyer, deceased, may have in and to the same, the tract of land above 

described ; to have and to hold the said tract, with the appurtenances, unto the said Augustin Grignon and unto his 

'lifeirs and assigns forever, saving, as aforesaid, any right, title or claim which the said heirs of John Ecuyer, 

•deceased, may have in and to the hereby granted premises. 

),. I In testimony whereof, I, Andrew .lackson, President of the United States, have caused these letters to be made 
patent, and the seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto aflBxed. Given under my hand, at the city of Wash- 
ington, the liljth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, and of the inde- 
pendence of the United States the fifty-ninth. ANDREW JACKSON. 
x:?^^^^!^ By the President. Eli.iah Hatwood, 
/8KA1.\ Commissioner of the General Land Office. 

• ViTyx:^/ Recorded on Friday, the 17th of August, A. D. 183-2, at 6 o'clock P. M. 

''■I Samuei Irwin, Deputy Register. 

o i.( I. ^ygygjijj Gngnon came into possession of the above described lands by purchase from the 
I'^'eirs of John Lecuyer, who acquired title to it by priority of settlement. 

", Under an act of Congress entitled " An act to confirm certain land claims in the Territory 
<){ Michigan," commissioners were appointed and sent out by the Government of the United 
'States to inquire into the validity of title to "'certain claims," and it was in accordance with the 
report of the commissioners that the Grignon claim became a valid one, recognized by the United 
States, from whom a patent accordingly is,sued. The boundaries of this claim have ever since 
■''been relied upon and followed by local surveyors, and frequent reference to " Claim No. 21 " 
■'aire made in the land records of Portage. The land was patented to Grignon in April, 1832, 
'and on the 18th of June, of the same year, an indenture, made ''between Augustine Grignon 
and Nancy Grignon, his wife, of the first part, and Daniel Whitney, all of Green Bay, county 
of Brown, of the second part, to wit : That the said parties of the first part, for and in consider- 
ation of the sum of $500 to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, conveyed 
the property to Whitney. This conveyance was witnessed by Peter B. and Charles A. Grignon, 
and acknowledged before L. Grignon, a Justice of the Peace, being recorded June 26, 1832, 
by Samuel Irwin, Deputy Register of Brown County. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 601 

On the 14th of June, 1836, Sheldon Thompson, of Buffalo, N. Y., and De Gamo Jones, 
of Detroit, Michigan Territory, became the purchasers and owners of the land, paying therefor 
$12,500. Messrs. Thompson and Jones were trustees for themselves, Robert McPherson, 
Daniel Whitney, G. P. Griffith, and others, constituting "the Wisconsin Shot Company." 
They remained the owners of the Grignon claim until October 17, 1839, when the Portage 
Canal Company came into possession through purchase. The consideration was $34,234.61. 
"This indenture" was witnessed by Evan Griffith, B. L. Webb, Asher B. Bates and Samuel 
Haines Porter, and acknowledged by Sheldon Thompson before N. K. Hall, Commissioner of 
Deeds for Erie County, N. Y., and by De Gamo Jones before Samuel Haines Porter, a 
Notary Public in Wayne County, Mich. ; received for record May 30, 1840, by Jacob 
McKinney, Register of Deeds, Brown County. 

Thompson and Jones, it appears, again came into possession of the property, for in Sep- 
tember, 1842, Claim 21 was sold by them, as trustees for themselves, and others, constituting 
the Shot Company, to Benjamin L. Webb, and in May, 1844, Alvin Bronson became the pur- 
chaser of an undivided four-nineteenths of the claim, paying Webb therefor $2,500. In 
November, 1849, a plat of the town of Fort Winnebago, covering the Grignon claim, was made 
by Messrs. Webb and Bronson, John Mullett, Surveyor. The boundary lines of this plat may 
be easily traced upon any of the modern maps of the city of Portage. The northwesterly 
boundary, designated as "' the line of public lands," as distinguishing them from the early 
Menomonee possessions, begins at a point on the Fox River, opposite old Fort Winnebago, and 
runs southwesterly to the corner of Adams and Conant streets ; thence almost directly south 
across the canal to the Wisconsin River ; thence southeasterly along the bank of the river to a 
point half a block east of Ontario street; thence northwesterly on. a direct line to Fox River, 
and down that stream to the place of beginning. 

RICHARD FREEMAN VEEDER 

was a man of wonderful constitution, and, had the laws of health been studied and more care^ 
fully observed by him, it seems as though he might have lived to an age not often allotted to 
mankind. His name is intimately associated with the early settlement of Portage. While he 
was frequently rude and rough in speech, he had a heart wonderfully tender and sympathetic, 
which was never appealed to in vain, and few men performed more acts of charity than " Uncle 
Dick." Hundreds will remember hiiii for his charities, and speak kindly of his name, and all 
who ever knew him will never forget the peculiar characteristics which so emphatically distin- 
guished him. He died at his residence, in Portage, January 19, 1870, aged about fifty-eight 
years. He lives largely in the remembrance of the people of Portage because of the " Veeder 
Claim," an account of which is given. 

THE GUPPEY PLAT AND THE VEEDER CLAIM. 

The plat of Portage City, covering Lots 2 and 3, and the northeast quarter of the south- 
west quarter, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 5, and Lots 5 and 6 of Sec- 
tion 8, all in Town 12 north. Range 9 east, and known as the " Guppey Plat," was surveyed in 
July, 1852, by Henry Meriton, and was recorded August 14, of the same year, in Volume VII of 
deeds, pages 2 and 3, by Josiah Arnold, Register. This plat was made under the provisions 
of a law of the United States authorizing County Judges to enter in trust for settlers thereon 
any portion of the public domain occupied as town sites. The above-described lands were entered 
by Joshua J. Guppey, County Judge of Columbia County, at the United States Land Office, 
June 1, 1852, but it being soon afterward discovered that the Government authorities at Wash- 
ington would only recognize as valid the entry of lands on even sections, the tracts on Section 
5 passed to the State, under the act of Congress, approved August 8, 1846, granting the "land 
equal to half of three sections in width on each side of Fox River, and the Portage Canal for 
the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers." The Governor having selected the odd 



602 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

sections for the State, and the land comprised within the boundaries of Section 5 being within 
the limits of the grant — although the Indian title to it had not been extinguished when the grant 
was made — it was held that when the Indian title was extinguished the Governor's selection of 
the odd sections operated upon it, and it became the property of the State. Hence, its entry at 
the United States Land Office being unauthorized, the title must be secured from the State. 
Therefore, it will be seen that the County Judge, in making a plat to Section 5, was laboring 
under a very natural misapprehe.nsion of the then undefined law, and his action was not binding, 
his title having failed. 

Finally, it having been conceded that title to Section 5 was vested in the State, Richard F. 
Veeder, who, in 1850, as one of a committee of settlers, platted an addition to the Webb k Bron- 
son survey covering portions of Sections 5 and 8, was assured by his friends that he had a valid 
claim. Mr. Veeder had been living for several years on Block 163 of the Webb & Bronson plat, 
but had improvements to the value of $100 or more on the southwest quarter of Section 5. The 
State law, approved August 8, 1848, providing for pre-emptions on improvement land, gave to 
each person, who had made improvements worth $50 or more on each quarter-section of such 
land, the right to purchase the same at $1.25 per acre. There was also a State law passed at a 
later date, providing for the entry of any improvement lands occupied as town sites by the County 
Judge in trust for settlers thereon. This law, it will be observed, was similar in its provisions 
to the law of the United States on that subject. Under the State pre-emption law of 1848, Mr. 
Veeder made application to purchase the land as a pre-emption ; under the State law for entry 
of town sites. Judge Guppey made application to enter the land in trust for settlers. Other par- 
ties — whose claims it will not be necessary to consider here, as the principal contest was between 
Mr. Veeder in his own interest, and Judge Guppey, acting as Trustee for the settlers — also 
attempted to establish pre-emption rights to the land. 

As against the claim of the former, the rights of the settlers may be briefly stated, as fol- 
lows : In February, 1850, a committee of settlers (acknowledged as such by the settlers), 
composed of R. F. Veeder, S. Dean and William R. Dewitt, laid out a plat, commonly known 
as Spain's Plat, which was duly recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds. It is 
described in the book of plats as " an addition to the town of Fort Winnebago, laid out 
by authority of a committee appointed by claimants in the said addition, which is situate in 
the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 8, and the southwest quarter'^of the 
southwest quarter of Section 5, Town 12, Range 9, consisting of five blocks, surveyed by 
William II. Spain." At this time, Mr. Veeder, believing that his improvements on the Indian 
land were on Section 8 and not on Section 5, encouraged the people to settle on the latter sec- 
tion, assuring them that no one claimed the lots on that section. In the winter of 1850-51, 
the settlers on both sections jointly petitioned the Legislature to pass a law which would insure 
each settler on Section 5 not exceeding five lots at a reasonable price, and Messrs. A'^eeder, 
Thomas Christopher. J. A. Johnson and F. W. Peabody were appointed by the settlers a com- 
mittee to urge the enactment of such a law. These gentlemen took the petition to Madison, 
and labored arduously to secure the required legislation, Mr. Veeder uniting with the others in 
the request. 

AVhen a hearing was reached at the State Land Office, all these facts were shown, and the 
Register decided that Mr. Veeder had a right to the land by pre-emption, for the reason that he 
had $50 worth of improvements thereon prior to any other occupancy thereof. On the 8th of 
August, an appeal was taken to the Circuit Court, and the decision of the Register was 
reversed. A counter appeal was then taken to the Supreme Court, where the decision of the 
lower court was set aside, and the original decision of the Register of the State Land Office 
affirmed, the higher tribunal declaring that the equitable relations existing between the settlers 
and Mr. Veeder could be more properly determined in other proceedings between them. The 
result was that Mr. Veeder took the legal title to tracts on Section 5, subject to the equitable 
rights of the settlers thereon ; and, as before stated, the action of the County Judge in laying 
out the same into a plat was of no binding force. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 603 

This decision was reached in 1854. The litigation had very much impeded the develop- 
ment of the young city, and, after the decision was made, the settlers and Mr. Veeder differed 
so much about their respective rights, that the impossibility of an amicable settlement between 
them became more and more apparent, and improvements continued to be delayed for several 
years on account of the difficulty new-comers encountered in obtaining good titles. There 
seems, however, to have been no personal ill will between the settlers and Mr. Veeder, for the 
latter is said to have been a very kind-hearted man and good neighbor, while the former were 
of that class of order-loving citizens who will undergo much sacrifice to secure peace and quiet. 
At last, and in the year 1860, Mr. Veeder's misfortunes practically worked an unlooked-for 
settlement of the whole matter; for, on the 22d of March of that year, a judgment was recov- 
ered against him and others as sureties for Mrs. Sarah A. Babcock on an administrator's bond, 
amounting to |7,198..34, and his interest in lots on Section 5 was sold out in due course of law 
under an execution issued to satisfy said judgment. The lots were bid in by the settlers 
thereon or their friends for nominal sums. Prior to this time, most of the settlers, or parties 
interested in their behalf, had obtained tax titles to the lots occupied by them, so that with the 
tax deeds and the deeds of the Sheriff, the settlers considered their titles perfected. 

In April, 1854, Mr. Veeder replatted a part of the southwest fractional quarter of Section 
5, the survey being made by L. Van Slyck, but the plat was never recognized by the citizens 
or the local officers. All descriptions of lots on Section 5 were and have continued to be given 
to the present time in accordance with the plat laid out by J. J. Guppey. 

There have been numerous additions to Portage since the Guppey Plat originated. Dunn, 
Haskell & Tenney's Addition, made in July, 1854, covers the north half of the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 6. Then came Schultz's Addition and Houston's Addition, lying in what is now 
the Second Ward, north of the railroad track ; McFarlane, Dunn & Armstrong's Addition, 
south of the railroad depot ; McCulloch's Prospect Hill Addition, on the Wisconsin River, one 
mile west of Mac street; Ketchum & DeWitt's "Rattle-Trap Farm" Addition,^ long since 
vacated, lying in the northwestern portion of the Second Ward ; Borden & Fargo's Addition, 
south of the Wisconsin River, in Section 7 ; Ketchum's Addition, bounded by Houston street 
on the north and Hamilton street on the east, containing eight blocks ; Leache's Addition, a 
strip along the Wisconsin River, east of the bridge ; Haskell & Fargo's Addition, bounded by 
North, West and Harrison streets and the west line of Section 6 ; Hettinger's Addition, Hart 
& Norton's Addition, Pixley's Addition and H. R. Pettibone's Addition, on the Northern 
Division of the St. Paul Road. 

The city limits of Portage are two and a half by three miles square, containing about four 
thousand eight hundred acres, including the area covered by waters of the Wisconsin River. 

ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT OF PORTAGE. 

The first steps toward the township or precinct organization of the territory now included 
within the city limits of Portage were taken in July, 1846, when the County Commissioners set off 
"all that portion of the county embraced in Town[ship] 12 lying north of the Baraboo River, 
and Town[ship] 13 and Fractional Town[ship] 14, Range 8; also, Town[8hip] 13 and the north 
half of Town[ship] 12, Range 9 " — the territory described to " compose an election precinct to 
be known by the name of the Winnebago Portage Precinct ; elections to be held at the house of 
Gideon Low ; Richard F. Veeder, Daniel D. Robertson and Henry Merrell being appointed 
Judges of Election in said precinct." Such is the record of the County Commissioners dated 
July 10, 1846. No part of the territory west of the Fox and east of the Wisconsin Rivers and 
north of a line, connecting these two streams, running northeasterly and southwesterly through 
the present limits of Portage, was then attached to Columbia County (it being Menomonee 
land and belonging to Portage County. Consequently, all that portion of " Town[ship] 13 and 
Fractional Town[ship] 14, Range 8,'"' as described by the Commissioners ; also that portion of 
Town[ship] 13, Range 9, lying west of Fox River ; also the northeast fraction of Town[ship] 



t)04 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 

12, Range 8, lying east of the Wisconsin River, and the northwest fraction of Town[ship] 12, 
Range 9, lying north of the above- described northeasterly and southwesterly line connecting 
the two streams, not then composing any part of Columbia County, the election precinct of 
Winnebago Portage, as formed by the Commissioners of Columbia County, was composed, in 
part, of territory belonging to Portage County. " Fractional Town[ship] 14, Range 8," 
referred to by the Commissioners, included territory now belonging to Marquette County, 
which was then embraced in Portage County. Much depended upon the intelligence of voters 
in those days. 

On the 9th day of February, 1849, the title of the Menomonee Indians having been 
extinguished, and an act extending the northern boundaries of the county from Fox River to 
the Wisconsin River having been passed, thus bringing into the jurisdiction of the county what 
are now the towns of Lewiston and Newport and the unsurveyed fractions of Townships 12 
and 13, Ranges 8 and 9, already described, the toivn of Winnebago Portage was organized by 
the Commissioners, with boundaries described as follows : " The fractional parts of the town- 
ships lying north of the Baraboo River and west of the Wisconsin River ; also, the north half 
of Township 12 and the fractional part of Township 13 [lying east of the Fox River], Range 
j> 9, in Columbia County, are hereby organized into a town to be called Winnebago Portage, and 
the Franklin House, in said town, is designated as the place for holding the first election." 
For some reason, the Menomonee lands lying in the county, although having been rightfully 
acquired, were not included within the boundaries of the town of Winnebago Portage ; conse- 
quently, all the territory now embraced in the city limits of Portage lying north and west of a 
line running southwesterly from a point on Fox River opposite old Fort Winnebago to the 
corner of Conant and Adams streets, thence southerly to the Wisconsin River, was still outside 
the pale of sub-organization. The first election held by the electors residing within the newly 
made boundary lines of the town of Winnebago Portage took place, as specified, at the Franklin 
House, Gideon Low, proprietor, on the first Tuesday (3d day) of April, 1849, with the following 
result : 

For Supervisors, Richard F. Veeder received 13 votes, Henry Carpenter, 13 votes, Edwin 
Sylvester, 13 votes. The last-named was selected as Chairman of the Board. For Assessor, 
Cornell Vaughn, 13 votes; for Treasurer, Henry Merrell, 13 votes; for Town Clerk, D. J. M. 
Loop, 13 votes ; for Justices of the Peace. B. F. Veeder, E. Sylvester, M, Ahlum and H. Car- 
penter, 13 votes each; for Constables, H. Hanson, 0. Bellrood, and H. McFarlane. 13 votes 
each ; for School Commissioner, Henry Merrell, 13 votes ; for Overseers of Highways, 
E. Sylvester, M. Ahlum and Gordon H. Merrell, 13 votes each. 

It was agreed by the thirteen electors present that the place of holding the town meetings 
should be at the office of D. J. M. Loop. At a meeting held on the 18th of June, it was voted 
that a tax of $50 be levied for the support of common schools, $100 for the repair of roads and 
bridges, and §200 for other expenses of the town. On the 16th of November, a special elec- 
tion was held to fill vacancies, occasioned by resignation, in the offices of Justice of the Peace, 
at which Lorenzo Van Slyck, Michael Van Winters, Erastus Cook and Dr. James Prentice 
were chosen. At a meeting of the Town Board, held November 29, M. D. Iiigraham was 
appointed Superintendent of Common Schools for the town of Winnebago Portage. 

On the 8th of January, 1850, the County Board, in session at Wyocena, resolved to 
change the name of the town of Winnebago Portage to the town of Fort Winnebago, and also 
to relocate the boundaries as follows : The surveyed portion (excepting Section 33, in which 
Fort Winnebago itself was situated) of Town 13, Range 9, and a sufficient extent of the 
Indian, or unsurveyed, land west of Fox River to constitute it a town six miles square, 
were included and organized into a town called Port Hope (now Fort Winnebago), and the 
unsurveyed balance of Town 13, Range 8, and the northeast fractional part of Town ]2, Range 
8, and the northwest fractional part of Town 12, Range 9, were attached to Fort Winnebago 
for town purposes. Range 7 and the fractional portion of Range 6 in Town 13 were not 



•> 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 605 

officially included in the town of Fort Winnebago at this date, but nominally belonged to it. In 
April, officers for the town of Fort Winnebago were chosen as follows : 

Supervisors — Erastus Cook (Chairman), Henry Carpenter and Richard Dempsey ; Town 
Clerk, Cornelius H. Helms ; Treasurer, Thomas E. Best ; Assessor, Thomas Christopher ; 
School Superintendent, D. Vandercook. Justices of the Peace — M. Van Winters, Walter N. 
Kellogg, Thomas Reynolds and Edwin Lolls. Constables — Donald Fairchilds, Samuel Spauld- 
ing and Azarial Feey ; Overseers of Highways, District No. 1, M. Van Winter, No. 2, 
Erastus Cook ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Edward Christopher. 

Officers elected April, 1851: Supervisors — A. C. Ketchum (Chairman), John Brewer 
and C. H. Helms ; Town Clerk, L. D. Burges ; Treasurer, T. E. Best. Justices of the Peace 
— L. Van Slyck, Andrew Dunn, J. B. Sanderson and G. T. Getty ; Assessor, R. F. Veeder. 
Constables — William Anderson, William Fennegan and Charles Spore; School Superintendent, 
W. R. De Witt; Sealer of Weights and Measures, H. Merrell. At this election, 441 votes 
were cast "for the permanent location of the county seat at Fort Winnebago," and 7 votes 
against the proposition. 

On the 11th of November, 1851, the County Commissioners authorized the formation of 
the town of Caledonia from territory then embraced in the towns of Fort Winnebago and 
Dekorra. This made the Wisconsin River and the town line between what are now the towns 
of Newport and Lewiston the western boundary of the town of Fort Winnebago, the other 
boundary lines established in January, 1850, remaining unchanged. Under this condition of 
things an election was held in April, 1852, with the following result : 

Supervisors — Decatur Vandercook (Chairman), John Brewer and John Gates ; Town 
Clerk, Charles H. Seamon ; Treasurer, Richard F. Veeder. Justices of the Peace — L. Van 
Slyck, William E. Waite and H. R. Pettibone ; Assessor, George Wall ; School Superintend- 
ent, James Chancellor. Constables — John M. Crawford, William Fennegan and Thornton 
Thompson ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, J. Belbond. 

In November, 1852, the Board of Commissioners granted the prayer of P. K. Gill and 
others to organize the town of Newport, all that portion of Town 13, Range 6, lying on 
the east side of the Wisconsin River, and the west half of Range 7 in the same town, being 
duly incorporated in such town, and the house of James Cristie, in the village of Newport, 
being named as the place for holding the first election. 

During the same session of the Board, Range 8 and the east half of Range 7, Town 13, 
were set off from the town of Fort Winnebago and formed into a new town, which was named 
Lewiston, the house of E. F. Lewis being designated as the place for holding the first 
election. 

The work of re-organization was still further continued at this session of the Board, 
by that body setting off, in compliance with the request of Alexander McDonald and others, so 
much of the south half of Range 9, Town 12 (town of Dekorra), as lies east of the Wisconsin 
River, and attaching it to the town of Fort Winnebago, leaving the latter confined to all that 
territory lying east of the Wisconsin River contained in Town 12, Range 9, embracing the 
northeast fractional part of Range 8 in the same town lying east of the Wisconsin River, and 
, the historical Section 33, in the then town of Port Hope, in which old Fort Winnebago was 
located. 

December 15, 1852, after the receipt from time to time of various petitions with that end 
in view, Section 33 was awarded to Port Hope, and, two days later, the Commissioners granted 
authority for changing the name of the town of Fort Winnebago to the town of Portage City. 
In April following, an election for town officers took place, with the following result : 

Supervisors — C. H. Moore (Chairman), Francis Winney and F. A. Hilbert ; Town Clerk, 
John Lodge ; Treasurer, C. H. Helms ; Justices of the Peace, H. R. Pettibone and M. Auer- 
back ; School Superintendent, A. C. Ketchum ; Assessor, C. J. Pettibone. Constables — W. 
R. Clough, Theodoi-e Hoffman, D. W. Hinkley and J. Thompson ; Sealer of Weights and 
Measures, William German. 



> 



606 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

In November, 1853, the name of the town of Port Hope was changed to the town of Fort 
Winnebago, and it has borne that title to the present time. At the annual session of the 
County Commissioners for 1853, the prayer of J. J. Guppey and others, that all that part of the 
town of Portage City lying north of the Wisconsin River and south of the town of Lewiston 
be attached to the town of Lewiston, was duly granted, but, at a subsequent sitting of the 
Board, a reconsideration of the subject was taken, and a bill passed leaving the matter to the 
electors of the town of Portage City to be voted on at their next succeeding aiinual election. 
The result was favorable to the town of Lewiston, and the territory in question was duly set off 
to that town. 

City of Portage. — On the 10th of March, 1854, " An Act to incorporate the City of Port- 
age," passed by the State Legislature, was duly approved by Gov. Barstow. The salient features 
of the charter were contained in the first, third and forty-third sections, as follows : Section 1 
provided that, " from and after the first Tuesday in April, 1854, all that portion of the west 
fractional half of Section 4 which lies south and west of the Fox River, Sections 5 and 6 ; all 
that portion of Sections 7 and 8 which lies north of the Wisconsin River ; the west fractional 
half of Section 9, and claim No. 21, known as the claim of A. Grignon, in Township 12, north 
Range 9 east, in the county of Columbia, State of Wisconsin, shall be a city of the name of 
the City of Portage, and the people inhabiting said district shall be a municipal corporation." 

Section 3 provided for the division of the city into three wards, bounded as follows : " All 
that part lying south and east of the canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers shall con- 
stitute the First Ward ; all that part lying north of said canal and east of De Witt street and 
the road leading from the same to the north line of said Town 12, shall constitute the Second 
Ward, and all that part lying north of said canal and west of De Witt street and said roads 
shall constitute the Third Ward ; but the Common Council shall have power to change said lines 
of division as they may deem convenient and proper." 

Section 43, it will be observed, created the town of Pacific out of so much of the town of 
Portage City as remained without the newly incorporated city. It provide! that " the connec- 
tion between the city of Portage and the town of Portage City shall be dissolved, and the duties 
now or heretofore imposed upon the officers of the town, so far as they relate to the city of 
Portage, shall be imposed on the officers of said city of Portage ; and so much of the town of 
Portage City as is not included in the limits of the city of Portage shall be the town of Pacific, 
for the purposes of town and county government, and they shall hold their next meeting at 
such place within the organized town of Portage City as the present Board of Supervisors 
shall appoint, and thereafter the place of meeting shall be decided by a vote of this town 
meeting." 

On the 30th of March, an amendment was passed, providing, among other things, that 
" all that part of the city lying north of said canal and west of De Witt street, and the road 
leading from the same aforesaid, shall constitute the Fourth Ward." At the first charter elec- 
tion, held, as provided by law, on the first Tuesday in April, 1854, 366 votes were cast, and the 
following officers elected : Mayor, William Sylvester ; Clerk, John Lodge ; Treasurer, D. 
Vandercook ; Assessor, Henry Carpenter ; Marshal, Alexander Chrystie ; School Superintend- 
ent, W. S. M. Abbott ; Aldermen — First Ward, M. Van Winter, John McTighe ; Second 
Ward, Josiah Arnold, George Wall ; Third Ward, Alva Stewart,* John Gates; Fourth Ward, 
William Armstrong, S. L. Knapp. 

1855. — Mayor, Andrew Dunn ; Clerk, John Lodge ; Treasurer, Samuel Edwards ; Asses- 
sor, Conrad CoUipp ; Marshal, Daniel Ginder ; School Superintendent, W. S. M. Abbott ; 
Aldermen — First VVard, Michael McHale, D. Blass ; Second Ward, Josiah Arnold, John Gates ; 
Third Ward, Geo. N. Richmond, Wm. K. Miles ; Fourth Ward, A. Murison, Wm. C. Pettibone. 

1856 — [Charter amended March 31.] — Mayor, Andrew Dunn ; Clerk, John Lodge; Treas- 
urer, C. D. Hottenstein ; Assessor, Conrad Collipp ; Marshal, Daniel Ginder ; School Superin- 
tendent, Hugh M. Thompson ; Aldermen — First Ward, Michael McHale, Perry Lee ; Second 

* W. K. Mile:?, elected June 15, vice A. Stewart, who failed to qualify. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COITNTY. 607 

"Ward, Josiah Arnold, C. H. Moore; Third Ward, George N. Richmond. F. Steber; Fourth 
Ward, John A. Brown, J. G. Herrigal. 

1857 — [Charter amended March 7.] — Mayor, John P. McGregor; Clerk, John Lodge'; 
Treasurer, C. D. Hottenstein ; Assessor, N. Hollendyke ; Marshal, Aaron Thompson ; School 
Superintendent, Hugh M. Thompson ; Aldermen — First Ward, Michael McHale, Perry Lee ; 
Second Ward, L. S. Dixon, C. J. Pettibone ; Third Ward, George N. Richmond, F. Steber; 
Fourth Ward, C. Ha?rtel, H. W. Tenney. 

1858 — Mayor, Henry B. Munn ; Clerk, George D. Dimraick' ; Treasurer, John Condon ; 
Assessor, Volney Foster ; Marshal, Aaron Thompson ; School Superintendent, J. J. Guppey ; 
Aldermen — First Ward, L. G. Bever, William Miller''; Second Ward, S. E. Dana, George 
Hatcher ; Third Ward, George N. Richmond, F. Steber ; Fourth Ward, R. S. Stoyell, J. Arnold. 

1859 — [Charter amended March 11.] — Mayor, John P. McGregor; Clerk, H. C. Baker; 
Treasurer, Henry Bolting ; Assessor, Henry Carpenter ; Marshal, Aaron Thompson ; School 
Superintendent, J. J. Guppey ; Aldermen — First Ward, Patrick Sheahan, Samuel Wisdom ; 
Second Ward, John Graham, Benjamin L. Webb^ ; Third Ward, William K. Miles, A. M. 
Craig ; Fourth Ward, James Collins, Francis Winne. 

I860 — [Charter amended March 27.] — Mayor, George N. Richmond; Clerk, H. C. Baker; 
Treasurer, Henry Bolting ; Assessor, R. S. Stoyell ; Marshal, S. S. Brannan ; School Super- 
intendent, J. J. Guppey ; Aldermen — First Ward, L. G. Bever, Henry Emder ; Second Ward, 
S. E. Dana, L. W. Barden ; Third Ward, Wells M. Butler,' W. K. Miles ; Fourth Ward, H. 
W. Emry, Andrew Kiefer. 

1861 — Mayor, George N. Richmond ; Clerk, C. C. Britt ; Treasurer, B. S. Doty ; Asses- 
sor, Thomas Christopher; Marshal, E. Cook; School Superintendent, J. J. Guppey; Alder- 
men — First Ward, Edward O'Keeffe, John Brickwell ; Second Ward, W. H. Smith, John Mans- 
field; Third Ward, S. S. Brannan, R. 0. Loomis ; Fourth Ward, George H. Osborn, A. 
Kiefer. 

1862— [Charter amended June 17.]— Mayor, Alvin B. Alden ; Clerk, C. C. Britt; Treas- 
urer, B. S. Doty ; Assessor, C. Collipp ; Marshal, John Coleman ; School Superintendent, H. 
B. Munn; Aldermen — First Ward, L. G. Bever, M. E. Keegan ; Second Ward, John Gates, 
L. Fungenstein ; Third Ward, Thomas Buttrey, S. S. Brannan" ; Fourth Ward, W. W. Corn- 
ing, C. Hfprtel. 

1863 — [Charter amended so that Aldermen should hold their office for two years, one-half 
going out each year. Those elected for the short term this year were Messrs. Emder, Randall, 
Ten Eyck and Ginder.]— Mayor, W. K. Miles; Clerk, C. C. Britt; Treasurer, B. S. Doty; 
Assessor, Thomas Christopher ; Marshal, J. Coleman ; School Superintendent, H. B. Munn ; 
Aldermen — First Ward, H. Emder, M. R. Keegan ; Second Ward, C. J. Randall, L. Funken- 
stein ; Third Ward, George Ten Eyck, Thomas Buttery ; Fourth Wai-d, John Ginder, Peter 
Karch. 

1864— Mayor, John Condon ; Clerk, V. Helman; Treasurer, B. S. Doty; Assessor C. J- 
Randall"; Marshal, Tim L. Collins; School Superintendent, H. B. Munn. Aldermen — First 
Ward, Lars G. Bever, M. R. Keegan ; Second Ward, Matt. Hettinger,' L. Funkenstein ; 
Third Ward, E. H. Dewey, Thomas Buttrey ; Fourth Ward, John Ginder, Peter Karch. 

186.5 — Mayor, L. Funkenstein ; Clerk, V. Helmann ; Treasurer, B. S. Doty ; Assessor, 
0. P. Williams ; Marshal, P. Sheahan ; School Superintendent, H. B. Munn. Aldermen — 
First Ward, John N. Kind, Lars G. Bever ; Second Ward, R. B. Wentworth, S. B. Rhodes ; 
Third Ward, Thomas Buttrey,'' E. H. Dewey ; Fourth Ward, John Graham, Peter Karch. 

1. Died December 2, 1867, and George D. Dimmick elected December 19, to fill ibe vaaincy. 

2. Died, and H. C. Baker appointed t<i fill the vacancy September 20, 1858. 

3. Died, and Owen Ward elected to fill vacancy June 13, 1858. 

4. Failed to qualify, and C. J. Pettibone elected to fill the vacancy May 2, 1859. 

5. Removed from the ward, and A. P. Bennett elected to fill vacancy July 9, 1860. 

6. Removed from the Murd, and Georee Ten Eyrk elected to fill the vacancy December 26, 1862. 

7. Uesigned, C. Collipp appointed to fill vacancy. 

8. Removed from the Ward and S. B. Rhodes elected January 28, 1865, to fill vacancy. 

9. Resigned and W. F. Bailoy elected to fill the vacancy November 7 ; at the same time J. 0. Preacott was elected to fill a vacancy In the 
Second Ward in place of S. B Rhodes, removed. 



608 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1866 — [Charter amended February 28, March 31, April 7 and April 11.] — Mayor, L. Funk- 
enstein ; Clerk, V. Helraann ; Treasurer, B. S. Doty; Assessor, Thomas Christopher; Marshal, 
Thomas Dalton ; School Superintendent, J. J. Guppey. Aldermen — First Ward, Samuel Wis- 
dom, John N. Kind ; Second Ward, J. 0. Prescott, R. B. Wentworth ; Third Ward, Evan 
Arthur, W. F. Bailey ; Fourth Ward, A. Klenert, C. R. Gillett.* 

1867 — [Charter amended April 10.] — Mayor, L. Funkenstein ; Clerk, V. Helmann ; 
Treasurer, B. S. Doty ; Assessor, Thomas Christopher ; Marshal, John Coleman ; School Super- 
intendent, J. J. Guppey. Aldermen — First Ward, Carl Prehn, Samuel Wisdom; Second 
Ward, S. S. Brannan, J. 0. Prescott ; Third Ward, George Port, Evan Arthur ; Fourth Ward, 
H. Bolting, John Ginder.f 

1868 — [Charter amended and boundaries of the city changed as follows : Beginning at a 
point in the center of Fox River where the east and west (juarter line of Section 33, Town 13, 
Range 9. intersects the center of said river; running thence west along the quarter line, through 
Sections 33, 32 and 31, Town 13, Range 9, to the centre of Section 36, Town 13, Range 8; 
thence south along the quarter line through Section 36, Town 13, Range 8, and Sections 1 and 
12, Town 12, Range 8, to the south ([uarter post of Section 12, Town 12, Range 8 ; thence east 
along the south line of said Section 12 and of Sections 7, 8 and 9, Town 12, Range 9, to the south 
quarter post of said Section 9 ; thence north along the quarter line through Sections 9 and 4 till 
it intersects the easterly line of Claim No. 21 (known as Grignon's claim); thence northeasterly 
along the east side of said claim to the center of Fox River ; thence down Fox River along the 
center thereof to the place of beginning. Ward 5 was created and the ward boundaries changed 
as follows : All that part lying south and east of the canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin 
Rivers and north of the Wisconsin River, shall constitute the First Ward. All that part lying 
north of said canal and east of Adams street, extended in a straight line to its intersection with 
the new pinery road and east of said new pinery road, extended north to the north line of said 
city, shall constitute the Second Ward. All that part lying north of said canal and between 
Adams street so extended, and DeWitt street and said new pinery road, shall constitute the 
Third Ward. All that part lying southerly of Carroll street, extended from DeWitt street, 
westerly to the Wisconsin River, and along said river to the west line of said city, and all that 
part lying south of the Wisconsin River, shall constitute the Fourth Ward. All that part lying 
westerly of DeWitt street and northerly of Carroll street, commencing at DeAYitt street, and 
running westerly along said street to the Wisconsin River, and along the banks of said river to- 
the west line of the city, shall constitute the Fifth Ward.] — -Mayor, J. P. McGregor ; Clerk, 
V. Helmann ; Treasurer, P. Karch ; Assesssor, J. Gates ; Marshal, Geo. C. Snider ; School 
Superintendent, J. J. Guppey. Aldermen — First Ward, H. Emder.J Carl Prehn ; Second 
Ward, J. 0. Prescott, S. S. Brannan ; Third Ward, W. G. Bebb, George Port ; Fourth Ward, 
W. W. Corning, H. Bolting ; Fifth Ward, John Ginder, C. R. Gallett (short term). 

1869 — [Charter amended March 5.] — Mayor, John Graham ; Clerk, V. Helmann ; Treas- 
urer, P. Karch ; Assessor, Thomas Christopher ; Marshal, L. M. Hickey ; School Superin- 
tendent, J. J. Guppey. Aldermen — First Ward, John Holsten, Carl Prehn ; Second Ward, 
Alex. Carnagie, J. 0. Prescott ; Third Ward, E. C. Main, W. G. Bebb ; Fourth Ward, Corne- 
lius Wheeler, W.W. Corning ; Fifth Ward, L. T. Mead, John Ginder. 

1870 — Mayor, C. R. Gallett: Clerk, V. Helmann; Treasurer, 0. Krisch; Assessor,^ 
Thomas Christopher ; Marshal, L. M. Hickey, School Superintendent, J. J. Guppey. Alder- 
men — First Ward, Vinzenz Hamele, John Holsten ; Second Ward, J. 0. Prescott, Alex. Car- 
nagie ; Third Ward, Thomas R. Davies, E. C. Maine ; Fourth Ward, John B. Dassi, James 
Collins ; § Fifth Ward, Isaac W. Bacon, L. T. Mead. 

1871 — [Charter amended March 24.] — Mayor, S. S. Brannan ; Clerk, "V. Helmann ; 
Treasurer, 0. Krisch; Assessor, A. Hoffman; Marshal, C. Schneider; School Superintendent, 

* To fiU vacancy occasioned by the removal of J. Graham from the ward. 
+ To fit! vacancy occasioned by removal of A. Klenert. 

1 Removed from the ward, and John Brickwell elected to fill the vacjincy August 22, 1868. 

2 To flu vacancy in place of C. Wheeler, removed from ward. 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 609 

J. J. Guppey. Aldermen — First Ward, Ira Schoemaker, Vinzenz Hamele ; Second Ward, 
StillmanE. Dana, J. 0. Prescott ; Third Ward, A. D. Hemenway, Wilford M. Patten ;* Fourth 
Ward, James Collins, John B. Dassi ; Fifth Ward, L. T. Mead, I. W. Bacon. 

1872 — Mayor, S. S. Brennon; Clerk, V. Helmann ; Treasurer, C.Wheeler; Assessor, 
Thomas Christopher ;t Marshal, C. Schneider; School Superintendent, J. J. Guppey. Alder- 
men — First Ward, Jacob Bauer, Ira Schoemaker ; Second Ward, E. L. Jreger, S. E. Dana ; 
Third Ward, Hugh 0. Lewis, A. D. Hemenway ; Fourth Ward, William Armstrong, James 
Collins ; Fifth Ward, William Rusch, L. T. Mead. 

1873 — Mayor, C R. Gallett: Clerk, V. Helmann; Treasurer, C. Wheeler; Assessor, John 
Bean ; Marshal, Daniel AVells ; School Superintendent, G. J. Cox. Aldermen — First Ward, J. 
€. Hass, Jacob Bauer; Second Ward, Job Purnell, E. L. Jreger; Third Ward, S. G. Gage, H. 
0. Lewis ; Foui-th Ward, F. Sieverkrop, William Armstrong ; Fifth Ward, R. 0. Loomis, Will- 
iam Rusch. 

1874 — [Charter amended March 7.] — Mayor, C. R. Gallett ; Clerk, B. Doherty ; Treasurer, 
A. Kiefer ; Assessor, Alexander Carnagie ; Marshal, Daniel Wells ; School Superintendent, G. 
J. Cox. Aldermen — First Ward, A. C. F. Koenig, J. C. Hass ; Second Ward, John Graham, 
Job Purnell ; Third Ward, H. 0. Lewis, E. C. Maine ;.t Fourth Ward, Henry Emder, F. Siever- 
krop ; Fifth Ward, A. C. Flanders, R. 0. Loomis. 

1875 — Mayor, W. W. Corning ; Clerk, B. Doherty ; Treasurer, A. Kiefer ; Assessor, 
Alexander Carnagie ; Marshal, William Edwards ; School Superintendent, N. K. Shattuck. 
Aldermen — First Ward, J. C. Hass, A. C. F. Koenig ; Second Ward, E. S. Purdy,§ John 
Graham; Third Ward, E. C. Maine, H. 0. Lewis; Fourth Ward, R. C. Rockwood, Henry 
Emder ; Fifth Ward, C. R. Gallett, A. C. Flanders. 

187(3 — [Charter codified, consolidated and amended; boundaries of Third, Fourth and Fifth 
Wards changed as follows : All that portion of the city commencing at the canal bridge on 
Wisconsin street, running thence northwesterly along Wisconsin street to its intersection with 
Mac street, thence northerly along Mac street to its intersection with the railroad track of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, thence easterly along said railroad track to 
its intersection with Adams street, thence in a southerly direction along said Adams street to 
the said canal, thence along said canal to the place of beginning, shall constitute the Third Ward; 
all that portion of the city lying southerly of Carroll street, extended from Mac street westerly 
to the Wisconsin River, and along said river to the west line of the city, and all that part lying 
south of the Wisconsin River shall constitute the Fourth Ward ; all that portion of the city 
lying westerly of Mac street and the new pinery road, and northerly of Carroll street, commenc- 
ing at Mac street and running westerly along said street to the Wisconsin River, and along the 
banks of said river to the west line of the city, shall constitute the Fifth Ward.] — Mayor, W. 
W. Corning ; City Clerk, Valentine Helmann ; Treasurer, James Collins ; Assessor, William 
Hensel; Marshal, William Edwards ; School Superintendent, N. K. Shattuck. Aldermen — 
First Ward. Julius C. Hass, John Brickwell ; Second Ward, E. S. Purdv, John M. Holmes ; 
Third Ward, E. C. Maine, H. 0. Lewis ; Fourth Ward, R. C. Rockwood,' George Port ; Fifth 
Ward, C. R. Gallett, Joseph Huebl. 

1877 — [Charter amended February 7.] — Mayor, Josiah Arnold; Clerk, V. Helmann; 
Treasurer, James Collins ; Assessor, William Hensel ; Marshal, Frederick Sieverkrop ; School 
Superintendent, A. C. Kellogg. Aldermen — First Ward, Peter Mahon, John Brickwell; 
Second Ward, E. S. Purdy, John M. Holmes ; Third Ward, J. E. Wells, H. 0. Lewis ; Fourth 
Ward, John Gonten, George Port ; Fifth Ward, Ferdinand Manthey, Joseph Huebl. 

1878 — [Charter amended March 16.] — Mayor, Josiah Arnold ; Clerk, John O'Keefe, Jr. ; 
Treasurer, V. Helmann ; Assessor, John Bean ; Marshal, F. Sieverkrop ; School Superintendent, 
A. C. Kellogg. Aldermen — First Ward, Christian Schultz, Peter Mahon ; Second Ward, R. 

* In place of T. R. Davis, removed from the ward. 

tDied, John Bean appointed by the council to fill vacancy. 

t E. C. Maine elected to fill vacancy occasioned by death of S. P. Gage. 

I Certificate of election given to S. S. Brannan, who resigned, and Mr. Purdy waa chosen at a special election. 



610 HISTOHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

B. Wentworth, E. S. Purdy ; Third Ward, G. J. Cox, J. E. Wells ; Fourth Ward, George Port, 
John Gonten ; Fifth Ward, Jacob Clemens, Frederick Manthey. 

1879 — [Charter amended March 4, and boundaries of the Fourth and Fifth Wards 
changed as follows : •' Beginning, on the northerly bank of the Wisconsin River, in the center 
of Cass street ; thence running north through the center of said Cass street, to the track of 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad track ; thence east along said track to the center 
of Mac street ; thence south through the center of Mac street to the center of Wisconsin street ; 
thence southerly through the center of the said Wisconsin street to the canal connecting the 
Fo.x and Wisconsin Rivers ; thence westerly and northerly along said canal and river to the 
center of said Cass street, the place of beginning, shall constitute the Fourth Ward. All that 
part of said city which lies west and south of Wisconsin street, all that part which lies west of 
said Cass street and south of said railroad track, and all that part which lies north of said rail- 
road track and west of the new pinery road, shall constitute the Fifth Ward."] — Mayor, Josiah 
Arnold; Clerk, John O'Keefe. Jr.; Treasurer, V. Helmann ; Assessor, Thomas Bennett; 
Marshal, Fred. Sieverkrop ; School Superintendent, A. C. Kellogg ; Aldermen — First Ward, 
Peter Mahon, Christian Schultz ; Second Ward, Job Purnell, R. B. Wentworth ; Third Ward, 
J. E. Wells, G. J. Cox ; Fourth Ward, Henry Little, George Port ; Fifth Ward, William 
Rallies, Jacob Clemens. 

1880. — Mayor, Josiah Arnold ; Clerk, John O'Keefe ; Treasurer, Joseph Hueble ; 
Marshal, Patrick Sheehan ; Assessor, Alexander Carnagie ; School Superintendent, A. C. 
Kellogg; Aldermen — First Ward, Frank jYanko ; Second Ward, Alexander Thompson ; Third 
Ward, R. C. Pixley ; Fourth Ward. Alois Klenert ; Fifth Ward, Jacob Clemens. 

THE CANAL. 

In 1837, a company was chartered, under the name of the " Portage Canal Company," 
for the purpose of building a canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. This company 
was composed of Sheldon Thompson, of Buffalo, N. Y.; DeGarmo Jones, Detroit, Mich.; Rob- 
ert McPherson, Daniel Whitney, S. P. Griffith, and others, who were also the incorporators of 
the Shot Tower Company of Helena. They were the owners of all the plat of the village of 
Fort Winnebago. In the year 1838, they commenced to dig a canal at a point on Fox River, 
where it is crossed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Its course was on the line 
of Bronson avenue, about two rods north, entering the Wisconsin River near Mac street. 
About $10,000 was spent by the company, when the work was abandoned. 

Nothing further was done for some years. It finally attracted the notice of the General 
Government, and Secretary of War Poinsett called the attention of Congress to its value as a 
route for military communication and transportation, and urged an appropriation for the con- 
struction of locks around the rapids and a canal to unite the two rivers. To effect this object, 
in August, 1846, Congress passed an act granting the State of Wisconsin alternate sections of 
land, three miles on each side of the Fox River. In 1848, the State accepted the grant and 
appointed a Board of Public Works, who were charged with its execution. A new route was 
chosen, and between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock, on the 1st day of June, 184'J, the first soil 
was broken. Thomas Reynolds, of Madison, was awarded the contract of constructing the 
canal and Nelson McNeil, of Eau Claire, the locks. The work progressed somewhat slowly, 
being delayed by misunderstandings between the contractor and State. The men working upon 
it were kept out of their money for weeks and months, and were compelled to abandon it for 
that reason, leaving it in an unfinished condition. A resident of Portage thus describes the 
work, in March, 1851 : " The banks of the canal at this place are crumbling before 
the thaw, in many places, and flilling into the stream. The planking is in great part afloat. 
By prompt attention, the work done on the canal may be saved to the State. As it is now, it 
presents a melancholy spectacle of premature decay. The unpaid laborers, lately employed on 
the work, whose destitution and wrongs have aroused the indignation and sympathies of our 
citizens, will hardly assist in its repair, unless they are secured in their pay, as recommended 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 611 

by Mr. Crosswell, nor will they suffer strangers to be duped and wronged as they themselves have 
been." Repairs were subsequently made, the water let in, and on Saturday, the 24th day of 
May, 1851, a boat attempted to pass through the canal. The event was chronicled, at the time, 
as follows, by the Portage paper : 

" First Boat Through the Canal — almost. — The beautiful steamer, John Mitchell, nearly 
accomplished the feat of passing through the canal at this place, from the Fox into the Wisconsin 
River, on Saturday last. She came up as far as Main street. As the John Mitchell came up 
the canal, the Enterprise came up the Wisconsin River to the head of the canal. The bluster- 
ing rivalry between these inhabitants of different waters (the throat of each giving its best puff 
and whistle alternately), was quite exhilarating, and called out a large concourse of citizens, to 
gaze upon the scene presented, and make predictions for the future. After a short time, boats 
and citizens withdrew, amid strains of music, and the ' noise and confusion ' were over." 

The water was drawn off, and the work of strengthening the banks and bottom, to prevent 
the quicksand from pouring in and filling up the bed, was proceeded with ; but their efforts 
were of little avail, if the same local authority quoted can be relied on. On the 31st day of 
August, 1851, the water was again let in, and the next morning it presented a rather novel 
appearance, the planking having raised from its fastening, at the bottom, and floated on either 
side of the iurfiice, and forming two floating plank-roads. Fortunately no high winds prevailed ; 
but had a storm arisen and stirred up the angry waters, there is no telling where the planking 
might have been hurled to, or where the destruction would have ended. 

On Sunday night, September 28, 1851, the Wisconsin River, which had been unusually 
high for some days, broke into the canal, and cut a channel through its southern bank, some 
fifty yards wide and eight or ten feet deep. The wai-ehouse of C. W. Mappa was undermined, 
and other houses fell in and floated off. The planking of the canal, together with a quantity of 
lumber lying on the bank of the Wisconsin, floated into the Fox River. 

But little was done from this time until in 1853. As the Constitution of the State forbade 
the creation of any public debts, the Board of Public Works were limited in their expenditures 
to the receipts from the sale of land granted by Congress. At this stage of affairs, a company 
proposed to take charge of the work, completing the canal, and the improvements contemplated 
on the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. On the 6th day of July, 1853, an act was passed by the 
Legislature of this State, incorporating the " Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement Company." 
composed of Mason C. Darling, Otto Frank, Morgan L. Martin, Edgar Conklin, Benjamin F. 
Moore, Joseph G. Lawton, W. H. Peak and Theodore Conkey. The State gave to this com- 
pany all the interests that had been acquired by it, under certain conditions. The act making 
the transfer from the State to the improvement company, was approved by Gov. Coles Bash- 
ford, Oct. 3, 1856. The company was instructed to commence the work within ninety days, 
and to finish the improvement within three years. They failed to comply with the law, and 
finally the United States took the work off their hands. 

As builr, by the Government, the canal was commenced in the fall of 1874, under the direc- 
tion of Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., assisted by Capt. G. J. Lydecker, 
Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., with Mr. John Pierpont and Mr. Edward Sargent, as civil 
assistants, until the winter of 1875 and 1876, when Capt. Lydecker and assistants Pierpont and 
Sargent were called to other work on the Fox River, and Col. Houston was assisted by Lieut. 
F. A. Hinman, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., with Mr. Edward C. Hinman, as civil assistant. 
The work of construction was done by contract, by Messrs. Conro, Starke & Co., of Milwaukee. 
The excavation was made by a steam excavator, wheelbarrows and small construction cars. 
The work was commenced at the lower end — in order that it could be drained as completed — 
and consisted of an excavation seventy-five feet wide and seven feet deep, with a timber and pile 
revetment on both sides. The latter was completed as fast as the excavation would permit. 
During the season of 1874, the work was completed about one-fourth of a mile. During the 
season of 1875, the revetment and excavation on the north side were completed, and, on the 
south side, about three-fourths finished. The balance of the work was completed in June, 1876. 



612 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

A writer soon afterward sajs : 

" The canal is seventy-five feet wide, inside the revetment, two and one-half miles long, and 
seven feet from the top of revetment to the bed. 

" There is one waste weir at the lower end, to carry off the surface water, and ample as a 
feeder to the Fox River. 

" Messrs. Starke & Conro, completed the canal between Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and 
turned it over to the Government Friday last, July 30. The revetment on southerly side of the 
canal, between the bridge and the lock, was not carried through to the river, because a lock side 
and canal basin is to be constructed, between the canal and the river, requiring the whole of 
the point of land between them for that purpose ; it is not yet determined whether the work of 
constructing the basin will go forward this season or not. The canal is a completed job, and is 
not excelled by any other work of the kind, of which we have any knowledge. There is six feet 
of water in it, which is a great abundance for any demand that will ever be made upon it. 

" On the evening of the 30th, a party of gentlemen accepted an invitation from the officers 
in charge, to take passage on the Government steamer, Boscobel, on a trial trip through the 
canal, from the Wisconsin to the Fox. As a matter of record, we give the names of the follow- 
ing gentlemen: Hon. Alva Stewart, Hon. R. L. D. Potter, Messrs. G. J. Cox, E. E. Chapin, 
A. J. Turner, T. L. Kennan, W. D. Fox, Fred W. Schulze, E. S. Baker, John Cable, 
and others, whose names do not occur to us, besides Government officers in charge of the 
work. As the steamer coursed its way down to the Fox, trains passed by on the several 
divisions of the railroad. For some distance, the theme of conversation was the change 
wrought in the line of trade and commerce, within the past five years, by the introduction 
of steam power, and we all wondered how Louis Jolliet regarded it, if his spirit was floating 
about in this vicinity, where, 203 years before, on the 17th of June, he had hauled his batteaux 
across this same portage, between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, on his voyage of discovery, 
where steamboats and railroads now hold sway. And thus conversation ran on through the 
evening, until 10 o'clock, when the little excursion had been completed." 

At the upper end, the Portage City lock connects the canal with the Wisconsin River, 
with a lift from the canal of from nothing to nine feet, depending on the stage of water in the 
Wisconsin River. At the lower end, the Fort Winnebago lock connects it with the Fox River, 
having a lift of six feet from the Fox River. 

These locks above mentioned, have both been rebuilt by the Government ; the former in 
1880, and the latter in 1874 and 1875. They are, as previously mentioned, thirty-five feet wide 
and one hundred and sixty feet long, between gates. 

The United States steamer, Boscobel, was the first boat to pass through the canal, after its 
completion. On June 30, 1876, the steamer passed from the Wisconsin to the Fox River 
and returned. Everything was found to be in good working order, and navigation was opened 
immediately, and has been uninterrupted since that time. 

THE SCHOOLS. 

The subject of education is one of prime importance to every community, and the degree in 
which it is fostered and promoted is always a sure index to the intelligence and liberality of the 
people. The refinements of education constitute the most elegant and ennobling pleasures of 
life. The moral sentiments are elevated and the face of humanity made to shine with celestial 
luster. It has truly been said that, " an education is that which no misfortune can depress, no 
clime destroy, no enemy alienate, no despotism enslave ; at home a friend, abroad an introduction, 
in solitude a solace, in society an ornament." 

As illustrative of the tendancy of the times, it will not be out of place to show the atten- 
tion education received at Fort Winnebago forty-five years ago. Maj. Green, then command- 
ing officer at the fort, engaged, in 1835, Miss Eliza Haight as governess in his family, and he 
allowed the children of other officers of the fort to attend the private school thus established. 




^'(Jrt4yr-Gj-r-^^^2>i>u^ 



PORTAGE, CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 615 

There were, in all, about one dozen pupils. In the spring of 1840, Rev. S. P. Keyes became 
both chaplain and schoolmaster at the post, and taught about twenty children, some of them over 
twelve years of age. 

The first school in Portage, however, the benefits of which were enjoyed by actual settlers, 
was established in the house of Hugh McFarlane, in 184-3, Mrs. McFarlane being the teacher. 
Instruction was given on Sundays only, and it was therefore a Sunday school. Books were 
purchased for the purpose, from a fund created by contributions solicited from the hardy rafts- 
men of the Wisconsin River, by Mrs. McFarlane. From this small beginning, a private school, 
with a "hired " teacher, grew into existence. It was located, for awhile, in one portion of Mr. 
McFarlane's blacksmith-shop, partitioned off for that purpose. 

The town of Winnebago Portage, organized on the 9th day of January, 1849, by virtue of 
that organization, became, at that date, a school district, under a law of the Territory of Wis- 
consin, which continued in force till January 1, 1850, and which declared that " every town in 
this Territory, containing not less than ten families, shall be a school district," etc. There is 
no record of a public school in the town, during 1849 ; but in that year a portion of the town 
occupied by its residents living in the vicinity of the " old fort," was set off as School District 
No. 2, all other parts of the town being considered District No. 1. It is not necessary to give 
the limits of this District No. 2, as it became joint District No. 1, of Port Hope and Fort Win- 
nebago, on the 8th day of January, 1850, when the name of Wiiinebago Portage was changed 
to Fort Winnebago, and Town 13, Range 9, taken from that town and organized as the town of 
Port Hope. This joint district followed the fortunes of Section 33, Town 13, Range 9, site of the 
the old fort, and was transferred with it three times, from one town to the other. It was under 
the jurisdiction of the town of Fort Winnebago (now Portage) only about three years, and after 
noticing its first annual report, in 1850, its history will not be further considered in connection 
with that part of the city of Portage, except in the explanation of the numbering of the dis- 
tricts that may hereafter be named. 

In 1850, School Superintendent D. Vandercook formed four new districts, in the town of 
Fort Winnebago, making five in all, viz., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. And as No. 3 soon passed to 
another town, and as No. 4 was substantially absorbed in another district of the same name, 
which in reality was the successor of joint District No. 1, hereinbefore named, they will be 
briefly described and " accounted for " first, so that further mention of them will not be 
required. 

District JS/o. 3. — Set off, June 27, 1850, commencing "at the west line of Town 12, 
Range 8, thence east three miles, including John Tibbet's claim on Section 5 ; thence north to 
the Wisconsin River, and bounded on the south by the Baraboo River." This district became 
a part of the town of Caledonia, at the organization of the latter, on the 12th of November, 
1851. 

District No. 4-, set off November 30, 1850, contained the " east side of the village (at the 
Portage) from Center avenue," and was united with a part of joint District No. 1, before named, 
on the 30th day of August, 1851. The new district was designated No. 4, and as such made 
its annual report for the year 1851, being really the report of the school of said joint district for 
that year. It passed from the jurisdiction of the town of Fort Winnebago on the 15th day of 
December, 1852, with the site of the fort. Section 33, Town 13, Range 9, which was trans- 
ferred to the town of Port Hope on that day. 

Districts JVos. 1, 2 and 5, of the organization of 1850, have been the permanent districts 
of the place. 

No. 1 embraced that part of the town south of the canal and west of Center avenue (in 
part of First Ward, now west of Center avenue) not set off to other districts. 

No. 2. — Substantially the present Second Ward of the city (old No. 3 becoming joint Dis- 
trict No. 1, as above stated), organized January, 1850. 

No. 5. — Substantially what is now Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards of the city, and organ- 
ized December 20, 1850. 



616 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNT"!'. 

Districts Nos. 1 and 2, of Fort Winnebago, and joint District No. 1, of Port Hope and Fort 
Winnebago (once No. 2 of Winnebago Portage), maintained public schools in the year ending 
August 31, 1850, and made annual reports, from which the following statistics are taken, viz. : 

District No. 1. — Number of male children of school age, 21 ; number of female children of 
school age, 15; number attending school, 20 ; number of months' school, 3; wages, with board, 
per month, of teacher. Miss C. V. Baldwin, $6 ; schoolroom, second scory of Henry Car- 
penter's warehouse. 

District No. 2. — Number of male children of school age, 70; number of female children of 
school age, 65 ; number attending school, 87 ; number of months' school, 3 ; monthly wages of 
teacher, Mr. R. M. Brown, $18 ; the schoolroom was a shop of William Rice, standing on a part 
of the present homestead of Mrs. Dr. Dent, Block No. 240. 

Joint District No. 1, of Port Hope and Fort Winnebago. — Number of male children of 
school age, 55 ; number of female children of school age, 41 ; number attending school, 65 ; 
number of months' school, 3 ; monthly wages of teacher, Mrs. Grace Bliss, $15. Schoolroom, 
arsenal building of the fort ; William Wier was Clerk. 

District No. 1 contained that part of the town south of the canal not set off to other dis- 
tricts. Its boundaries were not given on its records, for the reason that it originally contained 
the whole town, and it was called " No. 1," because it was the original organization, or what 
was left of that organization. To give it a name and limits on its records. School Superintendent 
W. R. DeWitt re-organized it on the 10th day of May, 1851, giving it the name it had borne 
and the boundaries rightfully belonging to it. Ten days after, namely. May 20, 1851, he organ- 
ized that portion of the district south of Superior street into District No. 7 (No. 6 not described, 
being in what is now Caledonia). Practically, the two districts remained as one, and as the 
schoolhouse was in District No. 7, the annual reports were made in the name of that district, 
until the two were united under the original name. District No. 1. 

During the year ending August 31, 1851, Districts Nos. 1 (7 and 1) and 2 again main- 
tained public schools, and District No. 5 had its first public school. From the report of the 
Clerk of District No. 5 for that year, the following particulars are taken, viz. : Number of male 
children of school age, 43 ; number of female children of school age, 55 ; number attending 
school, 98 ; number of months' school, 3 ; monthly wages of teacher. Miss Helen M. Hand, 
$15. James Boylan taught ten days. The schoolroom was the schoolhouse of District No. 2, 
rented. 

Changes of Name, etc. — The name of the town having been changed to Portage City, and 
some alterations having been made in its boundaries by the Board of County Supervisors on the 
17th day of December, 1852, School Superintendent A. C. Ketchum re-organized the school 
districts on the 23d day of April following, designating Districts Nos. 1 and 7 as District No. 
4, and District No. 5 as District No. 3, District No. 2 retaining its name. The city having 
been incorporated in 1854 with southeasterly boundaries different fi-om those of the town pre- 
ceding it, School Superintendent W. S. M. Abbott, on the 3d day of February, 1855, in making 
a record of the altered limits of the then District No. 4, restored its original name. District 
No. 1. From that date till graded schools were established in the city, the districts were : No. 
1, First Ward ; No. 2, Second Ward ; No. 3, present Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards. And 
in speaking of them on other points of their history, the names last above given will be used, 
whatever may have been their designations when the events named took place. 

Schoolhouses. — Districts 1 and 2 each erected a wooden schoolhouse in 1851, that of the 
former standing on Lot 10, Block 89, and that of the latter on Lot 16, Block 187, of Webb & 
Bronson's Plat. The one erected by District No. 1 now forms a part of the First Ward School- 
house on Block 140 ; and that erected by District No. 2 was sold by the city, and is now a 
dwelling-house on Block 197, of the plat of Portage City. 

District No. 3 (5) did not erect a schoolhouse. For many years it rented one of 
Hugh McFarlane, erected by him for a private high school, and standing on Lot 9, Block 237, 
of Portage City, and in 1857 it purchased the house and lot of Mr. McFarlane for $1,500. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTT. 617 

The house and grounds were sold by the city, and the building has been converted into a 
dwelling-house, and is now owned by William Miller. 

The following is a list of teachers and officers of School District No. 1, during its exist- 
ence—it being also known as District No. 4, and District No. 7, and the time it was so known 
being herein indicated : Year ending August 31, 1850 — Miss 0. V. Baldwin, Teacher ; Henry 
Carpenter, Director ; George W. Morgan, Clerk ; M. Van Winter, Treasurer. Year ending 
August 31, 1851 — Miss C. V. Baldwin, Teacher; Henry Carpenter, Director ; S. F. Marston, 
Clerk ; M. Van Winter, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1852 — Mrs. Maria Gue and Miss 

E. J. Page, Teachers ; Henry Carpenter, Director ; 0. P. Williams and M. Van Winter, Clerks ; 
Alex. McDonald, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1853 — Miss Sophia Wright, Teacher ; 
Henry Carpenter, Director ; M. Van Winter, Clerk ; Alex. McDonald, Treasurer. Year end- 
ing August 31, 1854 — Minor Palmer, Teacher ; Henry Carpenter, Director ; M. Van Winter, 
Clerk ; Perry Lee, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1855 — Miss Margaret E. Hand and 
Miss Margaret St. John, Teachers; Henry Carpenter, Director; C. A.Comstock, Clerk ; Perry 
Lee, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1856 — D. J. Waters and Miss Margaret E. Hand, 
Teachers ; Edward O'Keefe, Director ; M. McHale, Clerk ; Perry Lee, Treasurer. Year end- 
ing August 31, 1857 — D. J. Waters, Teacher ; Henry Carpenter, Director; M. McHale, Clerk ; 
Perry Lee, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1858 — D. J. Waters, Teacher ; Henry Carpen- 
ter, Director ; Eugene Muldoon and John Brickwell, Clerks ; Perry Lee, Treasurer. From 
August 31, 1858, to end of district system. May, 1859 — Jerome Starr, Teacher ; M'. Van Win- 
ter, Director ; John Brickwell, Clerk ; Volney Foster, Treasurer. 

List of teachers and officers of School District No. 2, during its existence : Year ending 
August 31, 1850 — Mr. R. M. Brown, Teacher ; Richard Dempsey, Director ; T. Dean, Clerk ; 
John M. Crawford, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1851 — Mr. James Boylan, Miss'B. Edg- 
erton, Teachers; John A. Johnson, Director; H. R. Pettibone, Clerk; John M. Crawford and 
C. G. McCuUoch, Treasurers. Year ending August 31, 1852 — Miss B. Edgerton, Teacher; R. 

F. Veeder, Director; H. R. Pettibone, Clerk: C. G. McCulloch, Treasurer. Year ending 
August 31, 1853— Seth Mills, Teacher ; George Wall, Director; A. C. Ketchum, Clerk ; Will- 
iam Sylvester, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1854 — Mr. R. S. Carter, Miss Jane S. Chap- 
pell and Miss Helen Ward, Teachers ; Thomas Thompson, Director; John M Crawford, ('lerk ; 

G. N. Oddie, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1855 — Emory Peck, C. 0. Paquin and Miss 
Helen M. Hand, Teachers ; Thomas Thompson, Director ; John M. Crawford, Clerk ; William 
R. Clough, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1856 — J. A. Burt and C. 0. Paquin, Teachers ; 
James Learmouth, Director ; John M. Crawford and J. B. Rogers, Clerks ; W. R. Clough, 
Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1857 — J. A. Burt and Miss Lucy A. Miller, Teachers ; 
S. K. Vaughan, Director ; J. B. Rogers, Clerk ; James Learmouth, Treasurer. Year ending 
August 31, 1858 — G. J. Cox and Miss Mary J. Bisbee, Teachers ; M. M. Davis, Director; G. 
M. Oddie, Clerk; A. Carnagie, Treasurer. From August 31, 1858, to end of district system, 
May, 1859 — T. C. Barden and Miss Fannie E. Waldo, Teachers ; George Wall, Director ; Barrin 
S. Doty and J. 0. Prescott, Clerks ; Alex. Carnagie, Treasurer. 

List of teachers and officers of School District No. 3, otherwise No. 5, during its existence : 
Year ending August 31, 1851 — Miss Helen M. Hand, Teacher; Hugh McFarlane, Director; 
Daniel Young, Clerk ; Daniel Clough, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1852 — Mrs. 
Agnes N. Butz, Teacher ; H. McFarlane, Director; C. H. Moore, Clerk ; Daniel Clough, 
Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1853— James Chancellor and Miss Helen M. Hand, Teach- 
ers ; Charles H. Moore, Director; James Chancellor and A. Hand, Clerks ; Daniel Clough, Treas- 
urer. Year ending August 31, 1854 — Seth Mills and Martha Mills, Teachers ; Richard Demp- 
sey, Director; L. Berry and D. J. M. Loop, Clerks; Daniel Clough, Treasurer. Year ending 
August 31, 1855 — J. W. Hollenshead and Miss Butterfield, Teachers ; Richard Dempsey, Direc- 
tor ; E. Cook, Clerk ; Daniel Clough, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1856 — W. S. M. 
Abbott and Mrs. Abbott, Teachers ; James Collins, Director ; W. S. M. Abbott and H. B. Ander- 
son, Clerks ; Daniel Clough, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1857 — George F. Richardson 



618 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

George Hand and Mary Dempsey, Teachers ; James Collins, Director ; Richard Dempsey, 
Clerk ; T. E. Best, Treasurer. Year ending August 31, 1858 — George F. Richardson and 
Mary Dempsey, Teachers ; William P. St. John, Director ; H. S. Haskell, Clerk ; D. Vander- 
cook, Treasurer. From August <51, 1858, to end of the district system, May, 1859 — George 
F. Richardson and Mary Dempsey, Teachers ; John T. Clark, Director; H. S. Haskell, Clerk ; 
H. L. Norton, Treasurer. 

Graded Schools.— -The present graded-school system commenced in 1859, as will appear 
from the following report of the first meeting of the Board of Education : 

" At the first meeting of the Board of Education of the city of Portage, held at the office 
of the City Superintendent, on the 2d day of May, 1859, at 7 o'clock P. M. — present. Com- 
missioners Volney Foster, First Ward ; Baron S. Doty, Second Ward ; Alvin B. Alden, Third 
Ward ; Henry B. Munn, Fourth Ward, and City Superintendent, J. J. Guppey, ex officio Sec- 
retary, being all the members of the board — the Commissioners took and subscribed to the oath 
of office. 

" On motion of Mr. Alden, seconded by Mr. Munn, Baron S. Doty was, by unanimous vote, 
elected President of the board. 

" On motion of Mr. Munn, Thursday, the 12th inst., at 9 o'clock, A. M., and the Com- 
mon Council room, were designated as the time and place for e.xamination of applicants for 
schools, and the Secretary was directed to give notice in the city paper accordingly. 

" After a general but informal discussion of the action to be taken by the board for the 
future, in reference to city schools, it was voted to hold an adjourned meeting on Monday, the 
12th inst., at 9 o'clock A. M., at the Common Council room, for the purpose of examining 
teachers and transacting such general business as might be brought before the board. Ad- 
journed accordingly. Joshua J. Guppey, Clerk." 

The board met accordingly, and examined G. F. Richardson, Charles R. Gallett, Miss 
Kate Roland, Miss Fannie E. Waldo, Miss Luthera Waldo, Miss Hannah P. Best and Miss 
Helvetia L. Reese, as to their qualifications to fill teachers' positions, as follows: Messrs. 
Richardson and Gallett and Miss Luthera Waldo, for intermediate schools, and Miss Kate 
Roland, Miss Fannie E. Waldo, Miss Hannah P. Best and Miss Helvetia L. Reese, for primary 
schools. At a subsequent meeting of the board, reported favorable upon the application of 
each aspirant. 

The next work of the board was " the organization of the primary and intermediate 
schools of the city of Portage." This was accomplished by the adoption of a by-law, drawn 
and ofiTered by Superintendent Guppey, providing that the First Ward of the city, excepting the 
portion lying northerly of Center avenue, should constitute a primary and intermediate school dis- 
trict, and there were established therein and therefor, one primary and one intermediate 
school, to be known as the First Ward Primary and Intermediate Schools ; that so much of the 
First Ward as lies north of Center avenue, and all of the Second Ward, should constitute a pri- 
mary and intermediate school district ; that the Third and Fourth Wards of said city shall also 
constitute a primary and intermediate school district ; provided, that a second primary school 
may be organized in the Third Ward, if necessary. In the two last-mentioned districts, pri- 
mary and intermediate schools were established. 

It was then decided to employ teachers two months from May 23, as follows : George 
F. Parkinson, First Ward Intermediate, at $35 per month ; Miss Luthera Waldo, Second Ward 
Intermediate, $25 ; Miss Helvetia L. Reese, First Ward Primary, $15 ; Miss Fannie E. Waldo, 
Second Ward Primary, $20. At a subsequent meeting of the Board, Mrs. Agnes N. Cornell 
and Miss Caroline M. Prentiss passed successful examinations, and were employed in the Third 
and Fourth Ward Schools ; Mrs. Cornell, in the intermediate department, at $35 per month, 
and Miss Pientiss, in the primary, at $20, per month — for a period of ten weeks from May 23, 
1859. At a meeting of the board, held June 4, a resolution was passed requesting the Com- 
mon Council to levy a tax of $1,500 for the support of the schools thus established. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 619 

Superintendent Guppey's first report under the new system showed that there were 1,076 
children of school age residing in the city of Portage, 511 being males and 565 being females, 
divided as follows : First Ward, 293 ; Second Ward, 274 ; Third Ward, 145; Fourth Ward, 364. 

In October, a second primary school was organized in the Third and Fourth Wards, " the 
schoolhouse near the residence of H. S. Haskell being leased for that purpose," and Miss 
Luthera Waldo being employed as teacher, at a salary of $20 per month. 

The semi-annual report of the Superintendent, dated January 3, 1860, gave the status of 
the schools, at that date, as follows : Number of pupils in attendance. 641 ; average attend- 
ance, 464 ; aggregate monthly salaries of teachers, $285 ; cost of schools, from September 1, 
1859, $1,064.75 ; estimated cost to next report (si.x months), $1,781.25. 

The report of the Superintendent for the term ending August 31, 1860, gave the number 
of children of school age residing in the city, 1,047 (males, 512; females, 585), there being 
242 in the First Ward, 241 in the Second, 149 in the Third, and 415 in the Fourth. 

In August, 1861, there having been a reduction in salaries, thereby causing the resignation 
of certain teachers. Miss Jane Booth was employed as teacher in the Second Ward Intermediate 
School, Miss Emma Sherwood in the Fourth Ward Primary, and Miss Eliza Hunter in the First 
Ward Primary. The school census for this year showed 1,013 children of school age in the 
city, there being 490 males and 523 females. In October, Superintendent Guppey resigned his 
position, and the Common Council appointed Henry B. Munn to fill the vacancy. Edgar P. 
Hill succeeded Mr. Munn as a member of the board. In this connection, are fonnd the following 
patriotic sentiments in the report of the Board of Education to the City Council : 

" Shortly after the commencement of the current school year, we lost the assistance and 
co-operation of our late excellent School Superintendent, Joshua J. Guppey, and we desire in 
this, our annual report, to record our high appreciation of his successful efforts in behalf of the 
best interests of our public schools. He left us to take an active part in crushing out the infer- 
nal rebellion that is struggling to dismember our once happy land and overthrow the best 
government the sun ever shone upon. And, while we regretted his departure, we could not but 
bid him Godspeed. His leaving brought the subject of the war home to all the pupils in our 
public schools, and inspired them with a new love of country, and hatred of traitors. And our 
schoolrooms have resounded during the year with patriotic songs — songs kindling a patriotism 
which will never die." 

At the November meeting of the board, a resolution was adopted setting forth the crowded 
condition of the schoolhouses then in use, and recommending the purchase of " the building 
now occupied by D. J. M. Loop, in the Third Ward, at a cost not exceeding $200." The City 
Council having granted the requisite authority, the building was purchased and an intermediate 
school established therein. 

In January, 1863, a slight increase was made in the salaries of teachers, the Principal of 
the high school being allowed $70 per month, and his assistant $35. Teachers in the inter- 
mediate schools received $30, while those in the primary departments were allowed $20. 

In 1864, the intermediate schools were somewhat reduced on account of the establishment 
of a grammar grade in the high school, but the primary departments were overflowing with 
" little prattlers," receiving the first seeds of knowledge. The receipts for school purposes this 
year were $9,938.14. This included the $5,000 of school bonds issued by the city. The 
expenditures (including the cost of the high-school building and grounds) balanced the receipts. 
The board estimated the value of school property belonging to the city at $12,400, divided as 
follows : high school and grounds (26 lots), $10,000 ; house and lot in the Second Ward, $600 ; 
house and lot in the Third Ward, $900 ; two buildings and lot in the Fourth Ward, $900. 

At the beginning of the new school year of 1865, several changes occurred in the list of 
teachers. The term opened with the following persons at the heads of the different departments : 
Intermediate — First Ward, Miss Susan N. Waters ; Second and Third Wards, Mrs. George 
Ege ; Fourth Ward, Miss Maria Austin. Primary — First Ward, Miss Eliza Hunter ; Second 
and Third Wards, Miss Fannie E. Waldo ; Fourth, J. Kate Miller. 



620 HISTORY OF COLl'MBIA COUNTY. 

The first paragraph of the report of the Board of Education, at the close of the school year 
of 1865, is worth reproducing, as showing the wonderful contrast in educational matters, that 
must have existed at that time, between the loyal North and the rebellious South : " The 
schools have just closed another year of usefulness. Notwithstanding the terrible civil strife, 
now happily brought to a close, which has so long distracted a large portion of our fair country, 
and drawn so long and heavily upon our resources, the educational interests of our city have 
been steadily and quietly advancing. The average attendance of pupils has been about .500 
daily. This exceeds the average of any previous year." About the middle of the term, Mrs. 
Ege resigned her position as teacher in the Second and Third Wards Intermediate, the vacancy 
being filled by the appointment of Miss Rose L. Wotring. 

In April, 186 J, Franklin Street School District was organized, out of the Third and 
Fourth Wards. Miss Lizzie C. Osborne was placed in charge, at a salary of $30 per month. 

At the close of the school year of 1867, the names of the following persons appear on the 
records as teachers in the intermediate and primary schools : Intermediate — First Ward, 
Miss Mattie L. Oilman ; Second, Miss M. McFarlane ; Fourth, Miss M. Austin and Mrs. II. 
Stewart. Primary — First Ward, Miss J. A. Moore ; Second, Miss F. E. Waldo ; Fourth, Miss 
J. K. Miller and Miss Kate O'Leary. Franklin Street School — Mrs. Ann Condon, Miss 
Lizzie Osborne and Miss iNIary Ten Eyck. 

In 1867, the site of the old Lee House was purchased by the city, and the First Ward 
Schoolhouse removed thereto. Owing to the crowded condition of the Franklin Street School, 
a primary class was formed, and placed in charge of Miss Josephine Williams, a room having 
been fitted up in the basement of the high-school building for its accommodation. During this 
year. Miss Addie E. Forrest was placed in charge of the First Ward Intermediate School. 
Numerous changes having occurred in the corps of teachers, the names of those holding positions 
in the intermediate and primary departments, August 1, 186'J, will be of interest. In the 
intermediate department. Miss Addie E. Forrest taught in the First Ward, Mrs. R. G. Wood 
in the Second, Miss E. R. Briggs in the Fourth, and Miss Lizzie C. Osborn and Miss Mary 
Draper in the Franklin Street School. In the primary department. Miss Joanna A. Moore 
presided in the First Ward, Miss Mary Draper and Miss Mary Ten Eyck in the Second, Miss 
Kate E. Brady in the Fourth, and Miss H. B. Cole in the Franklin Street School. 

The large influx of Germans into Wisconsin made necessary the passage of a law pro- 
viding for the establishment of German and English schools, the experiment of a German- 
English school was tried in Portage, in 1868. The lower floor of the Dean store, on Clark 
street, was leased for the purpose. Miss Amelia Schneider being placed in charge. The new 
institution grew rapidly in favor, and soon became a leading feature of the school system of 
Portage. 

In 1871, Miss Delia Damp, Miss Annie Hagan and Miss Belle C. Stewart, were appointed 
upon the staft" of primary teachers. Miss Briggs resigned her position in the Franklin Street 
School, and was succeeded by Miss K. C. Wright. Before the close of the school year, Miss 
Harriet Lowenfels, Miss Louisa A. Collipp and Miss Mary G. Staley, became teachers in the 
primary department. 

In February, 1874, Miss Wright resigned as teacher of the Franklin Street Intermediate 
School, and Miss Fannie E. Waldo was appointed to fill the vacancy. Miss Mary Gaffney, as 
teacher of the Second Ward Intermediate, also resigned ; Miss May Dent became her succes- 
sor. Other changes followed thick and fast, and the report of the board for the school year of 
1873 shows the following new names in the roll of teachers, in addition to those already 
mentioned : Intermediate department — First Ward, Miss A. McMurray and Gretta E. Collins. 
Primary department — Second Ward, M. B. Ferguson ; Fourth, Miss Helen Flanders. Miss 
McMurray was shortly removed by death. 

In June, 1873, bids were received for building a brick schoolhouse in the Fourth Ward, 
upon lots near the corner of Dunn and Howard streets, which cost the city $300. George 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 621 

Hurst and John Dalton were the successful bidders, at $3,420. The old Fourth Ward School 
is now the residence of Alois Klenert. It was built at an early day, by Hugh McFarlane, as a 
residence, and afterwards sold to the city for a schoolhouse. 

In the spring of 1874, the old Second AVard Schoolhouse gave way to a brick structure? ' 
built on a $4,700 contract by A. Carnagie, at the corner of Howard and Monroe streets. 

At the close of the school year of 1874, both the Second and Fourth Ward Schoolhouses 
having been completed and occupied, we find the list of teachers in the intermediate and pri- 
mary departments as follows: Intermediate — First Ward, Miss E. A. Marsh; Second, Miss 
Mary Dent and Miss Amelia Schneider ; Fourth, Miss S. A. Waters and Miss E. K. Briggs. 
Primary — First Ward, Miss M. Christopher ; Second, Miss F. E. Pettibone ; Third, Miss M. 
G. Staley ; Fourth, Miss Helen Flanders and Miss Emma Marsh. One of the features in school 
matters for 1874 was the establishment of a preparatory grammar school, to which pupils were 
promoted from the intermediate classes. Miss Lucelle Shattuck was placed in charge. Besides 
Miss Shattuck's the names of new teachers appearing upon the record at the end of the school 
year of 1875 were Miss Mary Kane, First Ward Intermediate ; Miss Nellie Flanders, Miss 
Anna Hogan and Miss A. N. Cornwell, Fourth Ward Higher Intermediate ; Miss Helen Marsh 
and Miss H. B. Cole, Fourth Ward Lower Intermediate; Annie Muir and Fannie Waldo, Sec- 
ond Ward Primary ; Nellie G. Goodrich, Franklin Street School. A year later, is found Miss 
J. Whitelaw as Principal of the Fourth Ward Higher Intermediate, and Miss Mary Downey and 
Miss Lida Gilman as the respective instructors in the Second and Fourth Wards Lower Inter- 
mediate. 

The only changes in teachers for the school year of 1877 were the appointment of Miss 
Mary O'Neil to the Second Ward Higher Intermediate, and Miss Mary Cockroft to the Lower 
Intermediate of the same ward. 

From August, 1878, to December, 1879, the only changes in teachers to note are the 
appointment of Miss M. Karch to the First Ward Higher Intermediate, Miss Kate Knibbs to 
the Third Ward Second Primary, Miss Rachael Buttrey to the First Primary of the Second 
Ward, and Miss Filie Collipp to take charge of the new primary class in the basement of the 
high-school building. 

The present value of school property in the city of Portage is estimated at $25,000. The 
schoolhouses are of the most substantial character, and the extensive gi-ounds surrounding them 
are studded with the best varieties of shade and ornamental trees. 

The High School. — In August, 1859, soon after the propitious inauguration of the pres- 
ent ward-school system, the citizens foresaw the necessity for an academic branch 
in connection with the common school. The Board of Education, with commendable alac- 
rity and wisdom, took immediate measures looking toward the establishment of a high school. 
The services of Prof. MagofEn, as Principal, were secured, at a salary of $800 per annum, 
with Miss Abbey 0. Briggs, as Assistant, at $35 per month. The early historical features of 
the high school are contained in a by-law adopted by the Board of Education, at its meeting of 
August 16, 1859, which says : " There is hereby established in and for the city of Portage, a 
high school, which shall be kept and maintained in the Sylvester Store, so called, recently 
rented for that purpose ; and said school shall be in charge of a Principal and one or more 
assistants, as may be found necessary. During the first term of said school, no more than 
eighty pupils shall, at one time, be entitled to seats therein ; and if that number of qualified 
pupils resident in said city do not apply for admittance to said school, the number may be 
completed by receiving children of persons residing in other places, on the terms and in the 
manner hereinafter to be designated by the board. Until otherwise ordered, eighteen pupils 
shall be admitted to the high school from the First Ward, sixteen from the Second Ward, fifteen 
from the Third Ward, and thirty-one from the Fourth Ward ; j^rovided, that if any ward has 
not the number of qualified pupils assigned to it, such vacancies may be filled by qualified pupils 
residing in other wards of the city." 



622" HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

At a special meeting of the board, held September 1, 1859, Superintendent Guppey presented 
the names of the following successful applicants who had been by him examined as to their qualifi- 
cations for admission to the high school : 

First Ward — George Carpenter, Volney W. Foster, Charles A. Lee, William McDole Lee, 
John Buchannon, Gustavus A. Sahlquist, Annie Buchannon, Christina Delamater, Mary Han- 
son, Manila M. Lee and Jane Lee. 

Second Ward — Oscar C. McCulloch, Chauncey V. Pettibone, George Peabody, Uriah A. 
Phillips, William Shachell, Myra D. Vaughn. Edward J. S. Wright, Jane C. Ball, Anna H. 
Brady, Mary E. Brady, Agnes Carnagie, Eliza A. Crawford, Helen J. Crawford, Frances A. 
Crawford, Helen G. Cook, Susie Davis, Helen Hanson, Mary A. Learmworth, Fannie H. Mc- 
Culloch, Kate M. Peabody, Maria C. Pettibone, Eliza Purnell, Josephine A. Turney, Josephine 
Williams and Manamne Wing. 

Third and Fourth Wards — Homer Hart, Drayton A. Hillyer, Albro Johnson, Theodore 
Johnson, Eben Johnson, James Kane, Judson A. Lewis, Frederick Steveop, John Veeder, 
Emily Ayres, Hannah P. Best, Mary Brown, Cornelia M. Cook, Cornelia Hand, Lucy Hink- 
ley, Helen Hunter, Lucy Johnson, N. Nellie Leavitt, Matilda McFarlane. Sarah L. McCregor, 
Kate Miller, Mary Miller, Clara Robinson, Georgianna Snyder, Emma J. Snyder, Ella Stew- 
art, Emily St. John, Lydia Whitney and Elizabeth Waters. 

Non-resident — Samuel Kerr, Harriet Munn and Adeline Parmenter. Total, sixty-eight. 

Applications for admission became very numerous, and before the close of the first term 
(November 21) the following additional pupils passed examination, and were admitted : Resi- 
dents — Louise Morehouse, Joanna Hazeltine, Eliza Hunter, Margaret Van Winter, Cassius Van 
Winter, Minnie Williams, Mary Draper, David T. Gilman, Ella Huntington, Ella McCulloch, 
Richard Gushing, Carrie M. Butz, James T. Hulihan, James H. Crawford, Mary A. O'Keefe, 
Joanne Moore, Catherine O'Leary, John M. Holmes and Letitia J. David. Non-residents — 
Melvin E. Merrell (Fort Winnebago), Sarah Hand, Alma M. Hand, Emma Kelley, Catherine 
Cairnes, Sarah E. Goodwin, Porter Langdon and Given J. Owen. From November 21, 1859, 
to July 13, 1860, there were thirty-nine additional pupils admitted, making the roll 107 for the 
first year. 

From this date until 186.3, there is but little to note in connection with the high school, 
save that it progressed rapidly and the membership increased even beyond the most sanguine 
expectations. In January of that year, the necessary measures were taken by the board and 
City Council for constructing a high school building. Alexander Carnagie became the suc- 
cessful bidder, he agreeing to erect a structure, according to plans previously adopted, for 
$4,325. Block 230, bounded by Mac, Franklin and DeWitt streets, was purchased of Mr. 
Barden, for the purposes of a site, $300 being paid therefor. City school bonds, to the extent 
of $5,000, were issued to defray the expenses of building. 

From the report of Superintendent Henry B. Munn, who succeeded Superintendent Guppey, 
in 1861, it appears that there were 193 names upon the roll August 1, 1863, quite a number of 
whom were non-residents. The Portage High School, even at that early day, was regarded at 
home and abroad as one of the leading institutions of that character. Its able and intelligent 
management, as indicated by the carefully kept records of the time, fully justified this recogni- 
tion. The new building was completed and occupied early in 18G4, but from some inexplicable 
cause there had been a serious falling-off in the attendance, the average during the year being 
seventy-eight, while in 1863 it was eighty-two. The newly established grammar grade, under 
the new tutorship of Mrs. Agnes N. Cornwell, showed an average attendance of fifty-seven. At 
the beginning of the new school year, August 1, 1864, Prof. Magoffin and Miss Briggs were 
re-appointed to the positions of Principal and assistant, at salaries of $75 and $37.50 per 
month, respectively. Mrs. Cornwell was also retained as Principal of the grammar school at a 
salary of $35, while Miss Luthera B. Waldo was appointed as assistant at $30 per month. 

The report of the board at the close of the year was full of encouragement. It showed 
an average attendance of 109 out of a total attendance of 200. Of the number attending 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 623 

school during the year, thirty-nine had engaged in teaching in the country districts, most of 
them in Columbia County, and two had entered Racine College. 

In September, 1865, Prof. Magoffin resigned as Principal, having held the position from 
the foundation of the institution in 1859. Miss Abby 0. Briggs was placed temporarily in 
charge at a salary of $60 per month, with Mrs. Ann Condon as assistant. Miss Briggs ful- 
filled the duties of the position until August, 1866, when C. J.. Whitney was appointed as Prin- 
cipal, at a salary of $1,000 per annum, Miss Briggs resuming her place as assistant, at an 
increased salary. At the end of Mr. Wliitney's first term, his books showed an average attend- 
ance of 174, out of a list comprising the names of 322 pupils. Before the close of the spring 
term of 1867, Mr. Whitney sent in his resignation, which was accepted, and Miss Briggs was 
again called upon to take charge. She was assisted in finishing the term by the Hon. J. P. 
McGregor, who heard the Latin, and Mrs. Jane Steber, who heard the French, recitations. At 
the close of the terra. Miss Briggs also resigned ; E. E. Ashley was then engaged as Principal, at 
a salary of $1,200 dollars per year, with Miss M. Austin, from the Fourth Ward Intermediate, 
as temporary assistant. In August, 1867, Miss Rosa L. Wotring received the appointment of 
assistant to Mrs. Cornwell, in the grammar school, and in May, 1868, Miss Austin was suc- 
ceeded by Miss Mary Flanders, as the assistant of Mr. Ashley, the Principal. In August, 
1868, Mrs. Cornwell resigned the principalship of the grammar school, and in October was 
succeeded by Miss Lizzie C. Osborn, with Miss Maria Austin as assistant. During 1869, a 
German class was organized under the tutorship of the Rev. J. J. Hoifmann, who heard recita- 
tions in the tongue of the Fatherland, one hour each day, in the old Lutheran schoolroom. In 
1870, two German classes were formed from pupils of the high school. 

During the school year of 1871, Mr. Ashley, the Principal, was temporarily assisted by 
Miss Carrie B. Goldsmith and Miss Marion R. Rosenkrans. The Assistants of Miss Osborn, 
Principal of the grammar school, were Miss Maria Austin and W. G. Clough. Before the close 
of the year. Miss Rosenkrans became Mr. Ashley's assistant, while Miss Austin and Mr. Clough 
were succeeded by Miss Laura B. Copeland in the grammar department. 

At a meeting of the Board of Education, held August 18, 1873, J. J. Hughes was elected 
Principal, and Miss Mary A. Clark, Assistant. Under the management of Mr. Hughes and 
Miss Clark, the school lost none of its previously acquired importance, and, toward the close of 
the school year, the first regular graduating exercises of which there is any record in the history 
of the institution, took place. The Class of '74 was as follows : Nellie Goodrich, Emma C. 
Prentice, George Muir and Samuel Lockhart. The eifect of thus placing a " premium upon 
advancement " was noticeable in the increased average attendance and better behavior of pupils 
the following year, not only in the high school, but also in the lower grades. At the begin- 
ning of the school year of 1875, Miss Clark was succeeded by W. A. Weavman as Assistant, and 
at the August meeting of the board, William M. Lawrence and W. G. Clough succeeded to the 
positions of Principal and assistant, respectively. In December, 1876, Miss Fannie Estabrook, 
was appointed to the position of assistant teacher, in the grammar school. Miss Austin being 
promoted to the principalship. In April, 1877, Miss Osborn and Miss Austin were allowed to 
resume their original positions in the grammar school, and in July, W. G. Clough was 
appointed Principal of the high school, with Henry Reid, as assistant. 

In accordance with a vote of the citizens of Portage, taken in April, 1877, this institution 
was organized under the high-school law of the State, which provides, among other things, 
that the State Superintendent shall prescribe the course of study to be pursued in all high 
schools, and shall designate the class of te.xt-books to be used. 

The graduates for 1877 were Annie Malloy and George Shackell. Under the careful 
management of teachers and officials, the Class of '78 was very encouraging and satisfactory. 
The graduates were Mary Ellen Borden, Rachael Ann Buttery, .Joseph Francis Gallagher, Loa 
Brown Kennan, Kathrina Mary Knibbs, Thurlow Wheeler Maine, Isabella Jane G'Neill, Lillie 
Elenor Schneider, James Horace Wells, Susy F. Whitelaw, Grant Robinson Bennett, James 



624 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



Alfred Cole, Martha Ann Karch, Helen Blodgett Knibbs, Bennett R. Lewis, Bernard Joseph 
McMahon, Louis Oscar Pfaff, Fred Jackson Turner and Susan Elizabeth Wells. 

At the beginning of the present school year, Henry Neill was appointed to the position of 
assistant teacher. Mr. Neill resigned in the latter part of 1879, and W. S. Jeffries was chosen 
by the board to fill the vacancy. 

The graduating class for 1879 was as follows: Albert Samuel Crouch, Richard Arthur 
Dempsie, Ida May Farrington, Margaret Barbour Harvey, Belle Judson, Mary McDonell, Anna 
Gilrye Reid and Andrew Guppey Williams. 

Private Schools. — The first school of a strictly private character established in Portage was 
the Classical Institute. It was founded in the winter of 1851-52, by William Sylvester, John 
Q. Adams, Lemuel Berry, Rev. Bradley Phillips, C. J. Pettibone and Rev. W. W. McNair. 
The Principal was the Rev. John Brittain, A. M., assisted by Miss Abbey 0. Briggs and Miss 
Margaret B. Burt. In it were taught, besides all the English branches of education, Greek, 
Latin and French ; also music, drawing and painting. As the district schools grew into impoV- 
tance, public interest in the Classical Institute seems to have waned, and it was completely sup- 
planted when the present system of public education was organized and the high school established. 

Cotemporaneous with the Classical Institute, was the select school of Miss Butts, which 
at one time enjoyed the patronage of about eighty pupils. When the lady principal entered the 
matrimonial state (becoming Mrs. Cornwell), a Mr. Mills took charge of the school ; but the 
institution went into gradual dissolution from causes already cited. There were also the Parish 
School of St. John's Episcopal Church, established in November, 1855, and the female semi- 
nary, founded two years later. The Rev. H. M. Thompson presided over the former, with Miss 
A. 0. Briggs, Mary Morehouse and Miss McFarlane as assistants. Mrs. E. D. Emery, Mrs. 
E. W. Tenney and Miss Briggs were connected with the latter. 

Attached to the various Catholic and Lutheran churches in the city, are flourishing 

f)arochial schools, notable among them being the one in charge of three sisters of St. Dominick, 
ocated at the corner of Conant and Adams streets. 

School Statistics. — The following is a tabulated statement of the condition of the schools 
of Portage, since 1859 : 



SCHOOL YEAES. 



18«o. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865., 
1866. 
1867.. 
1868., 
1869., 
1870., 
1871.. 
1872.. 
1873.. 
1874.. 
187'... 
1876.. 
1877.. 
1878.. 
1879.. 



No. Children 

of School 

Age. 



047 
,013 
,070 

069 

075 
,'208 

282 

477 
,496 
,604 

521 
,564 

539 
,430 
,556 
,756 
,776 
,566 



1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1, 771 

1 



Wholp No. Average No. 

Children I Daily | Teachere 
Eurulled. lAttendaoce Employed, 



641 

"897 
1,021 
1,198 
1,177 
1,018 
1,073 
1 ,045 
1,063 
1,065 
1,069 
1,064 
990 
1,074 
1,009 



924 

875 
932 



464 

400 
4.50 
458 
478 
478 
525 
485 
623 
561 
551 
547 
533 
571 
528 
628 
5S5 
599 
655 



9 
9 
9 
10 
11 
12 
18 
13 
15 
16 
20 
13 
16 
18 
14 
20 
18 
15 
17 



Monthly 

Pay of 

Teachers. 



$285 



247. 

275 

23 H 

342 

350 

730 

485 

437 

540 

685 

515 

610 

665 

547 

592 

592 

690 

615 



Receipts. 



$3,292 

4,423' 

4,383 

*9,938 

6.438 

5,198 

6,399 

6,186 

6,114 

6,146 

6,849 

6,813 

7,074 

11,978 

14.999 

12,516 

14,433 

10,580 

7,851 



DiBbuTse- 

mente. 



$3,444 

"3,696 

4,299 

19,938 

5,466 

4,601 

5,784 

5,590 

6,043 

6,286 

6,389 

6,513 

6,574 

13,217 

12,530 

12.863 

13,512 

9,948 

7,255 



The following named individuals have held the oflSce of Superintendent, since the establish- 
ment of the present school system : J. J. Guppey, from May, 1859, to September, 1861 ; 

* Includine bunds issued for boilding high school. 

t Increased by additional expense incurred in building high school. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 625 

Henry B. Munn, from September, 1861, to April, 1866; J. J. Guppey, from April, 1866, to 
April, 1873; G. J. Cox, from April, 1873, to April, 1875; N. K. Shattuck, from April, 1875, 
to April, 1877 ; A. C. Kellogg, from the latter date to the present time. 

The members of the Board of Education, appointed by the Common Council, in June of 
each year, have been : 

1860. — First Ward, Volney Foster; Second, B. S. Doty; Third, A. B. Alden ; Fourth, 
H. B. Munn. 

1861.— First Ward, Henry Merrell ; Second, B. S. Doty; Third, A. B. Alden; Fourth, 
H. B. Munn. 

1862.— First Ward, Henry Merrell; Second, B. S. Doty; Third, A. B. Alden; Fourth, 
Guy C. Prentiss. 

1863.— First Ward, L. G. Beaver ; Second, B. S. Doty ; Third, H. C. Baker ; Fourth, 
G. C. Prentiss. 

1864.— First Ward, M. R. Keegan ; Second, H. D. Kingsbury; Third, H. C. Baker; 
Fourth, G. C. Prentiss. 

1865.— First Ward, M. R. Keegan ; Second, H. D. Kingsbury ; Third, A. B. Alden ; 
Fourth, W. K. Miles. 

1866.— First Ward, L. G. Beaver ; Second, H. D. Kingsbury ; Third, H. C. Baker ; 
Fourth, G. C. Prentiss. 

18G7.— First Ward, Henry Emder ; Second, H. D. Kingsbury ; Third, W. G. Bebb ; 
Fourth, J. P. McGregor. (Reelected in 1868.) 

1868.— First Ward, V. Helmann ; Second, S. E. Dana; Third, D. G. Muir ; Fourth, 
Robert Mitchell ; Fifth, J. P. McGregor. 

1869.— First Ward, V. Helmann ; Second, S. E. Dana ; Third, A. D. Hemenway ; Fourth, 
Robert Mitchell ; Fifth, J. P. McGregor. W. W. Corning and G. C. Prentiss were subsequently 
appointed to represent the two latter wards, on account of the removal of Messrs. Mitchell and 
McGregor, to other localities. 

1870. — First Ward, V. Helmann; Second, S. E. Dana; Third, A. D. Hemenway; 
Fourth, P. S. Hallenbeck ; Fifth, Carl Schneider. 

1871. — First Ward, John N. Kind ; Second, S. E. Dana ; Third, A. D. Hemenway ; 
Fourth, W. W. Corning ; Fifth, G. C. Prentiss. 

1872.— First Ward, John N. Kind; Second, 0. A. Southmayd; Third, A. D. Hemen- 
way ; Fourth, T. B. Duncan ; Fifth, C. Schneider. 

1873.— First Ward, John W. Kind; Second, S. S. Brannan ; Third, Evan Arthur; 
Fourth, W. W. Corning ; Fifth, C. Schneider. 

1874. — First Ward, John Holstein ; Second, S. S. Brannan ; Third, Evan Arthur ; Fourth, 
M. Waterhouse ; Fifth, M. T. Alverson. 

1875.— First Ward, John N. Kind; Second, LI. Breese; Third, L. W. Borden; Fourth, 
M. Waterhouse ; Fifth, M. T. Alverson. 

1876. — First Ward, John N. Kind ; Second, LI. Breese ; Third, M. Waterhouse ; Fourth, 
Mr. Hagan ; Fifth, M. T. Alverson. 

1877.— First Ward, John N. Kind; Second, F. H. Lewis; Third, M. Waterhouse; 
Fourth, C. C. Britt ; Fifth, Conrad Collipp. 

1878.— First Ward, John O'Keefe; Second, E. S. Purdy ; Third, George Murison ; Fourth, 
V. Helmann ; Fifth, C. Collipp. 

1879.— First Ward, John O'Keefe ; Second, E. S. Purdy ; Third, W. G. Bebb ; Fourth, 
Irving Bath ;* Fifth, C. Collipp. 

The Legislature of 1878-79, passed an act providing for the appointment of members of the 
Board, in April, and making the term of office two years instead of one. Accordingly, in April, 
1879, Messrs. O'Keefe, Bebb and Collipp were appointed for one year, and Messrs. Purdy and 
Bath, for two years. In April, 1880, appointments from the First, Third and Fifth Wards 
were made, for two years. 

* Removed from the Ward ; V. Helmann appointed to fill vacancy. 



626 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. 

The first Christian missionary who visited Fort Winnebago is believed to have been a Romish 
priest named Mazzuchelli. He came to labor among the Indians as early as 1831, soon after 
the completion of the fort, and, being unable to speak their language, was usually accompanied 
by Miss Elizabeth Grignon as interpreter. Forty Winnebagoes were baptized and given 
Christian names by Father Mazzuchelli during one of his visits. The presentation of crosses, 
crucifixes and beads had a wonderful effect upon the recipients of these holy favors. 

The first structure built and dedicated to the cause of Christianity in what is now Columbia 
County — and, indeed, it may safely be said that it was the first in Central Wisconsin — stood near 
the center of the present city of Portage. It was built about 1833 by the famous Peter Pauquette, 
whose wife professed a belief in Catholicism, and was located upon an elevation — long since 
leveled away by progressive whites — near the middle of what is now Adams street, at its inter- 
section with Conant street, and almost within a stone's throw of the spot stained by the blood 
of its founder when he was foully assassinated, October 18, 1836. No one now living in Por- 
tage remembers anything concerning Pauquette's log church ; but events which have transpired 
since the coming of those now classed among the first settlers, confirm the hitherto unsubstan- 
tiated statements regarding the existence of such a church. Satterlee Clark says he assisted at 
the burial of Pauquette, and that the remains were deposited beneath the floor of this church. 
The structure was destroyed by fire about 1840. 

Ten years later witnessed the commencement of a new era in the history of Christian prog- 
ress in Portage. The arrival and permanent settlement of Thomas Christopher, Patrick Lenon, 
Charles Moore, M. R. Keegan, James Collins, John Sweeney, Mrs. Ward and others owing 
allegiance to the church of Rome, opened the way for the establishment of a parish. The Rev. 
Father Smith, a Catholic missionary, was the first to preach to the small band of pioneers. 
After he left, came Father Hobbs, who held services in an unoccupied house near the fort. In the 
latter part of 1850, the Rev. Louis Godhardt, a Hollander, came as a missionary, and " said 
mass " in the house of Mrs. Ward, south of the canal. Early in 1851, a frame church was 
erected by the members of the parish upon a lot at the corner of Conant and Adams streets, 
donated by Webb & Bronson. Upon the site stood a small fol-est of crosses, marking the graves 
of a score or more of "good Indians," who, having been converted by early missionaries, had 
died in the faith. Among them rested the remains of Peter Pauquette, whose grave was indi- 
cated by a rude yet pretentious palisade of pickets. According to the original survey of the 
city of Portage, a street (Adams) passed through this graveyard, and in the center of that 
street were the modern Samson's remains. It had been especially stipulated by the donors of 
the lot that the Catholics, in accepting it, should agree to give proper burial to Pauquette's 
bones when the excavations for the street were made ; so, in 1852, when the grading of what 
are now the principal streets, was in progress, the earthly particles of Peter Pauquette's body 
were disinterred, removed and reburied, this time beneath the threshold of the south entrance 
to the little frame church now used by the Catholics for the purposes of a parochial school, where 
they have lain to the present time ; but there is a prospect that they will soon again be dis- 
turbed. While the excavations were in progress, the decayed foundations of a log house were 
discovered, not over or around, but near, Pauquette's grave ; charcoal and ashes were noticeable 
in the vicinity — incidents which go to confirm the fact already shown, that a house once stood 
upon the ground, and that it was burned down. The little graveyard was doubtless the result 
of Catholic burials beneath the shadow of the rude cross that surmounted the first structure 
devoted to Christianity on the Wisconsin River northeast of Prairie du Chien. 

In 1858, St. Mary's Parish (for such was the name of the organization) purchased a lot on 
the north side of Conant street, and removed thereto a small frame structure, in which, after 
needed improvements, they established a parochial school. Soon afterward,. they made a second 
purchase — a lot just east of and adjoining the lot donated them by Webb & Bronson. A frame 
structure, in which the Baptists had but recently held services, was included in the latter 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 627 

purchase. The building was removed, and now forms the north wing of the Catholic school. 
The Baptists, in the mean time, had commenced the erection of a large brick church on Cook 
street, near Mac, but before completing the work, an exchange was effected, whereby the Cath- 
olics became possessed of the then unfinished brick, which they have since completed and largely 
embellished. Besides the church building, upon which there is an insurance of $5,000, the 
property consists of five lots, of average size, and a parsonage, which cost, " in war times," over 
$2,000. The number of families in the parish is given at 175. The successors of Father 
Godhardt have been the Revs. James Roche, James M. Doyle (now of Janesville), P. J. O'Neil 
P. F. Pettit and Thomas Keenan. Father Keenan, the present incumbent, also presides over 
the mission in Lodi, whither he goes once a month to console the spiritual troubles of a parish 
composed of some twenty families. 

The M. E. Ohurch.— Isaac Smith, it seems, was the first person in Columbia County to 
preach Methodism. He came from England, in 1846, with a colony, known as the Potters' Emi- 
gration Society, which settled on Portage Prairie. Mr. Smith applied at Fort Winnebago for per- 
mission to hold religious services therein, but, on account of the existence of various shades of 
religious belief among the oSicers, he received little encouragement. Thereupon the use 
of the dining-room of the Franklin House was tendered by Capt. Low, and Mr. Smith fre- 
quently held forth, thereafter, to large and interested audiences. In the spring of 1851, a 
society was organized in Portage by the Rev. Mr. Mackintosh, who remained until the meeting 
of the conference that year, when he received a call to other parts. The Rev. Mr. Wilcox, 
Presiding Elder, was requested by the society to bring before the conference the necessity for 
sending thither a minister, but for some reason he failed to do so. However, regular services 
were kept up by the exertions of local preachers, among whom were James Chancellor, Isaac 
Smith and others. In the summer of 1852, Presiding Elder Wilcox sent a divine named Irish, 
to minister to the spiritual wants of the society. He, being an invalid, remained but a short 
time, and during the fall, the Rev. John Bean, in answer to a call, took charge, and thus became 
the first regular Pastor. The immediate successors of Mr. Bean were the Revs. Stansbury 
(during whose pastorate the present church edifice was built). Hackney, Train and Hazletine. 
Since 1859, the following-named Pastors have presided: 1859, R. Langley ; 1861, John 
M. Springer; 1862,1. B. Bachman ; 1864, Jacob Miller; 1868, I. B. Richardson: 1869, 
William Haw ; 1870, James Evans ; 1878, George Case, now Presiding Elder of the dis- 
trict ; 1876, John Knibbs ; 1879, F. W. Hall, the incumbent. The membership is 
given at 115 persons, while the congregation frequently reaches 200. The society is free 
from debt. The present officers are : Trustees — J. F. Warren, Mr. Cutsforth, J. E. Wells. 
James Gowran, Mr. Wah, Evan Arthur, Mr. Kenion, Joseph Donham and W. Williams, 
Stewards — 0. H. Lewis, J. Cole, S. M. Smith, Thomas C. Evans, W. Williams. Stew- 
ardesses — Mrs.' N. Smith, Mrs. 0. H. Lewis, Mrs. M. H. Wood and Mrs. James Gowran. 
Class Leaders — J. Cole and Joseph Donham. Sunday School Superintendent — W. Williams. 

The Presbyterians. — In June, 1849, the Rev. William Wynkoop McNair was commissioned 
by the Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church as an evangelist within the bounds of Wis- 
consin. At that time there was but one Pi-esbytery in the State. In July following, Mr. 
McNair commenced preaching in the schoolroom at the garrison of Fort Winnebago. Accord- 
ing to the records, he " devoted one-third of his time the first year to the portage, preaching 
occasionally toward the close of his missionary year in the new village then just springing up 
near the Wisconsin River, afterward called Portage City. The remainder of his time was devoted 
to Wyocena and Dekorra. In July, he commenced to devote two-thirds of his time to the port- 
age and the remainder to Dekorra." At the meeting of the Presbytery of Wisconsin, held at 
Cambridge, Dane County, in June, 1850, a committee of four, consisting of Revs. Thomas 
Frazer, Bradley Phillips, Eben Blachley and W. W. McNair, was appointed to organize a church 
at Fort Winnebago, '' if the way be clear." In the mean time, a colony, composed of members 
of the Presbyterian Church of Fremont, Ohio, had arrived and settled in the vicinity of the 
fort. The members of the colony were H. R. Pettibone, John A. Johnson, Mrs. Almira B. 



628 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Johnson, C. J. Pettibone, Caroline Pettibone and George and Ann Wall. Mr. McNair returned 
to his field of pioneer labor, and with his accustomed energy set about carrying out his instruc- 
tions. The results of the first meeting are given in the church journal as follows : " In pursu- 
ance of public notice given by the minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Winnebago 
on three successive Sabbaths previous, the people of said church and congregation assembled at 
the schoolhouse in said town — their most usual place of meeting for divine worship — on Monday 
evening, July 2!), 1850, for the purpose of organizing themselves into a body corporate and 
electing trustees." At this meeting, the Rev. W. W. McNair was chosen President and J. A. 
Johnson Secretary. Church Trustees were elected as follows : H. R. Pettibone, John Ap. Jones 
and John A. Johnson. Among those who soon afterward became identified with the church 
may be mentioned Chester Helmes, Dr. C. D. Hottenstein, C. G. McCulloch and Mrs. Emily 
Best. The organization completed, the next thing was a house of wcfrship. The individual and 
collective exertions of the congregation soon supplied the want. A commodious frame building 
was finished in December, 1850. It stood upon a lot on the southeast side of Cook street, 
opposite the present site of the county jail, serving the purpose for which it was erected until 
about 1855, when it was removed to the corner of Conant and Adams streets, being purchased 
by the Baptists. In the mean time, the society had commenced the erection of a handsome brick 
edifice at the corner of Cook and Adams streets. This was completed at a cost of $16,000, and 
opened in February, 1856. In September of that year, Mr. McNair tendered his resignation, 
and on the 18th of the; same month it was resolved that " Dr. McCulloch be a committee to call 
at Port Byron, N. Y., and hear Rev. George C. Heckman preach, and report by mail immedi- 
ately." Advices from the Doctor must have been favorable, for we find that Mr. Heckman soon 
afterward received a call at a salary of $800 per annum, which he accepted. The follow- 
ing named ministers have filled the pulpit since the time of Mr. Heckman : September, 1860, 
Benjamin Van Zandt ; June, 1863, George C. Crissman ; October, 1863, F. R. Wotring ; 
November, 1866, Charles F. Beach; .June, 1869, John H. Ritchie; December, 1874, Samuel 
Wyckoff; August, 1878, L. H. Mitchell, the incumbent. The present Trustees of the church 
are William Fulton, James Patterson, John Williamson, E. L. Jpeger and George Wall. 
The following names comprise a complete list of the Elders since the organization : C. 
J. Pettibone (who was among the main pillars of the church during its early struggle for 
existence), George Wall, John T. Clark, LI. Breese, Mr. Jennings, A. D. Hemenway. Dr. 
Schemerhorn, Thomas Yule, Donald Ferguson, William T. Parry and N. K. Shattuck. Messrs. 
Breese, Shattuck, Parry and Wall are the present Elders. Robert Campbell and E. L. J;eger 
have filled the ofiice of Deacons, the latter acting in that capacity at present. The membership 
of the society is given at 110. 

St. John's Episcopal Church. — This parish was organized in 1853, at a meeting held in 
Verandah Hall on the 8th day of June of that year. Henry Merrell was chosen Chairman and 
J. B. Seaman Secretary of the meeting, after which church officers were elected as follows : 
Henry Merrell, Senior Warden ; Alvah Hand, Junior Warden ; Vestrymen — C. D. Hotten- 
stein, John Delaney, J. B. Seaman, M. H. Pettibone and A. C. Ketchum. After the election 
of Dr. Hottenstein and J. B. Seaman as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively, of the parish, 
an invitation was extended to the Rev. E. A. Goodnough, a missionary, to take spiritual charge 
of the small flock, which invitation was accepted. M. H. Pettibone tendered the use of Ver- 
andah Hall for meetings, which was also accepted. Such, in brief, were the proceedings of the 
first meeting of St. John's Episcopal Parish. The Rev. H. M. Thompson, of Maysville, Ky., 
was the first Rector. He came at a salary of $450 per annum, and remained until November, 
1858, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Pattison. Mr. Thompson has since become 
somewhat noted, having filled the rectorship of Grace Church, New York, at a salary of $10,000 
per annum. He is now Rector of Trinity Parish, New Orleans. In April, 1855, a committee 
was appointed to negotiate for a church site, which was secured on the north side of Pleasant 
street, near Clark, and a church edifice, built after plans drawn by William Thompson, a 
brother of the Pastor, erected thereon, at a cost of $5,000. Mr. Pattison was succeeded by the 



HISTORr OF COLUMBfA COUNTY. 629 

Rev. Alonzo J. M. Hudson, who took charge February 1, 1861, and remained until the sum- 
mer of 1867, being superseded by the Rev. Walter F. Lloyd. During the rectorship of Mr. 
Hudson, the parish was duly incorporated in accordance with law. This event occurred June 
27, 1864, the first parish officers under the incorporation being S. S. Case and H. S. Haskell, 
Wardens, and H. B. Merrell, W. W. Corning, I. W. Bacon, F. Winne, 0. P. Williams and 
Mr. Wells, Vestrymen. The changes in the rectorship since 1867 have been Samuel D. 
Pulford, who came in 1869, and remained until July, 1876. The Rev. John J. Karcher was 
the next Rector. His resignation bears date of May 1, 1877. The Rev. Joel Clark followed 
and resigned April 10, 1879. Since then the Revs. Harry Thompson and Charles T. Susan 
have officiated. Two of the most pleasant features in the past history of St. John's Parish 
were ; First, the presentation, during the rectorship of H. M. Thompson, of a costly silver com- 
munion set by the Rev. Mr. Hopkins, of New York City; and, second, the $1,000 bequest of 
Henry Merrell, for many years Senior Warden of the parish. The first confirmation occurred 
January 21, 1855, when a class of sixteen persons were accepted by the Rt. Rev. Jackson 
Kemper, Bishop of Wisconsin. The first baptisms in Portage, according to Episcopal rites, 
were of Helen M. H. Merrell, now Mrs. E. S. Purdy, and Henry L. Merrell, which occurred 
July 1, 1850, being performed by Bishop Kemper. The records show a total of 343 baptisms, 
227 confirmations, 127 marriages and 157 bui-ials. The present membership of the parish is 
about 100. A neat brick rectory was built in 1871, at a cost of $2,019. The present officers 
are: Wardens, H. D. Wells and G. H. Merrell; Vestrymen, John Graham, J. B. Wells, 
W. N. Cole, E. J. S. Wright, J. B. Taylor, W. D. Fox, Alexander Thompson and C. R. 
Gallett; Treasurer, E. J. S. Wright; Secretary, W. N. Cole. 

Evangelical Association. — Eighty years ago, Jacob Albrecht founded a new religious creed 
among his German brethren in Pennsylvania, based upon rules of faith not unlike those govern- 
ing Methodism. The " Albrights," as they are generally known, to distinguish them from other 
denominations, found their way to Wisconsin at an early day. Their advent into Columbia 
County dates back some thirty years ago, when a class was organized in the town of Lewiston. 
A similar organization was effected soon after in Portage, Samuel Schleifer being the prime 
mover. The Rev. George Eslinger (then the only minister of the Albrecht persuasion in the 
extensive circuit in which were included the present circuits of Portage, Westfield, Brandon, Win- 
nebago, Fox River, Berlin, Marquette and Oshkosh, at present comprising an aggregate membership 
of fifteen hundred souls), presided every second Sunday. It was his custom to fill a small provision 
pouch with hard crackers and other imperishable food, and set out from Portage on foot, making 
his tour and reaching Oshkosh in seven days. Before leaving the latter place, on his return, a 
fresh supply of provisions was procured, and the reverend gentleman would make Portage in time 
to preach to his flock at that point on the following Sabbath. Services were held at the houses of 
members, or in halls, until 1871. During that year, a house of worship was completed, at a cost of 
$2,650, and also a parsonage, costing $1,400. Mr. Eslinger was succeeded by the Rev. L. 
Buehler, now Presiding Elder of Milwaukee District. Since then, the pastoral successions have 
been : The Revs. Henry Esch, L. Von Wald, A. Turnutzer (the present Presiding Elder of 
Portage District), William Stegner (now Presiding Elder at Winona, Minn.), M. Hauert, Peter 
Massueger, William Zickerich, Charles Finger, George Schofer, Henry Schelp, M. Witten- 
wyler, 0. Ragatz, Ernst Schulz (now Presiding Elder in Iowa), Nicholas Schuck, William Pffer- 
korn, T. Umbreit (who was in charge during the building of the church), Peter Held, Peter 
Speigh, and the incumbent, M. Wittenwyler. The present Trustees of the society are Aug. 
Matthison, George Koehler and Charles Moore; the membership about twenty families. 
This denomination has two church papers, in Cleveland, Ohio — the Christliche Botschafter and 
the Evangelical Messenger. 

First Baptist Church. — Very full and complete records of this church have been preserved. 
The date of organization is given as August 30, 1853, and the names of those who figured in 
that event are A. L. Round, I. Fuller, M. Fuller, Samantha P. Kincaid, Eunice Fuller, Malissa 
Fuller, C. Wright, Julia Wright, A. Spicer, Caroline Spicer, R. Spicer, Christina Spicer, 



^^^ HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



Cu^iTThot7o Hear"' tA'T' ^"^"'^ '^°°^^' ^^^^^ -'^ ^ucy Fuller, Lecta M 
For? WinneE go " Subsequen'^ "", "'f '" .^P'^^'''^ Scho^lhouse/located It 

residences of ™^e.be.tryerdTHa.^ Th l^tre" ! r ^if.rE.TeJ r'^ " ^ 
commenced hs abors Jiilv 1Q 18'^'^ n • u- * '^S,? \r^'^'''^ ^^is -'i'lder Rogers, who 

above, stood a frame building, efected thryea" p v ous b/tEeCaho 'f ''' rT"'*^ 
Gilbert Luther contracted to nut seat<, intn iV «r,J =^ Catholics for a schoolhouse. 

long since took its placelro^ the^^Hnctaf; eh^LJl'To^re^^ ^'"1 '""^ '"^•'^^' '' 
in December, 1859, and the stciet/was iithout a regular pastor unt^Jan^^v^R^^^^ ''l^^"'^ 
call was extended to the Rev. I. J. Hoile In Mav 18fi-. M?- TT i '^''""'''^^' 1862 when a 
Rev. A. Whitman, who remained until Anril\ tT/o ^^''■'\^'\^°;^<' ^^as succeeded by the 
pulpit of the PresbyteHanThu^h Siir/he; th! ' ^T,"!^ h,s farewell discourse from the 
guided by the Revs E EliirA i- Wu the spiritual destinies of the society have been 

Services ™ehel<U,fh, S"„tetor.h wrrd&'hJh,„f.t„a m^ 

time the membership was laro-ely increased whilp >!,. fi. 7 f "°'^" l^J^; I" the mean 

at one hundred and n net;. It belongs to the Svnod of Mi^ • "7^'.^ '' '^' ''''''^ '^ g'^^" 
Evangelisch Lutherischei. JohaiGe^tdl"^ Tl^^Z^l^ZulTC T' "''^"'"1" 

^ti'"a'."s;sraU^Brzaii'- ^-''^ -theRevrTR:hS:^t^^;j:s-Hf.! 

Portage. The meeting was presided over by DM %lZ ^^^oolhouse, six miles northeast of 
Free Methodist Conference Tl ^rP wIL ^ . '^ "'^l'"^""' ''^^n at the head of the Wisconsin 
William Shepard and wif James MorisoraTd^tifc ''^'' ^^'^.^^ ^ .?-• ^ellington Nobles, 
Mrs. William Holden. There were but few ^IT' ^' n^'f '' ^""Z '"^^' ''"'^ ^'•^- ^^'es, now 
establishing themselves pen^lLn'ti; n Vorl'ttT^fan ' inTsT^'^tr' '"'^^ t''\ '^^ ^T' 
man Lutherans a frame church buildin- and ?emovpH if,: J t '^ P'^^^^^^^'^ of the Ger- 

Pleasant streets, at a cost, when rl ;i-roccuZon If «70o"' M t m'""''" °^ ■^'^''''"' ""''^ 

Wirison; St^'Ind Ilrt^rr^^Si^^SiS: ^^J^ i; ^^ ^ 




//^f^/^.-eA,^<^y^A^ --^<:0 



PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 633 

Grerman Evangelical (Trinity) Church. — Organized in 1865 by the Rev. Louis Von Rague. 
Services were held in the hall of the fire department building, corner of Clark and Pleasant 
streets, until 1871, when a frame church edifice was erected on the south side of Wisconsin 
street, between Cass and Dunn, at a cost of $2,200. Mr. Von Rague was succeeded in the pas- 
torate by the Rev. Mr. Hanf, and he by the Rev. Mr. Gottleib. It was during the incumbency 
of the latter that the church building was erected. The society at that time was composed of 
twenty-five families. The Rev. A. Klein, the successor of Mr. Gottleib, increased this number 
to forty-three. The ministers in charge since then have been the Revs. D. Ankele, J. Franken- 
field and Chr. A. Hauck. Mr. Hauck commenced with twenty-one families ; the membership 
is now thirty-four. 

German Catholics. — This parish was organized in the fall of 1877, and during the follow- 
ing year a brick church edifice was constructed on Mac street, at a cost of $2,700. The parish 
originally comprised about one hundred families, but there has been a slight falling off from that 
number. The Rev. H. Pauzer was the first Pastor. The Kev. John Zawistowiski is at present 
in charge. 

MANUFACTURERS. 

Solomon Leach's saw-mill was the first one erected within the borders of what are 
now the city limits of Portage. It was built in 1843, and stood on the south side of 
the Wisconsin River, near the present bridge. The propelling power was a wind mill, the 
wings of which were fanned by the upper air currents. The amount of lumber sawed depended, 
of course, upon the velocity and volume of the gale. The windmill was soon supplanted by a 
water-wheel, upon which the remarkable genius and industrious hands of Mr. Leach had labored 
for many weary days and nights. In 184.5, during Mr. Leach's absence in the pineries, his 
mill took fire and was destroyed. 

Campbell & Scott built a steam saw-mill in Portage, in 1850, and a large portion of the building 
material used by the early residents was the product of this mill. It was destroyed by fire July 
7, 1852, the loss being estimated at $8,000. The proprietors immediately rebuilt, and for some 
years continued their operations ; but the steam saw-mill, as it was called, long since became a 
thing of the past. Kent & Manchester and Buchanan & Murison also built and operated saw- 
mills, at an early day. 

Flouring Mills. — The big stone mill, built by McNeal & Burgur in 1854, was, while it 
stood, one of the solid institutions of Portage. It was built of stone, the walls being four feet 
thick, covered an area of 40x50 feet, and was four stories high. The first grist was ground in 
October, 1854, and for sixteen years, its buhrs supplied the citizens of Portage and surrounding 
country with the " staff of life." During that time, Wells & Craig became the owners. It was 
destroyed by fire on the 11th of April, 1870, at an estimated loss of $24,000 ; insured for one- 
half this sum. At the date of its destruction, there were six runs of stones in operation, and 
the capacity of the mill was about 250 barrels per day. 

Soon after the burning of the "Big Mill," when the proprietors gave evidence of receding 
from their expressed intention of rebuilding, the Portage Flouring Mill, a small frame institu- 
tion, with one run of stones, was established by Fred. Siverkrop & Bro., at the corner of Pau- 
quette and Wisconsin streets. In 1874, John Schlossman became a partner in the concern, 
and in 1876, Dr. M. Waterhouse acquired title to a two-thirds interest. Otto Krish and M. 
De Witt Older have since possessed themselves of the concern. Portage is virtually without a 
flouring-mill in keeping with her importance as a great commercial center. 

Portage Iron Works. — The first iron foundry established in Portage was the property of 
Smith & Blair. It was built in 1853, and stood on Dodge street, in the rear of Helm's store. 
The institution seems to have supplied " a long-felt want," for we find that in 1856, the services 
of twenty men were required to perform the work that came to it. Neither was the demand 
strictly local, for an order, given by a New Lisbon mill-builder for a 1,500-pound shaft, was 
promptly filled. In 1863, M. R. Keegan founded a similar institution, on a small scale, and, 

s 



634 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTW 

after carrying it on for two years, sold to James Fyfe & Co., who removed and located it at the 
corner of Dodge and Wisconsin streets, where large and important additions have since been 
made. A general jobbing business comprised the extent of operations, until 1867-68, when 
the firm, to meet the demands of the times, entered largely into the manufacture of hop-presses, 
but the venture proved unprofitable, for the reason that a panic in the hop market set in just at 
a time when the manufacture of presses by Messrs. Fyfe & Co. had reached the maximum, leav- 
ing them with a high-priced article on hand, with no demand. In 1872, Fyfe k Co. sold out, 
and, under the name of the Portage Manufacturing Company, the business was continued, for 
about a year, with A. E. Eggleston as Superintendent. A re-organization then took place, the 
institution taking the name of the Portage Iron Works, with James Fyfe as manager. In 1878, 
Mr. Fyfe became sole proprietor. J. C. Anderson was shortly afterward admitted as a partner, 
when the firm resumed its original style and title — James Fyfe ifc Co. Under the new order of 
things, the manufacture of the " Portage Chilled Plows " was commenced, about 300 of these 
utensils, which are peculiarly adapted to the soil of Central Wisconsin, being turned out in 
1878, and 500 in 1879. In 1876, a planing-mill was added to the foundry, but in 1879 the 
machinery was disposed of to R. B. Wentworth, by whom it is now used. Messrs. Fyfe & Co. 
have furnished the ironwork for the principal buildings in Portage. The handsome columns in 
the stone buildings of Loomis, Gallett & Breese, the Opera House and Graham's and Vortman's 
Blocks are the product of this foundry. 

One of the institutions of this character, once existing in Portage, will be remembered — the 
Portage Foundry, established by Cromwell Bros., in the premises formerly occupied by Capt. 
Arnold as a sash and blind factory, in July, 1864. 

Planing Mills. — In the fall of 1850, Carnagie & Learmouth set up a horse-power planing- 
mill in Portage, and the hillside between Cook and Canal and Jefferson and Monroe streets. 
Here they continued to make rough boards smooth until spring, when they removed their 
machinery to a point on the canal opposite the present site of Wentworth's elevator. In 185-t, 
a steam engine was purchased, and for the next three years "things just hummed." In 1857, 
there was a dissolution of copartnership, Mr. Learmouth retiring. About the same time, the 
mill was removed to Goodyear's lumber-yard, on Wisconsin street, east of the canal, where it 
remained in successful operation until 1860. The encroachments of the Wisconsin River mak- 
ing a change of location necessary, the institution was finally and permanently established on 
Canal street, not far from the spot where the original horse-power was located ten years previ- 
ously. In 1876, a partnership was effected under the style and title of Carnagie, Prescott & 
Co. Since then, the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds for the wholesale trade has been largely 
entered into, the demand extending throughout Wisconsin. Mr. Carnagie has, during all this 
time, applied himself individually to the work of contracting and building. The court house, 
the county jail, the high school and Second Ward School buildings and county poor house, 
at Wyocena, are among the principal structures erected under his supervision. 

In the spring of 1855, B. F. Pixley established a planing-mill "near the ferry." It was 
quite an extensive institution, but was short-lived. 

In the fall of 1879, R. B. Wentworth, the veteran editor, elevator man, banker, etc., pur- 
chased of James Fyfe & Co. an outfit of planing machinery, and located it in a building near 
his monster elevator, where it has ever since been operated by a neat twenty-horse-power engine. 
The capacity of the institution is about 30,000 feet per day, surfacing and siding. Under the 
same roof is a feed-mill, with a capacity of eight tons per day. 

Elevators. — The purchase and shipment of grain forms one of the leading industries of 
Portage. Among the early wheat-buyers will be remembered W. P. St. John, William McKen- 
zie, W. D. Fox, D. Muir, Hiram Sexton, S. K. Vaughan, N. H. Wood, C. J. Pettibone and 
S. S. Case. The latter, in 1860, built the first elevator, deserving the name of elevator, at the 
depot. Prior to that time, the grain purchased by the above-named individuals had been stored 
in out-houses and rudely constructed granaries ; but the great fire of January 19, 1863, swept 
away these fragile concerns. Mr. Case's elevator was also burned. He rebuilt, however, and 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. t)35 

soon afterward sold to the railroad company. A. C. Flanders, the railroad agent, has the 
management of it at present. It has a capacity of 20,000 bushels. 

The VVentworth elevator was built in 1862. During the first eight or nine years of Mr. 
Wentworth's wheat operations, shipments were made by water, on barges to Ureen Bay, thence 
by propellers and schooners to Buffalo. A much larger amount of grain was handled then than 
now. The product of the large grain-producing areas about Baraboo, Poynette, etc., now cut 
off by railroad, was then marketed in Portage. In 1871, the Madison & Portage Railroad 
Company (now the C, M. & St. P.) extended a side-track along the east side of the canal to 
the Wisconsin River, for the accommodation of merchants and others. Since then the ship- 
ments of the Wentworth elevator have been made by rail. One half of the grain handled by 
Mr. Wentworth is sold to millers in Watertown, Berlin, etc. Seventy-five thousand bushels 
were handled in 1879. The elevator building is 40x60 feet, has a storage capacity of 40,000 
bushels, and is supplied with the latest improved cleaning apparatus. 

Breweries. — On the 12th day of May, 1849, John M. Hettinger, with his family, arrived in 
Portage from Freeport, 111. His first work was the building of a shanty, to protect his wife and 
children from the storms ; then he built a brewery, and painted it red ; and although he insisted 
upon calling it the Fort Winnebago Brewery, the people disregarded his wishes, and persistently 
styled it the Old Red Brewery. By the latter name it has ever since been known. Upon the 
death of John Hettinger, the management passed to his son Matthias. A partnership was 
subsequently arranged between the latter and his brother Michael, who, after the death of Mat- 
thias, carried it on alone for awhile, when it passed to the hands of the widow of the original 
Hettinger. She sold to Nauer & Klecker, but through some cause the property again reverted 
to the widow. John Hettinger then took charge of the establishment and ran ituntil the spring 
of 1876, when he sold to the present owner, Henry Epstein. The original capacity of the Old 
Red Breweiy was from eighteen to twenty barrels, of thirty-two gallons each — which speak well 
for the capacity of the pioneers of 1849-50. The absence of census reports of the population 
of that early day prevents us giving the exact quantity of beer each person was recjuired to 
drink to make Mr. Hettinger's business a profitable one. 

In 1852, Charles Hsertel commenced the manufacture of lager beer in a small building on 
the northeast corner of Cook and Clark streets. Twelve barrels per week was his average 
brew until the demand for the beverage necessitated an enlargement of his premises, which was 
made in 1855 by the erection of a three-story brick building, 20x60 feet in size. Two 
years later, another addition was made, and this failing to afford sufficient room for his expanding 
trade, has been enlarged from time to time, until the present imposing structure, estimated to be 
worth $75,000, is the result. The annual product of this mammoth institution is about 250,000 
gallons, requiring 80,000 bushels of barley. The death of Mr. Hrertel, in 1876, brought to 
the management of the brewery Jacob Best, a son-in-law of the deceased. A bottling establish- 
ment with a capacity of ten barrels per day, was added to the institution in 1877. There are 
five heirs to the Hrertel estate. A division of the property will take place in the course of a 
year, or as soon as Carl Hicrtel, Jr. comes of age. The executors of the estate are Jacob Best, 
F. W. Schulze and Mrs. Charles Hrertel, widow of the deceased. 

Tannery. — In 1851, J. Ludwig established a tannery on the north sands of the Wisconsin 
River, near where that stream is intersected by the canal. The scene of operations was the 
space embraced within the confines of a very small log house, which soon became inadequate to 
the increasing business of Mr. Ludwig, and, in 1852, a frame structure, a decided improvement 
over the log, was erected a few rods west, exactly opposite the mouth of the canal. In 1858, 
Mr. Ludwig established a manufactory at the corner of De Witt and Canal streets, where most 
of the product of his tannery is worked up into boots, shoes, boot-packs and shoe-packs. Large 
quantities of sheepskin leggings are also manufactured. Sales of these articles are made 
throughout Wisconsin, and in the principal markets of Illinois and Minnesota. 

Distillery. — In 1850, a man named Awerbach established an old fashioned hand-mash 
distillery in one of the abandoned garrison stables at Fort Winnebago. A gentleman residing 



636 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

on the east side of the canal says that Mr. Awerbach, when he discovered that most of his 
patrons lived in Gougeville, removed his utensils thither, and located in a little building, since 
used for a soap factory by John Sisingut ; but there must have been a successful temperance 
crusade soon afterward, as the ungodly Awerbach disposed of his pipes and stills within the 
year and went to Texas, where he resided when the rebellion broke out. 

Portage Cheese Factory. — Established by N. H. Wood in 1874, in the First Ward. The 
factory is conducted upon a moderate scale at present, but it is the intention of the proprietor 
to increase its capacity. Mr. Wood has eighty cows, the milk product of fifty being manu- 
factured into full cream cheese, which finds ready sale in home markets. The lands bordering 
upon Duck Creek, and the Fo.x, Wisconsin and Baraboo Rivers are peculiarly adapted to 
dairying. 

Union Bed Spring Manufactory. — Established in Portage in January of the present year, 
by R. W. Mclntyre, Jr., in connection with the main factory in Oregon, Wis. Among 
the many thousand applicants for patents on bed springs, the inventor of the Union Spring 
received, with his patent from Washington, a certificate testifying to the superiority of his 
invention. It has since taken premiums at the Nebraska State Fair, the Illinois State Fair, 
and been awarded the first premium two successive years at Madison. Mr. Mclntyre is located 
on Wisconsin street just east of the canal, where he employs from four to six men. 

Marble Works. — In 1866, B. & H. Doherty established themselves in Portage in the 
business of manufacturing marble monuments, headstones, mantles and table-tops. In April, 
1878, H. Doherty purchased the interest of his brother, and has since conducted the business 
in his own right. Mr. Doherty's trade extends over eight or ten of the principal counties in 
the State. Office, corner Canal and Wisconsin streets. 

In May, 1879, Groth & Stotzer established the Columbia County Marble Works, on Wis- 
consin street, near Cook, and have met with success sufficient to insure its permanency. Both 
of these firms deal in Italian and American marble and Scotch and American granite. 

Brickmaking. — The peculiar excellence of the brick manufactured in Portage gives the 
place additional fame as one of the important commercial centers of the State. The first brick 
were made by Thomas Corey, a soldier, for use at Fort Winnebago. In 1847, Enoch Pixley, 
Samuel Reeder and William Armstrong burned a small kiln of brick made from the red surface 
clay on the present site of Mr. Armstrong's brickyard, near the Wisconsin River bridge. The 
burning of this kiln proved a profitable experiment. It was discovered that the red brick were 
very brittle, while tiiose of a lighter color were strong and durable. At the suggestion of Luther 
Dixon, a practical brickmaker named Risdon, a friend of Mr. Dixon's, was imported from Ver- 
mont for the purpose of giving the white clay, which lay at a depth of two or three feet from the 
surface, a thorough trial. Mr. Risdon may be said to have been a "born brickmaker," just as 
poets are accredited with coming into the world crying and kicking in short or long meter. It 
was charactertistic of him to chew clay, and he always tested the quality of his material by tast- 
ing it. It was under the management of Mr. Risdon and the proprietorship of Messrs. Arm- 
strong, Pixley & Reeder that the first "cream brick" were made in Portage. Besides Mr. 
Armstrong, Isaac Corkerer, Dwyer & Jurgens, Sanborn & Maloy, and Conrad Collipp have car- 
ried on the business of brickmaking. 

Vacuum Cream Il.rtractor.~^n May, 1878, a patent was obtained by J. W. Powers 
for a Vacuum Cream Extractor, and in December, 1879, for an improvement on the 
same. The inventor makes the following claims, and produces a large number of testimo- 
nials to substantiate them from parties that have used tlie invention : 1st — We use the deep- 
setting vessels. 2d — The vessels need not be submerged. 3d — The vessels may be sub- 
merged if desired. 4th — The vessels become air-tight the moment the vacuum is produced. 
5th — But one set of vessels is required. 6th — The cream will be absolutely and perfectly raised 
between milkings. 7th — All unpleasant odors which may be in the milk will be taken out. 
8th — The cream can be removed and the milk drawn off without lifting or moving the cans. 
9th — The milk of twenty cows can be set in our vessels with as little labor as setting milk from 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 637 

one cow by the old method with tin pans. 10th — The apparatus takes up but little room. 
11th — The price is reasonable and within the reach of every farmw. 12th — The cans being 
air-tight, may be kept in any cellar or other convenient place without injury to the milk from 
foul gas, odors, or from dirt or insects. 13th — The milk left after the removal of cream by the 
Vacuum process, is good for family use or feeding to young stock, because the sugar contained 
in it, and which is as valuable for food as the oily portion, remains unchanged in the short time 
required for getting the cream; whereas, by the ordinary process, chemical changes in the milk 
entirely destroy the sugar before the cream is removed. This saving alone will in a single season 
more than pay the cost of apparatus. 14th — Butter may be made from the cream while it is 
sweet, or after acidity begins, as the taste of the maker or the market for which it is made, 
requires. 15th — The butter made by the Vacuum process commands the highest market price. 
A company was organized in the winter of 1879-80 for the manufacture of these extractors, and 
is meeting with good success in its introduction. 

FERRIES AND BRIDGES. 

Peter Pauquette was the first to establish a ferry across the Wisconsin River, at or near 
the portage. It is not positively known in what year the " modern Samson " undertook the 
enterprise, but it could not have been at a much later date than that which witnessed the build- 
of Fort Winnebago (1828). Pauquette lived, with his wife and children, on the south side of 
the river, where he tilled a small portion of the land now owned by L. W. Borden. In this 
connection, mention may be made of the fact that Madame Pauquette's first husband was a man 
named Lupient. By him, she had one child — Theodore, who, sometime in the early part of the 
sixties, met with an accidental death, in Chicago, being run over by a railway train, while in 
the " Garden City," exhibiting his grandfather, the famous Joseph Crelie, as " the oldest man 
in the world." In due course of time, after the tragic death of Peter Pauquette, at the hands 
of a revengeful savage, Mme. Pauquette married, for her third husband, Antoine Pervonsal, a 
Frenchman, who conducted the ferry, "at the old stand," until he himself passed over the river 
Styx, leaving the daughter of Joseph Crelie, thrice a widow. At this date (about 1840), ac- 
cording to Solomon Leach, the ferry fleet comprised a large rafting skiff for foot passengers, 
and an ordinary flat-boat for teams. The latter was propelled by means of long poles, in the 
shallow parts of the river, and mammoth oars over the deeper currents. 

A mile below the ferry, on the flat, lived a solitary trader, Silas Walsworth, a widower with 
one son — Jared. At times, when business was slack, the old gentleman was in the habit of 
strolling along the shores of the river, and watching the shifting currents of the stream. His 
course was usually westward ; as business grew duller, his walks grew longer, and soon his face 
became familiar at the ferry. Once he ventured over the stream, but did not remain long. The 
next day he came again,- and as his visits increased, his gait became more buoyant. He bought 
a commutation Ferry ticket, which was daily "punched in the presence of the passejaire," and 
when the unperforated territory of that ticket had narrowed down to half a dozen fares, the secret 
of the widower's movements got out. A quiet wedding soon followed, and then Silas Walsworth 
took charge of the ferry, having succeeded to its management in the same manner as had Pervon- 
sal, his predecessor. During the proprietorship of Mr. Walsworth, Oscar F. Wagoner ran it on 
shares. In 1847, William Armstrong purchased the ferry, and carried it on, under a charter 
of the Legislature, until the first bridge was built across the Wisconsin River in 1857. Mr. 
Armstrong soon improved upon the old method of " polling," by stretching a chain across the 
river, to which the boat was attached by pulleys. The ferry tolls, established by the County 
Commissioners, were 50 cents for wagon and team of two horses, 12| cents for foot passengers, 
and the same for fourdegged animals, except sheep and swine, for which 2 cents per head was 
collected. 

Soundings of the Wisconsin River were made as early as 1850, the object in view being 
the bridging of that stream for the accommodation of the rapidly increasing population. A 
small iron rod passed through the sand in the deepest place, near the point now spanned by the 



638 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

bridge, struck clay and stone at twenty two and a half feet. The width of the stream, during 
low water, at the narrowest "place, was thirty-four rods. An amount of water estimated at 3,325 
cubic feet passed through the channel every second, at a rate of speed sufficient to give 134 
horse-power. 

In March, 1851, the Portage Bridge Company was incorporated by act of the Legislature, 
the incorporators being Jared Walsworth, Silas Wadsworth, Hugh McFarlane, Charles H. 
Moore, William Armstrong and such other persons as might be associated with them. The 
capital stock was $20,000, divided into shares of $10 each. Messrs. McFarlane, Moore and 
J. Walsworth were appointed Commissioners to raise subscriptions, and books were at once 
opeped for that purpose. The corporators were empowered to construct and maintain a bridge 
across the Wisconsin River in Section 7, Township 12, Range 9 east, not less than twenty feet wide 
with, a draw of at least fifty feet over the most navigable channel, and to be provided with a double 
track for wagons and a single track for foot passengers ; to be commenced within two and finished 
within six years, the company to have power for a term of thirty years. They were further 
empowered to demand and collect tolls at the following rates : For vehicle and one horse, 15 
cents, and each additional horse or ox, 5 cents ; single horse and rider, 10 cents ; foot passen- 
gers, 3 cents ; for animals, excepting hogs and sheep, in droves of fifty or less, 2 cents per head ; 
all over fifty, 1 cent each ; hogs and sheep, 1 cent per head. 

The company not having complied with the section requiring the commencement of the 
work within two years, the charter, of course, expired, and in March, 1855, a new charter was 
granted to Milo H. Pettibonc, Hugh McFarlane, William Owen, Henry W. Tenney, Thomas 
Robertson, Charles H. Moore, Harrison S. Haskell, George H. Wall, Andrew Dunn, John Craw- 
ford and John A. Chandler, with similar powers given in 1851. The capital stock was $25,000, 
divided as before, and Messrs. McFarlane, Owen, Pettibone, Crawford and Tenney were com- 
missioned to receive subscriptions. A meeting of the corporators were held in Portage in April 
of the same year, at which the following officers were chosen to direct the work in the name of 
the company : President, M. H. Pettibone ; Vice President, A. Dunn ; Secretary, H. W. 
Tenney; Treasurer, W. Owen. Directors — H. S. Haskell, H. McFarlane and C. G. McCul- 
loch. The sum of $4,000 was subscribed, upon which, at a subsequent meeting, a 10 per cent 
assessment was levied. 

No further actijn seems to have been taken until December following, when a meeting of 
citizens was held at the office of Register of Deeds. At this meeting, a committee of five was 
appointed to draft a bill amendatory of the act incorporating the Portage Bridge Company. 
The purport of the amendment was to allow the city of Portage and the town of Caledonia to 
issue fifteen-year 10 per cent bonds — the former in any reasonable amount the citizens might 
<ieem necessary, and the latter not to exceed $15,000 — each being empowered to levy an annual 
tax to pay interest and principal. The bill was passed in March, 1856, and on the 18th of 
November, at a meeting of the Portage Company, a resolution was adopted setting forth that it 
was "deemed expedient to have a new organization of the company," with a view of placing 
control of the bridge question in the hands of the authorities of the city of Portage and the 
town of Caledonia, recommending the release of all subscriptions, and the resignation of the 
Directors. By this arrangement the city and town aforesaid became the Portage Bridge Com- 
pany. Negotiations were at once entered into with Hall & Leet, a Philadelphia bridge-building 
firm, and in May, 1857, a contract was closed between this firm and Bridge Commissioner Van- 
dercook, the work of driving piles through the ice having commenced in February previous. 

An idea of the progress of the work of construction may be had from the following " local 
item" written in August, 1857 : "It is a massive piece of work, and is being carried on in a 
workmanlike manner. The large oak piles which compose the outwork of the piers are driven 
through the sand, and stand fast in a solid clay foundation. The inner spaces are filled with 
rock, 2,000 cubic yards of which have been used for the purpose. This insures a foundation 
against which floods and rafts may beat with impunity. Over 200,000 feet of lumber will be 
used in the framework. The whole length of the bridge will be 650 feet with a draw of 130 feet." 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 639 

The bridge was so far completed by October, 1857, as to permit the crgssing of teams. 
At that date "ye local" describes it as being "640 feet long, and eighteen feet wide inside. 
There were used in its construction 250,000 feet of lumber, and the entire structure cost 
$26,000." In February, 1858, $10,000 worth of the city's bridge bonds found sale in New 
York city at 76^^ cents. In November, 1866, the City Council levied a tax of 4 per cent with 
which to liquidate one-half of the bonded indebtedness on the bridge, and in March, 1867, the 
obligation, together with interest on the whole indebtedness, amounting in all to $18,049.50, 
was met. 

The office of Bridge Commissioner at once became an important one, as is evident in 
the fact that in May, 1860, C. R. Gallett was chosen to fill the position by the Council on the 
sixty-ninth ballot, amid great excitement among the City Fathers and those who had been 
admitted to the council-room. From the date of the opening of the bridge (October 10, 1857) 
to December 31 of that year, the tolls amounted to $688. The receipts during the Commis- 
sionership of George Wall, from the date of his appointment in 1858 to April 9, 1859, were 
$1,672. Under the administration of John Bean, from May 7, 1859, to the same date in 1860, 
tolls to the amount of $1,818 were collected, and from the latter date to March 26, 1861, dur- 
ing Mr. Gallett's incumbency, they aggregated $2,163. From the date of the expiration of 
Mr. Gallett's term of office to March, 1868, (during the existence of the old bridge) the Com- 
missioners and the amounts of tolls received by each were as follows : Charles Schenck (four 
terms), 1862, $1,798 ; 1863, $1,792 ; 1864, $2,322 ; 1865, $2,440 ; Patrick Sheehan (four 
terms, including 1869), 1866, $2,704 ; 1867, $2,056 ; 1868, $1,935. The total cost of the 
old bridge was $41,146.13. The expenses were largely increased by the city being compelled 
to sell its bonds at a discount of from 25 to 30 per cent and redeem them at par when they 
fell due. Thus it will be seen that the expenses exceeded the receipts nearly $20,000. In 
April, 1867, the Council resolved to make an effort to take up $3,000 of the bridge bonds 
before they fell due if the holders could be induced to turn them in at par. Correspondence was 
opened with an Eastern Shylock holding this amount of the bonds, who replied that he would 
take $1.25! The redemption scheme was abandoned. The Mayor was then instructed by 
the Council to solicit proposals to buy the bridge, and in February, 1868, it was sold under the 
hammer to W. W. Corning for $2,000, the sale being subject to ratification by the people. The 
sale wa^ revoked before the time for holding an election arrived, it having been ascertained that 
the bridge was in an unsound condition. 

In March, 1868, the Legislature passed two bridge bills, the first authorizing the city of 
Portage and the town of Caledonia to jointly erect a free bridge ; and the second, if they should 
deem it inadvisable to construct such a bridge, authorizing the city of Portage to build another 
toll bridge. The latter measure provided for the same rates of toll allowed in the old charter, 
and authorized the city to assign its charter to an individual, or individuals, should any such 
wish to make the bridge a private enterprise. In the mean time, the City Council employed an 
experienced bridge-builder to inspect the old concern, and a report was made to the effect that 
an expenditureof $2,000 would keep it up for a couple of years longer. Before any definite action 
was taken, however, Messrs. Chapin & Wells, of Chicago, appeared upon the scene and submitted 
a proposition to remove the old bridge for $1,000, and place a new one — a Howe truss — upon 
the same piers, for $18,000, allowing the city the market value for any old materials which 
might be used. A contract was closed with the Chicago builders, and in May the work of tear- 
ing away the old structure was commenced. L. W. Borden established a ferry across the river, 
and maintained it while the new bridge was being built, the council voting $250 to aid him in keep- 
ing it up. The new bridge was completed in August, and has ever since answered the purpose 
for which it was intended. It is a massive structure, and an object of much curiosity to stran- 
gers. The bonds issued by the city to build it were redeemed, from time to time, as they 
became due, until the last cancellation was made. 

The entire cost of building and maintaining both the old and new bridge, from the com- 
mencement of the work, in March, 1857, to March, 1871, was $119,624.02. The receipts of 



640 " HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

tolls, since the completion of the latter, have been $19,392, as follows : Under the Commis- 
sionership of Patrick Sheehan, in 1869, $1,965 ; J. B. Gilman, from 1869 to 1873, $9,491 ; 
Charles Schenck, from 1873 to the date of his death (August, 1875), and Thomas Bennett, for 
the unexpired term, $8,015 ; Thomas Bennett, 1876-77, $2,611 ; August Dettlerner, 1878-79, 
$2,310. 

In October, 1869, the bridge was "boarded up " and covered, and in July, 1870, during 
the prevalence of a tornado, seventy feet of the roof was carried away. In March following, a 
similar catastrophe occurred, a hundred-foot slice being gathered to the breast of old Boreas and 
borne from its moorings. Under the consolidating act of 1879, the following rates of toll were 
established : For every vehicle drawn by one or more horses, or other animal or animals, and 
for every horse and rider, 10 cents. For hogs and sheep, 1 cent each, and for other animals, 
2 cents each, provided that when the number of animals exceed ten, only one-half rates shall 
be taken for the excess. For cows passing to and from pasture, from April 1 to December 1, 
in each year, $1 each. No toll shall be collected from persons going to or from church on Sun- 
days, or from funeral processions, or from officers of the city on official business. Persons paying 
10 cents for crossing, as required in Section 2, shall be entitled to re-cross on the same day 
without further payment, and any person paying $5 in advance, shall be entitled to cross with 
one team for one year. 

The Wisconsin Street Bridge. — Besides the draw-bridges built and maintained over the 
canal, by the railroad company, there is a first-class bridge at the junction of De Witt and Wis- 
consin streets, that deserves brief mention in these pages. In June, 1859, Mr. Jenne, Superin- 
tendent of the improvement, concluded an agreement with the city to place a safe temporary 
bridge across the canal, within three months' time, and within a year to complete a more sub- 
stantial structure. The latter was finished, according to agreement, in July, 1860. In 1879, 
it became necessary to rebuild, and the present iron bridge at that point was the result. 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE RECORD. 

The frequency of destructive conflagrations in Portage, for ten years succeeding the burning 
of the old United States Hotel, in 1851, warned the citizens of the urgent necessity for protec- 
tion of their property against the ravages of the " fire fiend." The fearful consequences that 
might result from delay in taking precautionary steps were often depicted in the columns of the 
local press, but not until 1863 was the repeated warning heeded. On the 6th of June, of that 
year, the Council, under the provisions of the recently amended charter, organized a fire 
department, with the following officers : Chief Engineer, James Collins ; Assistant, L. T. 
Mead ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Secretary, S. S. Brannan ; Fire Wardens, S. E. Dana and 
Carl Haertel. The lack of implements appertaining to the business of fighting fire, seriously 
militated against the efficiency of the department, the first year of its existence. In the spring 
of 1864, the citizens clubbed together and purchased an old hand engine, then in use in Milwau- 
kee. Oregon Company, No. 1, was then organized, with the following officers : Foreman, 
John Curry ; Assistant, John Schliessman ; Hose Captain, F. Burback ; Secretary, V. Hel- 
mann ; Treasurer, P. McGinn ; Marshal, John Coleman ; Steward, M. Huber. Among the 
other members of the company, will be remembered J. 0. Mullen, Peter Mahon, Patrick Shee- 
han, M. and N. Brand, Andrew Kiefer, Thomas Maloney, John White and Joseph Lynn. The 
engine was housed in a building located where Lewis' lumber-yard now is. The company 
proved itself a very useful institution, and flourished until about two years ago, when it was 
disbanded, owing to the organization of new companies. 

In November, 1871, Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, came into existence, through the 
efforts of certain citizens, whose names appear among the early officers and members. The first 
officers were: Foreman, William Hensel; First Assistant, Charles Prehn ; Second Assistant, 
Frank Tessman ; Secretary, A. Kiefer ; Treasurer, Joseph Hubel. The present officers are : 
Foreman, William Hensel ; First Assistant, Antoine Bartl ; Second Assistant, Charles Haertel, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ^ 641 

Jr. ; Secretary, A. Kiefer ; Treasurer, Louis Prehn ; Marshal, F. W. Schuabel ; Steward, H. 
Hermann. The company now consists of fifty-eight members. 

In 1874, the city purchased a " Champion Fire Extinguisher," paying therefor $2,200, 
Excelsior Engine Company, No. 2, having previously been organized from among the citizens to 
man it. The first oiBcers of the company were : Foreman, Alexander Thompson ; First Ex- 
tinguisher Captain, Thack Fool ; Second, William Beattie ; Secretary, Henry Williams ; Treas- 
urer, Thack Pool ; Steward, William Beattie. The company flourished until the Silsby steamer 
was bought, when gratitude for the services of its valiant members seems to have turned to admira- 
tion for the new " machine." Two years ago, a fireman's tourney took place on the fair grounds. 
Two old houses were fired, and while every one was watching the " Silsby boys " get ready to 
make the attack upon one of the burning buildings, the Excelsior crowd put out the fire in the 
other, thus winning the silver cup that had been offered as a prize to the most efficient company. 
The citizens were greatly surprised, but, nevertheless, interest has waned in the Excelsior's 
" soda fountain," notwithstanding the fact that the feats performed by those who manipulate it 
have been little less than miracles. 

Silsby Steamer Company, No. 3, was organized in October, 1877. A first-class engine 
was purchased for the very small sum of $5,500 (the regular price being $7,500), owing to 
competition on the part of the Ahrens managers. The first officers of the company were: 
Foreman, V. E. Brewer ; First Assistant, D. M. Neill ; Second Assistant, William Edwards ; 
Secretary, John Lewis ; Treasurer, D. M. Neill. The ofiicers for 1878-79 were the same, with 
the exception of Secretary, C. P. Jreger succeeding Mr. Lewis in the latter year. The present 
officers are : Foreman, V. E. Brewer ; First Assistant, A. A. Sherett ; Second Assistant. F. 
L. Jones ; Secretary, Frank Wilkie ; Treasurer, C. P. Jaeger. There are now thirty-eight 
members in the company. 

The building in which the city's fire paraphernalia is housed is one of the landmarks of 
Portage. It stood formerly on the east side of the canal, and was occupied by Mr. Berry as a 
store on the lower floor, the upper portion being used for county oSices. In 1866, the Lieder- 
kranz Society pui-chased and moved it to a lot near the present site of James Collins' residence. 
It became the property of the city in 1874, and was removed to its present site. 

As has been shown, the fire department was organized in June, 1863. The next election 
of officers of which there is any record was held in March, 1865, with the following result : 
Chief Engineer, Peter Karsh ; Assistant, J. B. Cromwell ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Secretary, 
Andrew Kiefer; Fire Wardens, Charles Haertel and W. W. Corning. 

1866— Chief, Peter Karsh ; Assistant, L. T. Mead ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Secretary, 
Andrew Kiefer ; Wardens, Charles Haertel and W. W. Corning. 

1867 — Chief, Peter Karsh ; Assistant, Patrick Sheehan ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Secre- 
tary, A. Keifer; Wardens, C. Haertel and S. E. Dana. 

1868 — Chief, John Currie ; Assistant, Patrick Sheehan ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Sec- 
retary, A. Kiefer ; Wardens, C. Haertel and S. E. Dana. 

1869 — Chief. John Currie ; Assistant, F. Burback ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Secretary, 
A. Kiefer; Wardens, Henry Bolting and S. S. Brannan. 

1870 — Chief, John Currie ; Assistant, Charles Haertel ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Secre- 
tary, A. Kiefer ; Wardens, Henry Bolting and S. S. Brannan. 

1871. — Chief,* S. S. Brannan ; Assistant, Charles Hpertel ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Sec- 
retary, A. Kiefer ; Wardens, Henry Bolting and Cornelius Wheeler. 

1872. — Chief, Owen Hogan ; Assistant, Charles Hrertel ; Treasurer, John Graham ; Sec- 
retary, A. Kiefer ; Wardens, John Dullighan and Henry Bolting. 

1873. — Chief, James Fyfe ; Assistant, Evan Arthur ; Treasurer, C. Wheeler ; Secretary, 
A. Kiefer ; Wardens, John Dullighan and Henry Bolting. 

1874.— Chief, James Fyfe ; Assistant, S. L. Plumb ; Treasurer, C. Wheeler ; Secretary, 
A. Kiefer ; Wardens, George Port and James Collins. 

Reaigned in April ; Owen Hogan appointed to fill vacancy. 



642 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1875. — Chief, William Hensel ; Assistant, Patrick Sheehan ; Treasurer, F. Silverkrop ; 
Secretary, C. H. Tasker ; Wardens, N. H. Wood and John Graham. 

1876. — Chief, W. Hensel ; Assistant, Patrick Sheehan ; Treasurer, F. Silverkrop ; Sec- 
retary, C. H. Tasker ; AVardens, Charles Prehn and P. Mohan. 

1877. — Chief, W. Hensel ; Assistant, Charles Prehn ; Treasurer, John Dullighan ; Secre- 
tary, C. H. Tasker ; Wardens, N. H. Wood and R. 0. Loomis. 

1878. — Chief, W. Hensel ; Assistant, Alexander Thompson ; Treasurer, R. A. Sprecher ; 
Secretary, C. H. Tasker ; Wardens, George Bohag and Louis Blakewall. 

1879. — Chief, Alexander Thompson ; Assistant, Jacob Best ; Treasurer, R. A. Sprecher ; 
Secretary, V. E. Brewer ; Wardens, A. Kiefer and John Bean. 

1880. — Chief, Alexander Thompson ; Assistant, J. Muller ; Treasurer, A. Klenart ; Sec- 
retary, V. E. Brewer. 

The Fire Record. — Following is a list of the fires that have occurred in Portage since 1850, 
with dates, losses, insurance, etc. : 

United States Hotel, February 2, 1851. The hotel was under the management of Lee & 
Mitchell, and was then considered one of the institutions of Portage. The loss was about 
$6,000 ; insured for ^3,000. It was rebuilt at once, and opened with a grand ball January 
8, 1852. 

Fort Winnebago, March 31, 1856. The fire broke out in the north wing of the buildings 
formerly occupied as officers' barracks, destroying most of the old landmarks of early days. The 
buildings were mostly occupied by private families. 

Charles Haertel's brewery barn, October 6, 1856. Two valuable horses were burned to 
death. Loss about $500 ; no insurance. 

Barn belonging to William Miller, on the east side of the canal, July 25, 1857. 

Motash's City Bathing Establishment, near Silver Lake, November 30, 1857. 

Lee House saloon, December 20, 1857. Two of Col. Orton's performing lions, housed 
in the establishment at the time, were liberated at the time to save them. The ground being 
covered with snow, they were easily recaged by their trainer, Charles Tubbs, when the fire was 
extinguished. Loss, $750 ; uninsured. 

Lee House barn, April 14, 1859. Loss, $1,500 ; insured for $1,000. 

The newly finished residence of S. B. Linscott, April 21, 1859. Loss, $600 ; no insurance. 

Gome's meat market and adjoining buildings, December 18, 1859. Aggregate insurance 
of $1,500. 

Lee House, December 21, 1859. Insurance, $4,000. 

James Dunn's barn, December 24, 1859. Three cows burned to death. No insurance. 

Veeder House, April 5, 1860. Insured for $9,500 ; loss much greater. 

Richard Dempsey's house. Fourth Ward, October 15, 1860. Five hundred dollars in money 
destroyed. Insurance on property, $1,000. 

Dean & Smith's foundry and machine-shop, August 21, 1861. It is believed the building 
was struck by lightning. Loss estimated at $20,000 ; insured for $5,000. Thirty men were 
thrown out of employment. 

" Doc " Wooster's house on the river bank, August 26, 1861. 

Samuel Edward's house, September 25, 1861 ; partially insured. 

Mr. Peterman's frame building in the First Ward. March 17, 1862 ; insurance $1,000. 

Railroad depot and other buildings, January 19, 1863 — a very disastrous fire — destroying 
property to the extent of $30,000. It originated in W. D. Fox's storehouse at the west end of 
the depot, and spread to the depot building and eating-house ; thence to the saloons of Carl 
Schneider and T. V. Derkson. S. S. Case's elevator building was the next to catch. In it 
were stored about ten thousand bushels of wheat and barley belonging to diifei'ent parties. 

C. H. Moore's house, near the old Christopher Hotel, March 19, 1863. 

James Chancellor's house, February 19, 1864. 

The old pottery, in the Third Ward, August 31, 1864. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 643 

Mrs. M. C. Alvord's house, First Ward, October 3, 1864 ; insured for $300. 

The Columbia County Jail, December 24, 1864. Set on fire, it is believed, by prisoners, 
who tried to burn a hole in the floor, in order that they might escape. 

Mr. Luther's new dwelling, in the Fourth Ward, March 1, 1865. Loss, $300 ; partially 
insured. 

Felix Curran's residence and grocery, March 18, 1865. Loss, $800 ; insured for $500. 

Thomas Buttrey's boot and shoe shop (the property of John Williamson) and W. G. 
Bunker's harness-shop, June 5, 1866. Loss $800. 

Extensive conflagration on Cook street, July 7, 1866, resulting in the destruction of the 
following buildings and stores : Robert Norris' grocery, Morris Collins' grocery, James Mal- 
colmson's second-hand store, Louis Eltermann's jewelry store, (over which resided George 
Helmann, the owner of the building), William Niemeyer's confectionery store, John Verson's 
harness-shop and residence, Andrew Kiefer's barber-shop and residence, and Donald Ferguson's 
residence. Mrs. Wightman's millinery store was saved by the eflbrts of a large number of 
ladies, who formed a line reaching to the canal and passed water in buckets to quench the flames 
that threatened their favorite temple of fashion. 

A frame building occupied by Thomas Pile, M. Slinger and James Scott, adjoining the St. 
Charles Hotel, February 27, 1868 ; insurance, $250. 

An unoccupied building in the Second Ward, belonging to Mr. McGoorty, November 20, 
1868. 

A large frame building belonging to N. H. Wood, burned January 27, 1869, while being 
removed from the First to tlie Fourth Ward. Loss, $300 ; uninsured. 

Charles Sternberg's tannery on Canal street, June 9, 1869. Loss, $1,500 ; insured for 
$700. 

A frame building known as the Murison House, in the Fifth Ward, December 25, 1870 ; 
partially insured. 

Portage Stone Mill, owned by Wells & Craig, April 11, 1870. Loss, $24,000 ; insured for 
$14,000. 

Engine House of the Portage & Madison Railroad, February 21, 1871. 

Portage Hotel, near the depot, the property of James Graves, August 23, 1871 ; insured 
for $1,000. 

John Bryan's livery stable. Fourth Ward, October 10, 1871. 

I. Holmes' house in the Fifth Ward, occupied by J. M. Russell, partially burned, Decem- 
ber 25, 1871. 

Herrigel's building. Cook street, December 10, 1872. Loss, $500 ; no insurance. 

D. A. Goodyear's building, occupied by C. A. Driese as a cigar manufactury, same date; 
insured for $600. 

E. Wright's dwelling, in the outskirts of the city ; same date. 

George Brown's residence. Fourth Ward, January 5, 1873. Loss, $1,500 ; insured for 
$1,000. 

Barn and granary of Patrick Mulcahey, March 18, 1873. Two horses burned to death. 

Henry Hermann's residence. First Ward, December 4, 1874. 

A building in the rear of the St. Charles Hotel, February 22, 1874. 

John Bryan's slaughter-house, June 20, 1874. Loss, $200. 

John Brisbois' residence in the Fourth Ward, June 26, 1875. Insured for $1,050, about 
two-thirds of the loss. 

The unoccupied dwelling of P. McMurray, in the First Ward, August 23, 1875. 

Carnagie'a planing-mill, scorched October 7, 1875. 

Ellsworth House, barn, property of Mr. McDonald, November 15, 1875. Four horses and 
three cows burned to death. 
1 John Ringner's house, near Carnagie's planing-mill, February 3, 1876. 

George Port's warehouse, Fourth Ward, April 1, 1876. Loss, $4,000 ; insurance, $1,000. 



644 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Henry Emder's barn, adjoining the hotel, September 30, 1876. 

Henry Fink's stable, January 11, 1877. 

Burning of the grass in Silver Lake Cemetery, April 25, 1877. 

Peter Neiss' dwelling badly damaged. May 15, 1877. 

E. J. McCabe's dwelling. Fifth Ward, July 18, 1877 ; insured for $2,075. 

John Mueller's cooper-shop, July 28, 1877. Loss, $800; insurance, $250. 

Fire in, and narrow escape of, Pettibone's Block, September 22, 1877. 

Joseph Lee's house. Fourth Ward, September 23, 1877. 

City Hotel, October 24, 1877 ; insurance, $1,000. 

The old Pettibone store, January 16, 1878. Loss, $500 ; no insurance. 

D. A. Goodvear's residence, February 8, 1878. Loss, $1,500; uninsured. 
John T. Clark's barn, March 17, 1878. 

John Duerr's house. Second Ward, May 13, 1878. 

House in the Fourth Ward belonging to John T. Clark, August 20, 1878. 

Morris Collins' house. Fourth Ward, October 12, 1878. 

The Kirby House barn, and the old Ira Blood house. First Ward, November 8, 1878. 

Mayor Arnold's barn, Fourth Ward, February 4, 1879. 

Patrick Hayes' house, near the lock. May 1, 1879 ; insurance, $1,000. 

E. A. Wells' residence, built in 1857 at a cost of $3,550, May 7, 1879 ; no insurance. 
Liederkranz Society's building, occupied by A. Matthieson, tailor. May 22, 1879 ; insur- 
ance, $500. 

Barns of Mr. Pauley and Mr. Zastrow, in the First Ward, May 80, 1879. 
Unoccupied house of Mr. Chase, in the First Ward, January 10, 1880. 
Unoccu]iied buildings at east end of the Wisconsin Street Bridge, owned by Mary A. 
Keegan, March 9, 1880 ; uninsured. 

BANKS. 

The Columbia County Bank was started as a banking institution in 1853 by Marshal & 
Ilsley, of Milwaukee, and the late Harrison S. Haskell, the latter having charge of the business. 
May 1, 1854, it was regularly incorporated with Samuel Marshall as President, and H. S. 
Haskell as Cashier ; capital, $25,000. In the spring or summer of 1855, Fred. S. Ilsley went 
into the bank as teller or assistant cashier. At this time Mr. Haskell's brother, Harvey, was 
also connected with the bank as book-keeper. In October, 1855, Mr. Haskell sold out his stock 
in the bank and retired. John P. McGregor then bought in and became Vice President; 
F. S. Ilsley being cashier and also a stockholder, and James Chancellor was book-keeper. 
In 1857, John S. Henderson went into the bank as a clerk. In 1858, F. S. Ilsley 
sold out his stock, and John S. Henderson became acting cashier. In 1859 or 1860, 
Horace E. Wells became a stockholder and cashier, Marshall & Ilsley having sold out their 
interest entirely, and Mr. Mitchell became book-keeper. About 1863, Henderson's health failed, 
and he left the bank, going to California, and Joseph Hainsworth came in as assistant cashier. 
In 1864, Theodore Goldsmith was engaged as clerk, and afterward was assistant cashier. About 
1865, Horace E. Wells sold out his stock, and J. P. McGregor became the sole stockholder, and 
in 1866-67 Hainsworth left, going to Kilbourn to start the Bank of Kilbourn. A year or so 
afterward, C. Wheeler became cashier, and a year later W. M. Patton became assistant cashier. 
In the panic of 1873, the bank failed and went into the hands of receivers, who wound it up. 

Bank of Porta<ie. — This bank is also numbered among the financial institutions that 
became victims of panics. It was organized in 1857, with D. Vandercook as President, and H. 
L. Norton, Cashier. E. 0. Emerson, who was its President and chief owner when it failed, 
is now paying the creditors of the Portage Bank. He is living in Titusville, Penn., and makes 
regular remittances to LI. Breese and L. W. Barden, his appointed agents in Portage, who dis- 
tribute the funds equitably among the creditors. 

City Bank of Portage. — Incorporated April 16, 1874. Commenced business May 4, of 
the same year, with the following directory: R. B. Wentworth, W. D. Fox, E. L. Jaeger, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 645 

A. Weir, R. 0. Loomis and LI. Breese. The oiBcers were: LI. Breese, President; E. L. 
Jaeger, Vice President; R. B. Wentworth, Cashier. There has been but one change in the 
■directory, A. Weir being succeeded by W. S. Wentworth, and but one in the oflBcers, W. 
S. Wentworth succeeding his father as cashier. The capital stock is $25,000. Located in Van- 
dercook's Block. 

German Exchange Bank of Portage. — A private banking institution established by 
Haertel & Schulze, in 1874, with a capital of $20,000, Charles Haertel, President, and F. W. 
Schulze, Cashier. Upon the death of Mr. Haertel, Mr. Schulze became President, and R. A. 
Sprecher, Cashier. Located in Haertel's Block. 

WISCONSIN EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION. 

It is a matter of history that the first meeting of this well-known body was held in Port- 
age. There were twenty-three members present, as follows : Harrison Reed, Conservator, 
Neenah and Menasha ; E. A. Calkins, Argus and Democrat, Madison ; J. W. Hoyt, Wiscon- 
sin Farmer, Madison ; Horace Rublee, State Journal, Madison ; Ansel N. Kellogg, Republic, 
Baraboo ; Frank Hyde, Express, Marquette ; J. T. Farrar, Democrat, West Bend ; L. M. 
Rose, Freeman, Sparta ; Horace Norton, Rara Avis, Portage ; D. McBride, Star, Mauston ; 
A. Holly, Mirror, Kilbourn City ; H. N. Ross, Evergreen City Times, Sheboygan ; S. D. Car- 
penter, Patriot, Madison ; Charles Roeser, Demokrat, Manitowoc ; F. A. Moore, Democrat, 
La Crosse ; A. J. Turner, R. B. Wentworth and M. M. Davis, Record, Portage ; J. A. 
Leonard, Republican, Waukesha ; M. M. Pomeroy, Argus, Horicon ; J. A. Brown, C. C. 
Britt, and J. M. Doty, Badger State, Portage ; H. E. Hascall, State Republican, Lansing, 
Mich., permitted to join in the proceedings by courtesy. 

The meeting took place at Pettibone's Hall on the 9th of July, 1857, and was called to 
order by M. M. Pomeroy. Upon the motion of C. C. Britt, Harrison Reed was elected Presi- 
dent and E. A. Calkins and A. J. Turner, Secretaries. Resolutions were passed reciting rea- 
sons why the i-ates of public printing should be increased ; calling upon the Legislature to 
authorize the publication, in newspapers, of all general laws passed by that body at the various 
sessions ; approving the system adopted by the railroad companies of cutting off the peculiar 
privileges of " dead heads," but protesting against the term being applied to " our brethi-en of 
the local press ; " condemning violations of the good old custom of sending newspapers to those 
who pay only in advance; recommending a discontinuance of the practice of "puffing" in 
general and the total exclusion of quack advertisements in particular. Scales of prices for 
advertising and job printing were adopted, as were also a constitution and by-laws. The fol- 
lowing officers were elected : President, Harrison Reed ; Vice Presidents, F. A. Moore, Charles 
Roeser and John A. Brown; Corresponding Secretary, J. W. Hoyt; Recording Secretary, M. 
M. Pomeroy ; Treasurer, Alanson Holly ; Executive Committee, A. N. Kellogg and H. N. 
Ross. Charles D. Robinson, of the Green Bay Advocate, and Horace Rublee, of the Madison 
State Journal, were appointed essayist and poet respectively, and instructed to be present in 
Madison, at the next meeting, the third Wednesday in June, 1858, with their literary produc- 
tions. 

The members of the association were entertained at the residence of Mayor McGregor in 
sumptuous style, and, at the end of their two days' deliberation, took their departure highly 
pleased with their visit and convinced that all that had been said about the beauties at Portage 
was true. 

At a subsequent meeting of the association it was decided that the members should 
furnish historical matters, to be read before the association, concerning the press in the 
respective localities respresented by them. The result was very satisfactory, and the letters of 
the various editors were afterward published. Here is one from John Delaney, of Portage : 
" Brother Hyer : In reply to your letter of inquiry I have leisure only to state that on the 
fourth of July, 1850, I issued the first number of the River Times. I had a short time before 



646 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

that come to Portage City to reside and practice law. We had everything except a newspaper 
to make a city. I had learned the trade at Green Bay, commencing in 1834, and on the 
solicitation of business men and politicians was induced to resume it for a time. I started the 
paper partly to advance the town, and keep up with other cities in dispensing knowledge of our 
advantages, and partly to give tone, so far as I could, to the politics qf the day. I had seen 
many of the would-be leaders of the Democratic party pandering, through a change of its 
creed, for the abolition vote of the State, willing to insert or strike out planks from the plat- 
form to suit the day, but still retain the name of De.mocr.\t — anything, so a numerical major- 
ity of the vote of the State could be saved to candidates for office. I foresaw that such a 
course must end in sectionalizing the party ; and, in disgust and indignation, did what little I 
could to stem the tide, with satisfaction to myself as to my own course. The Times was 
merged in the Badyer State in 1853. The publication of a Democratic paper was soon followed 
by that of a Whig paper, to carry on the political war. W. W. Noyes started the Northern 
Republic, a national Whig paper, in 1851. 

" Fraternally yours, John Delaney." 

EARLY JUSTICE IN PORTAGE. 

Many interesting memories are extant concerning the early history of Portage. None, 
however, are so excruciatingly ludicrous or pathetic as those pertaining to the legal profess- 
ion, concerning scenes in the early Justices' Courts. An idea of the ability of the average 
Justice of the Peace, in those days, may be had from the following entry made in a Justice's 
docket twenty-six years ago, a large number of these record-books being still in existence : 

" A warrant was ishude on the IT day of augost 1854 and delivrd to coon Deputy cheref 
prisner in custiaty on the 18 prisner pleeds nott gilty on oplicashun ov prosecutin witnes the 
abov coase is continude til the 12 da ov Augost by concent of the dafendint at 1 O'C p. ra. 
prisner dischargde whereas michel Craythiu hes maid othe befor me aganst Graves for Sault 
And Batery whitch was A melishus prosecushun so thearefoor i rendearde a gugmant aganst 
Michel craythin for coast ov this sute coasts ov cort 168 cherefs feas 50." 

It must be remembered that the above was written before Josh Billings was heard of. In 
it we see traces of Nasby's style of orthography, but as there is no record of that distinguished 
citizen ever having visited Portage, it would be unjust to charge him with plagiarism. 

In 1855, a trespass case came before a Portage Justice, the parties to the suit being well 
known and respected citizens. The very best legal talent in the city was engaged. Eloquence 
was then considered more powerful and effective than the rules of equity laid down in the 
books. Clients were not slow to observe this, and they generally took advantage of the strange 
condition of things. The defendant's counsel, for reasons of their own, obtained a change of 
venue to another Justice, and the Judge 1>efore whom the case originally came subsecjuently 
joined the counsel for plaintiff and aided in the prosecution. When the case came up it was 
discovered by the defense that the written complaint had been interlined and otherwise changed 
in favor of his opponents. The handwriting very closely resembled that of the Judge before 
whom the case was then on trial, and the irate attorney who made the discovery was not slow 
to accuse " His Honor " of having perpetrated the irregularity, for wliich mark of disrespect for 
the dignity of the bench he was fined $10. The implicated limb of the law arose to make an 
explanation, but, before he had concluded, was again fined for contempt and threatened with 
imprisonment if the offense was repeated. A most exciting scene then followed, resulting in 
the Judge being twice denominated '"an old liar," and the attorney receiving an infliction of a 
like number of fines, making the total penalty ^40. Amid the wildest confusion, a recess was 
taken, and during the interval one of the plaintiff's attorneys induced counsel on the other side 
to agree to a jury trial, and at the same time persuaded the Judge to remit the fines, provided 
defendant's counsel would make due apology. A jury of six men was accordingly summoned, 
and when the court convened the matter was smoothed over and the case proceeded. The entire 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 647 

afternoon was taken up with discursive arguments, the jury frequently leaving their seats and 
retiring to an adjacent saloon for '•consultation." When night came, the case was closed and 
the jury locked "up, but it was evident to all concerned that there would be a disagreement. 
Judge and counsel then adjourned to a favorite resort across the street, where they awaited the 
result with such anxiety as to necessitate frequent potations of gin and sugar to keep their cour- 
age up. The opposing 'counsel vied with each other in efforts to "make it pleasant for the 
Judge," succeeding even beyond their most sanguine expectations ; for when the short hours of 
the morning came his mental, physical and judicial equilibrium had given away, and after embrac- 
ing each of his genial companions he insisted upon going over to the court room to re-instruct 
the jury. He was dissuaded from performing this unnecessary act, for the jury had agreed to 
disagree. When the Judge was apprised of the fact that there had been a disagreement, he 
assumed an air of indignation and made an attempt to be very dignified, avowing that he would 
"fine them for contempt of (hie) court." After falling over a chair, for which he apologized 
to the stove, his friends conveyed him to his home. During the night, when the prospect for a 
verdict was being discussed, the Judge took each of the opposing counsel aside and confiden- 
tially assured them that in case the jury disagreed he would decide the case in their favor. 
" Leave it to me," he said to each of them, " leave it to me, you're all (hie) right." 

On another occasion, a replevin suit was up for trial, the property in dispute being a flock 
of sheep. The defendant's attorney, thinking to discourage his professional brother of the other 
side, said to him that there was no use in attempting a successful prosecution of the case, as he 
(counsel for defense) knew of a witness who would swear to anything necessary to insure a 
decision in his client's favor. Plaintifl"s attorney saw at once that there was no hope for his 
client in court, so he advised him to procure a wagon, and, while the case was being tried, to 
proceed to the premises where the sheep were, and take them, vi et armis, if necessary. As 
was expected, the case was decided in favor of the defendant, but the sheep were never after 
heard of This celebrated action has ever since been referred to as the "sheep-stealing case," 
and the eminent lawyer who planned the seizure of the mutton is highly esteemed, by young dis- 
ciples of Blackstone, for his sagacity. There is no doubt that this case will some day be cited 
as a precedent. 

Thomas Christopher once brought suit against Col. Tom. Reynolds, before His Honor 
Richard Dempsey, J. P. Hugh McFarlane was summoned as a witness. While on the stand, 
he claimed the right to give evidence in his own peculiar manner, to which an attorney, named 
Johnson, demurred. After much sparring, the witness put a quietus on the legal questioner, 
by saying: " If you interrupt me again, I will kick you square in the mouth." 

Mr. Fry. one of the jurors, disgusted at such undignified conduct in court, rose to his feet 
and shouted, in a stentorian voice : " If this is to be a d d row, I am going to leave. Con- 
stable, where is my coat and hat? " 

The court objected to his leaving, and ordered him to be seated, threatening a fine for con- 
tempt of court. The refractory juror politely invited him to fine and be d d, asserting that 

His Honor was nothing but an old wooden head anyway. Then the court, becoming highly 
indignant at such insolence, ordered the juryman, in language more forcible than polite, to 
leave the temple of justice. 

Pending the trial, it became necessary for the court to take the witness-stand and supply 
evidence to sustain the complainant. Tom Reynolds, the defendant, being a Justice of ?he 
Peace, administered the oath, and, after the direct testimony was given, another juror, named 
Jimmy O'Neill, cross-questioned the court. His questions were so impertinent that the witness 
lost all patience, and it was only by the interference of the other jurors that a fight was pre- 
vented. The verdict is not recorded. 

But the members of the legal profession in Portage seldom lost control of themselves, and 
we know of but one fisticuff to record in which lawyers participated. The little unpleasantness 
grew out of a case that had came before a Portage Justice, in which a man and wife, residing in 
the town of Caledonia, were the defendant and plaintifi", respectively. There had been previous 



648 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

trouble in that household, resulting in black eyes and dislocated joints, but these are of that 
class of domestic infelicities that attract but little attention. This time the question of the 
possession of certain property was involved, and the best "legal " talent in the city had been 
employed on both sides. When the arguments were reached, counsel for defendant (the hus- 
band) made an eloquent appeal, on behalf of what he was pleased to call the injured man. During 
the forensic onslaught, plaintiff's attorney, when his antagonist became too severe upon his fair 
client, would pull the speaker's coat tail and otherwise attempt to disconcert him. The -Judge 
had observed the proceeding, and finally told the meddling attorney that his conduct was very 
unbecoming. Defendant's counsel continued to "warm up," not forgetting to occasionally abuse 
the gentleman on the other side for his unseemly interference. Pretty soon there came another 
tug at the coat tail, and as the speaker turned quickly around, probably to vither his opponent 
with a look, he received a blow square upon the nose, causing that organ to bleed copiously. 
Recovering himself, he knocked his assailant down, and then a rough and tumble fight took 
place, the belligerents both being pretty badly used. Plaintiff's counsel, being small of stature, 
had received a severe trouncing ; both of his eyes were closed up tight, and he had been com- 
pelled to desist because he could no longer see whom he was hitting. Peace restored, the blood 
was washed away, and the attorneys accompanied each other from the court room, the victor 
leading the vanquished to his home. 

In 1858, a petty case came before a well-known Justice of the time, for equitable adjust- 
ment, the defendant in which had a wide reputation for the frequency of his appearance in court, 
and his uniform success in getting a verdict or decision in his favor. The case was a somewhat 
aggravated one, the plaintiff having hesitated for a long time before concluding to enter into 
legal proceedings with an adept at lawsuits. Two of the best lawyers in the city were engaged, 
both being men possessed of rare powers as pleaders. When the defendant laid the case before 
his attorney, he was told that he would be beaten, because the facts and circumstances were 
clearly against him. 

"That's none of your d — d business," replied the client; "facts and circumstances have 
nothing to do with it. Pay no attention to them, but go in and attack plaintiff's lawyer and do 
your best; that's what I'm paying you for." 

" Vefy well," quoth the attorney, " I have no faith in the case whatever, but I'll make all 
the noise I can." 

" That's right ; slaughter the other fellow with words for weapons. Smother him with 
technicalities. Say anything you please to him, and I'll stand by you. Don't mind the merits 
of the case ; I'll look out for that." 

When the case came on there was a large crowd present, in anticipation of seeing the fun. 
The preliminaries were gone through with very quietly. The testimony was extremely favor- 
able for the plaintiff, and it was generally conceded that he had won his case. Argument 
commenced with a full house, and the spectators were entertained for several hours with the 
most exciting debate they had ever listened to. The case was entirely lost sight of, and a fight 
between counsel was several times most imminent. The plea of defendant's counsel was excep- 
tionally eloquent. When the arguments closed, the Judge arose and said : 

" Gentlemen, you have tried this case remarkably well, your arguments were grand, I never 
lieard anything like them. But I must say the law is on the side of the defendant. Therefore, 
I am constrained to record my decision against the plaintiff." 

Tliis disposition of the case "/as a surprise to every one, except, perhaps, the defendant. 
Defendant's counsel was elated over the result. He took the case with the gloomiest of fore- 
bodings; surely his eloquence had accomplished the work. He was beginning to feel himself 
quite a lawyer, when his client entered his office, and, laying some currency upon his table, said : 

"There's yer flO. S'pose you think you won that case, don't you?" 

"Most certainly I did," replied the attorney, surprised at the contemptuous tone of 
his client. 

" Well, you didn't do no such thing." 




(2/ \^ ^U^^. 



PORTAGE CITY. 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 651 

"Then, pray, inform me who did." 

" Why, I did, of course. I made the Judge a present of a d — d nice ham this morning 
before the case came up." 

The attorney fainted. the schulze band. 

or the past thirty years, the citizens of Portage have been entertained and delighted with 
a very superior quality of instrumental music, rendered by the members of a band whose his- 
tory is somewhat remarkable. 

'Che Schulze Band, the one referred to, was organized in Schmannewitz, Saxony, about 
1825 It was composed of Benjamin Schulze, the father of the Schulze brothers, who have, for 
the past quarter of a century, been identified with the growth of Portage, and his two brothers- 
in-law, named Wagenknecht. The instruments used were of the string and reed order, and the 
three musicians were always in demand at balls and such like amusements at Schmannewitz. 

In 1830, they removed to Tamenheim, a small Saxon hamlet, where Mr. Schulze re-engaged 
in his three avocations — butchering, weaving and music teaching, and also kept a hotel, by way 
of relieving monotony. Three years later, bright business prospects induced a removal to Sitz- 
enroda, also in Saxony, where, in addition to his other callings, the versatile Schulze engaged 
in farming. 

At that date, the first son, Frederick, who is now seci-etary of the government telegraph 
bureau in Bautzen, Saxony, had reached his sixth year, and, having received much early train- 
ing in music, was a very proficient performer on the violin. 

In 1835, the second son, Charles, having also been instructed in the divine art, reached his 
musical majority, which, in the Schulze family, was from four to eight years. Both boys soon 
became widely known for their peculiar accomplishments, and, with their father, were often called 
to distant parts to enliven festive occasions. The diminutive stature of the two children com- 
bined to make their performances in a degree wonderful ; and, as the proud parents were blessed 
with increase of wealth in the way of musical prodigies of the male persuasion, the fame of the 
Schulze Band became almost national. 

The most important period in the history of this band occurred in 1846, in the town of 
Mueckervena, ten miles from the abode of Benjamin Schulze, whose seventh son, Frederick W., 
was then but four years of age. The occasion was one of unusual import. Frederick William 
the Third, King of Prussia, was en route from Berlin to Deitsch, and the citizens of Muecker- 
vena, as an exhibition of loyalty toward their sovereign, prepared to receive him in splendid 
style, as he passed through their humble village. By order of the Landrath (a sort of provincial 
satrao having jurisdiction over the district), the Schulze Band were present in full uniform, 
consisting of blue coats, black pants and " shako " hats. 

The instruments used were a bass horn, upon which the father performed as'leader; then 
came Frederick, the oldest son, with a trumpet, he being a trumpeter in one of the King's artil- 
lery bands. Charles playing upon a key-horn, Henry upon a trombone, Frank and Herman 
upon tenor horns, and Ferdinand and Frederick William "upon French horns. They were 
assigned a position on the right of the procession, ranged in the order of their size, the father in 
front, and the mother bringing up the rear wich the eight son, Samuel, in her arms. 

When the pageant came within hearing distance, the band played " Heil Dir in Sieger's 
Kranz," an old national hymn, and when the King's carriage drew up and stopped, the Landrath, 
who, it seems, must have been master of ceremonies, requested the mother of this musical family 
to conduct her seventh born to the King's side, which she did. The little four-year-old was 
almost as much of a curiosity as the King himself. He had been the recipient of $50 
from His Majesty, on the occasion of his baptism, in accordance with an old German custom, 
which is observed by the King standing as godfather for the seventh consecutive male child of 
all the families within his realm, and he immediately placed himself upon the most intimate 
terms with the mighty monarch. " How old are you ? " queried he of the house of Hohenzol- 
lern, stroking the lad's forehead with his kingly hand. " Four years, sire," quickly retorted the 
.youth, at the same time making a graceful obeisance. 



652 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

At this juncture of the interesting proceedings, the pent-up enthusiasm of the crowd could 
no longer restrain itself, and amid deafening cheers, a rush was made for the king's carriage. 
In the confusion, little Frederick William and his horn were thrust aside. As the procession 
moved slowly away. Prince Wilhelm, now Emperor of Germany, pointing to the mother, asked ; 
" Are you the mother of all those boys ? "' Receiving an answer in the affirmative, he replied : 
" I wish you eight more."' 

In 1850, this "little German band," with the exception of Frederick, the eldest son, came to 
America. The " Amalia," the good ship which bore them across the Atlantic, was nine weeks 
on the voyage, but the monotony was often relieved by strains of music. 

The band also played at Quebec, Buffalo, Milwaukee and other principal points, on the way to 
Portage, where they arrived on the 28th of July, 1850, stopping at the Franklin House. While 
there, they serenaded the guests of the Veeder House, the dwellers of Fort Winnebago, and some of 
the leading citizens, taking up a collection of $6 on the first occasion. Since then the Schulze 
Band has been in demand on all stated occasions, and have furnished music at different points 
throughout the country for celebrations, balls, etc. At the Wisconsin band conventions, held in 
Portage in 1877, LaCrosse in 1878, and Watertown in 1879, the Schulze Band was classed 
among the best of the twelve or fifteen bands present. 

When President Hayes and party were in Portage in 1878, the Schulze Band occupied a 
position in the procession similar, in many respects, to the part they bore in the reception of the 
King of Prussia, thirty-four years ago. The circumstances, however, were widely different ; one 
was an ovation to a king by subjects, the other a reception to the President of a republic by a 
free people. 

The little four-year-old, who, in 1846, stood at the foot of the class, and was the object of 
so much distinguished attention, has grown to man's estate, and is to-day the leader of this 
historical band, and several of the band's favorite pieces of music now performed by them are 
his own composition. 

THE POST OFFICE. 

The early history of this institution is so closely identified with postal matters connected 
with Fort Winnebago, that it will be necessary to go back nearly half a century to obtain a 
starting-point. John Kinzie, who is believed to have been the first Indian agent appointed by the 
Government, with headquarters at the fort, assuming his duties at that post in 18-31, was authorized 
to act as Postmaster for the people of the garrison. He continued to fill the position until about 
1834. In that year Henry Merrell was appointed Post Sutler. Mr. Merrell then acted as 
Postmaster, and held the position for several years, until business developments at the portage 
began to attract attention. Henry Carpenter, having built the old United States Hotel, and 
established a small store near the banks of the Wisconsin River, on what is now Wisconsin 
street, was appointed Postmaster. He removed the office from the fort to his place of business, 
but when, soon afterward, M. R. Keegan was appointed to the position, it was taken back and 
established in the commissary building at the fort. Here it remained until another change in 
oflBce took place, G. T. Getty becoming Mr. Keegan's successor, when the ofiice was located on the 
west side of Fox River, near the junction of the canal with that stream. In August, 1851, Mr. 
Getty advertised, in the River Times, " a list of letters remaining unclaimed in the post office of 
Fort Winnebago," and in October following, " T. Dean, Postmaster at Portage City," caused 
to be advertised, in the same paper, quite an extensive list of letters remaining unclaimed in Jiis 
office. In this connection, the Times, of December 22, 1851, contained the following : " Among 
the many things which call for amendment in this town, we know of none more important than 
an alteration of the post office arrangements, by which the recipients of nine-tenths of all the 
mail matter coming to the post office at the garrison may be better accommodated. The neces- 
sity of being compelled to trudge two miles for all the mail matter destined for this place, or 
await its arrival at the side office in this city (where the principal ofiice should be), two or three 
days after its arrival at the fort, is a burden too grievous to be longer borne without remon- 
strance. We believe, if the matter was properly presented, the Postmaster General would make 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUJSTTY. 653 

this city the terminus of the route now centering at the fort." Early in January, 1852, the 
editor of the Times, " in conversation with Lemuel Berry, Deputy Postmaster at the Fort, 
understood him to say he would have no objection to the removal, if the two offices were merged 
in one." Mr- Berry soon afterward succeeded Mr. Getty as Postmaster. A consolidation of 
the two offices then followed, and the institution was located in Berry's Store, on Wisconsin 
street, a short distance east of the canal. The old building now does service as a fire-engine 
house, at the corner of Pleasant and Clark streets. Prior to the consolidation, the Portage City 
office was generally, but not officially, known as Wauona (the Indian word for Portage), named by 
Gov. Doty, who had a penchant for Indian appellations. Charles H. Moore was the first in 
charge of Wauona Post Office. 

In March, 1853, James Delaney, Sr., succeeded Mr. Berry, and held the office until Sep- 
tember, 1855, retiring in favor of Jerome B. Fargo. Mr. Fargo's successor was John A. 
Brown, who died in office February 10, 1859. During Mr. Brown's incumbency, the office 
became subject to Presidential consideration. C. C. Britt was appointed to fill the vacancy thus 
created, and remained in office until 1861, being succeeded by Stillman E. Dana, who was 
appointed by President Lincoln ; Mr. Dana served nearly ten years, retiring in favor of Charles 
P. Austin. Harrison S. Haskell was Mr. Austin's successor. He died in office February 13, 
1879. S. S. Brannan was then appointed to fill the vacancy, and upon his death, on the 5th 
of April, 1880, C. C. Dow succeeded to the position. 

The office has been subjected to the usual changes of location experienced by similar insti- 
tutions everywhere. From Berry's store it was removed by Mr. Delaney to Canal street, 
between Main and DeWitt. Mr. Fargo took it to Mappa's store, opposite Verandah Hall. 
Next it was located in a building on Conant street, between Adams and De Witt ; thence to a 
one-story wooden structure on the southeast side of Cook street, near Wisconsin ; thence to 
Arnold's Block (now the Corning House) ; thence to a building which stood on the vacant lot 
opposite the Corning House; thence to Emporium Block, on DeWitt street; thence to the 
junction of De Witt and Wisconsin streets, near the bridge, in a brick building in which was 
located the State Register office, and finally to Vandercook's Block, its present location, to 
which place it was removed by Postmaster Austin. 

It was during the incumbency of Mr. Delaney that a gentleman of color inquired for a 
letter. " Go way, ye blackguard," said the Postmaster, "do ye think anybody would write to 
a nagur ?" 

Fifty years ago, when John Kinzie had charge of the office, the mail came from the East 
by way of Buffalo and Green Bay. From the latter point it found its way to the fort by the 
kindness of some voyageur, with but little regularity. There was no Chicago mail in those 
days ; in fact there was no Chicago. Advices from Fort Dearborn (where Chicago now stands) 
were even less frequent than from Washington, New York, etc. Now there are eight mails a day 
to and from Portage. Letters are received from the Atlantic cities in forty-eight hours; from 
the city by the Golden Gate in less than six days. 

The Portage office became a money-order office in July, 1865, the first order being issued 
to Levi W. Barden, in favor of Samuel D. Hastings, Madison, the amount being $9.10. Since 
then there have been over thirty-five thousand orders issued. 

HOTELS. 

As has been seen. Portage, from its infancy, has been quite a central point for travelers 
and the trans-shipment for merchandise. Before the railroads were built, it occupied a position 
at the cross roads of commerce, running from Green Bay to the Mississippi River, and 
from the great pineries of the North to Chicago and Milwaukee. It is not strange then that 
the business of hotel-keeping was a profitable one in early days ; and, indeed, there has been but 
little change in this regard to the present time. Where, twenty-five and thirty years ago, 
there could be seen on the streets almost any time of the day, from ten to fifteen four-horse 



654 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COrXTY. 

wagons heavily loaded with freight, there are now equally as many " traveling men " represent- 
ing large firms in the great commercial marts who register at the leading hotels daily. 

The Franklin House, built by Oapt. Gideon Low about 1835-36, was the first hotel at the 
portage. Prior to this, those who came this way were accommodated at the fort or the 
agency building. The next was the United States Hotel, Henry Carpenter, proprietor. The 
old frame of this ancient caravansary still stands in the First Ward, a dismal monument to 
pioneer days. Then came the Wisconsin House, kept by the affable McFarlane, who, though 
the frosts of sixty winters have whitened his hair, is in no immediate danger of being reaped by 
the scythe of time. The Veeder House, the first "tavern " west of the canal is still standing. 
The McTighe House came next, and though it is built of wood, no one ever knew where Joseph 
Hague got his lumber. It is still standing in the First Ward, the silent witness to the encroach- 
ments of the Wisconsin River. The old original Ellsworth House, F. H. Ellsworth, proprietor ; 
Sylvester's Hotel, by Edwin Sylvester, and the City Hotel, solicited a share of the public 
patronage thirty years ago. In 18(52, the Arnold Block, built by Andrew Dunn and J. 
Arnold, the present Mayor of the city, was converted into a hotel. F. H. Ellsworth was the 
first lessee, and it bore his name until a recent date, when it was changed to the Corning House. 
A. E. Smith is the present proprietor. The Emder House, by Henry Emder ; the Farmers' 
Home, by John Hettinger, and the Pruyn House, complete the list of hotels in Portage. The 
Fox House, at the C, M. & S. P. R. R. depot, though generally known as an " eating-house," 
is in every respect a hotel of the first order, and is one of the institutions of the place. 

PUBLIC HALLS. 

Verandah Hall was the first place of any note calculated for the accommodation of public 
assemblages. It was built early in the fifties by Milo H. Pettibone, and stood on the present 
site of Graham's brick block. In it was a rude stage where early representations of the drama 
took place, both by traveling and amateur companies. The next place of this kind to claim the 
favor of the public, was Vandercook's Hall, in Vandercook's Block. The hall is now occupied 
by the Masons as a lodge-room. It is here that devoted husbands assemble on stated occasions 
to vote sustenance to widows and orphans, returning to their domestic firesides after a hard 
night's work for the amelioration of the afflicted and otherwise unfortunate, only to be accused 
of less unworthy acts. Pettibone's Hall built in 1855-56, and was for a time the most popular 
resort in the city. The I. 0. 0. F. lodge-room is located in Pettibone Block. Schulze's Hall 
came next, and is now a successful competitor for public entertainments. Woods Hall was also 
one of the " institutions." In 1879, John Dullaghan erected a magnificent building on the 
north side of Cook street, devoting the entire upper part to the purposes of a hall, and dedicat- 
ing it DuUaghan's Opera House. The size of the entire hall is 52x90 feet, including the stage. 
The latter has a dimension of 21x51 feet; is appointed with four ample dressing-rooms, two on 
each side; is abundantly supplied with water, toilet conveniences, and is completely and ele- 
gantly furnished throughout; the width of proscenium is thirty feet. The drop curtain is 
15x28, and is an artistic triumph, being a bird's-eye view of Constantinople and the blue 
Bosphorus in the distance. The auditorium is 60x51 feet, and has a seating capacity of 700. 
The gallery is 17x51 in dimensions ; will comfortably seat 800 people, and is reached by a 
double staircase branching oft" from the main entrance on either side. The seats are folding 
settees of the latest construction, on each of which six persons may sit. The reserved seats con- 
sist of two-seated settees, and are very elegant and comfortable. The hall is lighted by gas, 
manufactured by an apparatus on the premises. It was opened on the 15th of September, 
1879, by a grand ball, under the auspices of the Guppey Guard, and, on the 19th of the same 
month, Janauschek, the German actress, appeared in the role of " Marie Stuart," dedicating 
the Dullaghan Opera House to the Muses. The building and hall complete cost $13,000. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 655 

LOCAL MILITIA. 

The Portage Light Guard was the first regularly organized military company in Portage, 
and, it is believed, in Columbia County. The Guards were originally organized about 1859 or 
1860, but did not enter actively into military discipline and drill until early in 1861, when a 
re-organization took place. By the time this had been eifected, the war broke out, a call was 
made for 75,000 volunteers, and the Portage Light Guards jirofiered their services to the Gov- 
ernor, who accepted the ofter and assigned the company to the Second Regiment, Wisconsin 
Volunteers, as Company G. But a large number of those who originally enlisted while the 
Light Guards were only " play soldiers," either resigned or were not accepted by the Govern- 
ment. A history' of Company G will be found in another part of this work. 

On the 6th of July, 1877, a meeting was held at the court house in Portage for the pur- 
pose of organizing a military company. A petition having been signed by about sixty-five young 
men of the required age for military duty, and presented to .Joshua J. Guppey, requesting him 
to appoint some one to organize a company as provided for under the laws of the State, A. J. 
Turner was appointed to take steps for such an organization, which he did. At the first meeting 
of the company, A. H. Russell, who served several years in the war of the rebellion, was elected 
Captain, Homer S. Goss, First Lieutenant, and George S. Race, Second Lieutenant. The com- 
pany soon afterward received from the State sixty Springfield rifles, with belts and cartridge 
boxes to match, and at once commenced regular drills. The next thing in order was to secure 
uniforms, which they did, the citizens of Portage subscribing liberally toward the purchase. 
There were si.xty-five uniforms ordered at once, three of them being for commissioned officers. 
They are made of gray cloth, the finest manufactured, and known as West Point cadet cloth. 
They are trimmed with gold lace and dark facings, and were made by Messrs. Loomis, Gallett 
& Breese, at a cost, for the entire lot, of $1,485.50. The caps are made of gray cloth, with 
black top and gilt trimming, costing $2.25 each. The fiitigue cap is of blue cloth, with gilt 
trimming, costing $1.25 each. The company receives $300 a year from the State, which pays 
incidental expenses. 

The first competitive drill took place at Reedsburg July 4, 1879, with the Mauston Light 
Guard, which was called, at that time, one of the best companies in the State. The judges 
were unable to decide which was the most thoroughly drilled company, and concluded to divide 
the prize fund equally, giving each company $100. The next competitive drill took place at 
Portage September 18 with the same company, the Guppey Guard taking the second prize of 
$75, their score being 85J, and that of the Mauston Light Guard, 90. The next drill, again 
wjth Mauston Light Guard, was on October 5, and the Guppey Guard succeeded in taking the 
first prize of $125. 

The Guppey Guard took part in the inaugural ceremonies of Madison, in January last, 
and this is what a local newspaper said of them : " The Guppey Guard, of Portage, Captain 
Womer, 'went in on its muscle,' and showed the crowd something grand. Cheer after cheer 
went up as the company went through with some of its fancy and most dilficult movements. 
The other companies indulged in the usual parade movements only. Portage City is assured 
that her company ' took the palm ' in the drill business in our city ; and the Captain of this 
company may well be proud of his men." 

The oificers and privates of the company, at the present time, are as follows ; J. D. 
Womer, Captain ; W. S. Wentworth, First Lieuten.ant ; W. B. Stevens, Second Lieutenant ; 
H. W. Orthman, First Sergeant; G. C. Carnagie, Second Sergeant; J. C. Britt, Third 
Sergeant ; J. H. Wells, Fourth Sergeant; C. P. Jaeger, Fifth Sergeant ; I. A. Ridgway, First 
Corporal ; T. W. Maine, Second Corporal ; T. J. Wells, Third Corporal ; R. G. Shackell, 
Fourth Corporal ; James Dempsey, Fifth Corporal ; B. R. Lewis, Sixth Corporal ; John 
Sweeney, Seventh Corporal; W. D. McKenney, Eighth Corporal; Alex. Carnagie, Colors; J. 
B. Mills, Drummer. Privates — D. H. Abell, C. L. Alverson, J. C. Anderson, L. S. Allen, 
W. E. Allen, Fred. Allen, C. W. Allen, Thomas Barrett, Tony Brandt, C. M. Bard, William 



656 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUI^TY. 

D. Beattie, Robert L. Beattie, G. R. Bennett. William Bengel, Frank Brandt, A. P. Bever, 
William W. BuUard, E. Betz, A. P. Barry, C. W. Baker, Fred. Blood, Daniel W. Bath, J. 

F. Cole, W. S. Corning. M. E. Cook, Harry Clark. Ansel Clark, James Cleary, Albert Crouch, 

G. A. W. Carr, J. B. Chadwick, D. J. Dalton. Richard Dempsey, John Dalton, James DuUag- 
han, Hewett Dent, T. M. Edwards. William Edwards, A. J. Eastmin, Wdliam Fatchild, G. 
C. Fyfe, E. C. Frounfelter, W. B. Gilman. F. F. Goss, E. H. Hemenway, J. L. Hardie, T. 
Hofman, Nelson Hardie, K. M. Hazletine, George Hemenway, J. E. Jones, F. W. Loomis, J. C. 
Lewis, B. C. Meacher, D. C. Maine. F. S. McDuffie, Henry Mady, George M. Maloy, C. P. 
McKinney, Henry Neef. P. Powers, George W. Phillips, H. Pomeroy, S. H. Reed, D. G. Rom- 
denn, J. Ruthven, Emil Reber, William Ruthven, William Richardson, L. F. Schulze, Max Schulze, 

E. J. Swift, G. T. Shackell, J. Spain, W. I. Sherman, L. S. Shattuck, E. E. Stevens, A. C. 
Stevens, George Stevens, F. J. Schulze, C. H. Tasker, F. B. Thompson, Fred J. Turner, 
G. Tsehamer, Frank Veseley, J. E. Williams, F. C. Warren, A. L. Witter, M. Ward, J. H. 
Wells, Jr., C. W. Williams, John White, John T. Yule. 

The first executive officers of the company were: J. J. Guppey, President; A. J. Turner, 
Vice President; John T. Yule, Secretary, H. S. Goss, Treasurer. The present are: A. J. 
Turner, President ; W. D. Fox, Vice President ; Alexander Carnagie, Secretary ; W. S. 
Wentworth, Treasurer. 

ORDERS AND SOCIETIES. 

The Masons. — Fort Winnebago Lodge, No. 33, was organized in 1850, the dispensation 
being granted June 26, by William R. Smith, Grand Master of the State, and the charter, 
December 13. The original meeting place was in the house now occupied by John Graham as 
a residence. The building then stood on Cook street, opposite the present site of the Presbyterian 
Church. The old anteroom door, with the little wicket in the center, through which the belated 
members of the mystic order were wont to whisper mysterious things in order that they might 
get inside with the "rest of the boys," now does service as a cellar door on the premises of Mr. 
Graham. The charter members of the lodge were Hugh McFarlane, Erastus Cook, Charles 
M. Kingsbury, Walter W. Kellogg, G. Law, Nelson McNeal, Robert Hunter and Daniel Clough. 
John Delaney, the lawyer-editor, was the first initiate; he became a member October 17, 1850. 
The present membership of the lodge is about one hundred. Meetings are held in a well- 
appointed hall in N'^andercook's Block. Following is a complete list of the officers of the lodge 
since its organization : 

1850 — Walter W. Kellogg, Worshipful Master ; Hugh McFarlane, Senior Warden ; R. 
Hunter, Junior Warden. 1851— W. W. Kellogg, W. M. ; H. McFarlane, S. W. ; R. Hunter, 
J. W. 1852— H. McFarlane, W. M. ; Erastus Cook, S. W. ; Caleb Croswell, J. W.; C. A. 
Gridley, Sec. and Treas. 1853 — Josiah Arnold, W. M. ; Erastus Cook, S. W. ; William 
Armstrong, J. W. ; Walter Smith, Treas. ; John Delaney, Sec. 1854 — Josiah Arnold, W. M. ; 
William Armstrong, S. W. ; William Crane, J. W. ; A. B. Douglass, Treas. ; Riley Moulton, 
Sec. 1855— Josiah Arnold, W. M. ; George F. Huntington, S. W. ; William Crane, J. W. ; 
Riley Moulton, Treas. ; J. B. Seaman, Sec. 1856 — G. F. Huntington, W. M. ; William 
Armstrong, S. M. ; A. W. Manchester, J. W. ; G. N. Richmond, Treas. ; A. B. Alden, Sec. 
1857— G. F. Huntington, W. M. ; G. W. Stout, S. W. ; John Delaney, J. W. ; G. N. Rich- 
mond, Treas. ;■ Edgar P. Hill, Sec. 1858— C. D. Hottenstein, W. M. ; E. P. Hill, S. W. ; 
John Graham, J. W. ; G. N. Richmond, Treas. ; H. B. Munn, Sec. 1859— E. P. Hill, W. 
M. ; A. B. Alden, S. W. ; John McGrath, J. W. ; Henry Bolting, Treas. ; M. P. Wing, Sec. 
1860 -A. B. Alden, W. M. ; H. S. Haskell, S. W. ; William L. Sawtell, J. W. ; Edward F. Lewis, 
Treas. ; George B. Burch, Sec. 1861— A. B. Alden, W. M. ; E. P. Hill, S. W. ; W. F. Thompson, 
J. W. ; E. F. Lewis, Treas. ; LI. Breese, Sec. 1862— E. P. Hill, W. M. : J. H. Magoffin, S. W. ; 
Peter Karch, J. W. ; A. P. Bennett, Treas. ; Julius Austin, Sec. 1863— J. H. Magoffin, W. M. ; 
Harvey M. Haskell, S. W. ; Lyell T. Mead, J. W. ; A. P. Bennett, Treas. ; S. S. Brannan, Sec. 
1864— John Graham, W. M. ;L. T. Mead, S. VV. ; A. P. Bennett, J. W. ; H. Bolting, Treas. ; 



L 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 657 

J. H. Magoffin, Sec. 1865— John Graham, W. M. ; A. P. Bennett, S. W. ; S. B. Rhodes, J. W. ; 
H. Bolting, Treas. ; J. H. Magoffin, Sec. 1866— John Graham, W. M. ; Peter Karch, S. W. ; 
D. A. Hillyer, J. W. ; W. B. Dent, Treas. ; 0. C. Dibble, Sec. 1867— Peter Karch, W. M. ; 
D. A. Hillyer, S. W. ; H. S. Goss, J. W. ; John Graham, Treas. ; R. J. Flint, Sec. 1868— 
Homer S. Goss, W. M. ; Ira Schoemaker, S. W. ; I. G. Loomis, J. W. ; F. Steber, Treas.; 
M. T. Alverson, Sec. 1869— D. A. Hillyer, W. M. ; Ira Schoemaker, S. W. ; E. C. Maine, 
J. W. ; I. W. Bacon, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Sec. 1870— John Graham, W. M.; E. H. 
Hughes, S. W. ; W. T. Parry, J. W. ; I. W. Bacon, Treas. ; C. Wheeler, Sec. 1871— Ira 
Schoemaker, W. M. ; Sherman L. Plumb, S. W. ; George T. Thompson, J. W. ; I. W. Bacon, 
Treas. ; Edward S. Baker, Sec. 1872— L. T. Mead, W. M. ; S. L. Plumb, S. W. ; M. T. 
Alverson, J. W. ; I. W. Bacon, Treas. ; J. E. Wells, Sec. 1873— S. L. Plumb, W. M. ; M. 
T. Alverson, S. W. ; Joseph Hurst, J. W. ; John Graham, Treas. ; J. E. Wells, Sec. 1874— 
I. G. Loomis, W. M. ; F. B. Northup, S. W. ; N. J. Currier, J. W. ; John Graham, Treas. ; 
J. E. Wells, Sec. 1875— H. S. Goss, W. M. ; James Fyfe, S. W. ; William M. Edwards, J. 
W. ; John Graham, Treas. ; J. E. Wells, Sec. 1876— William Meacher, W. M. ; C. C. Dow, 
S. W. ; J. E. Wells, J. W. ; John Graham, Treas. ; E. S. Baker, Sec. 1877— H. S. Goss, W. 
M. ; J. E. Wells, S. W. ; Samuel S. Brannan, J. W. ; John Graham, Treas.; George S. Race, 
Sec. 1878— H. S. Goss, W. M. ; E. J. S. Wright, S. W. ; George W. Marsh, J. W. ; John 
Graham, Treas. ; George S. Race, Sec. 1879— H. S. Goss, W. M. ; E. J. S. Wright, S. W. ; 
S. S. Lockhart, i. W. ; John Graham, Treas. ; George S. Race, Sec. 1880— William M. 
Edwards, W. M. ; E. H. Hughes, S. W. ; S. S. Lockhart, J. W. ; John Graham, Treas. ; E. 
J. S. Wright, Sec. 

Fort Winnebago Lodge has always had the reputation of being one of the model lodges of 
the State, its members being well skilled in the work, and close adherents of the ritual. Several 
members have filled positions in the Grand Lodge, A. B. Alden having been Grand Master of 
Masons of Wisconsin from 1861 to 1863, inclusive. 

Fort Winnebago Chapter, No. I4., R. A. M. — Dispensation granted February 22, 1856, 
by R. D. Pulford, Grand High Priest, State of Wisconsin. The Charter was granted February 
4, 1857. From the date of dispensation until February 5, 1862, the name of the chapter was 
" Portage," at which time it was changed to " Fort Winnebago," its present name. The chapter 
met for the first time March 11, 1856, and received nineteen petitions that evening. The chap- 
ter was constituted and officers installed by Daniel Howell, Grand High Priest, February 28, 
1857. The first three who received the R. A. degree were A. B. Alden, G. W. Stout and J. 
Arnold. The officers have been : 1856 — George F. Huntington, High Priest ; Nelson McNeal, 
King; H. Nickerson, Scribe. 1857— George F. Huntington, H. P.; B. S. Doty, K.; Levi 
Funkenstein, S.; William K. Miles, Treas.; John Graham, Sec. 1858 — G. F. Huntington, H. 
P.; B. S. Doty, K.; L. Funkenstein, S.; William K. Miles, Treas.; John Graham, Sec. 1859 
— G. F. Huntington, H. P.; A. B. Alden, K.; L. Funkenstein, Treas.; John Graham, Sec. 
I860— A. B. Alden, H. P.; E. P. Hill, K.; L. Funkenstein, S.; William K. Miles, Treas.. 
John Graham, Sec. 1861— A. B. Alden, H. P.; E. P. Hill, K.; Riley Moulton, S.; E. F. 
Lewis, Treas.; S. S. Lease, Sec. 1862— J. H. Magoffin, H. P.; S. S. Case, K.; L. T. Mead, 
S.; H. E. Wells, Treas.; M. P. Wing, Sec. 1863— A. B. Alden, H. P.; L. T. Mead, K.; C, 
J. Pardee, S.; L. Funkenstein, Treas.; M. P. Wing, Sec. 1864— A. B. Alden, H. P.; L. T. 
Mead, K.; John Graham, S.; L. Funkenstein, Treas ; J. H. Magoffin, Sec. 1865— L. T. 
Mead, H. P.; John Graham, K.; Peter Karch, S.; L. Funkenstein, Treas.; J. H. Magoffin, 
Sec. 1866.— John Graham, H. P.; Peter Karch, K.; S. B. Rhodes, S.; L. Funkenstein, Treas ; 
L. T. Mead, H. P. 1867— John Graham, H. P.; Peter Karch, K.; H. S. Goss, S.; L. Funk- 
enstein, Treas.; R. J. Flint, Sec. 1868— P. Karch, H. P.; H. S. Goss, K.; D. A. Hillyer, 
S.; L. Funkenstein, Treas.; R. J. Flint, Sec. 1869— H. S. Goss, H. P.; D. A. Hillyer, K.; 
S. L. Plumb, S.; John Graham, Treas.; M. T. Alverson, Sec. 1870— H. S. Goss, H. P.; 
D. A. Hillyer, K.; A. Hoffman, S.; John . Graham, Treas.; M. T. Alverson, Sec. 
1871— A. Hoffman, H. P.; S. L. Plumb, K.; Ira Schoemaker, S.; John Graham, Treas. 



658 HISTORY OF COLT'MBIA COUNTY. 

M. T. Alverson, Sec. 1872— S. L. Plumb, H. P.: M. T. Alverson, K.; E. H. Hughes, S., 
John Graham, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Sec ; 1873— John Graham, H. P.; M. T. Alverson, 
K.; E. H. Hughes, S.; R. C. Rockwood, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Sec. 1874— S. L. Plumb, 
H. P.; E. H. Hughes, K.: William M. Edwards. S.; R. C. Rockwood, Treas.: W. H. C. 
Abell, Sec. 1876— S. L. Plumb, H. P.; W. M. Edwards, K.; I. G. Loomis, S.; R. C. Rock- 
wood, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Sec. 1876— S. L. Plumb, H. P.: W. M. Edwards, K.; W. 
AV. Corning, S.; R'. C. Rockwood, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Sec. 1877— William M. Ed- 
wards, H. P.; W. W. Corning, K.: C. C. Dow, S.; R. C. Rockwood, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, 
Sec. 1878— William M. Edwards, H. P.; N. J. Currier, K.: George S. Race, S.; R. C. 
Rockwood, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Sec. 1879— William M. Edwards, H. P.; 0. H. Warri- 
ner, K.; William Meacher, K.; R. C. Rockwood, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Sec. 1880— Charles 
J. Pardee, H. P.; William Meacher, K. George S. Race, S.; R. C. Rockwood, Treas.; W. 
H. C. Abell, Sec. 

In his report to the Grand Chapter, in 1878, the Grand Lecturer said : " April 9, I vis- 
ited Fort Winnebago Chapter, No. l4, at Portage. This chapter fully maintains its old reputa- 
tion of being one of the best working and most reliable of those in this jurisdiction. They 
have a large number of well-skilled workmen, capable of filling any station in the chapter." 
There are eighty members in the chapter. 

Fort Winnebago Commandery, No. 4-, Knights Templar. — Dispensation granted March 
18, 1861, by H. L. Palmer, Grand Commander of Knights Templar, State of Wisconsin. 
Chapter granted January 2, 1862. The commandery met, the first time, on April 17, 1861. 
The officers of the commandery, since organization, have been : 1861 — E. P. Hill, Eminent 
Commander ; A. B. Alden, Generalissimo ; C. J. Pardee. Captain General. 1862 — E. P. 
Hill, E. C; A. B. Alden, Gen.; C. G. Pardee, C. G.; H. E. Wells, Treas.; M. P. Wing. Re- 
corder. 1863— A. B. Alden, E. C: Charles Case, Gen.; J. H. Magoflin, C. G.; Yates Ash- 
ley, Treas.; M. P. Wing, Rec. 1864— A. B. Alden, E. C; C. Case, Gen.; J. H. Magoffin, 
C. G.; Y. Ashley, Treas.; Ed. F. Lewis, Rec. 1865— Charles Case, E. C; J. H. Magoffin, 
Gen.; S. H. Bailey, C. G.; Yates Ashley, Treas.; A. Hoffman, Rec. 1866— Charles J. Par- 
dee, E. C; Emmons Taylor, Gen.; L. T. Mead, C. G.; Yates Ashley, Treas.; John Graiiam, 
Rec. 1867— C. J. Pardee, E. C; Emmons Taylor, Gen.; L. T. Mead, C. G.; Yates Ashley, 
Treas.; W. R. Dent, Rec. 1868— Emmons Taylor, E. C; L. T. Mead, Gen.; E. M. Hall, 
C. G.; John Graham, Treas.; A. Hoffman, Rec. 1869— L. T. Mead, E. C; Yates Ashley, 
Gen.; P. Karch, C. G.; W. H. C. Abell, Treas.; A. Hoffman, Rec. 1870— L. T. Mead, E. 
C; George T. Thompson, Gen.; H. S. Goss, C. G.; John Graham, Treas.: A. Hoffman, Rec. 
1871— L. T. Mead, E. C; George T. Thompson, Gen.; H. S. Goss, C. G.; John Graham, 
Treas.; A. Hoffman, Rec. 1872— Emmons Taylor, E. C; H. S. Goss, Gen.; L. T. Mead, C. 
G.; John Graham, Treas.; 0. A. Southmayd, Rec. 1873— H. S. Goss, E. C: J. B. Taylor, 
Gen.; E. E. Chapin, C. G.; John Graham, Treas.; 0. A. Southmayd, Rec. 1874 — H. S. 
Goss, E. C; J. B. Taylor, Gen.: E. E. Chapin, C. G.; John Graham, Treas.; 0. A. South- 
mayd, Rec. 1875— H. S. Goss, E. C; J. B. Taylor, Gen.; William Meacher, C. G.; John 
Graham, Treas.; 0. H. Sorrenson, Rec. 1876 — James B. Taylor, E. C; William Meacher, 
Gen.; S. L. Plumb, C. G.: John Graham, Treas.; 0. H. Sorrenson, Rec. 1877— William 
Meacher, E. C; C. C. Dorr, Gen.; W. W. Corning, C. G.: John Graham, Treas.; 0. H. Sor- 
renson, Rec. 1878— William Meacher, E. C; J. B. Taylor, Gen.; W. W. Corning, C. G.; 
John Graham, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Rec. 1879— William Meacher, E. C; J. B. Taylor, 
Gen.; W. W. Corning, C. G.; John Graham, Treas.; W. H. C. Abell, Rec. 1880— William 
Meacher, E. C; H. S. Goss, Gen.; W. W\ Corning, C. G.; John Graham, Treas.; W. H. C. 
Abell, Rec. 

The late Emmons Taylor was Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Wisconsin 
when he died. Commandery No. 4 has 100 members. 

The Odd Fellows. — Portage City Lodge, No. 61, was organized January 2, 1854. Among 
the first members were Henry Emder, Charles Uaertel, C. R. Gallett, Thomas Drew, B. J. 



HISTOKY OF COLl'MBIA COUNTY. 659 

Pixley, John Blceser, Adam Blochwitz, Frank Winne, Charles Brunoehler, John B. Dassi and 
Henry Bolting. In January, 1862, it became a German-speaking lodge, and has remained 
as such to the present time, the Americans having gradually withdrawn. Henry Emder is now 
the only member living who took part in the new organization. The Past Grands, who are 
entitled to seats in the Grand Lodge, since 1862, have been Henry Emder, George Port, G. 
Gerstenkorn, William Windus, William Hensell, Charles Wilkie, L. Prehn, C. Pfaif, G. 
Huebner, A. Bettke, F. Foogmann, C. Mass, G. Janda, F. Findeisen and Jacob Best. 

On the 8th of October, 1867, Wauona Lodge, No. 132, was instituted, with nineteen 
members, by Grand Master C. C. Cheeney. The charter members were Samuel K. Vaughan, 
M. Waterhouse, M. T. Alverson, B. J. Pixley, James Munroe, W. G. Bunker, E. H. Dewey, 
L. M. Averill, S. A. Carpenter and George Murison. First officers : S. K. Vaughan, N. G. ; 
M. Waterhouse, V. G. ; M. T. Alverson, R. S. ; B. J. Pixley, Treas. ; James Munroe, Per. 
Sec. The next election was held April 8, 1868, with the following result : M. Waterhouse, 
N. G. ; M. T. Alverson, V. G. ; W. G. Bunker, Sec. ; M. M. Bradley, Treas. Since then 
the officers have been : October 7, 1868— M. T. Alverson, N. G. ; W. G. Bunker, V. G. ; 
T. A. Pool, Sec; James Monroe, Treas. April 8, 1869— W. G. Bunker, N. G.; T. A. Pool, 
V. G.; H. Meriton, Sec. ; J. C. Holden, Treas. September, 29, 1869— T. A. Pool, N. G. ; 
H. Meriton, V. G.; J. C. Holden, R. S.; J. S. Smith, Treas.; H. W. Lee. Per. Sec. March 
.30, 1870— M. Waterhouse, N. G. ; G. Murison, V. G. ; V. E. Brewer, R. S. ; J. S. Smith, 
Treas. September 28, 1870— George Murison, N. G. ; E. H. Dewey, V. G.; T. A. Pool, R. 
S.: William Holden, Treas.; M. T. Alverson, Per. Sec. March 29, 1871— E. H. Dewey, N. G.; 
William Edwards, V. G.: C. A. Goodyear, R. S.; William Holden, Treas. September 27, 
1871— H. Meriton, N. G.; H. W. Lee, V. G.; A. Thompson, R. S.: William Holden, Treas.; 
M. T. Alverson, Per Sec. March 27, 1872— H. W. Lee, N. G.; C. A. Goodyear, V. G.; G. 
Murison, R. S.; M. T. Alverson, Per. Sec; William Holden, Treas. September 27, 1872— 

C. R. Gallett, N. G.; Charles Baker, V. G.; G. C. Jackson, R. S.; G. Murison, Per. Sec; 
W. Holden, Treas. January 1, 1873— C. R. Gallett, N. G.; C. Baker, V. G.; T. A. Pool, R. 
S.; G. Murison, Per. Sec; W. Holden, Treas. July 1, 1873— C. Baker, N. G.; A. Thomp- 
son, V. G.; D. C. Treadway, R. S.; G. Murrison, Per. Sec; M. Waterhouse, Treas. January 
1, 1874— A. Thompson, N. G.; R. B. Pixley, V. G.; C. H. Tasker, R. S.; G. Murson, Per. 
Sec; T. C. Thompson, Treas. July 1, 1874— William Edwards, N. G.; C. H. Tasker, V. G.; 
T. B. Fletcher, R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; M. Waterhouse, Treas. January 1, 1875— 
R. C. Pixley, N. G.; T. B. Fletcher, V. G.; A. D. Hemenway, R. S.; George Murison. Per. 
Sec; M. Waterhouse, Treas. July 1, 1875— C. H. Tasker, N. G.; A. D. Hemenway, V. G.; 
E. A. Rice, R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; M. Waterhouse, Treas. January 1, 1876 — 
T. B. Fletcher, N. G.; E. A. Rice, V. G.; D. M. Neill, R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; 
M. Waterhouse, Treas. July 1, 1876— E. A. Rice, N. G.; V. E. Brewer, V. G.; H. W. 
Williams, R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; M. Waterhouse, Treas. January 1, 1877 — A. 

D. Hemenway, N. G.; D. M. Neill, V. G.; H. W. Williams, R. S. ; George Murison, Per. 
Sec; M. Waterhouse, Treas. July 1, 1877— V. E. Brewer, N. G.; H. W. Williams, V. G.; 
B. B. Hughes. R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; M. Waterhouse, Treas. January 1, 1878 — 
D. M. Neill, N. G.; B. B. Hughes. V. G.; S. M. Smith, R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; 
M. Waterhouse, Treas. July 1, 1878— H. W. Williams, N. G.; T. B. Fletcher, V. G.; G. J. 
Cox, R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; C. R. Gallett, Treas. January 1, 1879— B. B. 
Hughes, N. G.; S. M. Smith, V. G.: A. Holmes. R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; C. R. 
Gallett, Treas. July 1, 1879— S. M. Smith, N. G.; G. J. Cox, V. G.; A. A. Sheret, R. S.; 
George Murison, Per. Sec; C. R. Gallett, Treas. January 1, 1880— G. J. Cox, N. G.; 
A. A. Sherett, V. G.; E. A. Vaughan, R. S.; George Murison, Per. Sec; C. R. Gallett, Treas. 
Number of members in lodge, seventy-five. 

Excelsior JEncarnpment was instituted by R. W. G. P. Hudson, of Portage, Wis., March 
22, 1869, with Patriarchs S. K. Vaughan, M. Waterhouse, George Jowett, Charles Schenck, 
Charles Prehn and George Port as charter members, and the following officers were elected and 



660 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

installed: James Monroe, Chief Patriarch ; George Port, High Priest; S. K. Vaughan, Senior 
Warden; V. E. Brewer, Junior Warden; H. Meriton, Scribe; Charles Schenck, Treas. The fol- 
lowing officers were elected January 1, 1870: V. E. Brewer, C. P. ; H. Meriton, H. P. ; W. 
G. Bunker, S. W. ; E. S. Purdy, J. W. ; Charles Prehn, Scribe ; Charles Bchenck, Treas. July 1, 
1870.— W. G. Bunker, C. P. ; Charles Prehn, H. P. ; M. Waterhouse, S. W. ; M. M. Bradley, J.' 
W. ; A. Ducat, Scribe; H. Emder, Treas. January 1, 1871— M. W. Waterhouse, C. P.; E. 
S. Purdy, H. P. ; E. H. Dewey, S. W. ; William Hensel, Scribe ; Charles Schenck, Treas. July 1, 
1871— August Batke, C. P. ; E. S. Purdy, H. P. ; William Hensel, S. W. ; C. A. Goodyear, J. 
W. ; M. Waterhouse, Scribe ; F. Seiverkrop, Treas. January 1, 1872— E. S. Purdy, C. P. ; 
E. H. Dewey, H. P. ; C. A. Goodyear, S. W. ; J. Gerstenkorn, J. W. ; George Port, Scribe ; 
A. Cardozo, Treas. January 1, 187-3 — C. A. Goodyear, C. P. ; George Port, H. P. ; Charles 
Baker, S. VV. ; T. H. Cortelyou, J. W. ; E. S. Purdy, Treas. January 1, 1874— H. W. Lee, 
C. P. ; W. G. Bunker, H. P. ; C. R. Gallett, S. W. ; C. H. Tasker, J. W. ; D. M. Neill, Scribe ; 
E. S. Purdy, Treas. July 1, 1874— C. R. Gallett, C. P. ; C. H. Tasker, H. P. ; D. M. Neill, 
S. W. ; T. P. Thompson, J. W.; Alex. Thompson, Scribe; E. S. Purdy, Treas. January 1, 
1875— C. H. Tasker, C. P. ; W. G. Bunker, H. P. ; A. M. Fargemann, S. W. ; H. Seiverkrop, 
J. W. ; T. P. Thompson; Scribe. July, 1 1875— Alex. Thompson, C. P. ; T. P. Thompson, H. 
P. ; A. M. Fargemann, S. W. ; C. R. Gallett, J. W. ; E. A. Rice, Scribe; E. S. Purdy, Treas. 
January 1, 1876— D. M. Neill, C. P. ; E. A. Rice, H. P. ; T. B. Fletcher, S. W. ; B. B. 
Hughes, J. W. ; C. R. Gallett, Scribe ; E. S. Purdy, Treas. July 1, 1876— T. B. Fletcher, 

C. P. ; A. M. Fargemann, H. P. ; A. Padley, S. W. ; T. P. Thompson, J. W. ; E. A. Rice, 
Scribe; E. S. Purdy, Treas. January 1, 1877— A. Padley, C. P.; B. B. Hughes, H. P.; 
L. D. Comstock, S. W.; E. F. Kind, J. W. ; V. E. Brewer, F. S. ; A. A. Sherett, Scribe ; 
E. S. Purdy, Treas. July 1, 1877— B. B. Hughes, C. P. ; E. F. Kind, H. P.; M. Water- 
house, S. W. ; George Murison, J. W. ; V. E. Brewer, F. S. ; E. A. Rice, Scribe; E. S. 
Purdy, Treas. January 1, 1878 — George Port, C. P. ; A. M. Fargemann, H. P. ; J. Huebner, 
S. W. ; E. Schleicher, J. W. ; V. E. Brewer, F. S. ; C. R. Gallett, Scribe; E. S. Purdy, 
Treas. July 1, 1878— C. R. Gallett, C. P. ; C. H. Tasker, H. P. ; T. H. Cortelyou, S. W. ; 
Samuel Schulze, J. W. ; V. E. Brewer, F. S. ; T. B. Fletcher, Scribe; E. S. Purdy, Treas. 
January 1, 1879— A. M. Fargemann, C. P. ; S. Schulze, H. P. ; D. Wells, S. W. ; Wm. Hensel, 
J. W. ; V. E. Brewer, F. S. ; G. J. Cox, Scribe; E. S. Purdy, Treas. January 1, 1880— 
L. D. Comstock, C. P. ; D. M. Neill, H. P. ; T. B. Fletcher, S. W. ; S. Schulze, J. W. ; V. 
E. Brewer, F. S.; M. T. Alverson, Scribe; E. S. Purdy, Treas. 

The encampment now numbers between fifty and sixty members. February 1, 1876, 
thirty-seven members purchased uniforms and organized the Portage Battalion of uniformed 
Patriarchs, which at that time was the largest number of any encampment in the State. The 
first officers were : V. E. Brewer, Commander ; William Hensel, First Vice Commander ; C. H. 
Tasker, Second Vice Commander. 1877 — V. E. Brewer, Commander ; William Hensel, First 
Vice Commander; E. S. Purdy, Second Vice Commander. 1878 — V. E. Brewer, Commander; 
E. S. Purdy, First Vice Commander; William Hensel, Second Vice Commander. 1879 — V. E. 
Brewer, Commander ; E. S. Purdy. First Vice Commander ; T. B. Fletcher, Second Vice Com- 
mander. 1880 — V. E. Brewer, Commander; E. S. Purdy, First Vice Commander; T. B. 
Fletcher, Second Vice Commander. 

Since the organization of the encampment the following members have died : S. K. 
Vaughan, M. Waterhouse, and Charles Schenck. 

The Portage Temple of Honor, No. 16 was instituted April 15, 1875. The following were 
the charter members — E. W. Stevens, J. B. Tinklebaugh, F. Blood, D. A. Hughson, M. Water- 
house, A. P. Bever, A. C. Stevens, George Wright, Stewart Wyllie, LI. Breese, T. C. Evans, 

D. G. Muir, E. J. S. Wright, W. Fulton, Alex. Thompson, W. T. Parry, S. M. Smith, James 
Gowran, W. P. St. John, E. C. Maine, A. D. Hemenway, G. W. Case, R. J. Lloyd. The 
first officers elected were M. Waterhouse, W. C. T.; D. G. Muir, W. V. T.; A. Thompson, P. 
W. C. T. The following persons were elected W. C. T. from the above date to the present time 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 661 

E. W. Stevens, one term ; W. Borne, one term ; W. T. Parry, three terms ; W. Fulton, one 
term ; G. C. Jackson, one term ; S. M. Smith, one term ; H. H. Curtis, one term. Number 
of initiates during the time, 234. Number now in good and regular standing, 75. The most 
efficient workers in the cause of temperance have been W. T. Parry, W. Fulton, D. G. Muir, 
S. M. Smith, D. A. Goodyear, G. C. Jackson, Charles Prehn and Peter Mills. While many 
moderate drinkers have become total abstainers, there are twenty-nine who have been habitual 
drinkers and most of that number had gone down very nearly to destruction. Their reforma- 
tion is believed to be complete. 

The Mendotas.— On the 28th of March, 1876, Shu-na-ha-ha Council, No. 19, of the 
Ancient Order of Mendotas, was organized in Portage, with the following charter members : S. 
S. Brannan, G. 0. Clinton, J. B. Taylor, E. C. Maine, I. G. Loomis, S. L. Plumb, Ferdinand 
Schulze, C. K. Peterson, 0. H. Sorrenson, James Gowran, Mrs. S. S. Brannan, Mrs. J. H. Rogers, 
Mrs. S. L. Plumb, Mrs. Dow, Mrs. I. G. Loomis, Mrs. J. B. Taylor and Mrs. E. C. Maine. 
The prime object of the organization was the advancement of the cause of temperance. The 
council bore its part well in the battle against rum, until a lack of interest on the part of 
members necessitated a suspension. Mendota is the Indian name for the fourth lake at Madi- 
son, which, translated, means Spirit Lake. The nature of the spirits found there by the red 
men is not known. 

The Turnverein { Vorwcerts) of Portage, was organized April 15, 1877, with the following 
charter members : A. E. Klenert, Charles Klenert, Al. Niemeyer, Jacob Hornung, Frank Zienert, 
Frank Sieverkrop, Albert Schleicher, H. Sittenbecher, Ernst Schleicher, Henry Port, George 
Koberstein, Charles Klabunda and Joseph A. Versen. Their prosperity has been great in physical 
and social advancement. Their membership has increased to sixty-three, in good standing. 
The present officers are : President, A. E. Klenert ; Secretary, Hermann Richter ; Corresponding 
Secretary, Alois Krisch ; Treasurer, Joseph A. Versen and Adam Rebholz ; Teacher, Henry Port 
Their financial standing is good ; having cash and property to the extent of over $600 on hand. 

Portage Liederkranz. — This society was organized December 31, 1856, having for its 
object the practice and improvement in vocal music. Its constituent members were : Robert 
Gropius, President ; Charles Deidrich, Secretary ; Charles Moll, Treasurer ; John B. Dassi, 
Conductor ; Charles Brumwhler, Peter Boll, Bernard Glceckler, John Versen, John Schliessmann, 
Thomas Spargnapani, Christian Schultz, Charles Prehn, John Misch, John Bartl, Jacob 
Clemens, Joseph Fuerst, William Haertel, Mr. Hilbert, Robert Lehmann, Louis Lange, Peter Rein- 
hold, Franz Schulze, Charles Wilke, Sr., Mr. Weidenbacher, Charles Schmidt, Ferdinand Schulze, 
Henry Schulze, Andrew Kiefer, Samuel Kopp, Franz Julien and Diebold Blass. Regular monthly 
meetings have since been held, and at times, as seemed necessary, the members have been called 
together for practice. An annual ball is given on each recurring 31st of December. In 1864, 
the society purchased two lots on Conant street, moved thereon a building, employed a German 
teacher, and opened a select school. This enterprise not proving successful, the building, in 
1872, was sold to the city for an engine-house. By this means, the small indebtedness incurred 
was paid ofi", and in the spring of 1880 the society was in a flourishing condition, having its 
two lots free of all incumbrances, and some money on interest. At that time its ofiBcers were, 
V. Helmann, President ; Christian Schultz, Treasurer ; John B. Dassi, Secretary ; Joseph R 
Huebl, Conductor ; Robert Lehmann, Frank Helm and Charles Wilke, Directors. 

THE CEMETERIKS. 

Fort Winnebago Cemetery. — In a thick wood of small oaks perhaps a quarter of a mile 
eastward from the fort along the military road is the old Fort Winnebago depository after the 
last muster-out. It is a lonely spot. About one hundred persons were buried here to await 
the resurrection. It was the cemetery of the earlier village which clustered around the fort. 
A number of soldiei's went here below the thunder of the morning and the evening gun and 
the disturbing clatter of reveille tattoo. Their graves are undistinguishable now ; though once 



662 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

the summits of their head-board were decked with black paint, a distinction their country 
gave them that they might not be confounded with the civilians sleeping about them. The 
names of Maj. Clark and Capt. Gideon Low appeared in the roll-call of death. Their 
remains, however, have been removed. Those of the latter oiBcer were laid in the cemetery at 
Portage City. Indeed empty sepulchers are frequent on every hand. It is observable that 
most of the undistinguished tenants of these tombs are women. The summer fires leaping 
through the dry thicket have burned, and half burned, at will, the picketed inclosures about 
many graves, and the years have met success in their endeavors to raze and bury even the 
memorials of other burials. Your inadvertent foot each moment throws up excellently seasoned 
chips in memory of somebody wliose name Old Time prefers you shall not read. Boastful, per- 
ennial, eternal Fame is after all but the serf and prey of this old grub among the epitaphs, 
build how you will. Cooper Pixley, a soldier of the Revolution, went to sleep in these grounds, 
aged eighty-six years and seven months. His grave is still undisturbed. 

Near the corner of Adams and Conant streets, in the city of Portage, is another hallowed 
spot. For years, it was the happy hunting-ground for good dead Indians with friends to bury 
them. Here it was that the bones of Peter Pauquette were placed only to be removed to make 
way for civilization's feet. 

Silver Lake Cemeterij. — With a public spirit and generosity deserving all commendation, 
H. S. Haskell and J. B. Fargo in 1856 set off forty acres of a farm, of which they were owners, 
for cemetery purposes. Previous to this time, there had been provided no resting-place for the 
dead of this city, and the wise forethought of these men was, doubtless, appreciated by the citi- 
zens. •' Silver Lake Cemetery," as it was called, is a romantic upland spot, about one mile 
from the business center of the city, overlooking Wisconsin River on the one hand, and the pure 
and placid Silver Lake on the other. There are few spots devoted to such purposes more lovely 
than this, and none in the city that could be so readily beautified by the hand of man. In the 
winter of 1856-.57, the Legislature of the State passed an act providing that Harrison S. Haskell 
and Jerome B. Fargo, and their associates, be organized as a body corporate, under the name of 
the " Silver Lake Cemetery Association." The lands set off by them were to be held and forever 
used solely and exclusively for the burial of the dead, and to be exempt from taxation and execu- 
tion. The ofScers of the association were to consist of a President, Secretary and Treasurer, who 
were to be an ex officio board of directors. The first person buried in the cemetery was a Mr. 
Snow, in the spring of 1857. In 18(37, considerable feeling was raised on account of an adver- 
tisement appearing in the city papers, offering the grounds for sale under a railroad mortgage 
given by the owner before it came into the hands of Haskell & Fargo ; but, before the day of 
sale, Mr. Haskell paid off the mortgage, thus freeing it from all incumbrances. In 18G7, the 
property was deeded to Mrs. Haskell. From August, 1857, to April, 1880, there had been 
about 525 interments, an average of 25 per year. 

German Oemeter// Assoiriation. — On the 30th of March, 18G2, an association was organ- 
ized for the purpose of providing indigent Germans a place for the burial of their dead. Christian 
Schultz, Charles Ilaertel and Andrew Kiefer were elected Trustees. Twenty-five lots were pur- 
chased in the Silver Lake Cemetery and set apart for their use. The first there buried was a child 
named August Helm. From March, 1862, to April, 1880, there were fifty-three interments. 
Matt. Brand, Peter Neiss and Andrew Keifer were Trustees at the latter date. 

POKTAGE OF TO-DAY. 

When the city adjusts its glasses fifty years hence to road of those who have passed away, 
the following account of Portage, in 1880, will be of interest : 

Agricultural Implements. — James Gowran, Hugh 0. Lewis, George Port. 

Abstracts. — Smith & Dering. 

Attorneys. — E. S. Baker, Harvey Briggs, J. Brickwoll, G. J. Cox, Curtis & Curtis, D. J. 
Dalton, Thomas L. Kennan, J. H. Rogers, James B. Taylor. 

Auctioneers. — John Bean, Stephen Turner, Daniel Wells. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 663 

Bakeries. — Edward Fink, Henry Fink and Michael Huber. 
Banks. — City Bank of Portage and German Exchange Bank. 

Barbers. — Deabolt Blass, H. Hildebrand, F. F. Hofmann and A. Kiefer. 

Baths. — Dr. Minnie Hiirlbut. 

Bed Springs. — R. W. Mclntyre, Jr. 

Billiards. — John Dullaghan, Henry Emder, W. D. Fox and A. E. Smith. 

Blacksmiths. — James Collins, G. C. Jackson, H. 0. Lewis and R. J. Lloyd. 

Boots and Shoes. — William Beattie, James Brodie, George Brown, Joseph Ludwig and 
John Williamson. 

Breweries. — Henry Epstein and estate of Charles Haertelj 

Brickmakers. — William Armstrong, Affeldt & Gonten, and Sanborn & Maloy. 

Butchers. — John Bryan, Anton Klenert, George Krech and Julius Mettler. 

Carriage Manufacturer. — George C. Jackson. 

Cheese Factory. — N. H. Wood. 

Cigar Factories. — John U. Sanderson and F. Scherbert. 

Commission Merchants. — Thomas W. Drew and Alexander Thompson. 

Contractors and Builders. — A. Carnagie, R. C. Holmes, George Hurst, Peter Mahon, 
Charles Moll, Charles Prehn, Sanborn & Maloy, Patrick Sheehan. 

Cooperage. — John Duerr and John Mueller. 

Dentistry.—^. H. C. Abell and T. B. Fetcher. 

Dressmaking.— Mrs. John Bean, Anna Ferguson, Annie Jordan, Mrs. Larowe, Maggie 
Lindsay, Dora Meyer, Clara M. Reed, and Misses Rumann & Joerrison. 

Drugs, etc. — John Graham, E. C. Maine, J. E. Parrott and E. S. Purdy. 

Fxpress.—S. S. McDuffie. 

Flour and Feed. — Jacob Cole, Dates Brothers, N. M. Henry, Hughes & Thayer, and 
Daniel Wells. 

Flour Mill.—M. DeWitt Older. 

Foundry. — James Fyfe & Co. 

Furniture Manufacturers. — P. S. Hollenbeck and George Murison. 

General Stores. — Ernsperger & Co., E. L. Jjeger, Loomis, Gallett & Breese, Mohr 
Brothers, Parry & Muir, Paul Schumann. Schumacher & Schulze, and N. H. Wood. 

G-loves and Mittens. — Charles Baum. 

G-rain Dealers. — A. C. Flander and R. B. Wentworth. 

Grocers. — E. 0. Blackmar, John Dullaghan, C. P. Etten, William Fulton, Hermann 
Brothers, N. M. Henry, A. S. Johnson, H. L. Kind, Otto Krisch, Patrick Lennon, Madden 
Brothers, McDuffie & Goss, Patrick McGinn, Martin Moran, Morrison Brothers, William Nei- 
meyer, T. D. Pugh & Co., Alexander Thompson and Frank Yanko. 

Hardware. — W. W. Corning, J. Purnell, Schulze Brothers, and J. E. Wells & Co. 

Harness. — William G. Bunker, Charles Kaiser and H. C. Thede. 

Hotels. — Bartosz Hotel, S. Bartosz ; City Hotel, Gage Brothers ; Corning House, A. E. 
Smith ; Emder House, Henry Emder ; Farmers' Home, John Hettinger, Fox House, W. D. 
Fox ; Pruyn House, Byron Pruyn. 

Insurance. — Thomas Armstrong, Jr., Dering & Smith, Valentine Helmann, James Law- 
son, Rolleston & Marsh, Schulze & Sprecher, N. K. Shattuck. 

Jewelry. — Bard k Reed, J. C. Forbes, Turner & Parsons. 

Leather. — William Beattie, James Brodie, Joseph Ludwig and John Williamson. 

Lime. — John Gonten, A. S. Johnson, and Schumacher & Schulze. 

Livery. — George N. Gates, Henry Little and D. D. Porter. 

Lumber. — Carnagie, Prescott & Co., F. H. Lewis and Nathan H. Wood. 

Marble Yards. — H. Doherty and Groth & Stolzer. 

Millinery.— Mrs- C. B. Chancellor, Mrs. S. M. Gallett, Miss McKenna, Miss P. Moll, 
Miss L. Rolleston and Mrs. E. Weir. 



664 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



Ministers. — F. W. Hall, Methodist; Chr. A. Hauck, German Evangelist (Trinity); 
George P. Guild, Baptist ; Thomas Keenan, Catholic ; Charles T. Susan. Episcopal ; L. H. 
Mitchell, Presbyterian ; A. Tarnutzer, Evangelical Association ; B. J. Zahn, Evangelical 
Lutheran ; Mr. Charmley, Free Methodist ; John Zastronkowski, German Catholic. 

News'papers. — Columbia Count/f Wecker, G. A. Selbach ; Portage Democrat, Irving Bath ; 
Wisconsin State Register, Clark & Goodell. 

Painting. — W. W. Bullard, F. Burbach, E. H. Dewey, F. W. Foogmann, George Jowett, 
Charles Meyer, John Romdenne. 

Peltries. — Arthur Brothers and J. Ludwig. 

Photography. — S. L. Plumb and J. A. & A. L. Witter. 

Physicians. — Mrs. Minnie Hurlbut, J. Cavaney, A. C. Kellogg, E. C. Maine, William 
Meacher, James Prentice and A. Schla'milch. 

Picture Frames. — Z. J. D. Swift. 

Pianos and Organs. — Abraham Padley. 

Postmaster. — Charles C. Dow. 

Printers. — Irving Bath, Clark & Goodell and G. A. Selbach. 

Bailroad Agents. — Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, A. C. Flanders ; Wisconsin Central, 
R. E. Holston. 

Saloons. — Achterberg & Schoek, Corning House, Emder House, Henry Epstein, Farmers' 
Home, Fox House, Jacob Gautchi, Hsertel Brewery, Henry James, Keegan & Michel and C. 
Koberstein. 

Shoemakers. — John Marshall, John Metzler, J. W. Rice, Patrick Riley, A. B. Thompson 
and T. Venzke. 

Stock Dealers. — A. M. Craig and Reid & Foster. 

Tailors. — A. Ahrendt, P. Goodman, E. H. Hughes, August Koenig and Loomis, Gallett & 
Breese. 

Wagon Making. — Collins & Hensel, G. C. Jackson, Elijah Johnson and Lewis & Bauer. 

Wall Paper. — John B. Dassi and John Graham. 




HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 665 



CHAPTER XI. . 

THE CITY or COLUMBUS. 

First Settlement— Columbxts Twenty-Five Years Ago— Government— Plats and Addi- 
tions — The Columbus Post Office— The Schools- Religious Institutions— Manufac- 
turing Interests— Banks— Columbus Library Association— Hotels— Columbus Opera 
Hou.se — The Fire Department— Lodges and Societies— Cemeteries— Local Reminis- 
cences— Travel Now AND Then. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT. 

Elbert Dickason was the first settler upon territory within the boundary limits of what is 
now the city of Columbus ; and this brave and stalwart old frontiersman first sought this place 
as his abode, in 1839. He came hither under an agreement with Lewis Ludington, as the 
purchaser from the latter of a considerable tract of land on time. Erecting a small log cabin 
upon the west side of the Crawfish River, not far from the present site of the railroad depot, 
Dickason next turned his attention to the work of damming the stream and building a mill. 
He evidently came with the full determination of staying and making this his permanent home, 
for he brought with him a herd of cattle, a number of horses and a few wagons, with the necessary 
employed help to care for them and aid him in the improvements he set out to make. But, alas, 
misfortune bore heavily upon him. He lost most of his stock by the severity of the winter and 
the scarcity of food. Dickason, after many fruitless efforts to fulfill his part of the agreement 
with Ludington, relinquished his claim to the broad acres of fertile soil he had tamed from the 
wilderness. The saw-mill, which had been in successful operation for some time, also became 
the property of Ludington. Dickason received $200 in cash for his right and title to every- 
thing, and withdrew from the scenes of his greatest ambition comparatively penniless. It is 
said he spent nearly $10,000, all he had, of his own money in the enterprise. 

There are but few men now living who knew Dickason in those days and witnessed his 
triumphs and disasters. Alexander McDonald, now a resident of Portage, says he was in the 
Major's cabin about the last of May, 1839. The house was of logs, covered with bark, and 
had Indian bedsteads around the sides. It had no fioor or fireplace, but the fire was put 
against the logs at one end of the house, which was all burnt out. Dickason, Mr. McDonald 
thinks, built it the year before. McDonald stayed all night. The Major was absent, but his 
brother, the "Colonel," as he was called, was at home, and two Stroud boys, his nephews, 
were also there. Mrs. Dickason had not moved out yet. They slept on the ground wrapped 
up in Mackinaw blankets, with "smudges" around to keep ofi" the mosquitoes. With Mr. 
McDonald were Daniel Hyer and Mr. Palmer, who came on from Madison — they having been 
hired by Maj. Dickason to get out timber for a saw-mill. They built a temporary shanty 
across the Crawfish, from Dickason's house, and went to work, while McDonald returned next 
day to Madison with the ox team. 

Wayne B. Dyer, now of Durand, Pepin Co., was one of the earliest settlers in these parts. 
He came to Wisconsin in August, 1843, and when he passed over the present site of Columbus, 
the log cabin of Maj. Dickason, on the Crawfish, and that of Hiram Allen, not far from where 
the mill now is, constituted the entire village of Columbus. Mr. Dyer relates an incident in the 
experience of Dickason which illustrates the trials he bore. Once the " Major " got out of hay 
and was compelled to drive his cattle over to the vicinity of Beaver Dam, and chop down elm 
and basswood trees for them to feed or " browse " upon. This operation was called " grubbing 
it," and what is now known as Beaver Dam was then known as " Grubbville." In that same 
spring of 1843, the deer lay dead upon the Crawfish — starved to death, because the deep snow 



666 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

prevented their getting any sustenance. Dyer was a great hunter and trapper in those days and 
killed many a deer in the vicinity of Columbus. Indeed, for years after his arrival he could 
start out almost any day and return with one. His lodge was seldom without venison. After 
Columbus had grown to be quite a village he saw several deer run across one of the principal 
streets. He trapped many otter, also, at that period along the Crawfish. Maj. Dickason passed 
through Otsego on his way to locate at Duck Creek, now Wyocena, the next day after Dyer was 
settled in his new home, and he took a primitive dinner with him. 

Jeremiah Drake, as the agent of Mr. Ludington, succeeded Dickason in the management 
of early affairs in Columbus. He built the first frame house in the place. It stands near the 
mill and is known as the "mill house." Hiram Allen built the second frame house. It was 
afterward owned by Robert Mills, he having married the widow of Mr. Allen. From 18-il to 
1846, the arrival of strangers who became permanent settlers was of almost daily occurrence. 
In 1841 Jacob Dickason, brother to the Major, settled near the latter's cabin. In 1842 came 
Noah Dickason, James Shackley, S. W. St. John and Mr. Baldwin. In 184.3 arrived H. W. 
McCaiFerty, H. A. Whitney, Jeremiah and W. Drake, who settled just outside the village limits. 
Within a few miles of its site were located T. C. Smith, W. Stewart, B. Campbell and W. Wade, 
The year 1844 brought to the village Jacob Smith and the Stroud family, and to the immediate 
vicinity H. AV. Hamilton, John Swarthout, H. Cady. A. Lashier, Mr. Edwards, and perhaps a 
few others. In 1845 there came to this frontier, for it was still so, J. T. Lewis J. C. Axtell, 
D. E. Bassett, J. E. Arnold, Warren Loomis, W. C. Spencer, Jesse Rowell, E. Thayer, W. M. 
Clark, and some others, who settled in the village. The same year, A. P. Birdsey, Thomas 
Swarthout. the Barrows family and Zenas Bobbins located in the vicinity. 

In 1846, B. F. Hart and S. Wright came to the village, and the Adler family and R. Gam- 
mage settled near it. 

Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans was the first minister in the village. J. T. Lewis was the first attor- 
ney, and Dr. J. C. Axtell was the first physician ; they commenced practice in 1845, and the 
two occupied for some time the same office. The first tavern and the first store wei-e opened by 
H. A. Whitney, and he was the first Postmaster, after a lively contest between his friends and 
those of Col. Drake. The second store was opened by J. E. Arnold and D. E. Bassett, in 1845. 
The first saw and grist mill was commenced by Maj. Dickason. B. F. Hart and S. Wright 
introduced in the community the ancient business of blacksmithing and working in iron. Hart 
& Wright sold the shop to Amasa Siisbee and J. Huntington, and years ago it was purchased 
by D. D. Kelsey. It is said that apparitions grim and ghastly made their periodical visits to 
this old shop before its removal. The clink of the sledge hammer told of times long gone by. 
Vulcan, who hammers out thunderbolts for Jupiter, is supposed to have had his headquarters at 
this antiquated forge. The first schoolhouse was built in 1846. 

Several of the old settlers enjoy describing James T. Lewis as he appeared on his arrival. 
It was in July, 1845. He had left Orleans County, N. Y., a short time before, to find a home 
in the West. Arrived at Buffalo, he and Dr. Axtell made the trip around the lakes to 
Detroit together, and there parted. Lewis shortly after landed at Kenosha, and purchased 
himself a "mount" adapted to the vicissitudes of Wisconsin journeyings at that early period. 
It was an Indian pony of the value of $30 in the current money of the Republic, and was cor- 
respondingly caparisoned. On this "steed" he set out along the lake shore toward Green 
Bay. Civilization had scarcely more than begun to touch the Western coast, and as he passed 
along through the rude and hardly discernible beginnings of the future cities and villages of 
the State, it is probable he did not imagine that in less than twenty years the population of 
Wisconsin would approach a million, and that he would be its chief magistrate, during a portion 
of its history so important as two years of the rebellion. At that date Oshkosh, had made a 
slight start, and Neenah and Appleton were only in embryo. Fond du Lac was a small village. 
Green Bay was an old French trading post antedating Milwaukee, and that whole portion of 
the State gave little promise of its near hereafter. Turning his Bucephalus southward, Lewis 
was told at Fond du Lac that he would find another village about twelve or thirteen miles 



>.l*^ 







Res. op C. D .Stiles Town of Hawpden Sec. 23 Columbia Co. 




Res. OF ELIUA.H FEPERLY SeC.35 ToWN OF COLUMBUS 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 869 

distant. This was the Waupun of the present day, that name meaning in the poetic Indian tongue 
"break of day."* Having ridden about the distance mentioned, he inquired at a solitary log 
house by the roadside how far it was to the village, and was told that he was in the very midsi 
of it. Beaver Dam was then a little village. There were some hints of a road between Colum- 
bus and there, and along it Lewis made his way, much of his journey having been by the trail. 
He found four houses only in Columbus. It was upon the termination of this journey, on the 
travel-worn pony, and with the evidences of the trail and the bush about himself, that the oldest 
settlers obtained their first impressions of the future Governor, which they retain to this day. It is 
noticeable that Dr. Axtell, who had come from Detroit by the way of Chicago, and from that 
settlement across to Columbus, arrived the same day that Lewis did. The doctor was a man 
whom to see once was to remember always ; and he is still mentioned as the very model of 
manly beauty, and as being possessed of unusual intellectual endowments. 

COLUMBUS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. 

The first copy of the Columbus Journal, dated in February, 1855, contained an article on 
" Columbus as it is," from which it is learned the village then claimed 800 inhabitants, and 
possessed a surpassingly beautiful location. Emphasis is placed upon the fact that, while other 
villages suffered from the cholera, the Asiatic destroyer had never had a victim in Columbus. 
We are further told that the village had advanced rapidly within two or three years, and that 
its growth had been sure and steady. It had already seven stores, with two or three more to be 
opened in the spring. There was a drug store, a good flouring-mill, a saw-mill, two wagon- 
shops, one of which had made a hundred wagons, and the other fifty, during the year previous ; 
three groceries and provision stores, two hotels, four blacksmith shops, three boot and shoe 
stores, three tailor shops, one jewelry store and one harness-shop. The Congregational Church 
was building, and it was thought the coming spring would lay the foundations of Methodist and 
Universalist houses of worship. To show the business done, the writer states that during the 
preceding four months, 35,000 bushels of wheat and 147 tons of pork had been bought. One- 
half of this was purchased by one firm. The writer of the article mentions the high price paid 
for produce, and the low price to which competition had reduced goods, and adverts to the 
advancing value of real estate, and the good policy of immediately securing good locations. The 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway was built to Oconomowoc, would reach Watertown in the 
spring, and soon be finished to Columbus. The writer also understands that a railroad would 
soon be constructed from Chicago, and that the contract as far as Columbus was already let. 
In looking over the directory to see who were the business men, we find H. W. McCafferty 
keeping the Columbus Exchange Hotel, at the corner of James and Ludington streets ; A. P. 
Birdsey is the landlord of the Mountain House ; Isaac Robinson is a land agent and dealer in 
real estate, on James street; R. Thomas & Son have a rough and ready store ; and next to 
them is J. McConnell, tailor ; one door below him is Franklin F. Fowler, sadler and harness- 
maker ; J. Colville has a cabinet shop ; B. F. Hart is a dealer in groceries and provisions ; E. 
Silsbee has to do with drji -goods ; Farnham & Allen deal in the same commodities, at their old 
store on James street, aud so do Griswold & Co. at their present corner ; while on the opposite 
corner, in the same line of trade, is H. C. Cooper, in the rear of whose store J. Smith is a mer- 
chant tailor; next door west, R. W. Chadbourn is Justice of the Peace ; next to the " Columbus 
Recess," whatever that was, S. McLarty has a tailor shop, while in the rear of that unknown 
Alhambra, H. A. Whitney has a livery stable ; under Cooper's, one Carl Sampson consumes 
his strength in the management of an oyster saloon ; J. P. Atwood is a cooper, on James street, 
below S. McLarty's ; J. Williams is a cabinet-maker, at the corner of James and Waterloo 
streets ; J. S. Manning grinds the Columbus Mills ; Spencer & Buxton are carriage and wagon 
makers on James street, and next door above, D. D. Kelsey is a village blacksmith ; 0. H. 
Hammond is a daguerrean artist, over Bassett's brick store, on James street ; moreover, F. W. 
Maynard sells groceries and provisions ; C. W. Dean has a farmers' store ; Silsbee & Swarthout 

* Waubun, in this case corrupted to Waupun, was the Indian word for " the early day." — Ed. 



670 HISTOET OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

are druggists ; J. B. Ingalls & Co. are jewelers, in the rear of Cooper's, and J. S. Haines has 
a shoe shop in the same block, which seems to have been a sort of omnibus ; William Drake 
has a wagon-shop on Ludington street ; T. Bottom is maker of shoes on that avenue, and Mrs. 
Dayton has a boot and shoe store on that street; Mrs. N. Bissell has a millinery shop at her 
residence ; Nelson Adams advertises to cure the public homeopathically, from his residence in 
West Columbus ; Dr. Tucker is a botanic physician, office at his residence, No. 2 Broadway ; 
A. G. Cook is an attorney and counselor ; Drs. Earll and J. C. Axtell are physicians, and A. J. 
Willson is a dentist — all doing business one door north of Cooper's store. 

GOVERNMENT. 

Prior to May, 1864, Columbus was under town government. The villagers took part in 
town affairs, and those residing " in the country " had a voice in all that pertained to the gov- 
ernment of the villagers. But there came a time when the interests of these two classes of 
residents were not identical, when the requirements of one were not to the advantage of the 
other, and vice versa. The remedy came in the shape of a village charter, and Columbus was 
incorporated as a village by the provisions of an act passed by the State Legislature, approved 
March, 30, 1864. The boundaries were set forth to be all of Section 13, except the southeast 
quarter of the southeast quarter, and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter; all that 
part of the south half of the south half of Section 12 included within the village plat of the 
town of Columbus and the several additions thereto ; the northeast quarter of the southeast 
quarter of Section 14, all in Town 10, Range 12. 

Section 3 provided that " the elective officers of said corporation shall be one president, 
four trustees, one marshal and one treasurer, to be elected annually on the first Tuesday in May." 
During the ten years it remained a village the following ofiicers were elected : 

1864 — President, R. W. Chadbourn ; Trustees, F. F. Farnham, Silas Axtell, John Hasey 
and Thomas Smith. 

1865 — President, R. W. Chadbourn ; Trustees, John Hasey, E. S. Griswold, G. T. Dodge 
and Thomas Smith ; Treasurer, Milo J. Ingalls ; Marshal, B. F. Hart. 

1866— President, W. W. Drake ; Trustees, E. S. Griswold, J. A. Erhart, G. W. Camp- 
bell and Joseph E. Churchill ; Treasurer, J. P. Miller ; Marshal, M. B. Misner. 

1867 — President, F. F. Farnham ; Trustees, D. F. Newcomb, Julius Fox, J. S. Manning 
and A. J. Whitcomb. 

1868 — President, Daniel E. Bassett ; Trustees, John Swarthout, 'L. J. Sawyer, John 
Quincy Adams and Julius Fox. 

1869 — President, Daniel E. Bassett; Trustees, J. S. Manning, J. Q. Adams, L. J. Saw- 
yer and Joseph Schaeffer. 

1870 — President, W. M. Griswold ; Trustees, Frank Huggins, M. G. St. John, Joseph 
Schaeffer and J. M. G. Price ; Treasurer, Milo Ingalls ; Marshal, 0. M. Dering. 

1871 — President, J. S. Manning; Trustees — F. Huggins, L. J. Sawyer, Joseph Schaefl'er 
and James F. Allen ; Treasurer, Milo Ingalls ; Marshal, Adam McConnell. 

1872 — President, Frank Huggins ; Trustees, L. J. Sawyer, Joseph Schaeffer, E. E. 
Chapin and James F. Allen ; Treasurer, James Lowth ; Marshal, A. J. Whitcomb. 

1873 — President, Frank Huggins ; Trustees, E. E. Chapin, L. J. Sawyer, Joseph Schaeffer 
and James F. Allen ; Treasurer, James Lowth ; Marshal, A. J. Whitcomb. 

From the organization of Columbus as a village to its incorporation as a city, Charles L. 
Dering, now a resident of Portage, acted as Clerk. 

Incorporated as a City. — There had been considerable agitation of the question of incor- 
porating as a city, on account of the difficulty encountered in filling a village charter to the 
requirements of a city de facto. In the month of December, 1873, the question began to take 
form, and a determination to organize under city charter was the result. Between the last meet- 
ing of the Board of Trustees, in December, and the first meeting in January, the question was 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 671 

quite thoroughly canvassed among the leading citizens and heavy tax-payers of the city, and 
the general opinion seemed to prevail that the better plan would be to organize anew under a 
city government, and accordingly, on the 6th of January, it was unanimously resolved, by a 
full board, " that a charter be drafted to incorporate the cicy of Columbus, and that it be made 
the special order of the next regular meeting." 

A petition was drawn by the Clerk, circulated and generally signed by the prominent men 
and tax-payers within the proposed corporate limits. On the 20th of January, 1874, it being 
the next regular meeting of the Village Board, "the special order" was taken up. A city 
charter, in the mean time, in the main, had been agreed upon. The boundaries, howeyer, had 
not been fully determined. For a number of reasons, it was thought best to extend the limits 
to embrace the south half of Sections 11 and 12, the west half of Sections 13 and 14, and the 
north half of the north half of Sections 23 and 24, provided that the persons living on the same 
were willing, and the board adjourned till the 21st. The parties were seen and nearly all 
acquiesced in the proposed change. At the meeting of the board, January 21, several of the 
prominent citizens were present. Amendments were proposed and considered. Suggestions 
Avere made, and the board adjourned till the 22d. The petition, in the mean time, was publicly 
circulated and generally signed, not by people outside the proposed city limits, but by actual 
residents, by those most interested. 

The charter was finished on the 23d. A memorial of the Village Board to the Legislature 
was also prepared. Mr. Huggins, President of the Village Board, and E. E. Chapin were 
authorized to repair to Madison with the memorial and bill, and procure the necessary legisla- 
tion thereon. February 3d, the memorial was introduced into the Senate, when that order of 
business was reached; likewise the "bill to incorporate the city of Columbus." The bill was 
read the first and second times and referred to the Committee on Incorporations. The bill, being 
very lengthy, was not printed till Thursday afternoon, February 5, and was laid on the desks of 
members on the morning of the 6th, at which time all the extra copies of the printed bill were 
obtained for the purpose of distribution. These copies, some seventeen of them, were distributed 
among the residents as soon as possible, that errors might be corrected, amendments proposed, 
and the charter perfected as near as possible while the same was before the committee, who had 
agreed not to report it back till the next week. 

On the 9th, the board met, at which time nearly every gentleman with whom the printed 
bill had been left appeared and suggested amendments, corrected errors, and aided in perfecting 
the bill for its passage. At this meeting, Jtessrs. Huggins, Chadbourn and Chapin were 
appointed a committee to appear before the Senate Committee on Incorporations, on the 12th, 
with the proposed amendments. At the morning session of the Senate, " a remonstrance of the 
citizens of Columbia County against a bill to incorporate the city of Columbus " was presented, 
and on the afternoon of that day the committee appointed by the Village Board appeared before 
the Senate Committee on Incorporations, and presented the several proposed amendments, also 
urging a favorable report from the committee. The Chairman of Town Board of Supervisors 
also appeared before the Senate committee, and was decidedly opposed to the whole thing. 

On Tuesday, the 17th, the Senate committee reported the bill back, unanimously recom- 
mending its passage, whereupon it was ordered engrossed for a third reading, and on the IHth it 
passed the Senate unanimously, and was messaged to the Assembly and passed without a dis- 
senting vote. On the 23d, it was reported correctly enrolled, and on the 24th was signed by 
Lieut. Gov. Parker, messaged to the Assembly, signed by Speaker Bouck, returned to the Senate, 
then sent to the Governor, who, after a careful, critical reading, approved the bill on the 
26th, when it became a law, and thus Columbus became a city, a municipal corporation by the 
name of "the city of Columbus." i 

In accordance with the provisions of the charter, the boundaries of the city were set off as 
follows: The south half of Section 11, the .south half of Section 12, all of Section 13, all of 
Section 14, the north half of the north half of Section 23, and the north half of the north half 
of Section 24, all being in Town 10, Range 12. The above-described territory was divided into 



«72 HISTORY OF COLITMBIA COUNTY. 

three wards, and it was provided that elections be held the first Tuesday of April in each year. 
Section 2 of the charter provided that " the elective officers of said city shall be a Mayor, a 
Treasurer, an Assessor and a Police Justice, elected for and by the city at large, and three Alder- 
men ; one supervisor, to represent his ward in the Board of Supervisors of Columbia County ; 
one Justice of the Peace and one Constable, to be elected by and for each ward." A subsequent 
amendment to the charter repealed the clause providing for the election of a Police Justice, and 
the duties formerly devolving upon that officer, are now performed by the Ward Justices. The 
•city officers elected since the incorporation are : 

1874 — L. J. Sawyer, Mayor ; H. Rowell, Police Justice ; H. D. James, Treasurer ; John 
■C. Hoppin, Assessor. Aldermen — First Ward, R. W. Chadbourn, E. D. Kanouse, Joseph 
Schaeffer; Second Ward, John Hasey, J. S. Manning, Frank Huggins ; Third Ward, C. A. 
Oolonius, J. Topp, Frederick Hanneman. John Topp removed in July, and A. G. Cook was 
■elected to fill vacancy. City Clerk, C. L. Bering ; Marshal, 0. M. Bering. Justice of the 
Peace — Third Ward, E. V. Briesen. (Other Justices of the Peace did not qualify.) 

1875 — L. J. Sawyer, Mayor; Michael Adams, Police Justice; W. G. Bresee, Treasurer; 
John C. Hoppin, Assessor. Aldermen — First Ward, R. W. Chadbourn, E. B. Kanouse, Joseph 
Schaeffer ; Second Ward, John Hasey, J. S. Manning, B. C. Bavies ; Third Ward, A. G. 
Cook, F. Hannemann, August Krause. City Clerk, E. V. Briesen ; Marshal, 0. M. Bering. 

1876 — W. M. Griswold, Mayor; Michael Adams, Police Justice ; Chas. A. Colonius, Treas- 
urer ; H. A. Lueders. Assessor. Aldermen— First Ward, R. W. Chadbourn, E. B. Kanouse, 
M. G. St. John; Second Ward, John Hasey, J. S. Manning, B. C. Bavies; Third Ward, A. 
G. Cook, F. Hannemann, August Krause. Alderman Krause removed out of the ward in 
May, 1876, vacancy not filled. City Clerk, E. V. Briesen ; Marshal, Alfred Miller ; Justice, 

E. V. Briesen, Third Ward. 

1877 — 0. E. Cornwell, Mayor ; M. Adams, Police Justice ; C. A. Colonius, Treasurer ; 
L. Birdsey, Assessor. Aldermen — First Ward, W. G. Bresee, E. B. Kanouse, M. G. St. John ; 
Second Ward, John Hasey, B. C. Bavies, August Krause; Third Ward, H. C. Fields, C. Ulm, 

F. Hannemann. City Clerk, E. V. Briesen ; Marshal, A. McConnell ; Justice, First Ward, 
Hy. Annis (for one year). 

1878 — 0. E. Cornwell, Mayor; C. A. Colonius, Treasurer; L. Birdsey, Assessor. Alder- 
men — First Ward, W. G. Bresee, E. B. Kanouse, M. G. St. John ; Second Ward, John Hasey, 
R. B. Vanaken, August Krause; Third Ward, H. C. Fields, C. Ulm, F. Hannemann. City 
Clerk. E. V. Briesen; Marshal, A. McConnell; Justices — First Ward, H. Annir; Third Ward, 
E. V. Briesen. 

1879 — 0. E. Cornwell, Mayor; C. A. Colonius. Treasurer; L. Birdsey, Assessor. Alder- 
men — First Ward, W. G. Bresee, E. B. Kanouse, R. W. Chadbourn ; Second Ward, John 
Hasey, R. B. Yanaken, August Krause ; Third Ward, H. C. Fields, C. Ulm, C. Leitsch. City 
Clerk, E. V. Briesen ; Marshal, 0. M. Bering. 

1880 — 0. E. Cornwell, Mayor; C. A. Colonius, Treasurer; L. Birdsey, Assessor. Alder- 
men — First Ward, W. M. Griswold, E. B. Kanouse, R. W. Chadbourn ; Second Ward, John 
Hasey, R. B. Vanaken, August Krause ; Third Ward, C. Ulm, C. Leitsch, J. A. Erhart. City 
Clerk, E. V. Briesen ; Marshal, H. W. McCafferty ; Justices — First Ward, J. R. Becker ; 
Third Ward, E. V. Briesen. 

The original plat of the town of Columbus, embracing the four corners, the town pump, 
and a lew acres, has from necessity been extended in either direction, and now covers hundreds 
of acres. Instead of only "the crossroads," are now scores of streets lined with maple, elm, 
linden and poplar shade trees, at sight, beautiful and attractive. Modest dwelling-houses, hand- 
so«ne cottages and splendid mansions, surrounded by lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers and cultivated 
gardens are now seen, in place of the rude structure and unbroken, uncultivated soil of early 
days. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 673 



PLATS AND ADDITIONS. 

From the records at the Recorder's office, in Portage, it appears that the first plat of Col- 
umbus, called Ludington's Plat, and containing Blocks 1 to 9, was recorded in Brown 
County, on the 11th of November, 1844. The next plat made was of Ludington's Addition, 
Blocks 10 to 13, recorded in Columbia County August 6, 1849. On the 3d of October, 1850, 
Mr. Ludington made a second addition to the original plat, covering Blocks 14 to 19. In 
1869, all that portion of this addition lying between Blocks 17 and 18, and as much as had 
been purchased by the railroad company for depot purposes, was vacated. Other additions 
have been made, as follows : Birdsey's Addition, Blocks 1 to 9, January 3, 1854 ; Birdsey's 
Addition, Blocks 10 to 27, June 4, 1855— Blocks 20 and 21, vacated December 1, 1868 ; In- 
galsbe's Addition, April 9, 1856 ; Farnham & Co.'s Addition, June 25, 1856 ; Mills' Addition, 
July 3, 1856 — vacated March, 1861 ; Manning's Addition, in August, 1856; Warner's Addi- 
tion, September 29, 1856 — vacated December 1, 1868, all except Blocks 1 and 5 ; Williams' 
Addition, March 4, 1857 — aU but Blocks 1, 15 and 29, vacated, in March, 1861 ; Warner & 
Fuller's Addition, May 12, 1857 — vacated in 1868, except Block 6 ; Whitney's Addition. 
April 28, 1857 ; Thyng's Addition, August 8, 1857 ; Laura Gibbon's Addition, October 28,. 
1858 ; Butterfield's Addition, 1878. 

The plat (J. T. Lewis) of the village of West Columbus was I'ecorded June 10, 1854, in 
Vol. 10 of Deeds, on pages 107 and 208, in Register's office of Columbia County. The plat 
of Lewis' First Addition to the town of West Columbus, recorded August 8. 1856, in Vol. 17 
of Deeds, on page 324. 

THE COLUMBUS POST OFFICE. 

Reference to this subject takes the pioneer back to the period when the only communica- 
tion between Columbus and Beaver Dam was a mere Indian trail and the only means of trans- 
portation the backs of Indian ponies. Before the establishment of the postal route from Green 
Bay to Madison there existed a primitive line from Aztalan to the portage. Letters were dropped 
at Columbus by the carrier, who made the distance on horseback, and when any of the residents 
went to the "village of the mounds" they brought back letters to such of the neighbors as 
were fortunate enough to have any addressed to them. Late in 1845, a post office was estab- 
lished at Columbus with a weekly mail. There was an animated contest as to who should be 
the first Postmaster. The friends of Col. Drake and those of II. A. Whitney were equally 
active and made every exertion in their behalf The latter, however, received the appointment. 
He shortly after went to the pineries on business, and in his absence the duties of the office 
were performed by Sylvester Corbin, more familiarly known in after years as "old Hyson." 
Corbin carried the mail about the place in his hat, except when out with his gun hunting prai- 
rie chickens. On such occasions, he would leave the contents of the "office" with Gov. Lewis. 
The first post office was kept in a low, flat-roofed building which stood nearly opposite the pres- 
ent site of Schaeffer's brick block, and which subsequently became one of the out-buildings of 
the Whitney House. F. F. Farnham, who came to Columbus about this time, thus describes 
it: " The apartment was partitioned by the aid of blankets, and in tiie room lay ' old Hyson ' 
prone upon a bed, shivering with the ague. In one corner stood a barrel of whisky, a grocery 
much in vogue in those days, and in another was a 7x9 glass box, the contents of which consti- 
tuted the post office, which the inquirer after mail rummaged at his leisure." 

Josiah Arnold next became Postmaster, in the spring of 1847, and kept the office in a 
building which stood where the store of Bassett & Davies now stands. Arnold was familiarly 
known as "Captain Spraker " by reason of his connection with the famous "Old Guard," an 
organization more un-matrimonial than military. James E. Eaton is the next on the list. He 
was appointed in Fillmore's time, and is said to have been a cousin of that President, who wrote 
asking him what appointment he desired. He chose the incumbency of the Columbus Post Office. 
He was Justice of the Peace and kept the two offices together in a building which stood on the 



674 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

lot afterward occupied by the harness-shop of J. A. Erhart. Eaton went to California in 1850, 
having resigned in favor of D. F. Newcomb, who shortly afterward removed the office to 
Griswold's store. Addison Griswold became Postmaster under President Pierce, but Mr. New- 
comb remained with hira for some time and attended to the business. The office was after- 
ward removed to the building which then stood where is now situated Jolin Swarthout's brick 
drug store. When Buchanan's administration came into power, A. G. Cook became the 
appointee and removed the office to the present site of Winler's jewelry store, into a building 
which had formerly been used by Mr. Farnhara when Register of Deeds, and which was moved 
from its original foundations to make room for Farnham's old red store, which was in turn 
moved to Sargent's corner, to make room for Schaeffer's brick block. In 1859, Mr. Cook 
built what is now used as a millinery shop by Mrs. Dering and removed thither. Under Lin- 
coln's first administration Frank Huggins was made Postmaster. When he first took possession 
he occupied the structure formerly used by Griswold as Postmaster, but in 1868 he moved 
the office into his new drug store. In May, 1869, John Swarthout was appointed to the posi- 
tion of Postmaster, and has held the office ever since, his long tenure being evidence of his 
ability. The Columbus Post Office was made a mouey-order office in 1867, the first order being 
issued September U of that year. Frank Huggins, the Postmaster, was the remitter and W. D. 
Ogden, of Chicago, the payee, the amount being $10. The number of orders issued up to 
March 31, 1880, is 18,415. H. D. James, who has been Assistant Postmaster for nearly twelve 
years, furnishes the following interesting statistics, which are in marked contrast with the num- 
ber of letters it was the wont of "old Hyson " to carry in his hat: " The number of letters 
received at the office delivery during the year 1879 is estimated at 72,125; postal cards at 
35,420. Number of letters mailed, 63.480 ; postals, 32,540. The number of stamps sold was 
8,470 1-cent, 1,756 2-cent, 56,738 3-cent, 921 5cent, 416 6-cent, 592 10-cent, 83 15-cent, 
41 30-cent and 24,391 postal cards ; stamped envelopes 11,410 and stamped newspaper wrap- 
pers 2,307. The discrepancy between the amount of postal cards sold and the amount mailed 
is caused by the large number mailed by traveling men whicn are furnished them by the houses 
for which they travel. 

THE SCHOOLS. 

The citizens of Columbus enjoy school privileges excelled by few cities in the State. These 
educational ad'vantages were not attained all at once, nor without much effort. There is a fund 
of local history associated with their growth. It is said that Columbus never possessed a log 
schoolhouse. That rough cradle of learning, which many distinguished men recall in the glamour 
that memory throws around boyhood as their only alma mater, never reared its rugged exterior 
in the community. The old schoolhouse wiiich stood on Ludington street was built in 1846, at 
a cost of |!400. It was the scene of many varying events, often doing duty as a church, town 
hall, etc. Political harangues and religious exhortations, and much very far from kin to the 
latter, found voice within its walls. It saw festivity and mourning, and is itself fast coming to 
grief. 

In this seat of learning a school-meeting was held in November, 1849, at which J. J. Guppey 
was Chairman, and F. F. Farnham, Clerk pro tern. On that evening, pursuant to a notice, an 
election for district officers was held, and Robert Mills was elected Director; J. T. Lewis was 
elected Treasurer, and H. S. Haskell, Clerk. At that same meeting, several resolutions passed 
which may be of some interest at this date, by way of comparison ; $10 were voted to procure 
seats for the schoolhouse. It was voted to have four months' winter school, with a male teacher. 
On the succeeding page is a report of the District Clerk to the Town Superintendent, which 
states that on the 1st of September, 1850, there were residing in the district (No. 2) forty-seven 
male and forty-five female persons, between the age of four and twenty years ; that sixty-six 
pupils attended during the winter terra, and sixty-two during the summer; E. E. Randall 
tau<'ht four months, and Agnes N. Butts five months; the former was paid $100, and the latter 
$56 ; the amount of money received from the Town Superintendent was $91.50, and the amount 
raised by the district was $80. The text-books used during the school were Sanders' Speller, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 675 

Sanders' Series of Readers, Rhetorical Reader, New Testament, Colburn's Arithmetic, Morse's 
Geography, Smith's small Geography of the Heavens, and Comstock's Philosophy. 

By way of contrast, let us examine the report made by the Clerk of the district, in Au- 
gust, 1868. We find that there were then residing in the district 296 male and 321 female 
persons, between the ages of four and twenty, and the total number of pupils who attended dur- 
ing the year was 455. The school property in the district was appraised at $9,500, and during 
the year, the district paid to a male teacher $960, and to female teachers $1,637, a total of 
$2,597. 

In running over these musty pages, we discover the names of several persons, spoken of as 
teachers, who have since become quite prominent before the public — Garrit T. Thorn, since then a 
Senator from Jefferson County, once taught in the old schoolhouse, as did John A. Elliot, since 
State Auditor of Iowa, and Dr. Laura D. Ross, who afterward took so active a part in the 
woman's rights movements, and several others. 

In 1853, the number of males between four and twenty years was 100, and of females 
185. The number who attended during the year was 173, and the total expenditure was 
$.321.-50. 

At a meeting held in February, 1856, the expediency and necessity for building a new 
schoolhouse was considered. It was resolved that J. T. Lewis be authorized to apply to the 
Legislature for the passage of an act authorizing District No. 2, of Columbus, to loan money of 
the school fund, and that C. W. Dean, C. E. Rosenkrans, A. G. Cook, W. W. Drake and 
William McCracken, be a committee to confer with the State Superintendent of Schools and 
others, respecting plans and expenses of a suitable school building. In a resolution immedi- 
ately following, the proximity of the Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad to the then site of the 
school is the only reason assigned for erecting a new building. But it was not until 1857 that 
the contest concerning a new building was fairly opened ; and it was among the liveliest passages- 
at-arms ever known in the community. It continued and waxed hot, until about January, 1859, 
when the contract for building was awarded. Meetings were held in that interim, sometimes on 
alternate nights. There was occasionally manifested a careless audacity concerning the require- 
ments of parliamentary law. The records, however, give little idea of the real animation of 
these occasions. According to the minutes, it was first voted to raise $3,000, for a building 
and site, and a committee, consisting of A. G. Cook, C. E. Rosenkrans and William M. Lewis, 
was appointed to select the latter. Two weeks after, it was voted to authorize the purchase of a 
portion of Newcomb's Nursery lots, and a fortnight later the vote was rescinded, as was also the 
vote to raise $3,000. This was in November, 1857. In October, 1858, another special meeting 
is recorded, when it was again resolved to procure a site and erect a union schoolhouse, the site 
to be the Newcomb lots, and $2,000 to be raised. A building committee, consisting of A. G. 
Cook, J. B. Folsom, F. M. Black, William L. Lewis and F. F. Farnham, was appointed, to 
procure land and conJ;ract the building, not to exceed $6,000 in cost. On November 20, suc- 
ceeding, the adverse party called a meeting to consider and modify the action last taken. It 
was reported that a contract had already been made, but a motion was made to rescind the action 
taken at the last meeting. The chairman, William L. Lewis, declared the motion out of order. 
An appeal was taken from this decision, and the chair was not sustained. The motion to rescind 
was then put and carried, by a vote of fifty-nine to forty-nine. A division of the house was then 
called for, pending which the chair abruptly declared the meeting adjourned, and, as the ofiicial 
chronicler of the event says, " amid confusion the Chairman retired." A. Topliff was then 
elected Chairman, and a new building committee appointed, consisting of J. B. Folsom, William 
M. Griswold, H. J. Waterhouse, J. T. Lewis, Robert Mills, F. F. Farnham, Amos Clement 
and F. M. Black. At a subsequent meeting, William Griswold presented the majority report 
of this committee, in favor of two smaller-sized buildings, and J. T. Lewis a minority report, in 
favor of one large one. The latter was finally adopted, und the present site was finally selected, 
and purchased of R. W. Chadbourn, for $1,000. The building was completed the same year, 
John Haydon fulfilling the contract for $5,000. 



676 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

As illustrating the growth of the schools the following figures from the records of Super- 
intendent Bowen are given : In 1861, the number of male children between the age of four and 
twenty years residing in the district was 228 ; female. 225 ; making a total of 458. Of this 
number 292 attended school. The receipts for school purposes during this year were $2,4-30, 
$1,825 being raised by tax.. In 1865, the total number of children in the district was 576, 
there being 16 more females than of the sterner sex, and iu 1871 there were 640, the females 
being in the majority 38 ; receipts, $5,4-30. The salaries of teachers this year amounted to 
$2,821. In 1879, there were 697 resident children of school age in the district, 23 being the 
preponderance in fiivor of the females. The receipts for the school year of 1880 were 
$4,829, $3,500 of which was paid out for teachers' salaries. 

The most important feature of the school history of Columbus is that embracing the free 
high-school system now in vogue. The act of February 26, 1874, incorporating the City of 
Columbus provided, among other things, for the establishment of a school system, which should 
be independent of the jurisdiction of the County Superintendent, and committing the educational 
interests of the city to a Board of Education whose duties and powers were prescribed- In the 
month of July following, the Common Council elected a Board of Education, and in the fall of 
1874 the public schools were opened under the new -system. On the 5th of March, 1875, the 
Legislature enacted a general law authorizing the extablishment of free high schools. The city 
availed itself of the privileges given by the law, and duly appointed and held an election, Au- 
gust 9, 1875, by which it was determined by a majority vote of electors to adopt the free high- 
school system. The Board of Education experienced some difficulty in attempting the organiza- 
tion of the new system, but finally, in the month of January, 1876, succeeded, and the free 
high scliool of the city of Columbus became fully established. 

In June, 1877, Miss Louie Adams graduated from the high school. A year later there 
were seven graduates from the high school, as follows: Laura Bassett, Mary R. Cook, Julia 
M. Davies, Carrie Genung, Nellie Ida Loomis, Elouise M. Stephens and Genevieve A. Stephens. 
Olivel Church was crowded on the occasion of the graduating exercises with the justly proud 
citizens of Columbus, the inside walls of the building being gaily bedecked with fragrant 
flowers. The programme of exercises is herewith given: 

Quartette, by Misses Flora and Matie Walsh and Messrs. E. D. Kanouse and D. Griffith ; 
Prayer, by Rev. M. E. Eversz ; Solo, by Miss Satie Butler ; Introductory Remarks, by Prof. 
G. M. Bowen ; Essay. '' The Extent of Man's Researches," by Genevieve A. Stephens ; Essay, 
"Dr. Jenner," by Mary R. Cook; Solo, by Miss Katie Jones; Essay, " Climbing the Hill of 
Science," by Julia M. Davies; Solo, by E- D- Kanouse; Essay, "Joan of Arc," by Elouise 
M. Stephens; Essay, "Salt," by Laura Bassett; Trio, by Misses Maggie, Genevieve A. and 
Elouise M. Stephens; Essay, "Mound-Builders," by Carrie E. Genung; Solo, by Miss Kittie 
Lowth; Essay, " An Ill-Fated Nation," by Nellie A. Loomis ; Valadictory, by Julia M. Davies ; 
Solo, by Miss Lillie Lewis ; Presentation of Class, by Prof. G. M- Bowen ; Conferring Diplo- 
mas, by E. E. Chapin ; Music. 

The high-school curriculum, in addition to furnishing a thorough English education, is 
designed by the law as a preparatory course for the State University. Graduates passing the 
necessary examination are entitled at once and at all times to free tuition in all the colleges of 
the State University. 

The following pupils graduated on the 27th of June, 1879 : Angie Turner, Mattie Por- 
ter, Annie L. Loomis, Phoebe Wallace, Mary R. Southraayd, Charles M. Davis and Walter H. 
Waterhouse. The exercises were held at the Methodist Church, the interest manifested and the 
number of persons present being fully as great as on a similar occasion in 1878. The pro- 
gramme was as follows : 

Prayer; Music; Salutatory, by Charles E. Davies; Essay — "No Pains, no Gains," by 
Angie Turner; Music; Essay — "Out of the Harbor," by Annie L. Loomis; Essay — " Haste 
Rhymes with Waste," by Walter H. Waterhouse; Music; Essay — "What the Types Tell," 
Mattie E. Porter ; Music; Essay — "What Biography Teaches," by Phoebe Wallace; Essay — 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 677 

" The Unseen Battlefield," by Mary R. Southmayd ; Music ; Essay — " The Stability of a Re- 
public the Intelligence of its People," by Charles M. Davies ; Valedictory — by Mattie E. Por- 
ter ; Music ; Conferring Diplomas ; Music. 

It is a -noteworthy fact that there are less changes in the staff of teachers in the Columbus 
schools than in those of most other cities of the State. The acknowledged wisdom of this con- 
dition of things is shown in the marked evenness in the attendance of pupils and their rapid 
progress. In 1878, the board of instructors was composed as follows: George M. iJowen, 
Principal ; Martha Dean, grammar school ; Katie Jones, fourth intermediate ; Celia Wilson, 
third intermediate; Anna Quickenden, second intermediate ; Belle Merriam, first intermediate; 
Matie Williams, second primary ; Hattie Chamberlain, first primary. Since then the only 
changes made have been these: In the grammar department, Miss Martha Dean was suc- 
ceeded by Len. C. Mead, who, upon adopting the profession of a physician and entering Rush 
Medical College in Chicago, was followed in the school by Miss Kate Bailey. She resigned in 
April last, and William E. Ritter is now teaching. In the fourth intermediate department, 
Miss Katie Jones was succeeded, in 1878, by Miss Corrie Morse. Miss Hattie Chamberlain, 
of the first primary department, relinquished her class to Belle Pederson in 1879. Miss 
Pederson was soon succeeded by Miss Helen St. John. 

Since the organization of the gi-aded-school system, the Board of Education has been com- 
posed of the following gentlemen : The first board consisted of John Quincy Adams (Pres- 
ident), James T. Lewis and E. E. Chapin, with S. 0. Burrington as Superintendent. The 
Board of 1875 was substantially the same. In July, 1876, C. L. Dering was appointed to the 
vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the term of Mr. Lewis. In 1877, Mr. Adams was 
made School Superintendent, D. C. Davies being appointed, to fill the vacancy in the board. 
Mr. Chapin was appointed as President. In July, 1878, H. A. Leuders succeeded Mr. Chapin 
on the board, D. C. Davies became President, and F. C. Eldred School Superintendent. In 
1879, E. S. Griswold was appointed on the board in place of C. L. Dering. Mr. Davies is 
still acting as President ; G. M. Bowen, the Principal of the schools, was made Superintendent, 
and fills that office to the present time. 

Columbus Collegiate Institute. — In March, 1855, an act of incorporation was secured for 
the establishment in Columbus of a collegiate institute. The incorporators were J. T. Lewis, 
J. Q. Adams, R. W. Earll, E. P. Silsbee, Chester W. Dean, Joseph S. Manning, William C. 
Spencer, W. W. Drake, W. A. Niles, John A. Elliott and Cyrus E. Rosenkrans. The objects 
of the corporation were to provide for '' the education, the mental and moral discipline and 
instruction in literature, sciences and arts of youth of both sexes." It was provided that "no 
political or religious opinion shall be required as a qualification of membership, and no student 
shall be required to attend worship with any particular denomination." 

In pursuance of the act the Board of Trustees met at the Congregational Church on the 
10th of April, 1855, and organized for business. The Rev. Mr. Rosenkrans was made Presi- 
dent of the institute, and in anticipation of securing ii) the near future a more substantial 
structure. Block 15 in West Columbus was purchased and a small building erected thereon. 
In the fall, a school was opened with Miss Martha Brigham (now Mrs. William Hazelton) and 
Miss Mary L. Pomeroy (now Mrs. Polly) as teachers, which lasted about two years. Upon the 
completion of the present high-school building and the failure to get sufficient subscriptions, the 
institute suspended, and the teachers found employment in the public schools. It is said that 
Columbus at one time had fair prospects of securing the institution now located at Ripon, it 
having been the intention of the founders of the Collegiate Institute to make it what the enter- 
prising citizens of Ripon have made their college. 

There is now in Columbus no educational institution conducted by private enterprise, but 
several attempts have been made to establish schools and academies of more or less importance. 
In 1850, an act passed the Legislature chartering the Columbus Academy, but no action was 
taken under the grant. In 1854, Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans erected a building afterward occupied as 
a residence by M. Ingalls. It was designed to make this the basis of a seminary of some extent. 



678 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Circumstances, however, were not fortuitous, and the undertaking was sustained during a few 
months only. Among the teachers of this school were Miss Mary Pomeroy and Misses Mary 
and Martha Brigham. In 1859, the store now owned and occupied by the Dodge Brothers was 
built by A. G. Cook on the site where is now the calaboose; it was used as a schoolhouse for a 
year or more. Here taught Miss Achsah Huyck, afterward the wife of Rev. Mr. Phillips. 
There have been other and more recent movements toward the building-up of private institutions 
of learning, some of them looking toward extensive results, but they have made no progress. 

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. 

Columbus is truly " a city of churches." No city in the State has a larger number in pro- 
portion to population, and few of the same size has so many. 

The Oongregationalist and the Presbyterians. — The local relations of these denominations 
have been such as to make the writing of separate history of each without repetition one of the 
impossibilities. The original organization was perfected January 26, 1850, under the Congre- 
gational form of government, the Rev. A. Montgomery being chosen Chairman of the Council, 
and J. Q. Adams, Clerk. Letters from different churches were presented by James Campbell, 
Mrs. Julia Campbell, Richard Stratton, Mrs. Polly Stratton, Emily Stratton, Mrs. Asenath 
Stratton, Mrs. Helen S. Rosenkrans, Ellen Hagerman, Maria Hagerman and Mrs. Hay- 
den, which were read and these persons were constituted a church. The church became a mem- 
ber of the Madison District Convention within a week from the date of its organization, and R. 
Stratton was sent as the first delegate. In August, 18.')2, it was voted to change the relations 
of the church from the Madison District to the Fox River Presbytery, and in November follow- 
ing the Presbyterian form of government was adopted, three Elders of that faith being chosen. 
Thus matters progressed until a majority of the church members withdrew, and organized a 
separate Presbyterian society in 18(56. On the 2Uth of January of that year, the remaining 
members of the Presbyterian Church resumed the original name and form of organization, and 
officers chosen to correspond with the change. 

It will now be necessary to return to an account of the first temporal work of the church. 
The Congregational Society of Columbus having been incorporated in September, 1850, Lewis 
Ludington, proprietor of the original village plat of Columbus, deeded to the said society that 
year the land at the corner of W\\\ street and Broadway, upon which a house of worship was 
erected. The certificate of organization was signed by James Campbell and William E. Led- 
yard. H. S. Haskell, James Campbell and B. M. Benedict were elected Trustees at the first 
meeting. 

The house erected at that early day was sufficiently large to meet the wants of the place 
at that time, but as the village grew in size and the country around became settled, better 
accommodations became necessary. The deficiency was provided for in 1864, when an addition 
of twenty feet was built to the rear of the original edifice, and other important repairs were 
made. The structure was being occupied in 1866, when the division occurred. 

Recourse was then had to necessary legal measures, and the seceding fold at once organ- 
ized themselves into a separate society. A place of worship and supplies for the pulpit were 
secured without delay. A Sabbath school was gathered, and afternoon services were held in the 
Baptist Church. Among those who served as supplies were the Revs. B. G. Riley, Mr. Post 
and Mr. Southwart. In July, 1866, the Rev. E. F. Fish became the stated supply, and the 
regular sessions were resumed. In the mean time, a lot was purchased on Broadway, and 
materials gathered for the erection of a church edifice. The society continued to accept the 
favors of the Baptists until September, 1867, when their new church was finished and dedicated 
to the cause. The structure cost about $5,000, and holds an important place among the many 
handsome buildings of that character in Columbus. Mr. Fish served as Pastor for two years. 
After his retirement, the pulpit was supplied for a time by the Rev. Mr. Patten, the venerable 
Kanouse, and others. The Rev. W. A. Hendrickson commenced his labors with the church in 
June, 1869, and remained until 1876. 



HISTOKV OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 679 

In the mean time, the Congregationalists were "pursuing the even tenor of their way." 
The record of this church shows the names of the following Pastors : Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans, 
ten years; the Rev. T. C. Melvin, four years; the Rev. L. M. Gates, one year; the Rev. A. L. 
P. Loomis, one year ; the Rev. E. P. Salmon, eighteen months ; the Rev. M. W. Reed, eighteen 
months ; the Rev. J. G. Schaeffer, nine months ; the Rev. H. A. Miner, two years and four 
months. This brings the history of the church down to 1874, when we find a proposition from 
the Presbyterians, dated early in September of that year, looking toward a re-union of the two 
churches. The proposition is couched in becominfl; and Christian-like language, as follows : 
" The undersigned, members of the Presbyterian Church and society of Columbus, believing 
there are now too many separate church organizations within the limits of this city, in view 
whereof those who agree as to such things are essential, ought to make an effort to consolidate 
their organizations, and, believing that the time has come to make such effort, do cordially con- 
sent to the following as a basis for consolidation of the said Presbyterian with the Congregational 
Church of the same place : When each of said churches shall have assumed and taken the name 
of the Olivet Church of Columbus, and shall have formally assented to a proposition for consoli- 
dation with the other, the two churches shall thereupon become united and consolidated into one 
church, to be thenceforward known and designated as the Olivet Church of Columbus, and shall 
be ecclesiastically connected with the Presbyterian and Congregational General Convention of 
Wisconsin. It was signed on the part of the Presbyterians by the following persons : F. G. 
Randall, E. G. Stitt, E. D. Kanouse, Jay Jennings, D. C. Davies, Dora Davies, G. W. Hazel- 
ton, F. Huggins, 0. Anderson, T. H: McConnell, H. D. James, Mrs. Jane Silsbee, J. F. Shad- 
duck, S. Hutchinson, A. S. Bath, I. G. McCaff'erty, Mrs. Adam McConnell, Rebecca H. Mettler, 
Emma J. McConnell, M. L. Hazelton, Delia L. Square, Mary C. Manning, Fannie Randall, 
Caroline Stitt, Mattie Stitt, Mrs. 0. Anderson, Ida M. Jennings, Mrs. E. Bissell, Katie Bissell, 
Mrs. H. L. Rosenkrans, Mercy I. Hazelton, Harriett T. Hazelton, James H. Rosenkrans, 
Hellen Rosenkrans, Sarah Kanouse, H. C. Randall and A. Randall. 

A similar paper was circulated and generally signed by the Congregational Church and 
society as follows : Alfred Topliff, J. Q. Adams, R. W. Chadbourn, E. E. Chapin, Milford 
Loomis, James Webster, W. A. Policy, M. L. Policy, Catherine E. Chadbourn, Sarah Ches- 
brough, Fannie E. Dean, Eunice Dean, Martha Dean, Grace Dean, Mrs. G. C. Butterfield, 
Mrs. E. B. Chapin, Mrs. M. J. Newcomb, F. W. Hart, H. Loomis, C. A. Loomis, M. Loomis, 
R. W. Earll, Charles H. Hall, B. F. Cooper, Theron Dodd, Mrs. L. I. Adams, S. W. Chadbourn, 
Mrs. S. W. Chadbourn, Lucius Randall, C. Baker, Mrs. P. B. Richmond, Mrs. C. M. Smith, 
Mary Benedict, Mrs. M. H. Parker, M. Smith, Mrs. J. D. Waterhouse, P. B. Richmond, L. G. 
Crosswell and Martha McConnell. 

Resolutions were subsequently adopted by both denominations accepting the terms set forth 
in the basis of the proposed re-union, and on September 17, 1874, the two bodies held a joint 
meeting and perfected their organization by electing the following officers : For Deacons, E. G. 
Stitt, James Webster, J. A. Bowen, J. Q. Adams, Dr. E. D. Kanouse and Milford Loomis ; for 
Church Clerk, H. Loomis ; for Church Treasurer, F. G. Randall. On the 5th of October, the 
Olivet society was organized according to law, and the following persons elected as Trustees : 
E. D. Kanouse, L. Fuller, F. G. Randall, James Webster, Nelson Sawyer and E. G. Stitt. 

The Congregationalists disposed of their church property to W. A. Thompson, and the old 
edifice is now in use as an agricultural warehouse. A lease, signed by G. W. Hazleton, E. G. 
Stitt, F. G. Randall, Jacob Smith, J. S. Manning and J. M. G. Price, was then drawn, setting 
forth that " In consideration of the premises and of one dollar to us in hand paid, the receipt of 
which is confessed, we do hereby let and lease to the Olivet Church society of Columbus the 
church edifice and premises on which the same stands, heretofore known and designated as the 
Presbyterian church property, located on Broadway, in the city of Columbus, county of Colum- 
bia, for the terra of one year from the 1st day of May, 1876, necessary repairs to be made, if 
any are required, by the said Olivet Church society." In pursuance with the foregoing, E. G. 
Stitt, G. W. Hazelton, J. S. Manning, Jacob Smith and J. M. G. Price, Trustees of the 



680 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Presbyterian Church society, made application to the court for an order to convey the Presbyterian 
Church property to Olivet society. To this a remonstrance was presented, signed by A. S. 
Eckert, C. S. McFadyen, D. J. Evans, Elizabeth Evans, Ann Evans, Frank Evans, Frank 
Johnson, J. E. Nelson, Mrs. 0. Anderson, Mrs. L. G. McCaflerty, Lurenda Drake, B. A. Car- 
penter, W. W. Drake and Helen Drake. Owing to the remonstrance, the court declined to 
issue the order applied for. 

On July 15, notice was served on the Trustees of Olivet Church to the effect that the First 
Presbyterian Church society had by unanimous vote resumed the entire control of their church 
edifice and other property belonging to said Presbyterian Church society, and would exercise the 
same from and after that date. This notice was dated July 8, 1876, and signed by B. A. Car- 
penter, F. G. Randall, C. S. McFayden and W. W. Drake, Trustees. On Friday, July 21, 
the Olivet society was locked out of the church building, and since that date the two societies 
have worshiped in separate quarters. The Presbyterians continued to occupy the church 
whose doors had been closed against their Congregational brethren. Mr. Hendrickson was suc- 
ceeded by the Rev. E. P. Clisbee, wlio supplied the pulpit about nine months. In November, 
1876, the Rev. J. B. Andrews took charge end remained one year, being succeeded by the Rev. 
E. Smith Barnes, who occupied the pulpit until November, 1879. Since then it has been sup- 
plied by E. D. Kanouse and others. The present Elders of the church are Jacob Smith, A. S. 
Eckert and E. D. Kanouse ; Trustees, W. W. Drake, Erastus Bowen and Messrs. Kanouse, 
Smith and Eckert. The membership is given at forty-two. 

Olivet society (the Congregationalists) immediately proceeded to erect a church edifice. 
Three lots were purchased at the corner of Spring and Prairie streets, and by the 24th of 
December, 1876, the work had so far advanced that services were held in the basement, the 
present lecture-room. The entire cost was $8,800. The structure was completed early in 1877. 
It is a fine building — a credit to Columbus, and a substantial monument to the enterprise of its 
founders. The Rev. Moritz E. Eversz, the present Pastor, came to Columbus in July, 1876, a 
short time before the memorable division between the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians. 
The present officers of the church are : Trustees — Lucius Fuller, J. Q. Adams, James Webster, 
P. B. Richmond, Milford Loomis and D. C. Davies ; Deacons — J. Q. Adams, Milford Loomis, 
B. F. Cooper, James Webster, H. Loomis and P. B. Richmond. The membership is given at 
ninety. 

The Rev. M. Rosencrans, the founder of the Congregational Church in Columbus, and the 
first permanent minister in the place, died in 1860. He came hither as a missionary, and was 
widely respected for his many excellencies of character. For years he was the leading spirit 
in educational and religious interests, and he filled the Congregational pulpit until 1858, when, 
his health failing, he resigned. The regard his congregation, and the people of Columbus gen- 
erally, had for him, was exhibited in a series of touching resolutions, adopted by them October 
11, 1858, on the occasion of his resignation, as follows: 

Resolved, That it is witli unmiiigled feelings of regret we accept liia decision to resign the charge of pnstor'ovei" 
lliis church and society ; that by this act we have lost in him a man of great piety, a supporter of good works, a 
zealous laborer in His service, a true and faithful minister— one who has brought light out of darkness in building 
up this church, which, while it redounds to the glory of Him who rules and masters all, is a lasting monument to 
his usefulness in the village of Columbus. 

Resolved, That he has our heartfelt thanks for the great good he has done in this place, and that he has the 
united prayer of all, that his health may soon be so improved that he may go on in the good work in the vineyard n\ 
the Lord, until a ripe old age shall close his ministerial labors. 

The English Methodists. — The first Methodist meetings in the vicinity of Columbus, and 
doubtless in Columbia County, were held in 1845 at what is now Fountain Prairie, which was 
included in a circuit comprising Waterloo, Aztalan and possibly Watertown. The Revs. Gallop 
and Wood, the latter as assistant, were in charge. Their successors were the Revs. Jones and 
Martin, who were the first to preach in Columbus, meetings being held in a wagon-shop. Then 
came the Rev. N. S. Green, with a Mr. Randall as assistant, and they, it is said, organized the 
society in Columbus. Their successors were the Revs. Mr. Brown and Mr. Fancher, and the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 681 

Revs. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Stevens. About this date, the Columbus society was separated from 
the other points on the circuit. Since then, the following ministers have filled the pulpit : 
Revs. Chester, Palmer, Ford, Drew, Grumley, Sims, Blackburn, Bosworth, Reynolds, Car- 
penter, Sewell, Jones, Evans and the incumbent, R. W. Bosworth, who is here for the 
second time. The first church edifice was built in 1858-59, and was dedicated in February of 
the latter year by the Rev. H. C. Tilton. It stood near the present site of the foundry, and 
was purchased in 1872 or 1873, and has since been converted into a hall for theatrical repre- 
sentations. In the Spring of 1872, work was commenced on the new church and it was 
completed that fall under the supervision of J. P. Miller and L. W. Chase. The dedicatory 
sermon was preached by the Rev. C. H. Fowler, that event taking place October 26, 1873. 
The cost of the building was $18,906.10. There is now a debt upon it of some $2,000. The 
present Trustees of the church are J. P. Miller, H. Waterhouse, J. W. Leffingwell, A. Trow- 
bridge, J. Whiting, D. D. Kelsey, B. Yule, E. Federly, R. P. Williams. The membership ia 
a'bout one hundred. 

The Welsh Methodists. — In 1845, half a dozen Welsh families, just from Wales, settled 
in the town of Elba, in Dodge County. There, on the first Sunday after their arrival, they 
planted the seeds of Calvinism in the then sparsely populated wilderness, holding religious ser- 
vices in a wagon-box. Accessions to the little colony were made from time to time, and the 
Rev. Hugh Jones was among those who came in 1845. A log church was erected during the 
following winter, and Mr. Jones presided over the congregation until his death, in 1854. In 
1866, J. J. Roberts, a young divine who had assisted Mr. Jones since 1846, and, upon the 
latter's death, became his successor, took spiritual charge of a meager congregation of his Welsh 
brethren in Columbus. Meetings were held over the store of Uriah Davies, on Broadway. In 
1868, a frame church edifice was erected, at the corner of Church and Mill streets, at a cost of 
$2,200, including the building lot. The Rev. Mr. Roberts has supplied the pulpit ever since 
the organization. He preaches, also, in Salem Church, town of Calamus, and Bethel Church, 
in the town of Elba, Dodge County. The present oflicers of the Columbus society are : Dea- 
cons — Benjamin Hughes, John Davies, R. R. Roberts and Uriah Davies; Trustees — R. R. 
Roberts, William E. Williams and William J. Edwards. There are forty-five members in the 
society, which is free from debt and in a prosperous condition. The collections in the three 
folds under Mr. Roberts' charge amount to about $600 per annum, $400 of which is applied to 
the salary of the minister, the remainder being about equally divided for the support of home 
missions and the Bible Society. It is a notable fact the Welsh Methodists frequently contribute 
larger sums, annually, to the support of the Bible Society than all other denominations in the 
State together. 

German Methodists. — In 1852, the Rev. Charles Kluckkorn came to Columbus, then a 
missionary point, to preach the Gospel in the German tongue, from a Methodist standpoint. 
He held occasional services for one year, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Schaefer, who 
remained about the same length of time. In 1855, the Rev. John Westerfield took charge, 
and during his incumbency the Columbus German Methodists were separated from their Bara- 
boo brethren for church purposes, and an independent society was organized. During that year, 
$213 was raised for ministerial support. The first Trustees of the new society were Louis 
Kenzel, John Miller, J. Battels, J. Fuhrman and Fr. Topp. In 1866, a church edifice was 
erected at a cost of $1,185.96, and in 1874, a new house of worship was erected, which cost 
$5,312.22. Mr. Westerfield's successors have been the Revs. Jacob Haas, Charles Buehner, 
R. Brueck, F. Conrad (who died here), H. Wegner, H. Eberhardt, J. Binder, Christian Wenz, 
with George Achenback as assistant, F. Gotschalk, Christian Wenz again, J. Schaefer, F. 
Kluckkorn, brother of Charles, and E. Fitzner, the present incumbent. The value of church 
property, including parsonage, is given at $8,400. The Trustees are George Link, Charles 
Link, Christian Link, F. Wendt, John Lange, John Miller, William Thiede and Christian Moll ; 
Stewards — Charles Colonius, C.Moll, L. Pietzner, F. Fuhrman and E. Meyer. The member- 
ship is 244. 



682 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The Baptist Church. — Preliminary steps were first taken to organize a Baptist Church on 
the 28th of May, 1853, and at a council which convened on the 21st of September following, 
fourteen names were recorded, as follows ; Rev. D. D. Reed, W. S. Read, Morgan Evans, 
Lucius Warner, Calvin Read, L. B. Read and sisters Emily Read. M. C. Read, Sarah A. 
Warner, M. A. White, Ann Evans, Mary Read, Caroline Read and Eliza Borden. Rev. D. 
D. Read was chosen Pastor at the same meeting. Covenant m.eetings were held in private houses 
and public services in a hall over Cooper's store. In March, 1863, the first steps were taken toward 
building a church edifice, Messrs. A. Sawyer, William Lewis, L. Warner, H. Vincent, A. B. Good- 
rich and H. Seftens being appointed as a building committee. The structure — an imposing brick 
at the corner of Broadway and Harrison streets, costing something over $4,000 — was completed 
in the fall of 1864, and dedicated the following spring. The whole number of names on the church 
book is 165. Forty-two persons have been baptized since the church was organized. Of this 
number of baptisms the Rev. L. Bath performed twenty-five. The Pastors since the time of 
Mr. Drake have been the Revs. Mr. Coffin, Mr. Wade, S. Jones, L. Bath, Mr. Eldridge, J. V. 
Stratton, R. J. Langridge, W. A. Cain and S. Gorman. At the close of Mr. Eldridge's pas- 
torate, the church was supplied during a few months by the Rev. P. McLeod. During a 
vacancy which occurred after his departure, services were conducted by L. Bath, E. Butterfield 
and A. B. Goodrich. Rev. J. McDonald served the church as supply for several months. 
The principal Deacons have been Brethren Hoppin, Starks, A. Sawyer and Comstock ; Clerks, 
Brethren D. D. Reed, Starks, Seifens and M. W. Sawyer, the latter being the present Clerk. 
The present officers of the church and society are: Trustees — E. P. Waldo, I. Merriam, M. 
Starkweather, V. Irjns and W. H. Myers; Deacon — M. D. Comstock ; Treasurer — M. W. Saw- 
yer. The membership is thirty-five. 

German Lutheran Church. — Over a (juarter of a century ago, emigration from the " old 
home in Germany " found its way to Wisconsin and to the vicinity of Columbus, then only a 
small village. Several German families had settled here, including notably various former res- 
idents of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg. The desire to enjoy religious privileges similar 
to those in Germany led a number of them to form a religious society in Columbus in 1865. 
The first ministrations were by a clergyman from Watertown, whose name is not now of record 
or in remembrance. The first regular minister was Mr. Oswald, who came in 1855, and who, 
at first, preached in a private house, and subsequently in the old schoolhouse. Among the 
first members were Joachim and Christian Boelte, Henry Lange, Christian Westen, John Mauth, 
Joachim Herman and John and Christian Schwiesow, who are yet all members of the society. 
The following early members of the society are dead or have removed : John C. Lang, Charles 
Boldt, Christian 5liller, Fred Spechdt, Fred Kuhl, Charles Linck. Henry Niemeyer, Sr., and 
John Topp, Sr. The congregation increased hy new arrivals from Germany and by local 
accessions until the necessity for a church edifice became apparent. February 14, 1857, J. T. 
Lewis donated Lot 9, Block 10, West Columbus, as a site, and on May 3, 1858, while the Rev. 
Renter was in pastoral charge, articles of agreement were signed, by which was formed the 
Evangelical Lutheran Zion congregation of Columbus. The first Board of Trustees were John 
Prien, Christian Mueller, Julius Fuchs, Carl Boldt, Fred Spechdt and John Lang. The 
building of a church was commenced on the donated site, but a majority of the congre- 
gation deemed another location more desirable, and the lot given by Mr. Lewis was sold, 
and Lot 1, Block 13, of Birdsey's Addition was selected. This lot was also a donation 
for the same purpose, by A. P. Birdsey, and was given on the 2d of December, 1858. 
The first church was built during the ministry of Rev. H. P. Duborg, in 1859. He was 
succeeded, in 1860, by the Rev. Braun. On the 24th of August, 1864, the congregation 
extended a call to the Rev. Meyer, and he sustained the ministerial relation until the close 
of 1865. 

On the 8th of January, 1866, it was resolved to purchase from Smith Haines Lot 12, Block 
8, of Birdsey's Addition, and to use the house thereon as a parsonage. The sale was per- 
fected on the 27th of that month. On the 11th of March following, Rev. A. Liefeldt became 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 683 

the Pastor, Prof. Moldehucke, of Watertown, having preached several times during the interval. 
The growth of the congregation was steady and rapid, and an enlargement of the church soon 
became necessary. It was finally resolved, at a meeting held on the 28th of April, 1868, that 
the Board of Trustees be empowered to purchase from A. C. Olds Lots 6 and 7, and the south- 
west half of Lot 8, in Block 16, and to sell the society's other real estate. On the 4>th of July, 
1868, it was resolved to remove the church edifice to its present site, and on that plan the build- 
ing should be enlarged. The sale of the other property was made to C. Zarz, September 30, 
1868, and on the following day the deed for the new site was executed. During this period, the 
Rev. A. Liefeldt had resigned and the Bev. C. Oppen had assumed pastoral relations. On the 
3d of May, 1869, the enlargement of the church was decided upon, and Messrs. John Prion 
and Joachim Herman were appointed a committee to procure the plan and engage an architect 
to take charge of the construction. The addition was completed in 1869. In April, 1876, 
Rev. Mr. Oppen resigned. Rev. Aug. F. Ernst, of the Northwestern University at Watertown, 
ofiBciated until the 21st of May, 1876, when Rev. Henry Vogel became the minister. Again 
the congregation increased beyond the limits of the church, and in the first part of July, 1877, 
a new building was ordered. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Julius Vogt, Chris. Boelte, 
Henry Boelte, Fred Messow and E. V. Briesen, was appointed to make plans and estimates for 
another new edifice. The plan proposed a building 70 feet long and 40 feet wide, with a belfry 
125 feet high, and was accepted as to its general features September 2, 1877. The estimated 
cost was $5,000. A few changes were ordered, and E. T. Mix, of Milwaukee, was directed to 
perfect a plan, which he did. In the mean time, the subscription showed $-1,800 to be in readi- 
ness, and on the 9th of December, 1877, the erection of the new church was voted, the plan of 
Mr. Mix being adopted. John Prien, Julius Krueger, E. V. Briesen, Christian Boelte and 
Aug. Reddemann were named as the building committee, who, with the Board of Trustees, 
were empowered to make necessary contracts, and to superintend the work, E. V. Briesen to be 
chairman of the committee, Julius Krueger, secretary, and H. A. Lueders, treasurer. Con- 
tracts were let to Henry Bolte for the stone, brick and plaster work, for $1,500, and to R. D. 
Vanakin for the carpenter and joiner work and the painting, for $8,800. The organ used in 
the old church was bought, in 1873, of the Lutheran congregation of Sheboygan. On the 2d 
day of June, 1878, on the Sunday called Exandi, the corner-stone of the building was laid with 
appropriate ceremonies, and on the 3d of November following the church was dedicated, the 
Rev. Deninger, of Waterloo, preaching the dedicatory sermon in presence of a large assem- 
blage, composed of representatives from Beaver Dam, Lowell, Waterloo and Portage. The 
1,600-pound bell in this church- has something of a history. The metal from which it is made 
was presented to the society, in 1873, by the Emperor of Germany. On the 4th of July, 1876 
(the centennial anniversary of America's independence), there arrived at New York from Berlin 
one six-pounder brass cannon and four pieces of other cannon, consigned to the Lutheran con- 
gregation of Columbus. These strange implements of warfare were of French pattern and 
were a part of the fruits of the conquest of Alsace and Lorraine. They reached Columbus on 
the 2d of February, 1877, and in April, 1878, were reshipped to Baltimore, where they were 
recast into a bell bearing the following inscription: " I call the living ones, I mourn the dead 
ones, I break the lightning." The Lutheran Church is a splendid piece of architecture, built of 
cream brick and trimmed with red brick. The entire structure, including the bell and organ, 
cost $7,000. The present officers of the church are M. Blievernicht, Aug. Reddemann, 
Christoph Boelte, Hy. A. Lueders (Secretary), John Topp (Treasurer), Charles Ulm. 

jS'if. Jerome s Ohurch. — There is no record or remembrance of earlier Christian effort in 
Columbus, according to Romish tenets, than that embracing the ministrations of that pioneer 
apostle, the Rev. Martin Kundig, whose footprints we encounter in the early church history of 
almost every city or village of note in Central and Southeastern Wisconsin. He bore the cross 
into Columbus in the winter of 1856, and planted it in the midst of a small flock 'of the faithful, 
who hailed it with all the reverence begotten of earnest belief. The rude homes in which the 
members of the primitive parish lived were dedicated to the cause of the church, and their doors 



684 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

thrown open to receive the reverend father. Masses were said in the log cabins of the parish- 
ioners with all the profound impressiveness that now characterizes the more attractive service 
from gilt and draped altars, which echo back the notes of solemn-toned organs. A common tin 
pan then served as a baptismal font, and a gourd of water from the Crawfish River, properly 
blessed, removed the stain of sin from the finger-tips of devout believers. Early in the spring 
of 1856, work was commenced upon the foundation of a church edifice, on a lot donated for the 
purpose by A. P. Birdsey, and in June of that year the corner-stone was laid. For want of 
sufficient means, no further progress was made till 1864, when work was resumed, and, in 1866, 
during the pastorate and under the supervision of the Rev. E. McGuirk, the present substantial 
house of worship was completed. In the mean time, a temporary wooden structure had been 
built and occupied. Father Kundig's successors and McGuirk's predecessors were the Revs. 
Downey and Purcell. The first resident Pastor was the Rev. James O'Keefe, who succeeded to 
the charge in September, 1868. In that year, the red brick parsonage was purchased for ^1,400. 
Father O'Keefe remained until May, 1870, being followed by Father McGuirk, who found both 
the affairs of the church and the spiritual condition of the parishioners much more satisfactory 
than when he had previously visited the place as a missionary. The fruits of his earlier labors 
were fast ripening. His stay was brief, however, being succeeded by the Rev. E. Gray, who, 
in December, 1872, retired in favor of the Rev. Henry Roche, the present incumbent. A much- 
needed addition was made to the church in 1879, making the total cost of the building about 
$5,000. The size of the parish is given at eighty families. 

The Universalists. — The Rev. Dudley Tyng will be remembered by the people of Columbus 
as having presided over a society of Universalists a quarter of a century ago. This society went 
out of existence, and in February, 1866, a new one was organized from the fragments of the 
former society, by the Rev. M. G. Todd. The church was organized in- September, 1869, and 
a church edifice erected that year at a cost of $7,000. Mr. Todd continued as Pastor until 
November, 1878, when he resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. Edgar Leavitt, the 
incumbent. The first officers of the present society were : John Hasey, President of the Board 
of Trustees ; A. Chapman, Treasurer ; Deacons, Rev. Dudley Tyng and L. H. Bingham. The 
present officers are the same, with the exception of the Rev. Mr. Tyng, who is now deceased. 

The Episcopalians. — Luther Gregory was the first Rector, and the parish was organized 
over twenty years ago. The church edifice was built in 1871, at a cost of $3,000. S. S. 
Burleson is the present Rector. His circuit includes Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, Juneau, Doylestown 
and Columbus. 

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. 

The first piece of machinery put in motion in Columbus was the rude attachment to Maj. 
Dickason's "up-and-down" saw. This earliest of all early Columbus pioneers built the 
first dam on the Crawfish River. It was he who first taught the stream to leap forth in 
the morning to its toil, and to glide away at evening to its rest. The Major put in a 
run of stones soon after getting his saw into operation, and thus he became the only 
miller for many miles around. In 1843, he was compelled to turn over the mill to Jere- 
miah Drake, who came as the agent and manager of Lewis Ludington. The grinding of grain 
was then made the leading feature. Another run of stones was added, but even this increase of 
facilities could not cope with the accumulating grists. People came from Madison, Stevens 
Point and other remote settlements to the Columbus mill. The various grists were numbered 
and had to " take their turn," many of them lying over for two weeks at a time. This was a 
serious condition of things when bread was short. One of the pioneers of Columbus relates with 
apparent amusement, having gone to the mill with a few bags of wheat at a time when there 
" wasn't a crust in the house." He found so many ahead of him that, had he taken his place 
in the hungry'procession, he could not have i-eached home until late on the following day. The 
lamentable condition in which he had left his family urged him to use a little strategy ; so, the 
miller's back being turned about the time the hopper became empty, he quietly turned his grist 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 687 

therein, but the miller made the discovery too late to remedy the matter ; the hopper was full, 
and the only way to empty it was to keep the wheels turning and grind it out. In August', 
1849, thirty-one years ago, J. S. Manning purchased the property. He has made many im- 
provements about the old place, putting in an entirely new outfit of machinery. In 1858, a 
new stone dam was built, but a portion of it has since washed away. The main dam is now 
constructed of wood. In 1876, a sixty-horse power engine was added to the other improvements. 
Since then, water has been universally abundant. There are now four runs of stones in the mill, 
and it has a capacity of about one hundred bushels per day 

The Foundry.— In 1869, or perhaps a year earlier. Hall & Caswell established a factory 
in Columbus, where they turned out wagons, corn-plows, etc. Mr. Caswell soon retired from 
the business, selling his interest to a son of Mr. Hall, the firm becoming S. C. Hall & Son. In 
September, 1879, Bolte & Eckofi" purchased the property. They have added largely to the ma- 
chinery and now manufacture the "Eureka" windmill, upon which Mr. Bolte has a patent, it 
being his own invention. They also manufacture the " Economist " churn. Connected with the 
institution is a foundry in which are used all the modern appliances, and one run of stones upon 
which feed is ground, the whole being operated by a large and powerful engine. 

The Elevator. — Built in 1865, by Farnham & Allen, now managed under the firm name of 
Farnham, Allen & Co. The elevator building proper is 40x40 feet, and has a capacity of 30,- 
000 bushels of grain. Besides the usual machinery attached to elevators, there are two runs of 
stones for grinding feed, the whole being operated by a twenty-horse power engine. Adjoining 
the elevator is a warehouse 60x40 feet, built in 1856. 

Near by is the extensive storehouse of Messrs. Churchill & Sexton, built in the spring of 
1877. It IS 130 feet long and 36 feet wide, and has an area of floor capable of holding 20,1)00 
bushels of grain. 

Columbus Marble TTorfe.— Established by Wilson & Cramm in 1867, near the Fox House 
on James street. In 1869, G. L. Graham purchased the works of Mr. Wilson, the latter 
having previously bought out his partner, Mr. Cramm, and removed it to the present site of 
Lender & Krouse's store, and later, to the present site of Henderson's Opera House. J. P. 
Miller then became a partner and remained three years. A partnership was then formed with 
W. T. Turner. In 1872, the concern was moved to its present site. In 1878, H. M. Blumen- 
thal took a third interest, and a year later, Mr. Turner retired in favor of his son, W. R. Turner. 
In January, 1880, Mr. Graham disposed of his interest to his partners, and the firm is now 
Turner & Blumenthal. From four to six hands are employed, and the result of their labor 
finds ready sale within a radius of forty miles. 

Machine Shop, etc.— In 1870, S. Hutchinson established in Columbus as an agricultural 
implement dealer. In March, 1875, J. G. Kanouse took a half interest with him, and the firm 
commenced the manufacture of pumps on a small scale, and also repaired machinery. A ten- 
horse power engine is employed in the business. Attached to the shop are a turning lathe and 
a planing machine. On the 3d of April, 1880, Mr. Kanouse went out, leaving Mr. Hutchinson 
sole proprietor. 

Joiner and Builder— Among the institutions of Columbus, none have borne a more im- 
portant part in the growth of the place than the estabishment of R. D. Vanaken. Twenty-five 
years ago, he commenced in Columbus as a builder, manufacturing his own windows, doors, sash, 
etc., and has since erected nearly two hundred houses in and around the city. Many of the 
handsome stores, dwellings and churches in Columbus are of his workmanship. 

Breiveries.— Jacob Jussen was the pioneer brewer of Columbus. He built a small house 
on the west bank of the Crawfish, as early as 1848. The old Gambrinian temple still stands, 
though its beams are bent with the burden of time, and the walls within are odorous with age 
and the fumes of beer. Louis Brauchle purchased the establishment in 1849, and though he has 
repaired and rebuilt and made additions to it, the general decay that pervades the premises must 
ultimately triumph in their destruction. The old maltster long since passed the meridian of life, 
and soon both he and his brewery must take places among the things that were. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTT. 

In 1859, Henry Kurth came to Columbus with his family and a four-barrel brewer's boiler. 
He located in the southwestern portion of the then village, and commenced the manufacture of 
the "creamy, dreamy beer." It must have been a profitable business, for, in 1865, ho built a 
large brick brewery, at a cost of nearly ^^-4,000, and a year later put in a large boiler and added 
other improved appliances. His establishment has now a capacity of about sixty barrels a week, 
though the demand only reaches from two hundred to three hundred barrels per year. 

In 1869, Stephen Fleck built the Farmers' Brewery. Its custom is entirely local. 

BANKS. 

Isaiah Robinson carried on the first money exchange business in Columbus. His opera- 
tions were necessarily the reverse of extensive, but were in keeping with the " small things " 
of the early fifties. R. W. Chadbourn engaged in the same branch of business in 1853, 
making insurance and real estate two of the three specialties. Money, however, seemed to be 
most largely in demand, and Mr. Chadbourn turned his attention almost entirely to this branch 
of his business. 

Bank of Columbus. — In December, 1856, W. L. Lewis started the first bank of issue in 
Columbus. In it were interested C. C. Barnes and James Barnes, the latter being Cashier. 
Mr. Lewis was the President. About 1859, the institution became the property of Willard 
Scott and Vosburg Sprague, under whose management it ceased to exist in 1861. 

On the 7th of September of that year, R. W. Chadbourn opened a private banking insti- 
tution, in the same building vacated by Messrs. Scott & Sprague, and in 1863, it was organized 
under the National Banking Law, as the First National Bank of Columbus, with a paid-up 
capital of $50,000. Its number (178) indicates it as having been among the first institutions 
of the kind. The officers under this organization were R. W. Chadbourn, President ; S. W. 
Chadbourn, Cashier ; Directors — R. W. Chadbourn, S. W. Chadbourn, William M. Gris- 
wold, George Griswold and F. F. Farnham. Upon the death of Mr. Farnham, in 1877, C. L. 
Waldo became a Director. Otherwise the management has remained unchanged. 

Union Bank. — In September, 1861, John R. Wheeler opened a private bank in A. G. 
Cook's building, and soon afterward organized under the State Banking Law, in connection 
with Marshall Ilsley, of Milwaukee banking fame. Mr. Wheeler was the President, and A. G. 
Cook, Cashier. The capital stock was $100,000. In 1872, Mr. Wheeler having retired the 
circulation and discontinued the organization of the bank, it was transferred to L. R. Rockwell, 
who has continued it to the present time as a private bank. The Union Bank building, one of 
the architectural ornaments of the city, was erected in 1865. 

COLUMBUS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. 

The intelligence of a community is usually gauged by the literary patronage of its citizens. 
The support the people of Columbus have given to the Public Library is excellent testimony of 
this. On the 20th of January, 1877, a meeting of prominent citizens was held at the Opera 
House, for the purpose of organizing a library association. The necessary preliminary steps 
taken, an adjournment was had until the 27th of the same month, at which time the organiza- 
tion was completed by the election of the following officers : President, Matthew Lowth ; Vice 
President, E. S. Griswold ; Secretary, C. L. Dering ; Treasurer, L. R. Rockwell. Directors, 
for one year — R. W. Chadbourn, John Topp and William M. Griswold ; for two years — J. Q. 
Adams, D. S. Fuller and Edward Bowen ; for three years — R. W. Earll, D. C. Davies and E. 
E. Chapin. At the same meeting ex-Gov. Lewis donated fifty-four volumes of books. Another 
meeting was held on the 30th of January, at which committees were appointed as follows : 
Library Committee — W. M. Griswold, D. C. Davies and E. E. Chapin ; Committee on Rooms — 
J. Q. Adams, D. S. Fuller and Edward Bowen ; Finance — R. W. Chadbourn, J. Topp and 
R. W. Earll. E. S. Griswold tendered the use of two rooms in his brick block, which were 
accepted, and thanks voted. Miss Mattie Walsh was appointed Librarian. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 689 

The officers for 1878 were the same as in 1877, Messrs. Chadbourn, Topp and W. M. Gris- 
wold being elected Directors for three years. On the 29th of April, 1878, an executive com- 
mittee was appointed, consisting of E. S. Griswold, J. Topp and W. M. Griswold. 

In 1879, M. Lowth, E. S. Griswold and L. R. Rockwell were re-elected President, Vice 
President and Treasurer, respectively, Mic Adams succeeding C. L. Dering as Secretary. 
The Directors were J. Q. Adams, D. S. Fuller and Edward Bowen. The same executive com- 
mittee chosen in 1878 were re-appointed, and Flora Walsh succeeded to the position of Librarian, 
holding it till November, 1879, when Helen Walsh was appointed. 

In 1880, the only change in officers was the election of R. W. Earll, D. C. Davies and E. 
E. Chapin as Directors, and the appointment of M. Adams, D. S. Fuller and J. Topp as the 
executive committee. 

The first pui'chase of books was made in March, 1877, of Jansen, McClurg & Co., to the 
amount of $550. Various purchases have been made since then, the total amount expended to 
the present time being $830. In 1878, the young ladies of Columbus presented the association 
with $59 in cash, the proceeds of a concert given by them for that pui-pose. Quite a number 
of donations of books have been made. 

The association is composed of seventy-five life members, each of whom paid $10. One of 
the rules of the association provides for the admission of annual members at $1.50 each for the 
first year, and $1 for each subsequent year they remain as such. The annual membership has 
grown to important proportions. There are 1,000 volumes in the collection. Nearly one-fourth 
of this number is continuously in the hands of patrons. 

HOTELS. 

When the village of Columbus was platted by Lewis Ludington, it presented a promising 
picture — on paper. Passing through the eastern limits, the rippling Crawfish marked its wind- 
ing course. Leading away to the southwest from the river's oak-fringed banks to the borders of 
clustering groves in the distance were broad avenues with other avenues crossing them at right 
angles. Near the river's edge was an entire block marked "public square," and not far away 
a "park," " schoolhouse," "church," "hotel," etc. — all donations from the proprietor of the 
village. H. A. Whitney was the lucky possessor of that portion of the plat indicated as the 
"hotel," corner of James and Ludington streets, and in the summer of 184-4, he secured abso- 
lute title to it by building a hotel upon it. It was a one-and-ahalf-story frame. Most of the 
lumber of which it was built was hauled from Aztalan. In the lower portion, Mr. Whitney 
kept a small stock of goods. About 1848, it passed into the hands of a man named Thomas, 
who devoted the entire establishment to the accommodation of the public. A. P. Birdsey pur- 
chased from Mr. Thomas. He built an addition to it and conducted it for a number of years. 
Whitney & McCafferty were the next landlords. At the end of a year and a half, they retired 
from the business, and the concern was then rented. On the 8th of October, 1857, it was com- 
pletely destroyed by fire. The work of rebuilding commenced at once. Winter was approach- 
ing and Columbus was without a hotel. There are few instances to record where so much energy 
is displayed as was the case in the construction of the present Fox House. Within eighteen 
days from the time the first shovel of earth was removed in excavating for the foundations, a 
substantial four-story brick had been erected, and workmen were engaged putting on the roof. 
Mr. Whitney surprised himself as well as his friends. The following spring, it was rented to a 
Mr. Gardiner, and not long afterward Mr. Whitney took the management upon himself. At 
the end of four years, he sold out to G. Fuller, but was compelled to take it back. Soon after- 
ward, an old ex-sea-captain piloted his bark into Columbus, and, purchasing the Whitney House, 
anchored for a brief time. But the winds were unfavorable, and the old salt turned the house 
over to Mr. Whitney. Enoch Pulver then became the purchaser. A man named Graves bought 
of Pulver, and Julius Fox, the present owner, purchased of Mr. Graves. 

One of the early institutions of Columbus was the old Mountain House, which stood on the 
high ground not far from J. T. Lewis' residence. Its career as a hotel was brief, though how 
brilliant is not known. 



690 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

COLUMBUS OPERA HOUSE. 

In 1872, the old Methodist church buikling was purchased by J. T. Henderson. It was 
then located near the present site of the foundry. From there it was removed to Broadway 
and converted into a public hall, and, in 1877, it was "made over" into an opera house. It was 
thought to be a fine edifice in its day. The voice of prayer has often been heard within its 
walls, and it has echoed to much pulpit eloquence of all sorts. In it Mrs. Van Cott made her 
series of public appeals and won sinners by her personal magnetism. When it had been 
decided to convert it into an opera house, a structure 16x35 was added for stage purposes. On 
the first floor are two rooms for rehearsals, etc., and the second floor is used entirely as a stage. 
Mr. A. Leibig, of Mayville, Dodge County, who was a scenic painter before he left Germany, 
e.xecuted the stage decorations. The total cost of the stage improvements is $1,200, of which 
$500 is for scenery. The hall will seat nearly four hundred. 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Among other important clauses in the original city charter of Columbus was one providing 
for the establisliment of a fire department. Accordingly, on the 26th of December, 1877, 
the City Council entered into a contract with the Babcock Manufacturing Company, of Chi- 
cago, for two of their extinguishers and one hook and ladder truck, for $1,800. At the same 
meeting of the Council, authority was granted for the formation of three fire companies. On 
the 19th of October previous, the Germania Fire Company was organized by the election of 
Fred. Hanneman, Foreman ; John Topp, First Assistant ; H. A. Lueders, Second Assistant ; 
Fred. Wirth, Treasurer ; E. Von Briesen, Secretary, and V. Batz, Marshal. The other mem- 
bers of the company were D. Stark, G. Link, J. Lemcke, C. Topp, C. Ulm, C. Mirow, J. Engel, 
M. Rueth, F. F. Wilske and A. Miller. The present ofiicers are : H. A. Lueders, Foreman ; 
John Topp and G. Link, Assistants ; G. Woehlert, Treasurer ; E. Von Briesen, Secret ary, and 
W. Hanneman, Marshal. 

On the 6th of December, 1877, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized with the 
following ofiicers : E. Blasius, Foreman ; J. McCabe, First Assistant ; W. Vanaken, Second 
Assistant ; T. Robinson, Secretary, and T. Morris, Treasurer. The other first members were 
M. Houghton, J. Mettler, T. Clatworthy, T. Nix, G. Mohring, C. Kellar, J. Cagney, A. 
Hirscher, S. Harding, S. McConnell,- G. H. ColviUe, S. F. Strehmel, 0. Schmidt, J. C. Hutch- 
inson and J. A. Welton. The present officers are: M. J. Durkan, Foreman; J. A. Welton 
and J. Dreyer, Assistants ; J. Schaeffer, Secretary ; G. H. Colville, Treasurer ; J. B. Barney, 
Marshal. 

Columbia Fire Company was organized December 10, 1877. Officers and members : W. 
G. Bresee, Foreman ; J. Jackson and R. Cunningham, Assistants ; C. E. Fowler, Secretary ; 
T. F. Sweeney, Treasurer ; Charles Mohring, E. J. Davis, C. Randall, E. Kendall, J. Kendall, 
H. Annis, C. Cooper, D. McLarty, D. Griffiths, S. B. Kendall, L. Zick and J. Richards. This 
company was disbanded on the 9th of April, 1880. 

On the 13th of November, L. J. Sawyer was elected Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart- 
ment, by the Common Council, but did not qualify. J. Cagney was chosen Assistant Chief, 
and the City Clerk and City Treasurer appointed to act as ex officio Clerk and Treasurer. 
The present Assistant Engineer is Andrew Hirscher. 

Since the organization of the department, there have been three fires in Columbus. March 
19, 1878, the calaboose was destroyed ; March 27, the same year, J. J. Sutton's dwelling and 
barn, a somewhat memorable fire in the annals of Columbus ; September 27, 1S78, J. Kuhl's 
dwelling. 

LODGES AND SOCIETIES. 

The common tendency of civilized people to form themselves into societies for mutual 
advancement developed itself at a very early day in Columbus. From records still in existence, 
we find that a lodge of Odd Fellows was founded here, in 1849. It was called Columbus Lodge, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 691 

No. 40, and was organized on the 12th of September, with D. F. Newcomb, Andrew Higley, 
Benj. F. Hart, F. A. Fowler, J. J. Guppey, H. S. Haskell and Jerome B. Fargo as charter 
members. It prospered and grew in numbers until 1872, when it suspended operations. 

In 1869, Benjamin Kelsey, J. R. Jones, A. H. Vanvoorhes, C. H. Townley, T. C. 
Charles, E. Richards and A. Miller applied for and received a charter for Ridgley Lodge, No. 
165, but upon discovery that there already existed a lodge by that name (No. 82), it became 
necessary to adopt a new title for the new lodge, and on the 8th of May (the charter bears date 
of April 24, 1869) the word Gem, was substituted for Ridgley. The present officers of Gem 
Lodge are : F. Wirth, N. G.: Samuel McLarty, V. G.; W.- G. Bresee, Sec; L. Williams, P. 
S.; Robert Griffiths, Treas. The lodge has sixty-one members. 

Mizpah Encampment, No. 61. — Organized May 6, 1875, with C. L. Bering as C. P.; 
Robert Griffiths, H. P.; F. W. Hart, Treas.; L.Williams, S. W.; C. S. McFadyen, J. W.; and 
L. E. Everson, Scribe. The present officers are : W. K. Hosken, C. P.; C. S. McFadyen, H. 
P.; R. Griffiths, S. W.; Benjamin Kelsey, J. W.; F. Wirth, Treas.; W. G. Bresee, Scribe. 
Number of members, twenty-three. 

Irene {Rebecca) Lodge, No. 59. — Chartered November 25, 1879, with the following signa- 
tory members : W. A. Thompson, T. B. Elmore, C. Thiese, W. J. Edwards, W. K. Hosken, J. 
F. Buschke, S. McLarty, W. G. Bresee, A. D. Brewer, R. Griffiths, H. Annis, L. F. Owen, J. R. 
Jones, J. R. Decker, L. E. Everson, G. Mclntyre, C. S. McFadyen, M. G. Todd, F. Wirth, 
and sisters Hosken, Griffiths, Bresee, Annis, Todd, Jones, Brewer, Thiese, Elmore and Decker. 
The present officers are : Samuel McLarty, N. G.; Mrs. H. M. Todd, V. G.; W. G. Bresee, 
Sec; Mrs. W. K. Hosken, Treas. Thirty-two members. Meetings are held by the various 
lodges over Bassett & Davis' store. 

The Masons — Columbus Lodge, No. 75. — Organized June 12, 1856, with the following 
charter members : F. Macauley Black, Edward Jussen, Silas Axtell, Peter Wentz, S. C. Higby, 
A. P. Birdsey, J. S. Manning, Benjamin Campbell, J. A. Elliott, B. F. Hart, J. J. Smith, E. 
E. Chapin, B. Chase, Robert Mills and J. H. Valentine. Messrs. Black, Jussen and A.xtell 
were the first officers. The present are M. Adams, W. M.; N. Sawyer, S. W.; E. Churchill, J. 
W.; J. A. Erhart, Treas.; B. E. Johnson, Sec; 0. E. Cornwell, S. D.; L. A. Randall, J. D.; 
D. D. Kelsey, Tiler. Meetings are held over Griswold's store, where the lodge has a well- 
appointed hall. 

The Good Templars. — As early as 1850, an organization known as the Sons of Temperance 
was effected in Columbus, and the work of reformation in this direction has gone steadily for- 
ward with slight variations of success. Among those who were prominently connected with the 
various temperance movements of early times, may be mentioned Chester W. Dean.* W. W. 
Drake, John H. Valentine, William McCracken,* R. W. Chadbourn, Samuel McLarty, H. 
Loomis, A. D. Williams, Milford Loomis, D. F. Newcomb,* and others. Meetings were then 
held over Swarthout's drug store, where Hayden Brothers' place now is. The ladies of the 
village took an active part, and the society succeeded in gathering quite an extensive library. 
On one occasion the, lady members were allowed to vote on an important question, and this 
being a violation of the then existing condition of things, the Grand Lodge of the Sons of 
Temperance threatened a revocation of their charter and a confiscation of the property belong- 
ing to the liberal-minded cold-water champions of Columbus. In order that they might save 
their library, the lodge surrendered their charter to the Grand Lodge and went over to the 
Good Templars in a body. About 1855, a grand temperance sleigh-ride was gotten up. Three 
or four " bobs " were lashed together with ropes, and eight horses hitched to the concern. 
Fifty-six persons took passage for Beaver Dam in it. An hour and a half's drive brought the 
party to their destination, where a temperance dinner awaited them. 

On the 6th of February, 1874. Columbus Lodge, No. 46, I. 0. G. T., was organized with 
the following charter members : E. D. Kanouse, E. G. Stitt, Rev. W. A. Cain, L. Williams 
and wife, R. Griffiths and wife, Walter Stitt, T. H. McConnell, Mrs. A. McConnell, Annie 



692 . • HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

M. McConnell, C. E. McConnell, Joel Winch, Mollie Campbell, H. D. James, Alice Randall, 
F. L. Jones, Willie Loomis, J. F. Shadduck, F. W. lint. Thsrpn Dodd, D. J. Kelsey, J. W. 
Campbell and wife, Eugene Everson, J. W. Quain, W. E B ith, Hattie Tjng Griswold, Lorinda 
M. Drake, George Drake, Ettie Lee, George Spencer, T. D. Stultz, J. Roberts. W. G. Bresee 
and M. G. St. John. The present officers of the society are: T. Sanderson. W. C. T. ; Nellie 
McLarty, W. V. T. ; J. Harris, W. S. ; R. Griffiths, W. F. R. ; May Harris, W. T. ; Anna 
Loomis, W. C. ; R. Turner, Marshal; J. Birdsey, L G. ; H. W. Meyers, 0. G. Meetings are 
held over R. Griffiths' furniture store. 

Columbus Temple, N'o. 19, T. of 5^.— Ini?tituted April 23, 1875. Charter members, 
Rev. H. Sewell, E. D. Kanouse, B. F. Hart, M. G. St. John, Jay Jennings, E. E. Jones, 
J. R. Jones, William Cole, R. T. Williams, R. Griffiths, P. J. Umbrite, H Annis, G. Tollard, 
T. H. McConnell, A. Whitney, T. L. Jones, L. Wiiliami, J. W. Qaain, F. W. Hart, J. Jack- 
son, M. W. Sawyer, E. Federly and Samuel Hutchinson. Tliere are now seventy-five members 
in the temple; following are the officers: R. Griffiths, W. C. T. ; D. McLarty, W. V. T. ; 
S. McLarty, P. W. C. T. ; M. W. Sawyer. Rec. Sec ; H. Annis, Asst. Sec. ; W. Thompson, 
Fin. Sec. ; S. Nelson, Treas. ; A. W. Fuller, U. ; F. Heise, D. U. ; John Leith, W. S. ; J. 
McConnell, W. G. Meetings are held over R. Griffiths' furniture store. 

Turnverein G-ermania. — The "Columbus Turnverein Society" was the title of an 
organization which existed from about 1865 to 1869. Through a lack of proper interest it dis- 
banded, and, in 1874, a new organization was effected with the same laudable objects which had 
animated the leaders of the one defunct. A permanent organization was reached October 14. 
the books showing the following charter members : J. Engel, 0. Vogl, M. Alft. F. Wirth, H. 
F. Vogl, G. Morrisse, Antone Winter, J. G. Stahl, J. Siepp, C. Mohring, J. Kurth, J. Alts- 
schwager, G. Knaak, L. Knaak, C. Roth and G. Sproesser. The first officers were: Otto 
Vogl, President; 0. Mohring, Vice President; F. Wirth, Treasurer; J. Engel, Secretary. 
The present are: John Topp, President; J. A. Erhart, Vice President; F. Wirth, Treasurer; 
J. Engel, Secretary ; M. Ehrmann and H. A. Leaders, Wardens. The Turnverein is com- 
posed of about forty-five members, and is located in Henderson's Opera House. 

St. Jerome's Temperance Society. — Organized January 1, 1876, by the election of the fol- 
lowing officers: President, Terrence Flannagan ; Vice President, M. V. Cunningham; Secre- 
tary, B. Conlin ; Treasurer, John Crook ; Spiritual Director, Rev. H. J. Roche. In May, 
1880, a library association was formed by the members of this society, and they now have 100 
volumes of choice books. The present officers of the society are : President, Stephen Tobin ; 
Vice President, T. Conlin ; Secretary, R. S. Cunningham. Mr. Roche is a strong advocate of 
temperance principles, and is meeting with considerable success in his work. 

CEMETERIES. 

When Lewis Ludington platted the village of Columbus in 1844, he donated to the use of 
the citizens of both town and village for burial purposes the most appropriate spot within the 
boundaries of the plat — the rise of ground now lying in the northeastern portion of the city. 
The first burial made there was that of the body of Hiram Allen, an early settler, who died in 
1845. The cemetery question has entered quite largely into local political contests. When the 
city was incorporated, it was stipulated that there should be no change in the existing arrange- 
ments between the village and town. The matter has since been regulated by the Legislature, 
as follows : " Whenever any town cemetery shall become embraced within the limits of any 
city the duties and powers of the town board relating thereto shall be exercisedby the Common 
Council." 

Catholic Cemetery. — In 1868, St. Jerome's Parish purchased of A. G. Cook suitable 
grounds for cemetery purposes just north of the public burying-ground. The first interment 
made therein was in the spring of 1869, the body of Maurice Cunningham, who died the win- 
ter previous and was buried temporarily in the churchyard, being transferred to the new plat. 
The grounds have been appropriately laid out and beautified, and the little groves of crosses 



HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 693 

that mingle with the growing shrubbery bear ample evidence that the hand of Death has not 
been idle. 

LOCAL REMINISCENCES. 

There are many good stories of early times in Columbus, but they are mostly of the char 
acter of the majority of good stories — they lose their best qualities when told in print ; press 
a rose between " morocco " or " sheep " and its fragrance will vanish. The knowledge-box of 
the average "early settler" teems with pioneer reminiscences, ludicrous and pathetic; but it 
takes the " average early settler " to relate them. It is beyond the pen of the historian to por- 
tray, with any depth of interest, the incidents in John Swarthout's first pilgrimage to Colum- 
bus. It is an easy matter to say, in bare words, that John was the captain of a " prairie 
schooner" propelled by several yoke of oxen, and that he found himself "unequal to the 
occasion " whenever it became necessary for him to " talk ox" — for John had been reared a 
city boy and knew more of the efficacy of pills and squills than he did of the language usually 
applied to beasts of burden of the bovine species. Stripped of the intonations and gestures of 
the narrator, the story loses its charm. 

It would also be a difficult matter for any one besides Uriah Davies to describe the appear- 
ance of Mr. Swarthout when he came to Columbus the second time, dressed in new " store 
clothes," his young and tender brow shaded from the torrid rays of the sun by a genteel, and 
at that date very stylish, white soft hat. Quite a difference of opinion existed among the set- 
tlers as to the nature of the stranger's calling ; some insisted that he was a minister, while 
others declared this view to be a libel upon the church. It was some days before the new-comer 
found favor in their sight. 

Nor can a correct history be written of the "Codfish Society," so long ago has it been 
since their martial tread was heard in the streets of Columbus. They were wont to rouse "the 
boys " from their slumbers and " press them in " at all hours of the night. This once famous 
quasi-military society acquired its name from the alacrity with which its members could sur- 
round and annihilate a salt codfish. Its eminent commander saw actual service during the 
rebellion, leading the gallant Twenty-third through the domain of King Cotton. Codfish 
was then a luxury. 

There were initiations by that immortal brotherhood, the A. 0. 0. T. (Ancient Order of 
One Thousand and One), which, in point of thoroughness, rivaled all other initiations ever heard 
of. Patent-medicine men, patent-right sharps and such like adventurers, willing to sacrifice a 
little principle to gain "business prestige," fell easy victims. Occasionally a resident candidate 
took the " degree " and became honored with membership. But the order is no more. It has 
passed away, with many another institution, whose existence was in accordance with the con- 
ditions of society. 

It has been deemed proper to preserve a few incidents of early times, as illustrating what 
those conditions of society were. One of the first settlers in Columbiis, who is still living, says 
the first winter he spent in the place he boarded at the hotel. If there is one thing about that 
hotel he remembers more distinctly than another, it was the landlady, who was a large, masculine- 
looking woman, well proportioned (though rather too corpulent to be considered a good figure), and 
withal a woman of great strength. She sometimes displayed her physical powers in leading 
unprofitable customers out by the ears, and was, at times, something of a terror to the boarders 
generally. Our pioneer informant recollects on one occasion hearing an unusual noise in the 
kitchen of the ancient hostelry, and upon going to see what wonderful thing had happened, found 
one of the male boarders being used as a rolling-pin by the female Samson. The unfortunate 
man had in some way interfered with the landlady's prerogative. She was engaged at the time 
rolling out biscuit on a large table, and had taken the offending boarder, and, sprinkling him well 
with flour, forcibly laid him across the table, and was rolling him back and forward over the dough, 
in place of the wooden instrument commonly used for that purpose. The astonished observer of the 
proceeding thought it best not to interfere. But the old lady soon after came to grief at the 
hands of her victim. It was in this wise : She very frequently put in an appearance when 



694 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

anything interesting was going on, and seemed anxious to know all about it, sometimes taking 
part in the fun. One afternoon, quite a number of men had collected in front of the hotel, and 
were engaged in shooting a rifle. The female giant came to the door and said she wasn't afraid 
to shoot a gun, and would like to try what she could do. The gentleman who had, but a short 
time previous, been made to serve as a rolling-pin was present ; his time had come to square 
accounts with his tormentor. There was an old musket setting in the bar-room, which, when 
heavily loaded, was wonderfully given to kicking. Indeed it was difiicult to tell which was the 
safer end of the gun to stand in front of when it was discharged. The old " fusee " was brought 
out and given to the landlady, who knew nothing of the old musket's history, and was equally 
ignorant of the handling of fire-arms of any caliber. Seizing the weapon, she placed the silent 
end against her stomach (not her shoulder, as most people do), and pulled the trigger. The 
reverberating report of the musket was followed by a heavy thud upon the ground. The old 
lady and the gun had suddenly parted company. The target was untouched, but the earth in 
front of the hotel looked as if it had stopped a meteor. Dr. A.xtell happened to be present, and 
by the free use of camphor, the old lady was restored, but she was never again known to engage 
in artillery practice. 

It is related that the first attempt to hold a religious meeting in Columbus occurred in 1846. 
A well-groomed young man put in an appearance one Saturday afternoon and exposed written 
notices on the four corners, announcing that on the day following he would conduct divine service 
in the schoolhouse, which was then regarded as an imposing structure. Something of a congre- 
gation of both sexes duly occupied the benches. The prayer was made fluently enough, 
and the reading of the sacred poetry was accomplished without any perceptible violence to the 
sentences. Then the divine plunged glibly into the delivery of his discourse, but, after rolling 
out a single paragraph, he hesitated, and at once fell over the fragments of a sentence and finally 
went back to his beginning again. This provoked a ripple of merriment, which was quickly 
subdued, when, after a little "scoring," his sermon got under headway again. He broke down 
a second time at the same place, and when he again went back to the commencement to re-form, 
it was amid something like a general laugh. He went on once more briskly enough till he readied 
the old pitfall, and there he floundered hopelessly for the third time. The laugh was general 
and hearty now. In a pause of it the speaker proceeded to say : " I have always believed that 
I could preach, and, being among strangers, I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity. 
It's the first time I ever tried it, and, ladies and gentlemen, I haven't done near as well as I 
expected." Thereupon he fished up his hat, and, quickly vanishing, was never again recog- 
nized in these parts. 

In 1846, Elder Winchell, a clergyman of the Baptist style of doing things, arranged for a 
meeting in the village and secured for the occasion an apartment in the old hotel that then occu- 
pied the present site of the Fox House, and which ofi'ered about the only feasible place in the 
settlement for the public breaking of the bread of life. A few of the villagers gathered in to 
refresh their recollection of meeting as they had been accustomed to it before their removal to 
the frontier ; but the audience must have been very small indeed, as the residents of the entire 
hamlet then would not have made a corporal's guard. The minister made fair sailing with the 
preliminary exercises, and had just started in his discourse with some show even of listening on 
the part of his little congregation. All at once, however, their attention seemed diverted toward 
some object in the street and momentarily became more engaged. Presently one of the little 
company went softly out on tiptoe ; then another, and another, after which the balance of the 
flock stood not on the order of their going but went noiselessly out in a body, leaving the sur- 
prised minister entirely alone, and not yet advanced to the middle of his sermon* Bassett & 
Arnold had recently built a little store, which stood somewhere near the present location of 
Lenders & Krause's new block, and Bassett, who had been East for a stock of goods, had arrived 
that Sunday forenoon with a load of mixed merchandise, and his appearance with it in the streets 
was 80 great an event that it caused the stampede mentioned, and undoubtedly gave the preacher 
an experience entirely new in his ministry. 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 695 

There is "a good one" told of J. T. Lewis, and it is worth preserving for posterity. 
Not long after his arrival in Columbus, the now ex-Governor was met near the place where he 
now resides, by E. Thayer and H. Cady. They had just wounded a deer, and the animal was 
over the hill using his best endeavors to escape. They were on foot and Mr. Lewis was 
mounted on his Indian pony, and they requested him to give pursuit and secure their venison. 
Now, it may be premised that he knew as little about the cervine quadruped as any man in these 
parts, but he gave chase. The difference in the speed of the pony and that of the wounded buck 
was hardly discernible, but the former gained slowly, and after a sharp run came alongside. 
The rider was at the moment perfectly guiltless of any weapons of offense or defense, and 
the buck had ugly antlers, a circumstance before unthought of, but Mr. Lewis unhesitatingly 
flung that physique which was subsequently to embellish the gubernatorial chair of Wisconsin, 
pronely upon the back of the running deer. It was a seat even more uncertain than the seat of 
power, and his future Excellency was precipitated several yards into the snow. He shook him- 
self from his descent, and, bethinking himself of his pocket knife, followed on foot the now 
almost exhausted animal, and, after one or two ineffectual attempts, succeeded in dispatching 
the deer by stabbing him in the neck, and was himself completely covered with blood. 

The national anniversary of our independence was first commemorated in Columbus in 
1846. Most of the settlers for miles around were convened and expressed their patriotism with- 
out any reference to the conventionalities that came in later years. The country tavern which 
then stood on the present site of the Fox House, had been transferred by Mr. Whitney to a Mr. 
L. Thomas, and here the dance, indispensable at such a time, was held. In those days most of 
the settlers were young or unmarried men, and the gentler sex did not exist in the proportion 
in which they are now to be found. Partners were in demand, and all the wearers of petti- 
coats were impressed into the service. Many of those who were noted for their grave and dig- 
nified deportment that year passed the night of the '2d decorating the hall, danced all night on 
the 3d, and spent the night of the 4th in genera! jollification. The portico of J. T. Lewis' 
little law office was the rostrum for the orator of the day, who was Mr. Lewis himself, and Dr. 
Axtell read the Declaration of Independence. The ordnance consisted of a couple of anvils, the 
one inverted on the other, and the martial music to stir the patriotic breast of the early resi- 
dents included a fife and drum, the latter manipulated by A. P. Birdsey. 

The first court ever held in Columbus was when the old district system obtained, and was 
presided over by Judge Alexander W. Stowe in the old schoolhouse. Judge C. H. Larrabee 
was elected for this district, but at the time had made an exchange. Judge Stowe was an old 
bachelor of rather an harmonious turn of mind, and several dry jokes are related concerning him. 
During the first term of the court, T. Clark Smith was Sheriff and H. A. Whitney was Deputy. In 
the first case that was tried the jury went out under the direction of the Deputy to a room in 
the Whitney House to make up their verdict. The deliberation extended into the night, and the 
jurors, becoming convinced they could not agree, suddenly dispersed through the window, des- 
pite all the efforts of the deputy. 

It was at this same term of court that Judge Stowe fined a petit juror for contempt, to 
which judicial visitation the party punished replied promptly and cheerfully, "Fine and be 
d — d," whereupon the court "went and saw him" in a second mulct, which satisfied him. 

The first proceedings in the Justice Court in Columbus was an action of assault and bat- 
tery, wherein one Joseph Brown did do Bob Mills bodily harm contrary to law. He was tried 
before Squire Allen. 

Josiah Arnold, now Mayor of Portage, was a Columbus pioneer. He was a Massa- 
chusetts boy, and his birthplace was among the hills of Berkshire. He came to Wisconsin in 
the spring of 1843, and located at Janesville, then a small settlement. In 1845, Arnold and 
D. E. Bassett, another Columbus pioneer, started business together at Janesville, and conducted 
it there for about a year. Thinking the demands of trade too fully met in Janesville, Arnold 
started northward on horseback, in August, 1845, to find a new location. He came by way of Lake 
Mills and Waterloo, and night overtook him about six miles south of the hamlet of Columbus. 



696 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

He inquired at the double log house, which was then occupied by a man named Paddock, 
and which is on the farm now occupied by Cyrus Montgomery, if he could find accommodations 
for the night. The lady of the rude mansion, which was kept as a sort of hostelry, told him 
that he could, if he would take care of his own horse. He accordingly mowed the animal some 
feed from the lu.xuriant meadow of nature which grew close by the premises, and stabled him in 
the log barn, which was well built enough for those times, except that it was roofless and without 
doors. There was no intimation of supper that evening, but as Arnold had eaten late in the 
afternoon, he did not suffer in consequence of that omission. Stopping at the house at that 
time, was a bridal party which added to the interest of Arnold's first night in this part of Wis- 
consin. Mayor Fisk had recently been married to a daughter of Zenas Robbins, and as the 
course of true love was running very rough in his case, he had found it expedient to put some 
distance between him and his irretrievable father-in-law. He was a devotee of the violin, and 
he fiddled away the hours of his honeymoon there in the wilderness in careless happiness, as if 
he was the possessor of millions, instead of being penniless. Arnold at length grew drowsy 
under the influence of this indifferent execution of " Old Zip Coon," " The Arkansas Traveler," 
and other harmonies of that ilk, mixed with much billing and cooing, and was shown to bed 
without any light. During the night. Paddock returned home from Columbus in a condition 
the reverse of sober. The second floor was thin and full of cracks, and Arnold had the com- 
plete benefit)of the rough eloquence with which Mrs. Paddock assailed her lord for an hour or more 
on the enormity of going to Columbus and getting drunk, with a stranger in the house, the 
cows not come up, and not a mouthful for anybody to eat. When Arnold awoke the next 
morning, the light was shining full in his face through the rents in the roof, and a line of chickens 
were roosting calmly on a pole stretching across the room at right angles with his bed. The 
breakfast of which Arnold and the happy bride and groom partook that morning consisted of 
tea without milk or sugar, dry bread and Stewed tomatoes. 

Arnold came into Columbus that day, and purchased the lot opposite the Fox House. 150 
feet front, for $30 ; Bassett and Arnold built a store that fall, and went into business, though 
they did not remove all their goods from Janesville until the following spring. Arnold con- 
tinued a resident of Columbus until the fall of 1851, when, having been elected Register of 
Deeds, he removed to Portage, where in 1853 he and "Bony " Fargo established themselves in 
the hardware business in what was known as the old Verandah Block. Fargo subsequently went 
to California, and is now one of the leading wholesale liquor dealers in San Francisco. 

TRAVEL NOW AND THKN. 
KY H. D. BATH. 

One of our business men has pressing business in Milwaukee, and while yet the nocturnal 
darkness shadows his sleeping neighbors, he shakes himself from his slumbers and reaches the 
railroad depot. The quiet of that gloomy period that precedes daybreak by a couple of hours 
rests in all the surroundings, which look as if life or animation never fell upon or entwined 
them. It is the period when animal life is at its lowest ebb ; when the powers of darkness and 
of radiance are beginning a combat, the result of which will be a new day. He feels the 
depressing influence of the time, and half regrets the precipitancy that led to his taking an 
early train. But he waits drowsily for the coming conveyance, and perhaps, in the mean time 
draws a practical comparison as to the yielding of slumber between the hard benches of the wait- 
ing room and his own comfortable bed. There is a languor upon him that speaks of nature 
violated and the diminution of her sweet restorer, and he fi^lls into a troubled nap. Amid the 
dreams that flit across it, the carpet bag under his head seems gradually to assume Alpine alti- 
tude and ruggedness, and to produce a proportionate strain on the back of the neck. Presently, 
he catches an approaching rumble which suggests to his bewildered faculties the opening of an 
overture. Only half awakened, he reaches the platform and is in the midst of the glare of the 
great fiery eye of the advancing locomotive. Though expecting it, he cannot repress the momentary 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



697 



impression that it is a colossal living monster, glaring with accumulated life, as in passing 
its hot breath steams into his face. Amid the clanging of the warning bell, the shriekins; of 
the whistle, the grinding of the brakes, the multiplied rattle of wheels, the voices of the con- 
ductor, baggage-man and brakeman, the din of the gradual annihilation of trunks, words of 
good bye, the thud of the fuel falling into the tender to replenish the red-hot man of the engine, 
he takes his seat in the cushioned car and is soon wrapped in comfortable unconsciousness, and 
is passively gliding, at the rate of twenty-five miles an hour, toward the coming morning and 
his place of destination. And who can indicate the magnificence of those unlockings of the 
eastern portals from the first purple flash that steals through the orient gate, when it is but half 
ajar to the full glory of the perfect day as it streams forth regardless of any barrier. Seen 
from a car platform with the pure fresh breeze rushing against the cheek, youth and health find 
an ecstacy in the situation that words do not express. Our traveler arrives in Milwaukee just 
as the first murmur of business has begun to rise from the busy metropolis. He breakfasts lib- 
erally and has a full half-day to attend to business before the next return train, taking which 
he is home again the same day at 5 o'clock, P. M. 

This is the manner in which the people in Columbus now reach the chief city of the State; 
but some of our residents remember when travel was a thing far different. It was quite another 
afiair in 1844, when a visit to the county seat, then at Plover, was a hoi'seback pilgrimage of 
many days' duration, on which the solitary traveler guided his course through the wilderness ''by 
the blaze." We meet on our streets every day comparatively young men who went to Mil- 
waukee from this (then) village with trams when the trip was a campaign of fourteen days through 
mud and rain and swamp and wood. The main route was by what is known as the old Govern- 
ment road, by the way of Lake Mills, Aztalan, and the junction of the Watertown and Aztalan 
roads, twelve miles east of Watertown, at which junction stood an old tavern that many have 
good reason for remembering well. Thence the road was to Summit, to within two miles of 
Oconomowoc, when the Watertown plank-road was reached. In particularly bad weather it was 
necessary to go around by the way of Whitewater, Palmyra and Waukesha. Men who were 
on the road in those days tell us of being stuck in the mud, and, after ineffectually laboring 
until nearly night to extricate their wagons, mounting a horse and going for assistance and being 
all the next day in getting back to them. Subsequently, travel went by way of Lowell, and not 
unfrequently it was a day's hard work to transport a load to that point. Gliding so easily 
across the country in these times, we do not realize how arduous was the travel in those days of 
the pioneers. 




698 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Town of Arlington— Village of Arlington— Town of Caledonia— Town of Columbu.'*— 
Town of Courtland— Village of Cambri.\— Village of Randolph— Town of Deeorra 
—Village of Dekorra— Village of Poynette— Town of Fort Winnebago. 

town of ARLINGTON. 

The first permanent settlement in Arlington was made by Clark M. Young, on Section 1, 
in the spring of 1838. For six years, he was "monarch of all he surveyed " in this town, there 
being no other settler to dispute his claim. J. Pratt came in 1844; and during that year and 
the six following, came a large number, including N. Van Winter, Nathan Hazen, William A. 
Mcintosh, Fred Starr, Hugh McFarlane, Jeremy Bradley, Mark Meadowcraft, John Franklin, 
Usual Youngs, George Bradley, A. P. Smith, Isaac N. Brown, H. N. Joy, Thomas Rassou, 
Mr. Jackson, Samuel D. Drake, Ambrose Powers and Henry Hill. 

Upon the organization of the county, the east half of Township 10, Range 9, was included 
in the Lowville Precinct, and the west half was, with other territory on the west, known as the 
Pleasant Valley Precinct. In 1849, the east half of this township, together with Township 10, 
Range 10, and the south half of Township 11, Range 10, was organized into a town to be 
known as Lowville ; the west half, together with Township 10, Range 8, and the fractional part 
of Township 10, Range 7, was the same time organized under the name of Lodi. In 1850, the 
east half, with Township 10, Range 10, was organized under the name of Kossuth ; the west 
half remaining as before. In 1855, all of this township, except Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30 and 
31, was organized into a town, under the name of Arlington. For many years, the effort was 
made to have restored to the town these sections. The courts were appealed to, but could give 
no redress ; the Legislature was also asked to pass a special act for this purpose. This was 
refused, but an act was passed authorizing the County Board of Supervisors to attend to the 
matter. In 1871, the Board passed a resolution permitting the change, provided the town would 
assume the proportionate amount of the debt of the town of Lodi, which would be collected from 
the owners of the sections named. This was accordingly done, and these sections became part 
of the town of Arlington, thus made to comprise the entire township. The debt assumed 
amounted to $4,376. 

Thomas Rassou and Tirza Jackson were united in marriage in 1846, being the first couple 
married in the town. 

James H., son of Clark M., and Jeannet Young, was born May 6, 1846, being the first 
birth in the town. 

The first death was Charles W., son of Clark M.,and Jeannet Young, who died in the sum- 
mer of 1849. 

At the house of Usual Youngs was taught the first school in the town in the summer of 
1847. In the spring of 1848, a log schoolhouse was built on Section 1, and in the following 
fall. Miss Sarah Richardson taught the first term of school therein. The first school in the cen- 
tral part of the town was on Section 22, and was taught by Miss Caroline A. Foster, in 1854. 
In the spring of 1880, there were in the town six whole and three joint districts, with six school- 
houses valued at $2,000. Number of pupils, 425. 

Rev. Henry Maynard, an itinerant of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preached the first 
sermon in this town at the house of Clark M. Young in the summer of 1845. For several years 
he visited the town from time to time, but no class was formed. In 1854, Rev. T. Lewis, of 
Lodi, a Presbyterian minister, preached at the house of A. P. Smith, and shortly after a con- 
gregation was formed, but no church building was erected. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 699 

When Clark M. Young settled on Section 1, in 1838, there was not a house between there 
and Columbus ; only one until Portage, then Fort Winnebago, was reached — that of Wallace 
Rowan, of which mention is made in the history of the town of Dekorra ; and but one between 
there and Madison. 

The town of Arlington is almost altogether upon the top of the watershed, having a sur- 
face of rolling prairie, and a general altitude of 450 to 570 feet. In the northern row of sec- 
tions, this high ground breaks down abruptly 200 feet toward the headwaters of Okee Creek. The 
Madison & Portage Railroad was built through the town in 1870, passing through Sections 2, 
11, 14, 13, 24, 25 and 36. A station was located on Section 13, to afford farmers in the 
vicinity facilities for the shipment of grain and stock. The town is an exclusively agricult- 
ural one, and said by the State geologist to be one of the best in the State. 

In the spring of 1875, a stock company was organized under the name of the Arlington 
Cheese Manufacturing Company, with a paid-up capital of $2,000. A. W. Vaughan was elected 
President ; George Clark, Secretary ; Levi Clapp, Treasurer. The manufactory was put in 
operation that season, and 40,000 pounds of cheese were manufactured. The amount has been 
increased year by year, in 1878, it being 97,000 pounds. 

The following is a list of town officers from the organization of Arlington to the present 
time : 

1855 — Nathan Hazen, Chairman ; H. N. Joy, James H. Foster, Supervisors ; Julius 
Austin, Clerk ; Clark M. Young, Treasurer ; Solomon Matteson, Assessor ; Ambrose Powers, 
School Superintendent. 

1856 — A. P. Smith, Chairman ; Phineas Watson, Isaac N. Brown, Supervisors ; Julius 
Austin, Clerk ; John C. Dunning, Treasurer, Solomon Matteson, Assessor ; Ambrose Powers, 
School Superintendent. 

1857 — Julius Austin, Chairman ; Lewis Newton, H. N. Joy, Supervisors ; W. BuUen, 
Clerk ; C. C. Knapin, Treasurer ; T. Matteson, Assessor ; L. H. Smith, School Superintendent. 

1858 — J. Austin, Chairman; J. T. Hillyer, Mark Meadowcraft, Supervisors; W. 
Bullen, B. Look, Treasurers ; Solomon Matteson, Assessor ; A. Powers, School Superintendent. 

1859— J. T. Hillyer, Chairman ; H. N. Joy, T. T. Dunning, Supervisors ; A. 0. Dole, 
Clerk ; Joseph Mcintosh, Treasurer ; Solomon Matteson, Assessor ; Ambrose Powers, School 
Superintendent. 

1860 — J. T. Hillyer, Chairman ; H. N. Joy, J. H. Foster, Supervisors ; D. Drown, Treas- 
urer; A. 0. Dole, Clerk ; Solomon Matteson, Assessor; A. G. Dunning, School Superintendent. 

1861 — H. J. Sill, Chairman ; Thomas Mair, Dan. W. Burlison, Supervisors ; Andrew J. 
McFarlane, Clerk ; Ambrose Powers, Treasurer ; Jeremy Bradley, Assessor ; A. G. Dunning, 
School Superintendent. 

1862 — H. J. Sill, Chairman ; A. Powers, L. Clapp, Supervisors ; Andrew J. McFarlane, 
Clerk ; E. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Solomon Matteson, Assessor. 

1863 — J. T. Hillyer, Chairman ; G. A. Clark, A. Powers, Supervisors ; A. G. Dunning, 
Clerk ; E. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Solomon Matteson, Assessor. 

1864 — J. T. Hillyer, Chairman ; A. Powers, G. A. Clark, Supervisors ; L. H. Smith, 
Clerk ; E. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Solomon Matteson, Assessor. 

1865 — Winslow Bullen, Chairman ; William Caldwell, Ingle Spoonan, Supervisors ; L. 
H. Smith, Clerk ; Adam Gulden, Treasurer ; T. S. Phillips, Assessor. 

1866 — Winslow Bullen, Chairman ; G. A. Clark, William Caldwell, Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; Adam Culdon, Treasurer ; T. S. Phillips, Assessor. 

1867 — W. Bullen, Chairman ; A. Powers, William Caldwell, Supervisors ; L. H. Smith, 
Clerk ; J. J. Hunt, Treasurer ; T. S. Phillips, Assessor. 

1868 — Winslow Bullen, Chairman ; L. Lintner, J. Witters, Supervisors ; L. H. Smith, 
Clerk ; Judson J. Hunt, Treasurer ; Joseph Axon, Assessor. 

1869 — W. Bullen, Chairman ; L. Lintner, William Currie, Supervisors ; L. H. Smith, 
Clerk ; 0. S. Bartlett, Treasurer ; Joseph Axon, Assessor. 



700 HISTORY" OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1870 — Hugh McFarlane, Chairman; Ingle Spoonan, C. M. Young, Supervisors; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; 0. S. Bartlett, Treasurer ; Judson J. Hunt, Assessor. 

1871 — Hugh McFarlane, Chairman ; Ingle E. Spoonan, Louis Lintner, Supervisors; L. 
H. Smith, Clerk ; Charles Mair, Treasurer ; William Stevenson, Assessor. 

1872 — Hugh McFarlane Chairman; Robert Wilson, David BuUen, Supervisors; George 
C. Clark, Clerk ; Charles Mair, Treasurer ; William Stevenson, Assessor. 

1873 — Hugh McFarlane, Chairman; 0. S. Bartlett, John Caldwell, Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; Allen Bogue, Treasurer ; B. E. Jones, Assessor. 

1874 — Hugh McFarlane, Chairman ; John Caldwell, 0. S. Bartlett, Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; Allen Bogue, Treasurer ; B. E. Jones, Assessor. 

1875 — Allen Bogue, Chairman ; William McCulley, 0. S. Bartlett, Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk, George McMillan, Treasurer ; E. B. Jones, Assessor. 

1876 — A. Bogue, Chairman; 0. S. Bartlett, William Stevenson, ^Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; George McMillan, Treasurer ; John Caldwell, Assessor. 

1877 — A. Bogue, Chairman; 0. S. Bartlett, William Stevenson, Supervisors; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; George McMillan, Treasurer ; John Campbell, Assessor. 

1878 — A. Bogue, Chairman ; 0. S. Bartlett, William Stevenson, Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; George McMillan, Treasurer; John Caldwell, Assessor. 

1879 — A. Bogue, Chairman ; William Stevenson, William Bartlett, Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk; George McMillen, Treasurer; William Dunlap, Assessor. 

1880 — Adam Bogue, Chairman ; Thomas Mair, August Gundlach, Supervisors ; L. H. 
Smith, Clerk ; David Bullen, Treasurer ; William Dunlap, Assessor. 

VILLAGE OF ARLINGTON. 

The village of Arlington, located upon Section 13, of the town of Arlington, was platted 
in 1871, by Mrs. Sarah Pierce and David Bullen, the former owning the land upon the north 
side of the main street,and the latter the land upon the south side. 

The first house was built by Winslow Bullen, in the same summer, the lower story of which 
was used as a store, by George McMillan, he being the first to engage in the mercantile trade, 
and the upper part was rented for a dwelling. 

The first house used exclusively as a dwelling house was erected by Charles Ginther. 

Charles and George Ginther were the first blacksmiths, and opened in 1875. Their run 
of work rapidly increased, and soon the business of wagon and carriage making was added, and 
in the spring of 1880, the firm, then being Ginther & Seller, were doing a lucrative business. 

The Arlington Hotel was erected in 1871, by John McMillan, and has been run by him 
up to the present time. It is a two-story frame, and will accommodate fifteen or twenty guests. 

The second person to engage in mercantile trade was H. W. Hall, who sold goods about 
two years ; the third was Winslow Bullen, who in the summer of 1877, opened a stock of 
general merchandise, in the building erected originally for that purpose, in 1871. 

George Ginther and Miss Nellie Shanks were the first couple united in marriage in the 
village limits, which event occurred in December, 1876. 

The first birth was .Jessie, daughter of George and Ann McMillan, in the summer of 1875. 

The Madison & Portage, now Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, Railroad, was completed 
through the village in the summer of 1871, a depot erected, and Edward Watkinson appointed 
agent. D. C. Moak, F. R. Morris, Charles Morris, A. D. Goodrich and William Caldow, have, 
in the order named, been agents since that date. A large amount of grain is shipped from this 
station. 

A post office was established here in 1871, with Mrs. Adeline C. Paine as Postmistress. 
George McMillan, H. W. Hall, and again George McMillan, have since then been Postmasters. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 701 

TOWN OF CALEDONIA. 

This town is the largest in territory in the county, being situated on its western boundary 
line, by which it is separated from the towns of Greenfield and Merrimack, in Sauk County. It 
consists of that part of Township 11, Range 8, lying west of the Wisconsin River, and that part 
of Township 12, Ranges 8 and 9, lying south and west of the same river, making 54 full and 
14 fractional sections of land. It is watered by the Baraboo River, which enters the town in 
the northwestern part, at Section 18, Township 12, Range 8, and flows southeasterly into the 
Wisconsin River, at Section 2y, of the same township and range. There are two small streams 
in the southern part, that flow into the Wisconsin River, and one into the Baraboo. The lands 
in this town are undulating, with numerous bluifs and high hills, which are found in different 
parts of the town, and particularly on the Wisconsin River, and are covered mostly by oak 
openings. On the Baraboo River are numerous marshes or meadow lands, and some prairie in 
the northern part. In this town the country is generally much lower than the quartzite range, 
but in parts quite broken and hilly. Its general altitude runs from 200 to 300 feet, whilst 
outlying bluffs in Sections 9, 10, 15, 16 and 21 reach altitudes from 450 to 540 feet. Some 
of these rise abruptly from the north bank of the Wisconsin, and have directly opposite to them 
on the south bank of the river, the similar bluffs of Dekorra, causing for a short distance an 
unusually narrow bottom. 

The first settlement made in this town was by Alexander McDonald, who built a claim 
shanty on the northwest quarter of Section 2, Township 11, Range 8, June, 1840. Madam 
Pauquette was then living on the bank of the river, on the west side, within the present limits 
of the city of Portage, trading with the Indians ; also a half-breed named Leambro, on the bluff 
on Section 27, Township 12, Range 8, who was farming on some old Indian fields, and was also 
trading with the Indians. In June, 1841, Thomas (" Daddy ") Robinson came on a claim nearly 
opposite Dekorra Village. He boarded at La Fayette Hill's, in what was then called " Kentucky 
City," afterward Dekorra. Some others made claims that year, but did not move on to them 
until the next year, when James Wilson and John Pate settled on Section 36, immediately 
opposite the village of Dekorra ; also Henry Lewis, an old soldier at Fort Winnebago, on the 
bluff in Township 12, Range 8. The family of Mr. Robinson came with Pate and Wilson, from 
Scotland, and moved into the house prepared for them the year previous. 

In 1843, Allan Johnson settled in Township 12, Range 8. Other early settlers were 
Frank Nichols, Harrison Jerrison, Hugh Muir, Aaron Chalfant, William King, J. Allen, Henry 
Kingsbury, John Owens, David Owens, John Rowley, George and Charles Temple, Charles 
Ginther, Anton Jerrison, Messrs. Prentice, Freeman, Reuben and Sterling. 

A log schoolhouse was erected on Section 6, Township 12, Range 9 east, in the summer 
of 1846, and Mr. Bailey taught therein the first school in the fall of the same year. 

James Wilson was a man that, was extremely cautious, and seldom ventured in debt. On 
one occasion he had a debt of $12, which he was owing Clark Young, and which troubled him 
greatly. When he paid it, he remarked to Young : " Well, that is the last cent I owe in this 
world." " That shows you are doing a damned small business," was the reply, and all the con- 
solation he received. 

A writer thus makes mention of "Daddy" Robinson: " He was born in Ayerston, Scotland, A. 
D. 1800, died in Caledonia, November 7, 1872, aged seventy-two years. The funeral was attended 
at his late residence Monday, November 11 ; sermon by the Rev. Hugh Brown, text, Ecclesias- 
tes, twelfth chapter and seventh verse — ' Then shall the dust return to the earth, as it was, and the 
spirit shall return to God who gave it.' Mr. Robinson emigrated to this country A. D. 1840, 
settling at the north of the Baraboo River. He was one of the first Scotch settlers in this 
country, A. and W. McDonald and a few at the garrison being the only exceptions. The 
writer of this called on him in 1850, enjoyed his generous cheer, and made the note that the Old 
Daddy was a man of keen perception and universal observation. Five children emigrated from 
Scotland with him, and two were born here. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church both 



702 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

here and in Scotland, and efficient in its first organization in Caledonia. He was for a number 
of years chairman of the town of Caledonia, and served as a Justice of the Peace in his own 
town, but was better known as jovial, companionable old Daddy, and so long as his vigorous 
health lasted, he was the center of attraction wherever he happened to be. His sallies of wit 
were electrical, and so good-natured and pointed were his hits, that his victim laughed as heartily 
as the rest. He was a genius peculiar to Scotland, and of that class which have no duplicates. 
No man living in Caledonia will be more missed, and a void will not only be felt in that town, 
but also in Portage and Dekorra, where his presence has so often, like magic, driven dull care 

away. 

' To Scotia send this greeting, then, 
Please spare us more of just such men.' " 

The first farm opened up in the town of Caledonia was by Peter Pauquette for the Indians. 
The first American farming done in the town was by Gideon Low, on the place that used to 
be called Black Earth, now known as the "Indian Farm," in the town of Caledonia. But Low 
held the land only as a ''claim " at the time, employing another person to farm it. He pur- 
'chased the land when it came into market, it is true, but, admitting that his farm was the first 
one regularly tilled for an American, it would not entitle him to be called the first settler in the 
town, as he did not reside upon his " claim," and was engaged in other business. The work of 
the farm was done by Leon Braux. The third farm opened up was by John T. De La Ronde, 
in 1838. De La Ronde was born at Barbeaux, in France, February 25, 1802, his ancestors 
were men of note in the military and marine service in his native country. His father, Louis 
Denys, Chevalier De La Ronde, was born at Detroit, Mich., while the grandfather, an officer in 
the French service, was stationed at Detroit, previous to the final surrender of the Canadas by 
the French to the English, in 1760. This same grandfather, Louis Denys De La Ronde, was at 
one time in command at Chequamegon, on Lake Superior. The father of John, remained in 
France till the battle of Waterloo, when, not wishing to live under the rule of Louis XVIII, he 
came to Canada with all his family, and became a partner in the Northwest Company. He died 
at Montreal in 1818. The son received a good education in French and English ; he seems to 
have been in the College of Montreal at a very early age, and to have studied medicine under 
Dr. Robert Nelson V. Smith, but never practiced it as a profession. In 1819, he became a 
clerk in the Northwest Company, with which he remained seven years, during which time he 
went to London, England, as a witness in a dispute between his company and the Hudson Bay 
Company. A settlement having been efi'ected between these companies, he was transferred to 
the Hudson Bay Company, with which company he remained till 1828, at which time he came 
to Fort Winnebago, now Portage. This was the year in which Old Fort Winnebago was built. 
Here Mr. De La Ronde engaged as clerk of the American Fur Company, under the noted Peter 
Pauquette, who was then, and for some time thereafter, agent of that company. Here Mr. De 
La Ronde married an Indian woman of the De Kau-ry tribe of Winnebagoes, but who had been 
brought up mainly among the whites, and had never worn a blanket. To him was born from 
this wife one child, a daughter, who was left motherless at the age of two years, and who was 
married at the age of sixteen to Antoine Grignon, a decendant of the Grignon who formerly 
lived at Portage, and later about Green Bay. Mr. De La Ronde brought up this child with 
great care, sending her to Prairie du Chien and other places for school privileges. 

Her husband was a well-educated farmer, and she is an accomplished woman. They have 
long resided at Trempealeau, in this State. When this daughter was five years of age, her 
father married another Indian woman of the De Kaury band, who survives him at his late resi- 
dence in Caledonia, near Portage. She is now totally blind. He also leaves one son and two 
daughters, who are now grown and live with their mother. Mr. La Ronde, from the time he 
came to Portage, spent his time trading with the Indians, assisting and accompanying them on 
their journeys to their reservations, to Washington, and wherever they needed his services as 
interpreter. He acquired their language thoroughly, and at one time spent considerable labor 
on a dictionary and grammar of it, but he never completed the work. His business and his 




HARTMAN 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 705 

domestic relations brought him almost constantly in contact with the Winnebagoes, and he 
became much like them in his ways of life and in his principles. He had a very strong sympa- 
thy with them and looked on their side of the question. He was a soldier under Col. Dodge 
in the Sauk war. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence ; loved reading of every 
kind, especially history and accounts of travel. He held the office of Justice of the Peace in 
the town of Caledonia at one time. He died on the 2d day of March, 1879, at his resi- 
dence in the town of Caledonia, and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Portage. 

One of the oldest residents of the town of Caledonia was John Pate, who died on the 19th 
of December, 1879. He was one of those pioneers who buffeted the hardships of a new 
country in the day when a man had to sacrifice all the comforts of civilization in order to start 
a home in the Far West. Mr. Pate was born Feb. 17, 1802, at Browncastle Parish, East Cal- 
bride, Lanarkshire, Scotland ; was married to Agnes Stewart, April 29, 1839, and emigrated to 
this country April 26, 1842 ; sailing from Glasgow in the ship Perthshire, Capt. Simpson, 
being seven weeks in making the voyage across the Atlantic to New York. Thence he took 
steamboat to Albany and canal boat to Buffalo, and again steamboat to Chicago ; for, in those 
days, there were no boats landing regularly at Milwaukee for want of suitable harbor and pier. 
From Chicago the remainder of the journey was made to Dekorra, the most important point in 
this region, by team, reaching there July 14, 1842. Those were not the days of fast travel 
and conveniences. As compagnons du voyage were the families of Thomas Robertson and 
James Wilson both lately deceased. Their first settlements were made in the now Caledonia, 
formerly Portage County, Territory of Wisconsin, on unsurveyed lands ; roads and bridges were 
then unknown, and ferries were few and far between. In order to get a grist to mill they had 
to go to Sugar River, ten miles west of Madison ; later to Columbus or Beaver Dam, when 
Dekorra mills were out of repair. The market for farm produce was at Milwaukee, or in the 
pineries, but all transportation was carried on by means of teams. Little produce was raised 
except so much as would satisfy their immediate wants, which were few and frugal, and supply 
also the needs of new comers. 

Splitting fence rails and making hay were the chief occupations ; but it is the concurrent 
testimony of all that those were happier days than now. When the town of Caledonia was 
organized from Dekorra, Mr. Pate was its first Chairman and represented the town in the 
County Board of Supervisors in the year 1852 ; afterward, he was elected Assessor, Town 
Clerk, and to many other offices of trust in the town and community. On the same farm of 
200 acres he lived since 1845, and his generous and open hospitality made his house a synonym 
of kindness and welcome to all. He took an especial delight in music, and was never more 
himself than in singing or playing on the violin. Deeply religious in his nature, he loved to dis- 
cuss religious topics, and sing the sacred tunes of the old psalmody. For entertainment or 
edification might be heard, at any time, '' Dundee's wild warbling measures rise, or plaintive 
Martyrs, worthy of the name." 

There are many original pieces of his own composing still extant, one of which, entitled 
" Caledonia," is worthy of mention, as it is frequently sung in the Presbyterian Church of 
Caledonia. Aside from musical and religious subjects, he was much interested in the 
scientific progress of the day ; and being a great reader and deep thinker, he always had 
sensible and liberal views on such subjects as he gave his attention to. His latch string was 
always out, night and day, and everybody was welcome and enjoyed a " crack wi' auld John 
Pate." 

His time since coming to this country was mainly occupied in managing his farm ; but 
since his family grew up, the cares devolved upon them, and he gave his time to reading and 
music which he enjoyed so much. For the last six or seven years of his life he was afflicted 
with erysipelas or an irritation of the blood which finally resulted in a cancer of the face and 
was the cause of his death. Throughout his long suffering he was always hopeful and con- 
tented, enduring his trials with Christian fortitude. 



706 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

He left a family of four sons and one daughter, all of whom were present at his funeral. 
He was buried in Crawford Cemetery, Caledonia, beside the remains of his son Andrew, the 
only son of his family who preceded him to the grave. 

" Let not Ambition mock their useful toil, 
Their homely joys and destiny obscure ; 
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile 
The short and simple annals of the poor." 

The only children of the somewhat famous Peter Pauquette are residents of this town. 
Theresa Pauquette was born in 1826 at the old agency near Fort Winnebago. She has been 
twice married ; first, to M. J. Brisbois, in 1849, wlio died some years later in California ; sec- 
ond, to Mr. Prescott, of Caledonia, Columbia County. Mrs. Prescott received a thorough edu- 
cation in English and French in a convent in St. Louis. Moses Pauquette was born at the 
agency in 1828. 

A post office was established near the central part of the town in 1863, to which was given 
the name of Alloa. James Stewart was the first Postmaster. It has been suspended once, but 
was re-established in 1879. 

The first couple married in the town was a soldier from the fort, named Powers, and a 
daughter of Henry Lewis. The second was Clark M. Young and Miss Jeanette Wilson, who 
were married in 1844. 

The first death was Aaron, son of Absalom Chalfant. 

There is no village in the town of Caledonia, it being an exclusively agricultural town. 
Three nationalities are pretty equally divided — Scotch, Welsh and Germans. Very few Amer- 
ican-born have ever settled here. 

The following is a list of town ofiBcers from the organization of the town to the present 
time: 

1851 — John Pate (Chairman), John Turner, Oscar T. Wagoner, Supervisors ; Alexander 
Prentice, Clerk. 

1852 — John Pate (Chairman), Oscar T. Wagoner, William H. Hill, Supervisors ; Quintin 
Smith, Clerk ; Robert Howey, Assessor ; Alexander Prentice, Treasurer ; John Tibbits, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1853 — John S. Richmond (Chairman), David Owen, John Jones, No. 4, Supervisors ; 
Quintin Smith, Clerk ; William Stevenson, Assessor ; Alexander Prentice, Treasurer : John 
Jones, No. 4, School Superintendent. 

1854 — John S. Richmond (Chairman), John Jones, No. 4, Charles W. Gunther, Super- 
visors ; John Turner, Clerk ; John Pate, Assessor ; Alexander Prentice, Treasurer ; Thomas 
Phillips, Superintendent of Schools. 

1855 — Thomas Robertson (Chairman), David Owen, John Tibbets, Supervisors ; John 
Turner, Clerk ; John Pate, Assessor ; William Stevenson, Treasurer ; Thomas Phillips, Superin- 
tendent of Schools. 

1856 — Thomas Robertson (Chairman), Michael Cochran, Richard Jones, Supervisors ; 
John Pate, Clerk ; John Pate, Assessor ; David Owen, Treasurer ; N. T. Jennings, Superintend- 
ent of Schools. 

1857 — Alexander McDonald (Chairman), Michael Cochran, Owen F. Owens, Supervisors ; 
Milton Jennings, Clerk; John Capner, Assessor; David Owen, Treasurer; Charles McLeish, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1858 — Thomas Robertson (Chairman), William McLeish, John Jones, No. 4, Supervisors ; 
Thomas H. Spencer, Clerk ; Andrew Robertson and Alexander Prentice, Assessors ; Hugh 
Muir, Treasurer ; William Stevenson, Superintendent of Schools. 

1859 — Thomas Robertson (Chairman), John G. Staudenmayer, Thomas Morris, Supervi- 
sors ; Thomas H. Spencer, Clerk; William Ireland, Assessor; Hugh Muir, Treasurer; N. T. 
Jennings, Superintendent of Schools. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 707 

1860 — William Stevenson (Chairman), James Wilson, Owen F. Owens, Supervisors ; John 
G. Staudenmayer, Clerk : James Baird, Assessor ; Alexander Prentice, Treasurer ; Thomas 
H. Spencer, Superintendent of Schools. 

1861 — William Stevenson (Chairman), Owen F. Owens, James Wilson, Supervisors; John 
G. Staudenmayer, Clerk; William Black, Assessor; Alexander Prentice, Treasurer; Peter 
Longwell. Superintendent of Schools. 

1862 — James Wilson (Chairman), James Baird, David J. Williams, Supervisors ; John G. 
Staudenmayer, Clerk ; James Robertson, Assessor ; Alexander Prentice, Treasurer. 

1863 — James Wilson* (Chairman), John Lockhart, Thomas Walker, Supervisors; John G. 
Staudenmayer, Clerk; James Robertson, Assessor; Allen Bogue, Treasurer. 

1864 — William Stevenson (Chairman), John Lockhart, Thomas Walker, Supervisors; 
John G. Staudenmayer, Clerk ; James Robertson, Assessor and Treasurer. 

1865 — Michael Cochrane (Chairman), John Gibson, David Owen, Supervisors; John G. 
Staudenmayer, Clerk ; James Robertson, Treasurer and Assessor. 

1866 — Michael Cochrane (Chairman), John (iribson, David Owen, Supervisors ; John G. 
Staudenmayer, Clerk ; James Robertson, Treasurer and Assessor. 

1867 — John S. Richmond (Chairman), John O'Shaughnessy, Charles McLeish, Supervi- 
sors : John G. Staudenmayer, Clerk ; James Robertson, Assessor and Treasurer. 

1868 — William Caldow (Chairman), F. T. Ruman, Owen F. Owens, Supervisors; Griffith 
J. Owen, Clerk ; James Robertson, Assessor and Treasurer. 

1869 — William Caldow (Chairman), F. T. Ruman, Owen F. Owens, Supervisors; Griffith 
J. Owen, Clerk ; James Robertson, Assessor and Treasurer. 

1870 — Alexander Prentice (Chairman), James Baird, Owen F. Owens, Supervisors ; G. J. 
Owens, Clerk ; David Owen, Assessor ; James Robertson, Treasurer. 

1871 — John G. Staudenmayer (Chairman), Hugh Roberts, James Stewart, Supervisors ; 
G. J. Owens, Clerk ; James Robertson, Treasurer ; David Owen, Assessor. 

1872 — John G. Staudenmayer (Chairman), Hugh Roberts, Henry Hamilton, Supervisors ; 
William Black, Clerk ; James Robertson, Treasurer and Assessor. 

1873 — John G. Staudenmayer (Chairman), Henry Hamilton, Thomas Walker, Supervi- 
sors ; William Black, Clerk ; David Owen, Assessor ; James Robertson, Treasurer. 

1874 — John G. Staudenmeyer (Chairman), Owen F. Owens, William M. Shanks, Super- 
visors ; Robert S. Marshall, Clerk ; F. T. Ruman, Treasurer ; John Towers, Assessor. 

1875 — John G. Staudenmayer (Chairman), Hugh Roberts, W. M. Shanks, Supervisors ; 
Robert S. Marshall, Clerk ; F. T. Ruman, Treasurer ; John Towers, Assessor. 

1876 — William Black (Chairman), Henry Hamilton, W. W. Owens, Supervisors ; R. S. 
Marshall, Clerk ; F. T. Ruman, Treasurer ; James Robertson, Assessor. 

1877 — Charles McLeish (Chairman), Henry Racek, George Geyman, Supervisors; C. F. 
Mohr, Clerk ; F. T. Ruman, Treasurer ; John Towers, Assessor. 

1878 — Robert Whitelaw (Chairman), Hugh Roberts, John Staudenmayer, Supervisors ; C. 
F. Mohr, Clerk ; John Towers, D. J. Williams, Assessors ; Thomas Robertson, Treasurer. 

1879 — R. Whitelaw (Chairman), W. W. Owen, John Dunigan, Supervisors ; F. T. Ruman, 
Clerk; James Robertson, Assessor; Samuel J. Pate, Treasurer. 

1880 — C. F. Mohr (Chairman), John Lockhart, John Dunigan, Supervisors; J. B. Mar- 
shall, Clerk ; James Robertson, Assessor ; S^ J. Pate, Treasurer. 

TOWN OP COLUMBUS. 

The incipient steps toward the formation of a town, to be called Columbus, were taken by 
the County Commissioners on the 16th day of July, 1846, when they oi'ganized a voting pre- 
cinct by that name out of Townships 10 and 11, in Range 12 east. This precinct remained 
the same at the revision of voting precincts, April 3, 1848, but the territory afterward became the 

* In this year, Jam^a Wilson resigned the office of Chairman, and the Board appointed William StevenBon to serve the rest of the term, 
from November 3 until April 5, 1864. 



708 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

towns of Columbus and Fountain Prairie. On the 9th of January, 1849, the Board of County 
Commissioners organized Township 10, in Range 12 east, into a town, to which they gave the 
name of Columbus, and the house of A. P. Birdsey was designated as the place for holding the 
first election. 

The town of Columbus is mostly low and level, lying farther down the Rock River slope 
than the town of Fountain Prairie. A little prairie extepds into the northwestern sections, 
and marsh belts occur along the streams in the northern half of the town, where the general 
altitude is from two hundred and fifty to two hundred and eighty feet. The southern and south- 
western parts of the county lie higher, reaching from three hundred to four hundred feet. Four 
small, northeast-trending branches of Crawfish River cross the town. 

The first lands entered in this town was on the 18th day of February, 1839, by Lewis 
Ludington and John Hustis, as follows : 

The west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, eighty acres; east half of the south- 
east quarter of Section 12, eighty acres, Lewis Ludington. 

West half of the southwest quarter of Section 12, eighty acres ; east half of the south- 
west quarter of Section 12, eighty acres, John Hustis. 

East half of the northeast quarter of Section 1-3, eighty acres ; west half of the northeast 
quarter of Section 13, eighty acres, Lewis Ludington. 

West half of the northwest quarter of Section 13, eighty acres; east half of the north- 
west quarter of Section 13, eighty acres, Lewis Ludington. 

East half of the northeast quarter of Section 24, eighty acres ; west half of the northeast 
quarter of Section 24, eighty acres ; west half of the southeast quarter of Section 24, eighty 
acres; east half of the southeast quarter of Section 24, eighty acres, Lewis Ludington. 

The whole number of acres entered was 960, making three half-sections — the north half 
of Section 18, the south half of Section 12 and the east half of Section 24. 

In the summer of 1843, T. C. Smith's cabin was the only house northwest of what was 
then the in.cipient village of Columbus, until Fort Winnebago was reached. Mr. Bushnell, 
however, was living in a shanty in a grove outside of what is now the city of Columbus. 

W. B. Dyer built a small log house on the Baker farm, which was the first house ever 
built in what is now the town of Fountain Prairie. He lived in the building until May, 1844, 
when he sold out to E. J. Smith his pre-emption claim of 160 acres, and moved to where the 
village of Otsego now sits, on the creek. 

Among those who were residents of the town of Columbus in 1845 and 1846, the follow- . 
ing are remembered : 

T. C. Smith, J. Smith, J. C. Axtell, J. T. Lewis, H. A. Whitney, D. E. Bassett, Josiah 
Arnold, M. G. St. John, H. W. McCaff"erty, S. Corbin, Jesse Rowell, J. Swarthout, R. Mills, B. 
F. Hart, S. Wright, U. Davies, A. Silsbee, E. Silsbee, Erastus Silsbee, W. Thompson, John 
Adler, James McConnell, W. Clark, J. Brown, W. W. Drake, J. Drake, 0. R. Luey, Noah 
Dickason, W. H. Hamilton, T. Swarthout, R. Lamed, E. Thayer, H. Cady, E. Lyons, S. St. 
John, Warren Loomis, John McConnell, J. P. Atwood, J. Barrows, T. Barrows, T. Jones, H. 
Swift, Jacob Swarthout, G. Aldrich, David Langdon, N. Richards, A. P. Birdsey, George Rob- 
inson, A. Lashier, J. Edwards, Andrew McConnell, A. E. Houghton, L. Smith, Z. Robbins, T. 
Bendure, D. Blanchard, /Joseph Mathews, J. Miller, W. Haight, F. F. Farnham, W. Mc- 
Intyre. 

A. P. Birdsey was among the pioneers of Columbus, and more than a mere passing men- 
tion is due him. He was born at MiJdlefield, Middlesex Co., Conn., May 7, 1813, where 
he remained until 1831, and where he married his wife, whose native place was only five miles 
from his own. There was a trifle of romance associated with his marriage ; and it is a fact not 
generally known, even among the more intimate friends of the deceased, that he was twice mar- 
ried. His first wife was Jenette Bell. He was joined in wedlock to her when he was but 
eighteen years of age. Within a year, she became the mother of a child and immediately after 
died. Her o8"spring survived her only three months. On the 1st of December, 1832, Mr. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 709 

Birdsey was again married. He had known his second wife since she was twelve years of age. 
His oldest boy, Walter, was born before his father's twenty-first birthday. 

In 1837, Mr. Birdsey removed to Leyden, Lewis Co., N. Y., where he cleared a new 
farm with his own hands. In 1839, he removed to Boonsville, a town five miles distant, where 
he assumed the management of a hotel, where he remained until May, 1840. He came to Wis- 
consin in the spring of 1840, and went first to live at Prairieviile, now known as Waukesha, 
having previously made a rapid tour of observation through the State. 

On the 4th of July, 1840, Mr. Birdsey removed to the town of Jefferson, and purchased 
forty acres of land, two and a half miles from the village, on which was erected a small log 
house, and where only three acres had been broken. He worked steadily and energetically in 
putting more land under the plow, and as rapidly as any money wis accumulated, invested it in 
moi'e acres, until he was the owner of eight forties. 

He built what everybody knew in those days as the old yellow tavern, and most old resi- 
dents remember the entertainments that were given there, to the life and enjoyment of which 
the landlord contributed greatly. In the spring of 1844, he sold his ftirm and moved to the 
town of Columbus. 

About that time he went South and purchased fifty head of cows, which were all sold before 
the following spring. This was his first speculation in Columbus. In 184-5, he sold his farm 
and moved to the village of Columbus, buying the hotel of Mr. Thomas, which had formerly 
been managed by Mr. Whitney. This was the building, a portion of which was afterward 
removed across the street; it was subsequently burned. At that time, Mr. Birdsey erected the 
old square hotel, known as the Columbus Exchange, which was afterward sold to Mr. Ingalsbee. 
He purchased what is known as the corner store, with its stock, but soon sold it. He then 
bought a farm, and there erected the tavern known as the Mountain House. This farm was 
afterward sold to Michael Cromer, Hawley and others, for upward of $23,000. Immediately 
after this he built the Birdsey House. This tavern he conducted for two years, and then 
exchanged it for a farm in Fountain Prairie, where he erected a residence and made many 
improvements. In the fall of 1860, he returned to the hotel, and was its landlord until the 
spring of 1861, when he again returned to his farm, and lived upon it until 1865. He then 
removed to Iowa, near McGregor, where he was engaged in farming until his death. He died 
on Friday evening, August 6, 1869, and was brought to Columbus, where he was buried with 
Masonic honors. His life was a varied one ; impetuous and erratic in his nature, he was full of 
generous impulses, and the history of his life would include a record of many good and not a few 
noble actions. 

TOWN OF COURTLAND. 

At a meeting of the County Commissioners, held at the house of Elbert Dickason, on the 
16th day of July, 1846, Township 12, Range 12, together with much other territory, was made 
a voting precinct, under the name of Leroy Precinct, and Nathan Griffin, James Buoy and 
Erwin McCall were appointed Judges of Election, and the house of Oliver Langdon designated 
as the place for holding elections. On the organization of the county into towns, in 1849, 
Township 12, Range 12, was organized into a town, and the name of Portage Prairie given to 
it. The house of Horace Rust was designated as the place for holding the first election. By 
resolution of the Board of Supervisors, November 19, 1852, the name of the town was changed 
to Courtland. 

Patrick Chestnut emigrated from Ireland when about thirty years of age ; settled in Penn- 
sylvania, from which State he emigrated to Wisconsin, and on the 29th day of July, 1844, 
entered the county and located his claim upon Section 3, Township 12, Range 12, being the 
first to settle in the town. Mr. Chestnut soon had erected a comfortable house, and here spent 
the remainder of his days, departing this life, November, 1878, in his ninetieth year. He was a 
type of the old-style gentleman, being held in respect by all with whom he was acquainted. 
When Mr. Chestnut came to this country, he was ignorant of backwoods life, and had never seen a 
tree felled. Desiring one day to cut down a tree, he shouldered his ax and proceeded to the 



710 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

timber. He began his work, cutting completely around the tree an equal distance, but was 
afraid to push it over for fear of accident, and did not understand that if he cut enough upon 
one side it would fall by its own weight. Cautioning his son, who was with him, to leave the 
tree alone, he went two miles to a neighbor to come and fell the tree. The neighbor came, and, 
with a few well-directed blows with the ax, the tree lay upon the ground. 

In the fall of ^844, J. Jess and Mr. Hooker came in, and in the summer of 1845, William 
Bump, James Buoy, Nathaniel Wilkins, Jonathan Moulton, Horace Rust and William Toby 
made a settlement here. From this time on, for a number of years, the land was rapidly taken 
up by actual settlers. 

In the summer of 1847, William Bump and Sarah Griffith were united in marriage, by M. 
W. Patton, Esq., this being the first ceremony of the kind performed in the town. 

The event took place about one mile south of Cambria. This was the first appearance of 
the Squire in official duty. He then lived in Centerville, about three miles northwest of Cam- 
bria, but at that time there was no Cambria, nor houses betweenhis place and tiie house of the 
bride, but he passed a piece of fencing divided by a small gap. Mr. Patton could get no form 
for marriage, but his legal knowledge came to his rescue, and after considerable hard study he 
drafted a service that he was confident would survive the wreck of time and hold them " for 
better or for worse." It was a legal document, interlarded with quotations from Holy Writ and 
some poetry. Armed with this document which he had committed to moraory, he started out on 
his holy mission to make " two hearts beat as one." Halting at the gap in the fence referred to, 
he united the two detachments of fence by repeating his marriage service, without a skip or 
blunder, and then pursued his way on foot. When he arrived there, he found the party waiting 
for him, and as a casual guest T. Clark Smith, of Columbus, was present. The bridal party 
were duly arranged on the floor and the Squire proceeded with the ceremony. But alas ! for 
human weakness! He forgot his oration; "his tongue clave to the roof of his mouth." In 
vain he straightened up his spinal column, "smote his knees together, gnashed his teeth, ' 
rolled his eyes, brushed back his front hair and mopped up the perspiration on his face, his 
tongue refused to give utterance to the chaos that raged in his brain. Smith grinned and the 
bridal party blushed, while other members looked on with pity. The Squire had completely for- 
gotten himself, but his mind at length wandered back to the rail fence, and then the floodgates 
of memory were thrown open, and he went on with the ceremony and clinched it with an elo- 
quent quotation from Scripture, " What God has joined together let no man put asunder : " received 
a five-franc piece for his fee, and with a light heart bent his steps homeward. 

Marshall, son of Nathan and Harriet Swain, was the first child born in the town of Court- 
land, his birth dating in the fall of 1846. 

Death claimed its first victim in the person of Patrick Grifiith, who died in the fall of 1846. 
He was buried a short distance east of Cambria. 

The first school was taught by William S. Chestnut in an upper room of the dwelling of 
Jonathan Moulton in the spring of 1847. About twelve scholars were in attendance. 

The first mill built in the town was by Daniel Langdon, an account of which is given in 
the sketch of the village of Cambria. 

The first public dance was at the house of Daniel Langdon in 1846, the same house men- 
tioned in the history of Cambria as the first built in the village, and which in 1879 was used by 
the owners of the Cambria mill as a stable. 

A family named Hagadorn, consisting of father and mother, three sons, Henry, Jacob and 
Adam and a daughter, moved there in 184-5. If reports are true, this family did not contribute 
materially to the peace and welfare of that community, but on the contrary kept the neighbor- 
hood in a chronic uneasiness, but it was believed after all by many, that the reputation of the 
old man and his boys was often used to cover up the crookedness of others. Various and numer- 
ous were the irregularities that were charged to this family, and often were the officers of the law 
armed with the necessary papers to bring the old man to judgment, and vindicate the peace and 
dignity of the State of Wisconsin. William S. Chestnut, then a young man, conscientious in 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 711 

the discharge of his duties generally, came in contact with Hagadorn frequently in an oflScial 
way. At one time, Hagadorn made one of a party of several of the Courtlanders who started 
to Milwaukee with ox teams. They camped the first night a few miles east of Fox Lake, and 
the teamsters made free with a settler's corn-field close at hand to bait their oxen. The owner 
had the party arrested for stealing, and they swore the theft on to Hagadorn, who admitted that 
he appropriated a little corn, but insisted that the whole party was also guilty. But the old man's 
bad reputation let them off. 

Later still, a warrant was issued by a Justice named Toby and placed in the hands of Chest- 
nut for service. Chestnut mounted his horse and pounced upon his victim, Hagadorn, while 
the old man was quietly partaking of his noontide meal. The lawless Hagadorn donned a 
swallow-tailed coat that, in the days of antiquity, had made its way in society, and meekly 
walked alongside the mounted officer of the law toward the residence and office of Squire 
Toby. While silently marching along a bridle path in a thicket of timber, Chestnut casually 
remarked to his prisoner that, " this would be a good place to run away." The prisoner looked 
up into the stern face of his captor, which seemed to relax a trifle. The next moment that 
swallow-tailed coat represented an angle of forty-five degrees as its proprietor was scudding 
through the woods only as a man can scud when he is in a great hurry. In vain did the constable 
jump from his horse and pursue the fugitive and yell after him to "come back." The pursuit 
was abandoned, but he picked up Hagadoru's hat that had parted company with its owner, and 
hung it on a twig near the path. Mr. Chestnut returned the warrant marked, " served and 
prisoner escaped," remarking that he " didn't think he was guilty anyway." That was the end 
of the case. Hagadorn was not entirely destitute of honor, evidently, for some time after that, 
while Chestnut was passing his house, he was called, when the former told him that he wanted 
to pay him for his trouble on that occasion. " All right," said Chestnut. " There," continued 
he, pointing to an overgrown, lank and dingy-looking pup that was dozing under the soporific in- 
fluence of a hot kitchen fire, " is a splendid pup ; I'll give you that pup to call it square." " A 
bargain," said Chestnut, and he proudly bore off the fee at the end of a string, meditating on the 
great future that the pup might develop. The pup was taken to his new home, for which he 
soon formed a warm attachment. He grew and waxed strong and soon proved an adept in hunt- 
ing eggs, which he sucked with pleasure. William says there is no telling what faculties that 
pup might have developed, had his early training not been neglected and had not one of the boys 
in a fit of anger "cut him down in the morning of life." 

About the time Mr. Chestnut came to town, a number of young men from Illinois, Indiana 
and other States, inaugurated here a new enterprise. They would select some pretty good land, 
enter the same, build thereon a small house, and sell out the same the first opportunity, and 
then take up another claim. They would thus keep in advance of the actual settlers, and com- 
pel them to submit to their unjust claims. To resist one of the number would bring the whole 
body upon the offender. 

The first election in the town was the occasion of a great deal of fun in the way of " big 
drunks." Whisky was free, and everybody partook, but, as in the days of the Apostles, the 
good wine was set out first, and after that the worse. As the barrel was being emptied of its 
first contents, it was replenished with water, the greater number of the men being so drunk they 
did not know the difference between water and whisky. 

The town lies immediately south of Randolph. The prairie of the latter town extends into 
Courtland, occupying the northeastern section, and then, extending in a narrow belt southwest- 
ward across the town, widens out again on the west side. In the southeast sections, narrow and 
marshy belts with the same southwest trend are observed. The surface is generally quite level, 
running for the most part from 350 to 400 feet in altitude. In the northeast corner, however, 
the ravines about the head of Duck Creek cut down to an altitude of 260 feet. The highest 
points probably are on Sections 17, 18, 20 and 19. Most of the town lies on the divide between 
the systems of the Rock and Wisconsin, so that the streams heading on either side are but small, 
the main branch of Duck Creek, at Cambria, being the principal one. 



712 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway traverses the town from east to west, entering 
on Section 1, and passing through Sections 2, 3, 4, .5, and into Springvale from Section 6. 

The first entry of land was made June .5, 1844, by Peter Goulden, and patented Septem- 
tember 1, 1846, and comprised the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 10. 

Of Horace Rust, one of the early settlers of this town, the Columbus Democrat of April 
12, 1879, says: 

'■ It was mentioned in the Democrat of last week that Mr. Horace Rust, of Courtland, had 
been upon his death-bed for several days, and that he had probably passed away before that 
writing, but he lingered in an unconscious condition for several days more, and breathed his last 
at 3:30 A. M., on Monday. The funeral occurred on Wednesday, and was largely attended. 
He was born in Rochester, Vt., in 1798, and his life, thus prolonged far beyond the exist- 
ence of an ordinary man, was full of incident. Several of his earlier years were passed in 
Maine, where he was a contractor for the construction of a canal. In 1823, he was married at 
Stockbridge, near the place of his birth, to Miss Roxana Mills. In 1843, he came to Walworth 
County, Wis., and for about two years resided with his brother-in-law. Dr. Mills, who was then 
Territorial Senator. In 1845, he moved to what is now Courtland, and selected the beautiful 
location which embraces the fine farm where he died. His son Henry has resided with him 
during most of these years, and during the greater part of the time has managed the farm. As 
he advanced in years, having acquired a competence, the elder Mr. Rust relinquished active 
life, and, relieved from all care and oppression of want, enjoyed a pleasant and comfortable 
home with his son. The estate, though not large, is valuable and forms one of the coziest and 
pleasantest homes anywhere in that region. The deceased was full of reminiscence con- 
cerning early life on this frontier, when he was in the mood ; and many interesting recol- 
lections of that character have died with him. In 1845, with his two sons, Henry and Mills, 
and a yoke of cattle, he entered Courtland, and built a log house into which he removed his 
family in the succeeding year. He related that after finishing this house, he and his sons 
started on the return to Walworth. At that time, the old road to Columbus and Watertown 
made an extensive detour to the west, and went to Otsego to avoid impassable swamps. The 
pilgrims took an early breakfast that morning, and the ox-line did not bring them to Otsego 
until late in the afternoon. Mr. Rust always spoke of his substantial dinner that day at W. 
B. Dyer's log tavern in Otsego, as the best meal he ever ate in his life. At an early day, he and 
Squire Topliff, still of this city, were engaged for some time in surveying, and they laid out the 
road between Columbus and Cambria. Under President Polk's administration, Mr. Rust was 
appointed Postmaster, the office being at his house, and being known as the Portage Prairie 
Post OflBce. It is said to have been on the route following the old military road from Green Bay to 
Prairie du Chien, and the mail probably arrived about once a week. Under President Taylor, 
however, the office was removed to Centerville, two miles north of Cambria, and the • High 
Court of Centerville ' appointed the Postmaster. Mr. Rust was a member of the commission 
which laid out the road from Columbus to Princeton. During the first years of the county, he 
was elected Treasurer, but by some manipulation or other, S. C. Higbie obtained possession. 
He was twice Postmaster at Cambria, and held that oflSce in Rochester, Vt., uhder Presi- 
dent Jackson. From the organization of the party to his death, he was an ardent Republican. 
A correspondent says of him and his class : ' The early settlers in this vicinity were fine speci- 
mens of manhood, and, perhaps, on the whole, the advancing step of civilization has not 
improved the character of our citizenship. We often sigh for the strong bonds of brotherhood 
which elevated the first settlers to a great extent above the petty jealousies and social and polit- 
ical strivings that now seem to permeate society. Then life was primitive; then the duties and 
details of existence, and its social relations, were truer and more genuine. 

" ' There was a general sympathy and all rejoiced sincerely in the success of a neighbor. 
We all feel deep and real sorrow at seeing one after another passing away, and to reflect that 
these golden links binding eras of life, will soon all be broken beyond restoration by any cun- 
ning hand.' The old age of Mr. Rust was genial and pleasant. Care sat lightly upon him 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 713 

and he never sought the jagged edges of life. Up to within a week of his demise, he was appar- 
ently in full possession of his mental faculties, and his health was always remarkably good until 
within a short time of his death. However, it had been evident of late that his was the common lot 
of humanity. The correspondent above quoted remarks : ' It is many years since he gave up 
active labor and business, but he preserved in an eminent degree his remarkable social powers. 
It seemed as though by almost superhuman energy that, while the physical man was gradually 
wearing away, the mind would not surrender its scepter until its tabernacle crumbled entirely away. 
There is a moral sublimity in the close of a symmetrical life ; in the blending of earthly and spirit- 
ual life, where there seems no chasm to separate the present from the great future. Manhood suc- 
ceeds childhood, and old age follows close upon the footsteps of manhood ; and the hoary frost 
of many winters crown the head until he is gathered in like golden grain fully ripe and ready 
for the sickle.' Mr. Rust was married but once, but was a husband fifty-six years, thirty- 
three of which were passed in Courtland. His wife and five of his nine children survive 
him." 

The following is a list of town officers from the organization of the town to the present 
time: 

1849 — Jeremiah Williams, Chairman ; Horace Rust, Milan G. Toby, Supervisors ; Ed- 
ward E. Randall, Clerk ; Jackson G. Coil, Assessor ; John Jess, Treasurer; Edward E. Randall, 
School Superintendent. 

1850— Jeremiah Williams, Chairman ; John B. Williams, Ransom H. Mead, Supervisors ; 
William L. Williams, Clerk ; Jackson G. Coil, Assessor ; Randall lUsley, Treasurer ; Francis 
G. Randall, School Superintendent. 

1851— Ransom H. Mead, Chairman ; C. B. Williams, Wilson G. Toby, Supervisors ; 
Jeremiah Williams, Clerk; William Bump, Treasurer; William B. Toby, Alonzo C. Knight, 
Evan Edwards, Assessors ; John M. Mead, School Superintendent. 

1852 — Ransom H. Mead, Chairman; Roger Rogers, Samuel G. Whiting, Supervisors; 
Henry B. Galleys, Clerk ; William Bump, Treasurer ; Robertof Roberts, John M. Mead, 
Assessors ; John M. Mead, School Superintendent. 

1853 — Ransom M. Mead, Chairman ; Robertof Roberts, Roger Rogers, Supervisors ; Henry 
B. Galleys, Clerk ; William Bump, Treasurer ; F. G. Randall, William 0. Jones, Assessors ; 
Samuel G. Whiting, School Superintendent. 

1854 — R. H. Mead, Chairman; Roger Rogers, Seth H. Higgins, Supervisors; John M. 
Mead, Clerk ; Wolcott Watson, Treasurer ; William Bump, Assessor ; Samuel G. Whiting, 
School Superintendent. 

1855 — Nathan Griffin, Chairman ; John ap Jones, Lewis Brown, Supervisors ; Charles 
Rust, Clerk ; Jesse G. Southwell, Treasurer ; Edwin B. GriflBn, Assessor ; S. D. Hambleton, 
School Superintendent. 

1856— F. G. Randall, Chairman ; Randall Illsley, Roger Rogers, Supervisors ; Charles 
Rust, Clerk; Franklin C. Toby, Treasurer; Horace Rust, Assessor ; S. D. Hambleton, School 
Superintendent. 

1857 — Ransom H. Mead, Chairman ; Mills Rust, Roger Rogers, Supervisors ; F. G. 
Randall, Clerk ; Edward L. Williams, Treasurer ; Horace Rust, Assessor ; J. H. Williams, 
School Superintendent. 

1858 — Jeremiah Williams, Chairman ; Walcott Watson, L. Richards, Supervisors ; J. D. 
Jones, Clerk ; Evan Owens, Treasurer ; E. L. Williams, Assessor ; G. F. Hunt, School 
Superintendent. 

1859 — J. D. Jones, Chairman ; Richard McCumber, Roger Rogers, Supervisors ; Evan 
O.Jones, Clerk; Mills Rust, Treasurer; E. L. Williams, Assessor; Charles Rust, School 
Superintendent. 

I860 — John D. Jones, Chairman ; Solomon Harvey, William Bump, Supervisors ; David 
R. Evans, Clerk ; R. H. Mead, Treasurer ; E. L. Williams, Assessor ; J. L. Williams, School 
Superintendent. 



714 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1861 — Solomon Harvey, Chairman ; Evan 0. Jones, William Bump, Supervisors ; D. R. 
Evans, Clerk ; Robert H. Hughes, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor ; Henry H. 
Rust, School Superintendent. 

1862 — E. 0. Jones, Chairman ; William Bump, R. B. Thomas, Supervisors ; D. R. 
Evans, Clerk ; Roger Rogers, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor. 

186-3 — E. 0. Jones, Chairman ; R. B. Thomas, W. Griffin, Supervisors ; D. R. Evans, 
Clerk; J. G. Southwell, Treasurer; Edward L. Williams, Assessor. 

1864 — William Owen, Chairman ; R. B. Thomas, William Bump, Supervisors ; R. T. 
Williams, Clerk ; Jeremiah Williams, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor. 

1865 — R. B. Thomas, Chairman ; D. R. Jones, George Bennett, Supervisors ; G. 0. 
Jones, Clerk ; Jeremiah Williams, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor. 

1866 — Henry B. Rust, Chairman ; George M. Bennett, William 0. Jones, Supervisors ; 
G. 0. Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor. 

1867 — H. B. Rust, Chairman ; John L. Lloyd, Supervisor ; John B. Jones, Clerk ; R. 
B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor. 

1868 — R. H. Mead, Chairman ; Roger Rogers, William R. Williams, Supervisors ; G. 0. 
Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Mills Rust, Richard G. Owen, Evan Owens, Assessors. 

1869 — R. H. Mead, Chairman ; Evan Owens, David D. Morris, Supervisors ; G. 0. 
Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Mills Rust, Assessor. 

1870 — H. B. Rust, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, Evan Owen, Supervisors ; G. 0. Jones, 
Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Mills Rust, Assessor. 

1871 — George M. Bennett, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, William 0. Jones, Supervisors ; 
E. 0. Jones. Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1872 — George M. Bennett, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, William 0. Jones, Supervisors ; E. 0. 
Jones, Clerk ; Robert J. Rowland, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1873 — George M. Bennett, Chairman ; William Hughes, G. W. Townsend, Supervisors ; 
E. 0. Jones, Clerk ; R. J. Rowland, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1874 — George M. Bennett, Chairman ; William Hughes, John W. Lee, Supervisors ; R. 
J. Rowlands, Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1875 — John W. Lee, Chairman ; D. D. Mon'is, D. T. Williams, Supervisors ; R. J. Row- 
lands, Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1876 — J. W. Lee, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, D. T. Williams, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, 
Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1877 — John W. Lee, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, D. T. Williams, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, 
Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1878 — John J. Lloyd, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, G. Richards, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, 
Clerk ; H. R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor. 

1879 — D. D. Morris, Chairman ; Maurice Blodgett, Owen Corley, Supervisors ; R. E. 
Jones, Clerk ; H. R. Hughes, Treasurer ; John Quinn, Assessor. 

1880 — D. D. Morris, Chairman ; M. R. Blodgett, Owen Cordy, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, 
Clerk ; H. R. Hughes, Treasurer ; John Quinn, Assessor. 

VILLAGE OF CAMBRIA. 

In 1844, two brothers, by the name of Langdon, settled on the site of the present village, 
one of them building a saw-mill on a branch of Duck Creek, the other opening a small stock of 
general merchandise. Four blocks were surveyed and platted, and the prospective village named 
Florence. The name, however, was not readily accepted by the community surrounding it, and 
was better known as Langdon's Mill. 

In 1848, the Langdons put up a frame for a grist-mill, but were unable to purchase the 
necessary machinery to operate it. In the spring of 1840, one Bell came out and advanced 
money for that purpose, taking a mortgage upon the whole of Langdon's property to secure the 
debt, and, in consequence of non-payment when due, it all passed into his hands. Mr. Bell now 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 715 

took steps to enlarge the boundaries of the new village, having surveyed and platted quite a 
large addition to the original plat. In order to perpetuate his name, he called the village Bell- 
ville. The business of milling, as established by the Langdons, he continued until 18.51, when 
he disposed of his entire interest in mill and village to John ap Jones and Evan Edwards. 
Jones & Edwards not being practical millers, employed Gabriel Williams to superintend it, and 
the mill became more noted than ever before. Until age made it necessary to abandon the work, 
Mr. Williams continued to be identified with the mill as Superintendent or proprietor. 

The new proprietors of the village, as well as the few who had settled here, were not pleased 
with the name of Bellville, and by them it was changed to Cambria. But little growth was 
attained until the completion of the railroad through the place in 1857. At that time, the pros- 
pect was good for a large and enterprising village, but for some cause its growth was checked. 
Unlike many villages, it cannot be said it ever was ahead of the country tributary to it. 

As might be inferred, the first building in the village was erected by the Langdons, and 
was situated near the mill. This house was still standing in 1880, but no longer used as the 
abode of man. For a number of years previous, the owners of the mill into whose hands it fell 
used it for stabling purposes. 

The first hotel in Cambria was built by Griffith & Evans in the summer of 1856. It 
remained in their possession but a short time, when it passed into the hands of Gibbs & Halsey, 
who in turn transferred it to John 0. Jones, it afterward passing successively into the hands of 
H. Dunham, Murdoch & Smith and Chatwood & Son, and was burned in 1872. 

In the fall of 1852, L. Richards came to the village and opened a small store. At this 
time, there was no post ofiice here, and Mr. Richards, as well as others, was put to a great deal 
of inconvenience in receiving mail, being under the necessity of going some three miles to the 
nearest post office. Mr. Richards began to urge the department to establish an office here, and 
it was mainly through his instrumentality the work was accomplished. The country being thinly 
settled, and two post offices within three miles, the department felt unwilling to do anything 
unless one of the two should be suspended, and the mail contractor willing to change the route. 
But, in the spring of 1854, the necessary arrangements were made for an office, and William 
Post received the appointment of Postmaster, and served as such until the spring of 1856. At 
this time, James Kelley came to the village looking for a location, and, being favorably 
impressed, he purchased the stock of merchandise of Mr. Post, and the latter resigned in his 
favor. Mr. Kelley performed the duties of the office until 1868, whed he resigned and was suc- 
ceeded by Horace Rust. Going East, Mr. Kelley embarked in oil and other speculations, which 
not proving remunerative, he returned to Cambria, and receiving the appointment, he again dis- 
charged the duties of Postmaster, and continued until January, 1879, when he was succeeded 
by Peter Williams. The office was made a money-order office in 1869. The first order was 
issued July 14, 1869, to Griffith 0. Jones, in favor of C. H. Mariner, New Lisbon, Ohio, for 
the sum of $35. The second order was also issued to Mr. Jones. During the year 1879, there 
were issued 1,045 orders, calling for the sum of $15,075.53. 

In addition to the hotel of Chatwood & Sons, which, as has already been stated, was burned 
in 1872, two others have been erected in the village — the Peterman House and Cambria Hotel. 
The former was a large stone structure, erected in 1874, and burned April 26, 1879. The lat- 
ter was opened in 1872, after the first was destroyed, by Isaac Parry. 

A fire visited the village in 1874, which is thus described by a local writer : " On Sunday 
afternoon, December 20, 1874, occurred the most destructive fire ever witnessed in our village, 
destroying the principal stores, and laying desolate the greater part of the north side of Water 
street. At about 3:-30 P. M., the alarm of fire was raised, and smoke was seen issuing from the 
building of B. W. Roberts, the lower part of which was occupied by J. B. Smith, who had lately 
opened a branch of his Fox Lake store, under the care of David Williams. On forcing open 
the doors, the ceiling was discovered to be ablaze, and the fire under full headway. A large 
crowd soon gathered and many of the goods were saved. To the west was a large wooden build- 
ing, the main part of which was used as a warehouse by Isaac Parry, the rest of which was 



716 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

occupied by Squire Patton as a dwelling. This was soon in flames. The next building was A.dam 
Schlussmann's shoe-shop, which was soon torn down to prevent further spread of the fire to the 
west. If there had been any wind from the north, the wliole town would have been burned. As 
it was, the greatest care was necessary to prevent the buildings on the opposite side of the street 
from taking fire; they were scorched and blistered, and every pane of glass in front of Peter- 
man's new hotel was cracked by the intense heat. East of Smith's store was D. D. Jones' 
dry-goods store, which was soon in flames. It was now evident that the whole street would go, 
and the greater part of the goods in the remaining buildings were speedily removed. The next 
building demolished was occupied by D. Roberts as a dwelling-house and tailor-shop ; ne.xt came 
E. R. Williams' harness-shop ; then as fast as the flames could devour them, George Buck's 
barber-shop, John Davies' shoe-shop, and finally Thomas Lewis' harness-shop. Here the fire 
stopped, there not being wind enough to carry the flames across Madison street to Purnell's hard- 
ware store. The entire loss is estimated at from $18,000 to $20,000 ; insurance about $2,000. 
The principal losers are J. B. Smith and D. D. Jones; Smith's goods were insured, and he will 
lose about $3,000 ; Mr. Jones had no insurance, and loses about $6,000. None of the build- 
ings were insured. Dr. M. A. Shaw, whose oflice was over Smith's store, lost his medical 
library, which was insured for $50. This is a hard blow for Cambria, but the burned district 
will probably be rebuilt, and the appearance of the village improved. It is not known how the 
fire originated." 

The school district of Cambria was organized in 1847, and a house was built the same year 
on land given by Samuel Langdon. In size it was 20x24, built of oak lumber from Langdon's 
mill. The first winter term of school was taught by Betsy GriflSn, in 1848-49. The first and 
second summer terms were taught by S. S. Torbet ; the third by Miss Butterfield; the fourth by 
Miss Carhart ; the fifth by Mr. Knight; the fourth winter term by William Hollinshead. 
Teachers then received $1.50 per week, boarding around, and for the winter term $20 to $25 
per month. Mr. Edwards taught during the school year of 1855-56 ; John J. Williams, the sum- 
mer of 1856; Miss Mary Rust, the summer term of 1857; and Charles Rust, the winter of 
1857-58. The house then became inadequate to accommodate the pupils, there being seventy- 
five to crowd in a room 20x24. It was then abandoned and a room hired in a building then owned 
by Evan Morris. The new schoolhouse was built in 1861 — Hugh Roberts, builder — at a cost 
of $1,600. Number of scholars at that time, 313. The school was now graded, and the first 
teachers under the graded system were Harvey Rust, S. A. Van Middleworth and Amelia 
Kelly, and the wages received were $50, $32 and $20 per month. In 1868, the schoolhouse 
was moved to a more favorable location on Tower street, and an addition was built for the 
primary department, at a cost of $600. John J. Lloyd, S. A. "Van Middleworth and Nellie 
Roberts were teaching that year at a salary of $66, $32 and $24, respectively. Number of 
scholars enrolled, 332. In 1879-80, Ladoc Merrill, Lizzie Williams and Lizzie Hughes were 
teachers, receiving, respectively, a salary of $56, $26 and $20. Number of pupils enrolleil, 
254. Miss S. A. Van Middleworth taught the intermediate department eight years in suc- 
cession. The highest wages that have been paid a male teacher, were $66, and the lowest, $50, 
per month. 

Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church. — This church was organized in 1858, by Rev. Will- 
iam Jones, with twenty-five members. Rev. John ap Jones, a local preacher, ministered to the 
congregation from its organization until June, 1857, when he was succeeded by Rev. Reece 
Evans, who "labored in word and in doctrine" until June, 1879. The first services were held 
in the schoolhouse in the village, continuing therein until the erection of their church edifice in 
1857. The church house cost $3,000. It is 40x50 feet, and will seat 350 persons. The mem- 
bership of the church was 108. A Sunday-school was organized by the congregation in 1853. 
In 1879. its average attendance was 140. Henry Williams was their Superintendent. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — In 1850, Rev. Henry Roberts organized a class in 
a schoolhouse about one mile south of the village of Cambria, composed of about 
fifteen members, among whom were H. 0. Evans and wife, Griffith W. Jones, wife, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 717 

son and daughter; William Davis and wife, William Lloyd and wife, Ann Jones, John 
H. Roberts, Rowland Jones and wife, John T. Jones and wife. The congregation con- 
tinued to worship in the schoolhouse where it was organized until 18.56, when a church 
house was built in Cambria. To this place they then came. In the spring of 1873, the 
house was moved to a more favorable location and services held in the English language. 
Previous to this time, the Welsh tongue was used. The Welsh pastors of the church were Revs. 
Henry Roberts, William Owens, Robert Price, William R. Jones and John Jones. The 
English Pastors were Revs. Bronsoii, Shepherd, Teel, Averill and Safiron. The first oflB- 
cers were John T. Jones and John H. Roberts, Class Leaders ; H. 0. Jones, G. W. Jones 
and John H. Roberts, Stewards. In 1849, Samuel Davis was Class Leader and Thomas Morris, 
Steward. Membership, twelve. A Sunday school was organized in 1873, which ceased to exist 
in 1878. 

Welsh Oongregationalist Ohurch. — This church was organized in 1856, by Rev. John 
Parry, and a small frame house erected, which they designated as their " Tabernacle," wherein 
they met to worship until the completion of a church edifice in 1858. Their new house of 
worship was erected at a cost of $1,400, and was located on State street, Roberts' Addition to 
the village. Rev. John Parry was the first Pastor of the congregation, followed in order by 
Revs. G. Jones, D. D. Jones, M. Morris and J. V. Evans. Among the number composing its 
organization were W. R. Lloyd, Dr. J. H. Williams, David Richards, L. Richards, H. 
Hughes, P. Griffiths and Rev. G. Jones. In 1879, the church had a membership of fifty, with 
Roger Rogers, Deacon ; J. R. Jones, Treasurer ; Thomas Davis and John Owens, Ti'ustees ; L. 
Richards, Secretary. In 1879, the Sunday school connected with the congregation had had a 
continuous existence of twenty-six years, and had on its roll about sixty scholars. L. Rich- 
ards, Superintendent. 

Presbyterian Ghureh. — The society was organized in 1859, and a church building erected 
in 1860-61. The first Elder was John Peabody, and its constituent members were Mrs. Pea- 
body, Miss Peabody, John Van Middleworth and wife, Sarah Van Middleworth, Mrs. John D. 
Jones, Robert Currie. The Pastors have been Revs. Andrew Hardy, John Densmore, John 
Kelley, J. H. Richey. C. H. Spencer, David James, Morris Davis, Robert Roberts. Its present 
membership is 40. Elders — David Glass, John ap Jones, H. W. Thomas and G. D. Myers. 

The various temperance and benevolent organizations have not been without representation 
in the village, being represented by the Masons, United Workmen, Good Templars and Juvenile 
Templars. 

Good Templars. — A lodge of Good Templars was instituted March 28, 1874, by B. F. 
Parker, G. W. S., assisted by Theodore D. Kanouse, G. W. C. Its first officers and charter 
members were: K. Scott, W. C. T. ; Nellie Evans, W. V. T. ; Rev. W. Teal, W. Chap. ; H. 
C. Glendening, W. S. ; R. G. Humphrey, W. A. S. ; Louisa Hughes, W. T. ; Richard Jones, 
W. M. ; Perrie Williams, W. D. M. ; Laura Humphrey, W. I. G. ; J. Ridgeway, W. 0. G. ; 
Mrs. Scott, R. H. S. ; Peter Williams, L. D. ; M. J. Teal, Jennie Williams, Rev. Reese Evans, 
NeJ Evans, Mrs. H. C. Glendening, Mrs. B. Owen, Sarah Perry, Maggie Owens, M. J. Rach, 
Annie Williams, M. J. Owens, M. E. Williams, Sarah Humphrey, J. Bartholomew, Mrs. J. 
Bartholomew, Thomas Owens, Annie Morris, David Williams, Mrs. E. Evans, Mrs. A. 
Humphrey, Mrs. R. Williams, Richard Jones, Louisa Hughes, Rev. M. E. Davis, A. C. 
Humphrey, John Williams, Samuel Davis, Catharine Davis. In January, 1880, the officers 
were: George Beyers, W. C. T. ; Jennie Williams, W. V. T. ; John Davis, P. W. C. T. ; R. 
G. Humphrey. W. Chap. ; John V. M. Davis, W. S. ; Jennie Owens, W. A. S. ; William E. 
Williams, W. F. S. ; Nellie Edwards, W. T. ; John Edwards, W. M. ; Lizza A. Jones, W. A. 
M.; Hattie Hughes, W. I. G. ; William Beyers, W. 0. G. ; Eliza Williams, R. H. S. ; Louisa 
Hughes, L. H. S. ; Robert E. Jones, L. D. Membership, 55. Night of meetings, Friday, in 
Edwards' Hall. 

Camhria Lodge, No. 61, A. 0. U. W. — This lodge was organized April 24, 1879, by A. 
H. Casey, with the following-named officers and charter members : M. A. Shaw, P. M. W. ; 



718 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Peter Williams, M. W. ; Fred. Miller, M. ; William Peterman, 0. ; Edmund Evans. R. ; J. J. 
Edwards, F. ; H. AV. Thomas, Receiver ; Henry Williams, G. ; Edwin Davis, I. W. ; A. 
Schlissman, 0. W. ; Samuel Davis, William H. Sanders, Fred. Seeman and D. D. Jones. The 
lodge adopted as regular nights of meeting the second and fourth Wednesday in each month. 
At its first meeting in January, 1880, were elected and installed, Fred. Miller, M. W. ; H. R. 
Williams, G. F. : William Sanders, 0. ; William Peterman, 0. ; M. A. Shaw, G. ; A. Schleiss- 
man, I. W. ; William Seeman, 0. W. ; J. J. Edwards, F. ; H. W. Thomas, Rec. ; Peter 
Williams, P. M. W. Trustees : D. D. Jones, J. J. Edwards, and Henry Williams. 

Cambria Lodge, No. 152, A., F. A. M., was organized July 26, 1865, by S. H- 
Marquissee. Its charter members and first officers were G. 0. Jones, W .M. ; D. C. Davis, 
S. W. ; H. B. Rust, J. W. ; Horace Rust, Treasurer; R. J. Rowland, Sec; W. Meacher, 
S. D. ; J. B. Smith, J. D. ; S. G. Winters, Tiler. Up to January, 1880, five members had 
died, as follows : Mr. Blodgett, Jacob Jackson, Robert J. Rowlands, George Farcy, D. H. 
Ennis. At the annual election, January, 1880, were elected and installed, Peter Williams, W. 
M. ; E. Tripp, S. W. ; John Houston, J. W. ; P. Beckelhaupt, Treas. ; Z. Merrill, Sec. ; 
John Davis, S. D. ; H. H. Jones, J. D. ; D. A. Roberts, Tiler. Regular night of meeting, 
first and third Thursday, in each month. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Fires. — As has been stated, in 1872 the hotel of Chatwood & Son was destroyed by fire. 
In 1874, seven buildings on the north side of Water street were destroyed, the loss amounting 
to $10,000. April 26, 1879, four buildings on the south side of Water street met a similar 
fate, inflicting a loss of $-35,000. 

The grist-mill has frequently changed hands. Its first proprietors were the Langdons, 
then Bell, Jones <& Edwards, John ap Jones, Jones & Williams, Williams & Evans, Gabriel 
Williams, and Williams cS: Jones, who in 1880, were its proprietors. The old frame long since 
passeil away and in its stead was erected, in 1871, a large and handsome stone structure costing 
$40,000, and having placed in it nothing but the latest and most approved machinery. 

Since the original plat was recorded, several additions have been made to the village, and 
are known as J. D. Jones', Roberts', Sarah ap Roberts', Williams', Jones' and Kelly's Additions 
to Cambria. The greater part of the place lies within the town of Courtland, while the 
remainder is in the town of Randolph. Cambria was under town government until 1866, the 
Legislature of that year passing an act of incorporation, and in April, 1866, the first charter 
election was held. By the act of incorporation, the government was to consist of a President 
and five Trustees, a Clerk, Treasurer, Police Justice and Constable, who should be an ex oflScio 
Marshal, and such other officers as the Trustees should ordain. The President and Trustees 
and the Police Justice were to be elected annually, on the second Monday in April, the other 
officers to be appointed by the President and Trustees, to hold their offices for one year, or until 
their successors were duly appointed and qualified. The Police Justice was given all the rights 
and privileges of a Justice of the Peace, and was entitled to the same fees as received by them. 
Power was given to the President and Trustees to grant licenses for the sale of intoxicating, 
alcoholic, vinous, fermented, malt or mixed liquors, wine, beer or cider, and for passing and 
enforcing all laws necessary for the government of houses thereby licensed ; for organizing fire 
companies, restraining drunkards, establish pounds, and the licensing and controlling of other 
matters that might be necessary for good government. 

The following is a list of village officers for the several years since the organization of the 
village up to and including 1879 : 

1866 — E. 0. Jones, President ; Jacob Jackson, Nicholas Jones, R. J. Lloyd, Willard 
Smith, E. R. Williams, Trustees ; D. C. Davies, Police Justice ; R. T. Williams, Clerk ; R. J. 
Rowland, Treasurer, S. G. Winters, Marshal ; M. W. Patton, Street Commissioner. 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 719 

1867 — E. 0. Jones, President; Willard D. Smith, John De Witt Jones, Nicholas Jones, 
Elias R. Williams, Jacob Emter, Trustees ; Calvin M. Bush, Police Justice ; G. 0. Jones, 
Clerk ; R. J. Rowland, Treasurer ; John L. Owens, Marshal. 

1868 — E. 0. Jones, President; John D. Jones, Peter Bickelhaupt, J. W. Kelley, 0. E. 
Jones, G. D. Myers, Trustees ; R. J. Rowland, Police Justice ; G. 0. Jones, Clerk ; Isaac 
Perry, Marshal ; William H. Patton, Street Commissioner ; Elias R. Williams, Treasurer. 

1869 — E. 0. Jones, President; John D. Jones, G. D. Myers. D. D. Owens, Nicholas 
Jones, H. J. Roberts, Trustees ; R. J. Rowland, Police Justice ; G. 0. Jones, Clerk ; 0. E. 
Jones, Street Commissioner ; Herman Mode, Marshal ; John D. Jones, Treasurer. 

1870 — E. 0. Jones, President ; C. D. Myers, Peter Bickelhaupt, H. J. Roberts, Nicholas 
Jones, Hugh W. Thomas, Trustees; Griff 0. Jones, Police Justice; E. P. Jones, Supervisor; 
GrifF 0. Jones, Clerk ; John D. Jones, Treasurer ; 0. E. Jones, Street Commissioner. 

1871 — G. D. Myers, President ; Isaac Parry, Nicholas Jones, Thomas Lewis, Robert 
King, E. R. Williams, Trustees ; E. 0. Jones, Police Justice ; E. 0. Jones, Clerk ; H. J. 
Roberts, Treasurer ; H. Moede, Marshal ; John B. Williams, Street Commissioner. 

1872 — G. D. Myers, President; Peter Bickelhaupt, Thomas Lewis, Evan W. Lloyd, 
Gershom Jones, Elias R. Williams, Trustees ; E. 0. Jones, Police Justice and Clerk ; H. J. 
Roberts, Treasurer; Nicholas Jones, Street Commissioner; H. Moedi, Marshal. 

1873— G. D. Myers, President ; George Forey, H. W. Thomas, D. D. .Jones, E. Pur- 
nell, H. F. Miller, Trustees ; E. 0. Jones, Police Justice and Clerk ; E. W. Lloyd, Treasurer ; 
0. E. Jones, Marshal ; Nicholas Jones, Street Commissioner. 

1874— G. D. Myers, President; H. F. Miller, H. W. Thomas, John L. Owens, John 
Davis, M. A. Shaw, Trustees ; E. 0. Jones, Police Justice and Clerk ; D. D. Jones, Treasurer; 
R. G. Humphreys, Marshal ; John W. Williams, Street Commissioner. 

1875 — M. A. Shaw, President ; Thomas Morris, John L. Owens, Thomas Lewis, George 
Forey, E. Purnell, Trustees ; E. 0. Jones, Police Justice and Clerk ; D. D. Jones, Treasurer ; 
0. E. Jones, Marshal ; John W. Williams, Street Commissioner. 

1876 — John Davies, President ; Thomas Morris, Enoch Evans, G. Williams, Jacob Emter, 
J. W. Kelly, Trustees ; G. D. Myers, Police Justice ; J. W. Kelly, Treasurer ; Nicholas Jones, 
Street Commissioner ; Isaac Parry, Marshal ; M. A. Shaw, Clerk. 

1877 — Elias R. Williams, President ; Hugh W. Thomas, Robert G. Humphrey, John D. 
Owens, E. Purnell, Peter Williams, Trustees ; M. W. Patton, Police Justice ; John Davis, Clerk ; 
E. W. Lloyd, Treasurer ; Thomas Lewis, Street Commissioner ; Edward N. Jones, Marshal. 

1878— G. D. Myers, President ; D. G. Williams, E. W. Lloyd, E. R. Williams, J. J. 
Edwards, T. A. Davis, Trustees; Peter Williams, Police Justice; Thomas Lewis, Street Com- 
missioner ; E. 0. Jones, Clerk ; Peter Bickelhaupt, Treasurer ; Isaac Parry, Marshal. 

1879 — D. G. Williams, President ; H. W. Thomas, Thomas A. Davis, Peter Bickelhaupt, 
G. D. Jones, William A. Jones, Trustees ; Peter Williams, Police Justice ; M. A. Shaw, Clerk ; 
Isaac Parry, Marshal; Henry Jackson, Street Commissioner; D. D. Jones, Treasurer. 

The general business of the village has always been good, and is now represented by four 
general stores, one exclusive grocery store, one hardware, one jewelry, two drug and groceries, 
one furniture, one book, one restaurant, three saloons, one photograph gallery, two harness- 
shops, three shoe-shops, three wagon and blacksmith shops, one machine-shop, two tailor-shops, 
two paint-shops, one pump-shop, three millinery stores, three dressmakers, three physicians, 
three grain and stock dealers, one express agent, two insurance agents, two lumber-yards, one 
hotel, one grist-mill, two sewing-machine agencies and three agricultural machinery agencies. 

VILLAGE OF RANDOLPH. 

Following the building of a railroad, will be found villages springing up here and there, 
some of which are of mushroom growth, while others are the work of years, and show to the 
most casual observer an air of stability. Among the latter is the beautiful little village of 



720 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Randolph, the west ward of which is situated on Section 1, in the town of Courtland, 
the remainder being in the town of Westford, Dodge County. On the completion of the 
Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the citizens living 
near the present village, for their own convenience, desired that a station should be located here. 
The company proposed to erect a good depot building and tlie necessary side tracks, provided 
ground should be donated to them for that purpose. In the person of Abiel Stark was found one 
with sufficient public spirit to furnish the required land; and, on the 3d day of March, 1857, 
he executed to the company the following deed: 

This Iniienture. Made this 3d day «f March, in the year i>f our Lurd, one thousand eight hundred and fifty- 
seven, between Abiel Stark and .lane A., his wife, nf F.>x Lake, party (if the first part, and the La Cmsse & Milwau- 
kee Railriiad Cumpany, party of the second part, all of the State of Wisconsin, WUnesseth, that the said party of the 
first part, for and iu consideration of the sum of one dollar, to tliem in hand paid, by the said party of the second 
part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained, sold, remised, 
released, aliened, conveyed and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien, 
convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, their heirs and assigns forever, for a depot for said com- 
pany, a certain piece or parcel of land, situate in the county of Dodge, and described as follows, to wit: Commenc- 
ing at the southeast corner of a strip of land, north of right of way, on southwest quarter of Section six (G), Town- 
ship thirteen (l.'S) north, of Range thirteen |13|; thence running north on the highway, from right of way, two hun- 
dred and sixteen feet ; thence west nine hundred feet; thence south one hundred and sixty-six feet; thence west 
four hundred and fifty-three feet, to county line ; thence south fifty feet to the said right of way, containing five acres 
of land, more or less, together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in 
any wise appertaining; and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim, or demand whatsoever of the said party of the 
first part, either in law or erjuity, or in possession or expectancy of, in and to the above bargained premises and their 
hereditaments and appurtenances, to have and to hold the said premises above described, with the hereditaments 
and appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever. 

And the said Abiel Stark, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, does covenant, grant, bargain 
and agree to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, that at the time of the ensealing and 
delivery of said presents, were well seized of the premises, above described, as of a good, sure, perfect, absolute and 
indefeasible state of inheritance, in the law, in fee simple, and that the same are free and clear from all incum- 
brances whatever, and that the above bargained premises, in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of 
the seconil part, their heirs and assigns, against all and every person or persons, lawfully claiming the whole or any 
part thereof, he will forever warrant and defend. 

fn witness whereof. The said party of the first part hereunto set their bands and seals the day and year first 
above written. Abiel Stark, [l. s.] 

Sealed and delivered in the presence of J-^ne A. Stark, [l. s.] 

Francis Wans, 
.ToHN Converse. 

STATE OF WISCONSIN, 1 

CotNTV OF CoMIMBIA. ) 

Be it remembered, that on the 3d day of March, A. D. 1857, personally came before me the above-named Abiel 
Stark, and .Jane S., his wife, to me known to be the said persons who executed the said deed, and acknowledged the 
same to be their free act and deed, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. 

John Converse, Notary Pvblic. 

The above deed was received for record at the office of the Register of Deeds, at 11:45 
A. M., April 30, 1857. 

A temporary depot was erected the same month in which the deed was made, and used until 
the completion of the present building, in August following. 

The fir.st plat of the village was made December 2, 1857, principally on the farm of Abiel 
Stark, together with five acres held jointly by Abiel Stark and John Converse. In May (1858) 
following, Dickinson's addition was surveyed, followed by an addition in June, 1859, by Abiel 
Stark, and one in October, the same year, by Mr. Hollinshead, this last being within Columbia 
County. 

In April, 1857, John Converse finished the first building erected on the present site of 
the village, and used the same as a dwelling. Others were soon afterward in the course of 
erection ; and before long a thriving little village sprung up, which has had a steady growth to the 
present, not increasing rapidly in numbers, but adding to its population year by year, and also 
increasing steadily in material wealth. 

The first store building was erected in the year 1857 by H. B. Converse; the first ware- 
house by S. Merrill. 




'W. ■■ J^^gSf', 



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£:fe^^^£^ 



CAMBRIA. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 723 

The village now presents a very neat appearance, with a large number of excellent 
dwelling-houses and stores, the latter doing a first-class business. The population is about five 
hundred. Few of the first settlers of the place now remain, some having moved away, while 
others have died. Abiel Stark, the real founder of the place, departed this life in August, 1869, 
enjoying the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church, and died in the faith. Mr. John Converse died in August, 1879, surviving Mr. 
Stark some ten years. 

It is well to state here that the village was first given the name of Converseville, from Mr. 
John Converse ; it was afterward changed to Westford, and, finally, to Randolph. For the first 
thirteen years, it was attached to the town of Westford ; but, in the winter of 1869-70, the Leg- 
islature of the State passed an act incorporating Randolph as a village, and, on the 8th day of 
March, 1870, the first charter election was held. 

GOVERNMENT. 

The charter contains a provision that the President of the Board shall always be a resi- 
dent of the East Ward, or that part lying within the limits of Dodge County. The following 
village officers have been elected since the act of incorporation : 

1870 — President, Dr. William Meacher. Trustees, East AVard — R. C. Penney and A. 
Jones; West Ward — G. C. Foster and J. Binny. Assessor, R. D Calkins; Treasurer, R. 
Illsley ; Constable, Morris Taylor. Justices, East Ward — D. Kenyon ; West Ward — S. M. 
Smith; Clerk, S. M. Smith. Supervisors, East Ward — John E. Root; West Ward— S. M. 
Smith. 

1871 — President, Alvarado Jones. Trustees, East Ward — N. Rasmusson and G. C. Fos- 
ter ; West Ward — R. Arms and J. Binny. Assessor, M. Wilson ; Treasurer, R. C. Penney. 
Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root; West Ward — S. M. Smith. Constable, Walter Hinch- 
liffe ; Clerk, S. M. Smith. 

1872 — President, James Knowles. Trustees, East Ward — Martin Allen and I. S. Butter- 
field ; West Ward — J. Stalker and G. C. Foster. Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root ; West 
Ward — S. M. Smith. Treasurer, R. D. Evans. Justices, East Ward — H. B. Converse; West 
Ward — J. Stalker. Constable, Walter Hinchliffe ; Clerk, H. B. Converse. 

1873 — President, J. J. Stocks, elected, but resigned, and James Knowles appointed by the 
Board to fill vacancy. Trustees, East Ward — James Knowles and J. G. Stark ; West Wai-d — 
R. S. Richmond and R. Arms. Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root; West Ward — J. Stalker. 
Treasurer, R. D. Evans ; Assessor, A. Jones. Justices, West Ward — R. S. Richmond ; East 
Ward — H. B. Converse. Constable, M. G. Toby ; Clerk, H. B. Converse. 

1874 — President, R. D. Calkins. Trustees, East Ward — M. Wilson and N. Rasmusson ; 
West Ward — G. C. Foster and J. Stalker. Treasurer, R. D. Calkins ; Assessor, A. Jones ; 
Supervisors, East Ward — H. B. Converse ; W^est Ward — W. T. Whirry. Justices, East Ward 
— H. B. Converse ; West Ward— W. T. Whirry. Constable, J. A. Townsend ; Clerk, H. B. 
Converse. 

1875 — President, James Knowles. Trustees, East Ward — J. G. Stark and C. 0. Bige- 
low ; West Ward — R. S. Richmond and J. Stalker. Treasurer, R. D. Evans ; Assessor, C. J. 
Coleman. Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root ; West Ward — J. Stalker. Justices, East 
Ward— H. B. Converse; West Ward— W. T. Whirry. Constable, J. A. Townsend; Clerk, J. 
E. Root. 

1876 — President, R. D. Calkins. Trustees, East Ward — R. N. Rasmusson and C. 0. 
Bigelow ; West Ward — R. S. Richmond and Richard Arms. Treasurer, R. D. Evans ; Asses- 
sor, C. J. Coleman. Justices, East Ward — R. D. Calkins ; West Ward — Roger Williams. 
Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root ; West Ward — J. Stalker. Constable, J. A. Townsend ; 
Clerk, R. G. Roberts. 

1877 — President, James Knowles. Trustees, East Ward — J. G. Stark and M. Wilson ; 
West Ward — J. Roberts and R. S. Richmond. Assessor, C. J. Coleman ; Treasurer, R. D. 



724 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 

Evans. Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root ; West Ward — J. Stalker. Justices, East Ward 
— R. D. Calkins ; West Ward — Roger Williams. Constable, J. A. Townsend ; Clerk, J. E. 
Hughes. 

1878 — President, W. S. Johnson. Trustees, East Ward — H. W. Owen and N. Rasmus- 
son ; West Ward — G. C. Foster and R. V. Roberts. Assessor, C. J. Coleman ; Treasurer, R. 

D. Evans. Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root ; West Ward — G. C. Foster. Justices, East 
Ward— R. D. Calkins ; West Ward— Roger Williams. Clerk, R. G. Roberts. 

1879 — President, C. J. Coleman. Trustees, East Ward — C. 0. Bigelowand E. P. Jones ; 
West Ward — R. S. Richmond and Roger Williams. Assessor, M. Wilson ; Treasurer, R. D. 
Evans. Supervisors, East Ward — J. E. Root ; West Ward — G. C. Foster. Constable, M. D. 
French ; Clerk, J. G. Stark. 

1880 — President, C. J. Coleman. Trustees, East Ward — C. H. Smith, E. P. Jones ; West 
Ward — R. S. Richmond, Roger Williams. Treasurer, R. D. Evans ; Assessor, M. Wilson ; 
Constable, M. L. French ; Supervisors, East Ward, John E. Root; West Ward — G. C. Foster; 
Justices, East Ward, R. D. Calkins ; West Ward, Roger Williams. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first settler where the village now stands was John Hopper, who owned forty acres of 
land on what is now known as Dickinson's Addition to the village. 

The first child born in the village was Jessie R. Converse. 

The first school was taught by Lura L. Stark, daughter of Abiel and Jane Stark, in 
1858-59. 

The first lawyer was M. M. Fowler, who located here in 1859. 

The first load of wheat sold in the place was in August, 1857, by C. N. Ashley to G. W. 
Goldsmith. 

The village, like the country surrounding, was first settled by emigrants from the East ; but, 
of late years, a large number of Welsh have made their homes here, and to-day this people 
comprise nearly half of the population. They are an industrious and thrifty class, and make 
good citizens and neighbors. They have two flourishing churches. 

POST OFFICE. 

The first Postmaster in the village was John Converse, then James Knowles, and last, John 

E. Root, who received his appointment in 1873, the first year of Grant's second term. Mr. 
Root came to the village in 1861, and has resided here ever since. The ofiice was made a money- 
order office in 1872, the first order drawn being in favor of the Andes Insurance Company, of 
Cincinnati, by S. M. Smith, for the sum of $29.50. The amount of the business now being 
done yearly is about $20,000. 

MANUF.AOTORIES, ETC. 

Two mills have been built, the first in 1859, by Converse & Stevely, which was burned in 
1861. Another was erected some twelve years after, by Fred Zollner, assisted by the farmers 
of the neighborhood, who contributed some $2,000 for that purpose. This, too, was burned to 
the ground in May, 1879. 

Three large elevators are here, each handling a large amount of grain, and owned and con- 
trolled by James Knowles & Co. 

The State of Wisconsin has obtained an enviable reputation for the quantity and quality 
of its cheese, and in no place is this article better made than in the village of Randolph. In the 
year 1872, R. D. Calkins commenced its manufacture, and, during the season of 1879, he used 
the milk of about two hundred cows, and manufactured about thirty thousand pounds, 
which, estimating the average price per pound at 10 cents, will net the snug little sum of 
$3,000. Mr. Calkins buys his milk of the neighboring farmers, paying therefor about 90 cents 
per hundred pounds. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ' 725 

The mercantile trade of the place is rather above the average, there being about twenty 
stores of all kinds, including dry goods, groceries, hardware, millinery, drug, book, boot and 
shoe stores. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

Randolph, like many other similar villages, has had its newspaper. On the 1st day of Jan- 
uary, 1873, the first number of the Randolph Enti'rprise made its appearance, J. S. Lightner, 
publisher; Dr. Hacston, editor. For two years the Doctor continued its editor, when Mr. Light- 
ner, its publisher, donned the editorial harness and remained in charge for about one year, dur- 
ing which time it attained its greatest circulation. At the expiration of this time, he sold the 
material and good will of the office to E. W. Stevens, who continued it for another year, then 
selling to Messrs. Brown & Foster, who changed its name to Lively Times, which, if report 
be true, was less lively than any of its predecessors. Before the expiration of the year, they 
suspended the paper and moved the material of the office to another part of the State, since 
which time no effort has been made to fill its place. 

SCHOOLS. 

One of the best criterions by which to judge a village or city is the condition of its public 
schools, and it may be said that Randolph will not suffer by comparison. In 1867, it was dis- 
covered that the old schoolhouse was entirely unsuited to the wants of athriving village, and steps 
were at once taken for the erection of a better building. A site was chosen by a committee 
appointed for that purpose, and, the following year, the contract was let for the building of a 
house 34x50 feet, two stories in height, for the sum of $4,000. J. Roberts, N. Rasmusson and 
R. D. Calkins are the present Directors, with William Keeley, Principal, and Miss Jennie Mar- 
vin, assistant, in charge of the school. 

EXPORTS. 

The amount of shipments of the place in the year 1879, was as follows: Wheat, 5,574,000 
pounds ; barley, 365,840 pounds ; potatoes, 66,780 pounds ; cattle, 772,000 pounds ; hogs, 
852,000 pounds; butter, 57,475 pounds; wool, 86,000 pounds. If reduced to cars, we have, 
of wheat, 279; of barley, 1 ; potatoes, 4 ; cattle, 65 ; hogs, 71 ; butter, 3 ; wool, 7 ; a total of 
438 cars for the year. 

CHURCHES. 

There are in the place four churches, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Welsh Methodist 
Episcopal and Welsh Congregational, each with large, comfortable church buildings. 

Baptist. — This church was organized in February, 1867, with twenty-seven members, 
Elder Moore being its first Pastor. The erection of a suitable place of worship was at once 
taken in hand, and, in March. 1868, the present building was completed, at a cost of $5,000. 
The membership of the church increased rapidly until it numbered at one time nearly one hun- 
dred, but of late years it has been decreased by removals and deaths until their number has 
become so small they are not able to have regular services. They also have disbanded their 
Sunday school and stopped their weekly meetings for prayer. The following named have served 
as Pastors of the church since its organization : Elders Saxton, First, Heagle, McLeod and 
Sweet. The present Trustees are D. D. Ashley, Lewis Brown and R. D. Calkins. 

Methodist Upisc'opal — The Dodge County Directory, published in 1872, gives the date of 
erection of their church building as 1859. The church is now in a very flourishing con- 
dition, having a membership of about one hundred, and an average attendance in their Sun- 
day school of eighty. Their church building is a large frame, with basement. The following 
have served as Pastors : B. R. Shephard, C. C. Lathrop, D. Brown, F. T. Allen, Mr. Window, 
J. B. Cooper, Mr. Olmstead, Mr. Woodhead, U. H. Thompson and A. Reed, the present Pastor. 

Welsh Methodist Upiscopal. — This society was organized in 1868 with thirty-two members. 
It first worshiped in a schoolhouse purchased at a cost of |)248. In 1876, their present sub- 
stantial building was erected at a cost of $3,000. Its size is 32x46. The church is in a 



726 • HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

flourishing condition and the members are working together harmoniously. They employ no 
regular Pastor. Rev. Thomas Faulk and Rev. Thomas R. Jones are the resident local preachers. 
Present membership of church, eighty-seven ; Sunday school, seventy-five. 

Welsh Congregational Church. — Organized in July, 1876, with the following named mem- 
bers : John Lewis, James Thomas, H. C. Ellis, William E. Roberts, John W. Davis, J. D. 
Jones, William R. Roberts, Peter Thomas, Griffith R. Jones. The congregation is in good con- 
dition, with a membership of forty-five. They have only had one Pastor since their organiza- 
tion — Rev. J. P. Evans. The church building was erected in 1877 at a cost, including site, of 
$8,100. James Thomas and John W. Davis are Deacons ; Griffith R. Jones, Treasurer ; R. 
Griffith, Secretary ; H. C. Ellis, 0. W. Lloyd, William J. Davis, Trustees. The average attend- 
ance of Sunday school is forty-four. 

SOCIETIES. 

ijut one benevolent or temperance organization was in the place in 1879, that of the Temple 
of Honor, No. 33, organized in January, 1876, by Col. Watrous, G. W^ T., with sixty-four mem- 
bers. The Temple is in a flourishing condition, meets every Tuesday evening at Temple Hall 
(Baptist Church). 

The following named comprise the charter members : C. 0. Bigelow, W. S. Johnson, R. 
D. Evans, J. W. Olrastead, C. J. Coleman, R. G. Roberts, F. 0. Bolles, W. H. Albright, J. M. 
Albright, Hans Johnson, J. A. Lightner, M. H. Epley, J. M. Allen, John G. Griffin, M. F. 
Arms, H. Gilraore, J. H. Rockfellow, John E. Hughes, W. F. Root, James Lockhart, 0. C. 
Dibble, R. N. Rasmusson, H. C. Dunham, W. Byron, J. W. Townsend, John D. Davis, H. AV. 
Owen, Charles Heyer, F. D. Taylor, W. W. Alward, H. Phelps, David L. Hughes, D. S. John- 
son, John H. Owens, George G. Roberts, H. C. Williams, William E. Owens, D. Ilsley, 0. F. 
Lloyd, Milton Jones, Thomas R. Jones, 0. D. Scofield, John Jess, Charles W. Hinchliffe, W. 
Chapman, Thomas C. Williams, John Lloyd, N. Rasmusson, G. C. Foster, Frank Dibble, Junius 
Marvin, F. Yoaker, J. H. Phelps, R. H. Mead, William Lyke, E. H. Holmes, James Hanson, 
Thomas Alrinds, J. H. Holmes, H. Hutchinson, S. J. Butterfield, W. L. Price, E. Bryant, M. 
Neilson. 

The first officers were C. 0. Bigelow, W. C. T. ; W. S. Johnson, W. V. T. ; R. D. Evans, 
P. W. C. T. ; C. J. Coleman, W. R. ; R. G. Roberts, W. A. R. ; M. Arms, W. F. R. ; H. 
Dunham, W. T. : Charles Hinchliff'e, W. M. ; W. Chapman, W. G. ; E. Holmes, W. S. ; G. C. 
Foster, W. T. D. 

Present officers : R. D. Calkins, W. C. T. ; H. Harmer, W. V. T. ; W. W. Lloyd, W. R. ; C. 
Hutchinson, W. A. R. ; Dr. C. M. Willis, W. F. R. ; N. Rasmusson, W. T. ; James Marvin, 
M. U. ; Hans Larson, W. D. U. ; John Eggleston, W. G. ; W. S. Johnson, W. S. ; W. C. 
Foster, P. W. C. T. ; John Lloyd, W. T. D. 

HOTELS. 

Clement House. — This house was erected immediately after the laying-out of the village, by 
H. H. Russell, and kept by him for a short time, when it was disposed of to Edward Clement. 
Mr. Clement has leased the house from time to time to various parties, E. L. Hoy'', taking pos- 
session January, 1880. 

Russell Uoihse. — Was built by John Converse, who kept it for several years, disposing of 
it to H. H. Russell. In the spring of 1880, it passed into the hands of Roger Williams. 

TOWN OF DEKORRA. 

In 1846, this town, with much other territory, was formed into an election precinct, to be 
known as Dekorra Precinct. Elections were ordered held at the house of La Fayette Hill, and 
Joshua W. Rhodes, John Springer and Tiiomas Swearingen were appointed judges of election. 
In 1849, the Board of County Commissioners ordained that all that portion of Columbia County 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 727 

lying west of the Wisconsin River, and south of the Baraboo River, and the fractional part of 
Township 11, Range 9, and the fractional part of Township 11, Range 8, and that part of the 
south half of Township 12, Range 9, lying east of the Wisconsin River, should be organized 
into a town, to which was given the name Dekorra, and the house of Bishop Johnson designated 
as the place for holding the first election. Subsequently, the town was made to embrace only 
Township 11, Range 9, except a part of Section 6, lying west of the Wisconsin River, and all 
of Township 11, Range 8, lying east of the Wisconsin River. 

The northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 34, Township 11, Range 9, was 
the first land entered in this town. It was entered, as mentioned in a previous article, bv Wal- 
lace Rowan on the 6th day of June, 1836. The remaining three forties of this quarter were 
entered by J. D. Doty on the 8th day of February, 1837. 

Lots 2 and 3, on Section .5, Township 11, Range 9, were also entered by J. D. Doty on 
the 29th of July, 1836. All of Section 7, Township 11, Range 9, was entered October 10 of 
the same year, and ail of Section 8, Township 11, Range 9, was entered the following day. 

Upon the land entered by Wallace Rowan, the first hotel in the town Avas built, and for a 
considerable time kept by him. Many of the earlier settlers of the State have partaken of the 
hospitalities of Mr. and Mrs. Rowan, and many a singular anecdote is told of the manner in 
which the nights were spent at that place. The house was small and not calculated to accom- 
modate a great number of guests, and hotels in those days being few and far between, there 
were times when the number of guests were much greater than the lodging capacity of the 
house would accommodate. 

The oldest records of the town show that on the 3d day of April, 1849, there was an 
election held at the village of Dekorra, and that William W. Drake was elected Chairman of 
the Board of Supervisors, and Charles W. Kingsbury and Christopher Randall were his asso- 
ciates; Quintin Smith was elected Town Clerk; Joshua W. Rhodes, Assessor; William Owen, 
Superintendent of Schools ; William P. Barber, Hugh Mair and Thomas Robertson, Justices 
of the Peace ; Joel C. Doolittle and Robert Wilson, Constables. It appears, however, that 
some of the officers elected failed to qualify for on the 26th day of May of the same year, 
another election was held and Lafayette Hill was elected Justice of the Peace ; Joel C. Doolit- 
tle, Town Treasurer, and John S. Richmond, Superintendent of Schools. It again appears 
that John S. Richmond and Joel C. Doolittle failed to qualify, and that on the 28th day of 
November, James R. McMillan was appointed Town Treasurer and John Pate, Superintendent 
of Schools. On the 3d day of September, 1849, another election was held for county officers, 
at which there were forty ballots deposited. Those voting at that election were David McMur- 
phy, William B. McQuewen, W. P. Barber, Noah Dunham, Cyrus M. McMurphy, Lewis But- 
terfield, Thomas Greene, Henry W. Kingsbury, Nathan Palmer, Hezekiah Kingsbury, William 
G. Greene, Thomas Robertson, Lewis From, William Butterfield, C. Kingsbury, Isaac Griends, 
Henry York, W. B. Streeter, Solomon Cook, William W. Drake, J. C. Doolittle, John Pate, 
James Robertson, Quintin Smith, David Brewer, Thomas B. Scott, John Hutchinson, Pardon 
Davis, Joshua Dayton, Alexander McDonald, John T. De La Ronde, Simeon Lecuyer, Min- 
grove Bennett, James McMurphy, Rufus McMurphy, J. B. Miller, Samuel Williams, Bishop 
Johnson, Hugh Muir, J. H. Warren. Of the above number, in 1879 not one was then living in 
the town. Some four or five were in Caledonia, some have moved to parts unknown, and some 
have died. On the 6th day of November, of the same year, an election was held for State 
officers, at which forty-seven votes were cast, only one of which, in 1879, was of the town, that 
being William McDonald. Some six or seven were then residents of Caledonia. 

The pioneer mill in this part of Wisconsin is situated on Rocky Run Creek, about a hun- 
dred rods from the Wisconsin River, in the town of Dekorra, seven miles from Portage, and is 
known as the Dekorra Mills. It was erected in 1843, at which time there was no grist-mill at 
Madison, Baraboo, Portage, Wyocena, Kingston or at Columbus, and in the first years of oper- 
ating the mill, grists were brought from all these points and from a distance thirty or forty 
miles north of Portage. The mill was built by a company of men from Ohio who had large 



728 HISTORY OF COLUMHIA COUNTY. 

landed interests in Wisconsin, and who were the platters of the ancient and obsolete village of 
Dekorra. The first grist, which was of corn, was ground for Thomas Robinson, of Caledonia, 
better known as "Daddy" Robinson, now deceased. In 1847, the mill was leased for three 
years to Joshua Rhodes and .John Springer, both of whom have since died, the consideration 
being the building of a new dam and the making of some other improvements. The ne.xt ten- 
ant of the mill was I. I. Ege, who died at Dekorra two or three years ago, and who managed it 
a year. In 1852, S. M. Carr traded his farm in Ohio for this property without ever seeing it, 
and at once removed to Dekorra. He made considerable improvements in the mill and operated 
it until April, 1868, when it passed into the hands of John McKenzie, who has managed it 
ever since. He purchased the mill for a consideration of .§9,000. The cost of the repairs and 
improvements which he has since made on this property amounts to almost as much as the orig- 
inal price of the mill. During the first summer, he entirely overhauled it and put in a new 
water wheel at an expense of $2,300. In 1870, he expended $900 more for an additional 
water wheel, and in 1877 the mill was stopped for repairs from June to August. In that sea- 
son, the race was widened and deepened, and considerable masonry was laid under and about 
the mill, new timbers placed beneath it and new flumes constructed, the whole disbursement 
amounting to $2, .500. The latter, as a rule, have to be renewed every ten years, the line of 
decay being at the point where air and water meet. That submerged lumber does not rot is 
well illustrated by the fact that some of the white pine lumber, which has been under the 
water here for thirty-five years, is still as sound as when hewn, and harder. Except a portion 
of the frame, very little of the old mill now remains, and it has been gradually and constantly 
improved until it is now one of the most convenient and easily operated in the country. 

Among his improvements is the erection of a store building for flour, 14x36 feet, with 
basement underneath, used as a hitching place for the horses of his patrons. He has also con- 
structed a very tasty and well-built barn 30x42 feet, with a basement under all. A notable 
feature about the building is the attempt which has been made to render it rat-proof The floor 
and walls have been made the same as the solid rock, the grout and rock on the bottom being 
seven inches thick, with a plank floor over that. The carpenter work was done by G. M. Odie, 
a former resident of Portage, and the masonry by Henry Loos and Thomas Arnott, both of 
Portage. 

Before the supplying of the flour for Portage was divided up among so many mills, the 
monthly sales from that at Dekorra was sometimes as high as two hundred and fifty barrels, but 
now the monthly shipments here are scarcely a hundred. Gristing is done for patrons in Arling- 
ton, Caledoniii, Dekorra, Lowville, Leeds, Pacific and Wyocena. This inclucles the operation 
of the mills except that during the winter a considerable quantity of breadstuffs are ground 
and shipped to the pineries, and his shipments, in the winter of 1879, were twenty-one car 
loads. * 

The first schoolhouse (a board shanty) was erected in the spring of 1850, on the northwest 
quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 26, Townsiiip 11, Range 9, and the first school 
was taught therein by Miss Sarah Richardson. The following spring, a more substantial log 
building was erected a short distance from where the board shanty stood. This house served as 
a schoolhouse, church and rostrum, for a number of years. The first frame schoolhouse built 
in the town was built in the fall of 1850, near the village of Dekorra. 

Among the early settlers of this town were Thomas C. Nelson, Joshua W. Rhoads, Lafay- 
ette Hill, \Villiam Hartman, William McDonald, .James R. McMillan, Peter McKenzie, Alex- 
ander Stevenson, Williain Wilbur, Mr. Fish, Mr. Hutchinson, M. R. Rowan, Samuel B. Pin- 
ney, John /Thomas, S. B. Thomas, John Sims, Mr. Ensminger, Hubbard Johnson, Hugh 
Jamieson. 

In the summer of 1877, the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, living in the 
northeast part of the town, assisted by those liberally inclined, erected a neat church edifice, 
26x40 feet, at a cost of $1,600. They also furnished it with patent iron seats at an expense of 
^200. In the winter of 1876-77, Rev J. Warren, a local preacher living in the neighborhood. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 729 

began a protracted meeting, which was continued some weeks, resulting in the conversion of 
forty souls. A class was organized, but no church formed, those holding out faithfully uniting 
with the church at Portage. A Sunday-school had been held in the neighborhood for twenty 
years previous, the meeting being the result of the interest awakened in the school. The church 
building was the result of the meeting. 

Allen Johnson and Mary Chalfant were the first couple united in marriage in the town, 
and the event occurred in 1843. 

Death claimed his first victim in the person of Washington Van Winter, who died in Feb- 
ruary, 1845. The second death was that of Mr. Osborne, who died the following spring at the 
house of A. Johnson. 

The surface of this is generally wooded with the ordinary small oaks, showing only one 
small patch of prairie in the southeast corner of Township 11, Range 8. Along Okee Creek, 
in the southern part, and along Rocky Run, in the northern part, are marsh belts about a mile 
in width. Near the Wisconsin River, the altitude is generally 190 to 200 feet ; away from it, 
250 to 300 feet. The higher limestone country skirts it along its southern and western sides, 
sending into it a few projecting points. A number of isolated bluffs also dot its surface, rising 
100 to 200 feet above the general level, the highest ones reaching the horizon of the Lower 
Magnesian. 

In the fall of 1870, the Madison & Portage, now the Madison Branch of the Chicago Mil- 
waukee Railroad, was completed through the town, passing from north to south through Sections 
3, 10, 15, 22, 27. 26 and 35. The company made two stations in the town — at Poynette and 
Hartman's. At the latter, there being no village, trains do not stop unless flagged, or to permit 
a passenger to get ofi" the train. 

The following is a list of town officers from 1849 to 1880 inclusive : 

1849— William Drake, Chairman ; Charles W. Kingsbury, Christopher- Randall, Super- 
visors; Quinton Smith, Clerk ; Joel C. Doolittle, Treasurer; Joshua W. Rboads, Assessor; 
William Owen, School Superintendent. 

1850 — Bishop Johnson, Chairman ; John S. Richmond, Danforth Pratt, Supervisors ; 
Quinton Smith, Clerk ; James McMillan, Treasurer ; Robert H. Miller, Assessor ; John Pate, 
School Superintendent. 

1851 — Joshua W. Rhoads, Chairman ; William Shanks, Matthew L. Kenyon, Supervisors ; 
Quinton Smith, Clerk ; Thomas McMillan, Treasurer ; Alexander Prentiss, Assessor ; John 
Pate, School Superintendent. 

1852 — Daniel White, Chairman ; James Wilson, John Hutchinson, Supervisors ; Josiah 
Mitchell, Clerk ; Samuel B. Thomas, Treasurer; Joseph Hartman, Assessor ; John Thomas, 
School Superintendent. 

1853 — Daniel White, Chairman; James Wilson, John' Hutchinson, Supervisors; James B. 
Boylan, Clerk ; George Ege, Treasurer ; Samuel B. Thomas, Assessor; James B. Boy Ian, 
School Superintendent. 

1854 — Daniel White, Chairman ; James Wilson, John Hutchinson, Supervisors ; Charles 
Martin, Clerk; M. M. Ege, Treasurer; Robert Shortly, Assessor; Harver Curtis, School 
Superintendent. 

1855 — Joshua W. Rhoads, Chairman ; Solomon Cook, George C. Hopkins, Supervisors ; 
Charles Martin, Clerk ; Josiah Mitchell, Treasurer ; William H. Wilbur, Assessor ; James 
Irons, School Superintendent. 

1856 — Daniel White, Chairman ; Alexander Stephens, Robert Wilson, Supervisors ; 
George L. Francis, Clerk ; Josiah Mitchell, Treasurer ; John Sims, John McKenzie, Assess- 
ors ; James Irons, School Superintendent. 

1857-^Daniel White, Chairman ; Alexander Stephens, John Hutchinson, Supervisors ; 
George L. Francis, Clerk ; Joseph Wood, Treasurer; Archibald Hastie, Assessor; James 
Irons, School Superintendent. 



730 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1858 — Daniel White, Chairman ; Alexander Stephens, John Hutchinson, Supervisors ; 
George L. Francis, Clerk ; Joseph Wood, Treasurer ; Archibald Hastie, Assessor ; James 
Irons, Superintendent. 

1859 — William Waugh, Chairman ; L. N. Wilkins, Samuel Fish, Supervisors ; William 
Bonstel, Clerk ; Neenian Thompson, Treasurer : James Mccolean, Assessor ; James Irons, 
School Superintendent. 

1860 — Daniel White, Chairman; Samuel Fish, Horace Hutchinson, Supervisors; George 
L. Francis, Clerk ; B. S. Buck, Treasurer ; Ralph Tomlinson, Assessor ; Nelson Whitman, 
School Superintendent. 

1861 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; Oliver Luther, William Buckley, Supervisors ; George 
L. Francis, Clerk; Alexander Freeland, Treasurer; John McKenzie, Assessor; James L. 
Sims, School Superintendent. 

1862 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; 0. C. Luther, William Buckley, Supervisors ; George 
L. Francis, Clerk ; Alexander Freeland, Treasurer ; John McKenzie, Assessor. 

1863 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; James Wilson, 0. C. Luther, Supervisors ; William 
C. Bonstel, Clerk ; Archibald Hastie, Treasurer ; John McKenzie, Assessor. 

1864 — B. S. Buck, Chairman; James Wilson, Elijah Hinkson, Supervisors ;. E. F. Rus- 
sell, Clerk ; Frank Wilkins, Treasurer ; Joseph Hartman, Assessor. 

1865 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; Robert Wilson, Elijah Hinkson, Supervisors ; E. F. 
Russell, Clerk ; Silas J. Packard, Treasurer ; William C. Bonstel, Assessor. 

1866 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; Elijah Hinkson, Archibald Hastie, Supervisoi's ; E. F. 
Russell, Clerk : Silas J. Packard, Treasurer ; Charles Early, Assessor. 

1867 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; Elijah Hinkson, A. Hastie, Supervisors ; E. F. Rus- 
sell, Clerk ; T. Hartman, Treasurer ; Alexander Freeland, Assessor. 

1868 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; AVilliam C. Bonstel, Charles Early, Supervisors ; 
William Hastie, Clerk; Joseph Hartman, Treasurer; Alexander Freeland, Assessor. 

1869 — John McKenzie, Chairman ; Elijah Hinkson, William Buckley, Supervisors ; Will- 
iam Hastie, Clerk ; William Laughlin, Treasui-er ; Alexander Freeland, Assessor. 

1870 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; Neenian Thompson, Thomas Cutsforth, Supervisors ; 
William Hastie, Clerk; W. B. Laughlin, Treasurer; George McMillan, Jr., Assessor. 

1871 — John McKenzie, Chairman; H. S. Reedal, James Luther, Supervisors; AVilliam 
Hastie, Clerk ; William Dunlap, Treasurer ; George McMillan, Jr., Assessor. 

1872 — John McKenzie, Chairman ; H. S. Reedal, James Luther, Supervisors ; James 
Hastie, Clerk ; William Dunlap, Treasurer ; 0. P. Stevens, Assessor. 

1873 — John McKenzie, Chairman ; H, S. Reedal, James Luther, Supervisors ; Edward 
Waugh, Clerk ; William Reedal, Treasurer ; James Cordiner, Assessor. 

1874 — John McKenzie, Chairman ; H. S. Reedal, James Luther, Supervisors ; Edward 
Waugh, Clerk ; William Reedal, Treasurer ; 0. P. Stephens, Assessor. 

1875 — Hugh Jamieson, Chairman ; W. B. Laughlin, William Dunlap, Superviors ; S. L. 
Scofield, Clerk ; N. C. Fish, Treasurer ; A. Hastie, Assessor. 

1876 — Archibald Hastie, Chairman ; William Dunlap, Thomas Cutsforth, Supervisors ; 
S. L. Scofield, Clerk ; Frank E. Smith, Treasurer ; James Cordiner, Assessor. 

1877 — Archibald Hastie, Chairman; Alexander Freeland, Newton Davis, Supervisors ; S. 
L. Scofield, Clerk ; Frank E. Smith, Treasurer ; William Dunlap, Assessor. 

1878 — Archibald Hastie, Chairman ; Alexander Freeland, Newton Davis, Supervisors ; 
S. L. Scofield, Clerk; Frank E. Smith, Treasurer; Thomas Cutsforth, Assessor. 

1879 — James R. Hastie, Chairman; Alexander Freeland, William Reedal, Supervisors; 
S. L. Scofield, Clerk ; M. B. Scofield, Treasurer ; Joseph Wood, Assessor. 

1880 — J. R. Hastie, Chairman ; Newton Davis, William Reedal, Supervisors ; S. L. 
Scofield, Clerk; M. B. Scofield, Treasurer; Joseph Wood, Assessor. 

In the spring of 1837, Thompson, Trimble and Morton platted a village on Section 5, t& 
which was given the high-sounding name of " Kentucky City," so named in honor of Mr. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 731 

Morton, who was from the State of Kentucky. LaFajette Hill was induced to settle here, 
and in August, 1837, he built the first and only house erected in the " city." In vain was the 
call made for other settlers ; neither the name, location, or inducements held out by the proprie- 
tors of the place, attracted those in search of a home. The plat was vacated in due time, and 
" Kentucky City " was a thing of the past. 

VILLAGE OF DKKORRA. 

In the fall of 1842, Thompson & Trimble, who became s6le owners of the greater part of 
Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, Township 11, Range 9 east, including the site of the former village of 
Kentucky City, sent out J. W. Rhoads and Thomas C. Nelson, with instructions to build a mill, 
lay out a village and establish a store at this point. The mill was built according to instruc- 
tions, a complete account of which is given in the history of the town of Dekorra, it being outside 
the limits of the village as platted. The village was laid out, the plat made and recorded Janu- 
ary 7, 1843. The site was that upon which the former village of Kentucky City was located, 
and was selected on account of the facilities as a landing on the river at that place, and for years 
it was a great distributing point for lumber, and a large area of country, extending as far north 
as Madison, was supplied thence. Quite a village gradually sprang up around the landing, and 
there is a tradition that Dekorra narrowly escaped being selected as the site for the State 
capital ; but the building of railroads cut off its trade, and it languished and dwindled until it 
now consists of only a store, run by James McMillan, who is also Postmaster ; a blacksmith 
shop, and the best ferry on that part of the river. 

In 1856, Peter Taylor and Mr. Ege built a saw-mill at Dekorra, which was subsequently 
transformed into a steam grist-mill. The enterprise proving a failure, the machinery was sold 
and transferred to Blue Mounds. 

The first store was opened in 1843, by Rhoads & Nelson, agents of Thompson & Trimble ; 
the second, by J. B. Miller ; third, by James McMillan ; fourth, by George Ege ; fifth, a 
grocery store, by Thomas McMillan. 

John Springer started a blacksmith-shop in the village this same year. 
A post ofiice was established here in the spring of 1843, with Thomas C. Nelson as Post- 
master. 

La Fayette Hill, whose house was built while the place was known as Kentucky City, kept 
the first hotel, and Hill's tavern was always well patronized. 

Death claimed its first victim in a child of John Springer, in 1844. 

No church building was ever erected in the village, but a congregation of Presbyterians was 
organized here October 24, 1854, under the name of "Presbyterian Church of Dekorra and 
Caledonia." The Presbytery of Winnebago at this time sent Revs. H. R. Robertson, W. W. 
McNair and Elder Reed to organize if the way was clear. After the usual services, Michael 
Cochrane, Robert Sample, William Sample, John Brown, Margaret Brown, John Marshall, 
James Stevenson and wife and Peter Shaw signed the articles of covenant and were consti- 
tuted a Presbyterian Church as above named. John Brown was elected and ordained as Elder, 
and John Marshall, Deacon. Rev. John McNulty was chosen as Pastor and served until his 
death in 1861. On the 3d day of September, 1862, the congregation was formally disbanded. 
On the 9th day of April, 1863, a United Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. J. 
W. Collins. Peter McKenzie and Thomas Allan were chosen as Elders. Those composing the 
organization, in addition to the Elders named, were David Aitken, Margaret Aitken, Samuel 
Edwards, Elizabeth J. Hastie, Jane McCulloch, Jane McMillen, Christina McKenzie, John 
McKenzie, Isabella Robertson, Electa M. Smith, Mary Wilson, Sr., Elizabeth Wilson, James 
Burns. Those serving the church as Pastors were Revs. J. A. Morrow, G. W. Torrence, 
Thomas S. Parks, J. R. Harris, Mr. Brown, W. Wright, Mr. Smith, M. B. Williams and Hugh 
Brown. Mr. Brown served a longer time than any other Pastor, his labors ceasing only when 
called away by death. May 15, 1876. Since the death of Mr. Brown, the church has not 



732 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

flourished, and it has now but seven or eight members, with Peter McKenzie and John Brown 
as Elders. A good Sunday school is kept in operation. 

In 1846, William McDonald laid out a village on the northwest quarter of Section 14. 
Township 11, Range 1» east, and gave it the name of " Inch." The place has never belied its 
name, its rank among the villages of the county being such as to properly bring it within the 
meaning of that appellation. No lots were ever sold, stores opened or houses built, and in the 
year of our Lord 1880, people living in the neighborhood speak of it as "once being called 
Inch, but now it is not even half an ' Inch.' " 

La Fayette Hill, in 1848, purchased the northeast quarter of Section 10, and laid out the 
village of Oshaukuta. Like many other villages, it never attained a very remarkable growth. 
Mr. Hill himself erected a public house, known as Hill's tavern, which always maintained a 
good reputation, and was open to the public until his death, in 1853. Several lots were given 
away and a half-dozen houses erected, including a store and blacksmith-shop. A post office was 
also established here, but has long since been discontinued. 

VILLAGE OF POYNETTE. 

Upon the 8th day of February, 1837, J. D. Doty entered 120 acres of land of the south- 
east quarter of Section 34, Township 11, Range 9, and caused to be laid out the village of 
Pauquette, the plat of which was recorded on the 15th day of March of the same year. Tha 
plat, however, was subsequently vacated. About the year 1850, application was made by peti- 
tion to the Post Office Department, through Doty, to have a post office established at this point, 
and the petitioners desired the name given the office to be Pauquette, the same as that given by 
him to the village he had laid out. Through a clerical error, it was called Poynette. No effort 
was ever made to change the name, and when the village was again laid out it was called 
Poynette, after the name of the post office. 

The first plat of the village was made in 1851, by Samuel B. Pinney, and comprised the 
northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 34. Mr. Pinney, shortly after platting, 
transferred it to John Thomas. Since this time, various additions have been made, one made by 
Brayton ct Tomlinson, and recorded September 25, 18G3 ; one by Mary A. Jackson, recorded 
November 16, 1865 ; one by Tomlinson & Hudson, recorded July 14, 1871. The Poynette 
House and American House, and nearly all that part of the village west of Main street, on the 
north side, and part of that on the south side, of the creek, are on Jamieson's Addition. 
Other additions were made, but prior to 1879 had been vacated. 

" There were about a dozen inhabitants in the village of Poynette twenty-five years ago, 
and four dwelling-houses, including the public house kept by Hugh Jamieson. S. B. Thomas, 
who kept the post office (John Thomas was the Postmaster), Hubbard Johnson and Hugh 
Jamieson — the latter just married and occupying one apartment of a double log house, while 
the other served as a schoolroom. It was Poynette's first school. The inhabitants contemplated 
building a schoolhouse, and in order to draw the public money they had to have a school ; so 
they taxed the inhabitants to raise money to pay a teacher, for which services they paid $6.00 
per month. For something to eat the teacher walked home with her scholars, sometimes two 
or three miles out in the country ; for Poynette was a village (why not?) with hotel, post office, 
and blacksmith shop. I used to hear people say Poynette would be as large as Portage City 
some day. The school numbered twenty-four scholars, but twelve or fifteen was the usual 
attendance. An old bachelor refused to pay his tax for the reason he had no children to send 
to school. Another (not an old bachelor) withheld a portion of his tax, claiming that a certain 
young man who was paying his addresses to the teacher owed him, and he was holding on to 
see how matters progressed, and if they married he was going to turn it, and if not he would 
pay the teacher sometime. Of the scholars only two are now residents of Poynette — Courtland 
Brown and John Wilson. Of the rest, some have died, some are in Iowa, some in Minnesota, 
some in Missouri, and one in New York, now a Methodist minister. I remembera snow storm 
the 11th day of June. As I was on my way to school, I saw a man in the field near the roadside 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 733 

flanting corn over with overcoat and mittens on. The same was Hugh Jamieson. When 
arrived at the schoolhoiise, the scholars were there ; and as most of them were barefooted, and 
no fire in the schoolroom, they had to go home and wait for fair weather. The house was built 
by Wallace Rowan ; and, since vacated, has served for the purposes of a dry-goods store, 
post office, schoolhouse and meeting-house. A Mr. Cornell, a Baptist minister, used to come 
to Poynette. He usually sent an appointment to preach on the Sabbath. Of the dozen 
inhabitants, no two held the same faith and belonged to the same order. Mrs. Johnson 
was the only Methodist. Pierce Jamieson was the first white child born in the village 
of Poynette. Mr. Thomas was Postmaster, and the mail matter was kept in an old tool 
chest in one corner of the kitchen. It is a difficult matter for the youth of the present day to 
understand that at the time of which I write, the fleet-footed deer and wily prairie wolf might 
occasionally be seen Avhere the iron horse now plunges along, heavily laden with the products of 
a country which then scarcely furnished more than the inhabitants required for imme- 
diate use, for scarcely a foot of land on the prairie south of our now prosperous and 
flourishing village was under cultivation, except a very few pieces adjoining the timber. If, 
however, they had a few bushels of grain to spare which they wished to convert into cash, they 
hauled it to Milwaukee, a distance of upward of a hundred miles. This journey was usually 
performed with oxen, taking from eight to twelve and sometimes fifteen days to make the round 
trip. They usually camped out and carried their provisions with them. Such journeys were 
frequently performed, and some of our most wealthy and respectable citizens still live to remem- 
ber the dreary, dus'ty and sometimes disagreeable time they had in making the trip. In 
those days, men had many disagreeable duties to perform, and, knowing this, they nerved them- 
selves to the task and went at it with a will and determination to succeed." 

The growth of the village until the completion of the railroad was quite slow. At that 
time, there was not to exceed one hundred and fifty inhabitants, and its business was all upon 
the south side of Rowan Creek, with the exception of Jamieson's Hotel. The first house erected 
after platting the village was by S. B. Thomas, and the first store kept was by Thomas & 
Finney. H. P. Jamieson, son of Hugh Jamieson, was the first white child born here. 

Hotels. — Four years before the platting of the village of Poynette, by Gov. Doty, Wallace 
Rowan built a house on the south side of the creek, which, for several years, was a noted 
public house, entertaining many of the earlier and most prominent men of the State. Rowan 
sold the house in the course of time to Samuel Woodworth, who leased the same to Mrs. Ens- 
minger, who continued in possession until 1852, when Mr. Woodworth sold it to Hugh Jameison. 
About two years before it came into the possession of Mr. Jamieson, a new structure had been 
erected on the south side of Rowan Creek, which he occupied until February, 1858, save for a 
period of one year, when he leased it to Samuel Wilkins, and made an extended visit to his 
native country, Scotland. 

Poynette House. — In 1856, Hugh Jameison began the erection of this house, which was 
not completed until February, 1858. For ten years, Mr. Jamieson continued in possession. On 
one occasion, a traveler put up with him for the night, and a Norwegian man-of-all-work was 
instructed to show him to his room, wait till he retired, and then bring back the light. The man, 
being a devout Catholic, after disrobing knelt by the bedside to perform his evening devotions. 
In making the sign of the cross, and other motions peculiar to those professing that faith, he 
aroused the suspicions of the Norwegian, who, setting down the candle, took the man up in his 
arms and threw him on the bed, with the exclamation, " You been taking a little too much, to- 
night." In May, 1868, Mr. Jamieson disposed of the house to Tomlinson k Hudson, who 
have since served the weary traveler. 

American House. — This house was erected by James Oleson in 1859, who sold it to H. 
Jamieson, who sold the same to C. Conger, he disposing of it to B. Van Vleet. He disposed of 
it to George T. Morrison, who, in turn, sold the same to E. F. Tillotson, April, 1877. Various 
changes and improvements were made from time to time, adding to the comfort and convenience 
of the traveling public. 



734 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Poynette Upper Mill. — This mill was erected in 1860, by Mr. Fish. It has, from that 
time, to January, 1878, been the property of L. Stevens, Mr. Aiken, Robert Robertson and 
Kenry Kuntz. 

Poynette Loiver Mills were built in the summer of 18.58, by A. P. Smith. J. Bridge, of 
Wyocena, was the superintending millwright. The carpenter work was done by H. J. Sill, the 
stone work by Melancthon Smith and James Hunt. The size of the main building was 36.x40, 
three stories, containing two run of three feet ten inch buhrs and necessary machinery, all 
driven by a 13xl4-foot overshot wheel. The iron work and buhrs were furnished by Decker & 
Seville, of Milwaukee. The mill, at that time, was considered the best mill in the county. The 
first miller was James Ashley. It was run by various parties until the spring of 1867, when it was 
purchased by A. 0. Dole. It was run without any material changes in the machinery until June, 
1878, when it was entirely remodeled by its present proprietor, F. A. Dole. The overshot wheel, 
with its cumbrous gearing, was replaced by three Elmer wheels — two 17-inch, and one 12-inch, 
manufactured by Davis & Pugh, Berlin, Wis. ; an entirely new flume and headrace replaced the old 
one. The old wheelhouse was torn down and replaced by a new one 16x38, requiring thirty 
cords of stone for the basement. The bolts were remodeled, a power corn sheller added, and a 
full line of new process machinery for making patent flour. The cost of the improvements 
amounted to $2,500. The mill is fitted up for both ciston and merchant work. Its principal 
brand.s of flour are Dole's Straight and Doles Pride. The mill has a large local flour trade, 
and is well patronized by the farming community. • 

The Madison .& Portage Railroad was completed to this place in October, 1870. E. F. 
Russell was appointed its first agent. He only filled the position three months, having accepted 
the appointment with the understanding he was to be relieved as soon as another could be had 
to fill his place. S. F. Hill then came and remained one year. He was succeeded by W. 
Gleason, who attended to the duties of the oSice for eight years, when W. H. Whitcomb was 
appointed. 

Surrounded by a good farming country, Poynette has been considered an excellent point 
for grain. On the completion of the railroad, R. B. Wentworth & Co., of Portage, built a 
small warehouse, and for two seasons purchased grain. Hugh Jamieson, in the summer of 1871, 
erected a large elevator, with a storage capacity of 12,000 bushels, and entered on the business 
of buying and shipping. For seven years, Mr. Jamieson continued in the trade, withdrawing 
in 1878, in favor of his son, H. P. Jameison and H. C. Gould. The annual shipments from 
1870 to 187U inclusive have ranged from 150 to 200 cars. 

Poynette was early made a missionary field. The Methodists and Baptists were the first 
to move in the matter. 

MetJiodist Episcopal Church. — Poynette was, in 1844, embraced in Madison Circuit, under 
the supervision of Elder Eliliu Springer. R. J. Harvey, a reverend and a lawyer, was sent to 
travel this circuit, but never reached Poynette. The next year, Lodi and Poynette were set off" 
from Madison Circuit, and Rev. Adams was appointed to the charge. Mr. Adams continued 
on the circuit three months, but never reached Poynette. He was then succeeded by Rev. H. 
Maynard. Before the close of the year. Father Maynard was called to attend the funeral serv- 
ices, at the house of A. Johnson, of a deceased friend of Mr. Johnson. On this occasion was 
the first Gospel sermon ever heard in Poynette, at least by a Methodist Episcopal minister. 
Afterward Mr. Maynard had regular preaching at the house of Clark M. Young, a short distance 
from the village. Father Maynard was followed by Revs. Waldron, Holmes, Woodlcy and 
Bunce. In 1853, Revs. Butler and Kidder came, during whose stay of one year (1853-54) 
Poynette was separated from Lodi. Rev. Waterbury came in the fall of 1854, and remained 
one year. During the next two years, the parsonage at Dekorra was sold and one built in this 
village. Mr. Waterbury reported at the end of his labors 100 members and 5 probationers. 
In the fall of 1857, Rev. Levi M. Cochrane was appointed to the charge, but at the end of six 
months, finding the work was too hard for him. Rev. H. D. Jencks was employed to assist him. 
In 1858, Rev. Whiteman was sent to fill out the term of Mr. Cochrane, and at the end of the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 735 

year he reported 113 members and 115 probationers. In 1859, Rev. Lester Perkins was 
appointed to the charge and continued until 1860, reporting, at the expiration of his term of 
labor, 180 members and 20 probationers. Rev. Ransom Gould was appointed in the fall of 
1860. During Mr. Gould's stay, the church was forbidden the use of the schoolhouse, which 
resulted in the building of a neat and commodious house of worship, at a cost of $2,500. 
From the fall of 1862, till the summer of 1863, Rev. John M. Springer filled the pulpit. He 
was an eloquent, earnest, patriotic. Christian man. He was drafted and appointed Chaplain of 
his regiment, which position he filled till in battle at Resaca, the Captain, First and Second 
Lieutenants of his company fell, when he seized a musket and led on the charge, was struck in 
a mortal part and carried from the field. In his last moments, he said to Charles Early, a com- 
rade, " I have lived what I preached in our Northern home, and die in the favor of God." In 
the fall of 1863, Rev. H. Chadsayne was appointed to this church, and was succeeded, in the fall 
of 1864, by Rev. R. Fancher, who remained two years. At thit^time, there were 132 members 
and 12 probationers. In 1866, Rev. William Harvey was called and labored for a year 
and a half, when Rev. 0. D. Teal was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. In 1868, 
Rev. H. D. Jencks took charge of the circuit and remained one year. An extensive revival 
occurred this year. In 1869, Rev. S. S. Benedict filled rhe pulpit and continued in charge 
until the fall of 1871, when Rev. James T. Pryor was sent to the work. He remained until the 
fall of 1874, when Rev. J. J. Clifton took his place and remained two years. During his 
administration, the church building was removed to a more central location, and fitted up at an 
additional expense of $1,500. In the fall of 1876, Rev. Edward McGinley was by the Confer- 
ence sent to this field and remained two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Matthew Dins- 
dale, who labored for twelve months. In the fall of 1879, Rev. Richard Pengilly became Pas- 
tor of the church, entering with spirit upon his work. For some weeks succeeding the week of 
prayer, in January, 1880, Mr. Pengilly continued in a protracted effort, in which the church 
was greatly strengthened, and twelve added to it. At that time, the membership was ' 
eighty-four. Stewards — Adam Hall, S. L. Scofield, S. M. Owen, Christopher Wilson, Charles 
Early, A. D. Rose, F. E. Smith, Ella J. Cave. Trustees — Adam Hall, John Palmer, John 
S. Wolstone, John Lale, S. L. Scofield, S. M. Owen, Lewis Newton. ClassLeader — John 
Lake. 

First Presbyterian Church. — On the 24th of April, a committee appointed by the Pres- 
bytery of Columbus, consisting of Revs. Warren Mays and James A. Lowrie and Elder John 
B. Dwinnell, visited this place in company with Rev. B. G. Riley, District Secretary of the 
Home Missions, and Rev. A. G. Dunning, for the purpose of organizing a church. After the 
usual services, Augustus P. Smith, Caroline A. Smith, Augustus 0. Dole, Sarah E. Dole, 
Harvey J. Sill, Maranda M. Sill, Adeline Youmans, John Watson, Elizabeth Watson, John 
Forsythe, Margaret Forsythe, Mrs. Jeannet Campbell, Mrs. Agnes Campbell, after hearing the 
articles of covenant read and consenting thereto, were declared a body corporate to be known as 
the First Presbyterian Church of Poynette. Augustus P. Smith, Augustus 0. Dole and John 
Forsythe were elected Elders, and A. 0. Dole, Clerk. In April, 1874, the church adopted the 
plan of electing their eldership for a stated period. A. 0. Dole was elected for five years ; 
John Forsythe, four years ; Eli Norton, three years ; E. F. Russell, two years ; Thomas Mair, 
one year. In 1880, the eldership consisted of Thomas Mair, I. C. Sargent, Eli Norton and E. 
F. Russell. In 1874, a church edifice was erected 32x52 feet, at a cost of $4000. It was 
dedicated January 27, 1875, by Rev. L. Y. Hays, of Madison, Wis. Rev. J. A. Lowrie was 
the first Pastor, and was succeeded in order named by Revs. D. B. Gordon, George A. Hutch- 
ison, H. H. Bushnell, E. Smith Barns and Frederick Wall. The membership, January, 1880, 
was sixty-one. A flourishing Sunday school at that time had been in existence from the organ- 
ization of the church. 

Masonic Lodge. — Poynette Lodge, No. 173, was instituted June 10, 1868. Its first offi- 
cers and charter members were : Louis Low, W. M. ; E. F. Russell, S. W. ; David Bullen, J. 
W. ; L. A. Squire, Sec. ; George W. Webb, Treas. ; B. M. Low, S. D. ; AV. H. Young, J. D.; 



736 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

John Campbell, Tiler. The second and fourth Saturday evenings of each month were chosen as the 
times of meeting. During twelve years of its existence, it was called upon to deposit within the 
tomb three of its members, all at the time of death occupying official positions — Louis 
Low, W. M. ; A. Powers, S. W. ; S. M. Wallace, J. W. At their annual election for officers 
for 1880, L. A. Squire was elected W. M.; Eli Norton, S. W. ; A. J. Brown, J. W. ; B. S. 
Buck, Treas. ; Andrew Semple, Sec. ; G. W. Webb, S. D. ; James R. Hastie, J. D. ; Hugh 
Bowie and Allen Bogue, Stewards ; John Campbell, Tiler. Membership, thirty-seven. 

Odd Felloios Lodge. — Poynette Lod^e, No. 240, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted October 15, 
1874, by W. G. Bunker, District Deputy. Its first officers and charter members were: Joseph 
Hartraan, N. G. ; A. L. Wood, V. G. ; W. G. Robinson, R. Sec. ; John Binnie, Treas. ; S. M. 
Owens, Henry Sloggy. The officers during the first term in 1880 were: J. F. Bohling, N. G. ; 
John Hogan, V. G. ; W. C. Gault, Treas. ; James Thompson, P. S. ; W. G. Robinson, R. S. ; 
Frank Smith, P. N. G. Menftership, thirty-four. 

Good Templars. — In 1865, a lodge of Good Templars was instituted here, which continued 
to exist some two years. On the 4th day of October, a number of interested persons met at 
the house of Isaac C. Sargent and re-organized under the name of Poynette Lodge, No. 288, 
I. 0. G. T., with D. C. Strong, Jane Strong, Debbie Brayton, A. L. Wood, Judson Packard, 
I. C. Sargent, Warren Turner, A. Fancher, A. 0. Dole, E. J. Sargent, J. D. Thompson, A. 
J. Townsend, Stephen Brayton, Julia B. Sargent, John Watson ami N. Miller as charter mem- 
bers. For about one month, the lodge held its meetings at the house of Mr. Sargent, when the 
Methodist Church was secured for that purpose. Another removal was made some six months 
after to the schoolhouse, and then to Wood's Hall. Here the lodge enjoyed a season of pros- 
perity, purchasing an organ and otherwise improving their hall. In 1876, in consequence of a 
change in their place of meeting, some of the members became disaffected, withdrew and insti- 
tuted another lodge, whicli was given the name of Centennial Lodge. For a few months, both 
lodges seemed to prosper, but finally the Centennial surrendered its charter after a few months' 
existence. Poynette Lodge has had several seasons of prosperity and of adversity. In Feb- 
ruary, 1880, its membership was reported at forty-five, with C. J. Harris, \V. C. T.; Mrs. C. 
J. Harris. W. V. T.; John Thomas, W. S.: Mrs. H. C. Butler. W. F. S.; H. C. Butler, AV. 
T.; E. E. Hinkson, P. W. C. T.; Richard Pengilly, Chaplain ; John Jameison, W. M.; 
Charles Butler, W. 0. G.; Harry Russell, W. I. G.; Jennie Powers, R. H. S.; Eliza Lake, L. 
H, S.; Wiliiim Hopkins, W. A. S.; Alida Luther, W. D. M.; E. F. Russell, L. D. 

Poynette Temple, No. 95, is a juvenile Temperance Lodge, under the auspices of the 
Grand Lodge I. 0. G. T., and was instituted August 1, 1879, by Miss Emma Sprague, of 
Watertown, Wis. Its first officers and charter members were Charles Turner, C. T.; 
Mally Squire, P. C. T.; Jennie Gleason, V. T.; Esther Montford, F. S.; Harry Russell, R. 
S.; Bertie Norton. T. For its first quarter in 1880, the officers were Samuel Jameison, C. T.; 
Kittie Wheeler, V. T.; Harry Russell, R. S.; Henry Butler, T.; Esther Montford, F. S.; 
Louis Brown, M.; Mally Squire, C; Charles Butler, I. G.; Josie Montford, 0. G. 

Post Office. — A petition was forwarded to the Post Office Department, in care of J. A. 
Doty, the founder of the village of Pauquette, then a member of Congress, in the winter of 
1850-51, for the establishment of an office at this point. It was the desire of the citizens that 
it be called Pauquette, but the department read the name as if it was Poynette, and so named 
it. The name was accepted by the citizens, and no efi'ort was made to have it changed. John 
Thomas was the first Postmaster, and received his appointment in the spring of 1851, since 
which time Stephen Brayton, Ira S. Allen, Abram Padly, Willard Knight, E. Fred Russell, 
Ambrose Powers, Harlow J. Youmans and Isaac C. Sargent have occupied the office. It was 
made a money-order office July 1, 1877. J. F. Bohling & Co. drew the first order in favor of 
Calvin Chesney, for $7.50. During 1879, the amount drawn was $12,000. Amount paid, 
$2,500. 

Schools. — In 1852, a school district was formed comprising Sections 34 and 35, in the town 
of Dekorra, and Sections 2 and 3, and north half of 10 and 11, in the town of Arlington, and 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 737 

called Joint District No. 4 of the towns of Dekorra and Arlington. A schoolhouse was built 
one-half mile south of the village of Poynette. It was a one-story frame, 18x28, and was used 
until 1867, though for several years previous it had become too small to accommodate the pupils 
of the district. A room was rented in the village for the higher department, the primary alone 
occupying the school-room. In 1865, the question of a new school building was agitated, cul- 
minating in the erection of a large two-story house, which was first occupied in the fall of 1867. 
R. M. Bashford was the first Principal in the new building. He was followed by H. A. Thomas, 
S. M. Wallace, D. W. Gilfillan, Kennedy Scott, J. K. Hastie, Nora C. Waters, J. M. Bush- 
nell, Sylvanus Ames and J. H. Hamilton. In the Primary Department, Laura Copeland, Ada 
Maxwell, Laura A. Downs, Briggetta A. Waters and Mary Ellen Axon have served — Miss 
Waters occupying the position from 1870 to 1878. The district has usually paid from $60 to 
$75 per month, more generally the latter sum, for principals, and $30 to $35 for assistants. 

Cemetery Association. — On the 4th day of December, 1865, an association was formed 
under the general law, and a board of trustees elected, consisting of Hugh Jamieson, Phinneas 
Watson, Isaac C. Sargent, H. J. Sill and Stephen Brayton. Seven acres off the southeast 
quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 35, Township 11, Range 9, was purchased of Bray- 
ton & Tomlinson for the sum of $50 per acre, which was surveyed and platted for burial pur- 
poses. A child of Rev. Rufus Fancher was the first buried therein. 

Cheese Manufactory. — Articles of incorporation were filed in the oflSce of the Secretary of 
State, February 3, 1876, by E. Fred Russell, W. C. Gault, William Forrest, John Collins and 
Hugh Jamieson, under the name of Poynette Cheese Manufacturing Company. Hugh Jamie- 
son was elected President ; James Mack, Secretary ; E. F. Russell, Treasurer. The capital 
stock of the association was placed at $2,500. During the spring, a large two-story building was 
erected and 30,000 pounds of cheese made during the season. J. Noyes was Superintendent of 
the manufactory during the first season ; E. 0. Madison, the second, and C. J. Harrison assumed 
the management. In 1879, the entire stock passed into the hands of Hugh Jamieson, who con- 
tinued the business as a private enterprise. 

TOWN OF FORT WINNEBAGO. 

On the 9th day of Januai-y, 1849, all of Township 13, in Range 9, lying east of Fox River, 
with much other territory, was organized into the town of Winnebago Portage, by the County 
Commissioners, the balance of the township being Menomonee lands, and of course not then 
surveyed by the United States. On the 8th of January, 1850, the County Board of Supervisors 
organized this township into a town by itself, and named it Port Hope, all west of the river 
being still unsur^eyed. The house of A. T. Spicer was designated as the place for holding the 
first town meeting. July 19, 1850, Section 33 was taken from the town and attached to Fort 
Winnebago, then composed of the greater part of Township 12, Range 9, and other territory. 
December 15, 1852, the section was restored to the town. A change having been made in the 
organization and name of the town on the south, the name of Port Hope was changed at a meet- 
ing of the Board of Supervisors, held November 18, 1853, to Fort Winnebago, the latter name 
being thought to be appropriate, on account of the old fort being in the territory comprising the 
town. March 23, 1858, a portion beginning at a point in the center of Fox River, where the 
east and west quarter line of Section 33 intersects the center of said river, running thence west 
along tlie quarter line through Sections 33, 32 and 31, was taken from the town and annexed 
to the city of Portage. 

The first permanent settlement of the town was made in 1848. Previous to this time, a 
number of persons had, for a short season, lived here in the neighborhood of the old fort, none 
of whom could be reckoned as permanent inhabitants of the town. In May, 1848, Jonathan 
Whitney came from Green Lake County, and, looking over the ground, selected the southwest 
quarter of Section 3 as the place of his future home. Charles Baker came shortly after, and 
settled on Section 2, while John W. French, Lyman J. Barrows, J. M. Hatch and Mr. Green 



738 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

followed ; French, Green and Hatch locating their claims on Section 1. August Putsch came 
in the fall and settled upon Section 10. In 1849, quite a number settled in the town, among 
whom were Asa Baldwin, Avery T. and Henry Spicer, who also settled upon Section 10 ; 
'* Bachelor" Brown, on Section 13 ; Isaac Pasco, Daniel M. Brown, Robert B. Willis, Augustus 
Rood, Jr., Calvin Eastman, Aaron Chesebro, Jacob Lorenzo Wood, Michael Keegan, John 
Sweeney, Edmund Swift, Alexander Gamble, James Gamble. Sr., James Gamble, Jr., Dominic 
Moran, Patrick Leeman, John Hogan, John Hogan, Michael Hogan, Matthew Fitzharris, Walter 
Kelly, Patrick Lovell, Patrick Canall, William Kelley, Michael Coughlin, Thomas Coughlin, 
James Casey, James Roach, Dennis Cushing, John Gushing, William Cushing, M. O'Hare, 
William Geary, Paul Duffey, John O'Keefe, James Meany, M. Joyce, Daniel Breen. In 1850, 
came Abraham Grier, Joseph Spain, Robert Grier. These men were mostly from Ireland. 

In 1849, a colony of English came in, a portion of whom settled in the northeast 
part of this town, but the greater number located over the line in Marquette County. They 
established a ferry across the Fox River, on Section 4, to which they gave the name of 
Emancipation Ferry, for the reason that they felt themselves emancipated from the virtual position 
of serfs in the mother country and here were made freemen. 

In the fall of 1848, Mr. French built a saw-mill on Fox River, which was kept running 
for several years, but was torn down in 1855, and a grist-mill erected in its place, by two 
brothers named Chapman, who afterward disposed of it to Dates Brothers, at Portage. At this 
place it was proposed to establish a village to be called Milford, but beyond naming it nothing 
was ever done. Jonathan Whitney kept a stock of groceries here in the fall and winter of 1848, 
selling out the same in the spring of 1849 to Mr. Barrows. 

Early in the year 1849, a petition was circulated and numerously signed, asking the Depart- 
ment to establish a post office in the northeast part of the town, for the convenience of the large 
settlement there formed. The request was granted, and Jonathan Whitney was appointed Post- 
master. The name given to the office was Port Hope, so called from the hope to establish here 
upon Fox River a port, which would be the commencement of a new village. In 1880, Mr. 
Whitney was Postmaster, having served from his first appointment till that time, with the excep- 
tion of the years 1857, 1858 and 1859. The town on its formation in 1850 was called Port 
Hope from the post office. 

The first birth in the town was Edmund, son of Charles Baker. The second was Almeron 
W., son of Jonathan Whitney, who was born February 19, 1849, and was killed in the battle 
before Petersburg, June 18, 1864, aged fifteen years and four months. 

The first couple united in marriage were Milton French and Miss Pearce, in 1849. 

The first school was organized in the summer of 1849, a room being rented of Asa Baldwin for 
school purposes. Miss Charlotte Baldwin was the first teacher. In 1850, a log house was erected 
on Section 10, for School District No. 2, the first schoolhouse in the town. The house was built on 
the volunteer plan, all the men of the neighborhood turning out to assist in the work. In 1880, 
the town had seven school districts, with a like number of good substantial school edifices. 

Fort Winnebago, west of Fox River, was surveyed into sections and quarter-sections in 
July, 1851. There were at that time one house on Section 4 ; two on Section 5 ; one on Sec- 
tion 7 ; two on Section 8 ; one on Section 9 ; one on Section 16 ; one on Section 17 ; one on 
18 ; two on Section 19 ; two on Section 20 ; one on Section 21 ; two on Section 29 ; two on 
Section 30 ; one on Section 31, and one on Section 33 — in all twenty-one houses. 

The first sermon preached in the town aside from any that might have been preached at, or 
in the vicinity of, the fort, was at the house of Asa Baldwin by a preacher belonging to the Primi- 
tive Methodist Church. This was in the fall of 1849. One Saturday evening, the reverend 
gentleman rode up to Mr. Baldwin's place, and inquired of him if they had ever had preaching 
in that neighborhood. Mr. Baldwin, who was one of those bluff, yet kind-hearted men, curtly 
replied, " No, sir, we never had." " Would you like to have a sermon preached here, then 'i " 

asked the preacher. " Yes, by , if it is the right kind." " Can you get me a room in which 

to preach 'i " " You can have my house." " Can you give notice so I can have a hearing V " 





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eAie^u^ 



FALL RIVER 



8 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 741 

" I will send my boy around to tell the neighbors, and I guess it will be all right." Mr. Bald- 
win then asked the minister to stop with him, which invitation was accepted. Before the hour 
arrived for the sermon, the preacher had learned that the neighborhood was made up of those hold- 
ing various religious opinions, while some had no opinion on religion at all. It being his first visit in 
this vicinity, he thought he would preach so as to hurt the feelings of no one. When the hour 
arrived, a respectable congregation had assembled and services were begun. The preacher, in his 
remarks, which were of a general nature, stated that all denominations were working for one 
end, and that it did not matter what party label one wore, if his conduct was all right ; heaven 
was the object of all — for which place all had embarked. Notwithstanding different roads 
had been taken, it would not matter when they reached the heavenly region by which route they 
had come. In illustration of this thought he said that the general course from England by which 
Wisconsin was reached, was to take a steamer at Liverpool, come to New York, and there take 
the cars for this State. Now he came from England to New Orleans, thence by the Mississippi 
River to the State, but he was here all the same, and he supposed he was all right ; and it was 
just as satisfactory as though he had come by way of New York. While this thought was very 
consoling and satisfactory to some, one old gentleman, a member of the Regular or " Hard- 
shell " Baptist Church, jumped to his feet, started out, and, slamming the door behind him, 
remarked : "A man that will preach such stuff as that ought to be locked up I " The subject 
was discussed pro and con by the whole neighborhood for years, and old settlers say the effect 
of that sermon was still felt in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine. 

Fort Winnebago is traversed centrally from south to north by the Fox River, along which 
are considerable marshes, as also along French Creek, a tributary of the Fox, in the northeastern 
sections. The Fox River marsh has an altitude of about two hundred feet, the rest of the town 
generally not over 250 feet. In the middle and western portions, and again in the southeast 
corner are issolated sandstone bluffs rising 350 to 400 feet. 

The early settlers of this town had to endure the same privations as experienced by others, 
but not for so long a time, as Portage soon began to be quite a business place, with a market 
sufficient to supply all their wants; but during the first few years, grain was hauled by teams to 
to Milwaukee, the teamsters returning with merchandise for the tradesmen in this vicinity. 

On the 11th day of August, 1836, Robert McPherson entered the first piece of land, being 
the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 25. He also entered the southwest quarter 
of Section 27, receiving his patent for both November 7, 1837. 

The first town meeting was held the first Monday in April, 1850, at the house of A. T. 
Spicer. Annual meetings have since been held ; a list of the principal officers elected each 
year, up to and including 1879, we give below. 

A noted character in an early day in Wisconsin was " Count" Haraszthy, a Hungarian 
refugee. He settled at what is now Sauk City, but occupied for awhile the island on Section 
27 in this town, and furnished the fort with wood. Agoston Haraszthy was born in the year 
1812, in the Coraitat of Bacska, Hungary. His family was one of the oldest and most influen- 
tial of the old nobility — the name appearing frequently in the history of that country over a 
period of 760 years. He was educated to the law, as was the custom there. At the age of eighteen 
he was a member of the body guard of the Emperor Ferdinand, which was composed of nobles. 
Then he was Chief Executive Officer of his State. He then became the Private Secretary of 
the Viceroy of Hungary. 

When the Liberal movement began in 1839 and 1840, he at once took tlie lead of that 
party in his State, but was afterward, upon the failure of that movement, compelled to leave 
his country. He came at once to New York, and, after traveling over the United States, he 
wrote and published a book upon their resources. The work was designed to invite emigration 
from Hungary, and was the first work upon that subject ever printed in the Hungarian 
language. 

Soon after, in 1849 and 1841, he made the State of Wisconsin his home, purchased large 
tracts of land, founded several settlements, built bridges, constructed roads and established ferries. 

T 



742 HISTOBY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Having in his possession valuable State papers, the Austrian Government opened negotia- 
tions for their surrender. The question was referred to Lewis Cass, who succeeded in gaining 
permission for Haraszthy to return to Hungary and remain for one year. This he did, 
settling up his affairs ; and although his landed estates were confiscated, he succeeded in saving 
$150,000, which he brought with him to this country, together with his family, and a large 
portion of the family plate and paintings. 

Returning to Wisconsin, he engaged, in 1842 and 1843, in mercantile pursuits ; built and 
owned steamboats, filled large contracts with the Government for supplying Fort Winnebago with 
wood, living at one time on the island in Fox River, in what is now the town of Fort Winnebago, 
Columbia County. He was also engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits. He was the 
first to plant the hop in the State, and encourage its cultivation. The Commissioner of Agri- 
culture reports that the product of this crop in the county where it was then introduced, for 
the year 1866, amounted to over $2,000,000. 

He was at this time also at the head of the Emigrant Association of Wisconsin, which 
brought over large colonies of English, German and Swiss emigrants, and settled them upon the 
fertile lands of this State. He gave to the Catholic Church a tract of 640 acres of land, upon ' 
which has since been erected an extensive monastery. 

When news came of the revolution in Hungary in 1848, he was the leader of those who 
gathered arms and ammunition, and sent them to his countrymen ; also expending large sums 
from his own private purse for the same object. 

Concerning his career in Wisconsin, a writer in 1874 gives this graphic description : " In 
1842, a wealthy Hungarian nobleman named Haraszthy, with a company of attendants and 
servants, numbering about twenty, came to the United States, intending to settle in the territory 
of Wisconsin, and form a colony. His arrival in Milwaukee, at that time a frontier village of 
not less than 3,000 inhabitants, was hailed as an important event. Of course, a gentleman trav- 
eling all the way from Europe with such a large retinue, and paying promptly in gold for every- 
thing he purchased, was notably presumed to be possessed of fabulous wealth, and his coming 
to that far-ofl" territory was hailed as a harbinger of great prosperity. 

In the early summer of 1842, he set out from Milwaukee with six of his party, leaving the 
rest to await his return, on a prospecting tour in the western and central portions of the State. 
On the shores of a beautiful lake, not many miles from Madison, he selected a plot of 4,000 
acres, staked off the boundaries of the tract by the surveyors's mark which he found cut in trees, 
and built a couple of huts on the lake shore, to fix his right of possession. With an attendant 
he returned to Milwaukee, where the United States Land Office was, to pay for his land. Here he 
found only the Register, the Receiver having gone to Washington to settle his accounts. This last 
mentioned official was the only one entitled to receive money for land, and he would not return in 
less than a month's time. Haraszthy would not wait so long, and the Register proposed to 
accommodate him, take his money, enter the proposed purchase on the books and send him the 
proper vouchers by a special messenger, after the Receiver's return. This was agreed to, and 
the nobleman paid $.5,000 in gold, taking an informal receipt. He departed the next day with 
the remainder of his party, and reaching the land, he at once set to work to build houses, naming 
his colony Good Hope. 

Two months elapsed, but no messenger came from Milwaukee. Haraszthy was not alarmed, 
believing that in dealing with a Government official, he was all right. Before the end of three 
months, however, a cadaverous individual made his appearance on horseback at the colony, claiming 
to own the identical tract of 4,000 acres, having purchased and paid for it immediately after the 
Receiver's return, aud oft'ered to sell it to the nobleman at an advance of 100 per cent. 
Haraszthy hastened to Milwaukee to find that the land grabber had really paid for the land, 
but with the identical gold which, three months before, the nobleman had left with the Register 
to secure the same purchase for himself, while that officer had since resigned and left the plaJe. 
The Hungarian was exasperated at the swindle ; went back to his colony ; burnt every house and 
shanty he had erected, broke up camp and started west, where he located on the Wisconsin 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 743 

River, purchasing over six thousand acres of land, three miles below an old settlement known 
as Prairie du Sauk. 

He called his new colony by his own name, ami had it incorporated. It soon grew to be 
a flourishing village, through Haraszthy's enterprise. He started a horse-ferry across the river, 
made excellent roads, established flouring-mills, lumber-mills, stores, and subsequently ran a 
small steamboat down the Wisconsin River as far as St. Louis. But yearly recurring prairie 
fires destroyed his crops and many of his buildings; and besides, the commercial crisis of 1847 
crippled him severely. His family had joined him in 1844, and in 1846, he succeeded in having 
his place selected as the county seat, building a court house at his own expense. Still, the 
many losses between that year and 1849 told heavily on his finances, and, with a long train of 
over fifty associates, he started overland to California. 

He settled at San Diego, was elected Sheriff of the county, and rendered valuable aid in 
suppressing the Indian war of that period. He laid out what is known as " Middle San Diego," 
and, in 1852, was elected a member of the Legislature. Being a working member, he had a 
place on the principal committees, and distinguished himself by his opposition to all schemes of 
fraud and monopoly. 

In ]85'2, he removed to San Francisco, and devoted himself to agriculture and horticulture 
upon his property at Crystal Springs, in San Mateo County. He was appointed by President 
Pierce as Assayer in the United States Branch Mint, and at a later period was made melter and 
refiner. After his resignation of these positions, serious charges were made against him, but 
upon a thorough investigation they were proven to be wholly without foundation, and he was 
honorably acquitted. During this time, he built the present metallurgical works, which have 
rendered such importanlj service, and also he received patents for improved processes for the 
refining of gold. 

In 1856, he removed to Sonoma, and devoted his whole attention to viniculture. He 
founded a horticultural society, and began importing vines from abroad. He was the first to 
advocate the raising of vines without irrigation, planted the most extensive vineyards, and at 
once put himself at the head of the wine interest. He may with propriety be called the father 
of viniculture in California. 

In 1858, he wrote a treatise on the culture of the vine and the manufacture of wine, which 
was published by the State of California for gratuitous distribution. This publication gave the 
first impulse to this interest, and from that time California became the wine State of the 
Western Continent. He was the first to employ Chinese labor in his vineyards, and the first to 
adapt the redwood timber to the making of casks for wine. 

In 1861, he was appointed by the Governor of California as a Commissioner to visit the 
wine countries of Europe, which resulted in the importation of 400 different named varieties of 
grape vines, which have now been planted quite extensively in most of the vineyards in the 
State, from which are made the most valuable wines now produced there. 

The book written by Haraszthy, entitled " Grape Culture, Wine and Wine-Making," is 
is conceded to be the best yet written. Upon his return from Europe in 1862, he was chosen 
President of the California Stat.3 Agricultural Society, having been Vice President for three 
terms prior thereto. In 1868, he organized the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, to which 
society he conveyed his 400 acres of vines in Sonoma. 

In 1868, Haraszthy went to Nicaragua, with the intention of engaging in trade ; but 
his active mind and talent for improvement would not let him rest. He became interested in 
an extensive sugar plantation, and began clearing new lands and planting more canes. Having 
procured from the government of Nicaragua valuable privileges for distilling, he erected an 
extensive distillery for the manufacture of spirits for exportation. He also turned his attention 
to the textile fibers of the country, and was waiting patents for improved machinery for their 
cleansing and preparation for market. 

In the winter of 1869-70, he returned to California to purchase machinery, and to charter 
a vessel with which to open the trade between San Francisco and the ports of Nicaraugua. It 



744 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

was his desire to make the rich products of that country tributary to the wealth and material 
progress of California. 

Agoston Haraszthy, or, as he was usually called in Wisconsin, Count Haraszthy, met 
his death on the 6th of July, 1870, in Nicaragua, on the Hacienda San Antonio, near the Port 
of Corinto. This hacienda, consisting of one of the largest sugar plantations in Central 
America, and comprising outside of it 100,000 acres of land, was, at the time, owned by 
Agoston Haraszthy, Gaza Haraszthy, his eldest son, and Dr. Theodore Wassmer. The 
business they were engaged in was the production of sugar, the distillation of rum and the sale 
of timber from their hacienda. 

It appears that on the forenoon of the 6th of July, Haraszthy left his dwelling to go to a 
new landing, where they were putting up a saw-mill, to meet a Mr. Lewis, who had the con- 
tract. Not finding the latter, he spoke to the workmen, saying the mill was too far from the 
river, and would have been better on the other side. He then rode toward the bank of the 
river to a point, some few hundred yards away, where there was a crossing. Here, in the bushes, 
he tied his mule, and, spreading his oilcloth cloak upon the ground, must have laid on it for a 
time. Thence his footsteps, two days afterward, were traced to a large tree, whose limbs 
touched the other bank, and which, in the rainy season, was used as a sort of natural bridge to 
pass to the other side of the stream. About half-way over, a large limb was found to be freshly 
broken, and it is supposed that in attempting to cross, Haraszthy lost his balance, fell into the 
swollen stream and was drowned. An Indian boy, passing, saw him go to the tree, but as it 
was a usual occurrence paid no further attention, and that was the last ever seen of him. His 
body was not recovered, nor was there ever found any trace of it or of his clothing, but as the 
stream emptied itself but a few miles below into the ocean, it may have been swept out and 
devoured by the man-eating shark, so abundant in those waters. 

At the time of his death, Haraszthy left to mourn his loss four sons and two daughters. 

Haraszthy was a man whose whole aim was to introduce new elements of wealth, to 
search out new fields of industry, and thus to lead the way to a wider field of material progress, 
in whatever country he lived. He was a man of good and generous impulses. He was hospi- 
table and liberal almost to a fault. His hand was ever ready to help those who stood in need. 
He was full of ambition, but only in the line of being useful to his fellows. Those who knew 
him intimately loved and admired him, and all acknowledged a charm in his presence which 
they felt, but could not explain. 

During 1842 and the year following, Haraszthy brought with him, from Hiingary, his 
mother, who died at Grand Gulf, Miss. ; his father, Charles Haraszthy, who died at sea, on his 
return from Corinio to San Francisco, July 22, 1870 ; his wife, Eleonora Dodinsky, who died 
at Leon, Nicaragua, July 15, 1869 ; his son, Gaza Haraszthy, who died near Corinto, in Nica- 
ragua, December 17, 1878 ; his son, Attila F. Haraszthy ; and another son, Arpad. His 
daughter Ida was born in Peoria, 111. ; his son, Bela, in Sauk City, Wis.; and his daughter, 
Otelia, at Madison, in the same State. 

The following is a list of town officers from the organization of Fort AVinnebago to the 
present time : 

1850 — Jonathan Whitney, Chairman; Robert B. Willis, Augustus Rood, Supervisors; 
August Putsch, Town Clerk ; Henry Merrell, Treasurer ; James M. Hatch, Augustus Rood, 
James Hinman ; Lyman A. Bliss, Superintendent of Schools. 

1851 — Jonathan Whitney, Chairman ; James Devine, J. L. Heath, Supervisors ; August 
Putsch, Clerk ; Alexander Gamble, John Devlin, Aaron Chesebro, Assessors ; William H. 
Whitney, Superintendent of Schools. 

1852 — James M. Forrest. Chairman ; William Geary, John Scott, Supervisors ; George 
Michael, Clerk ; Edward. C. Degrusti, Treasurer ; T. M. Hatch, J. L. Heath, Dennis Cushing, 
Assessors; Andrew Sweemey, Superintendent of Schools. . 

1853 — Abram Dates, Chairman ; John Scott, Shubael Spicer, Supervisors ; George Mitch- 
ell, Clerk ; Daniel G. Brown, Treasurer ; Patrick Lennan, Martin Carey, Thomas Joyce, 
Assessors: A. J. Rounds, Superintendent of Schools. 



HISTORY OP COLUMBIA COUNTY. 745 

1854 — John Hagan, Chairman; Thomas Joyce, Samuel Williams, Supervisors; George 
Mitchell, Clerk ; Isaac Smith, Treasurer ; Martin M. Carey, Assessor ; James M. Forrest, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1855 — John Hagan, Chairman ; Maximilian Averbeck, Samuel F. Williams, Supervisors ; 
Andrew Sweeney, Clerk ; Patrick Lennan, Treasurer ; Abram Dates, Michael Coughlin, Joseph 
Brentnall, Assessors ; James M. Forrest, Superintendent of Schools. 

1856 — John Devlin, Chairman ; Abram Dates, S. F. Williams, Supervisors ; D. C. Berry, 
Clerk ; Patrick Lennan, Treasurer ; George Mitchell, Abraham Dates, Assessors ; August 
Putsch, Superintendent of Schools. 

1857 — Andrew Sweeney, J. M. French, William Geary, Supervisors ; Charles Baker, Clerk ; 
Patrick Lennan, Treasurer ; George Mitchell, William Malcomb, John Scott, Assessors ; Charles 
Sweeney, Superintendent of Schools. 

1858 — Andrew Sweeney, William Geary, Michael Coughlin, Supervisors; Charles Baker, 
Clerk ; Thomas Joyce, Treasurer ; John Hagan, M. M. Cary, Jacob Davis, Assessors ; Charles 
Sweeney, Superintendent of Schools. 

1859 — Laurence Sweeney, Chairman, M. McLaughlin, Dixi C. Hall, Supervisors ; George 
Mitchell, Clerk ; Thomas Joyce, Treasurer ; Jamea Wilson, Bradley S. Sanborn, Assessors ; 
James M. Forrest, Superintendent of Schools. 

1860 — 0. S. Smith, Chairman ; James Hume, Dixi C. Hall, Supervisors; J.B.Wood, 
Clerk ; D. B. Peck, Treasurer ; G. M. Chase, Assessor ; James M. Forrest, Superintendent of 
Schools. 

1861 — 0. S. Smith, Chairman ; H. M. Chapman, James Wilson, Supervisors ; William H. 
Whitney, Clerk ; Warren Oooley, Treasurer ; A. T. Spicer, John Gushing, Assessors ; J. B. 
Wood, Superintendent of Schools. 

1862 — D. C. Hall, Chairman ; H. M. Chapman, William Geary, Supervisors ; J. B, 
Wood, Clerk ; Warren Cooley, Treasurer ; Abram Dates, Assessor. 

1863 — D. C. Hall, Chairman ; William Geary, M. Coughlin. Supervisors ; Joseph Spain, 
Clerk ; Warren Cooley, Treasurer ; A. Dates, Assessor. 

1864 — Abraham Dates, Chairman ; Daniel Brown, Kneeland B. Cook, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; Thomas Coughlin, Treasurer ; Charles Baker, Henry Bartels, James Heath, 
Assessors. 

1865 — John M. French, Chairman ; Daniel Breen, Henry Bartels, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; Charles Baker, Treasurer ; W. H. Whitney, Assessor. 

1866 — Philemon Van Brant, Chairman ; Henry Bartels, James Clithero, Supervisors ; R. 
0. Nelson, Clerk ; Charles Baker, Treasurer ; H. B. Cook, Assessor. 

1867 — Charles Baker, Chairman ; Abram Dates, James Clithero, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; P. Van Brant, James Sweeney, D. C. Hall, Assessors ; Thomas O'Hare, Treas- 
urer. 

1868 — Charles Baker, Chairman ; Henry Bartels, Daniel Breen, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; Maurice Coughlin, Treasurer ; James Wiem, Assessor. 

1869 — Charles Baker, Chairman ; A. J. Spain, Daniel Breen, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; James Wiem, Treasurer ; D. C. Hall, Assessor. 

1870 — Abram Dates, Chairman ; George G. Shaw, William Annacker, Supervisors ; 
Kneeland B. Cook, Clerk; Bartholomey Hanley, Treasurer; Joseph Spain, Assessor. 

1871 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; S. D. Merrill, Moses W. Prescott, Supervisors ; P. 
F. Casey. Clerk ; Charles Baker, Assessor. 

1872 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; Benjamin J. Emerton, William Annacker, Supervi- 
sors ; Joseph Spain, Clerk ; B. Hanley, Treasurer ; John R. Dee, Assessor. 

1873 — Abram Dates, Chairman ; John Cushing, George Bain, Supervisors ; Joseph Spain, 
Clerk ; B. Hanley, Treasurer ; Thomas Graham, Assessor. 

1874 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; Daniel Breen, James Hume, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; Thomas Coughlin, Treasurer ; John Cushing, Assessor. 



r4t) 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COl'NTY. 



1875 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; Patrick Lennan, James Hume, Supervisors ; John R. 
Dee, Clerk ; John Cashing, Treasurer ; James M. Winn, Assessor. 

1876 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; Patrick Lennan, John Wilcox, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; John Cushing, Treasurer ; B. Hanley, Assessor. 

1877 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; Mat. Sinnott, John McKanna, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk ; Patrick Lennan, Treasurer ; James Winn, Assessor. 

1878 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; William Myers, Matthew Sinnott, Supervisors ; 
Joseph Spain, Clerk ; Patrick Lennan, Treasurer ; John T. Jones, Assessor. 

1879 — Charles Sweeney, Chairman ; William Myers, B. Hanley, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Spain, Clerk; Patrick Lennan, Treasurer; James Winn, Assessor. 

The Wisconsin Central Railroad enters the town from the city of Portage, on Section 33, 
passes through Sections 28, 21, 16, 9 and 5 into Marquette County. A small station is located 
on Section 9, called Corning Station. 




HISTQRY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 747 



OH AFTER XIII. 

Town of Fountain Prairie— Village of Fall River— Town of Hampden— Town of Leeds 
— Town of Lewiston— Town of Lodi— Village of Lodi— Village of Okee. 

town of fountain prairie. 

At a meeting of the County Commissioners, held in 1846, all of Township 11, Range 12, 
together with other territory adjacent on the south, was made a voting precinct, and elections 
ordered held at the house of A. P. Birdsey ; and Asa Proctor, J. T. Lewis and Jeremiah Drake 
were appointed Judges of Election. At a further meeting of the board, held in January, 1849, 
the township was set oiF to itself and given the name of Fountain Prairie. The house of A. A. 
Brayton was designated as the place for holding the first election. 

Chester Bushnell was the first actual settler of the town. He arrived here in the spring 
of 1843, and erected a board shanty on Section 33. Wayne B. Dyer came in September of 
the same year, and erected the first log house. John Brown and Benjamin Sage came also the 
same fall and selected land, Mr. Brown remaining here and Mr. Sage returning to Vermont 
after his family. Mr. Brown built a log house upon the land he had selected (the east half of the 
northeast quarter of Section 34). In July, 1844, Mr. Sage came back, bringing with him his 
family. He erected a house upon the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 34, being 
the fourth built in the town. During that summer and for two or three years, a number 
of settlers came in, among whom were Asa Proctor, John Boutwell, L. Pearson, Julius Higbe, 
John Q. Adams, Enos Grout, Alison Horton, E. J. Smith, A. A. Brayton, S. M. Smith, John 
O'Brien, J. D. Bullis, Isaac Bennett, Phinneas Underwood, Edward Tripp, James Ketchum, 
John Swarthout, Nelson Swarthout, Jacob Swarthout and James C. Carr. 

In addition to those already mentioned as settling in the town in 1843, H. W. McCafierty 
made a claim, as it was called, which consisted in selecting a section for a farm and designating 
such selection by plowing a few furrows upon it, or making some slight preparations for building 
a cabin, or oftener by blazing a few trees in the timber, or setting a stake or two on the prairie, 
and placing one's initials upon them. These slight indications of intention to settlement were 
generally regarded as sacred by the early settlers, so that a claim was seldom jumped. McCaf- 
ferty's claim was on Section 21 and the adjoining sections. Mac had an eye to a ranch of mag- 
nificent proportions. He plowed a few acres and sowed it to winter wheat in the fall of 1843; 
a very fair crop was harvested, although somewhat injured by the deer feeding upon it. The 
California gold fever breaking out soon after this, McCafferty was swept along with it ; when he 
returned, part of his claim had been taken up by others and the remainder had been despoiled 
of its timber, so he abandoned it, yet his name adheres to the place, as the high ridge of land 
running through Sections 21 and 15 is. known as McCaS'erty's Ridge. 

July 15, 1843, is the date of the first entry of land in the town. This was made by James 
C. Carr. The railway station at Fall River is upon it. Carr came from the State of New 
York and settled upon this land June, 1844. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for 
many years, and was several times elected Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. He 
removed to Missouri. Wayne B. Dyer came from Ohio in August, 1843, located on Sec- 
tion 34, the farm now occupied by Mr. Kelly. October 5, 1843, Dyer entered the north- 
east quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 26, the timber land northeast of the 
cemetery, on the road to Lost Lake ; this was the second entry of land in town. The 
following May, Dyer sold his claim and improvements to E. J. Smith, and, anticipating 
Greeley's advice to young men, " went west" and located in the present town of Otsego, where 
he was the first settler and built the first house in town. Two of his daughters, Mrs. Capt. M. 



748 HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

C. Hobart and Mrs. J. E. Grout, reside in Fountain Prairie. The next entries of land were 
made October 18, 1848, by Benjamin Sage and John Brown, heretofore mentioned, on the farm 
now owned by Enos Grout. When one considers that there were not a dozen farms then located 
in the eastern half of the county, he is just a little surprised at Mr. Brown's choice. Their lands 
selected, they set out on foot from Fountain Prairie to Green Bay, the land oflSce being located 
there. This was no small undertaking at that time, a few blazed trees marked the way to 
Beaver Dam, at Waupun a solitary log house, a few cabins at Fond du Lae, and from there on 
the east side of Lake Winnebago to Green Bay, most of the country was owned by the Indians. 
Northeast of Stockbridge was one stretch of twenty miles with only one settled cabin to cheer 
the tired and lonely traveler as he plodded on through the dense forest, but the goal was reached, 
the land purchased. Sage returned immediately to Vermont. Brown came back, built a log 
house, spent the winter alone, and was enabled, he says, to enter into the feelings of Alexander 
Selkirk, when he sang : 

■' I am monarch of .ill I survey, 

My right there is none to dispute, 
From center all round to the sea, 

I am lord of the fowl and the brute." 

Dyer and Bushnell were the only other settlers in town at this time, and not so much as a 
cabin on the west until Fort Winnebago was reached. 

There were " marrying and giving in marriage " in the early day in Fountain Prairie, as 
well as other portions of the civilized world. The first in the town to take upon themselves the 
vows to be one " until death should part them," were Clark Heflfron and Jane Boutwell, in 1846. 

In August, 1845, the wife of James C. Carr died, being the first death. 

Martha, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Sage, was born September 2, 1844 ; 
the first birth in the town. 

Quite a settlement was effected in the southeast corner of the town as early as 1845, 
and in the fall of that year a schoolhouse was erected on Section 23 and Mr. Babcock was 
engaged to teach school therein, during the following winter. The house was also used for 
religious services, being free to any denomination that desired its use. Here Rev. Stephen 
Jones, N. S. Green, E. J. Smith and other pioneer preachers labored in word and doctrine, 
and exhorted sinners to repent. School was held in this house summer and winter until the 
organization of the town into school districts in 1849. In that year, a better building was 
commenced and completed the following year ; the district being known aa No. 1. In 1879, 
there were five whole and five joint districts in the town. 

Benjamin Sage and John Brown made the next entries, October 15, 1843. To make 
these entries. Sage and Brown walked the entire distance to and from Green Bay, where the 
land oflSce was located. 

J. C. Carr, heretofore spoken of, was a skeptic in religion, while Mr. Sage was a zealous 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former cared nothing for the Sabbath, 
while the latter believed in the sacredness of the day. While building his house, forgetting 
himself one Sabbath day, Mr. Sage took his spade and began work in his cellar. As it hap- 
pened, Mr. Carr came along, and taking in the situation, he hid behind a tree and in a deep 
tone of voice cried out, " Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy I " Mr. Sage stopped 
his work, got upon a rock lying in the cellar, looked all around, but could see no one. He 
then returned to his work. Again the voice cried out as before. A second time Mr. Sage 
looked around to see whence came the voice. But no one was in sight, and he resumed 
his work. A third time the voice called on him to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 
Firmly impressed with the idea that an angel from Heaven had spoken to him, Mr. Sage 
cleaned off his spade and started away, when Mr. Carr stepped from behind the tree, laughing 
heartily at the result of his work. 

There were frequently strifes among the early settlers for possession of choice pieces of 
land. On one occasion, E. J. Smith and Jacob Swarthout desired a certain tract, so, one morn- 
ing, unbeknown, as he thought, to any one, Mr. Smith started ofl' to Green Bay to secure the 



HISTORY OF COI-UMBIA COUNTY. 749 

prize. Mr. Swarthout was informed of the fact during the day, and just before night he 
mounted an Indian pony and started for the same place. When about half-way, he made a 
temporary exchange with an Indian for his pony and continued his journey without stopping 
to rest. He arrived at his destination about six hours ahead of Mr. Smith, and so secured the 
land. 

Coon-hunting was an amusement occasionally indulged in. Wayne B. Dyer, Lewis Smith 
and Jacob Swarthout went out once, and, treeing a coon, Mr. Smith climbed the tree for the 
purpose of bringing him down. The coon had taken refuge in the hollow of the tree and Mr. 
Smith put in his hand to draw him out. The coon seized it and the hand was drawn out sud^ 
denly and with it the coon, who was thrown, by a violent jerk of Mr. Smith, some two or three 
rods away. Now the sight of blood always caused the gentleman to faint ; knowing this fact 
and pretending great anger, Mr. Swarthout began to curse him at a fearful rate, telling him he 
threw the coon away purposely ; that it was a mean, shabby trick, and drawing his gun on 
him threatened to shoot him if he did not at once come down out of that tree. The ruse was 
successful ; the mind of Mr. Smith being thus diverted from his maimed hand, he safely 
descended the tree. Explanations were made and a hearty laugh enjoyed. 

During the first ten years of the town, it was settled by many first-class farmers, among 
whom might be mentioned John Brown, Henry C. Brace, William H. Proctor, Stephen FielcJ, 
T. J. Smith, Jacob Swarthout, Oliver W. Field, Henry C. Field, Victor Brossard, John Q. 
Adams and others. 

Fountain Prairie is bounded on the north by Courtland, on the south by Columbus, on 
the west by Otsego, and on the east by Dodge County. Its area is six miles square, the prin- 
cipal portion being prairie land. The name. Fountain Prairie, was given to it from the fact 
that there was a spring or stream of living water on every section of land save three. The 
north branch of the Crawfish River enters the town on Section 18, passes through into 17, 8, 
9, 10, 16, where it unites with the main stream ; the south branch enters on Section 30, runs 
through 31, 29, 20, 21, and on 16 joins the main branch, which courses through Sections 15, 
14, 13. 23, 26, 27, 34, 35, and passes out from Section 36. The town is well adapted for 
grazing purposes. 

In 1864, the La Crosse Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was 
built through the town, entering on Section 34, crossing in a northwesterly direction through 
Sections 27, 28, 29, 20, 19, and into Otsego from 18. In consequence of the lay of the land 
not being favorable, the road was built about one mile southwest of the village of Fall River, 
but for the convenience of the citizens a depot was erected on the northeast quarter of the 
northwest quarter of Section 34, on land then owned by S. L. Batchelder. A small portion 
of his land was platted by Mr. Batchelder, and was called Batchelder's Addition to Fall River. 

The first town meeting was held. April 3, 1849, at the store of A. A. Brayton. Enos 
Grout was chosen Moderator; Jonathan Chase, Assistant Inspector, and N. S. Green and J. C. 
Carr, Clerks. Sixty-two names are on the poll list, as follows: A. A. Brayton, George Wel- 
ker, Calvin Bell, Horace O'Brien, Jonathan Eggelston, William Grout, James S. Hart, Francis 
Meadway, Benjamin Sage, Yule Borden, Silas M. Smith, Jacob Swarthout, John O'Brien, H. 
D. Manville, John D. Bullis, George Brown, Isaac Bennett, Oliver W. Field, E. T. Kearney, 
Henry C. Field, Joel -Williams, Christopher Brown, Phineas LTnderwood, Marvin Sturges, Hiram 
S. Hastings, William Hare, John Brown, William Rue, Henry C. Brace, Josiah Loomis, F. 
Justin, Nelson S. Green, Orson Snow, Charles Chase, Aaron Lashier, F. A. Martin, William R. 
Sperling, Edward Wipp, J. Lyman, Jr., William H. Proctor, J. W. Townsend, John D. Hunt, 
Brooks Fuller, S. R. Dix, John Hicks, Thomas J. Smith, Calvin Martin, Lorenzo Bennett, 
Stephen Fields, J. C. Carr, Smith Horton, Richard Blake, Jr., J. C. Heflron, Enos Grout, 
Abel Pierce, Jonathan Chase, Victor Brossard, Orin Bliss, Edward J. Smith, William 0. Maine. 

The town officers elected were: Alfred A. Brayton, Chairman; Supervisors — Stillman R. 
Dix, Calvin Martin; Town Clerk, Silas M. Smith; Assessor, Benjamin Sage; Superintendent 
of Schools, John Q. Adams; Treasurer, Nelson S. Green; Justices of the Peace, Nelson S. 



750 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Green, Henry C. Fields, Moses R. Cobb, Calvin R. Martin ; Constables, E. T. Kearney, John 
Hicks and Lorenzo Bennett. Smith Horton was elected Road Supervisor in the western road 
district, and Enos Grout in the eastern district. The meeting voted to raise $125 for current 
expenses, about enough to pay a town clerk in a small town in 1876 ; $175 for school purposes, 
and $30 for bridge plank. 

In addition to the foregoing, those assembled at this town meeting took upon themselves the 
law-making power, and voted that four and one-half feet in height shall constitute a lawful fence ; 
that fence viewers shall determine whether a fence is lawful, provided it is four and one-half feet 
high ; that any male swine running at large shall be forfeited ; that hogs shall not be free com- 
moners except in the months of October, November and December ; to allow orderly horses, 
cattle and sheep to run at large, except stallion horses and buck sheep ; that a fine of $5 be 
imposed on any person violating the foregoing by-laws. 

A few years later, this by-law was put upon the record : " Moved and carried that hogs run- 
ning at large shall not be considered as property, but shall become the property of any man 
who will take them up and keep them confined." 

The first highway located in the town was a Territorial road from Fort Winnebago to Jef- 
ferson, by way of Columbus and Waterloo. This was in 1844. The route selected was sub- 
stantially over the present traveled road from Columbus to Otsego. 

It will be remembered that Benjamin Sage, after purchasing his land, went back to Ver- 
mont. He returned in the spring of 1844 with his family, and put up a shanty with a hay-roof 
with a stove pipe running up through it. He was soon burned out. This was the first fire in 
town ; no insurance. 

Sage died in August, 1871. Says the Columbus Democrat of August 25, 1871 : 

"Benjamin Sage died at his residence in Fountain Prairie on Tuesday last of apoplexy. 
He was sixty-seven years old and was among the pioneer settlers of Columbia f)ounty. Twenty- 
eight years ago this autumn he came to this county and selected his farm and future home. 
There was only one family living in the present township of Fountain Prairie. It was neces- 
sary at that time to go to Green Bay to purchase, as the land office was then situated there. 
This journey he made on foot. The intervening country was then inhabited by Indians only. 
Roads and hotels at that period were of course not among the conveniences found by travelers. 
John Brown had selected an eighty adjoining the prospective farm of the Captain. With a 
single exception, these claims were the first two made in that township. These two pioneers 
made the journey to Green Bay together. The friendship formed during that trip was as last- 
ing as life. Either could have adopted as his own the words of David lamenting for Jonathan, 
'Very pleasant hast thou been unto me; thy love to me was wonderful, passing that of woman.' 
In the spring of 1847, Capt. Sage brought his family to Fountain Prairie and built a cabin. 
He has resided at the same location ever since. He was a good citizen, order-loving, public 
spirited and a Democrat of the old school. 

In 1845, A. A. Brayton entered the land for the mill-site and village of Fall River, where 
he built a saw-mill in 1846, which furnished all the sawed lumber that was used in the con- 
struction of hundreds of log houses in this region. White oak boards were considered good 
finishing lumber in 1846. Brayton opened the first store in town in the fall of 1846, using a 
slab shanty for his store. , This year, 1846, was known to the early settlers as the sickly season. 
Fever and ague and chills and fever were very prevalent. In many neighborhoods there were 
not well ones enough to care for the sick, and some left the country because of its unhealthiness. 
This town lying in the forks of the Crawfish, which is skirted with timber, was a favorite hunt- 
ing and fishing ground for the Indian. Then it was right in his pathway from the Rock River 
to the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin, and deep trails were worn across the prairie 
where for many a long year the savage had led his squaw and his pony. For several years 
after the first settlement, the Indian was wont to visit these old hunting and fishing grounds ; 
but he was not the Indian of song and story, but a miserable, thieving, begging, cowardly 
specimen of humanity. Deer and the prairie hen were the principal game that the early settler 



HISTORY OF COLlfMBIA COUNTY. 751 

found, and they were very abundant. Many a family subsisted almost entirely for weeks 
together upon food obtained by hunting and fishing. 

The town of Fountain Prairie lies directly south of Courtland, but is considerably lower 
than the latter town, the dividing ridge having passed off to the westward. Prairie occurs in the 
southwestern sections only. Narrow marshy belts ai-e seen in the northern portion and middle 
sections. The Crawfish River traverses the southeastern portions, and near the middle of the 
town divides into two main branches, the one heading in the southwest corner of the town, the 
other and more northern one heading in the town of Otsego, on the west. Both streams and 
marsh belts show the same southwest-northeast direction as observed in the town of Courtland. 
The largest part of the town lies at an altitude of 300 to 350 feet, the extremes being about 250 
feet along the Crawfish in the southeast part of the town, and points in the northwest, reach 
380 to 400 feet. The streams run in shallow but well-defined valleys. 

The following is a list of town officers from 1849 to 1880, inclusive: 

1849 — Alfred A. Brayton, Chairman ; Stillman R. Dix, Calvin Martin, Supervisors ; 
Silas M. Smith, Clerk ; Nelson S. Green, Treasurer ; Benjamin Sage, Assessor ; John Q. 
Adams, School Superintendent. 

1850 — Alfred A. Brayton, Chairman ; Benjamin Sage, H. C. Field, Supervisors ; Silas 
M. Smith, Clerk ; Nelson S. Green, Treasurer ; James C. Carr, Assessor ; John Q. Adams, 
School Superintendent. 

1851 — John Q. Adams, Chairman; J. S. Field. Samuel Lashier, Supervisors; Silas M. 
Smith, Clerk; John Swarthout, Treasurer; James C. Carr, Assessor; A. A. Brayton, School 
Superintendent. 

1852 — John Q. Adams, Chairman; Aaron Backus, Jacob Swarthout, Supervisors; Silas 
M. Smith, Clerk ; A. A. Brayton, Treasurer ; John S. Field, Assessor ; James C. Carr, School 
Superintendent. 

1853 — James C. Carr, Chairman; William P. Bliss, Joel Dudley, Supervisors; S. C. 
Higbie, Clerk; H. T. Henton, Treasui-er; A. A. Brayton, Assessor; J. Q. Adams, School 
Superintendent. 

1854 — James C. Carr, Chairman; William P. Bliss, H. C. Field, Supervisors; S. M. 
Smith, Clerk ; H. T. Henton, Treasurer ; E. H. Wood, Assessor ; John Q. Adams, School 
Superintendent. 

1855 — John Walton, Chairman ; John G. Chase, E. H. Wood, Supervisors ; S. C. Higbie, 
Clerk ; John B. Stickney, Treasurer ; Jacob Swarthout, Assessor ; James C. Carr, School 
Superintendent. 

1856 — James C. Carr, Chairman; S. M. Smith, E. H. Wood, Supervisors; S. C. Higbie, 
Clerk ; F. W. Stiles, Treasurer ; J. S. Hobart, Assessor ; Eli S. Grout, School Superintendent. 

1857 — S. M. Smith, Chairman ; E. H. Wood, W. H. Proctor, Supervisors; M. C. Ingalls, 
Clerk; F. W. Stiles, Treasurer; H. S. Hastings, Assessor; A. A. Brayton, School Super- 
intendent. 

1858 — J. C. Carr, Chairman; Samuel Lashier, John S. Hobart, Supervisors; M. Ingalls, 
Clerk ; F. W. Stiles, Treasurer ; John Q. Adams, Ezra H. Wood, Assessors ; George E. Talbert, 
School Superintendent. 

1859 — J. C. Carr, Chairman; L. B. Reed, William Grout, Supervisors; M. Ingalls, 
Clerk; F. W. Stiles, Treasurer; John Q. Adams, E. H. Wood, Assessors; M. Ingalls, School 
Superintendent. 

1860 — John Q. Adams, Chairman ; H. C. Field, M. C. Hobart, Supervisors ; Benjamin 
Sage, Jr., Clerk; F. W. Stiles, Treasurer; James C. Carr, James H. Huntington, Assessors; 
A. A. Brayton, School Superintendent. 

1861— E. H. Wood, Chairman ; H. C. Field, H. C. Brace, Supervisors ; F. W. Stiles, 
Clerk ; S. C. Higbie, Treasurer ; James C. Carr, John Q. Adams, Assessors ; John E. Grout, 
School Superintendent. 

1862 — James C. Carr, Chairman ; John E. Grout, H. C. Brace, Supervisors ; F. W. 
Stiles, Clerk ; Samuel Lashier, Treasurer ; John Q. Adams, Assessor. 



752 HISTOBY OF COLUMIUA COUNTY. 

1863— H. C. Brace, Chairman ; H. C. Field, E. H. Wood, Supervisors ; F. W. Stiles, 
Clerk ; John G. Chase, Treasurer ; John Q. Adams, James C. Carr, Assessors. 

1864— George E. Talbert, Chairman: W. H. Proctor, J. S. Hobart, Supervisors; F. W. 
Stiles, Clerk ; Samuel Lashier, Treasurer : John Q. Adams, Assessor. 

1865 — John Q. Adams, Chairman ; W. H. Proctor, Eli L. Grout, Supervisors ; Benjamin 
Sage, Jr., Clerk ; J. C. Backus, Treasurer ; John <,>. Adams, Assessor. 

1866 — John Q. Adams, Chairman ; 0. W. Field, Orson Snow, Supervisors ; Spencer H. 
Bronson, Clerk ; Zebulon Russell, Treasurer ; Calvin Baker, Assessor. 

1867 — Samuel Lashier, Chairman ; Oliver W. Field, Martin C. Hobart, Supervisors ; 
Benjamin Sage, Jr., Clerk ; Zebulon B. Russell, Treasurer ; J. E. Grout, Henry C. Brace, 
Assessors. 

1868 — Henry C. Brace, Chairman ; John Brown, Aaron Backus, Supervisors ; Benjamin 
Sage., Jr., Clerk ; Z. B. Russell, Treasurer ; John E. Grout, Samuel King, John Hicks, 
Assessors. 

1869 — William H. Proctor, Chairman; Calvin Baker, S. B. Reed, Supervisors; Benjamin 
Sage, Jr., Clerk ; Z. B. Russell, Treasurer ; John Foster, Assessor. 

1870 — W. H. Proctor, Chairman ; Horace O'Brien, F. L. Jones, Supervisors ; Benjamin 
Sage, Jr., Clerk ; Z. B. Russell, Treasurer ; J. E. Grout, Assessor. 

1871 — H. C. Field, Chairman ; 0. W. Field, Peter Secor, Supervisors ; Benjamin Sage, 
Jr., Clerk ; S. B. Sage, Treasurer ; Jacob Swarthout, Assessor. 

1872 — H. C. Field, Chairman ; 0. W. Field, John Foster, Supervisors ; B. A. Sage. 
Clerk ; Z. B. Russell, Treasurer ; George D. Rice, Assessor. 

1873 — H. C. Field, Chairman; 0. W. Field, John Foster, Supervisors; B. A. Sage, 
Clerk ; Z. B. Russell, Treasurer ; J. E. Grout, Assessor. 

1874 — H. C. Field, Chairman ; William Walker, J. S. Babcock, Supervisors ; B. A. Sage, 
Clerk; James H. Haskin, Treasurer; J. E. Grout, Assessor. 

1875 — W. H. Proctor, Chairman ; William Walker, Peter Secor, Supervisors ; B. A. Sage, 
Clerk ; J. H. Haskin, Treasurer ; J. E. Grout, Assessor. 

1876 — 0. W. Field, Chairman ; William Walker, John W. Kehoe, Supervisors ; B. A. Sage, 
Clerk; S. Lashier, Treasurer; John E. Grout, Assessor. 

1877 — William H. Proctor, Chairman ; John Foster, Peter Secor, Supervisors ; H. A. 
Sage, Clerk ; Samuel Lashier, Treasurer ; J. E. Grout, Assessor. 

1878— M. C. Hobart, Chairman ; William E. Field, J. E. McMahon, Supervisors; B. A. 
Sage, Clerk ; Samuel Lashier, Treasurer ; J. S. Babcock, Assessor. 

1879 — M. C. Hobart, Chairman ; J. Swarthout, J. R. Nashold, Supervisors ; B. A. Sage, 
Clerk; S. Lashier, Treasurer; J. E. Grout, Assessor 

1880 — Spencer Randall, Chairman ; Jacob Swarthout, John M. Kehoe, Supervisors ; B. 
A. Sage, Clerk ; Samuel Lashier, Treasurer ; John E. Grout, Assessor. 

VILLAGE OP FALL RIVER. 

The village of Fall River was founded by A. A. Brayton in 1846. Brayton moved with 
his father's family to Wisconsin in 18-37, and, in 1888, settled at Aztalan, where, the following 
year, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Grout. At this place, he kept a small 
variety store. In 1846, he purchased the southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 11, 
Range 12, in what is now the town of Fountain Prairie. He drew up a plan of the village 
and proceeded to erect a saw-mill. . He also opened a variety store. The saw-mill he con- 
tinued to operate for six years. In 1850, he erected a large grist-mill, which was well 
patronized by the farmers in the immediate neighborhood. In a short time, he sold a half- 
interest to A. W. Kellogg, and, afterward, the remainder to Mr. Kenney. Kellogg & Kenney, 
in the spring of 1860, disposed of it to Mortimer & Curtis. Up to March, 1880, it had suc- 
cessively passed into the hands of C. D. Cotton, Prime & Jones, E. T. Jones & Bro., and 
William R. Hughes. ' 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 753 

To the original plat of the village, made by Mr. Bray ton in 1856, Eli Grout made a small 
addition. On the completion of the railroad in 1864, S. L. Batchelder also made an addition 
in the vicinity of the depot. Previous to 1880, many streets and blocks of land had been 
vacated, reducing materially the original plat. 

The first house was erected by Alfred A. Bray ton, who likewise opened the first store. 
Martha, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Sage, was the first born in the village as well as 
town. 

On the 13th of August, 1853, a cemetery association was formed with S. C. Higbie, S. 
M. Smith, Samuel Lashier, J. D. Bullis, E. T. Kearney, Christopher Brown, Thomas Benner, 
S B. Hancock and Elisha Roberts as Trustees. Three acres of ground were purchased of C. 
Brown, off the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section 26. The first burial 
therein was a son of Christopher Brown. 

Dr. Hanson Hurd in 1856 started a match manufactory in the place, which he ran for two 
years, when he sold out to M. & E. H. Bronson, who successfully continued the business until 
1860, when they disposed of it to Prime & Randall, who continued it until 1862, when it 
passed into the hands of Folsom & Grout. The latter firm, in consequence of the hard times 
during that period, suspended. For a time, the factory employed from ten to twenty hands. 

Cigar Manuf actor jj . — C. Palmer started, in 1860, the manufacture of cigars, but con- 
tinued the business but a short time, disposing of it to D. Bobbins, who soon after suspended. 
In 1872, Charles A. Taylor commenced to manufacture, continuing for about one year, when 
Z. B. Russell engaged in the work. The latter has had fair success in building up a trade. In 
1879, he employed one hand and worked at the bench himself. 

Cheese Manufactory. — In 1873, 0. B. Prime commenced the manufacture of cheese in the 
village, making, the first year, about eighty thousand pounds. The quantity was increased each 
year until 1878, when it reached 166,000 pounds. In 1879, a less amount was made on account 
of the scarcity of milk. An average of $12,000 per year, from 1873 to 1879, inclusive, was 
distributed among the farmers in the neighborhood from this one industry alone. 

Fall River House. — In 1849, S. C. Higbie erected the Fall River House, opening it to 
the public the same year. In 1860, he disposed of it to George Sickles. From 1860 to 1880, 
it has passed successively into the hands of Mr. Miller, John Fields, John Young, Richard 
Blake, S. L. Batchelder, C. Palmer, Lewis Norton and John Hicks. The house was built so as 
to accommodate twenty guests. 

Post Office. — One of the first things attended to by A. A. Brayton, on his removal to this 
place, was to petition the Post Office Department to establish an office at this point, which was 
accordingly done early in 1847, and Mr. Brayton was made the first Postmaster. He was 
succeeded by S. C. Higbie, and in turn by F. W. Stiles, and F. W. Stiles by S. H. Bronson. 

Railroad Station. — On the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad 
to this point, Mr. Hildreth was appointed Station Agent. Between the years 1864 and 1880, 
Mr. Hildreth. J. W. Taylor, E. W. Williams and H. Newnham had been in the employ of the 
company. As Express Agents, E. W. Williams, H. Newnham, H. D. Cotton, S. H. Bronson, 
George D. Rice, W. E. Batchelder and J. A. Smith had served. 

Sohoolhouses. — In 1850, a schoolhouse was built in the village, the district being designated 
as No. 1. The house, in 1856, was found too small to accommodate the number of scholars 
living in the district, so another was added in that year. The primary scholars attend one, and 
the higher grades the other. 

Methodist JEpiscopal Church. — This society was organized in the log house of Clark Smith, 
by Rev. Stephen Jones, in 1844, the locality at the time being connected with the old Aztalan 
circuit. The members were Rev. E. J. Smith, Martha Smith, Clark Smith, Sarah Smith, Mr. 
and Mrs. Aaron E. Houghton. E. J. Smith was appointed leader. A log schoolhouse was 
erected soon after, and the meetings transferred to it. As the population of the village increased, 
in due time the society was removed here. In 1855, a church edifice was built, at a cost of 
$2,000. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1875, at a cost of $1,200. Revs. Stephen Jones, N. 



754 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

S. Green, C. G. Lathrop, Mr. Marshall, J. M. S. Maxon, Ezra Tucker, James Lamson, R. 
Franchen, William Averill, S. L. Brown, William Stevens, D. Lewis, E. W. Stevens, J. C. 
Aspinwall, A. Hitchcock, J. Searles, W. Sturgess, S. V. R. Shepherd, C. L. Shepherd, A. 
Hamilton, J. S. Bolton, J. E. Grant, A. J. Brill, W. E. Randolph, C. D. Cook and C. A. Stock- 
well have served the church as Pastors. In March, 1880, the membership of the church was 
ninety-five, with S. H. Bronson, Rec. Steward; John Fardell, H. S. O'Brion, J. S. Babcock 
and George Kirk, Stewards ; J. H. Haskin, H. S. O'Brion, H. C. Glendenning, A. Horton. J. 
S. Babcock and B. Babcock, Trustees. 

First Regular Baptist Church and Society. — The first preaching by a minister of the 
Baptist Church in this vicinity, was in 1847, Elders Green and Reed being the pioneer preacliers. 
A church was also organized about this time. A legal organization was effected March 18, 
1867, under the name, " First Regular Baptist Church and Society." The first Trustees were 
H. C. Brace. J. A. Franklin, L. B. Reed. Loyal Morton, Deacon ; H. C. Brace, Clerk. In 
1869, a house of worship, 38x60 feet, was erected at a cost of $.5,000. Those serving the 
church as Pastors from 1847 to 1880, were Elders Green, Reed, Wade, Jones, Jeffreys, Mere- 
dith, Chapin, Langridge, Gorman and Pickering. In 1877, H. C. Brace and A. M. Hastings 
were elected Trustees, and in 1879, James Randolph, F. C. Thomas, M. A. Franklin and E. 
Oliver were added to the number. M. H. Bender, Deacon and Clerk. 

TOWN OF HAMPDEN. 

^, The first settler in the town of Hampden was Alfred Toplifi", who located there May 1, 
1844. Lewis and Landy Sowards, with their families, arrived there some four or five weeks 
later. J. E. Haight and family arrived in the autumn of the same year. What is now the 
county of Columbia was, in that year, mostly an uninhabited wild. Fort Winnebago, Dekorra, 
and some eight or ten families in Columbus and Fountain Prairie, then constituted nearly the 
entire populaticn of the county. The first settlers of Hampden had to go to Aztalan Post 
OflSce, a distance of thirty miles, for their letters and papers. Most articles of provisions were 
procured at Milwaukee, a distance of seventy miles. The road then traveled to Milwaukee was 
by way of Aztalan, and thence through the dense and nearly uninhabited forest of Rock River 
woods for eighteen miles, over a track that was hardly passable, requiring five or six days to 
make the journey to Milwaukee and return. The country in all directions was without roads 
(excepting the Indian trails) and all rivers and brooks without bridges, in this or adjacent towns. 
The traveler had to search in all directions to find a place where he could possibly cross the 
streams and marshes and then to find himself in a situation from which, with the utmost diffi- 
culty he could extricate himself and reach the opposite shore. This difiiculty was much in- 
creased by the rains which were of such frequent occurrence during the summer and September 
of that year. The marshes which were the dependence of the settlers for hay to winter their 
stock, were so filled with water that hay could not be procured from them until October, when 
the grass was so injured by frosts as to make the hay of diminished value, and a consequence 
was that quite a proportion of the cattle died during the winter following for want of suitable 
food to sustain them. 

The year 1845 aflTorded some additions to the population, but they were mostly transient 
settlers who have long left for other localities. 

In 1846, the brothers, Elijah and Perry Lee, with their families, and Mrs. Roys and her 
son. Clarendon Roys and brothers, and Messrs. Henry Clark, Thomas Smith and Benjamin 
Chase, arrived and located in the town. A settlement of Norwegians was also made in the 
southwest quarter, and a settlement of Germans in the southeast quarter of the town. 

The town of Hampden is bounded on the east by Columbus, on the west by Leeds, on the 
north by Otsego, and on the south by Dane County. Before the organization of the county 
into towns it was in the third election precinct composed of Townships 10 and 11, Range 11, 
the place of voting being at the house of Landy Sowards, the Judges of Election being Jonathan 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 755 

E. Haight, Landy Sowards and Henry Pellet. The precinct was known as Dyersburg, so- 
called in honor of Wayne B. Dyer, the first settler of Otsego, and first Clerk of the Board of 
County Commissioners. In 1849, Township 10, Range 11, was organized into a town to which 
was given the name of Hampden, and the house belonging to Cornwall Esmond, situated on the 
northwest corner of Section 15, designated as the place for holding the first election. 

Among other early settlers of the town were Daniel Soward, Clarendon Roys, Benjamin 
Chase, Mr. Tillotson, Henry R. Clark, Clark Hazard, James Montgomery, Jonathan E. Haight, 
William K. Custer, John A. Franklin, Lyman Morse and John Derr. 

Alfred Topliif taught the first school in the town on Section 11, in 1847. 

Rev. Reuben Bates, a pioneer Methodist preacher, was the first to proclaim the Gospel here, 
though previously Rev. Edward Smith preached the funeral sermon of Mr. Douglas in June, 
1845. In 1846, at the house of Mr. Morris, he delivered his first discourse. 

[n 1857, the Town Board purchased of Samuel Smith a fraction over two acres off Section 
16, for a place for the burial of the dead. 

The town in 1865 erected a comfortable town hall, 26x36 feet in size. Here town meet- 
ings are held, and the hall has also been used for religious and educational purposes. 

A post ofiice was established near the center of the town in 1847, and A. Topliff made 
Postmaster. He was succeeded by Benjamin Chase, Lloyd Newcomb and William Bradley. 
About 1865, the office was discontinued, but re-established in 1877, and Halver Halverson made 
Postmaster. 

Among the principal farmers prior to 1856, might be mentioned Clarendon Roys, Henry 
R. Clark, Clark Hazard, Eli Sowards, Daniel Sowards, C. C. Tillotson, T. S .Roys, James 
Montgomery, E. Fairbanks, James H. Sutton, John Derr, Peter Hanson, 0. J. Oleson and E. 
Knudson. 

About the year 1868, E. Fairbanks began to give special attention to the improvement of 
cattle and sheep. His herds of Durham cattle and merino sheep, between the years 1868 and 
1880, have been exhibited at county, district and State Fairs, with results highly satisfactory 
to their owner. The example of Mr. Fairbanks has been imitated by other farmers in the 
town. Several fine horses were imported from France, in 1875, by an association formed in the 
town. 

The town of Hampden is largely rolling prairie in the western and central portions, the 
prairie connecting by a narrow strip with that of Fountain Prairie and Columbus. In the 
southwest there are small tamarack marshes. The town lies upon the eastern slope of the divid- 
ing ridge, and thus rises rapidly from east to west. In the lower portions on the east line, the 
altitude is 320 to 350 feet ; whilst on the west side, it is 400 to 500 feet. In the southeast is 
high ground, continuous with that in southwest Columbus. The town lies on the southern 
boundary of the county, in the southeastern part, by which it is separated from the town of 
Bristol, in the county of Dane. It is about twenty miles southeast of the city of Portage, and 
is known as Township 10 north, of Range 11 east. The town is watered by a small stream that 
flows through it from west to east — an afiluent of the Crawfish River. 

The first entry of land was made by Alfred Topliff June 28, 1844, consisting of the south- 
west (juarter of the northeast quarter and the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 11. 

The following is a list of town ofiicers from the organization of the town to the present 
time : 

1849 — William K. Custer, Chairman; Nelson B. Lloyd, George D. Mead, Supervisors 
John A. Franklin, Clerk; Lyman Morse, Treasurer; Enoch Pulver, Assessor. 

1850 — Elijah Lee, Chairman ; James Montgomery, Cephas Tillotson, Supervisors ; Thomas 
B. Haslam, Clerk ; Albert Pease, Treasurer ; Jonathan E. Haight, James H. Sutton, Albert 
Wilkins, Assessors. 

1851 — Elijah Lee, Chairman ; Henry R. Clark, James Montgomery, Supervisors ; 
Thomas B. Haslam, Clerk ; Albert Pease, Treasurer ; Ezra Mead, Assessor. 



756 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1852 — Elijah Lee, Chairman ; James Montgomery, John Derr, Supervisors ; Thomas B. 
Haslam, Clerk ; William K. Custer, Treasurer ; Ezra Mead, Assessor. 

185.3 — Elijah Lee. Chairman : Zalmon McDougal, John Derr, Supervisors ; Thomas B. 
Haslam, Clerk ; James H. Sutton, Treasurer ; James Montgomery, Assessor. 

1854 — Elijah Lee, Chairman ; Nels Mikelson, John Derr, Supervisors; Thomas B. Has- 
lam, Clerk ; James H. Sutton, Treasurer ; James Montgomery. John Oleson, Assessors. 

1855 — James Montgomery, Chairman ; George Tillotson, John Derr, Supervisors ; Marshal 
R. Keeler, Clerk : James H. Sutton, Treasurer ; Hiram R. Tripp, John Oleson, Assessors. 

1856 — E. Fairbank.s, Chairman ; John Derr, Benjamin Chase, Supervisors ; George Til- 
lotson, Clerk ; James Montgomery, Treasurer ; H. R. Tripp, John Oleson, Assessors. 

1857 — E. Fairbanks, Chairman ; C. C. Tillotson, Henry Lull, Supervisors ; L. D. Parker, 
Clerk ; James Montgomery. Treasurer and Assessor. 

1858 — Henry Lull, Chairman; Clark Hazard, Nels Mickelson, Supervisors; William 
E. Newcomb, Clerk ; William K. Custer, Treasurer ; Ira Ford, Assessor. 

1859 — William K. Custer, Chairman ; Clark Hazard, Samuel Smith, Supervisors ; George 
Tillotson, Clerk ; John Oleson, Treasurer ; Ira Ford, Assessor. 

1860 — Edward Fairbanks, Chairman ; John Logeman, Thomas Sanderson, Supervisors ; 
L. D. Tasker, Clerk ; Clarendon Roys, Treasurer ; John J. Sutton, Assessor. 

1861 — James H. Sutton, Chairman ; C. C. Tillotson, John D. Logeman, Supervisors ; T. 
S. Roys, Clerk ; Samuel Smith, Treasurer; James Montgomery, Assessor. 

1862 — Edward Fairbanks, Chairman ; Clai-endon Roys, Samuel Smith, Supervisors ; T. 
S. Roys, Clerk ; James Montgomery, Treasurer and Assessor. 

1863 — James H. Sutton, Chairman ; Samuel Smith, John Oleson, Supervisors ; T. S. 
Roys, Clerk ; Thomas Sanderson, Treasurer and Assessor. 

1864 — James H. Sutton, Chairman ; H. R. Clark, Aad Henderson, Supervisors ; G. W. 
Putnam, Clerk : J. E. Perkins, Treasurer ; H. R. Tripp, Assessor. 

1865 — Edward Fairbanks, Chairman ; Benjamin Fuller, Horace Morse, Supervisors ; A. 
Sanderson, Clerk ; Halver Halverson, Treasurer ; James Montgomery, Assessor. 

1866 — H. R. Clark, Chairman; G. S. Armitage, William Bradley, Supervisors; A. San- 
derson, Clerk ; Ole J. Oleson, Treasurer ; James Montgomery, Assessor. 

1867 — H. R. Clark, Chairman; C. Tillotson, John Oleson, Supervisors; A. Sanderson, 
Clerk ; Ole J. Oleson, Treasurer. 

1868 — James Montgomery, Chairman ; John Derr, Ira H. Ford, Supervisors; A. Sander- 
son, Clerk; Charles Conrad, Treasurer; A. L. Sutton, Assessor. 

1869 — C. Roys, Chairman ; Samuel Hasey, Ingelbret Everson, Supervisors ; C. S. Tomp- 
kins, Clerk ; William McBurnie, Treasurer ; Galen Hall, Assessor. 

1870 — C. Roys, Chairman ; Samuel Hasey, Ingelbert Everson. Supervisors ; C. S. Tomp- 
kins, Clerk; E. J. Morse, Treasurer; James Montgomery. Assessor. 

1871 — Samuel Hasey, Chairman; Ole L. Clave, Ingelbert Everson, Supervisors; C. S. 
Tompkins, Clerk ; T. S. Roys, Treasurer ; Thomas Sanderson, Assessor. 

1872 — Charles Tompkins, Chairman; Ingelbert Everson, Samuel Smith, Supervisors; 
S. C. Bell, Clerk ; William McBurnie, Treasurer ; James Montgomery, Assessor. 

1873 — Samuel Hasey, Chairman ; Peter Hansen, John Derr, Supervisors ; A. Sanderson, 
Clerk ; Henry Bock, Treasurer ; Thomas Sanderson, Assessor. 

1874 — John Derr, Chairman ; Halver Halverson, Eli Morse, Supervisors ; S. C. Bell, 
Clerk; Henry Bock, Treasurer; Thomas Sanderson, Assessor. 

1875 — John Derr. Chairman ; E. J. Morse, H. Halverson, Supervisors ; S. C. Bell, Clerk : 
A. Sanderson, Treasurer ; James Montgomery, Assessor. 

1876 — John Derr, Chairman ; Halver Halverson, E. J. Morse, Supervisors ; William Mc- 
Burnie, Clerk; A. Sanderson, Treasurer: Thomas Sanderson, Assessor. 

1877 — Thomas Sanderson, Chairman ; Albert Scheidler, Samuel Smith, Supervisors ; S. C. 
Bell, Clerk ; Henry Bock, Treasurer. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 759 

1878 — James Montgomery, Chairman ; E. J. Morse, Halver Halverson, Supervisors ; S. 
C. Bell, Clerk ; Henry Bock, Treasurer ; I. Everson, Assessor. 

1879 — Edward Fairbanks, Chairman ; Peter Hanson, Adolph Schultz, Supervisors ; Will- 
iam McBurnie, Clerk ; A. Sanderson, Treasurer ; S. C. Bell, Assessor. 

1880 — H. R. Clark. Chairman ; Adolph Schutz, Halver Halverson, Supervisors ; A, 
Sanderson, Clerk ; Nicholas Ziegler, Treasurer : Thomas Sanderson, Assessor. 

TOWN OF LEEDS. 

The town of Leeds is almost altogether upon the top of the watershed, having a surface of 
rolling prairie, and a general altitude of 450 to 570 feet. In the northwest corner, this high 
ground breaks down abruptly 200 feet towai'd the head-fcaters of Okee Creek. The State 
Geologist, in one of his reports, remarked that there were some of the finest lands here that 
were to be found in the State. The first entry of land was made October 3, 1844, by Johii 
Dalziel, consisting of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter, and the southwest quarter 
of the northwest quarter of Section 26. Prior to this, La Fayette Hill made claim on Section 
14. He erected a log house which, in his absence, was burned by the Indians in the winter 
of 1843-44. In the spring of 1844, one Johnson came in, and Mr. Hill, for a small considera- 
tion, surrendered to him his claim and removed into the town of Dekorra. Mr. Johnson con- 
veyed in June following a portion of this tract to Oliver G. Chilson. William Young came in 
in 1844, but remained only a short time, when he removed his house just across the line in the 
town of Lowville. In the fall of 1844 came William Bradley, Thomas Dalziel, and Mr. Hin- 
man. Soon after this came Stephen Bray ton, Charles B. ThompsoQ, Sylvester Button, 0. C. 
Howe, A. Klienert, F. Rennebohm, Jacob Townsend, Smith Scott, Charles Brown, Norman 
Ives, Fred Lubins and others. 

The town of Leeds is an agricultural town. No effort has ever been made to locate a 
village within its boundaries, but now its inhabitants are well supplied with mail facilities, 
there then being four post offices in the town — Leeds, North Leeds, Leeds Center, and Keyser. 

Leeds Post Office was established on Section 32 in 1854, with William P. Bradley as the 
first Postmaster. Mr. Bradley was succeeded by George Durkee, and Mr. Durkee by Anson 
Engel. 

Leeds Center was established in 1856, chiefly through the instrumentality of Dr. R. A. 
Squires, who was made its first Postmaster. He was succeeded by Norman Ives, who continued 
but a short time when G. E. Fox was appointed, after which it again passed under control of 
Dr. Squire, who was succeeded in 1857 by A. S. Packard. 

Humphrey McKinney was the first Postmaster of North Leeds, the office being established 
in 1858. William Dieruf was Mr. McKinney's successor. 

In 1876, an office was established in the southeast part of the town, with Benjamin Brae- 
son as Postmaster. 

The first school,, in the town was held at Leeds Center on the corner of the northwest 
quarter of the southwest corner of Section 14, in 1848. In 1850, a substantial log school- 
house was erected which burned down the first winter. In 1851, a stone house was erected 
which served the district (No. 1) until June, 1878, when a good frame house was erected and 
well furnished at a cost of $1,600. 

It has been stated there had never been an effort to locate a village in the town, but not- 
withstanding this fact, around Leeds Center Post Office quite a little village sprang up in 1850- 
57, there being there at that time two stores, a blacksmith-shop, post office and a tavern, the 
latter being erected by John T. Baker, and continued by him about four years. Leeds Center 
was then on the line of the stage route from Beaver Dam to Lodi and also from Madison to 
Portage. 

From the organization of Leeds, town-meetings have been held at Leeds Center. Election 
days have generally been considered as holidays and the average voter expected to have some 



760 HISTORY OF roH'MBIA COUNTY. 

fun. There formerly lived here a genius who would occ;»sionally imbibe too freely of the juice 
of the corn. He was an ardent Republican and never got so drunk but, he knew the difference 
between a Republican and Democratic ticket. On one occasion on election day, he was so drunk 
a leading Democratic politician thought he would get him to vote the Democratic ticket, and to 
accomplish his aim was very affectionate toward the old man. Taking him by the arm and 
placing a Democratic ticket in his hand, he led him up to the polls. The Republicans were of 
course watching every movement. When the old man arrived at the voting-place, he turned to 
a leading Republican and said, '' Give me a ticket, John." " Why," responded John, "I 
thought you were going to vote the Democratic ticket? " " You think (hie) because I've got 
the (hie) symptoms, I've turned Democrat, (hie) do you':*" John furnished him with the 
ticket of his choice. 

Horse-trading has been classed as a high art in Leeds, and the people of that town have 
become proverbial as horse-traders. Woe be to the man who considers himself the better judge 
of horseflesh, and the more experienced in a trade. Orin Powers was a good-hearted, honest 
citizen of Lowville, and was possessed of a horse valued by good judges at $125. One day, he 
made up his mind that he would take that horse over to Leeds, and make a little by trading him 
to some one. He was advised by a friend not to go, but the advice he considered an insult. 
The idea of his being taken in by those Leeds men ! He would show them he knew what he 
was about in a horse trade. So over to Leeds he went. Along about sunset, he was seen 
returning to the point from which he started, on foot, with a bridle in his hand. " Why, Orin, 
what's the matter?" said the friend of the morning. " Oh, Doctor," he replied, " they've used 
me up." " Why, how is that?" " Well, you see, 1 went over there, made two or three trades, 
and on the last one I got a horse and two cows. I thought I had done well. The horse was a 
fine-looking animal, and I got on him to ride him home, and coming along, the blasted thing had 
a fit, fell down and nearly killed me. I took off the bridle and left him to die, and here I am 
with two cows, worth not over $25. I wish I'd taken your advice.'' 

The town of Leeds is situated in the south part of the county, on the county line, which 
sejiarates it from the town of Windsor, in Dane County. It is about fifteen miles southeast of 
the city of Portage, and is in Township 10, Range 10 east. Nearly one-half of the township 
is prairie land : the other half is oak openings, which are in the northern and southeastern 
parts. The town is scantily supplied with brooks or streams, there being only a small rivulet 
in the southeast portion, which has an outlet in a lake situated on parts of Sections 23, 24 and 
26. A large number of the settlers in the southeastern part of the town are Norwegians, and 
that nationality, with the Germans, largely predominate. The town is well improved and under 
excellent cultivation. 

Lutheran Church. — On the 27th day of March, 1847, the first Norwegian Evangelical 
Lutheran congregation in Columbia County was organized, by Rev. I. W. C. Dietrickson, as 
" Spring Prairie Congregation." It consisted of settlers re.siding in the towns of Leeds, 
Hampden, Otsego, Lowville, and later Arlington and Dekorra, in Columbia County, and Bris- 
tol, Windsor and Vienna, Dane County. The first Norwegian services were held at the house 
of Sjur Reque, some time previous. Among the first members of the congregation were John 
0. Fosmark, Nels 0. Fosraark, Lars Johannesen Moen, Aad Johnson Himle, John Langeteig, 
Peter Ilalvorsen, Augund Aames, Eivind Thorstensen. On the 15th day of October, 184'J, 
Spring Prairie congregation was divided into three congregations — Spring Prairie and Bonnet 
Prairie, Columbia County, and Norway Grove, Dane County. These three congregations 
resolved to constitute one parish, where, somewhat later, was joined Lodi congregation, in the 
towns of Lodi, Arlington and Dekorra, in Columbia County. Rev. I. W. C. Dietrickson had 
charge of these congregations, and served as their minister up to the 10th of April, 1850 ; Rev. 
A. C. Preus from May, 1850, till August, 1851. Rev. H. A. Preus took charge of them 
August 10, 1851, and has served as their minister till the present time. As the latter gentle- 
man has had to attend to a very extensive missionary work among Norwegians in the northern 
and middle part of Wisconsin, and has also, since 1862, acted as President of the Norwegian 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COl'NTT. 761 

Evangelical Lutheran Synod in America, the following named have served as assistants : Rev. 
C. Magelssen, from September, 1866, to October, 1867 ; Rev. B. Hovde, from January, 1869, 
to April, 1872; Rev. A. Vinnor, from May, 1872, to May, 1873; Rev. A. Bredeson, from 
May, 1873, to August, 1876; Rev. Chr. K. Preus, from August 13, 1876, to the present time. 
The first Norwegian church edifice was a small log one, in the town of ( )tsego, built in the sum- 
mer of 1853. On the 25th day of June, 1853, the corner-stone of the church in the town of 
Leeds was laid. It is 50x85 feet, has a fine steeple, and, when erected, cost $2,500. The 
Bonnet Prairie congregation, Otsego, built a stone church in 1866, 54x35 feet, which cost 
$7,000. The Lodi congregation was the next to build, in 1871. Their church edifice is of 
brick, 54x28 feet, with a steeple 70 feet high ; is located in the town of Arlington, and 
cost $3,600. There are 280 families in the various congregations connected with this parish. 
Trustees of Spring Prairie congregation — John 0. Fosmark, John Hermundsen, Hans Bjorti- 
sen ; of the Bonnet Prairie Congregation — Andves Loseln, Halvor Anderson, J. B. Berquam ; 
of Lodi — Ives Larsen, G. Pedersen and A. Oramundsen. 

The town of Leeds was organized in 1850, and comprised all of Township 10, Range 10, 
and the east half of Township 10, Range 9. In 1855, the latter portion of the town was set off 
to Arlington, leaving the town of Leeds one full township. 

The following are the names of the town ofiicers since its organization to the present time : 

1850 — Thomas Dalziel, Chairman ; Charles B. Thompson, Nathan Hazen, Supervisors ; 
David M. Hatch, Clerk ; Oliver G. Chilson, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Superintendent 
of Schools ; Henry Waterhouse, Clark M. Young, Assessors. 

1851 — Thomas Dalziel, Chairman; Sylvester Dutton, William Young, Supervisors; James 
M. Robinson, Clerk ; Clark M. Young, Thomas Green, John Oleson, Assessors ; William T. 
Bradley, School Superintendent. 

1852 — Chester S. Chapin, Chairman ; Sylvester Dutton, Lars Johnson, Supervisors ; 
David M. Hatch, Clerk ; Henry Waterhouse, Treasurer ; John Oleson, C. M. Young, Thomas 
Green, Charles Brown, Assessors; William T. Bradley, School Superintendent. 

1853 — William H. Young, Chairman ; Sylvester Dutton, Amond Christophersen, Super- 
visors ; J. W. Robinson, Clerk; Thomas Dalziel, Treasurer; C. M. Young, Neils Knudson, 
Assessors ; Isaac C. Sargent, School Superintendent. 

1854 — William H. Young, Chairman ; Sylvester Dutton, Nelse K. Garvinde, Supervisors ; 
J. W. Robinson, Clerk; 0. G. Chilson, Treasurer; Stephen Brayton, Assessor; D. C. Strong, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1855 — Isaac C. Sargent, Chairman; Charles Brown, Anton Nelson, Supervisors; F. W. 
Cady, Clerk ; Thomas Dalziel, Treasurer ; J. W. Robinson, Assessor and School Superintendent. 

1856 — Sylvester Dutton, Chairman ; Thomas Dalziel, Amond Christophers. Supervisors ; 
M. J. Waterhouse. Clerk; William T. Bradley, Treasurer and Assessor; L. A. Squire, School 
Superintendent. 

1857 — William T. Bradley, Chairman ; C. L. Brown, Ender Knudson, Supervisors ; H. 
P. Estabrook, Clerk; Halver Halverson, Treasurer; William T. Bradley, Assessor; I. C. Sar- 
gent, School Superintendent. 

1858 — William T. Bradley, Chairman ; C. B. Thompson, Amond Christophers, Super- 
visors ; Abel Alden, Clerk; Halver Halverson, Treasurer; William Young, Assessor; L. A. 
Squire, School Superintendent. 

1859 — Charles L. Brown, Chairman; B. F. Everett, A. Christophers, Supervisors; Abel 
Allen, Clerk ; Halver Halverson, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Assessor ; L. A. Squire, 
School Superintendent. 

1860 — C. L. Brown, Chairman ; A. Christophers, R. Helfritz, Supervisors ; E. F. Russell, 
Clerk i H. Lubins, Treasurer ; B. F. Everett, Assessor ; L. A. Squire, School Superintendent. 

1861 — L. A. Squire, Chairman ; Chri-stian Munson, R. Helfritz, Supervisors ; C. L. 
Brown, Clerk; Henry Lubins, Treasurer; William T. Bradley, Assessor; Benjamin F. McKin- 
ney, School Superintendent. 



762 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1862 — L. A. Sijuire, Chairman ; C. Munson, William T. Kleinert, Supervisors ; C. L. 
Brown, Clerk; Lars J. Lee, Treasurer; William T. Bradley, Assessor. 

1868 — L. A. Squire, Chairman ; C. Munson, William T. Kleinert, Supervisors ; Abel 
Allen, Clerk ; Lars J. Lee, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Assessor. 

1864 — Thomas Sanderson, Chairman ; E. C. Lubins, Benjamin Johnson, Supervisors ; 
Abel Allen, Clerk ; J. B. Hagaboom, Treasurer ; C. M. Smith, Assessor. 

1865 — AVilliam T. Bradley, Chairman; D. C. Lubins, Peter Oleson, Supervisors; Abel 
Allen, Clerk ; Robert Dalziel, Treasurer ; Smith J. Scott, Assessor. 

1866 — A. H. Quackenbush, Chairman ; Peter Oleson, Thomas Pashaw, Supervisors ; 
Abel Allen, Clerk ; Robert Dalziel, Treasurer ; S. J. Scott, Assessor. 

1867. — L. A. Squire, Chairman; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors; Abel Allen, 
Clerk ; J. V. Mixer, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1868. — L. A. Squire, Chairman; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors; Abel Allen, 
Clerk ; William Dieruf, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

186!'. — L. A. S(iuire, Chairman ; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors; J. E. Butler, 
Clerk ; William Dieruf, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1870. — L. A. Squire, Chairman ; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors ; William 
Dieruf, Clerk ; William T. Kleinert, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1871. — L. A. Squire, Chairman; G. A. Kleinert, Anson Nelson, Supervisors; William 
Dieruf, Clerk; William C. Kleinert, Treasurer; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1872. — L. A. St|uire, Chairman; G. A. Kleinert, Anson Nelson, Supervisors; William 
Dieruf, Clerk ; AVilliam C. Kleinert, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1873. — William C. Kleinert, Chairman ; Abram Page, John Peterson, Supervisors ; L. L. 
Phinney, Clerk ; Fred Reembohm, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1874. — William C. Kleinert, Chairman; Abram Page, John Peterson, Supervisors; L. L. 
Phinney, Clerk ; Charles Steltner, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1875. — William C. Kleinert, Chairman ; F. B. Scott, Andrew A. Erickson, Supervisors; 
L. L. Phinney, Clerk ; Joseph L. Lee, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1876. — William C. Kleinert, Chairman ; Andrew A. Erickson, Abram Page, Supervisors ; 
L. L. Phinney, Clerk : Joseph L. Lee, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1877. — William C. Kleinert, Chairman: Andrew A. Erickson, Abram Page, Supervisors; 
L. L. Phinney, Clerk: L. N. Lee, Treasurer; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1878. — L. L. Phinney, Chairman ; Conrad Selle, John Peterson, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Faerber, Clerk: L. N. Lee, Treasurer: Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1879. — L. L Phinney, Chairman; Conrad Selle, John Peterson, Supervisors; Joseph 
Faerber, Clerk : L. N. Lee, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor. 

1880 — W. C. Kleinert, Chairman : L. M. Lee, George Wylie, Supervisors ; Joseph Faerber, 
Clerk; C. N. Ransom, Treasurer; N. M. Ives, Assessor. 

TOWN OF LEM'ISTON. 

The town of Lewiston includes the whole of Township lo north, in Range 8 east, except 
the southeast ([uarter of Section 36, which lies within the city limits of Portage ; also all of the 
north tier of sections in Township 12 north, in the same range, lying north of the Wisconsin 
River, except the east half of Section 1, which is a part of the city of Portage ; also, so much of 
the east half of Township 13 north, in Range 7 east, as lies north of the Wisconsin. It con- 
tains, therefore, about one township and a half of land. It i.s bounded on the north by Adams 
and Marquette Counties ; on the east, by the town of Fort Winnebago and the city of Portage : 
on the south, by the city of Portage and the Wisconsin River, and on the west by the Wisconsin 
River and the town of Newport. 

On the 18th day of November, 1852, " Range (8) eight and the east half of Range (7) 
seven, in Town [ship] thirteen,' were "formed into a new town, under the name of Lewiston." 
Afterward, so much of Township 12, in Range 8, as lies north of the Wisconsin River was 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA ( OUNTY. 763 

added to Lewiston, this fraction and Township 13, in the same range, being diminished a little 
over three-fourths of a section when the city of Portage was incorporated. When the selection 
of a name became necessary, that of Beaver Creek was suggested, and was so incorporated in 
the petition for the organization of the town ; but the Board of Supervisors changed it to 
Lewiston, in honor of E. F. Lewis, one of the earliest settlers. 

The southwest portion of the town, along the Wisconsin River, is quite level, and, in high 
water, it has overflowed and run through the town, thence to Fox River, by the way of a 
stream known as the Grand or Big Slough. There are several small streams of water in 
the town, mostly emptying into the Fox River. There are also three lakes, situated in 
the northwest corner of the town, known as Lake Whiting, Lake Loomis and Lake Corning. 
Lake Whiting has a small stream running into it on the northwest part, passing out on 
the south and running down the west side of this town and east side of the town Newport, 
the Wisconsin River ; thence to the Gulf of Mexico. From the same lake there has been 
a ditch dug, running in an easterly direction, a distance of about a mile and a ((uarter, with 
a fall of twenty-one feet, and thence through the Fox River to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 
The Big Slough forms on Section 33, near the Wisconsin River ; crosses Sections 34, 26, 23, 
22, 21, 16, 9 and 4, entering Neenah Creek, or North Branch of Fox River, on Section 3. 
Though the name of " slough " is given it, it can hardly be said to be appropriate, as it is a 
stream of living water, and, though narrow and shallow in places, occasionally are to be found 
holes ranging in depth from twelve to twenty feet, and increasing in length and widtii as it 
approaches its mouth. From the bottom of these deep holes springs of cold water are forced 
upward. Bass and pickerel abound in the stream. Neenah Creek, where connecting with the 
Big Slough, crosses Sections 3, 2 and 1, passing into Marquette County on the northeast corner 
of Section 1, and returns into this county on Section 5, Town of Fort Winnebago. 

The first white settlement in the town was made by Daniel Brown, in February, 1849, on 
the northwest quarter of Section 12, Township 13, Range 7, and Thomas Fletcher soon after 
settled on the northwest quarter of Section 17, Town 13, Range 8, which was all the setde- 
ment in the town until the 8th of June following, when E. F. Lewis settled on the northwest 
quarter of Section 21, Township 13, Range 8. On the same day, there was a load of lumber 
left on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 2.5, Township 13, Range 8, by Samuel 
and Jacob Reader, to secure a claim made there by them. Also, at the same time, L-a Young 
made a claim on the southeast quarter of Section 17, Township 13, Range 8. James Sloan 
and William Finnegan made claims on Section 20, Township 13, Range 8. About the 20th of 
June, Peter Thompson and Mons. Johnson made claims on the east half of Section 21, Town- 
ship 13, Range 8, which was the first settlement by the Scandinavians in the town. Amplias 
Chamberlain and John Huxley made a settlement on Section 6, Township 13, Range 8, in 
July, and Jonathan Butterfield and Aaron Toun made claims, in the spring of 1842, where 
Briggsville now stands, and gave the claim to A. E. Briggs, in 1851, on condition that he 
would improve the water-power thereon. Mr. Briggs built a saw-mill at once, which was the 
first start of the village of Briggsville. Solomon Clark and Daniel Burlison made a claim on 
Section 26, Township 13, Range 8, and Jacob Jacobia also settled on the same section in the 
fall of 1849. Several settlers came in during the months of July and August of that year, among 
whom were Robert Shortly and a man of the name of Parks, who settled on Section 1, and 
Robert Thompson, who settled on Section 4, Township 13, Range 8. About this time, the 
Germans began to settle in the south part of the town, along the Wisconsin River, among 
whom were Fred Bach, on Section 32 ; William and Harry Lintz, and Christian Pfieler, on 
Section 4, Township 12, Range 8. The first settlers in the east part of the town were the 
Devine brothers and Patrick Shea, who settled on Sections 18 and 14, Township 13, Range 8, 
and the Ryan brothers, on Section 24. William, James and Robert Clark settled in the north- 
east corner of the town, on Sections 3 and 10, and from that time on the settlement became 
general throughout the town. 

When Mr. Lewis settled on his claim, he lived three weeks in his wagon box. He then 
erected a log house 22x52 feet, a story and a half high, for hotel purposes, christening his house 



764 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

the " Pinery Exeliiuige." Being on the old pinery ro;id, on which there was considerable travel, 
the hotel flourished until tiie buiklinij of railroads diverted emigration. Other hotels along the 
line of the road through tlii-; county were erecteil, each receiving fair patronage. Jacob Jacobia 
built on Section liG, in the fall of 184'.i, and E. N. Storms in 18.'>1. When the new pinery 
road was opened in 1852, E. B. Craig erected a hotel where it crosses the Big Slough, naming 
it the "Menominee House." 

In 1849, a claim society was organized, composi'd of settlers in the towns of Newport, 
and Lewiston, Columbia County, and the counties of Ailams and Marquette. The object of the 
society was to protect the first settlers in their claims. The land, not then being in market, was 
not subject to entry, but many men locating and improving binds selected, with the intention of 
securing their claim as soon as thrown in the market. It was feared that there would be those 
who, observing improvements made, would hasten to file claims before the original settler could 
do so, thus defrauding them out of their just rights. A number of cases of disputed claims 
came before the society, which they attempted to settle in their own way. In the spring of 
1852, James Litchfield located upon the northwest quarter of Section 1, Township 18, Range 
7, erected a small frame dwelling and cleared about five acres of land. He received notice from 
the society to vacate, as another party had a prior claim. Consulting with neighbors, he was 
satisfied that Mr. Norris, the other claimant, had selected another quarter, and was, therefore, 
entitled to no more. For this reason he refused to go. One Saturday, in the month of May, 
18;")2, near midnight, some ten or twelve masked men came here, and calling up Mr. and Mrs. 
Litchfield, ordered them from the house, set it on fire, burning it to the ground. The unfortu- 
nate couple went to the house of John Brickwell, where they remained a few days, and from 
there to Mr. Briggs', where they stayed until a new house could be built for them by the sym- 
pathizing neighbors. Five of the masked men were recognized by Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield, 
warrants were sworn out, and they were arrested and bound over for trial in the Circuit Court 
for the crime of arson. The first terra, after indictment, the defendants got a continuance of 
the case, and at the time of the second term Mrs. Litchfield was too ill to attend the trial. 
The matter was then compromised and the case stricken from the docket. 

The first school in the town was taught by Mrs. Brickwell, in the summer of 18.53, on 
Section 12, School District No. 1. 

The first white child born in the town was a daughter of Frederick Back, on Section 32, 
Township 13, Range 8, in the summer of 1849. This child died the following winter from 
being scalded in a tub of hot water. 

The first death was at the house of E. F. Lewis, in September, 1849. Elisha Parmenter, 
with his family, came from the State of New York, and stopped with Mr. Lewis. There he left 
his family, and with his team returned to Milwaukee for his goods. Returning with them, he 
was taken sick and lived but a few days. He was buried in the military burying ground at Fort 
Winnebago. 

The whole number of acres assessed on the first assessment roll was 13,747.73, valued at 
§40,420. The value of personal property on the same roll was ^1,150. Total, S!47,870. 

The first election was at the house of E. F. Lewis, on the 5th of April, 1853, at which 
Kiley Woodford, Almon Hay and John Brickwell acted as Inspectors and L. C. Jacobs as Clerk. 
Those voting at this election were John Brickwell, Riley Woodford, E. F. Lewis, Almon Hay, 
Robert Thompson, M. B. Eastings. Charles S. Mason, George W. Bird, Moses Johnson, Peter 
Thompson, Filing Mahl, Hans 0. Mensen. Jacob Jacobia, John Fitch, Orrin Hay, Hans Han- 
son, Jr., Lewis Hanson, Hans Hanson, Sr., Thomas Robinson, Hans Thompson, M. H. Dahl, 
Warren Hay, T. E. Bendi.xon, John A. Gund, Joseph Wagner, Jacob Poagle, Robert Thomp- 
son, Allen Vincent, George Winders, Nek Paterson, Albert Oleson, Peter Hees, Hans LoUiger, 
Lewis Sader, Frederick C. Martin, Stephen CoUenson, Solomon Clark, Henry Jertson, Hans 
Jertson, Lars Isaacson. Joseph Mathias, Isaac Andrews, Sven Johnson, Ole Johnson, Ole Ole- 
son, John O'Mare. William McDonald, Edmund Beaz, S. A. Reader, Riley A. Woodford, Fred 
Bach, Claus Hilderbrand, Frederick Guildner, Mortz Kuhl, Andrew Languard, Robert Clark, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 765 

James Clark, Andrew McFarlane, T. Fletcher, Holly Warden, John Isaacson, Joseph Blume. 
C. W. Gay. L. C. Jacobs, G. M. W. Carey, Sven Anderson, E. N. Storms, Ole Erickson, Dan- 
iel Oleson, George W. Green, Talbot Askinson. Clark Vincent, James Devine, John Ryan, Den- 
nis Callajhan, William Messer. Christian Tilder, John Hickitkere, Robert Dovle, Michael 
McCormick, Edmund dishing, John Kline. Dennis Harrigan, Jeremiali Devine. Daniel Gush- 
ing, Nelson Van Wil, Michael R. Devine, Richard Bagnall, Andrew Baarnaman, George K. 
Kindness, Francis Dane, John Devine, Frederick Severt, William Clark, Jacob Reader, John 
Ewing, Jacob Mickelaon, W. Finnegan, Peter McCormick, Charles Seavert, Lewis Vake, James 
Sloan and John Guilder — a total of 104, of which number, in 1880, about twenty-five were 
residents of the town. 

The town was divided into school districts May 19, 1853, by John Brickwell, who was then 
Superintendent of Schools of the town. In 1871), there were ten districts in the town, all of 
which had good schoolhouses. A good deal of interest has generally been manifested in the 
schools. 

The town has had to be at considerable expense in building roads and bridges, and also in 
the construction of a levee on the bank of the Wisconsin River, to prevent it, in stages of high 
water, overflowing and so passing over a portion of the town, to Fox River, thereby keeping 
the land too wet for cultivation. 

The land was generally surveyed by the General Government in 1850 and 1851, the town- 
ship lines being run in 1850 and subdivision lines in 1851, after which, and before the land was 
brought into market, the settlers had a chance to take out pre-emption papers on their claims, 
and prove them up, without interference of the land speculators. 

The first piece of land entered in the town was August 11, 1852, by Jacob Jacobia, the 
east half of the southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 13, Range 8 ; the next was on 
August 28, by William McDonald, the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 
23 ; the third entry was by Henry Lintz, on August 29, the south half of the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 33 ; the fourth was by Jerry Devine, on the 30th of August, the north half of 
the northeast quarter of Section 24, and all in Township 13, Range 8. 

I^or.wegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, by Portage. — This church was organized in 1851, 
by Rev. H. A. Preus, with about fifteen families. Mr. Preus was called to the pastorate, and 
served until 1865, when Rev. Sh. S. Regue was chosen, serving until 1872, when Rev. B. 
Hovde took charge of the work, remaining until 1879 ; Rev. E. J. Petersen was then called. 
A small church was erected in 1873, on the northeast quarter of Section 20. In 1879, there were 
twenty families connected with the congregation. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — A class was organized in the schoolhouse of District No. 2, 
in 1853, and a Sunday school shortly after. Meetings of the class and occasional preaching 
by ministers in charge of the circuit have since been held at the same place. 

German Methodist Episcopal Church. — On Section 26, Township 13, Range 7, a German 
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1858. A church house was erected in 1860, at 
a cost of $800. Regular services have since been held, and a large congregation formed. 

German Evangelical Lutheran Church. — The Germans living in the west part of town 
erected a log house for religious purposes, in 1853, when a congregation was formed, bearing 
the above name. 

In 1851, a post office was established, which was given the name of Beaver Creek, with E. 
F. Lewis as the first Postmaster. Mr. Lewis continued to serve until elected Sheriff in the fall 
of 1856, when he resigned in fiivor of Nelson Farrar. Mr. Farrar served as such two years, 
but, failjfhg to forward his bond to the Post Ofl5ce Department for approval, and failing, also, to 
account for government property in his possession, the office was discontinued. In 1868, it was 
re-established under the name of Lewiston, and E. F. Lewis was again placed in charge. 

The old pinery road strikes the town on Section 36, Township 13, Range 8, leaving on 
the line between Sections 2 and 3, Township 13, Range 7. The new pinery road strikes the 
town on Section 24, Township 13, Range 8, and leaves it on Section 5. For many yejirs, the 



766 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

old pinery road was the only thoroughfare between Fort AVinnebago and the pineries at Grand 
Rapids. 

In 1857, the La Crosse & Milwaukee, now the La Crosse Division, Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railroad, was built through the town, entering on Section 1, Township 12, Range 
8, taking a northwesterly direction, passing out on Section 22, Township 13, Range 7. A 
station was located on Section 27, which was given the name Lewiston, and a post office estab- 
lished thereby the name of Colburn. 

E. F. Lewis, in 1872, commenced at his home in Lewiston the manufacture of ladies' 
and gents' underwear, an article which has given universal satisfaction, his trade yearly 
increasing. The goods, instead of being woven, are knit, and knit the double rib stitches, 
making them very elastic, and conforming closely to the form of the body and limbs. There is 
no shrinking or stretching, from wearing or washing, and fitting closely to the body, they admit 
of no currents of air next to the skin, thus preventing the chill one experiences on going out 
doors, or passing from a warm into a cold or damp room. In the winter of 1879, to this indus- 
try, Mr. Lewis added that of knitting socks by hand, thus furnishing employment to many 
deserving poor of his neighborhood. From using about one hundred pounds the first year, the 
amount was increased to over two thousand pounds in 1879. 

In Township 13, Range 8, the general altitude is about two hundred and thirty to two 
hundred and fifty feet, but on the eastern and northern sides are sandstone bluffs, running 
up one hundred to two hundred feet higher. This town is watered entirely by the branches of 
a tributary of the Fox, Neenah Creek, or the "Big Slough," which trends within half a mile of 
the Wisconsin, on Section 33. Beginning in Township 13, Range 6 (town of Newport), 
and Township 13, Range 7, the ground rises rapidly toward the north and west. On the west 
side of this town, and extending into Newport (Township 13, Range 7), is a tamarack marsh, 
four miles across from north to south, and three from east to west. 

There are no villages in the town, but two post offices — Lewiston and Colburn. The last 
is at Lewiston station, on Section 27, on the Chicago, Milwaukee <& St. Paul Railroad. 
The following comprises the town officers from 18-53 to the present time : 
1853 — Samuel A. Reader, Chairman ; William Clark, Frederick Martin, Supervisors ; 
L. C. Jacobs, Clerk ; Riley Woodford, Treasurer : William Finnegan, Assessor. 

1854 — E. F. Lewis, Chairman : A. Barmore, James Devine, Supervisors : Peter O'Meara, 
Clerk : Riley A. Woodford, Treasurer ; (.t. C. Snider, Josepli Hess, Assessors. Peter O'Meara 
resigned. G. M. W. Carey appointed November 8, 18.5-4. 

1855 — Jacob Jacobia, Chairman : John A. Gund, Francis Dane, Supervisors : William 
Finnegan, Clerk: M. B. Easting, Treasurer: James Devine, Assessor. William Finnegan 
resigned. James Devine appointed November 8, 1855. 

1856 — John Ewing, Chairman : Mons Johnson, Alfred West, Supervisors ; E. F. Lewis, 
Clerk : L. Y. Rich, Treasurer : 0. P. Johnson, Assessor. E. F. Lewis resigned November 4, 
1856. L. C. Jacobs appointed. 

1857 — Samuel A. Reader, Chairman : Lars Isaacson, A. A. West, Supervisors ; L. C. 
Jacobs, Clerk : Riley A. Woodford, Treasurer : E. Corning, Assessor. 

1858 — Peleg Thomas, Chairman: John A. Gund, Michael Colman, Supervisors; James 
Devine, Clerk; Oscar F. Robins, Treasurer; E. B. Craig, Assessor. 

1859 — James Devine, Chairman ; Andrew ifertson, A. A. West, Supervisors: William K. 
Harvey, Treasurer ; S. V. Hanft, Tiionias Norton, Assessors. 

1860 — James Devine, Chairman : Alfred A. West, Lars Isaacson, Supervisors ; W. K. 
Harvey, Treasurer ; S. V. Hanfc, Clerk : Joseph Bannister, Assessor. 

1861 — L. D. Dean, Chairman : A. A. West, Albert Scliarf, Supervisors ; William Mc- 
Donald, Treasurer: G. M. W. Carey, Clerk : J. W. Treadway, Assessor. 

1862 — James Devine, Chairman: Andrew Jertson, Theodore Eickholt, Supervisors: 
Joseph Clark, Clerk : E. B. Craig, Treasurer : S. V. Hanft, Assessor. S. V. Hanft resigned. 
James . Devine appointed August 10, 1862. Joseph Clark resigned January 27, 1863. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNT T. 767 

Andrew Peterson appointed February 2, 1863 ; resigned February 28, 1863, and Joseph 
Murphy appointed Clerk. 

1863 — James Devine, Chairman : Theodore Eicliholt, Andrew Jertson, Supervisors ; G. 
M. W. Carey, Clerk ; E. B. Craig, Treasurer : Albert Scharf, Assessor. 

1864 — E. B. Craig, Chairman ; Andrew Jertson, Fred Klein, Supervisors ; Albert Scharf, 
Clerk ; James Devine, Treasurer : Theodore Eickholt, Assessor. Albert Scharf resigned. 
Thomas McFarlane appointed April 21, 186-!:. G. M. W. Carey appointed Clerk, September 
7, 1864, in place of Thomas McFarlane, gone to the war. Thomas Norton appointed Side 
Supervisor, in place of Andrew Jertson, October 5, 1854, gone to the war. B. 11. Wilmsen 
appointed Treasurer, December 28, 1864, in place of James Devine, having removed from town. 

186.5 — E. B. Craig, Chairman ; Lars Isaacson, Thomas Norton, Supervisors ; G. M. W. 
Carey, Clerk ; B. H. Wilmsen, Treasurer ; Fred Klein, Assessor. Fred Klein did not qualify. 
G. M. W. Carey appointed May 29, 1865, in place of Fred Klein. 

1866 — E. Corning, Chairman : S. Cushman, Lars Isaacson, Supervisors ; F. 0. Barney, 
Clerk; M. W. Smith, Treasurer ; William McDonald, Assessor. F. 0. Barney did not qualify. 
E. F. Lewis appointed Clerk, April 11, 1866. E. Corning resigned January 7, 1867, B. B. 
Utter appointed in his place. E. F. Lewis being absent from town, G. M. W. Carey appointed 
to fill vacancy January 11, 1867. 

1867 — M. W. Smith, Chairman ; William McDonald, Hilarius Ehr, Supervisors : Jacob 
Thielen, Clerk ; Herman Brane, Treasurer ; B. H. Wilmsen, Assessor. B. H. Wilmsen 
refused to accept the oflSce as Assessor. E. Corning appointed Assessor. 

1868 — M. W. Smith, Chairman ; Fred Siewert, Andrew Jertson, Supervisors ; Jacob 
Thielen, Clerk ; Herman Brane, Treasurer ; Albert Scharf, Assessor. M. W. Smith resigned 
October 3, 1868; E. F. Lewis, appointed. E. F. Lewis resigned January 29, 18u9 ; .John 
Ewing appointed Chairman. 

1869 — William McDonald, Chairman ; Fred Siewert, Andrew Isaacson, Supervisors ; 
G. M. W. Carey, Clerk ; John Ewing, Treasurer ; Jacob Thielen, Assessor. 

1870 — E. F. Lewis, Chairman : Andrew Isaacson, Mathia^ Wagner, Supervisors ; B. H. 
Wilmsen, Clerk ; Albert Scharf. Treasurer ; Herman Brane, Assessor. 

1871 — E. B. Craig, Chairman; August Kaufmann, E. R. Brown, Supervisors; B. H. 
Wilmsen, Clerk; Hermann Brane, Treasurer; Albert Scharf, Assessor. 

1872 — Albert Scharf, Chairman ; Ole M. Bendixson, Pierce Joyce, Supervisors ; E. F. 
Lewis, Clerk ; Sven Isaacson, Treasurer ; Hermann Brane, Assessor. 

1873 — Albert Scharf, Chairman : Ole M. Bendixson, James Clark, Supervisors ; E. F. 
Lewis, Clerk; Peter Tennesson, Treasurer: Hermann Brine, Assessor. 

1874 — Albert Scharf, Chairman ; Fred Malish, Pierce Joyce, Supervisors ; B. F. 
Wilmsen, Clerk ; Peter Tennesson, Treasurer ; Hermann Brane, Assessor. 

1875 — Albert Scharf, Chairman ; Pierce Joyce, Fred Malish, Supervisors ; B. H. 
Wilmsen. (Uerk; Patrick H. McMahon, Treasurer: Joseph Murphy. Assessor. 

1876 — Peter Tennesson, Chairman : H. Ehr. Volney P. Dean, Supervisors ; E. F. Lewis, 
Clerk; Ludwig Wagner, Treasurer; Gottlieb Windus, Assessor. 

1877 — Albert Scharf, Chairman; volney P. Dean, Ludwig Wagner, Supervisors; Dennis 
Leary, Clerk : Fred Malish, Treasurer : E. B. Craig, Assessor. 

1878 — John H. Clark, Chairman : Sievert Christian, William Mews, Supervisors ; B. H. 
Wilmsen, Clerk ; Andrew Jertson, Treasurer : E. B. Craig, Assessor. 

1879 — John H. Clark, Chairman ; Pierce Joyce, Andrew Isaacson, Supervisors ; B. H. 
Wilmsen. Clerk ; Ole M. Bendixson, Treasurer : Valney P. Dean, Assessor. 

1880 — John H. Clark, Chairman : Andrew Isaacson, August Kaufmann, Supervisors ; B. 
H. Wilmsen, Clerk ; Ole M. Bendixson, Treasurer ; Frederick Malish, Assessor. 



768 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA C0U^^T1'. 



TnWN OF LKllI. 

In the spring of 1844, G. M. Bartholomew, then a citizen of Illinois, being advised by 
his physician to seek a better climate than that State afforded, visited Lodi Valley and deter- 
mined that either here or in Portage Prairie he would in the future reside. Returning to Illi- 
nois, his description of Lodi Valley so charmed his brother, Marston C. Bartholomew, that the 
latter determined also to emigrate; therefore in the early spring of 1845, he bade farewell to his 
family and sought out the "land of promise." He arrived here in March, located a claim and 
erected, with the aid of a friendly Indian, his cabin upon the east half of the southwest quarter 
of Section 22. George M., the brother, came back in April, 1845, and selected the southeast 
quarter of Section 22. In May of the same year came Rev. H. Maynard, who settled upon 
Section 21. Mr. Maynard brought with him his family, his wife being the first white woman 
in the valley. In September, the two Bartholomews brought their families out, and in Decem- 
ber following, James McCloud came and settled upon Section 27. These four were all the sel- 
lers in this town during that year. 

In the spring of 1846 came Isaac H. Palmer, with the intention of locating a new village. 
He, too, settled upon Section 27, and in April of that year erected a saw-mill, the first in the 
town. During that year there also settled here Adam and Nathan Bowman, .Joseph Brown, 
Jacob Hurley, Amos and Jehu Stroud, Aaron Chalfant, William G. Simons. G. T. Simons, 
Johnson Sowards, John Chance and Simeon Ryder. In 1847 came T. S. Wells, John Foote, 
H. M. Ayer, Ira Polley, Alonzo Waterbury and Peter Froland. 

When the first settlers came, in 184-"), they found about two hundred Indians encamped on 
the creek, near where the village of Lodi was afterward located. These were mostly Winneba- 
goes : a few were Brothertowns. During that season, they were peaceable and friendly, and in 
the fall they all disappeared. In 1847, they came back to the numberof about eighty, with their 
chief, and encamped on the creek below where the Bartholomew's had settled. They soon began 
to show their natural propensities, and the property of the settlers occasionally disappeared. 
One of the settlers, G. M. Bartholomew,' returned to his home, after an absence of a few days, 
and found the Indians had stolen a part of his hogs. He went to the chief and complained. 
The chief denied, but the complainant insisted, and resolutely told Mr. Chief that he could 
have till the next morning when the sun was "so high," telling him how high by pointing, to 
be oflF. The chief promised to be off at once and to go to the " Milwaukee woods." Thereupon, 
Bartholomew roused the settlers to the number of about twenty-five, and the next morning, when 
the sun was " so high," they appeared at the spot " with horse and gun," but the Indians had 
left. Fearing they might again camp near enough to continue their depredations, our cavalry 
followed their trail, and found them just striking their tents on Rowan's Creek, in the town of 
Dekorra. As the settlers approached the camping ground, they were discovered by two hunters. 
who were apparently going out to bring in some game, who, seeing the fearful array and fearing 
more to follow, turned their ponies and rapidly returned. The pursuers halted and Bartholo- 
mew went forward to the camping ground and inquired if this were " Milwaukee woods." The 
chief answered " No :" whereupon he was informed he could have just five minutes in which to 
make his departure. At the expiration of the time nameil, the redskins were on the move. The 
pursuers followed at a respectful and effective distance, as far as Poynette, or where the village 
was subsequently located, and then returned to their homes. The Indians never reappeared to 
make further trouble. 

Notwithstanding no more trouble was experienced, the settlers were continually on the alert, 
and on one occasion were considerably frightened by the report that a large body of Indians 
were marching on the settlement. It appears that one evening as one of the early settlers was 
busy doing up his chores, his strong frame was made to tremble at the sight of several hundred 
redskins, who had made their appearance on the prairie not half a mile distant. He could 
plainly see they were marching in solid ranks on the beautiful village of Lodi. and that some- 
thing must be done at once, or every settler in the vicinity would fall a victim to the merciless 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 769 

sons of the forest. Accordingly he quickly loaded his family into a wagon and hastened to the 
village and spread the news, then there was hurrying to and fro, and every man's team was 
brought into requisition to convey the women and children to places of safety, while the stronger 
sex, save those with the teams, were armed with muskets, riHes, shotguns, pistols and bowie- 
knives, and forming into ranks marched to the brow of the hill, on the south side of the village 
for the purpose of meeting the enemy in open engagement. The brow of the hill was reached, 
and it was discovered that the Indians had halted and turned their ponies loose to graze on the 
prairies. Then a little reconnoitering was done, and it was ascertained the savages had sud- 
denly been transformed into a herd of cattle ! 

In the summer of 1S46 the first marriage occurred, being that of H. W. Kingsbury and 
Miss Nancy Chalfant. They were married by Henry Carpenter, Esq., of Portage City. 

The first sad affair that cast a gloom of sorrow over the settlers of Lodi Valley, and called 
them together in mourning, was the announcement of the death of Mr. Chalfant's son, aged 
about two years, who died in November, 1846. 

The first white person born in the town was Josephine, daughter of G. M. and Catherine 
Bartholomew. April 80, 1846. She grew to womanhood in the vicinity and within the village 
of Lodi, and was married to William H. Chapin, October 29, 1866. 

On the organization of the countv in 1846, the County Commissioners ordained that the 
west half of Township 10, Range 9, Township 10, Range 8, and the Fractional Township 10, 
Range 7, should comprise a precinct to be known by the name of Pleasant Valley Precinct. 
Marston C. Bartholomew, Aaron Chalfant and H. Maynard were appointed Judges of Elections, 
which were to be held at the house of Marston C. Bartholomew. The same boundary lines 
were retained on the organization of the town. January, 1849. 

The first election for town ofl5cers was held at the log schoolhouse, about one-fourth mile 
northeast of the village of Lodi, April 3, 1849. The legal voters assembled at the schoolhouse 
at 10 o'clock A. M., and were called to order by Isaac H. Palmer. On motion of Mr. Palmer. 
George M. Bartholomew was chosen Moderator, and James 0. Eaton, Clerk. The hotel of 
Freedom Simons, in the village of Lodi, was chosen as the place for holding the next annual 
meeting, and one hundred dollars was voted to be raised by taxation to defray the expenses of 
the town for the year. Marston C. Bartholomew was elected Chairman of the Board of Super- 
visors : William H. Mcintosh and Ira Polly, Supervisors ; James 0. Eaton, Clerk ; William G. 
Simons, Assessor ; Timothy S. Wells, Treasurer ; John Foote, Superintendent of Schools : 
James McCloud, Horace M. Ayer, Lester Ray, Constables ; John Slown, Aaron Chalfant, 
Simeon Ryder, James Thomas, Justices of the Peace. Those voting at this election were 
Isaac H. Palmer, Robert Hopkins, Samuel B. Farrington, Lewis Baldwin, Lester Ray, James 
Thomas, 0. A. Kilburn, George Lyman, W. E. Cathcart, Joseph B. Hopkins, James Thomas, 
Jr., Leander Drew, Timothy S. Wells, Jacob Dawson, William G. Simons, Simeon Ryder, John 
Foote, Reuben Ring, Nathan Bowman, Samuel Ring, Jacob Hurley, G. M Bartholomew, J. 0. 
Eaton, John Slown, H. M. Ayer, Johnson Soward, James McCloud, Joseph Brown, M. C. Bar- 
tholomew, Moses Chase, Freedom Simons, William H. Mcintosh, J. B. Tabor, Aaron Chalfant, 
William B. Partridge, Silas Ryder, Joseph Stretch. Total, 37. Of these there were still 
living in the town, in March, 1880, Isaac H. Palmer, Timothy S. Wells, William G. Simons, 
John Foote, G- M. Bartholomew, J. 0. Eaton, H. M. Ayer, James McCloud, Joseph Brown. 
M. C. Bartholomew, Freedom Simons, William H. Mcintosh and J. B. Tabor. Total. 13. 

The first school was taught in a house erected in 1846, on Section 27. The building was 
a small log house, and the school was taught in the summer of that year by Miss Mary Yockey. 
The next schoolhouse was a frame building, erected in 1851, also on Section 27. Mrs. S. J. 
Andrews in the Lodi Journal, July 21, 1872, thus speaks of the old log schoolhouse: "That 
primitive institution of learning, which contained no desk but a board fastened at a convenient 
height, for the purpose, against the wall, or rather logs, seats of the plainest kind, with no backs, 
and a floor through the crevices of which snakes and mice often emerged to our delight, was 
situated upon the rise of ground, then shaded "oy lofty wide-spreading oaks, near where Mrs. 



770 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Bower's house now stands. And the boiling, bubbling springs at the foot of the hill, the leafy 
coverts so admirably arranged for miniature housekeeping — and other considerations, drew the 
round-eyed, wriggling pupils, full many a time, from the sight of the not too vigilant school- 
mistress, under cover of the weak subterfuge of studying in the shade. I think I see them now, 
gay gamboliers in verdant summer bowers, their rippling laughs and gleeful shouts sounding 
strangely far off and echo-like adown the corridors of time. Play on, blindfolded children, 
types of innocency and thoughtlessness, for just before you on life's journey are tears and open 
graves, thorns that will tear your tender feet, and icy-wind storms that may blast, or cover with 
perpetual snow, the fraj^ile buds of promise in the gardens of your hearts. Or, if your steps 
grow laggard from weariness, go in to your indulgent teacher and con your right-soon forgotten 
tasks. There are lessons for you in the future of distrust and indifference, which contact witli a 
world without a heart must teach. They will be bitter ofttimes, and you cannot forget them, 
though you would." 

The first entry of land was the northwest quarter of Section 20. E. Hale purchased and 
patented June 21, 1836. I. H. Palmer made three of the first entries by an actual settler, 
being a portion of Section 27. on which he laid out the village of Lodi. 

The town of Lodi is skirted on the south and east by the edges of the high limestone 
country. North and west of this edge, which is ragged, sending out irregular projecting points, 
the general surface is 200 to 300 feet lower, but this lowland includes a number of limestone- 
capped outliers, some of which have an area of several square miles, and reach as great altitudes 
as attained by the limestone country to the south and east — that is, 500 to 600 feet. Consid- 
erable areas of prairie occur in southern and eastern Lodi. The principal stream is Spring 
Creek, which, heading in the towns to the southward, traverses Lodi from south to north with a 
fall of some si.xty feet. Along its valley the county, though well down in the sandstone, shows 
a rich alluvial soil. A little marsh occurs along Spring Creek. 

The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was built through the town in 1871, passing through 
Sections 8, 17, 16, 21, 27 and 34. . Two villages have been laid out, Lodi on Section 27, ami 
Okee on Section 8. 

During the four years' struggle for national existence, the part performed by Lodi was such 
as will illustrate the character and patriotism of her people. The call was no sooner made by 
the President than many of her brave sons responded. Company H of the Second Regiment, 
Capt. Randolph (the first company entering the Unitei^ States service), was largely made up 
from this town. 

From June, 1861, to November, 1863, there went out 120 men represented in seventeen 
regiments. Of these were G. H. Irwin, Company G, Second Wisconsin Volunteers; William 
L. Black. J. R. Bryan, T. D. Bahn, F. J. Burnett, D. C. Edwards, Stephen Fauss, Jehu Grover. 
G. M. Humi)hrey, 0. S. Hawkins. D. C. Holdridge. Thomas Knutesen, Jonathan Kirk. Edward 
Louie, William McLitosh, Thomas Murphy, Charles W. Moon, B. F. Stahl, W. F. Turner. H. H. 
Titus, Sidney Wells, J. G. D. Wall, Charles Ericksen, James Osborn, J. D. Lyman. Alfred 
Armor. Fifth Regiment ; M. C. Bartholomew, Joseph M. Bartholomew, John Bartholomew, 
Samuel Bachman. 

Company A, Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (second company raised), 
Capt. George Bill — Henry Barney, T. J. Buchanan, Michael Burke, William Chalfant, Edward 
Chalfant, Ebin B. Dunlap, John Grant, Alexander Hall, E. B. Hines, John Jorgesen, Samuel 
J. Osborne, Lucius Phinney, Philander Phinney, George D. Phinney, .John Quinn, .John Small. 
Thomas Twett, Henry T. Turner, .Tames Morrison, Joseph M. Ring, S. J. Morrow, Stephen 
D. Duel William D. H. Rood, Silas C. Casper, Horace A. Foster, Ole Aufresen, Marcus John- 
son, Henry Nolf Stephen II. Ward, M. Landers, Daniel Leitch, Hiram Brown, Joseph Brown. 

Company H, Twenty-third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (third company 
raised), Capt. E. Howard Irwin — Samuel Holdridge, Thomas C. Armor, Joseph M. Bartho- 
lomew, A. W. Baker, J. Cornelius Brown, Henry A. Bates, H. L. Bancraft, A. S. Burlin- 
game, Charles L. Brown, Thomas Bunker, Simon Cleland, John Cavanaugh, Joseph R. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 771 

Collin, Joseph Church, Cornelius Dever, Thomas J. Dowden, Joseph R. Eells, F. A. G. 
Eaton, Thomas Farber, E. Howard Irwin, G. W. Kingsley, A. J. Kyle, H. C. Lockwood, 
John Lawrence, James Pettit, George Phinney, Anthony Phillips, James Quinn, Leroy 
Riddle, William Ring, Ransom P. Ray, G. E. Reynolds, J. F. Stahl, C. F. Stacker. 
John Sweet, John R. Scott, Seth B. Tannhill, Thomas Townsend, L. F. Warner, Lean- 
der Wells, Thomas Yule, George Van Lone, W. W. Hurd, Robert Travis, William Travis. 
Thoms Anfreson, Ed. Moore, J. C. Stahl, T. R. Cross, G. W. Barney, W. H. Dowden,- G. T. 
Hill, J. B. Rogers, Isaiah Van Brocklin, Trueman Piper, Edwin Chapman. Of this number, 
November, 1863, seventeen had died in the service of their country — eight were killed in battle 
and nine died of disease. Twenty-two others had been wounded, and twenty-five discharged in 
consequence of wounds or disease. At this time Lodi had furnished one in eleven and a half of 
her entire population. The quota of the town under all calls was eighty-four, therefore an 
excess of thirty-six had gone out to battle. Says a writer in a local paper at that time : '• Had 
we been able to have procured credit for our excess, we would not only have been clear of the 
late draft, but we would also have had more than enough to clear us from the next 300,000. 
Had the whole State done as well as we have here, she would have sent 67,650 men to the war. 
Had New York done as well she would have sent 340,000. Had the loyal States all done as 
well, counting only 50 per cent of the population of the border States, we could have had an 
array all told, of 1,900,000 men ; and we would have in the field, to-day, an army of 1.235,000 
effective men. Lodi has had her representatives on many of the most fiercely contested battle- 
fields of the war. The first Bull Run was witness to the valor of her sons, and Gettysburg was 
the crowning glory of many noble deeds. It is no slight honor that fifty of our townsmen are, 
or have been, connected with the Old Iron Brigade. Not at the East alone, have our brethren 
displayed their heroism. Nothing could have required greater self-denial than what our boys 
were obliged to endure before and during the siege of Vicksburg. But without a murmur they 
bore it all for the good of the cause." 

While the soldier boys were in the field, the loyal men a*nd women at home were not idle. 
A large Union League Club was formed in the village of Lodi March 7, 18(;3, for the purpose 
of aiding and assisting the Government in its efforts to crush out treason and rebellion. Also 
at Okee, on the evening of March 17, 1863, a similar club was organized. The call of the 
Government the latter part of 1863 became very urgent, and to encourage enlistments a large 
fund was raised, by private subscription, to pay each volunteer from the town the sum of $200. 
In response to the call then made, J. G. Knappen, Frederick Richard, Charles F. Greenman, 
John F. Hair, Lucius A. Crosier, Norman Cutler, Cyrus Casper, Joseph Charles, George 
Phinney, George Donaldson, George Evans, Henry O'Connor, Francis Cole and Henry 
Dunning were sworn into the service. 

At a town meeting, held Tuesday, August 2, 1864, a tax of $4,000 was voted to procure 
volunteers. On Friday, August 19, another meeting was held, and it was voted to pay each 
volunteer $200 each, and an additional tax of $3,500 was levied. About this time, G. M. 
Humphrey began to raise a company, which was soon completed, consisting of 84 men. This 
was the fourth company raised and was known as Company C, Forty-second Regiment Wiscon- 
sin Volunteer Infantry, Captain, G. M. Humphrey: First Lieutenant, Robert Steele; Second 
Lieutenant, C. M. Bush. Sergeants — Lewis Lyman, Thomas Baltuff, Charles Early, Charles 
Pigg, H. A. Shaw. Corporals — Frank Church, W. Ryder, J. Chase, G. Keebaugh, A. Chrisler, 
P. V. M. Pools, M. Cooper, E. Riley. Musicians — ^'E. Richmond, J. B. Quiggle, H. Barnes, 
H. S. Northrop, D. L. Richmond, G. Davis. Privates — J. Avery, R. H. Brown, A. Bitney, 
L. J. Burlingame, R. A. Burlingarae, J. Burrows, H. D. Crosby, J. W. Chrisler, W. E. Curtis, 
S. Clements, J. Cole, J. Donalds, M. Donahue, N. C. Densmore, J. Evans, W. Edwards, 
H. A. Foster, W. D. S. Gardner, H. D. Gamsby, E. Gardner, W. M. Groton, B. Haskins, 
L. I. Hinds, W. H. Hartson, S. K. Hovey, J. Johnson, H. J. Jenkins. J. Jermore, H. Koch, 
D. Koch, W. Keebaugh, .J. Kuster, J. Lewis, S. M. Lewis, E. Luse, W. Lyman, H. S. Lamb, 
William Lang, L. Mclntyre, G. Mortor, J. McFarland, J. Pagler, P. Proper, C. T. Potter, 



772 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

C. Ring, J. R. Scott, 0. P. Stephens, A. E. Stephens, S. L. Scofield, J. Starkson, J. P. 
Staring. F. Shultz, N. D. Sperv, C. L. Stodard, G. T. Thompson, H. L. Turner, H. J. 
Wall, J. Woodley, S. C. Washburn, 0. P. Williams. W. S. West. D. York. 

The ladies of the village of Lodi and vicinity formed a Soldiers' Aid Society, November 
2, 18C4, and Mrs. W. M. Bartholomew was elected President : Mrs. E. B. Wait, Vice- 
President ; Miss M. A. Lewis, Secretary ; Miss M. A. Palmer, Treasurer ; Mrs. D. Hinds, 
Mrs. Humphrey. Miss M. Farrell, Mrs. H. Cass, Mrs. J. N. Lewis, Directors. The society 
rendered much aid to the sick and wounded soldiers. 

In 1864, the fifth com])any was raised ; this was known as Company C, Fiftieth Regiment 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Capt. Philander Phinney. In this company, there were from 
Lodi Frank E. Austin, Joseph M. Bartholomew, John Buchanan, William Cross, Henry 
Daws, Lewis E. Harris, Anthony Kibbe, John R. Knoles. Charles W. Narracong, Philander 
Phinney, James W. Rathbun. Henry Schlosser, Edward Beynow and Ira A. Sodders. 

OLD settlers' AS.SOCIATION. 

Pursuant to call the old settlers of Lodi and vicinity met at Eaton's Hall on Monday 
evening, March 22, 1880, for tiie purpose of organizing an " Old Settlers' Society." G. M. 
Bartholomew was chosen Chairman and John Foote, Secretary. On behalf of a committee 
appointed at a previous meeting, J. 0. Eaton presented a draft of a constitution for such a 
society, which was read, and, on motion, adopted and signed by most of the early settlers 
present. The following persons were then chosen permanent oiEcers of the society : President, 
G. M. Bartholomew ; Vice Presidents, James Wilson and J. < >. Eaton ; Secretary, John 
Foote; Treasurer, J. B. Dwinnell. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Whereas, It has become customary in all well-regulated communities, to form associations 
of the early settlers, therefore, the undersigned, residents of Lodi and vicinity, do hereby 
unite in such an organization and adopt the following constitution : 

Article I. — This Association shall be known as the Old Settlers' Club of Lodi, Wis- 
consin. 

Art. II. — Its object shall be to encourage friendship, by holding a social meeting at least 
once in each year, and to place on record incidents that heretofore have, or hereafter may occur, 
which will be of interest to future generations. 

Art. III. — The officers of this Club shall consist of a President, Two Vice Presidents, 
a Secretary and Treasurer, who shall hold their offices for one vear and until their successors 
are chosen. 

Art. IV. — The officers of the Club shall be chosen by ballot. 

Art. V. — The officers of this Club shall perform the duties usually appertaining to their 
respective offices, to call all meetings of the Club, and the Secretary, in addition to the usual 
duties of his office, shall record any incident worthy of record, that may be related by any 
member of the Club, at a regular meeting thereof. 

Art. V.I — Any person who, at the time of signing, has resided in the vicinity of Lodi. 
Wisconsin, for the term of twenty years, may become a member of this Club on the payment 
of twenty-five cents and signing this constitution. 

Art. VII. — This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Club, by a 
vote of a majority of the members present. 

At the first meeting, the constitution was signed, with the date of their arrival in the 
vicinity of Lodi, by G. M. Bartholomew. April, 1845 : W. G. Simons, July, 1847 ; Freedom 
Simons, October, 1842 ; James Wilson, July 14, 1842 ; Robert Wilson, July 14, 1842 ; James 
Crowder, January, 184."); Robert N. Bartholomew, June, 184-3; John Foote, June, 1846 ; 
W. Dunlap. 1846: James H. Strangewav, 1848: John B. Tabor, 1847; Edgar Richmond, 
1856: Henry W. Clugston, 1858: W. "M. Bartholomew. 1849: J. 0. Eaton, 1848; J. B. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 773 

Dwinnell, 1850 : William Goldspohn, 1850 ; George F. Cleraans, 1852: George T. Simons, 
1846. 

The following comprises the town officers from the organization of the town to the present 
time : 

1849 — Marston C. Bartholomew, Chairman; William H. Mcintosh, Ira Policy, Super- 
visors ; James 0. Eaton, Clerk : Timothy S. Wells, Treasurer : William G. Simons, Assessor ; 
John Foote, School Superintendent. 

1850 — Marston C. Bartholomew, Chairman ; William H. Mcintosh, William G. Simons, 
Supervisors: Earl C. Tuller, Clerk: William M. Bartholomew, Treasurer; George M. 
Bartholomew, Assessor ; William M. Bartholomew, School Superintendent. 

1851 — George M. Bartholomew, Chairman ; James McCloud, William B. Partridge, 
Supervisors : John Foote, Clerk : L. D. Barnes, Treasurer ; Robert Hopkins, Assessor : Will- 
iam M. Bartholomew, School Superintendent. 

1852 — G. M. Bartholomew, Chairman : W. G. Simons, William Rogers, Supervisors ; 
John Foote, Clerk: T. S. Wells, Treasurer: William H. Mcintosh, Assessor; Jeremy 
Bradley, School Superintendent. 

1853 — W. G. Simons, Chairman : Jacob Herley, Herman Veeder, Supervisors ; James 
Barnes, Clerk : John Foote, Treasurer : Nathaniel Goodall, Assessor; John B. Dwinnell, School 
Superintendent. 

1854 — William H. Mcintosh, Chairman : Jacob Herley, Robert Hopkins, Supervisors : 
George Frissell, Clerk; John Foote, Treasurer; G. T. Long, Nathaniel Goodall, Assessors ; 
J. B. Dwinnell, School Superintendent. 

1855 — M. C. Bartholomew. Chairman : William H. Mcintosh, Robert Hopkins, Super- 
visors : George Frissell, Clerk : W. G. Simons, Treasurer : N. Goodall, James Barnes, Assess- 
ors : John Foote, School Superintendent. 

1856 — John B. Dwinnell, Chairman ; Stephen Lewis, Aratus Bailey, Supervisors ; G. C. 
Cleghorn, Clerk ; William Dunlap, Treasurer ; Edward Nichols, Assessor ; John A. Young, 
School Superintendent. 

1857 — W. G. Simons, Chairman ; Adam Shoneberger, W. H. Mcintosh, Supervisors ; G. 
C. Cleghorn, Clerk; W. B. Partridge, Treasurer; W. L. Wells, Assessor; Edward Nichols, 
School Superintendent. 

1858 — John B. Dwinnell, Chairman ; S. B. Thomas, W. H. Mcintosh, Supervisors ; Alpheus 
W. Baker, Clerk ; W. B. Partridge, Treasurer: John Foote, Assessor ; Edward Nichols, School 
Superintendent. 

1859 — W. N. Baker, Chairman : Darius Kingsley, Sylvester Reynolds, Supervisors : 
Alpheus W. Baker, Clerk: William B. Partridge, Treasurer: John Foote, Wil'iam L. Wells, 
Assessors : John A. Young, School Superintendent. 

1860 — W. N. Baker, Chairman; Darius Kingsley, Sylvester Reynolds, Supervisors ; Edward 
Nichols, Clerk ; William B. Partridge, Treasurer : John Foote, William L. Wells, Assessors ; 
■lohn A. Young, School Superintendent. 

1861 — W. N. Baker, Chairman ; A. Burlingame, Danford Pratt, Supervisors : Edward 
Nichols, Clerk ; William B. Partridge, Treasurer ; M. C. Bartholomew, Assessor : Miles G. 
Todd, School Superintendent. 

1862 — William Dunlap, Chairman ; D. Pratt, Thomas Albiston, Supervisors : A. W. Baker, 
Clerk ; William B Partridge. Treasurer ; Joel Pruyn. Assessor. 

1863 — John B. Dwinell, Chairman ; Pliny H. Gunnison, Job Collin, Supervisors ; 
Henry L. Bancroft, Clerk : Thomas Yule, Treasurer : Sylvester Reynolds. Edward Nichols, 
Assessors. 

1864 — Jonas Narracong, Chairman ; Joel Pruyn, Danford Pratt, Supervisors ; H. L. Ban- 
roft. Clerk; Thomas Yule, Treasurer; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor. 

1865 — William Dunlap, Chairman ; J. C. Mosher, Danford Pratt, Supervisors : H. L. 
Bancroft, Clerk; Thomas Yule, Treasurer: W. M. Bartholomew, E. Nichols, Assessors. 



774 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1^866 — J. Narracong, Chairman ; Danford Pratt, W. M. Bartholomew, Supervisors ; Edward 
Nichols, Clerk ; Thomas Yule, Treasurer ; W. L. Wells, Assessor. 

1867 — William M. Bartholomew, Chairman : W. G. Simons, William Dunlap, Supervi- 
sors: T. D. Bahn, Clerk: Robert Travis, Treasurer; J. B. Dwinell, J. C. Mosher, Assessors. 

1868 — Joel Pruyn, Chairman : James Wilson, Aaron Burlingame, Supervisors : Theodore 
D. Bahn, Clerk : R. S. Travis, Treasurer : W. L. Wells, H. N. Cowen, William H. Mcintosh. 
Assessors. 

1869 — Joel Pruyn, Chairman : William H. Mcintosh, Daniel Rickelson, Supervisors ; T. 
D. Bahn, Clerk ; H. Burroughs, Treasurer : W. L. Wells, Assessor. 

18 1 — Joel Pruyn, Chairman ; James Wilson, M. C. Bartholomew, Supervisors; H. L. 
Bancroft, Clerk ; Hiram Burroughs, Treasurer; W. L. Wells, Assessor. 

1871 — Joel Pruyn, (Chairman ; James Wilson, Samuel Stahl, Supervisors; E. W. Gardner, 
Clerk; Hiram Burroughs, Treasurer; W. L. Wells, Assessor. 

1872 — Addison Eaton, Chairman ; James Wilson, John B. Dwinnell, Supervisors ; Horace 
M. Ayer, Clerk ; Henry L. Bancroft, Treasurer; John Foote, Assessor. 

187-5 — Addison Eaton, Chairman ; James Wilson, William L. Wells, Supervisors ; J. M. 
Bartholomew, Clerk ; H. L. Bancroft, Treasurer ; John B. Dwinnell, H. M. Ayer, Assessors. 

1874 — Addison Eaton, Chairman ; P. S. Kingsley, Charles Goodall, Supervisors; H. M. 
.Vyer, Clerk ; Henry L. Bancroft, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor. 

187.5 — James Wilson, Jr., Chairman ; Charles Goodall, Aaron Burlingame, Supervisors; 
H. M. Ayer, (_'lerk : John Yule, Treasurer; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor. 

1876 — James Wilson, Jr., Chairman ; Charles Goodall, Aaron Burlingame, Supervisors ; 
H. M. Ayer. Clerk ; John Yule, Treasurer; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor. 

1877 — James Wilson, Jr., Chairman ; Charles Goodall, Danford Pratt, Supervisors ; J. M. 
Bartholomew, Clerk ; Orrin Rice, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor. 

1878 — Charles Goodall, Chairman; Danford Pratt, Sylvester Reynolds, Supervisors; J. 
M. Bartholomew, Clerk ; R. W. Mills, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor. 

1879 — Charles Goodall, Chairman ; Danford Pratt, John Brownrigg, Supervisors; J. M. 
Bartholomew, Clerk ; John Yule, Treasurer ; John Foote, Assessor. 

1880 — James Wilson, Chairman ; Danford Pratt, John Brownrigg, Supervisors ; J. M. 
Bartholomew. Clerk; E. W. Gardner, Treasurer; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor. 

VILLAGE OF LODI. 

In the summer of 1845, Isaac H. Palmer made a trip through the southwest portion of 
Columbia County in search of a suitable place on which to locate, and where he could, in time, 
be surrounded by a thriving village. He found the greater part of the choice Government land 
had been taken up by speculators, but Section 27, Township 10, Range 8, was yet subject to 
entry, and there being a fine water-power, he determined here to set his stakes. On the 6th 
day of February, 1846, at the land office in Mineral Point, he entered the southwest quarter 
of the southeast quarter of this section, and on the 17th day of March, 1846, he entered the 
southeast quarter of the southeast quarter. On the 2d day of April, 1846, he entered, in tiie 
name of G. D. Palmer, the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter. He also entered the 
northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, August 12, 1847, which he transferred to James 
McCloud, who had built a house upon the same some time previous. Again, on the 14th day 
of February, 1848, he entered the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, making a total of 
five quarters, four of which he retained for his own use, and upon a portion of which he after- 
ward laid out the village. 

About the 1st of April, 1846, Mr. Palmer came and at once commenced getting out timber 
for a saw-mill, and preparing to erect a log house for his family. The saw-mill was completed 
and in running order by fall ; the house was ready for occupancy, and his family moved in 
June of the same year, being the first actual settler within what was afterward made the 
village limits. 






POYNETTE. 



HISTUEY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ' 777 

In the year 1847, Mr. Palmer, ambitiously intent on developing the resources of the place, 
and informing the outside world of its existence, applied to the Government for an established 
mail route through here, and also submitted to the Legislature a memorial praying for ferry 
accommodations on the Wisconsin River. Both petitions were granted. A charter was 
obtained for Chester Matson for a ferry on Section 1. This was indispensable, on account of 
a much-needed road from Madison to Baraboo, by way of Lodi. 

The post oiBce was established, and I. H. Palmer appointed Postmaster, his commission 
dating April 17, 1848, the office being opened in July following. Until he obtained a mail- 
bag, Mr. Palmer carried the mail from Clark's Corners in his hat, delivering the same at the 
residence of those for whom it was intended. The second quarter, E. C. Tuller was employed 
to carry the mail, Mr. Palmer agreeing to make up the amount of his wages over postage 
received during the time he was employed. The total receipts of the office for the first quarter 
was $1.62 ; second quarter, $3,24 ; third quarter, $6.59. In April, 1849, Mr. Palmer resigned 
the office, and James 0. Eaton appointed, and held the office until 1853, when H. M. Ayer was 
appointed, and held the office during the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan. On the 
election of Abraham Lincoln for the first term, a meeting was called by the Republican Town 
Committee of Lodi, to be held January 26, 1861, to express their choice for Postmaster. The 
meeting was accordingly held, and, on the first formal ballot, James 0. Eaton received seventy- 
nine votes and William Merryman forty-eight. Mr. Eaton was accordingly recommended and 
duly commissioned. He held the office until 1867, and, having received an appointment in 
another and more lucrative position, he could not attend to the business of the office, and Robert 
Travis succeeded him, and continued till January, 1875, when H. R. Eaton was appointed. In 
1868, the office was made a money-order office. The first order drawn was October 28, 1868, 
Duke W. Rogers, of Okee, remitter, and Joshua W. Rogers, payee, of Williamsport, for the 
sum of $50. Mr. Rogers also drew the second order, in favor of the same party, and for the 
sum of $45. The first order paid was December 21, 1868, to John B. Dwinnell, and drawn 
by Simeon Wood, Tomah, Wis. From October 28, 1868, to October 28, 1869, were issued 618 
orders, amounting to $16,135.28, for which fees were paid amounting to $101.80. Amount of 
orders paid for the same period. $2,124.40. In 1879, were issued 2,661 orders, amounting to 
$35,175.74, on which fees were paid of $295.92. Number of order paid during the same time, 
308, amounting to $5,016.92. 

On the 25th day of June, 1848, the first plat of the village of Lodi was recorded in the office 
of the Register of Deeds, at Portage City, by T. H. Palmer, consisting of a part of the south- 
east quarter of Section 27. Various additions were afterward made, consisting of two by Mr. 
Palmer, three by James McCloud and one by John Foote. Inducements were held out by the 
original owner of the village plat to secure the settlement now of representatives of the various 
trades. A building was commenced by him in the fall designed for a store, and in November 
of that year, James 0. Eaton came out, looked at the location, and an offer was made to him to 
open a stock of general merchandise in the building then being erected. Mr. Eaton told the 
proprietor that he would let him know within two weeks whether he would accept his offer. The 
time having expired without his receiving any information from Eaton, the building was let 
to Thomas & Pinney, a couple of young men then doing business at Hanchetville, Dane County. 
It was the fault of the mails that Palmer did not hear from Eaton, as the latter had sent a letter 
notifying him that he accepted his offer and would be there in a few days with a stock of goods. 
In coming to this place, Eaton passed through Hanchetville and there learned that Thomas & 
Pinney expected to occupy the building he supposed was intended for him. Mr, Pinney, learn- 
ing Eaton's intention, a race was improvised by the two for Lodi, but the old proverb was here 
exemplified, " The more haste the less speed," and both got lost on a snow-covered prairie and 
were compelled to hire a cutter and ride into the village together. On referring the matter to 
Palmer, he decided the last contract was binding ; that Thomas & Pinney were entitled to the 
house. As an inducement to Eaton to locate he offered him a choice of any unoccupied lot, 
which offer was accepted, and on Monday morning (it being Saturday night when they arrived), 



778 illSTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

the building was commenced, and by Saturday night following it was completed and occupied 
by the owner. The formal opening of the store occurred Monday, December 18, 1848, but 
goods were sold the Saturday previous. 

It must not be thought that Lodi could thrive without its village blacksmith-shop, there- 
fore on Main street, on land given for that purpose, Reuben Ring built his shop in 1848. This 
Ring was a bachelor, and it would appear from tradition was an object of some solicitude from 
the fair matrons and maidens in the vicinity. Says an early writer: '' The Smith with an end- 
less name, although he had outgrown the verdancy of youth, failed to profit by the lessons of 
wisdom years should have taught him. He stole — stole the heart of, alas(s) I — Sophronia 
Bunker, and we suppose she stole likewise, for the two were fettered in the bonds of matrimony, 
being the first couple united in the village, thereby establishing a precedent which others were 
not slow to follow, for you know ' One sheep goes over the pasture wall, and others follow after.' 
They got married. Yea, and they were serenaded also. But how shall we describe that 
' charivari ' — that majestic inauguration of holiday occasions — where the combination of musi- 
cal instruments displayed an uniqueness of design inimitable by ancient or modern Jubal ; 
where swine, upon a slight pinch, gave protracting squeals, long, deep and dire, evincing a total 
lack of sympathy in the joyousness of the occasion ; while poultry, cats, cow-bells, and rustic 
fiddles came on in the double chorus with a stupendous volume of sound, worthy to be a 
prelude to the Boston jubilee. Here I will say it was not at the wedding just referred to that • 
the bridegroom treated the guests to small pieces of stick cinnamon each, though such an exhibi- 
tion of generosity did actually once occur at a bridal scene. Ah, well, that was the day of 
small things, which we are recommended not to despise. And, doubtless, the delicate bark 
from that tree, whose aroma lades the breeze that blows soft o'er Ceylon's isle, was more accept- 
able to the uneducated tastes of that company than to ' Measure their cups of ale, draining the 
oaken pail.' " 

The first " Knight of the Awl " to open his shop in the place was Mandras Randall, who, 
in 1848, made known to all the people around, that he would attend to their soles, or, in other 
words, he would manufacture, of as good leather as could be obtained, boots and shoes for all who 
would give him their order. He was succeeded by Mr. O'Hara, who was drowned in the mill- 
pond in the village. Having no friend or rela,tive in the vicinity, he was buried by the authori- 
ties here. 

W. E. Carthari was the first M. D. to advertise his ability ''to cure all the ills that flesh 
is heir to," but it appears, from the records of that early day, the people were too perverse to 
get sick for the purpose of aifording employment to a doctor, however great his skill. With 
hope deferred, he waited till his heart grew sick, and he left for more unhealthy parts. Says 
the writer already quoted : " In his wake, at brief intervals, one by one, came a whole faculty 
of medical men — Ingalls, Warren, Lake, Heath and others, men whose pill boxes, we'll venture, 
contained no atomized, homoeopathic dose, to tickle the epicurean taste, but the concentrated, 
double-refined extract of marah, under the effects of which, the repentent patient assents 
unqualified to the theological dogma, ' In the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity,' for you 
remember the fogyish, foregone conclusion, almost invariably acted upon in those days, ' I think 
the patient will do well to take a dose of calomel.' However, the grateful survived, with a few 
exceptions, the visits of these wandering stars ; these Israelites in the wilderness, longing for 
the flesh-pots of Egypt." 

"It is appointed unto man once to die," and death is ever nigh, ready to snatch a victim 
here and there. On the 17th day of July, 1849, Herbert Edward, son of J. 0. and M. M. 
Eaton, was called away, and he was laid in the cold and silent tomb — the first death in the village. 

The first celebration of Independence Day was held Saturday, July 3, 1852 ; the Fourth 
occurring upon Sunday. The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon. The oflicers of the 
day were Isaac H. Palmer, President ; G. M. Bartholemew and John Sloan, Vice Presidents ; 
John Ingalls, Marshal ; E. D. Steel, Reader of the Declaration of Independence ; Rev. I. N. 
Lewis, Orator; Rev. E. S. Bunce, Chaplain. "At 1 o'clock, a dinner was served by J. 0. Eaton, 



IIISTOHY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 779 

near his hotel. Everything passed off in a highly satisfactory manner, without an accident to 
mar the occasion; but not so on the 4th of July following. Albert Eells, son of Joseph Eells, 
had charge of the cannon, which exploding, he was struck by a fragment and instantly killed. 

The first lawyer in the village was L. A. Ellis, who, in 1854, came and remained two years. 
He was succeeded by R. Lindsay, who came to the village in 1858. For twenty-two years, 
Mr. Lindsay has occupied the same premises for an office, the same first occupied by Mr. Ellis. 

Lodi in 185^2. — Rev. J. N. Lewis, a pioneer missionary of the Presbyterian Church, who 
located here in the spring of 1852, thus speaks of Lodi and vicinity : " Here are groves of all 
sizes, free of bushes, bearing a striking resemblance to orchards, and, in spite of our knowledge 
to the contrary, deluding us, for the moment, that they are really such, are scattered everywhere 
in the valleys, on the hillsides and on the summits. The admirer of nature will here find that 
she has arrayed herself in superlative attractions, as on some bright, summer day, he looks over 
this landscape from the hills, or rides through these valleys — not a line or course in all the 
bounding surface is jagged, while the waving grain and flowery hues of the prairies, and the 
herds of cattle grazing thereon, remind him of the happy valley of Rasselas. The town of 
Lodi lies principally in this basin, and embosomed among the hills at the intersection of 
the main valleys, on a small stream, is the recent and thriving little village of the same name — 
a retired spot, and but little known, because the thoroughfare from the capital westward at 
present, pass north and south of it. We could wish, on many accounts, that it might remain 
so (though we are threatened with a railroad soon), since the beauty of its location, the abun- 
dance of water power, and the fertility of the surrounding country, will command a growth 
sufficiently rapid for its moral healthfulness, and let it be forever small, rather than be crowded 
with such a population as the rapidly growing villages of the West are often composed of. Better 
it is for a place to start with a good moral influence, and to secure a good moral reputation, than 
to have a reputation for mere business and money-making. We can afford to spare the loose 
and low population, which might otherwise be crowded in here, and we hope soon that the sight 
of church steeples, and the sound of the Sabbath bell, which summon the good to the temple of 
God, will warn and scare away whatever of moral trash which has found its way to this quiet 
retreat. A period of four years has, despite of its retired situation, built up a cluster of about 
thirty dwelling-houses, several stores, a tavern, two good flouring-mills, which are crowded 
beyond their capacity with custom work from the vicinity, a saw-mill and mechanics of all kinds. 
Much water-power remains still unemployed. We have three organized churches — Presbyte- 
rian, Baptist and Methodist, and preaching every Sabbath in a large and convenient place of 
worship, by clergymen of each of these denominations, an excellent school, a temperance 
organization, which now, indeed, needs resuscitation, and more energy, though its friends are 
numerous. We hope that, without any feelings of selfishness, or any bias from any self-interest, 
we may recommend this place to persons who are intending to remove to this State. The 
population is mostly free from the foreign element found in almost every town else- 
where — the country is so much settled by native-born Americans, that doubtless this will 
always be its character. Society is of the Eastern tone, and we trust we have among us enough 
of the salt of the earth, to give controlling influence to it, and shape it to permanent morality. 
As to secular advantages, they are not lacking. Cultivated farms can be purchased at $8 or $6 
per acre. A large (juantity of land in the hands of speculators, eager to get rid of it, supplied 
well with wood and water, can be bought for $4 or $5 per acre, farms well adapted for raising 
grain or stock. We are well situated in respect to markets, having always, in fact, the choice of 
four or five. Being near the Wisconsin River, we can send our produce to the pineries on the 
same stream at the north, or by the Mississippi to Minnesota, or to Galena and St. Louis on the 
south, or by way of Portage, through the canal to Green Bay ; or by railroad, nearly completed, 
both from Milwaukee and Chicago to Madison ; we can have intercourse summer and winter 
with the seaboard. During the past winter, the Rock River Railroad Company have surveyed a 
route from Janesville, through Madison and this place, to Baraboo, beyond the Wisconsin River, 
with the intention of extending it to Minnesota.'.' 



780 HISTORY OF COLTTMBIA COITNTY 

As the village grew in size and importance, the necessity for its incorporation under the 
general laws of the State became apparent, in order that such improvements might be made as 
would best advance its interests, improvements that the town would not consider. A prelim- 
inary meeting, to take into consideration the subject of incorporation, was held at Eaton's Hall, 
Saturday, April 13, 1872. Addison Eaton was made Chairman of the meeting, and H. M. 
Ayer, Secretary. It was voted that a charter be applied for under Chapter 188, of the General 
Laws of 1872, and that all of Section 27 be embraced in the limits of the village. H. M. 
Ayer and C. Bacon were appointed a committee to take the census of the section, and E. 
W. Gardner, R. Lindsay, and J. M. Bartholomew, to draft the application and present 
it to the court, and also to made a map of the area embraced in the application. L. F. 
Wanner was appointed to see to the printing of the proper notices, and that the census returns 
and map be filed in the office of the Town Clerk for inspection. As the result of the census, it 
was found there were G47 inhabitants residing on the section mentioned. 

The application of the citizens of the village was favorably considered by the court, and on 
the 20th day of July. 1872, the first election was held, resulting in the choice of Horatio N. 
Cowen, President ; E. Andrews, Alexander Woods, James McCloud, H. C. Bradley, William 
Dunlap and Leonard F. Wanner, Trustees ; Carlos Bacon, Clerk ; J. M. Pruyn, Treasurer ; 
H. M. Ayer. Police Justice. Other elections have annuallv been held, resulting as follows : 

1873— E. W. Gardner, President; E. Andrews, William Dunlap, I. V. N. Walker, Will- 
iam Goldspohn, Thomas Albiston, Frederick Hanson, Trustees; H. M. Ayer, Clerk; J. M. 
Pruyn, Treasurer; H. M. Ayer, Assessor; John Foote, School Superintendent; A. Woods, 
Police Justice. 

1874— E. W. Gardner, President; E. Andrews, William Dunlap, L V. N. Walker, Will- 
iam Goldspohn, Thomas Albiston, Frederick Hanson, Trustees ; H. M. Ayer, Clerk ; H. L. 
Bancroft, Treasurer ; John Foote, School Superintendent ; G. T. Simons, Constable ; G. M. 
Bartholomew, Justice of the Peace ; James Seville, Police Justice. 

1875— E. W. Gardner, President ; E. Andrews, William Dunlap, L V. N. Walker, Will- 
iam Goldspohn, Thomas Albiston, Frederick Hanson, Trustees ; H. M. Ayer, Clerk ; John 
Yule, Treasurer ; John Foote, School Superintendent ; G. T. Simons, Constable ; G. M. Bar- 
tholomew, Justice of the Peace ; H. M. Ayer, Police Justice. 

1876— E. W. Gardner, President ; E. Andrews, J. 0. Eaton, G. E. McKeebe, William 
Goldspohn, Thomas Albiston, Peter Kehl, Trustees ; J. M. Bartholomew. Clerk ; John Yule, 
Treasurer; Addison Eaton, School Superintendent; Alfred Clemens, Constable; S. S. Dun- 
ning, Justice of tlie Peace ; H. M. Ayer, Police Justice. 

1877 — Thomas Albiston, President ; E. Knutsen, E. Andrews, Peter Kehl, W. M. Bar- 
tholomew, Henry B. Bancroft, J. 0. Eaton, Trustees; J. M. Bartholomew. Clerk; Orin Rice, 
Treasurer ; G. M. Bartholomew, Police Justice ; E. W. Gardner, Justice of the Peace ; J. U. 
Ray, Constable. 

1878 — G. M. Bartholomew, President; S. M. Blake, William Goldspohn, S. H. Watson, 
W. M. Bartholomew, H. L. Bancroft, William Dunlap, Trustees ; J. M. Bartholomew, Clerk ; 
R. W. Mills, Treasurer ; E. W. Gardner, Police Justice ; Alfred Clemens, Constable. 

1879 — Edward Andrews, President; S. H. Watson. H. L. Bancroft, J. U. Eaton, E. B. 
Wait, William Goldspohn, Jacob C. Wrisler, Trustees ; J. M. Bartholomew, Clerk ; John Yule, 
Treasurer; G. W. Fenno, Marshal; H. M. Ayer. Police Justice; E. W. Gardner, Justice of 
the Peace. 

CHURCHE.S. 

The religious and moral influences of the village have always kept pace with its growth. 
The Methodists were the pioneer laborers in the field, followed closely by the Baptists and 
Presbyterians. The Universalists were the last to form an organization. 

Methodist Episcopal. — Rev. L. Harvey had in 1845 a conference appointment to travel, 
west, southwest and northwest of Madison, about thirty miles out, and seeing, in the post office 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 781 

of that city, some Methodist church papers directed to Rev. H. Maynard and the Bartholo- 
mews, he inquired where they could be found. The Postmaster told him the course to take 
as best he could, and the missionary started to hunt them up, and, as remarked by Father May- 
nard, he found them waiting for him. This was late in the fall of that year. A class was 
immediately formed, according to the rules of the Methodist Episcopal Church, consisting of G. 
M. Bartholomew, Leader ; Catherine Bartholomew, M. C. Bartholomew, Mary Bartholomew, 
Christiana Bartholomew, Henry Maynard, Catherine Maynard, Harriet E. Maynard ; in all 
eight. Preaching was had once in two weeks in the log cabins of the Bartholomews, or Mr. 
Maynard, until the log schoolhouse was built on Section 27 in the spring of 1846, which 
became their regular place of worship. Says the Rev. H. Maynard, in a local paper in 1879 : 
•* These meetings were generally attended with the Divine presence, spiritual and profitable, 
with some revivals and additions to the church. As others came and settled in the valley, they 
came and worshiped with us, in the little log schoolhouse, with one heart and one mind. Mrs. 
J. N. Lewis says the first time she attended service in this valley she rode on an ox sled, with a 
family, to that little log house. Every church in Lodi to-day may thank God for the influence 
that went out from that little log house. There was an unusual proportion of the settlers that 
were church-going people, hence the influence of Christianity prevailed over opposing influen- 
ces. The ministers that have been appointed to labor for the Methodist Church in this place 
from 1845 to 1880 inclusive are : Rev. L. Harvey, about ten months ; W. Smith, one year ; S. 
Tasker, one year ; assistant preacher, Mr. Adams, six months when he sickened and died, 
when H. Maynard finished the year ; S. P. Walden, one year ; James Holmes, six months 
M. Wooley, finishing the year ; E. Bunco, two years ; Nelson Butler, two years; James Wells, 
one year ; Mr. Cochran, two years ; S. Dodge, two years ; J. B. Bachman, two years ; S. De- 
lap, one year ; J. S. Hurd, two years ; J. D. Searles, two years ; B. C. Hammond, one year ; 
J. B. Bachman, one year ; J. T. Prior, two years ; E. Tasker, two years ; F. M. Fullerton,. 
one year; W.-H. Kellogg, two years ; J. C. Aspinwall, two years ; R. Burnip, two years ; J. 
D. Brothers, who received his appointment in the fall of 1879. The most of these ministers 
are yet in the regular work, a few of them are worn out by long, hard service, and are waiting 
with holy patience the Master's call to come up higher. A few of them have gone from labor 
to their reward ; they fought a good fight, received their discharge, and have gone to enjoy the 
faithful soldier's reward. Rev. Mr. Adams was a young preacher of good talents, deep piety, 
much zeal, and a good prospect for future usefulness in the church. He traveled this circuit 
some four months, sickened and died at Clark's Corners. He left a wife and two children. I 
was with him in his last sickness, preached his funeral sermon, and then we laid his remains 
beneath the sod to sleep until the resurrection morn." As the population increased and the 
log schoolhouse became too small, a house was obtained in the village of Lodi, which was of 
suflBcient size for some time. 

In the year 18.55, the society built a large stone church at a cost of $4,500, which was 
dedicated June, 1857, N. E. Cobleigh, President of Appleton University preaching the dedica- 
tory sermon. 

In March, 1880, there were 146 members of the church. Its ofiicers at that time were 
Rev. Joseph D. Brothers, Pastor ; L. F. Wanner, R. Steele, A. S. Bowman, G. M. Bartholo- 
mew, John Wilkins, M. Cain, C. Goodall, N. G. Burlingame, Stewards ; J. M. Bartholomew, 
Recording Steward ; G. M. Bartholomew, C. Goodall, L. F. Wanner, W. M. Bartholomew, H. 
Phinney, L. J. Burlingame, M. Cain, A. S. Bowman, E. B. Wait, Trustees ; H. Phinney, L. 
J. Burlingame, Class Leaders. 

Baptist. — A meeting was held at the house of H. M. Ayer, April 23, 1852, for the pur- 
pose of taking into consideration the organization of a Baptist church. Elder Joseph Bowman 
was chosen Moderator and H. M. Ayer, Clerk. It was resolved to organize, and Peter Van 
Ness, William G. Simons and Cyrus Hill was appointed a committee to prepare articles of 
faith and covenant, and present a name for the church when recognized. On Saturday, the 22d 
of May, those interested again assembled to hear the report of the committee, which report was 



782 HISTORY OF COLUAIBIA COIXTY. 

adopted and the articles signed by Peter Van Ness, Cyrus Hill. William G. Simons, H. M. 
Aver, Freedom Simons, William Wait, Matthias Warner, Ira Polly, Emma ^'an Ness, Caroline 
L. Simons. Alraira Simons. Lucy Warner, Caroline Wait, Catherine Polly, James Cross, Laura 
Durkee, Betsy Hill. Peter Van Ness was elected Deacon. On Wednesday, the '26t\i of May, 
the Council, consisting of Elders Moses Rowley, Joseph Bowman. Peter Conrad and Charles 
Perry, convened at the appointed place and voted unanimously to extend to the brethren and 
sisters the liand of fellowship as a regular Baptist Church. Eider Conrad preached, and Elder 
Rowley extended the hand. On Thursday, June 3, 1852, the church was received into the 
Dane Association, then convened at Fall River. In January, 18o3, the church inviteil Elder 
Joseph Bowman to become its Pastor, which invitation he accepted, and the relation continued 
till December 28, 1861. During this time the church had no stated place of meeting of its 
own, but assembled in schoolhouses in the village and out districts. Its membership, too, 
was scattered over quite an extendeil territory, rendeiing it impracticable to keep up regular 
social and prayer meetings. Under the labors of Elder Bowman twenty were added by bap- 
tism ; by experience and letter, thirty-eight. After Mr. Bowman closed his work the church 
was without a pastor for two years and a half, in which time three were added by letter, three 
dismissed in the same way, and two died. Elder 0. 0. Stearns was then called to the pastorate, 
in which relation he continued for ten years, or until July, 1874. In February, 1863, a com- 
mittee was appointed by the church to see how much could be raised for budding a house of wor- 
ship. In January, 1865, a committee was appointed to select a site. In September the church 
voted to build, and appointed Deacons Van Ness ami King and William Simons a building com- 
mittee. The enterprise was prosecuted vigorously till the house was erected and inclosed; 
when that was done, it was found the fund was about exhausted, and additional subscriptions 
had to be obtained. On the 13th of March, 1867, it was completed, furnished, and duly dedi- 
cated to the service of the living God. The entire cost of the building and furniture was 
^4,500. Rev. H. C. Fuller was called to the pastorate December 13, 1874, and continued for 
two years, when the church was without a pastor until April, 1877. When Elder N. E. Cha- 
pin accepted a call and entered upon the work. A Sunday school was organized when the con- 
gregation took possession of their house of worship, and has been a great help to the church, a 
number of its scholars becoming members. The constituent members of the church were 17, 
and up to March, 1880, there have been added by bapti.«m, i>5; by letter, 43: experience, 20; a total 
of 175. The dismissions by letter, death and exclusion have been 'JO ; leaving a membership of 
76. At this time, its oflScers are Rev. N. E. Chapin, Pastor ; Peter Van Ness, Freedom 
Simon.s, Deacons ; E. W. Gardner, Clerk ; E. Richmond, Treasurer ; F. Simons, Isaac ^'an 
Ness, E. W. Gardner, Trustees. 

Presbyterian. — In June, 1852, a small band of Christian men and women gathered in a 
small room on Columbus street, for the purpose of forming a Presbyterian or Congregational 
church, according to the voice of the majority, whichever way it might be. As a majority 
were Presbyterians, it was thought best to have the church of the same form, the Congregation- 
alists cordially acquiescing and supporting the organization. It was put in connection with the 
Wisconsin Convention, a union of the Congregationalists and Presbyterian Church for united 
work, in which connection it continued six years, when it was transferred to the Presbytery of 
Columbus, since which time its relation has been with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
Church. The organization was consummated by signing the articles of covenant, ten persons 
affixing their names : James 0. Eaton and wife. A. P. Smith and wife, Robert Mann and wife, 
Mrs. Partridge, Mrs. Strangeway, Mrs. J. N. Lewis and Miss Eliza Steele. At the first com- 
munion, Mrs. I. H. Palmer was received on profession, and at the next Mrs. Crowley, by letter. 
A. P. Smith and Robert Mann were chosen Elders. The Rev. J. N. Lewis, in a quarter-cen- 
tennial sermon, delivered in June, 1877, remarked that " there seemed to have been a marked 
Providence in the commencement of this church, as indeed its whole history to this hour reveals 
the faithful hand of God in blessing and guiding us. With much reluctance, and after much 
urging by the Secretary of the Home Missionary Society, the first Presbyterian minister to 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 783 

Lodi consented to take a letter of introduction to James 0. Eaton, residing here. From descrip- 
tions given, the place was pictured in his mind as a gloomy hamlet, where two cross-roads met, with 
merely a tavern on one side and ahlacksmith-shop on the other, in a dingy dell, with a soil of the hard- 
est white clay, covered with the scrubbiest of scrub-oaks, much like Petroleum V. Nasby's 'Con- 
federit Corners,' abating the whisky and politics of Deacon Pogram. But what a surprise to 
behold, instead, the most enchanting landscape, these broad valleys of the greenest prairie, these 
bold bluffs, these symmetrically rounded hills, with groves in groups scattered on their tops and 
sloping sides, the music of the mills and the crystal streams, all presenting a view more lovely 
then, even in its wild state, than since the hand of civilization has despoiled it of half its original 
beauty." 

The first Presbyterian sermon was preached here on the 19th of October, 1851. There 
was no church or society to decide about accepting or rejecting the service of the preacher, no 
trustees to pledge adequate support. The only support that could be relied on was the pledge 
of a small sum from the Secretary of the Home Missionary Society. In December following, 
the missionary, the Rev. J. N. Lewis, arrived with his family. Says Mr. Lewis, in the ser- 
mon referred to : " The next day after our arrival, while moving the goods to the new home, what 
gloomy thoughts — more gloomy than the gloomiest of winter days. What was he doing here? 
"Was this faith or folly, prudence or presumption, to engage in such an undertaking ? Where was 
the food to come from, unless, like Elijah's, it was brought by the ravens ? With such forebod- 
ings, the table was spread and occupied for the evening meal, when there was a knock at the door, 
when a present for the frying-pan next morning was handed in, from good mother Eells over the 
way. Soon another knock, and a bundle of clothing from Brother Rosenkrans, of Columbus, 
desiring to divide the contents of a missionary -box he had just received. Truly, it was felt at 
the table that the ravens were already on the wing. The next day the message had gone before- 
hand to Judge Palmer's miller, ' take no toll from the missionary ; ' and soon from another, 
' come for a bag of oats.' From that day, all anxiety in regard to support was dismissed. In 
the course of six years, the feeble band of ten was increased to thirty-nine, subsequently six 
more were added." 

Early in August, 1857, the Rev. G. B. Riley, from Horseheads, N. Y., commenced his 
labors in the place. Not having a church edifice, and being able to obtain the schoolhouse for 
only a portion of the time, he preached much in the school districts adjoining. A church build- 
ing was commenced, and the basement finished for occupancy. Mr. Riley labored with the con- 
gregation six years, during which time seventy-six communicants were received. After an inter- 
regnum of nearly a year, the Rev. Daniel A. Bassett, from Illinois, was invited, and began 
services in August, 1864. He was a man devoted to his work, a good preacher, and during his 
two years' stay there were two interesting revivals, and forty-six members were received. The 
next Pastor was the Rev. Warren Mayo, from Danby, N. Y., a man of the stature and stateli- 
ness of Saul, King of Israel. In his ministry continual additions were made to the church, in 
all seventy-five. He was succeeded, in 1872, by the Rev. J. W. Knott, who had a very success- 
ful pastorate of seven years, during which time large additions were made to the church, 112 
being added at one time, the result of an extensive revival. Mr. Knott was succeeded, in 
October, 1879, by the Rev. H. L. Brown. The church very early adopted the plan of a rotary 
eldership. In March, 1880, its Elders were William Dunlap, J. B. Dwinnell, Addison Eaton, 
P. H. Gunnison and E. H. Irwin. Its Trustees at the same time were J. 0. Eaton, Danford 
Pratt, A. Arries, Thomas Albiston and E. Andrews. 

Universalist. — A parish was organized December 8, 1872, H. C. Bradley and H. L. Ban- 
croft, Trustees ; H. C. Bradley, Treasurer; R. N. Bartholomew, Clerk. Its constituent mem- 
bers were John Foote, R. N. Bartholomew, H. C. Bradley, H. L. Bancroft, S. M. Blake, D. 
Hesselgrave, Laura Foote, Ann M. Bancroft. Julia A. Bradley, S. A. Dearborn, Mary J. Bots- 
ford, Sophia Hidden, Hannah Hesselgrave, Jane Lovering, Jane Perry, Philander Mosher, John 
W. Foote, John C. Dearborn, John T. Hidden, Albert Lovering, William B. Chrisler, Jacob 
Chrisler, Elizabeth Chrisler, M. H. Chrisler, George T. Cawthorne, Jonas Narracong, Seth 



"84 HISTORY OF COLUMHIA COUNTY. 

Andrews. A church, in connection with the parish, was organized September 2, 1875, with the 
following membership : David Hesselgrave, Hannah Hesselgrave, Frank Terrill, Frederick 
Perry, .John Foote, William B. Chrisler, Elizabeth Chrisler, J. A. Wieting, R. N. Bartholomew, 
H. L. Bancroft, C. A. Martin, Mrs. C. A. Martin, Mr. Curtiss and wife, Abbie Curtiss, Mary 
S. Bradley, Jane A. Perry, Albert Lovering, Jane Lovering, Julia A. Bradley, John W. Foote, 
Laura R. Foote, Emily B. Foote, Florence M. Foote, A. Terrill, Jacob Chrisler, Mary H. 
Chrisler, Josephine Cawthorn, Carlton Cawthorn, Emma Cawthorn, Mattie E. Bartholomew. 
The first minister to preach Universalism in Lodi was Rev. M. G. Todd, through whose instru- 
mentality a good work was wrought. He was succeeded by Kev. B. F. Rogers, in 1872, 
during whose pastorate the parish was organized. For the year 1873, the parish had no min- 
ister, but in 1874, Rev. Mr. Todd once jmore became its minister, and by him the church was 
instituted. The church edifice is of brick, and is finished in handsome style. Its erection was 
commenced April -3, 1873, and dedicated January 15, 1878, the sermon of dedication being 
preached by Rev. M. G. Todd. The cost of the building was .$4,000. A successful Sunday 
school, of fifty members, has been in operation for some years. Rev. A. C. Barry, D. D., was 
the successor of Mr. Todd and has met with fair success in his labors. 

Schools. — The first settlement in the village of Lodi was made in the spring of 1846, and 
in the summer a log house was erected on Section 27, and school taught therein by Miss Mary 
Yockey. This house served until 1851, when a frame building was erected on the same section, 
the district being No. 1. John Foote taught the first winter term in 1848-49. The school 
districts of the town remained as organized by the Town Superintendent of Schools until 18l34. 
On the 17th day of September of that year, the Supervisors of the town, by order, attached the 
territory of Districts Nos. 2 and 6 to District No. 1. On the 8th day of October, 1864, by 
order of the Board, District No. 7 was also attached. On the 5th day of November, 1877, the 
portion of Joint District No. 3, lying within the town of Lodi, was attached, making tlie Union 
District composed of Nos. 1, 2, 6, 7, and a part of No. 3. The first school meeting of the 
consolidated districts was held September 26, 1864. At this meeting, H. M. Ayer was elected 
Director for three years; John B. Dwinnell, Treasurer, for two years; W. M. Bartholomew, 
Clerk, for one year. A special school meeting was held October 8, 1864, when the District 
Board was authorized to move one or more of the schoolhouses in the district as will best sub- 
serve the interest of the whole district. The object of uniting these school districts was to form 
a union school of high grade. Previous to this time. Prof. A. G. Riley had been teaching a 
select high school in the village, and had awakened considerable interest in a higher education 
than was then being taught by the common schools of the town. At the same time the State 
Superintendent of Public Schools, in his annual report, had placed the village in rather an un- 
enviable light in comparison with Kilbourn City, Pardeeville, Wyocena, Cambria, Fall River, 
and Poynette, which aroused the pride of the citizens of Lodi, and steps were at once taken to 
remedy the matter. On the suggestion of the Superintendent the consolidation was effected. 
Prof Riley expressed himself ready to abandon his school if the change was made. He was 
chosen the first Principal of the Union School, which was opened Mondav, November 14, 
1864. 

At the annual meeting, August 28, 1865, the sum of $375 was appropriated and the Board 
instructed to purchase for a new school building, and to sell all real estate not then used for 
school purposes. At the annual meeting, August 27, 1866, it was voted to raise $60, to pay 
rent for the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was being used for the high 
school. It was also voted to purchase a lot of E. B. Wait for $150 ; one of J. B. Dwinnell 
for $127 ; and two of William Dunlap for $275. These purchases were authorized and made with 
a view of erecting a new school building. In furtherance of this idea, at the annual meeting, 
held August 26, 1807, there was appropriated $50, to pay for plan and specifications of the new 
house. A committee was also appointed to secure the passage of a private law to enable the 
district to issue its bonds for the purpose of erecting the building. The Legislature acceded to 
the request of the will of the district, as expressed in their meeting, and passed an enabling act. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 785 

At the annual meeting, held July 13, 1868, the district resolved that a new schoolhouse 
was needed, and voted to issue district bonds for $10,000, according to the special act of the 
Legislature, to apply on the building. The District Board, at the same time, were appointed a 
building committee. 

On the 1st day of March, 1869, the contract for the new schoolhouse was awarded to James 
McCloud, of Lodi, for $9,475, and the district bonds for that amount were sold to Mr. Mc- 
Cloud at their par value. The house was finished and occupied for the term commencing in 
November, 1869. It was arranged for four departments on the first floor, and one on the sec- 
ond floor, with two recitation-rooms. Its seating capacity was 340. About 2 o'clock on the 
morning of March 29, 1878, an alarm of fire was raised, and it was discovered the schoolhouse 
was in flames. In the absence of water and a machine with which to throw it, it was evident 
nothing could be done to save the building, and it was with feelings of sadness that teachers, 
pupils and citizens had to witness its destruction. It was insured for $7,000, which amount was 
paid in due time by the insurance companies. 

On the 25th of May, 1878, the District Board was authorized to contract for a new school- 
house with the lowest responsible resident bidder, at a cost not to exceed $6,800, exclusive of 
furnishing. The same day, a contract wiis made with James McCloud, the contractor of the old 
building, for the sum mentioned. The plans and specifications for the new house were furnished 
by D. R. Jones, architect, of Madison. The house was completed and occupied December 12, 
1878. It is a large two-story cream-colored brick, with three schoolrooms below and three 
above. 

The first Principal, employed November, 1864, was A. G. Riley, who remained four years, 
the second was E. B. Everdell, one year; third, J. C. Yocum, five years; fourth, A. A. Miller, 
two years ; D. 0. Hibbard, one year ; W. E. Todd, three years. The assistants, in the various 
departments, from 1864 to 1879 inclusive, have been Elraira Duncan, Martha Lewis, Sarah 
Bartholomew, Carrie R. Tabor, Julia Bartholomew, Martha Van Ness, Leora M. Evans, 
Miss Wright, F. Johnson, Jennie E. Little, Tillie M. Riddle, Jennie Sprague, M. C. Buchanan, 
Sarah Dunlap, Laura Luse, Mr. Aldrich, Alice Welch, Emma Curtis, Michael Clinton, Minnie 
Waldo, Maggie Ferguson, M. J. Owen, Annie Blachley, Ada Simons, Mr. E. H. Phillips, 
Misses Fanny Pettit, Hattie A. Salisbury, Ida Merryman, Libbie Batty, Mr. Webber, E. M. Gun^ 
nison, Alice Randall, Rose Newell, Emma Salisbury, Tillie Knutesen, Hattie C. Hall, Mary L. 
Aspinwall, Elsina Wiswall, Rose Knutesen, M. A. Owen, A. R. Luse, Emma Foote, Minnie 
Ayer, Alice Coapman, Mattie Buchanan, Lizzie Dwinnell, Lottie Lattimer and Marion Miles. 

Graduates of the High School. — Since the organization of the graded-school system, up 
to-and including the year 1879, there have graduated twenty-nine young gentlemen and ladies, 
as follows : Annie Irwin, Minnie L. Ayer. Eva Bartholomew, Florence M. Foote, Ida Merry- 
man, Millie Maynard, Rose M. Knuteson, Lewis E. Walker, James I. Bartholomew, Lizzie I. 
Dwinnell, Tillie J. Knuteson, Herbert Goodall, James P. Wilson, Eva Goodall, Adell Bartholomew, 
Henry Early, Silas Overton, Harry Irwin, Bert Palmer, Miles Fenno, D. W. Simons, Nora 
Knuteson, Elma Simons, Mary L. Overton, George B. Gardner, Ben Wait, Frank 'E oote, Robert 
Wilson, George Dwinnell. 

TEMPERANCE. 

The principles of temperance, as held and taught in early days, found a genial soil whereon 
to take deep root, among the settlers of Lodi. Among its advocates were the names of John 
Slown, Aaron Chalfant, I. B. Tabor, the Bartholomews, Simonses, Maynards, J. 0. Eaton, 
I. H. Palmer, E. C. Tuller, Dr. John Ingals, John Foote, with their families. In the sum- 
mer or fall of 1849, an organization was formed, called the Lodi Temperance Society. The 
first meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse, afterward in the hall of Lodi Hotel. J. 
0. Eaton was chosen Secretary, John Slown or G. M.Bartholomew, President. The obligation 
bound its members to abstain from the use of, or trafiic in, alcoholic liquors, except for 
medicinal, mechanical or sacramental purposes. It was similar to the obligation of the Wash'^ 
ingtonian Society, at that time quite popular in some parts of the country. 



786 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Perseverance Lodge, No. ^72, I. 0. G. T. — This lodge was organized May 10, 1865, by 
Miss M. Emery, State Organizer, with about twenty charter members. Its first officers were : 
J. O. Eaton, W. C. T. ; Mrs. E. S. Lewis, W. V. T. : E. B. Meeteer, W. S. ; Mary E. Eaton, 
W. A. S. ; James Chapin, W. F. S. ; Minnie Chapin, W. T. ; Oscar Dunlap, W. M. ; Mattie 
Luse, W. D. M. ; Mrs. H. L. Meeteer, W. 1. G. ; George Eaton, W. 0. G. ; Mrs. Schemmer- 
horn, R. H. S. ; Mrs. Lindsay, L. H. S. The first year, ending May, 1865, there were 185 
initiated, including the charter members. The second year, 78 ; third year, 21 : fourth year, 
27 ; fifth year, 15. The sixth year was a very dark one for the lodge, there being no meetings 
held between May 24 and September 6, 1870. On the evening of the 6th, a meeting was 
held and officers elected. Mattie Lewis was elected W. C. T. ; Sarah Luse, W. V. T. ; Laura 
Foote, W. S.; Carrie Tabor, W. F. S. ; Maggie Wells, W. M.; Frank Luse, W. T. ; M. 
Blachley, I. G. ; John W. Foote, 0. G. : Warren Mayo, Chap. During the remainder of the 
quarter, the meetings were very poorly attended, and it was a question whether to strive longer 
to keep up the lodge or surrender the charter ; but a few determined ones resolved they would 
never surrender, but would adopt for their motto '' Perseverance," the name of the lodge, and 
press forward. The lodge accordingly elected Frank Luse, W. C. T. ; Sarah Dunlap, \V. V. 
T. ; Maggie Wells, W. S. ; Mattie Tabor, T. : S. K. Luse, W. F. S. ; L. E. Walker, W. M.'; 
M. Blachley, I. G. ; Sarah Luse, 0. G. ; Mrs. Adeline Chalfant, Chap. The officers were not 
installed and regular meetings were held only once in two weeks, using the old pass-word, until 
December 6, when the G. W. C. T. sent R. B. Rowland, a Grand Lodge Deputy, to visit and 
re-organize. After a few words of cheer, followed by remarks from Frank Luse, W. M. Dun- 
lap, H. M. Ayer, Laura Foote, Sarah Dunlap, Delia Luse and others, the members were re-ob- 
ligated, and the lodge declared re-oi'ganized. Weekly meetings were again commenced, and 
twelve initiated during the remaining part of the year, and a number re-instated. The seventh 
year, ending May, 1872, there were fifteen initiated, but the lodge was in rather a weak con- 
dition, and attendance small. 

The eighth year, ending May, 1873, the lodge seemed to take a new start; the hall of E. 
Knuteson was rented, fitted up, and fifty-two members initiated, and many old ones re-instated. 
The attendance was good, and a general interest manifested in the cause. The ninth year, the 
lodge was in a flourishing condition, though some trouble was experienced in dealing with mem- 
bers violating their pledge ; forty-five initiated during the year. The tenth year prosperity 
continued with the lodge ; nineteen initiated. Eleventh year, thirteen initiations ; attendance 
not quite so good on account of the organization of a division of the Sons of Temperance, 
which was quite prosperous that year. Twelfth year, only nine initiations ; thirteenth year, 
thirty-six ; fourteenth year, twenty-six. For the fourteen years, ending May, 1879, the total 
initiations were 55o, some of whom were initiated twice, but probably 500 different persons 
were connected with the order during that time. For initiations and dues, over $2,500 were 
received, the greater part of which was paid out for the incidental expenses of the lodge, but 
about $500 went to the Grand Lodge. Quite an amount was spent to further the cause of tem- 
perance in other ways than through the lodge, such as in the purchase and distribution of 
tracts and in aiding weak lodges. Those that have held the position of Lodge Deputy were J. 
0. Eaton, H. W. Cass, Charles E. Eaton, H. M. Ayer, L. P. Hindes, John W. Foote, L. R. 
Luse, W. M. Dunlap, W. H. Slightman. At the first meeting in February, 1880, were installed 
Morgan L. Boyce, W. C. T. ; E. A. Cannon, W. V. T. ; Douglas Ayer, W. R. S. ; Mollie 
Woods, W. A. S. ; Fayette Cannon. W. F.S. : Miss Early, W. T. ; H. M. Ayer, W. C. ; 
William H. Slightman, W. M. : Josie Brothers, W. A. M. ; Eva Moran, W. I. G. ; Chris. 
O'Degard, W. S. 

Lodi Temple of Honor, No. 154, ^^as organized August 22, 1877, by Dr. Wilder, G. T. 
D., of Rio. Its first officers and charter members were J. M. Pruyn, W. C. T. ; L. E. Harris, 
P. W. C. T. ; John Foote, W. V. T. ; G. W. Fenno, W. R. ; Charles Goodall, W. F. R. ; W. 
M. Bartholomew, W. T. ; G. M. Bartholomew, W. U. : William Dunlap, W. D. U. ; P. Rich- 
ards, W. G. ; E. Knutesen, W. S. ; L. F. AVariner, G. D. ; H. M. Ayer, F. W. Chandler, J. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 787 

M. Bartholomew, W. M. Dunlap and Morris M. Mitchell. Trustees, Goodall, Dunlap and 
Knutesen. During two years, fortv-six persons had been initiated into the order. For the 
first term in 1880, its officers were J. Christler, W. C. T. ; P. H. Gunnison, W. V. T. ; J. M. 
Bartholomew, W. R. ; J. F. Collins, W. F. R. ; E. Richards, VV. T. ; G. M. Bartholomew, W. 
U. ; W. B. Hook, W. D. U. ; Ira A. Soddars, W. G. ; F. W. Chandler, W. S. 

Osseo Council. No. ^4, Ancient Order of Mendotas, was organized May 1, 1878. Its 
first officers and charter members were W. A. Bartholomew, Sachem ; Eva Bartholomew, 
Queen ; E. Seville, Prophet; Mrs. J. W. Watson, Priestess; W. H. F. Barnes, Writer; Mrs. 
W. A. Bartholomew, Treasurer, M. D. Fenno, Guide ; Rose Knutesen, 0. Henricks, Queen's 
Guard ; Anna Watson, Temptress ; L. F. Twitchell, White Eao;le ; P. Hanson, E. Knutesen, 
W. M. Bartholomew, W. H. Buchanan, R. Burnip, E. Sloggy, S. Stewart, J. W. Watson, 
David Anderson, J. F. Crouk, J. M. Bartholomew, J. S. Bartholomew, Emma Seville, Neddie 
Crouk, Victoria Babcock, Dell Bartholomew, Mrs. P. Kehl, Edward Lindsay, W. P. Van Ness, 
Mrs. P. Watson, Ada Knutesen. The council has had a prosperous existence, meeting every 
Friday night, in the hall over the store of E. Knutesen. The membership has steadily increased, 
until in April, 1880, it had a membership of 100, its officers being at that time, W. H. F. 
Barnes, Sachem; Eva Bartholomew. Queen; H. H. Harris, Prophet; Ida Springer, Priestess; 
H. C. Lindsay, Writer: Hattie Gardner, Treasurer; Emma Knapp, Financial Writer; Samuel 
J. Wilson, Guide: Alida Buchanan, Guard of Tent; Sylvester Brown, Queen's Guard; Dell 
Bartholomew, Temptress ; David Anderson, White Eagle ; J. F. Bartholomew, Lodge Deputy. 

BENEVOLENT ORDERS. 

Lodi Valley Lodge, No 99, A., F. tf- A. M. — This lodge was organized under dispensa- 
tion June 3, 1857, with Rufus W. Reed, W. M. ; William N. Baker, S. W. ; John W. Fisher, 
J. W. ; A. G. Hadder, Secretary ; Darius Kingsley, Treasurer : E. W. Kingsley, S. D. ; A. 
Hartson, J. D. ; W. B. Partridge, Tiler. On the expiration of the year, a charter was granted, 
bearing date June 9, A. D. 1858, and of Masonry 5,858. The first place of meeting was in 
Partridge's hall, where they met for six years, when the place was changed to Way's hall, which 
Was occupied until January 11, 1867. At this date, they moved into their new hall, erected for 
their use by J. 0. Eaton. A public installation was held in the Presbyterian Church, and a 
supper prepared at the hall, by the ladies of the members of the order. In January, 1880, the 
membership of the lodge was sixty-two, at which time were elected and installed E. Andrews, 
W. M. ; J. E. Park, S. W. ; J. G. Patterson, J. W. ; A. Eaton, Treasurer ; J. S. Gardner, 
Secretary ; W. B. Pratt, S. D. ; William Cross, J. D. ; John Collins and Jacob Chrisler, 
Stewards; J. E. Mandeville, Tiler. Trustees— P. Perry, W. L. Wells, J. E. Parke. In 
twenty-three years, 157 persons were initiated into the lodge. 

CEMETERY. 

In June, 1855, James 0. Eaton purchased of James McCloud one and a half acres of ground 
lying southwest of the village, and had it surveyed and platted and gave it the name of Mount 
Pleasant Cemetery. The first laid to rest therein was a young man named George Palmer, and 
the next was his sister, Mrs. Reuel Noyes. The ground was consecrated for burial purposes in 
August, 1856. In September, 186':5, Mr. Eaton purchased another acre and a half, which he like- 
wise had laid out in lots, which were speedily disposed of. J. T. Hidden, June, 1871, also made 
an addition thereto, his plat conforming to that of Mr. Eaton. In twenty-five years this "city of 
the dead" has gradually increased its numbers, each year adding one or more. Beautiful head- 
stones and monuments mark the spot where the loved ones lie. Among the most attractive stones 
within this hallowed spot, is that of the soldiers' monument erected in 1868, and commemorating 
the death of the sons of Lodi, who fell in battle during the war of the rebellion. The inscrip- 
tion placed upon it is as follows : " To the memory of our brave volunteers, who gave their 
lives in defense of the Union, in the great rebellion of 1861. Dulce et decorum est pro p atria 



788 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

mori.* Erected and dedicated by the town of Lodi, A. D. 1868." Twenty-three names are 
inscribed upon the monument. 

Fires. — The village has never experienced any very extensive conflagrations, but from time 
to time a small fire has broken out, entailing individual loss. The most extensive fire was that of 
the schoolhouse, March 28, 1878 (an account of which has already been given) incurring a loss 
of $12,000. The first fire was the dwelling-house of A. Hartson, February, 1857 ; loss $150. 
Other fires are summed up as follows : J. 0. Eaton, store building, March, 1859 ; loss, $1,000 ; 
Richard Lindsay, dwelling, August, 1869, $700 ; Dr. N. P. Bunnell, dwelling, October, 1873, 
$1,000; J. M. Bartholomew, dwelling, April 30, 1875, $500 ; S. M. Goodall, dwelling, 1876, 
$600 ; John Gavin, dwelling, 1877, $150 : school building, March 28, 1878, $12,000 ; R. R. 
Lloyd, dwelling, 1879, $600; .J. R. Collins, April 12, 1880, $300. The last was one long to 
be remembered, resulting in the death of three prominent men in the village. About 4 o'clock 
in the afternoon of the day mentioned, an alarm of fire startled the people of the village, who 
soon saw flames issuing from a small frame building a story and a half high, owned by Joseph 
R. Collins, and situated near the railroad. The fire was first discovered by a little girl of ten or 
twelve years of age, who was alone in the house at the time. She promptly gave an alarm, and 
the village bell was rung, arousing the inhabitants to an intense pitch of excitement, as a high 
wind was blowing at the time. There being no fire department in the village, the people could 
do nothing to check the flames, and devoted their energies to getting out the furniture and house- 
hold goods, nearly all of which were removed before the building appeared to be in a dangerous 
condition. The bottom part of a bookcase remained in the house, however, and John T. Hid- 
den, John Rathbun and Henry Harris rushed in after it, in spite of the protestations of their 
friends and neighbors, who all expressed fears that the building would fall, and tried hard to 
dissuade the men from the rash attempt. 

They had hardly disappeared through the door of the burning building, when to the horror 
of the crowd, the chimney toppled and fell, carrying the roof and ceiling down with it on the 
heads of the devoted men inside. After a few moments of thrilling suspense, which seemed like 
hours to the almost crazed people outside, Mr. Hidden was seen, crawling out of the building 
on his hands and knees, with his hair and clothing nearly all burned ofi", and his face and body 
so badly charred that he was almost unrecognizable. He stood erect when free from the build- 
ing, and called aloud for the people to throw water on him. A wagon was procured, and, aided 
by kind hands, the unfortunate man was conveyed to his home, and medical aid summoned. Drs. 
McKibbe and Irving were promptly on hand, and did everything possible to alleviate his suf- 
ferings. 

As soon as the fire had burned down -suflSciently to allow one to approach it, measures 
were taken to rescue the bodies of the other two victims of the fire fiend. Persistent effort 
was rewarded by the discovery of flie remains of Rathburn and Harris, so badly charred 
that they were unrecognizable, except by trinkets about them and articles found in the remnants 
of their clothing. 

The bodies were removed to Eaton's Hall, where Justice H. M. Ayer summoned a jury 
and held an inquest — a verdict of " accidental death " being returned. 

The building was totally consumed, but most of the furniture and valuables were saved by 
the efforts of the people. 

Mr. Harris was buried on Wednesday morning, at 10 o'clock, by Osseo Council of the 
Ancient Order of Mendotas, of which he was a member. The members of the council met at 
their hall, whence, most of them attired in black, and all wearing a white arrow with a black 
crape bow across the middle, led by the Sachem and Queen carrying arrows uplifted and crossed 
above their heads in front. These were followed by the Prophet and Priestess, the former of the 
two being appointed for the occasion, the rightful incumbent of that office being the occupant of 
the coffin and the hearse. The Prophet's arrow was draped entirely in black crape, while the 
others, and the spear also, carried by the White Eagle, were only partially draped. The 

*It ie sweet and Jiuiutrable to die for one's country. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 789 

procession proceeded to the Methodist Church, where the services were conducted by Rev. 
Messrs Chapin and Brothers, and Rev. Dr. Barry, Mr. Brothers preaching the sermon. 

At the grave the ceremonies were few and simple, yet beautiful and expressive. 

The burial service of the M. E. Church was read, and the members of the Council passed 
around the grave, each depositing a sprig of evergreen therein. 

Mr. Rathbun's funeral was conducted at 2 o'clock P. M., under the auspices of Lodi Val- 
ley Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he was a member. The services were held at the Presby- 
terian Church, and were conducted by the same ministers as in the morning at the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Dr. Barry preaching the sermon. 

Both the victims of this fire were men of steady, exemplary habits, and had acquired and 
retained the respect and good will of the people in a great degree, having long been residents of 
the village. Both leave widows to mourn their loss, and Mr. Rathbun leaves also a little girl 
fatherless. 

Mr. Hidden lingered on until Wednesday evening about 8 o'clock, when he. too, passed 
away. His death was hard and his struggles great. His strength was such it seemed he could 
not die, and the death agonies were long and protracted. He was surrounded at the last by his 
family and Masonic friends, who ministered tenderly to his wants, and did all that could be done 
for his comfort with full hearts and willing hands. 

Mr. Hidden was a man of great energy, promptness and decision of character. With him 
to think was to act, and whatever he believed right and expedient he was not backward in doing. 
He was honest and plain-spoken to all. If, like all men, he had his faults, they were largely 
overbalanced by the promptings and kind impulses of a large and generous heart. His sym- 
pathies were easily touched by a tale of woe, and many a poor, homeless wanderer has 
been indebted to his kindness for shelter and food, and " the blessings of him who was ready 
to perish " have frequently been due to him, whether given or not. In short, he was a 
large-hearted, generous, whole-souled man, and as such he will be mourned by this entire com- 
munity. 

The funeral took place at 2 o'clock P. M., 'on Thursday, when, for the third time since the 
Sunday morning previous, the Masonic Fraternity of Lodi were called out to perform the burial 
rites for brother Masons. 

The services were conducted by the same clergymen as were Rathbun's, the day before, the 
Rev. M. G. Todd, of Columbus, who had arrived in town that morning, also taking a part in the 
sad ceremony. 

The Masonic sei'vices were conducted at the grave in the usual impressive manner, and were 
participated in by quite a large number of Masons from Baraboo, and other towns in this and 
adjoining counties. The funeral procession was one of the largest and most imposing ever seen 
in Lodi. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Briggs House — When Judge Palmer laid out the village of Lodi, he began to consider the 
propriety of having a hotel started, as an inducement to travelers to call and view the fine 
location of the place and its vicinity. By the offer of a couple of lots, he induced Freedom 
Simons to undertake the work. In the winter of 1848, Mr. Simons commenced the building of 
what he intended as the L part, which was a story and a half, 16x24, and a leanto, 12x24, one 
story high. This he partially finished in time to occupy it, January, 1849. In the spring and 
summer, he put up a two-story front, 24x38, but left it in an unfinished condition and in the fall 
of that year sold to Samuel Ring, who at once rented it to William B. Partridge. In the sum- 
mer of 1850, James O. Eaton rented the house for two years, from the 1st of September. The 
house was yet unfinished, but was completed by Mr. Eaton, who erected a handsome sign, in the 
shape of a triangle, a form used by the Sons of Temperance for their badges and seal. The sign 
bore the inscription, " Lodi Hotel — J.O.Eaton." The house was well furnished for the times, 
and enjoyed a good reputation. On the expiration of Mr. Eaton's lease, the house was purchased 



790 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTW 

by L. D. Barnes, who took possession and began the duties of host. The house next passed into the 
hands of George W. Lay, who was succeeded in order by Sydney Burlingame, Benjamin Colton, 
Daniel Mills, Daniel O'Herron and Stephen Lyon. The last named, probably to perpetuate his 
own name, changed the name to the " Lyon House," which name it bore while occupied by his 
successor, George T. Simons, who purchased the house, October, 1865, and who continued 
its proprietorship and management for four years, when it was sold to William Williams, the 
name, "Lyon House," still being retained. Mr. Williams, in a short time, sold to Alexander 
Woods, who moved back the entire house, and erected in front a large three-story building, 
which was certainly a credit to the place. The business not proving satisfactory to him, he 
sold to Mrs. Briggs, of Chicago. During his administration the house was known as the 
"Woods House." When Mrs. Briggs came into possession, she changed its name to , the 
"Briggs House," which name it still retained when it passed into the hands of George T. 
Simons, for the second time, in the fall of 1878. When Mr. Simons took possession, the upper 
part of the house was in an unfinished condition. He at once proceeded to finish the building, 
and furnished it in a style equal to any first-class house in the State. With well-furnished 
rooms, an excellent table, and the wants of every patron being fully met, the " Briggs House " 
soon obtained an excellent reputation, and has been a haven of rest to commercial and other 
travelers. 

Northwestern Hotel. — This house is located on Main Street, near the creek. The first 
part of the house was built at an early day, for the purpose of a woolen factory, but the out- 
look not being favorable, at that time, it was never put to the use for which it was intended. 
Its lower part was long used as a furniture-room, and its upper for the meetings of the Masonic 
Lodge, dances, etc. It finally passed into the hands of J. T. Hidden, who, in the fall of 
1870, fitted it up for a hotel, after making very important additions thereto, enlarging it to 
more than double its original size. The house was well finished and has enjoyed a fair run of 
custom. 

Excelsior Mill. — This was the first grist-mill erected in the village as well as in the town. 
Its erection was commenced in the fall of 1848, by Samuel Ring, just below the junction of 
the two branches of Spring Creek, on Section 27. It has since been owned by Freedom Simons, 
James (>. Eaton, Adam Schoneberger, James H. Hill, Otto Heinrichs and Peter Kehl. The 
mill has always borne an excellent reputation, the quality of the flour manufactured being equal 
to any in the State. The general run of the mill has been on custom work. 

Lodi Mill. — This mill was erected in 1850, by Isaac H. Palmer. As first built, it had 
only one run of stone, another being added in 1857, at which time the mill was leased by Mr. 
Palmer, to A. Ambler, who ran it for five years, when Kibbey & Andrews rented and contin- 
ued the business for eighteen months, when E. Andrews alone leased it. In March, 1870, 
Mr. Andrews purchased the\mill from Mr. Palmer, and in 1872, rebuilt and made same valua- 
ble improvements. In 1878, farther improvements were made, another run of stone added 
for the manufacture of the patent flour, and an elevator built. This mill has usually been 
crowded to its utmost capacity with custom work, its trade extending for many miles in every 
direction from Lodi. 

Lodi Okeese Factory. — In February, 1873, John B. Dwinnell, John Foote and JH. C. 
Bradley had incorporated, under the general law, the Lodi Cheese Manufacturing Association, 
with capital stock of $2,000 divided into eighty shares of $25 each ; one-half only of which were 
issued and taken by about thirty persons. It was late in the season before the association was 
ready for work, but they made 30,000 pounds that year. J. B. Dwinnell was elected President; 
L. F. Warner, Secretary ; Thomas Albiston, Treasurer ; James A. Weiting, Superintendent 
of the manufactory. Average price realized for the season was 12i cents per pound. During 
the next six years, up to and including 1879, were made respectively, 70,000, 86,000, 114,000, 
106,000, 132,000, and 96,000 pounds per year. For two years the association rented, but in 
1875, it purchased necessary buildings, which they fitted up for their use with the best machin- 
ery to be obtained. The cheese has always brought the highest price in the market, bringing 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 791 

from one to two cents a pound more than market quotations at time of sale. In 1878, at the 
international fair, in New York, all the cheese placed on exhibition was sold at auction and 
the Lodi cheese brought a cent and a half per pound more than any other. The association 
make none but full cream cheese. For several years, the great bulk of their sales were made 
for shipment to Liverpool. Its officers elected for 1880 were Job Mills, President and 
Secretary ; Thomas Albiston, Treasurer. 

Mineral Springs. — Lying within the village is a spring, the existence of which was well 
known at an early day, attention having been called to it because of the ferruginous deposits 
along the line of its flow, and also because of its strong styptic taste. Here all thought of it 
ended, and no attempt was made to ascertain its true character, or whether it was of medicinal 
value. Then Judge Palmer built his mill over it, and for many years it was hid from view. In 
the summer of 1878, while repairs were being made by the proprietor, Mr. Andrews, into whose 
hands it had passed, the effect of the water upon the workmen using it, led to an investiga- 
tion. With a view of ascertaining what were the mineral contents of the spring, the services of 
Dr. Barry, of the village, were secured, who reported, as a partial analysis, that the constituents 
of the water were carbonic acid gas, oxide of iron, carbonate of magnesia, chloride of lime, 
and chloride of sodium ; the iron especially being present in large per cent. Quite a number 
of persons in the village began using the water, with marked effect. S. M. Blake, M. D., of 
the village, in a communication in the Lodi Valley News, under date of January 29, 1879, 
wrote as follows : " In the short time that I have had the opportunity to observe the effects 
upon the system, I do not hesitate to state that its effects are more immediately perceptible than 
any other with which I am personally acquainted, being diuretic, laxative, and, in many cases, 
positively cathartic. As a remedial agent in diseases of the kidney and bladder, of an inflam- 
matory character, and in all cases of torpor of the portal circulation, or of liver complaint, I 
believe it to be a very efBcient remedy. This opinion is based upon the disinterested statements 
of those who have used it for the last few weeks, as well as upon the chemical analysis of Dr. A. 
C. Barry. We would also be led to look for decidedly tonic influences from its chalybeate char- 
acter, but more extensive observation is needed to speak positively as to this effect.*" Of well- 
known citizens who have used this water, I may be allowed to mention the names of Hon. Joel 
Pruyn and Rev. Father Maynard. For the last five years, he has been afllicted with chronic 
diseases of the kidney and bladder, compelled many times to seek aid from several different ' 
physicians, myself among the rest. He has also used the Bethesda water of Waukesha; but his 
present convictions are that the water from Andrews' spring ' beats us all ' in giving relief. 
Father Maynard, who is using it for the relief of coativeness and nervous debility, certifies to 
positively beneficial results." One gallon of the water was sent to Gustavus Bode, analytical 
chemist, of Milwaukee, for analysis, and he returned the following result : 

Chloride of sodium '. 0.3748 grains. 

Sulphate of soda 0.1843 " 

Bicarbonate of lime 10.7620 " 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 7.8643 " 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.6787 " 

.ilumina 0.24-57 " 

Silica 1.5360 " 

Organic mattM- 0.1536 " 

Mr. Bode reported, also, the water contained almost all the salts as bicarbonates, and was 
in this respect, as well as the small sulphates contained therein, similar to the Waukesha waters. 
In comparing the analysis of these waters with that of Bethesda Springs, of Waukesha, it is 
found they contain sixteen times as much bicarbonate of iron, and nearly two grains less 
organic matter. Other chemists have analysed the water with like results. John H. Tesh & 
Co., of Milwaukee, writing to Mr. Andrews, said: "I think you can safely recommend your 
spring water for any and all things that the Waukesha waters are recommended for, for the 
analysis proves them identical." 



792 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Since the above was put in type the spring has been opened to its fountain head, and the 
following analysis made : 

Potassium sulphate 0.0234 

.Sodium chloride 0.1983 

Sodium sulphate 0.6007 

Sodium bicarbonate 0..5338 

Sodium pho9]>hale trace. 

Ciilciuni bicarbonate 15.0757 

Magnesium bicarbonate ... 8.4447 

Iron bicarbonate 0.6059 

Aluminum oxide 0.0699 

Silica (silicon dioxide) 0.3091 

Total grains of solids in a gallon (231 cubic inches) 25.8616 

Perils of the Ice. — Under date of December 2, 1876, the Columbus Democrat relates the 
following: "At noon on Friday of last week, the children at the district school, three miles 
north of the village of Lodi, while at play, went upon the newly formed ice upon the pond near 
the school premises. The ice gave way, and five of them fell into water seven feet deep, beneath 
which was a bottom of mud. The cry of alarm was raised, and fell upon the ears of Mr. John 
McCarton, the teacher, who proved to be a noble young man, as our correspondent declares him. 
He sprang to the rescue, pulled off his coat and leaped in. He was the fortunate instrument 
of saving two lives, one of the recovered being a little daughter of James Wilson, and the other 
a child of James Collins. The other three children clung so close to him in their wild afright 
that he was drawn under the water himself. Indeed, his own chance of escape was now very 
small, for he had become so nearly lifeless that he could not cling with his hands to the rope, 
which had, by this time, been cast to him, they had become so chilled ; but by seizing the rope 
with his teeth, his grasp was at length so tenacious that he was finally pulled out by that 
means. He was at once taken to the house of James Wilson, where he received every care, and 
has since recovered. Three children were drowned. One of them was a daughter of Mr. 
Dennis Maloney, and her age was thirteen. The other two were children of Mr. C. Flint, a 
a boy, aged eleven, and a daughter, aged fourteen. It is related that the brother gjt out once, 
and would have made good his escape but for his endeavors to rescue his sister. In so doing, 
he was pulled in again, and thus lost his own life in an unsuccessful attempt to save hers. The 
bodies of the drowned were dragged from the water on Friday evening, and taken to their 
homes for the last time. The funeral of Mr. Flint's son and daughter occurred at the Baptist 
Church, in Lodi, the Sunday following, and was very largely attended. The remains of Mr. 
Maloney's daughter were borne to the Catholic Church, at Rocky Run, on the same day, and 
Were also followed by a large procession." 

VILLAGE OF OKEE. 
BY AKETAS BAILEY. 

The first settler at Okee was Samuel Ring, who came and built the saw-mill in 1847. The 
mill passed through the hands of Z. Kipp, Blachley k Mathers, Blachley & Bailey, Bailey & Wells 
and T. S Wells. In 1858, T. S. Wells erected the present saw-mill on the east side of the 
creek and put in a planing-raill and circular saws in addition, devoting the .old mill to a mill 
for grinding feed. In 1869, Wells sold the mill power to John Brownrigg, uie present owner, 
who erected the present commodious grist-mill in 1875. Seth Bailey settled in Okee in 1854, be- 
coming joint owner in the saw-mill with Dr. Miller Blachley, and platted the village of Okee in 
1858. Mrs. T. S. Wells built the first house after the village was platted. James R. Wells and 
Rebecca Harmon were the first wedded couple; and a little child of this couple was the first to 
die. The first school taught was in the year 1849, by Miss Eunice Kirk, in a room of Reuben 
Ring's house, who received for the three months' service the sum of $6. 

The first Postmaster appointed was Gideon Clark, April, 1858, E. W. Horton acting as 
Deputy; Gideon Clark not residing in the village. The following year, Isaac P. Cole started 





'y 



ROCKY RUN, 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 795 

the first store and acted as Deputy Postmaster for nearly three years, when he sold his place 
and removed. John Durant, then keeping a few groceries and notions, was appointed Deputy 
Postmaster under Clark until January, 1862, when he received the appointment of Postmaster. 
The following year, he removed from the village, Aretas Bailey then took the office as Deputy 
Postmaster under John Durant until March, 1866, when he received the appointment as Post- 
master, and is still the incumbent. 

The first and only schoolhouse was built in 1853. School was taught in that house the 
winter of 1853-54, by Miss Kate Bell, who received $12 for three months' service. 

There were eight dwelling-houses when the village plat was made. 

I. P. Cole started the first store, continued in business about three years. John Durant 
followed for two years with rather a limited stock. Samuel Woodley erected quite a large store- 
room adapted to general merchandise, but occupied it only as a grocery store for a period of five 
or si.x years. 

Miss C. M. Bailey commenced as a grocer in October, 1874, added dry goods in 1877, and is 
still in business. W. S. Stahl commenced business as a grocer in 1878, and is still in business. 

The lumber business has been the leading business of Okee. As late as 1856, the saw- 
mill had orders for long lumber from places as distant as Sun Prairie. The place has neVer 
had any saloons. In 1859, J. N. Fellows (in the height of the lumber trade) established a hotel, 
connecting a whisky bar, under a license from the Town Board of Lodi. A two years' trial 
compelled him to seek something diff'erent for a livelihood. A young man by the name of Ober 
shortly after came to the place with a keg of beer and opened to sell lunch and beer to those 
coming for lumber. Himself and wife drank the beer, and had not money enough to buy a 
second keg, so the business failed. 

The fire record of the place is rather remarkable ; one dwelling, that of J. J. Ross, and an 
outhouse of Mrs. C. Scott, are the only losses sustained since the first settlement of the place. 

The war record of Okee is remarkable. The village and a circuit of two miles fur- 
nished nineteen men for the army ; of these, two were killed in battle, two died from disease con- 
tracted in the service, and one, a starved prisoner, died of disease contracted before he reached 
his home after the close of the war. The remaining number all returned without serious mis- 
haps, although most bear some marks of their devotion to their country. 

The first child born in the village was H. H. Rogers', son of D. W. Rogers. 




BB 



796 HISTORY OF COLUMP.IA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Town of Lowville— Town of Marcellon— Town of Xewpout— Village of Xewport— Vil- 
lage OF KlLBOL'RN CiTY. 

TOWN OF LOWVILLE. 

On the organization of the county, in 1846, the north half of Township 11, Range 10. 
together with Townsliijis 13 and 12, same range, was made an election precinct and named 
Wyocena, while the south half of Township 11. Range 10, together with Township 10, Range 
10. and east half of Township 10. Range 9. waS formed into another precinct under the name 
of Lowville, after Jacob Low. The name was afterward given to the town. At a meeting of 
the Board of County Commissioners, held in January, 1849, Townships 10 and 11, Range- 10, 
and the east half of Township 10, Range 9, was formed into a town and the name of Lowrille 
given to it. The house of Jacob Low was designated as the place for holding the first election. 
At a meeting of the County Board of Supervisors, held January 8, 1850, the town of Lowville 
was made to comprise only all of Township 11, Range 10, 

The first settlement made in this town was in 1843. During that and the following year, 
Jacob Stone. Jacob Low. Edward Clark and Jonathan Gilbert selected and built upon their 
claims. In 1845, Silas W. Herring. Henry Herring, John Barmore, Orin Rogers, S. J. Scott 
and Jefferson Waters came in. S. P. Webb, Claudius Evarts, Justice Worden and Joseph Snell 
came in 1846. 

Thomas McDonough Richards and Julia A. Webb were united in marriage on the 15th day 
of July, 1847. being the first couple married in the town. 

Emma, daughter of Claudius and Betsy Evarts, was born in May, 1847 — the first vhite child 
born in the town. 

The first death was that of Joseph Snell, who died July 30, 1848. 

In the summer of 1848, Julia Stevens taught a three-months term of school in a frame 
shanty, near the house of Jacob Low, on Section 32. At the same time. B. M. Webb taught a 
term on Section 5. These were the first schools in the town. In the fall of 1879, there were 
eight good schoolhouses, four of which were owned by the town and the remainder were held by 
joint districts with other towns. 

Elder William Cornell, in 1848, began the proclamation of the Word, his first discourse 
being at the house of Theodore Northrup, on Section 8. In September, 1849, he organized a 
Baptist Church, near where he first preached, with sixteen members. The first meetings were 
held in private houses, and, on completion of a schoolhouse on Section 5, the services were there 
held. For more than twenty years, the society met in this schoolhouse, when the place of meet- 
ing was chansred to Edmister's Schoolhouse, on Section 17. Elder Cornell was the first Pastor 
of the church, followed by Elder Evan Meredith, who for twenty years broke the bread of life 
to the congregation. Mr. Meredith was succeeded by Elder Enoch Pickering. About 1855, 
the Presbyterians began services in the town, meeting in different schoolhouses until 1862, when 
they erected a small but neat church edifice on Section 32. The society has been ministered to 
from time to time bv Revs. Lewis Strong, Lawrie, Gates, Gordon, Hutchinson, Bushnell, Barnes 
and Wall. 

In 1846, a post office was established on Section 32, Avith Jacob Low as first Postmaster. 
Mr. Low was succeeded, in order named, by Stephen Brayton, De Witt C. Strong, James Hall 
and William Ridgeway. The first mail route by which this office was sup]died was from Madi- 
son to Portage. Prior to the completion of the Northern Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railroad, this route was extensively patronized by traveling men. Jacob Low con- 
verted his house into a hotel in 1846, continuing the same until 1853. Stephen Brayton, who 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 797 

lived but a short distance from Mr. Low and who succeeded him as Postmaster, then entertained 
man and beast until 1856, when the stage line was discontinued and travel thus cut oif. In 
1852, a store was started at the corners, near the post office, by Dr. C. Strong, and it was 
thought a village would here eventually grow up. But the bright anticipations of the Doctor and 
land-holders thereabouts had not been realized, up to March, 1880. 

The early settlers were occasionally troubled with claim jumpers, and the Claim Club was 
brought into requisition more than once. At a very early day, one Devendorf made a claim to 
a certain quarter, remained on it for a time, and then left, no one knew where. Being gone a 
considerable length of time it was considered he had abandoned his claim, and it was taken by 
another party. In the course of time Mr. Devendorf returned, erected a shanty on the claim 
and proceeded to make himself at home. He was ordered off by the Club, but refused to go ; 
therefore one night he received a visit from a dozen men, and was taken out to the marsh in a 
state almost similar to that in which he came into the world, and as the night was quite cool he 
soon agreed to do the bidding of the Club. 

There are two post offices in the town — Lowville and Rocky Run. This last office was 
established in 1851, with J. F. Hand as Postmaster. He was succeeded by Ella C. Curtiss, who 
is the present incumbent. 

The following comprise the town officers from 1849 to 1880 inclusive : 

1849 — Stephen Brayton, Chairman; S. P. Webb, James Hinraan, Supervisors; Lemuel 
Page, Clerk ; Clark M. Young, Treasurer ; Jonathan Hibbard, Assessor ; William T. Bradley, 
School Superintendent. 

1850 — Oliver C. Howe, Chairman; John A. Bannon, John J. Lewis, Supervisors; J. 
F. Hand, Clerk ; Silas W. Herring, Treasurer ; Jacob Townsend, Assessor ; Walter A. North- 
rup, School Superintendent. 

1851 — F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; J. A. Bannon, Henry Lane, Supervisors ; J. C. Jay, 
Clerk ; Samuel Dunn, Treasurer; 0. C. Howe, Assessor; C. M. Curtis, School Superintendent. 

1852 — F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; J. Brady, S. P. Webb, Supervisors ; P. L. Carman, 
Clerk ; J. Gilbert, Treasurer ; J. Townsend, Assessor ; William C. Bonstel, School Superin- 
tendent. 

1853 — J. F. Hand, Chairman ; Giles Easton, L. G. Folsom, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, 
Clerk ; L. G. Folsom, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor ; William C. Bonstel, School Super- 
intendent. 

1854 — F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Orin Rogers, Birdsell Wheeler, Supervisors ; Samuel 
Dunn, Clerk; Samuel Wheeler, Treasurer; William C. Bonstel, Assessor; VVilliam C. Bonstel, 
School Superintendent. 

1855 — F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Birdsell Wheeler, 0. F. Rogers, Supervisors ; Samuel 
Dunn, Clerk ; William C. Bonstel, Assessor and School Superintendent. 

1856 — F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Michael Gallagher, Delos Bundy, Supervisors ; William 
C. Bonstel, Clerk ; N. W. Bennett, Treasurer ; J. W. Curtis, Assessor ; J. F. Hand, School 
Superintendent. 

1857 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman; H. M. Delaney, R. Johnson, Supervisors; F. S. Henry, 
Clerk ; N. W. Bennett, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Assessor; J. F. Hand, School Superintendent. 

1858 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman; Delos Bundy, H. M. Delaney, Supervisors ; F. S. Henry, 
Clerk ; S. R. Lane, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Assessor; J. F. Hand, School Superintendent. 

1859 — J. F. Hand, Chairman ; Ole Wilson, Birdsell Wheeler, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, 
Clerk; H. Lane, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Asse-^sor; F. L. Henry, School Superintendent. 

1860 — Delos Bundy, Chairman ; William H. Young, Nelson Wilson, Supervisors ; D. C. 
Strong, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor ; F. L. Henry, School Super- 
intendent. 

1861 — Delos Bundy, Chairman ; H. Lane, 0. C. Scovell, Supervisors ; D. C. Strong, 
Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor ; M. T. Alverson, School Superin- 
tendent. 



798 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 

1862 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman; S. W. Herring, Henry Lane, Supervisors; M. T. 
Alverson, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; S. P. Webb, Assessor. 

1863 — William H. Young. Chairman ; Adam Hall, Matthew Trout, Supervisors ; Samuel 
Dunn, Clerk ; W. \V. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1864 — William H. Young, Chairman; Warren Gilbert, John Halpin, Supervisors; Sam- 
uel Dunn, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1865 — William H. Young, Chairman : Adam Hale, John Halpin, Supervisors ; Samuel 
Dunn, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Arsessor. 

1866 — I. N. Brown, Chairman ; John Budd, Lewis Edmister, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, 
Clerk ; John Halpin. Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1867 — J. W. Henry, Chairman ; Elbridge Curtis, John Halpin, Supervisors ; Samuel 
Dunn, Clerk ; W. W. Curtis. Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1868 — S. W. Herring, Chairman ; Elbridge Curtis, Matthew Trout, Supervisors ; Sam- 
uel Dunn, Clerk ; William W. Curtis, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1869 — F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; Matthias Trout, James Price, Supervisors ; Samuel 
Dunn, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; VV. W. Curtis, Assessor. 

1870 — William F. Young, Chairman ; Matthew Trout, Charles Woodford, Supervisors ; 
Samuel Dunn, Clerk: Thomas Smith, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1871 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman; F. M. Delaney, Eli Rosabaugh, Supervisors; James 
Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1872 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; William McNerney, Eli Rosabaugh, Supervisors ; 
James Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1873 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; Eli Rosabaugh, Daniel Scofield, Supervisors ; James 
Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; F. C. Curtis, Assessor. 

1874 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; John Kearney, Daniel Scofield, Supervisors ; James 
■Price, Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; S. W. Herring, Assessor. 

1875 — Samuel Dunn, Chairman ; M. Trout, Isaac Rosabaugh, Supervisors ; James Price, 
Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; S. W. Herring, Assessor. 

1876 — F. C. Curtis, Chairman ; M. Trout, L. C. Brown, Supervisors ; Joseph Townsend, 
Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; E. Curtis, Assessor. 

1877 — F. C. Curtis, ( 'hairman ; M. Trout, Nels. Wilson, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, 
Clerk ; Joseph Edmister, Treasurer ; William Young, Assessor. 

1878 — F. C. Curtis, Chairmaiv; M. Trout, John Kearney, Supervisors; Samuel Dunn, 
Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer ; William H. Young, Assessor. 

1879 — John Palmer, Chairman ; I. L. Curtis, Thomas Austin, Supervisors ; Joseph 
Townsend, Clerk ; Joseph Edmister, Treasurer ; William Evart, Assessor. 

1880 — James Price, Chairman ; Matthias Trout, Nils Wilson, Supervisors ; Samuel Dunn, 
Clerk ; Thomas Smith, Treasurer. 

TOWN OF MARCELLON. 

On the 9th day of January, 1849, all of Township 13, Ranges 10 and 11, was organized 
into a town, and the name of Marcellon given to it, and McDonald's Hotel designated as the 
place for holding the first election. At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors in 
December following, Township 13, Range 11, was taken from the town leaving, as the territory 
of Marcellon, all of Township 13, Range 10. 

The first settler in the town was Francis B. Langdon, who located on Section 24, in Novem- 
ber, 1845. Case and Powell came soon after. P. Peckham came in March, in 1846, and E. 
Herod, William J. Ensign, Gilman H. Hoyt, came that same year, while, previous to 1849, quite 
a large number made here their homes, among wiiom were Samuel Seavy, John Seavy, Thomas 
D. Wallace, William H. Cahoon, George Brinkerhoff, William Bonny, Lawrence Van Duesan 
and Hiram Albee. 

The first marriage in the town was that of P. Peckham and Miss Austin, in October, 1847. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUjSTTT. 799 

Death claimed the first victim in the person of Harriet Ensign. She was the daughter 
of William J. Ensign. Her remains were deposited on the farm and afterward removed to the 
cemetery at Marcellon, being the first burial therein. 

The first school in the town was taught by Leona Ensign in the summer of 1847, on Section 
36. In 1879, there were four whole and eight joint districts, with seven school buildings, valued 
at $1,835, with accommodations for 367 pupils. The number in attendance during that year 
was 362, and the total amount paid in the districts, where there are school buildings, for the same 
peripd, was $1,148. 

The first religious services in the town were held on Section 1, at the house of Mr. Powell in 
June, 1846. Elder Wedge, a Baptist minister, was the pioneer preacher of the Gospel, and 
addressed the audience on this occasion. 

The first church organized was the Protestant Methodist at Marcellon Post Office, in 1849. 
Rev. Mr. Cassell was the organizer, and meetings were held in the schoolhouse. No church edi- 
fice was ever erected. The congregation disbanded in a short time, the greater portion of the 
members afterward uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Churcli at Pardeeville. 

In 1879, there were two churches in the town, the Methodist Episcopal brethren having 
one on Section 7, and the Baptists one on Section 5. 

The first winter Francis B. Langdon was here he lived in a small log house in which there 
was no window, and but one door. To obtain flour and meal for the use of the family, he had to 
go either to Beaver Dam, Columbus or Waupun, it requiring several days to make the journey, 
and, when arriving at his destination, there was no certainty of obtaining a supply. 

On the 20th day of November, 1850, was organized the Marcellon Cemetery Association, 
with Nathan Beach, George Babcock, James D. Carr, Gilman H. Hoyt, A. L. Crippin and 
William J. Ensign, Trustees. The association purchased of Thomas D. Wallace two acres off 
the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 36, for cemetery purposes. In 1872, 
another acre was added to the original plat. The daughter of William J. Ensign, whose 
death has been previously mentioned, was the first here buried. 

Marcellon Post Office was located on Section 36, on the main thoroughfare between Mil- 
waukee and Portage, and around the office grew up, between the years 1849 and 1857, quite a 
little village, the greater part of which was located on the lands of William J. Ensign and 
Andrew Lipe. During this time there were here three general stores, with other kinds of busi- 
ness sufficiently represented to meet the wants of the community. On the completion of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which was run three miles south, the place ceased to 
exist. The first house built in the village was by Gilman Hoyt, fhe second by William J. 
Ensign, the third by S. G. McDowell. A. P. Lipe built the first hotel, und provided "entertain- 
ment for man and beast," for a number of years. The post office was established in 1849, with 
William Wallace as the first Postmaster. Mr. Wallace was succeeded successively by William 
Greens, George Janes, A. P. Lipe, T. Wade, J. W. Campbell, G. Hoyt, P. C. Heath, William 
Herreman and Mrs. M. I. Lock wood ; the latter of whom was in possession of the office in 
February, 1880, at which time mail was received twice a week from Pardeeville. 

Marcellon is bounded on the east by Scott, on the west bj' Fort Winnebago, on the south 
by Wyocena, and on the north by Marquette County. 

The town has a rolling surface, is in some parts very heavily drift-covered, is almost with- 
out marsh or prairie, and, lying almost wholly within the area of the Potsdam sandstone, presents 
a generally low and sandy soil. The Fox River crosses the southeast corner of the town, 
and two small head-streams of French Creek, a tributary of the Fox, traverse the western 
section. 

Bellefountain Post Office was established in 1850, some two miles north of its present loca- 
tion, on Section 14, with James H. Bonney as Postmaster. Between 1850 and 1859, the office 
was moved three times, with Horace Carpenter and Mr. Kelly as Postmasters. In 1859, James 
Aldrich was appointed, and the office was removed within a 'half-mile of its present location. In 
1863, Henry Neef succeeded Mr. Aldrich, and, in turn, was succeeded by E. C. West in 1869. 



800 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

On tlie 18th ilay of Fcbru:u-y, 1859, Rev. D. C. Miller organized the Scott and Marcellon 
Free-Will Baptist Church. Services have been held alternately in the Barden Schoolhouse, in 
the town of Scott, and Comstock Schoolhouse, in this town. In the spring of 1880, a church 
house was erected on the line dividing the two towns, but in the town of Scott. 

Midland Post Office is located upon Section 3, and was established in 1847, with Robert 
McKay as Postmaster. William Meacher was appointed in 1867, and is the present Post- 
master. 

The first entry of land was by L. Foote and Charles McDougal October 11, 1836; patent 
issued November 7, 18.37, for the southwest ijuarter of Section 31, containing 144 acres. 

In 1864, a Methodist Episcopal class was formed at the stone schoolhouse, on Section 5, 
but the first preaching by a minister of that denomination was by Rev. Joseph Bolton, at a 
schoolhouse on Section 18. Mr. Bolton organized the class mentioned, and ministered unto 
them during his stay on the circuit. He was succeeded, in the order named, by Revs. T. M. 
Ross, M. Peck, Edward Bronson, Jabez B. Cole, 0. B. Clark, William Jones, William Cook, 
John A' arty and W. F. Stright. The Methodist Episcopal Church on Section 7, known as the 
Goodman Church, was built in 1869. The building committee were Farnsworth, Morrison, 
Dunbar, Goodman and D. S. Woodworth. The Baptists have a church on the southwest quarter 
of Section 5, which was built in 1869. Mitchell, Rounds, Cocker, Loomer, Dates and Wood- 
worth were active in its construction. 

Hiram Albee, of whom mention has been made as an early settler, died on the 8th day of 
May, 1878. The Portage Jiegistei- thus speaks of him : " The late Hiram Albee was one of 
Marcellon's oldest and most valued citizens. He was born at Wardsboro, Windham Co. Yt., 
February 13, 1812 ; although he was one of ten children and his parents were very poor, he man- 
aged by means of his natural abilities and industry to acquire considerable education, as is 
shown by his teaching during his life twenty terms of district school ; a large number of men and 
women can testify to his faithfulness and efficacy as a teacher. In 1828, he emigrated to New 
York and then married May J. Barrett, of Broad Albion, in that State. 

" He remained in New York until 1846, when he removed to Wisconsin, and in 1847, he 
settled at Marcellon, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was identified with the 
organization of this town and was its second town Superintendent, which office he held for three 
terms. He was also Deputy Provost Marshal during the late war, and was Justice of the Peace 
for more than twelve years. He died as he had lived for many years, a member in good and 
regular standing of the Close Communion Baptist Church, and to this church, as well as to 
the community and his sosrowing family his death is a great loss. He leaves an aged wife and 
eight children : W. C. Albee, of Marcellon ; Emily A. Ross, wife of Henry Ross, Barron County ; 
Euretta McDonald, wife of Marion McDonald, Furnass County, Neb.; George W. Albee, of Ben- 
ton County, Iowa ; Morette Dean, wife of Charles Dean, Barron County, Wis.; D. J. Albee, Port- 
age, Wis.; Gurdetta Ilerreman, wife of Ivin Herreman, of Marcellon, and Fagette Albee, ofMar- 
cellon. The funeral was held at the late residence of deceased in Marcellon, and was conducted 
by Elder Thomas Yule of this city, and the singing was led by David G. Muir, in pursuance of 
a request of Mr. Albee previous to his death." 

The following is a list of town officers from the organization of the town to the present 
time : 

1849 — Mathew W. Patton, Chairman ; John Meddaugh, Samuel Seavey, Supervisors ; 
Thomas D. Wallace, Clerk ; Oilman H. Hoyt, Assessor ; John Seavy, Treasurer ; James M. 
Hoyt. School Superintendent. 

1850 — John Seavy, Chairman ; Thomas D. "Wallace, William H. Cahoon. Supervisors ; 
George BrinkerhofT, Clerk; William Bonny, Treasurer; Lawrence Van Dueson, Assessor; 
Hiram Albee, School Superintendent. 

1851 — Moses F. Case, Chairman: Samuel Hovey, James M. Hoyt, Supervisors ; William 
H. Cahoon, Clerk; Martin M. Williams, Treasurer; James D. Cann, E. A. McDowell, 
Assessors ; 0. D. Coleman, School Superintendent. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ' 801 

1852 — Jacob Rood, Chairman; Elmon Barker, Gilinan H. Hoyt, Supervisors; S. G. 
McDowell, Clerk ; James D. Carr, Treasurer ; Nathan Beach, Assessor ; 0. D. Coleman, 
School Superintendent. 

18-53 — Ebenezer Williams, Chairman ; David Wyman, E. A. McDowell, Supervisors ; 
Morris S. Williams, Clerk ; E. A. McDowell, Jacob Rood, Assessors; John Seavy, Treasurer: 
P. C. Heath, School Superintendent. 

1854 — E. A. McDowell, Chairman ; Darius Pierce, Ovid French, Supervisors ; S. A. 
Knapp, Clerk ; Ovid French, J. S. Blodgett, Elmon Barker, Assessors ; Elam McDowell, 
Treasurer ; 0. D. Coleman, School Superintendent. 

1855 — John Seavy, Chairman ; Simon Hoyt, H. J. Prescott, Supervisors ; B. A. Knapp, 
Clerk ; William Meacher, Nathan Beach, Assessors ; E. McDowell, Treasurer ; J. M. Hoyt, 
School Superintendent. 

1856 — ^M. F. Cass, Chairman; E. G. Chase, H. J. Prescott, Supervisors; S. A. Knapp, 
Clerk ; William Meacher, Nathan Beach, Assessors ; E. M. McDowell, Treasurer : 0. D. Cole- 
man, School Superintendent. 

1857 — James H. Bonney, Chairman ; Martin M. Williams, Edwai-d Leighton, Supervisors : 
Rufus Comstock, Clerk ; Elam McDowell, Treasurer ; Josiah Pierce, S. A. Knapp, Assessors ; 
J. C. Blodgett, School Superintendent. 

1858 — James H. Bonney, Chairman : James H. Blodgett, P. C. Heath, Supervisors : 
Rufus Comstock, Clerk ; Martin M. Williams, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Merrell H. Smith, 
Assessors ; J. C. Blodgett, School Superintendent. 

1859 — M. M. Williams, Chairman ; Edward Leighton, W. W. Comstock, Supervisors ; C. 
C. Chappie, Clerk ; F. B. Langdon, Treasurer ; M. F. Cass, Assessor ; Hiram Allen, School 
Superintendent. 

I860 — S. A. Knapp, Chairman; N. Beech, R. D. Tasker, Supervisors; F. McGuire, 
Clerk; A. Smith, Treasurer; William Meacher, School Superintendent. 

1861 — S. A. Knapp, Chairman ; R. D. Tasker, G. W. Allen, Supervisors ; E. G. Chase, 
Clerk; S.Herreman, Treasurer ; M. H. Smith, Assessor; Hiram Albee, School Superintendent. 

1862 — Nathan Beach, Chairman ; William Meacher, G. C. Hopkins, Supervisors ; M. S. 
Williams, Clerk ; S. A. Knapp, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor. 

1863 — James M. Hoyt, Chairman ; W. W. Comstock, H. H. Chapman, Supervisors ; E. 
G. Chase, Clerk ; Samuel Herriman, Treasurer ; P. C. Heath, Assessor. 

1864 — Phillip Loomis, Chairman ; 0. S. Ensign, W. W. Comstock, Supervisors ; E. G. 
Chase, Clerk ; Jackson Kohler, Treasurer ; Hiram Albee, Assessor. 

186.5 — William Meacher, Chairman; G. H. Hoyt, James C. Morrison, Supervisors; H. 
Albee, Clerk ; William Woodford, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor. 

1866 — L. A. Bliss. Chairman; L. H. Cass, G. W. Allen, Supervisors; Henry Neef, 
Clerk ; Edward Leighton, Treasurer ; Henry Preston, Assessor. 

1867 — L. A. Bliss, Chairman : R. D. Tasker, G. W. Allen, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, 
Clerk ; Rufus Comstock, Treasurer and Assessor. 

1868 — C. W. Beach, Chairman; G. S. Dunbar, W. W. Comstock, Supervisors; Henry 
Neef, Clerk ; L. A. Bliss, Treasurer and Assessor. 

1869 — George S. Dunbar, Chairman : W. W. Comstock, R. D. Tasker, Supervisors ; 
Henry Neef, Clerk ; H. H. Preston, Treasurer ; M. H. Smith, Assessor. 

1870 — Hiram Albee, Chairman ; E. C. West, Frank Fuller, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, 
Clerk ; William Herriman, Treasurer : William Meacher, Assessor. 

1871 — Hiram Albee, Chairman ; John Moran, Frank Fuller, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, 
Clerk; William Herriman, Treasurer; William Meacher, Assessor. 

1872 — Hiram Albee, (^'hairman ; John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, 
Clerk ; William Herriman, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor. 

1873 — Hiram Albee, Chairman ; John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, 
Clerk ; Asa Smith, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor. 



802 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1874 — Hiram Albee, Chairman ; John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, 
Clerk: William Herreman, Treasurer; William Meacher, Assessor. 

1875 — Hiram Albee, Chairman; John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors; Henry Neef, 
Clerk; William Herreman. Treasurer; William Meacher, Assessor. 

1876 — 0. D. Coleman, Chairman; Isaac Beach, Zadoc Waite, Supervisors; Henry Neef. 
Clerk ; Asa Smith, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor. 

1877 — 0. D. Coleman, Chairman: C. Cole, Z. Waite, Supervisors ; Amos Cannon, Clerk ; 
Asa Smith, Treasurer : Stephen Woodard, Assessor. 

1878. — Asa Smith, Chairman: Levi Reeves, John Moran, Supervisors; A. A. Cannon, 
Clerk ; Christopher Cole, Treasurer ; Elon Woodard. Assessor. 

1879 — Asa Smith, Chairman ; William Barry, John Moi-an, Supervisors ; A. A. Cannon, 
Clerk ; H. M. Preston, Treasurer ; AVilliam Meacher. Assessor. 

1880 — Asa Smith, Chairman; William Carry, Henry Cuff, Supervisors; A. A. Cannon,^ 
Clerk ; Christopher Cole, Treasurer : William Meacher, Assessor. 

TOWN OF NEWPORT. 

This town includes all of the west half of Township 13 north, of Range 7 east, lying 
north of the Wisconsin, and so much of the east half of Township 13 north, of Range 6 east, 
as lies north and east of that river. 

The first settler was Alonzo B. Stearns, who came here in March, 184'J, and located on 
Section 17. Mr. Stearns erected a small log cabin, and commenced to clear the land for a farm. 
The second person to settle in the town was Marvin Mason, followed by E. A. Toles, E. A. 
Toles. Jr., and Mr. Abbott. These all came in the spring of 1849. 

The first child born in the town was Lena Oleson, daughter of Mary and Ole Arenson, 
December 26, 1849, at the house of J. Thompson. 

The first marriage was that of "Big " Swain Tollison and Tony Gunder. The happy couple 
were poor in this world's goods, and there being no one in the neighborhood authorized to 
perform the marriage ceremony, they went on foot in search of a priest. Crossing the 
river, where the village of Newport was afterward located, the lady was left in the care of 
Mr. Gilson and family, and the gentleman proceeded to Delton and secured the services of Elder 
Topping to unite them in wedlock. Not having any money to satisfy the Elder, Mr. Tollison 
agreed to pay him in hay some time during the next season : but it required a gentle reminder 
from the good man before he secured his dues. 

The town did not fill up very rapidly with settlers, and it was not until the winter of 1853—54 
that a schoolhouse was built. In the spring of 1854, Miss Frances M. Howard taught the first 
school, at a salary of §2.25 per week. The schoolhouse was located on Section 7. 

The first sermon preached in the town was at the house of A. B. Stearns, July 5, 1852, 
the occasion being the death of L. W. Stearns. Elder Dickens, a Wesleyan Methodist, was the 
officiating clergyman. The first sermon preached in the English language, where people assem- 
bled for religious purposes, was at the house of E. A. Toles, Jr., in March, 1853, and was deliv- 
ered by Elder Anderson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Hospitality was a distinguishing trait of almost every early settler. Marvin Mason, with 
his wife, two children, and a brother of Mrs. Mason, William Pixley, lived together in a cabin 
14x16 feet. A. B. Stearns and Mr. Abbott boarded with them, and when E. A. Toles and 
wife, E. A. Toles, Jr., wife and two children, came out, they also stopped with Mr. Mason, and all 
lodged in that cabin until the Toles' could erect themselves a house. 

There were several Norwegians who were early settlers of this town. Some of them located 
there in the fall of 1849, among whom were Peter Juleson and family, Swain Tollison, J. 
Thompson, Paul Anderson, Swain Thompson, Iver Inglebretson, Hans Peterson, George Peter- 
son, Kittle Kittleson and Osman Jensen. They are a thrifty class of people, and are generally 
held in high esteem by their American neighbors. The first religious services in the town were 



HISTORY OF COLIMBIA COUNTY. 803 

held by them in 1852. At this time they organized a society, to which was given the name of 
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. In April, 18.57, a lot was selected on the northwest 
quarter of Section 20, and the erection of a church was begun, and soon after completed and 
opened for worship. The entire work was accomplished by volunteer labor. Rev. H. A. Preus 
was the first Pastor, and labored with the congregation for fifteen years. The Rev. E. J. Peter- 
son has served since December, 1879. 

Newport was taken from the town of Fort Winnebago, and organized as a new town, on the 
loth of November, 18.52, by the County Board of Supervisors. At the time the town was set 
off, the Wisconsin River was quite high, and occasionally boats would run up and effect a land- 
ing on the site of the village that was then being surveyed, and the old settlers were asked to 
select a name. The name of Newport was suggested, as here a new port was being made by the 
boatmen. The name was accepted, and the village and town were called by it. 

The first election was held at the house of James Christie, the first Monday in April, 1853. 

The following are the names of the officers elected since the organization of the town : 

1853 — James Christie, Chairman ; Andrew Washburn, Perry Woodworth, Supervisors ; 
Joseph Bailey, Town Clerk ; E. W. Bradley,' Treasurer ; Charles Bowen, Assessor. 

1854 — Edward A. Tolls, Jr., Chairman ; John Cone, Herman Bradway, Supervisors ; 
Thomas Laffan, Town Clerk; Alonzo B. Stearns, Treasurer: H. H. Beardsley, Assessor. 

1855 — Samuel H. Baker,'- Chairman ; Peter Rafferty, David Cone, Supervisors ; Thomas 
Laffan, Town Clerk ; Isaac Andrews,^ Treasurer ; Elbridge Walker, Assessor. 

1856 — Edward Dawes, Chairman ; David Cone, Paul Anderson, Supervisors ; Thomas 
Laffan, Town Clerk ; Alonzo B. Stearns, Treasurer ; Thomas Laffan, Assessor. 

1857 — Edward Dawes, Chairman ; David Cone, Paul Anderson, Supervisors ; Thomas 
Laffan, Town Clerk; Thomas Laffan, Treasurer; Jacob Sterenberger, Assessor. 

1858 — Edward T. Hookm-, Chairman ; Stewart Blood, John Stuvell, Supervisors ; J. H. 
Foote,* Town Clerk; H. H. Beardsley, Treasurer; H. McDonald, Jacob Frey, Elbridge 
Walker, Assessors. 

1859 — Jonathan Bowman, Chairman ; William Porter, David Stilhvell, Supervisors ; Clin- 
ton D. Woodruff, Town Clerk ; H. H. Beardsley, Treasurer ; Daniel B. Kuney, .Jacob Steren- 
berger, Stewart Blood, Assessors 

1860 — John W. King, Chairman ; .John Tanner, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors ; William 
A. Gardner,' Town Clerk ; Halvor Severson, Treasurer ; Emory W. Wait, Assessor. 

1861 — John W. King, Chairman ; John Tanner, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors ; J. Jackson 
Brown, Town Clerk ; Halvor Severson, Treasurer ; Jacob Sterenberger, Rockwell M. Thomp- 
son, Amplius Chamberlin, Assessors. 

1862 — ^Robert Herren, Chairman; Nathaniel Van Alstine, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors; 
Abram R. Dixon, Town Clerk ; Seth Knowles, Treasurer ; Perry G. Stroud, Irving W. York, 
Halvor Severson, Assessors. 

1863 — Robert Herren, Chairman ; Hans Petersen, Anfend Nelson, Supervisors ; G. A. 
Corning, Town Clerk ; A. L. Proescher, Treasurer; F. Heberlein, Alonzo B. Stearns, Osmond 
Jenson," Assessors. 

1864 — George H. Daniels, Chairman ; Hans Peterson, John Lynch, Supervisors ; Edwin 
R. Herren, Town Clerk ; A. L. Proescher, Treasurer ; Henry M. Whitney,' Martin Nelson, 
George F. Noble, Assessors. 

1865 — Irving W. York, Chairman ; Anfend Nelson, Charles Teshner, Supervisors : Char- 
les A. Noyes,"* Town Clerk; Charles Mceller, Treasurer; Amplias Chamberlin, Martin Nelson, 
Assessors. 



1. E. W. Bradley failed to qualify and Charles K. Gile was duly appointed and qualified. 

2. Mr. Bilker qualified, and afterward, during hid term, removed from the towu, and Edward Oawes was duly elected to the office in 
his place. 

3. Mr. Andrews failed to qualify and Thomas Laffan was appointed in his stead. 

4. C. D. Woodruff, Deputy Town Clerk, appears to have performed Ilie duties of Town Clerk, during the term. 
■">. Mr. Gardner acted as Clerk durinj; part ot the term ; J. Jack.iou Brown (appointee) dunug the remainder. 

6. Mr. Jenson failed to qualify, and D. B. Kuney was appointed in his stead. 

7. Mr. Whitney failed to qualify, and E. .\. King was appointed in his stead. 

8. Mr. Noyea resigned December 13, 1S65, and Thomas B. Coon was appointed in his stead. 



804 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. ' 

186ij — Irving W. York,' Chairman ; Benjamin D. Dawes, Anfend Nelson, Supervisors ; 
Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Charles Mceller, Treasurer ; Amplias Chamberlin, Alonzo B. 
Stearns, Assessors. 

1867 — Robert Herren. Chairman ; Charles Teshner, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors ; Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk; Charles Mte'ler, Treasurer; Amplias Chamberlin, Frank Hill, Halvor 
Severson, Assessors. 

1868 — Robert Herren, Chairman ; Charles Teshner. Hans Peterson, Supervisors ; Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Charles Mueller, Treasurer ; Amplias Chamberlin, Alonzo B. Stearns, 
Henry Howard, Assessors. 

1869-— George H. Daniels, Chairman: George Ribenack, Anfend Nelson.' Supervisors ; 
Michael GrifBn, Town Clerk ; Henry M. Whitney, Treasurer ; Amplias Chamberlin, Assessor. 

1870 — George Smith, Chairman ; George Ribenack, Anfend Nelson,'' Supervisors ; 
Michael GrifBn, Town Clerk; Henry M. Whitney, Treasurer; George H. Daniels,' Assessor. 

1871 — George Smith, Chairman; John N. Schmitz, John Mylrea. Supervisors; Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Henry M. Whitney, Treasurer: William A. Ramsey. Assessor. 

1872 — George Smith,'' Chairman : John Mylrea, John N. Schmitz, Supervisors : Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Amplias Chamberlin. Treasurer : W;lliam A. Ramsey, Assessor. 

1873 — Irving W. York, Chairman ; John N. Schmitz. Anfend Nelson, Supervisors ; Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk: Amplias Chamberlin, Treasurer: William A. Ramsey, Assessor. 

1874 — Amplias Chamberlin, Chairman ; Anfend Nelson, George Ribenack, Supervisors ; 
Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk : John R. Snider, Treasurer : William A. Ramsey, Assessor. 

1875 — Irving W. Y'ork, Chairman: George Ri'^enack, Anfend Nelson. Supervisors; 
Michael Griffin, Town Clerk ; John R. Snider, Treasurer ; William A. Ramsey, Assessor. 

1876 — Irving W. Y'ork, Chairman : John N. Schmitz, Martin Nelson, Supervisors: Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk : Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer; Frank Hill, Halvor Seversen,'' J. Henry 
Guyer,' Assessors. 

1877 — Irving W. Y^ork, Chairman: John N. Schmitz, Thomas Hanson, Supervisors; 
Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk : Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer : Frank Hill, Assessor. 

1878 — Irving W. Y'ork, Chairman: John N. Schmitz, Thomas Hanson, Supervisors; Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk : Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer : William A. Ramsey, Assessor. 

1879 — Irving W. Y'ork, Chairman : John N. Schmitz, Thomas Hanson, Supervisors ; 
Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer ; Frank Hill, Assessor. 

1880 — Irving W. Y^ork, Chairman : Thomas Hanson, R. B. Rose, Supervisors ; Thomas 
B. Coon, Town Clerk: George A. Boyd, Treasurer: Frank Hill, Assessor. 

From the organization of the town until 1858, it was Democratic in politics, since which 
time it has gone Republican at every annual election. 

The town of Newport, like Fort Winnebago and Lewiston, presents the usual sandy soil. 
In Township 13, Range 6, and Township 13, Range 7, the ground raises rapidly towards the 
north and west, so that on the north side of the town it attains elevations considerably over 400 
feet, being well upon the high ground which encircles the plain of Adams and Juneau Counties. 
The eastern portion of the town, extending into the town of Lewiston, is occupied by a large 
tamarack marsh, four miles across, from north to south, and three from east to west. Along 
the west side of the town are the walls of the lower part of the " Dalles of the Wisconsin." 

VILLAGE OF NEWPORT. 

In 1850, Joseph Bailey made claim to a quarter-section of land on Section 15, Township 
13 north, Range 6 east, lying upon the east bank of the Wisconsin River, in the present 

I. Mr. York faUeU lo i)Uiitif,v, and Mr. Benjamin D. Dawes. Supen-iaor, perfornied the duties of Chairman during the term. 

*2. Mr. Nelson failed to qualify, and George Smith was appointed in ilia place. 

U. Mr. Nelson failed to iinalifv, and John M.vlrea was appointed in his stead. 

4. Mr. Daniels fulled to qualify, and Daniel B. Kut<ey wiu* api>ointed in his stead. 

5. Mr. Smith removed from the town during the term, and Irving W. York wa« appointed in his stead March 26, 1873. 

6. Mr. Seversen failed to qualify. 

7. Mr. Guyer failed to qualify. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 805 

town of Newport. In 1851, Jonathan Bowman, then a young lawyer, just graduated from the 
law school at Balston Springs, in company with Dr. George W. Jenkins, who had just received 
his diploma from the medical college at the University of New York, came to the place. Mr. 
Bowman suggested that here would be a fine site for a village. The river would affoi'd good 
water-power for all the mills that could be erected upon its bank, and should a railroad ever be 
run between Milwaukee and La Crosse, coming upon a direct line, it would cross the river at 
this point. Mr. Bailey, at this time, was a young man with considerable energy but little 
money, and he proposed to Mr. Bowman that if he would advance the cash to build a small 
warehouse, and pay for the land he had selected, when it came into market he should have con- 
veyed to him the undivided half and the two would have it surveyed and platted for a village. 
The proposition was accepted. 

About the same time that Mr. Bailey located upon the east side of the river, Edward 
Norris, John Marshall, Joseph Kendrick and William Steele, secured the title of the land upon 
the west side, in Sauk County. The proposition of Mr. Bowman was also viewed favorably 
by these gentlemen, and all afterward joined in building up the village. 

In 1852, a charter was obtained from the Legislature, authorizing the construction here, 
of a bridge across the river, which was to serve as a highway for commerce and travel. Durinof 
that year, the La Crosse & Milwaukee (now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul) Railroad was 
chartered. Byron Kilbourn became its President. Steps were at once taken, by the proprie- 
tors of the prospective village, to secure the crossing of the road at this place, and to their 
propositions the President gave a satisfactory reply. 

The Legislature of the State, in 1853, passed an act authorizing John Marshall, Joseph 
Bailey, Edward Norris, Jonathan Bowman, Joseph Kendrick, Charles Bowen and James Chris- 
tie to construct a dam across the river on the north half of Sections 15, Township 1-3, Range 
6 east. The act further authorized them to erect and use mills and other machinery ; to con- 
struct and use wharves and other buildings ; to make and use races and other water-courses on 
such lands as it might be necessary thus to use, or in any manner to make use of the water for 
hydraulic purposes. 

By entry and private purchase, Bailey & Bowman had obtained 400 acres of land, and 
on the passage of this act, they proceeded to survey and plat a portion of it. They gave their 
village the name of Newport. Then the owners of the land on the west side of the river also 
laid out a village which they called Dell Creek. Lots in Newport were no sooner placed in mar- 
ket than purchasers were found at really exorbitant prices, and the summer of 1854 witnessed 
the erection of a number of dwellings and business houses. The population rapidly increased 
until the summer of 1855, when the village contained about 1,500 inhabitants, with thirteen 
large stores, three hotels and other business houses. 

As a further inducement to secure the crossing of the railroad at this place, Bailey & 
Bowman agreed to make a transfer of the undivided half of the 400 acres owned by them to 
Byron Kilbourn, President of the company. The incorporators of the dam also agreed to 
assign to him their charter. Kilbourn sent Garret Vliet. to perfect this arrangement in the 
name of the latter, which was faithfully carried out on the part of Bailey & Bowman and the 
incorporators of the dam, the only consideration being that they required Mr. Vliet to give two 
bonds, in the sum of $100,000 each, providing thdi, in case the road should not cross the river 
at this point, that amount should be forfeited by him to cover damages sustained by the parties 
executing the deed and transfer. Kilbourn, through his representative, Mr. Vliet, was also 
bound to build the dam as provided by the charter. 

Bailey, Bowman and Vliet now proceeded to survey and plat the remainder of the 400 
acres, extending the limits to the village from Section 15 to Section 4, in the present town of 
Newport, a distance of a mile and a half along the east bank of the river and one half-mile 
back, overlapping a portion of present village of Kilbourn City. 

When it became known that additional territory was being platted, it gave a new impetus 
to every kind of business, especially in the sale of lots, which changed hands rapidly at advanced 



806 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

rates. In some cases parties would double their money in twenty-four hours' time, and holders 
of lots did not know whether or not to dispose of them. The name of Newport was considered 
too tame, and it was changed to Wisconsin City. This it retained but a short time, when, by 
act of the Legislature, it was changed back to Newport. 

Shortly after the transfers previously mentioned, Vliet, acting in behalf of the parties in whose 
interest it was made, began the construction of the dam, but accomplished very little in the mat- 
ter, as it was thought best, in order to avoid individual responsibility for any damage that might 
arise from overflow or other causes, that the work should be done by a company ; therefore, on 
petition, the Legislature passed an act authorizing Garret Vliet, Andrew Dunn, Anson Eldred, 
John Anderson and John B. Vliet, and all who should become associated with them, to become a 
body corporate under the name of the "Wisconsin River Hydraulic Company," and as such cor- 
poration to have perpetual succession, to be capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being 
impleaded, answering and being answered unto, both in law and ecjuity, in all courts, and of 
making and entering into contracts with all parties ; of purchasing, holding and conveying real, 
personal and mixed estates ; of having a common seal and making and changing the same at 
pleasure; of appointing all such officers, agents and servants as to them might seem necessary 
and proper for (Conducting the business and protecting the interests of the corporation, and pre- 
scribe the compensation to be paid for all services rendered by the persons so appointed ; and 
generally to do all such acts and things as might be necessary for carrying out the objects of the 
corporation. The company was also authorized to erect a dam across the Wisconsin River on 
Sections 9, 10 and 15, or either of them, in Township 13 north, Range 6 east, in counties of 
Columbia and Sauk, but not so high as to interfere with the navigation of the river by rafts, logs 
or lumber, and to erect and use mills, manufactories and other machinery of whatever kind, to 
construct and use booms, wharves, storehouses and other buildings, to make and use races and 
otlier water-courses, and tomakeuseof the water for hydraulic purposes, and to authorize the same to 
be done by other parties for a consideration to be agreed on by and between the corporation and 
such other parties as might desire to be interested therein. To this company, Mr. Vliet 
conveyed the real estate secured from Bailey & Bowman, as well as the charter for the building 
of the dam, and the company assumed in its name the bonds given to Bailey & Bowman and the 
originators of the dam. 

A survey of the new railroad was made with Newport as a point upon the line, and it was 
said that every agreement made with Mr. Vliet was to be carried out in good faith, therefore vil- 
lage lots continued to advance in price. Holders of real estate in proximity to the village also 
held the same at high figures, and some, whose lands would be overflowed by the construction 
of the dam, gave notice they should expect quite large sums for "flowage." This proceeding 
alarmed the members of the hydraulic company, who feared their profits would thus be cut short. 
As they were under bonds to complete the dam, and also to cause the railroad to cross the river 
at this place, they feared they were at the mercy of tiiose who might make claims for damages. 
In this extremity, they proposed to those to whom they had given bonds to surrender the same, 
assuring them that the railroad would undoubtedly cross at this point, that it was to their interest 
it should do so, and that their only reason for making the request was that they could make 
better terms with those who should lay claim for damages arising from the overflow of their 
lands. If it should be known by these parties that the hydraulic company was under no 
pecuniary obligation to have the road constructed through the village, they would not be so ex- 
orbitant in their demands. As Bailey &; Bowman, together with the incorporators of the dam, 
were only desirous the road should cross here, and believing the work so far advanced that the 
company would not readily change its plans, and having such strong faith in their new and en- 
terprising village that the railroad company could not ignore its claims, they consented to the 
request, and the bonds were surrendered. While these operations were taking place, the mem- 
bers of the hydraulic company were engaged in a trade for other land. They purchased the 
tract upon which Kilbourn City was afterward located. 

During the summer of 1855, the citizens of Newport began to fear there was yet some 
danger of losing the road, and when it became known that, in the month of August, a survey 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 807 

of another line had been made, with the object of crossing the river about two miles above, 
their fears and anger were unbounded. The further growth of the village was at once 
checked. 

While it was said by those in authority that the road would, in all probability, cross at 
Newport, all confidence in their assurances was lost. Communication was entered into between 
the citizens and the railroad company and with the hydraulic company, but no satisfaction 
was given. The latter company were asked to again enter into bonds or to restore the land and 
dam privileges, to all of which they turned a deaf ear. As will readily be seen, neither 
the original owners of the land, the first incorporators of the dam or the citizens of the village 
who had made investments therein, with the understanding that the railroad should cross the 
river here, had any recourse in law. 

When these facts were fully impressed upon the minds of all, and when known to a cei-- 
tainty that the railroad would cross the river about two miles above, on Section 4, a panic 
ensued among the holders of real estate. Nearly every one wished to sell and few desired to 
buy. Property began to depreciate very rapidly, and, in the spring of 1857, when the rail- 
road was completed through the village of Kilbourn City, lots that, two years previous, were 
held at $1,000, could readily be purchased for $100. Every day, there were some leaving for 
other and more favorable localities. Good dwelling-houses, on which there were small mort- 
gages, were abandoned or willingly surrendered to the mortgagees. Notwithstanding all this, 
there were still a few who were determined not to give up without a further struggle for life. 

In the winter of 1857, a petition, numerously signed by the citizens of Newport, was pre- 
sented to the railroad company, praying for the location of a depot at a point on the road near- 
est their village. As an inducement to the company to grant their request, the citizens obli- 
gated themselves to build and keep in good order a ferry across the river, and to carry free all 
freight intended for the village of Delton, Baraboo or other point on the west side. As the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was not built at this time, this would be a favorable arrange- 
ment for citizens of the places mentioned, as well as for the railroad company. A favorable 
response to their appeal was made on condition that Newport would erect a suitable station- 
house and pay the expense of such additional track as might be necessary for the convenient 
transaction of all business. This the citizens willingly agreed to do. 

When the depot was built and an agent placed in charge, Newport held a large mass-meet- 
ing, to celebrate its "resurrection." Speeches were made, toasts drank and a general season of 
rejoicing indulged in. It was now believed that the village would again become as prosperous 
as formerly, and all their fond anticipations realized. 

A year passed, and these bright visions faded away. It was now clearly seen that they 
were fighting against the inevitable — the village was doomed to die. At this time, the popula- 
tion had lessened fully one-half, and those remaining endeavored to make a change as quickly 
and quietly as possible. A number of buildings were removed bodily; others were torn down 
and the material taken away for erection elsewhere. Merchants that had been doing a business 
of $20,000 to $100,000 a year could not sell enough goods to pay expenses, and, one by one, 
they bo.xed up their effects and sent them to other parts, until, in the summer of 1860, but one 
firm remained. In October following. Freeman Longley quietly followed the example of others, 
and the village of Newport was — dead. 

VILLAGE OF KILBOURN CITY. 

It has already been stated that the Wisconsin River Hydraulic Company, in the summer 
of 1855. purchased the land on which the village of Kilbourn City was afterward located. At 
this point the table-land lies a.bout eighty feet above the Wisconsin River, the perpendicular, 
rocky banks of which are occasionally broken by easy ravines running thirty, forty or fifty rods 
back. These table-lands extend northeast, east, and southeast, to an indefiuite extent, and to the 
south about three-quarters of a mile, where they become more broken by bluffs and hills. Some 



808 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 

of this land is level, and some gently rolling. In a state of nature it was generally covered with 
scattering oaks of middling size, the river and some of the ravines being fringed with rich-appear- 
ing yellow pines. This ground for nearly a mile in length and half a mile in breadth, was, in 
the month of June, 1856, laid out in village lots, with two main streets, one hundred feet 
wide, corresponding with the principal points of the compass, crossing at right angles half a mile 
from the river, and all the other streets running parallel with these two, eighty feet wide, and 
dividing the whole plat into convenient squares and lots for residences and business. 

The first settler at this place was Alanson Holly, who arrived here in November, 1855. 
He at once proceeded to the erection of a dwelling-house, also of an office wherein he was to 
print the Wisconsin Mirror. "When we came here about the 20th of November," writes Mr. 
Holly, '• there was scarcely a beginning made in the woods at this point. Part of the frame of 
our office, and part of the frame for a dwelling, were on the ground, that was all. It was cold 
weather, and a dwelling for our family and a printing office were to be prepared in time to open 
our press and materials, and issue the first number of the Mirror on the 1st day of January. 
By unavoidable delays this work of preparation was hardly commenced before the 1st of Decem- 
ber. Then we had but four weeks to do all the work, of which time we needed three weeks to 
open type, fit up the inside of the office, and set up and print the first number. On the 22d of 
December, we had a dwelling so far prepared that we moved into it, and that night the extreme 
cold weather commenced. About this time the shingling of the office was finished, and the 
'• boys " commenced opening type before the floor was completed, and while the plastering was 
going on. On the 25th, the plastering was finished and frozen solid, but the office was still 
minus half the windows. In this situation, with the thermometer ranging from ten to twenty- 
five degrees below zero, the compositors set up the type for the first paper — huddling their stands 
around the stove, heating boards to stand upon, holding their fingers in warm water every ten 
minutes to keep them limber, and working until 11 and 12 o'clock nights ! But the Wisconsin 
Mirror made its appearance on the morning of January 1, 1856, and we submit to those who 
saw it if its appearance wasn't respectable considering the circumstances? And that was the way 
it was done." As the editor well remarks, he was doing what was probably never done in the 
United States before — printing a paper in the woods ! Not a dwelling except his own was within 
half a mile, and only one within a mile ! 

On the afternoon on which the paper was to make its appearance, rather an e.xciting and 
pleasant affair transpired in the office. A number of the friends of the paper gathered in the 
office to witness the operation of printing in the woods. Feeling sentimentally inclined, before 
the press was started, short speeches were made by Hon. S. H. Baker, of Dane County, Jason 
Weaver, of Ohio, Hon. Jonathan Bowman, Dr. Jenkins, Gen. Joseph Bailey, Dr. Hooker, and 
others, and it was proposed that the first copy struck from the press should be sold at auction. 
M. A. Holly, the editor's son, then struck off a copy, and G. F. Noble was called upon to act as 
auctioneer. The first bid received was from Mr. Bowman, who named §15, and from that it ran 
up rapidly to ^40, $50, $60, and, finally, $65, and passed into the hands of Mr. W^eaver. The 
second copy was then sold to Abram Vliet, for $10, and the third to Joseph Bailey, for $5. 

As illustrative of life in the woods, and especially in this embryo village, in the issue of the 
Mirror for February 5, 1856, the editor says: " We have just moved into our new house, which 
has been hastily prepared within the last few weeks. It is 20x25 feet, a story and a half high, i 
battened three-fourths of the way round ; bricked below next to the outside boarding ; lathed on 
a part of the partitions, and carpeted and blanketed on the rest ; a hole dug in the ground 
10x14 feet, and 6 feet deep, for a cellar; some rough boards, some smooth ones, and some dry- 
goods boxes, for a buttery ; beautiful frost curtains, and two stoves, smoking hot all the time, to 
keep the whole warm — no danger of burning the curtains though. We rise early in the morn- 
ing — fly about awhile to make fir,es. Mrs. Helly and the girls bake pototoes and pancakes, 
which we eat for breakfast, and look out of the window at the quails for meat ; lug dry limbs on 
our back for wood, because green oak don't burn good; girls washing dishes, sweeping and mak- 
ing beds ; boys working in the office ; we snatching five minutes now and then, between 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 809 

chopping wood, bringing water, and calking house, to select copy and write editorials ; cold pota- 
toes and pancakes, and thoughts of deer for dinner, and, on special occasions, a talk about apples, 
lemons, etc , for dessert ; biscuit and a little butter, and partridge drumming for supper ; twenty- 
three degrees below zero, and baby crying for sleep — all to be repeated the next day, and so on. 
But our location is beautiful, and our home will be as neat as a pin when we get it fixed. Four 
oak-trees hang their branches over our house like the arms of power for our protection ; the 
majestic Wisconsin, catching ten thousand sunbeams, and throwing them joyously into our win- 
dows ; the rocks and hills peering up in the distance, and the thin covering of snow sparkling in 
the sunlight, like ten million eyes looking out from the spirit world — is not such a place pleasant 
for a home ? Live in the cities if you will, but give us the wild, wild woods, the rocks, the hills 
and the majestic river, with health and loving friends, and we are content." 

In the winter of 1855-.56, the hydraulic company commenced the building of a dam at 
this place, their charter having been so amended as to authorise its construction. When com- 
pleted it was 425 feet long, with a fall of eight feet. Considerable trouble was experienced by 
the lumbermen in running their rafts over, and a large party gathered here in the snring of 1859 
and destroyed it. 

Soon after Mr. Holly located here, J. B. Vliet, John Anderson, G. F. Noble, James Bailey 
and others came in, and the place began to assume a business-like appearance. A considerable 
number of men were employed in clearing away the trees for the streets of the village, and others 
were engaged in building houses and working on the dam. 

One of tiie rules of the hydraulic company was, that those who purchased lots were to 
build on them within a reasonable time, or they were to be forfeited to the company. Although 
it was not until June 10, 185fi, that the plat of the village was placed upon record, yet many 
lots were previously chosen by those who were ready to comply with the terms of sale. The 
new village in the woods was now christened Kilbourn City, so named in honor of Byron Kil- 
bourn, President of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad. With reference to the selection of 
this name, the Mirror, under date of June 17, 1856, says: "Under ordinary circumstances we 
should be opposed to naming a town after a person, but we think the circumstances in this place 
ai'e such as to make it eminently proper. Hon. Byron Kilbourn, of Milwaukee, for public 
enterprise which tells on the prosperity of the State, undoubtedly stands first. This makes it 
proper that an important central town should be named after him. He is one of the early set- 
tlers of the State, having come to the metropolis in its infancy, and having been instrumental 
beyond any other individual in its growth and prosperity ; hence there is a propriety in fixing 
his name to an enduring monument. He is the body and soul of the La Crosse Railroad. On 
that more than all other enterprises he has staked his reputation as a business man, to make it 
the great trunk line of the State. The present prosperity of the road shows that his success is 
almost certain. Under these circumstances it seems highly fitting that some place on the line of 
the road should bear his name. Our place is nearly central on the road, at the place where it 
crosses the largest river in the State, and we expect it to be the largest inland town in the State. 
Then what place could be named after the head man of the road with greater propriety than this ? 
In the name itself there can be no objections. It has but two syllables and is euphonious, conse- 
quently is easily spoken and agreeable to the ear. These reasons we think are abundantly suffi- 
cient for naming our place as we have. And as the place is honored by the name, it is expected 
that the name will be honored by the place." 

The first public sale of lots was advertised to commence Monday, August 18, 1856, to be 
continued through the week. At the time specified a large number of persons from Milwaukee, 
Madison, Portage City, and other points in this State, together with a few from Illinois, Ohio, 
New York and other States, gathered in the "city " and just before noon the sale began. The 
conditions of the sale were, one-(iuarter down, and the balance in three equal annual payments, 
at 7 per cent interest. Twenty per cent on the price for which the lots sold were deducted for 
payment all down. The stock of the hydraulic company was taken in payment at par. The sale 
was closed on Thursday, up to which time lots were disposed of amounting to .'$76,235, ranging 



810 HISTORY OF COLl'MBIA COUNTY. 

in value from $50 to $1,450 each, ten of which brought upward of $1,000 each, and many 
others ranging from $500 to $1,000. 

Just after the sale was closed, and as night drew on, a party were standing in front of the 
Mirror office, when an Irishman came running up and hastily inquired : " And is this Kil- 
bourn ? " Wh«n answered in the affirmative, he replied, '• And glad I am, for I could not see 
it all, for trees, till I was just here, and I was afraid it was a great ways off in the woods, and 
it would be dark, and the bears would catch me! so I have been running down the strate, with 
all me might, and just see how wet it is that I am I " and with that he drew out his shirt bosom 
dripping with sweat. The crowd laughed, and reasoned, though their might be some sense in 
running from bears in Wall Street, New York, the idea of being caught by them on Broadway, 
Kilbourn City, was ridiculous. 

The second public sale of lots occurred on the 14th, 15th and 16th days of October, 1856. 
and was conducted by Caleb .Wall, of Milwaukee. Mr. Wall was very enthusiastic in his 
views of Kilbourn, and in an advertisement of a sale that was to take place at his rooms in 
Milwaukee he says : " There is no new city which holds out such great inducements for all 
classes of mechanics as Kilbourn City ; and I would call upon all mechanics who have families, 
and who want to better their condition, and secure themselves home and property, not to let 
this opportunity slip. Many who are now rolling in wealth in Milwaukee, and. otlier cities of 
our State, owe it to the rise of property ; and the chances in Kilbourn City are as great as in any 
city that has been started in the last ten years. I have no doubt in my own mind, taking the 
central position of Kilbourn City, that the seat of Government of our State will be located there .' 
A more beautiful site is not to be found for a city." At this second sale, lots were disposed of 
amounting to $34,447. As at the first sale, many were in attendance from abroad and a 
large number of lots were sold for speculative purposes. 

The first year's growth of Kilbourn City cannot be said to have been very rapid, notwith- 
standing a large number of lots were sold. Still quite a number of houses were built, and its 
population gradually increased. Many who doubtless desired to locate here were deterred from 
the fear that its future might be similar to that of the village of Newport. Still the fact of its being 
backed by the President of the railroad company, and that the owners of the land here were 
identified with the railroad was much in its favor. According to the Mirror of this place, consid- 
erable jealousy was entertained against it bv citizens of neighboring cities and villages. Savs 
the Mirror, under date of December 9, 1856 : " Of all the bumpers that ever were invent' <1. 
we will give some of the people of Newport, Baraboo and Portage City, the credit of capping 
the climax. Not a man can get through either place, headed toward Kilbourn City, without 
hearing some of the greatest yarns ever spun. At first, these wiseacres of our neighborini; 
towns pretend to be ignorant that any such place as Kilbourn City exists ; afterward they dn 
recollect that there is a place of some such name up there in the woods, but it will never amount 
to anything ; and finally they come fully to their recollection, and declare that though there 
is such a place, the railroad is not located and will never be built there ; the grading is all for 
sham ; the bridge is not let ; and the dam will never be put in, and a string of similar falsehoods 
too lengthy to report. Well, it is and always will be true, that the best fruit trees may be 
known by the number of clubs about them I There are other towns starting about here, but our 
neighbors of the towns named seem to haveno clubs for them. They are all hurled against Kil- 
bourn City. Really, we hope the poor souls who hurl them will keep on. It gives the world 
ocular demonstration that ours is the most important town in this part of the State, and tiie 
only one to be feared by them as an overshadowing rival. Besides, while Kilbourn City is 
constantly going ahead, and making sure the foundation of her future greatness, these revilers 
have nothing else to do but to roll their spite like a sweet morsel under their tongues. Surely 
we would not deprive them of that pleasure." 

The first citizens of Kilbourn City appreciated the advantages of the public school, and 
about the 1st of February. 1856, appointed a building committee, who at once selected a site 
and gave orders for the necessary material for the house, which was to be " 26x36 feet in size, 







^ 

<^^ 



^J/uJ:^<^,^ 




KILBOURN ,CITy. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. ' 813 

well finished and conveniently seated." In May following, the building was ready for occu- 
pancy, and Miss Julia Seville was engaged to teach a three-months' term, at a salary of $10 
per month. There were twenty-seven' children of school age in the district, No. 6, of whom 
fourteen attended the school. Miss Saville was engaged the following fall, at an advanced 
salary of $24 per month. At the expiration of three months. Miss Lucy A. Swain took charge, 
at a salary of $22 per month. At the first annual meeting, a tax of $900 was voted to pay for 
the schoolhouse, and, during Miss Seville's first term, a bell was purchased for it, at a cost of 
$12.5. The first to fill the office of School Director of the district was Emory Wall, with John 
B. Vliet, Treasurer, and George F. McAlister, Clerk. 

In 1857, there were eighty-five persons of school age in the district, of whom fifty 
attended school. The number of school age was increased to 180 in 1858. In 1861, Dell 
Prairie was united with this district, and it was then, and is now, known as Joint District No. 
t). On account of the increase of pupils, it became necessary to enlarge the school building, 
which was accordingly done, at an expense of $400. But the village of Kilbourn continued to 
grow, and a larger and better building was demanded. At a school meeting held in September, 
1867, it was voted to appropriate $1,450 to purchase, of Thomas B. Coons Block 78 of the 
village, on which it was designed, in the near future, to erect a building that would be suflficiently 
large to accommodate all the pupils of the district. At this same meeting, a communication 
was received from Kilbourn Institute, proposing to furnish instruction to the pupils of the high 
school for the sum of $800 per year, which proposition was accepted. This arrangement con- 
tinued for the school year, when a room was rented in which the higher branches were taught 
by a teacher employed by the district, in the- year 1868-69, and also the following year, or 
until the completion of the new building. 

After the purchase of the block of ground of Mr. Coon, arrangements were at once made 
to build, and, in the summer of 1870, was completed the present fine structure, at a cost of 
$12,287. The building is of cream-colored brick, 40x60 feet, three stories high. There are 
five main schoolrooms, three recitation and one furnace room. It cost $1,400 to furnish. When 
first occupied, the present graded system was adopted, and the whole placed in charge of a 
Principal. On account of the incompetency of the Principal, the schools did not flourish for 
awhile, and it was not until 1877 that that eflSciency was attained that the expenditures war- 
ranted. In this year. Prof. A. L. Burnham was employed by the board as Pi'incipal, and his 
selection has been approved by the people. A fine scholar and good disciplinarian, the schools 
have flourished under his charge. For the session of 1879-80, there were employed : A. L. 
Burnham, Principal; Lizzie M. Pendleton, Assistant; Hester J. Teare, Emma Darling, Ada 
Douglass, Bina Loughney. The Principal receives a salary of $1,000 per year, his assistant 
$315, and the others from $225 to $270. 

Kilbourn Institute. — In 1857, through the liberality of A. Bronson, of Prairie du Chien, 
an academy was started at Point Bluffs, some fourteen miles north of Kilbourn City. For sev- 
eral years, the school was continued with varying fortune, until 1865, when it ceased to be profitable, 
and was discontinued. In 1863, a charter was secured from the Legislature incorporating the 
"Kilbourn City Seminary," and when the academy at Point Bluffs was discontinued, the 
incorporators of the seminary proposed the school should be removed to this place and operated 
under that charter. The proposition was accepted, the building at the Bluffs moved here, and 
the Kilbourn Institute opened to the public, with Rev. G. W. Case as Principal. Fine success 
attended the efforts of those interested in the school, and, in the fall of 1867, there were 140 
pupils enrolled. 

About 1 o'clock, Sunday, January 30, 1868, while dedicatory services were being held in 
the new Methodist Episcopal Church, the congregation was startled with the announcement that 
the institute was on fire. It being some distance off, the buildino; was not reached until the 
fire had so far advanced that it was impossible to save it. A few articles of furniture were 
taken from the lower rooms, and all else destroyed. Loss, about $5000. 

cc 



814 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

It does not often occur that a newspaper has the privilege of announcing, at the time, the 
first birth in a place, but the Wisconsin Mirror, under date December 2, 1856, thus breaks 
forth : " First Birth in Kilbourn City. — Little Nettie Kilbourn Munger (daughter of C. D. & 
M. E. Munt'er, late of Warsaw, N. Y.). was no doubt greatly astonished, last Thursday 
morning, November 28, on opening her eyes ami finding herself the first child born in Kilbourn 
City — a matter she will probably have occasion to speak of a number of times in the next sev- 
enty years." The editor's prediction was not to be, as the little babe lived only until the next 
August. 

The first male child was Victor Stillwell, who was born about two weeks later. 

The first lawyer in Kilbourn was named Perry, who came early in 1856, but did no busi- 
ness. Chamberlain k Southgate came in the fall of 1856, and remained about twelve months, 
but the business not being remunerative, they, too. departed. In the spring of 1857, L. B. 
Noyes opened an office, and, in the fall, he and P. G. Stroud formed a copartnership, which 
lasted until September, 1859, Mr. Stroud succeeding to the business. Jonathan Bowman came 
up from Newport in 1862. 

The first death in the village was Morton A. Holly, son of Alanson Holly, of the Wiscon- 
sin Mirror, the young man who struck the first paper from the press. On the night of March 
13, 1857, young Holly was disturbed by a cat, near his sleeping apartment, and taking a gun 
he went out of tiie house and shot it. The next morning he arose early, went out, and taking 
up the animal, started to the river for the purpose of throwing it in. A slight snow was upon 
the "round, which was also very slippery. It appears, from the marks made, that when he 
arrived near the river, in throwing the animal in, his feet slipped from under him and he fell a 
distance of forty feet, upon the rock and ice below, meeting instantaneous death. 

When the dam was torn away by the lumbermen, in 1859, the hydraulic company had 
become hopelessly involved. The building of the dam had cost them a very large sum of money, 
which, together with improvements made in the village, had compelled them to borrow largely, 
their heaviest creditor being Hon. Byron Kilbourn, who had taken judgment notes for all tliat 
he advanced. When the loss of the dam occurred, Mr. Kilbourn entered up his judgments, and 
in due course of time the property all passed into his hands. 

No attempt was made to repair the dam until the year 1866. In that year was incorpo- 
rated the Kilbourn Manufacturing Company, with John Tanner, Edward T. Hooker, M. Grif- 
fin, Ulmer F. Hinds and Guido J. Hansen as incorporators. This company was organized for 
the special purpose of utilizing ihe immense water-power at this place, and were further author- 
ized to construct and provide such shops, fiictories, stores and other buildings, works, machinery 
and fixtures, as may be necessary and convenient for the purposes of milling and manufacturing 
any and all kinds of implements and fabrics, whether composed of wood, iron, wool, cotton or 
other materials, and all kinds of machinery ; to construct, provide and use water, steam or other 
power to propel machinery, and to sell, lease or let to any person or persons, or body corporate and 
politic, the whole or any part of the real estate, water, steam or other power, shops, factories, stores 
or other buildings, machinery or fixtures, for such price and on such terms as may be agreed on 
by the contracting parties, and to make and execute such deeds, leases and other writings there- 
for as may be necessary to protect the rights of the respective parties thereto. The company 
was also authorized to complete the water-power on Sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, in Township 13 
north, of Range 6 east, in the counties of Columbia and Sauk, by raising the dam a sufficient 
height for that purpose, not exceeding three feet above the usual low-water mark in the Wiscon- 
sin River, and so forming the same that rafts of lumber can pass safely and conveniently with- 
out hindrance or delay. 

Pursuant to this act, the incorporators repaired the dam during the summer of 1866, raising 
it about two feet above low-water mark. It should be stated here that Kilbourn assigned all his 
right, title and interest in the dam on the east side of the river, ac([uired from purchase of the 
Wisconsin River Hydraulic Company, so as to enable the incorporators of the Kilbourn Manu- 
facturing Company to proceed with the work witliout hindrance or delay. A temporary 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 815 

injunction was obtained restraining them in that work, and suit was brought in the United States 
Court at Milwaukee to declare the dam a nuisance. The trial was liad before Judge Miller, who 
decided it was not a nuisance. Before the judgment was obtained, Byron Kilbourn died, and 
the company was obliged to abandon the work for a time. On the settlement of the estate of 
Mr. Kilbourn. Byron H. Kilbourn, his son, obtained possession of that portion of the dam owned 
by his father, as well as the real estate in Kilbourn City. 

Before utilizing the water-power created by the erection of the dam. the Kilbourn Manu- 
facturing Company thought best to give the lumbermen time to test the work in order to ascer- 
tain whether trouble or damage would be done in passing over. The test being satisfactory, it was 
intended to embark in some enterprise that would be satisfactory to the members of the company. 

In 1871, Byron H. Kilbourn, Harry B. Shears, George Lintner and G. J. Hansen, under 
the general law, secured a charter for the formation of the Kilbourn Mill Company, and obtained 
a perpetual lease from the Kilbourn Manufacturing Company, to use the water-power on the 
east side of the river, at the same time the manufacturing company binding itself to keep the 
same in good repair. 

In 1871, the company proceeded to the erection of a large mill, which was completed and 
duly "dedicated" February 22, 1872, by a number of citizens of the place, who assembled at 
the mill, witnessed its works put in motion, and from the first flour ground, partook of biscuits, 
made by Mrs. Purcell and Mrs. Ramsay. Toasts were given and responded to, and Kilbourn 
was happy. 

In the spring of 1872, some damage was experienced by the lumbermen in taking their 
rafts over the dam. Instead of appealing to the courts for redress, they called upon the Legis- 
lature to repeal the charter of the manufacturing company, on the ground the dam was danger- 
ous to their interests. This repeal was resisted by the company and the citizens of Kilbourn 
City. The latter issued a circular, in which, after quoting the charter of the company, they 
say: "By this charter the company is authorized to construct such a dam as that rafts of 
lumber can pass safely and conveniently, without hindrance or delay. If the company have 
done so, certainly no one can complain ; and if they have not, then they are not protected by 
this charter, and are subject to the same liability as though they had no charter. If the com- 
pany have complied with the provisions of their charter, then to repeal it would manifestly work 
a great injustice, not only to the company, but to the people of Kilbourn .City and vicinity. On 
the other hand, if they have not complied with its provisions, then the charter affords them no 
protection, and its repeal will not in the least aid those who claim to have been damaged thereby. 

" The company claim that they have complied with the charter ; those opposed to them say 
they have not. Who shall determine the question, the Legislature or the courts? — an impar- 
tial jury, or a committee, composed, in part at least, of those who openly claim to be the parties 
interested? The company say, the courts and jury ; the lumbermen say, the Legislature, with 
themselves composing a part of it. 

" Which is right ? 

" The dam was constructed during the summer of 1871, in exact accordance with, and 
fulfillment of, the provisions of the charter; and there was no difficulty in running the dam in 
the fall of 1871. But in the spring of 1872, the water cut away the west bank of the river, 
below the dam, and thei'eby an eddy was formed. This was an unforeseen difliculty, and there 
was no practical way to remedy it until winter, when work could be done on the ice. The 
company immediately called to their aid experienced lumbermen and engineers, to determine 
the best mode of remedying the difficulty, and acting upon the advice given them by the latter, 
determined to construct a gunwale below the dam, and during the present winter, the company 
have had a large force at work, at heavy expense, constructing such gunwale. 

"The company have acted in good faith. They built their dam in accordance with the 
provisions of their charter. And, as soon as a difficulty, which no human foresight could have 
anticipated, occurs, and their dam becomes in the least detrimental to any other interest, they 
immediately go to work to remove the difficulty. 



816 HISTORY OF COHMBIA COUNTY. 

" And they only ask reasonable time, to remedy not only the present, but any future acci- 
dent, not happening through their neglect or the want of a proper regard for the right of others. 

" Shall they have it '! " 

The efforts of the lumbermen to secure the repeal were in vain, and, therefore, they 
appealed to the courts. In the name of Bradford, McCoy & Co., of Quincy, 111., they brought 
two suits in the United States Court, at Madison — one against the Kilbourn Manufacturing 
Company and G. J. Hansen, H. B. Shears, George Lintner and George Ribenack ; the other 
against the Kilbourn Mill ('ompany and G. J. Hansen, H. B. Shears, George Lintner and 
George Ribenack. The gentlemen named composed the Kilbourn Mill Company, and tlie 
object of the lumbermen in. making them parties to the suit was to prove their individual lia- 
bility for the damages sustained. At the same time, suits were brought against the same par- 
ties by Weston & Co., in the Circuit Court of Sauk County. All these suits were brought 
with the avowed object of having the dam abated as a nuisance, and to recover damages sus- 
tained in running lumber over it. 

In April, 1874. the cases were called in the United States Court, and the verdict of the 
jury was that tlie Kilbourn Manufacturing Company should pay damages amounting to $500, 
while the mill company should pay $1,000. A special verdict was rendered in both cases that 
the dam was not a nuisance, and that Hansen, Shears, Lintner and Ribenack were not individ- 
ually liable. 

Under these judgments, the dam upon the east side of tlie river was sold June, 1876, and 
purchased by John T. Kingston, representing the lumbermen. In consequence of these ver- 
dicts in the United States Court, the suits in the State Courts were abandoned. 

From that time, nothing has been done to utilize the water-power. The <lam remains as 
constructed, and, although one-half is owned by the lumbermen (Jonathan Bowman owning, by 
purchase from Kilbourn, that upon the west side of the river), it is well known they have been 
willing to dispose of their interest or unite in the erection of such manufactories as may seem 
profitable. The mill from which so much was expected, after a two-years successful run, was 
burned in the fall of 1874. 

Saturday, November 15. 1856, at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the La Crosse 
& Milwaukee Railroad, held in Milwaukee, the contract for the bridge across the AVisconsin 
River, at this place, was let to Stone, Boomer & Boughton, of Chicago, to be completed the 
1st day of Septembei', 1857, and by that firm was completed by the time specified. The 
bridge was that of the "Howe's Patent Truss," and constructed at an expense of $100,000. 
It was 450 feet long and -30 feet wide, and had an abutment of solid stone, 60 feet high in 
the water. Its height was 20 feet, making a distance of 80 feet between the railroad track and 
the river. Under this track was a carriage-way. The span between the eastern shore and 
the river abutment was 200 feet. The bridge had three large arches, parallel to each other, 
and was well inclosed, painted and covered with tin. At that time, it was the finest structure 
of the kind in the State. 

In May, 1866, just after a train of cars had passed over, it was discovered to be on fire. A 
large crowd of people gathered on the river-bank, but were powerless to prevent its destruction. 

While the bridge was burning, a telegram was sent to the firm that built it, and one of the 
members arrived on the ground before the fire had died out. A contract was immediately 
entered into for the rebuilding, and, in time, another bridge of the same pattern was constructed. 
It consisted of four spans, two of 56 feet each, one of 91, and one of 247, giving a total length 
of 450 feet. The height of the track above the water's surface was ninety feet. The bridge was 
composed of 2,345 pieces of timber, 5,912 pieces of wrought, and -3,460 pieces of cast, iron, mak- 
ing a total of 10,717 pieces of wood and iron. The lineal dimensions of the timber portion of 
the structure amounts to 29,450 feet, or over five and one-half miles, and that of iron 15,850 
feet, or about three miles, making a total length of iron and timber of 45,300, or more than 
eight and one-half miles. All the timber of the main span, 247 feet in length, was burnettized, 
or submitted to a process by which the natural sap was extracted, and certain kinds of liquids 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 817 

infused, by which the durability of the timber wa8 increased nearly 100 per cent. The weight 
and size of the span was not equaled by that of any span in any bridge, in proportion to its 
length, in the United States. Although not so large and fine-looking as the first, it was thouglit 
to be a more powerful and durable structure, and the longest, finest and most costly one in tlie 
State, and even in the West, except three across the Mississippi — one at St. Paul, one at Clin- 
ton, and the other at Rock Island. It was erected, as stated, by the same firm that built the 
first, and under the general superintendency of J. B. Kupcrs. 

This second bridge did not prove to be as strong and durable as its builders and the public 
predicted. After a time, it began to weaken, so much so that the company determined to replace it 
with an iron one of the most improved pattern. We are indebted to Le Roy Gates, of Kilbourn 
City, for the description here given. The bridge consists of one span 56 feet, one of 243,',, feet, 
and two of 68i feet each, a total of 436 J^ lineal feet, and is furnished for both railway and high- 
way uses. * 

" The railway is carried on four iron stringers, with ends riveted to floor beams, which in 
turn are riveted to the posts of the bridge near the upper chord. Commencing at the east end 
of the bridge, the highw-xy passes under the 56-feet span, and then is carried on tiie lower churd 
of the 243-feet span, passing the two 68i-feet spans, from the first of which it is suspended. 

"The 243-feet span is what is known as the whipple, or double intersection truss, and tlie 
small spans the single intersection trusses. The tension members of the bridge are made from 
the best quality of iron, capable of sustaining an ultimate tensile strain of 55,000 pounds per 
square inch, and having a limit of elasticity of from 28,000 to 30,000 pounds per square inch. 
Notwithstanding the great strength of the iron, it possesses remarkable ductility. In testing 
specimens to destruction, they were required to elongate at the least 15 per cent, and show a 
reduction of area at breaking point of 25 per cent. All tensile members, when manufactured, 
ready to place in the bridge, were tested to 18,000 pounds per square inch, without showing any 
defector signs of permanent elongation. The compression members are composed of built sections of 
channel plate and angle iron, and were all proportioned from tiie latest modifications of Gordon's 
and Rankin's formula, derived from recent experiments with posts of similar sections. All the 
material is wrought iron, with the exception of the massive bedplates upon the piers, and a few 
unimportant washers, whose office is simply to fill certain places without being subject to any 
strain. 

" The bridge is proportioned to sustain, in addition to its own weight, a train weighing 4,000 
pounds per lineal foot, headed by an engine weighing 72,000 pounds, on a wheel base of twelve 
feet, and the train moving at the rate of thirty miles an hour. Additional strength is provided 
to sustain a wind pressure sufficient to overturn a train of loaded freight cars. Under the worst 
possible condition of loading, no portion of the structure will be required to sustain a load greater 
than one-sixth of its ultimate strength. 

" The railway floor is composed of c*"oss-ties, 5x8 inches, placed four inches apart, and, on 
each side of the steel rail is placed a heavy wooden guard rail, having its corners protected by 
angle iron, and clasped and bolted to each cross tie, so that in case of a train ever leaving the 
track, it could not possibly get off the bridge. In addition to a substantial oak floor, the bridge 
is provided with guard rails and handsome railing. 

This bridge possesses many points of special merit, some of which have never been 
embodied in any other structure. Every detail has been designed upon scientific principles, 
and the closest attention paid to the manufacture of even the smallest pieces. The work has 
been supervised by a competent inspector, who has seen the manufacture of the bridge from the 
condition of the pig-iron all through the different processes to the magnificent structure. 

D. J. Whitcemore, Chief Engineer of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, gave 
the work his personal attention, and spared no pains to attain the highest perfection in its every 
detail. The bridge was designed by C. Shaler Smith, President and Chief Engineer of the 
Baltimore Bridge Company, who is also the contractor. The shopwork was done by the Edge- 
moor Iron Company, of Wilmington, Del. It is proper to state in this connection that the 



818 IIISTOKY OF COMMBIA COUNT V 



IV' 



vy pieces of iron in tlie bridge having a play of only one hundredth of an inch in the 
joints, when placed in position fit with the accuracy of clockwork. To save time, the manu- 
faciure of the rough iron was done simultaneously in six different rolling-mills in Pensylvania 
and New Jersey. 

The erection of the structure was commenced by Charles J. Houser, Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Baltimore Bridge Company, who unfortunately lost a leg in the early stage of 
the work. 

When Mr. Houser was displaced, James Baldwin was placed in charge as foreman, with 
Onward Bates, General Superintendent. 

But a little over a month was required in the construction of the bridge, and, while being 
built, and the old one torn away there was not a moment's delay to any train of cars passing 
over the road. 

The village was under town government until 1868, when the Legislature of the State 
passed an act of incorporation, which was approved February 29, 1868, and which is very liberal 
in its provisions The officers of the corporation consist of a president, six trustees, clerk, 
treasurer, police justice, marshal. Tiie charter provides that the trustees shall have power to 
grant licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors, wine, beer or cider, to organize fire companies, 
restrain gatubling. and to pass any ordinance for the good government of the village not con- 
trary to the Constitution of this State or of the United States. 

The first election, as provided by this charter, was held May 10, 1869. The following are 
the names of the officers elected from 1869 to 1879 inclusive : 

1869 — George Smith, President ; G. J. Hansen, John Tanner, Henry H. Drinker, George H. 
Daniels, John N. Schmitz, A. Chamberlain, Trustees; H. H. Hurlbut, Police Justice; J. Jack- 
.■^on Brown, Clerk; George Ribenack, Treasurer; George A. Boyd, Marshal. 

1870 — George Smith, President ; George H. Daniels, G. J. Hansen, H. Corning, R. Her- 
ron, J. N. Schmitz, Charles Teshner, Trustees; Hugh Murray, Clerk; Joseph Hainsworth, 
Treasurer; W. A. Ramsey, Street Commissioner; J. B. Sanderson, Marshal ; Thomas B. Coon, 
Police Justice. 

1871 — George Smith, President; H. Corning, G. H. Daniels, G. J. Hansen, R. Herren, 
J. N. Schmitz. Charles Teshner, Trustees; Thomas B. Coon, Police Justice; Hugh Murray, 
Clerk ; G. J. Hansen, Treasurer; J. B. Sanderson, Marshal ; W. A. Ramsey, Street Commis- 
ssoncr. 

1872 — G. J. Hansen, President ; I. W. York, George Ribenack, George W. Boyd, Amplius 
Chamberlain, Charles Buckrainster, Charles Moeller, Trustees; Thomas B. Coon, Police Just- 
ice; J. Jackson Brown, Clerk; Oscar C. Hansen, Treasurer; W. A. Ramsey, Street Commis- 
sioner; William N. Barton, Marshal. 

1873 — I. W. York, President; George Ribenack, H. H. Drinker, Frank 0. Wisner, 0. 
C. Hansen, Frank Raddant, Charles Buckminster, Trustees ; Thomas B. Coon, Police Justice ; 
J. Jackson Brown, Clerk; I. II. Chickering, Marshal; W. A. Ramsey, Street Commissioner; 
G. J. Hansen, Treasurer. 

1874— Charles A. Noyes, President; Robert Drinker, Carl Moeller, H. Corning, H. N. 
Whitney, A. Chamberlain, D. McMaumon, Trustees; Thomas B. Coon, Police Justice; J. Jack- 
son Brown, Clerk; J. B. Sanderson, Marshal ; W. A. Ramsey, Street Commissioner; D. E. 
Lonmis, Treasurer. 

1875 — Charles A. Noyes, President; H. Corning, R. W. Drinker, Charles Moeller, D. 
McManmon, H. M. Whitney, George Oswald, Trustees ; John Jackson Brown, Police Justice ; 
John Jackson Brown, Clerk ; Daniel E. Loorais, Treasurer ; John R. Snider, Street Commis- 
sioner ; J. B. Sanderson, Marshal. 

1876 — I. W. York, President; William F. Angell, Charles 0. M. Buckminster, James H. 
McNeil, Aiken J. Sexton, John Mylrea, Charles W. Snider, Trustees; J. Jackson Brown, 
Police Justice and Clerk; Daniel E. Loomis, Treasurer; Gilson Van Alstine, Marshal; John 
Cowley, Street Commissioner. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 819 

1877 — George Smith, President ; Frank Hill, John N. Schmitz, Charles Schroeder, R. B. 
Rose, George Oswald, Bernard Krech, Trustees; George F. Noble, Police Justice ; Thomas J. 
Conner, Clerk ; Daniel 0. Loomis, Treasurer ; Gilson Van Alstine, Marshal. 

1878— Charles A. Noyes, President; Frank Hill, R. B. Rose. J. P. S«ldner, J. N. 
Schmitz, Henry Snider, Charles Schroeder, Trustees ; William Snoad, Police Justice ; Charles 
E. Mylrea, Clerk; Daniel E. Loomis, Treasurer; Robert Sexton, Street Commissioner; 
George Oswalk, Marshal. 

1879—1. W. York, President; P. J. Mechler, B. Krech, R. B. Rose, Charles Schroeder, 
M. A. Rublee, Frank Hill, Trustees : William Snoad, Police Justice ; C. E. Mylrea, Clerk : J. 
Roemback, Street Commissioner ; Daniel E. Loomis, Treasurer ; N. A. Fedderly, Marshal. 

In 1857, the village had three public houses — the Forest City House, the St. Nicholas and 
the Kilbourn City House. There were two dry-goods stores, one cigar manufactory, one hard- 
ware store, one printing office, one clothing store, one livery stable, one grocery and provision 
store, one blacksmith-shop, one drug and grocery store, one carpenter-shop, one book and variety 
store, one barber-shop, two millinery stores, one saloon, one boot and shoe store, one meat- 
market, one lawyer, one doctor, one music-teacher and one editor. There were in process of 
construction four store buildings, two steam saw-mills and a machine-shop. 

In the year 1835, the steamboat Frontier, Capt. D. S. Harris, made a trip up the Wis- 
consin as high as the Dells, but did not attempt to pass through. Steamboats continued to 
make occasional trips as high as the Dells for some years afterward. In 1850, the Enterprise, 
Capt. Gilbert, reached the Dells, tied up in the eddy over night, and the next morning con- 
tinued on through the Dells and as high up the river as Point Bass. The same boat after- 
ward made two or three trips to the same point. 

For several years before the railroad reached Kilbourn City, John B. Du Bay kept a 
keelboat on the river a considerable portion of the time, carrying freight from Portage City to 
Point Bass. Owing, however, to the swiftness of the current in the Dells in high water, and 
the numerous sandbars in the river above and below that point in low water, the navigation of 
the Wisconsin above Portage was always both uncertain and expensive, and the charges for 
freight 75 cents per hundred alone justified the expense of navigation. 

Notwithstanding the existence of the Dells was known for many years, and a few ventur- 
ous "spirits, in frail skiffs, explored the river and admired the fine scenery, it was not until 1873 
that any special eflfort was made to accommodate the sight-seers who desired to visit the wonder- 
ful scenes which they had heard described, but who were too timid to row the river. In the 
summer of that year, Capt. A. Wood brought the steamboat Modocawando down the river from 
Quincy, Wis., with the design of making regular trips through the Upper Dells. The season 
was tolerably successful. In 1871, she continued her trips through the Upper Dells until about 
the 1st of August, when she was transferred below the dam, and, during the rest of the season, 
made trips through the Lower Dells. In 1875, she passed into the hands of Capt. Walton 
McNeel, who continued to run through the Lower Dells during the season. In 1876, the 
boat was sold, taken to Portage and placed upon Fox River. 

Dell Queen. — In the fall of 1871, Bergstresser & Bell brought the steamer Lake City 
from Madison, re-constructed and re-christened her the Dell Queen ; but the boat was from 
inadequate to the requirements of a first-class pleasure-boat, and, during the winter fol- 
lowing, was dismantled, and an elegant and commodious steamer, bearing the same name, 
was built to take her place. Under command of the genial and accommodating Capt. Bell, 
she plied the Upper Dells during the seasons of 1875, 1876 and 1877. On the 4th of 
June, 1878, the boat was burneil. A large force of men were immediately put to work to 
rebuild her, and, July 4 following, her first trip was made, and, during the seasons of 1878 
and 1879, regular trips were made, and many thousands of persons have had the opportunity 
to visit the wonderful S3enes of the Dells of the Wisconsin. Regular trips are made each day, 
at 9 A. M. and 2 P. M. Other trips are made as required. 



820 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Champion. — In 1875, Capt. A. Jones came from Toint Bluff with a small steamer called 
the ("hampion. She ran two seasons through the Upper Dells, and then went below the dam 
and ran the Lower Dells for one season. In 1879, the boat was taken to Mirror Lake, about 
three and a half miles from Kilbourn City. 

Alexander Mitchell. — This steamer was built in 1878, by the Kilbourn Boat Company 
— George Smith, President. Under command of Capt. D. C. Van Wie, she made regular 
trips during the seasons of 1878 and 1879. Her regular hours of departure were 9 A. M. 
and 2 P. M. Her run is through the Upper Dells. 

Hops. — The cultivation of hops for the general market commenced in this vicinity in 1859, 
the first load being brought here by King Thompson, in the fall, and sold to W. A. Ramsey, 
for 14J cents per pound. Year by year, the quantity increased, and as the quality 
was good, fair prices were received. In 1865, Ramsey and Hansen commenced the 
manufacture of hop presses, in that year making 100 and finding a ready sale for 
them in this neighborhood. In 1866, the number was increased to 200, which was further in- 
creased to 300 in 1867, and the same number in 1868, since which time there has been no de- 
mand. The profits made by those engaged in the culture of hops being large, one after another 
of the farmers engaged in it, until, in 1867, the whole country in this vicinity became excited 
in a wonderful manner, and a very large area of land was devoted to this purpose. When the 
season came for picking and drying, considerable difficulty was experienced in securing a suffi- 
cient number of pickers, and this demand created a new industry. Leroy Gates, the celebrated 
Dell Pilot, conceived the idea of going to many of the cities and villages throughout the State, 
securing the service of as many girls as possible, and hiring them to the farmers at a certain 
sum per head. It required 15,000 pickers to gather the crop this year, 10,000 of whom were 
brought from abroad, the greater number through the influence of Mr. Gates. The editor of 
the Milwaukee Sentinel was on one of the trains bringing a delegation of pickers to this place, 
and thus expresses his thoughts : " Coming from Milwaukee, a few days ago, while comfortably 
enjoying a cigar in the smoking car, the train stopped at a little station — there they were, and 
in they came — a thousand, we thought, but the recruiting officer said there were but six 
hundred — a thousand were coming on the next train. The major general of this division of the 
army of hop pickers was Leroy Gates, who makes the unsuspecting public, who read the Sentinel, 
believe that he is a Dells pilot. Pilot he is, but not of logs or lumber — he pilots the wearers 
of calico and crinoline to the fields where the hops do grow. It broadens human feelings to know 
there are so many lively girls in the world, and beer will be none the worse for a view of the 
hands which pick the berries, that give it its bittersweet." The total yield for the year, ship- 
ped from this station, was 27,000 bales, of 200 pounds each, a total of 5,400,000, which, at 50 
cents per pound, would yield a revenue of $2,700,000. This is a low estimate, as a large 
amount was sold at 65 cents a pound. The cost of picking this crop was $270,000, nearlj' all 
of which was earned by girls. 

The circulation of nearly $3,000,000 among the farmers in this vicinity stimulated 
every branch of industry. Every one seemed to have all the money they cared for. 
The farmers were delighted with their experience, and each believed he had found the sure 
way to wealth. Therefore, in 1868, the number of hop-yards increased, and the older ones 
enlarged. When the season drew near for picking, the question arose as to where the pickers 
were to come from to gather this immense crop. Leroy Gates and Anson Rood endeavored to 
solve the problem and, in midsummer, advertised throughout nearly the whole State for pickers, 
and established agencies in almost every village. Contracts were made for the season with all 
who would go, their railroad fare being paid to and from their place of residence, and board 
guaranteed, with the highest market price paid for picking. Special trains were chartered to 
bring in tiie pickers, and, for several days, every freight and every passenger train was 
crowded with fair women, on their way to the hop-fields. It was the endeavor of Gates 
and Rood to keep those from a neighborhood together, if possible, and, when engaged, they 
were classified as A, B, C, and so on, and instructed, on their arrival at this place, to go with 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 821 

tlie party who should call for their class. Farmers who had contracted for a certain number 
of pickers were given to understand they should receive their number from a specified class. 
This plan did not work as satisfactorily as expected. Unprincipled men took advantage of the 
circumstances, and, on arrival of the train, would call out, "Class A, take this wagon." 
" This way, all belonging to Class B." thus deceiving the ladies, and swindling the contractors 
out of their fees for obtaining the service of the pickers, and the contracting parties out of the 
number they were to obtain. 

The heaviest loaded train arriving here contained about twelve hundred. It arrived in 
the night, but over three hundred teams were in readiness to convey the pickers to the hop- 
yards. The crop this year amounted to 30,000 bales, but instead of receiving fifty and sixty 
cents per pound, ten cents was all that could be obtained. Instead of $3,000,000, which it was 
confidently believed would be realized, $600,000 was about the sum total, half of which went to 
the pickers. 

As may readily be imagined, the hop-yards of 1869 were few and far between, and the 
yield for the year was small indeed, and but little, comparatively, has since been done, though 
there are those who have never abandoned the business, and taking it year by year, there is 
nothing grown here that will yield a better profit. 

Fires. — A fire of a magnitude never before witnessed in this section of the country occurred 
in this place about 10 o'clock, P. M., March 14, 1866, turning ten families out of doors and 
destroying the business of eleven men and firms — two of the families left without a change of 
wearing apparel. The Eastern mail, arriving here at 9 P. M., is distributed about 10, at which 
time most of the citizens receive their mail, and the leading places of business are not generally 
closed till some time after. So it was on this occasion, and while many were still in the post 
office, Mr. Kingsbury, on his way home, noticed a fire in a shed attached to the second story 
of J. E. Dixon & Son's store, at the back end of the main building, and extending over the 
roof of an extension to the store, in which shed the fire probably originated, but from what 
cause can be only a matter of speculation. The firm of J. E. Dixon & Sons were all in their 
office at the time, which was almost directly under the shed before mentioned. The first inti- 
mation they had of the fire, they saw it breaking through over their heads. It was then too 
late to impede its progress, and the only thing that could be done was to save such goods as they 
could, but the fire being in the center of the store, but a small portion could be saved. They 
had in their store between $90,000 and $100,000 worth of goods. They succeeded in securing, 
in a damaged state, somewhere about $25,000 worth. 

The second story was occupied by Mr. E. R. Herren, a member of the firm, and by his 
father, Robert Herren, as dwellings. At the time the fire broke out, Mrs. Herren and ser- 
vant-girl were absent from home. Mrs. Robert Herren and family had all retired. Mr. Herren 
had just returned from the post office, and hardly had time to get himself and family out, some 
of them without even a full suit of clothing. 

The fire first extended east, and shortly after west, burning in its course the stores of Dr. 
G. W. Jenkins, druggist ; T. Connor, dry goods ; Mrs. Stevens, milliner ; J. P. Dunlap, grocer, 
and N. Van Alstine's blacksmith-shop, in the east, and a store owned and occupied by F. Mar- 
tin ; store owned by Seth Knowles and occupied by C. D. Woodruff, druggist, and J. M. 
Weber, jeweler and Postmaster ; store of J. E. Hansen, hardware merchant ; store of Kuney 
& Bergstresser, occupied by J. E. Hansen with stoves and iron ; two stores owned by E. F. 
Barker, one occupied by T. Baker as a butcher shop, and the other by A. S. Barker as a fur- 
niture-shop on the west, in each of which buildings, except the store of Kuney & Bergstresser, 
there was a family. 

The night was extremely still ; there was no wind, and none, or scarcely none, was created 
by the fire, yet the flames extended very rapidly, consuming the entire row of stores in about 
two hours. The flames reached very high, and it is stated were seen at a distance of twenty- 
five miles. Most of the household goods, except those of the Herren's, were saved, but very 
much damaged. The other goods saved were also greatly damaged. Loss, $100,000. 



822 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The second fire of special consequence was on the 30th day of January, 1868, when the 
Kilbourn City Institute was destroyed, with a loss of $5,000. 

On the 4th day of October, 1876, Kilbourn City was again visited with a destructive fire, 
in whicli eight buildings on the south side of Broadway, between Oak and Elm streets, were 
totally destroyed. George Oswald, Rev. Matthew Bennett, Jake Roth, G. Maultbetsch, A. Rost, 
S. H. Higgins, Mrs. Louisa Taylor, Mrs. Brown and Dr Hooker, were tlie jirincipal losers. In 
this fire, the office of the Wisconsin Mirror was destroyed ; total loss, $10,000. Says a writer 
in the Columbus Democrat, October 14, 1876 : 

" The fire at Kilbourn, last Wednesday morning, was a disastrous one for that village. At 
about 1 o'clock, the flame was discovered in the building wherein are located the Mirror office 
and the flour and feed store of John Soeldner ; it was altogether beyond control, and very little 
was rescued at this point. The fire, first seen on the south side of Broadway and east of Oak 
street, soon spread to the buildings on either hand, and made rapid progress until every structure 
in the block east of Stroud & Coon's law office, including several frame buildings, were entirely 
consumed. An employe in the adjacent shoe-shop of George Oswald was at work there until 
midnight, and, if the fire did not originate there, it was undoubtedly an incendiarism. Oswald's 
loss was very slight, the contents of his shop being saved in great part. The presses of the 
Mirror were saved in a damaged condition, but everything else was burned. Soeldener's loss is 
$500. The building was owned by Mathew Bennett, of Baraboo, as was the Mirror building. 
Jacob Roth's family, in the next building, had close work to escape with their lives, and saved 
nothing but a sewing machine and the Sunday clothes of Mr. R.; his loss is $1,800. The ne.xt 
house east was owned by George Maultbetsch, but was unoccupied ; a barn and ice house were on 
the lot, and the loss is $1,000. Next came the milliner-shop and dwelling of Mrs. G. Van Alstine. 
owned by Seth S. Higgins, of Randolph : this building was insured for $1,000 and was the only 
one so insured. In Wright's furniture and book store, much of the goods were saved, but a 
large amount of furniture, lumber and tools were burned ; Wright's loss is estimated at $2,000. 
J. Jackson Brown's building was the last in the block, and was destroyed like the others ; it 
was occupied as a meat-market, by Mr. Banker, who saved nothing but his ice-box. " 

In the formation of new villages, the usual order is first a blacksmith-shop, then a saw- 
mill and after that other enterprises demanded from the situation. In Kilbourn City, the first 
thing was a newspaper, second a carpenter-shop, and third a hotel. This latter was the third 
building erected in the place and was known as the Tanner House, but in 1875 changed to the 

Finch House. — Captain John Tanner had a small story and a half house in the village of 
Newport, which in December, 1855, he removed to this place, and fitted up for a hotel. 
Moving it up on runners, and before placing it upon the foundation prepared for it, Mrs. 
Tanner prejjared therein an excellent dinner, and Byron Kilbourn, President of the LaCrosse 
& Milwaukee Railroad Company ; Jonathan Bowman, afterward State Senator from this 
district, then of Newport ; John Anderson, contractor for the building of the dam, and John 
B. Vliet, locating engineer of the L. & M. road, sat down to the table by invitation of Mr. 
and Mrs. Tanner. After eating, each of these gentlemen insisted on paying 50 cents for 
their dinner, in order to properly dedicate the house to hotel purposes. In 1860, the house 
was enlarged by adding an addition three stories in height, leaving the original house to serve 
the purpose of an L. In 1867. the house passed into the hands of George Ribenack, and by 
him was enlarged to its present dimensions in the summer of 1868. In 1875, W. H. Finch 
became the proprietor, and further improved the appearance by the addition of verandas on 
the south and east sides. The house has always borne a good reputation, but since it came in 
possession of Mr. Finch it has become more noted and its praise is spoken far and near. Mr. 
Finch refurnished the house in every particular ; its rooms are large, nice and clean, and. 
assisted by A. W. Oxiey, he does everything in his power to render his guests comfortable. 
The table is equal to any $2-a-day house in the west. During the summer season, it is contin- 
ually crowded, and visitors to the Dells ever find the Finch House a pleasant place to stop 
after a day's ramble, and view the magnificent scenery. In 1878. during the season for the 



HISTORY or COLUMBIA COUNTY. 823 

summer excursions, 2,500 persons registered at this house, and in 1879, the number was in- 
creased to 3,500. 

Commercial House. — This house was erected in 1857, by Col. Moeler, and named the 
Railroad House. Several changes were made in its ownership, and in 187.J, it passed into the 
hands of John Bush, who removed it to its present location fronting the freight depot, and 
changed its name to the Commercial. Mr. Bush remained proprietor until 1868, but leased it 
one year to R. B. Rose. In 1878, Mrs. Ryan became proprietor. 

Western House. — Erected in 1878 by John Bush. Is a large two-story frame and will 
accommodate about twenty guests. 

G-len Cottage was opened in 1874, by J. Dunn, and continued in successful operation until 
fall of 1879, when Mr. Dunn retired and the house closed. It was a pleasant stopping-place 
with accommodations for about twenty persons. 

Farmers' Home. — R. B. Rose commenceil the erection of this house in March, 1877, and 
opened it to the public in the fall following. As its name indicates, it is a good farmers' home, 
and well patronized by that class. Accommodates about twenty. 

American House. — Was built in 1860, and has had a varied fortune. In the fall of 1876, 
Charles F. Howard purchased the property. It is located opposite the Chicago, Milwaukee k 
St. Paul Railroad depot. Has accomodations for about twenty. 

Medical and Surgical Institute. — As the traveler approaches Kilbourn City, no matter 
from what direction, the first object that attracts jhis attention is a large brick building situated 
on the summit of a hill about a mile from the depot. At an early day a man named Bronson. 
a resident of Prairie du Chien, endowed an institute for the higher education of young men and 
women, the location of which was to be decided by the Methodist Conference. In 1856, Point 
Bluff was selected as the site of the proposed seminary, and it was completed and opened in 
1857. For a time, everything prospered and the school was full. Fine houses were built ami 
the future of Point Bluff seemed assured, but in 1858 the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad was 
completed to Kiltourn City, and from that time the place began to decay, though the school 
was not closed until 1865. The next year the building was removed to this place, as Kilbourn 
was considered a much more eligible locality than Point Bluff. A large number of pupils were 
in attendance, and the school prospered finely, but on the 31st of January, 1868, it was burned 
to the ground. There was an insurance of 11,000 on the building, and with this money a fine 
brick structure was erected, but no school was ever held in the new building. In 1876, -Frank 
C. Straw, Esq., bought the property for $800, with the condition that he should improve the 
property and run it, at least five years, as a water-cure and medical and surgical institute. 

Before the property came into the possession of the present owner, $5,800 had been 
expended upon the building and grounds. Mr. Straw has invested about $6,000 more, making 
the total cost some $12,000. 

The structure is situated on the hill at the head of Washington avenue, and the cupola is 
about one hundred and sixty feet above the passenger depot. The main part is 36x53 feet, two 
stories and a half in height, surmounted by a cupola, or dome, which is inclosed with glass doors 
and windows. The wing is built on the east end of the main buildings and is 28x65 feet, three 
stories and attic. The entire building contains thirty rooms, besides numerous closets, bath- 
rooms and wardrobes. From the cupola a magnificent view can be obtained for miles around. 
Seventeen miles to the southward, a gap in the Baraboo Bluffs shows where Devil's Lake reposes. 
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad stretches away to the southeast, and occasional 
clouds of smoke show the position of the heavily laden trains as they are sweeping along their 
pathway of steel. To the southwest, a few scattering houses can be seen, showing where the once 
flourishing village of Newport stood, while the little village of Delton lies nestled among the 
hills just beyond. Turning toward the setting sun, we see Coon Bluff and Hay Stack, seem- 
ingly but a short distance away, but in reality many miles, while in the northwest the Elephant's 
Back rises far above the neighboring hills. At our feet, embowered in a forest of trees, lies 



824 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Kilbourn, while we trace the channel of the grand old Wisconsin until finally it is lost in the 
mazy distance. 

The wing of the building has been fitted up for bedrooms, kitchen, dining-room, bathrooms, 
etc. On the lower floor is the Turkish bath room, which joins the shampooing-room and hot and 
cold water bathroom. The engine-room contains a five-horse-power engine which pumps water 
from a well 160 feet deep into the tanks in the attic. Steam and hot water from the boiler is 
used for heating the water in the tanks. 

The institution was opened in the summer of 1878, by Dr. William Russell, who operated 
it until Api-il, 1879, when it passed into the hands of Dr. J. S. Galloway and Dr. G. C. McEl- 
roy and wife, the latter also being a physician. In January, 1880, Dr. Galloway retired, and 
G. C. McElroy, M. D. and Mrs. A. McElroy, M. D., remained in charge. 

The first settlers of Kilbourn City experienced considerable difficulty in their intercourse 
with the outer world by means of the mails. From the time Alanson Holly settled here in the 
woods till September, 1857, the citizens were dependent upon Newport. Strenuous efforts 
were made to have an office established here, but it was not until after the completion of the 
railroad that their efforts were crowned with success. J. Armstrong was the first Postmaster. 
Filing the required bonds, he then appointed Edward Palmer deputy, and the latter attended to 
all the duties of the office. Mr. Armstrong resigned soon after. Mr. Palmer was appointed to 
fill the vacancy, and served until the spring of 1859, when J. Jackson Brown was commissioned 
in his stead. Mr. BroAvn held the office until February, 1864, when J. M. Weber succeeded 
him, and continued in office until February, 1878, a period of fourteen years. W. H. Mylrea 
was Mr. Weber's successor. In 1867, it was made a money-order office. The first order 
drawn was to George A. Woodford in favor of R. M. Thompson, Unionville, Conn., and payable 
at Hartford, in same State. Mr. Woodford had also the second order drawn. 

The Spring Grove Cemetery Association was organized December 11, 1859, having for its 
purpose the securing and holding in trust a place for the burial of the dead. George F. Noble. 
S. D. Hambleton, Charles Teshner, W. H. Peabody, I. W. York and H. McDonald were 
elected trustees. The trustees were instructed to procure from E. T. Hooker twenty acres of 
land, described as the west half of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 1, 
in Township 13, north of Range 6 east. On account of the difficulty in securing a perfect 
title, and also because of the great distance from the village, this action was reconsidered, and, 
in the spring of 1862, Dr. Hooker deeded the association twelve acres off the northwest quarter 
of Section 11, Township 13 north, Range 6 east, which lies just east of the village. This land 
has been laid out in blocks and lots, with convenient roadways running through, and is also neatly 
inclosed. The first person to be buried there was a child of G. H. Daniels. The trustees in 
1879 were J. N. Schmitz, George Oswald, W. A. Ramsay, A. Chamberlain, I. W. York and 
Frank Hill. 

Satv Mill. — The first saw-mill in the place was put in operation in the fall of 1857, by 
Hines & Drinker, who continued to run the same until 1870, when it was purchased by the 
junior member, who formed a partnership with two brothers, under the firm name of Drinker 
Brothers. Steam power is used. The mill is capable of turning out 14,000 feet of lumber 
each day often hours' run. Drinker Brothers are extensive dealers in lumber and all material 
usually found in a yard of that kind. 

Planing and Grist Mill. — As soon as lumber could be obtained from the new saw-mill of 
Hines k Drinker, Walker, Munger & Co. erected a large planing-mill and commenced the 
manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. In i860, they added a grist-mill to their business, 
since which time the three departments have been in constant operation. A thirty-horse power 
engine drives the whole machinery. In ordinary times employment is given to about thirty 
men. The flour here manufactured is rated in the Chicago market as the very best, and gene- 
rally the firm receive an advance on the highest quotations. In 1878, the manufacture of syrup 
from sorghum was also engaged in with success. 



HISTORY OF COLirMBIA COUNTY. 825 

Foundry and Machine Shop. — In April, 1879, G. M. Marshall & Son established in tlie 
village a foundry and machine-shop, meeting with good success in the manufacture of Marshall's 
patent blacksmith shears, power corn shellers, and turbine water-wheels. Their foundry is well 
supplied with every modern invention for their work, and they turn out, on short notice, casting 
of all kinds. 

Kilhourn City Brewery. — Erected in 1858, by Mechler & Leute, who continued the same 
until 1861, when, on the death of the junior partner, Andrew Leute, Julius, Charles and Thad- 
deus Leute, brothers of Andrew, purchased the institution from Mr. Mechler and the heirs of 
Andrew Leute. These brothers continued in partnership a short time, and then Julius Leute 
became sole proprietor. About eight hundred barrels of lager beer are manufactured yearlv. 

Union Horse Collar. — The invention of John N. Schmitz, of this village. It is a collar 
and hame combined, and is made so as to be easily fitted to the neck of the horse, having a 
swivel screw on 'top, by which it can be made wider or narrower by the hame-strap below. It 
can be lengthened and shortened by the bolt in the cap on the top. In 1876, a company was 
formed, under the name of Union Collar Company, for the manufacture of the article. They 
have succeeded in building up a large trade. 

Bank of Kilbourn. — This institution was opened for business, August 26, 1867, by John 
P. McGregor. In February,. 1868, Mr. McGregor disposed of the same to Jonathan Bow- 
man. It is a private bank, with its entire business transacted upon its own capital, receiv- 
ing no deposits, but otherwise doing a regular banking business, selling exchange upon Mil- 
waukee, Chicago, New York, and all foreign countries. John W. Brown is the cashier, and 
has been with the bank since January, 1869. 

Toivn Mall. — This is a large building upon Oak street, north of the Finch House, and was 
erected for theatrical, concert and lecture purposes. In size it is 30x80, 18-foot ceiling, with 
large stage in the rear. It was built by a stock company in 1868, and is rented for purposes 
named, on reasonable terms ; W. II. Finch, agent. 

Baptist Church. — Elders Keith and Sprague were the first missionaries of this church, and 
held a number of sei-vices in the winter of 1858. In May following, a number of the brethren 
met in the old schoolhouse, for the purpose of effecting an organization. Elder A. E. Green 
was present and acted as Moderator. Deacon John Hogoboom, Mary Hogoboom, Samuel S. 
Barker, Mary A. Barker, Augustus S. Barker, Edward F. Barker, Charles H. Barker and 
David Stillwell signed the articles of covenant. John Hogoboom was made Deacon, and David 
Stillwell, Clerk. Elder Green was invited to become their Pastor, and accepted the call, coming 
twice a month from his home in Delton to hold services here. He remained with them until 
August, 1864, when Elder Snider was called to the work. July 18, 1867, Elder George W. 
Freeman was invited to become their regular Pastor, and accepted the invitation. In August, 
1867, the churches of Dell Prairie and Delton, which had become weakened by removals and 
other causes, came forward and united with this church, thus giving them an effective working 
strength of about sixty members. At this time, J. W. Wood was appointed Deacon, and A. S. 
Barker, Clerk. February, 1868, a committee was appointed to take into consideration the 
erection of a church edifice, and their report being satisfactory, the work was immediately 
undertaken. The flush times of the previous year made the community liberal in subscribing 
to the church fund, but the failure in the principal product of this region made collections 
slow, so that it was impossible to complete the building. As soon as inclosed and plastered, it 
was rented to the village for two years. It was not made ready for formal dedication until 
December, 1872. Elder J. W. Fisher preached the sermon. Elder Freeman remained with 
the church until November, 1869. Elder E. L. Schofield was the next to minister to the con- 
gregation, but only remained a few weeks, and was succeeded by Elder A. L. Seward, who 
remained six months. The church then remained without a pastor for several months. In 
August, 1871, Rev. H. C. Fuller engaged in the work, and continued for two years. Again, 
for a short time, the church was without a shepherd ; but in April, 1874, Elder John C. Doug- 
lass was ordained to the ministry, and was then called to the pastorate ; remained one year, and 



826 1IIST(JKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

was succeeded by Elder J. S. Cox, who served four months, wlien Rev. F. S. Witter came and 
remained one year. Rev. H. C. Fuller was then called for the second time, and continued to 
serve until September, 1879. The church is weak numerically and financially, but has some 
earnest Christian men and women connected with it. A Sunday school is maintained, with a 
membership of fifty, with A. S. Barker as Superintendent. Hours of service for the church: 
Sunday, 10:30 A. M., and 7:30 P. M. Sabbath school. 12 M. 

Methodist Episcopal. — The first preaching by a minister of this denomination, in this vil- 
lage, was in the old schoolhouse, in the spring of 1857, by Rev. William Mullen. A congre- 
gation was soon afterward formed. John Kneen and wife, Silas Merrill and wife, Cook and 
wife and Harriet Peabody were in the first organization. Silas Merrill was the first Class 
Leader. After worshiping awhile in the old schoolhouse, a small dwelling-house was purchased 
and fitted up for religious purposes. Here they assembled from time to time until the house 
became too small, when they went back to the schoolhouse. An old store building was now 
purchased and used until it also became too small, when it was sold and the money applied on a 
new building. While this was in progress, the congregation worshiped in the old academy 
building. Sabbath, January 31, 1868, the new church was dedicated, with appropriate services. 
Among the Pastors who have served, were Revs. Mullen, Springer, Searles, Faucier, Smith, 
Yocum, Howe, Bennett, Case, Bishop, Allen, Buck, Gaskell, Steele, Hamilton, Duncan, Hazel- 
ton, Full and Webster. The church is weak numerically and financially. 

Protestant Episcopal. — The first public service of the church in Kilbourn City was in the 
year 1858, the Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson, of Portage, otficiating. Occasional services were 
thereafter given by the Rev. Mr. Thompson and his successor in St. John's Parish, Portage, 
the Rev. A. J. M. Hudson. From 1860 to 1863, services were given more or less regularly 
by the Revs. J. 0. Barton, William Pray Ten Broeck and Mosely Morris, successively itiner- 
ants on the line of the La Crosse & Milwaukee, now Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. 
Some church interest was developed and two lots were given by Mr. Edward Roddis, of Mil- 
waukee, for the purpose of erecting thereon a church building. The missionary, however, being 
withdrawn and the services discontinued, several of the church families in the meanwhile remov- 
ing, the lots were allowed to be sold for taxes, and all church interest died out. In the year 
1867, the Missionary Board, adopting a new plan of missionary work, placed the Rev. George 
Vernor as its missionary on the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; at 
which time services were once more commenced, and regularly maintained on the first Sunday 
of each month, together with occasional week-day services. Some of the old church families 
having returned and new ones having moved in, a new interest was developed, and a mission 
organized under the name of St. Paul's Mission, Kilbourn City. The lots sold for taxes were 
redeemed, and a deed for another lot was given by Byron Kilbourn. In the fall of 1868, the 
Rev. Chester Adams was associated in the missionary work, the headquarters of the mission 
being Beaver Dam, services being continued at Kilbourn City, the same as the year previous. 
In 1870, Rev. William B. Bolmer was placed in charge, and continued to serve until 1872, 
when he was succeeded by Rev. Peyton Gallagher, who only remained six months, and was fol- 
lowed by Rev. F. C. Eldred, who remained until March, 1875. At this time, Rev. J. B. 
Pedelupe was called to the pastorate, remaining in charge until June, 1878, since which time 
no regular services have been held. The parish was organized with nine communicants. Thirty- 
two have been added to this number, making a total of forty-one, of whom fourteen have 
removed, leaving twenty-seven. A. C. Dixon, Warden ; John W. Brown, Secretary and 
Treasurer. 

Preshyterian. — In the summer of 1855. a petition was drawn up, signed by nineteen per- 
sons, asking the Presbytery of Winnebago to organize a church at Newport and Delton. The 
petition was sent to Rev. William W. McNair, then of Portage City. Rev. Stewart Mitchell 
was stopping with Mr. McNair, and the two visited the new field. The Presbytery soon after 
sent Rev. H. M. Robertson to organize the church, should the way be clear. The church being 
organized by Mr. Robertson, Rev. Stewart Mitchell was called as its first Pastor. Great diflSculty 



HISTOEY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 827 

was experienced in obtaining a room in which to hold divine service. Frequently the 
congregation would meet in private houses, in jmblic halls, in storerooms, in dining-rooms, any 
where that shelter could be had. and the people assembled to hear the Gospel. A cliurcli house 
was needed, but property in Newport was depreciating, and it was with the utmost difficulty a 
sufficient sum could be raised to .erect a church edifice. But by persistent effort, it was done, 
and on the 23d of August, 1857, a small church building was dedicated to the service of 
Almighty God. The church meanwhile began to lose by removals, and soon after the church was 
built, it became apparent that it would have to be abandoned. On Sunday, June 29, 1856, 
Rev. Mr. Mitchell preached his first discourse in Kilbourn City, and soon after began to preach 
regularly in the place. But great difficulty was experienced in awakening an interest. Elder 
J. M. Weber removed here in the spring of 1858, and the minister in the fall. The first 
communion was held in April, 1858, and four persons were admitted to che church. R. M. 
Thompson was elected an additional Elder. The church now began to grow slowly. In 1861, 
the project of building a church was seriously talked of, and, in the beginning of 18G2, the 
church at Newport was taken down, and the materials brought to this place for erection during 
the summer. Various circumstances delayed action until fall, and in the fall difficulties were 
greater than ever. Money was not easily obtained, and the work could not have commenced, 
but for the help of a benevolent lady in Milwaukee, Mrs. Harriet T. Smith, who furnished the 
means to buy the lumber necessary for erecting and inclosing the building. Alanson Holly 
gave the lot'on which to build. In August, 1863, the church building was dedicated during a 
meeting of the Presbytery of Winnebago. At this time. Rev. Mr. Mitchell resigned the pas- 
torate on account of the ill health of his wife, and was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Strain, 
who acted as supply for a year. An interim of a few months followed, when Rev. Willis B. 
Phelps supplied the church in part and, on the 25th of September, Mr. Phelps was 
invited by the church to become its Pastor. This relation continued until 1870, when 
Mr. Phelps retired, and was succeeded by Rev. George F. Hunting, who for two years 
supplied the church, and was then chosen its Pastor and continued as such until 1876. For 
two years, the church was without regular service, but in 1878, Rev. J. V. R. Hughes was called 
to the work and yet remains with the church. Those composing the church on its organization 
were Jacob Van Doren, Rachel Van Doren, Simeon Hunter, Eliza Jane Hunter, Abigail 
Britts, Elizabeth Van Vetcher, Caroline Dawes, Mary E. Holmes, Jacob Vanderburg. Charity 
Vanderburg, Maria Andrews, Everett Beardsley, Olive Beardsley, Thomas Murray and Isa- 
bella Murray. J. M. Weber and wife united shortly after. Everett Beardsley was the first 
Elder, and Jacob Van Doren, S. D. Hunter, J. M. Weber, the first Deacons. In 1856, Mr. 
Weber was made an Elder, and has since held that responsible position. Since the organization 
of the church there have been admitted to membership 195. Present membership, 66. The 
officers in 1880 were E. H. Parmlee, Timothy Temple, Harlan McDonald and J. M. Weber, 
Elders. Services held each Sabbath at lOi A. M. and 7 P. M. Sunday school meets each 
Sabbath at 12 M. Dr. McElroy is Superintendent of the Sunday school. 

German Evangelical Lutheran. — Organized in the fall of 1876, at which time a small 
church house was built, at a cost of $800. Rev. Zorn, of Portage, was the first Pastor. He 
was succeeded by the Rev. Hovde, and he, in turn, by Rev. Gesal. In the latter part of 
1879, Rev. E. J. Peterson was called to the work. The church is weak, numerically, num- 
bering but about twelve families. 

Roman Catholic — In 1859, a church was erected in this place, at a cost of $600, since 
which time improvements have been made and the church enlarged, making the value of the 
property about $1,200. In addition, a parsonage was built in 1871, at a cost of $1,600. The 
church numbers eighty-five families. Fathers Montecue, Keenan, De Kalver, Ryan, Siner, 
Galweiler, Gohntyn and H;ekler have each, in turn, served the congregation. 

Columbia Lodge, No 134., '^- ^- ;J' ^- ^- — ^^as organized by dispensation March 14, 
1860, and by charter June 13, 1860, by A. B. Alden, Grand Lecturer. The first officers 
and charter members were: J. M. Weber, W. M.; J. H. Fort, S. W.; Robert Herren, J. W.; 



828 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

J. E. Dixon, T.; L. R. Mitchell, S.; John Tanner, E. T. Hooker, W. S. Payne, William 
Gardner. From its organization till January 1, 1380, ninety persons have been initiated into 
the order. The membership at that time was thirty-eight. The lodge meets the first and 
third Tuesday evenings of each month. The officers for the term commencing the first meeting 
in January, 1880, were: H. R. Snider, W. M.; W. H. Mylrea, S. W.; C. E. Griffith, J. W.; 
J. Mylrea, T.; W. A. Ramsay, Sec. 

Columbia Chapter, No. 31, A., F. cf A. i)/.— Instituted March 8, 1866, by M. L. Young, 
II. P.; A. B. Alden, K., and E. F. Lewis, Scribe. Its first officers were: William C. Swain. 
H. P.; William Case, Scribe ; Frank M. Stewart, K.; I. T. Murray, C. H.; G. H. Daniels, 
P. S.; G. W. Jenkins, R. A. C; 0. W. Dickinson, Third V.; Robert Herren, Second V.: 
Frank Hill, First V.; George Smith, T.; A. Chamberlain, Sec; U. F. Hind, G. Present 
membership, twenty-eight. Meets second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month. The 
officers for the term commencing the first meeting in January were : George Smith. H. P.; A. 
Chamberlain, K.; K. F. Hill. Scribe ; Frank Hill, R. A. C; G. W. Jenkins, C. H.; I. W. 
York, P. S.; G. B. Bacon, Third V.; C. A. Noyes, Second V.; A. C. Di.xon, First V.; John 
Mylrea, T.; J. M. Weber, Sec; 0. W. Dickinson, G. 

Bell Lodge, No. 175, I. 0. 0. i^.— Was chartered January 20, 1870, with S. F. Smith, 
John Jellodd, Peter Emser, A. C. Dixon, J. H. Fosnot, A. F. Leonard, H. H. Tredwell, I. F. 
Friend, C. H. Stone, F. S. Meakler and J. Kingsland as charter members. Membership, Jan- 
uary, 1880, 33. 

The officers elected January 1, 1880, were: H. M. Whitney, N. G.; G. Guyer, V. G.; H. 
Corning, Sec; Charles Schroeder, P. S.; N. Van Alstine, Treas. Lodge meets every Monday 
evening. 

Alpha Encampment, No. 4.S, I. 0. 0. F. — Instituted December 6, 1871, with I. F. 
Friend, George Lintner, George Ribenack, George Smith, Allen Wright, H. R. Snider and 
Jonathan Bell as charter members. Now has 15 members, and meets the first and third Friday 
evenings of each month. 

The temperance cause in this place has always had some very strong advocates — men ami 
women who were willing to labor to " save the fallen and prevent others from falling." As 
individuals, they have toiled ; and in organizations, under various names, they have endeavored 
to inculcate temperance principles in the community. The Wisconsin Mirror, under the man- 
agement of A. Holly, and the Kilbourn City Guard, edited by Wesley Moran, did much to 
advance the cause. 

The first organized eflbrt was that of the 

Minnehaha Lodge, No. 87, I. 0. Gr. T. — A number of ladies and gentlemen of this place 
having petitioned the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars of the State 
of Wisconsin, with authority and assistance to open a lodge, G. W. C. T. Hawley, of Madison, 
accompanied by Mr. Wilder, of Delton, came and effected such organization. The charter 
members of the lodge were J. M. Weber, L. D. Combs, H. McDonald, S. N. Merrill, W. H. 
Peabody, C. D. Woodruff, L. B. Noyes, AV. Recker, John Springer, H. Clark, Thomas ('oon, 
Frank Tanner, Emma Elmer, Ada A. Wheeler, Adaline Weber, Adelia Weber, S. A. Merrill, 
H. M. Peabody, Sarah Cronk and Sarah Smith. As first officers, were elected and appointed J. 
M. Weber, W. C. T.; Sarah Smith, W. V. T.; H. Clark, W. R. S.; Frank Tanner, W. T.; 
L. B. Noyes, W. F. S.; L. D. Combs, W. M.; Thomas Coon, W. I. G.; VV. H. Peabody, W. 
O. G.; Ada A. Wheeler, R. H. S.; Emma Elmer, L. H. S.; John Springer, Chaplain ; II. 
McDonald, P. W. C. T.; Adelia Weber, W. A. S.; Sarah Cronk, W. A. M. 

The lodge flourished until the breaking-out of the war, when a considerable number of the 
members went forth to battle for their country. During the existence of the rebellion, regular 
meetings were sustained, but the interest was not great. In 1865, the membership again 
increased, and interest was well sustaineil until 1866, when a number of the meiubers became 
dissatisfied and withdrew, and, the spring following, the lodge ceased to exist. 





, tyT^, 0>Q/^n-^-^ n^M^r (W, 



POYNETTE 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 831 

Evening IStar Lodge, No. 519^, I. 0. Gr. T., was instituted April 15, 1867, with eighteen 
charter members. The organization of this lodge resulted from the withdrawal of some of the 
members of the Minnehaha Lodge, who had become dissatisfied, and who felt they could better 
labor in the temperance cause in another organized body. The charter members and first ofli- 
cers were George W. Case, W. C. T. ; R. Dudgeon, T. : John B. Markham, W. F. S. ; Orvis 
M. Burnhans, W. Sec. ; Chancey Doughty, W. M. ; I. H. Chickering, W. 0. G. ; William 
Snoad, P. W. C. T. ; Anna Bliss, W. I. G. ; Durand B. Peabody, Frank Kingsbury, I. M. 
Strong, H. Taylor, Samuel Kalor, Misses N. E. Case, D. H. Dudgeon, S. Bennett, A. Murray 
and Miss Doughty. The lodge had a prosperous career for some five years, when the interest 
began to decline, and in August, 1875, it ceased to exist. April 7, 1877, it was re-organized 
under its old name and number, and from that time has been quite prosperous. During the 
month of January, 1880, initiations occurred at every meeting, and its working membership 
was thirty-nine, with G. A. Ramsay, W. C. T. ; Hester J. Teare, W. V. T. ; James S. McNeel, 
W. R. S. ; Harry G. Markham, W. F. S. ; Emma V. Drinker, W. T. : Frank H. Marshall, 
W. M. ; Mrs. Helen B. Stroud, W. G. ; Harry E. Hinnan, W. I. G. : William Brew, W. 0. 
G. ; William Gillespie, P. W. C. T. ; G. E. York, L. D. 

Kilbourn City Temple, No. l^S, I. 0. Gr. T. — Connected with Evening Star Lodge is a 
degree temple, which was instituted June 20, 1867, which continued to work until August, 1875, 
when it ceased, and was re-organized April 7, 1877. 

Dell Temple, Temple of Honor. — This institution was organized May 16, 1876, by 
Col. Watrous, G. W. C. T., of Fond du Lac. The charter members, as well as its first officers, 
were P. F. O'Hare, W. C. T. ; A. D. Lincoln, 'W. V. T.; J. H. Dunn, W. R.; S. Cadv, W. 
A. R.; J. H. McNeel, W. T.; W. C. Hicks, Chaplain ; H. 0. Darling, W. U.; Fred." Hin- 
nan, W. D. U.; James Hinnan, W. G.; J. M. Bilby, W. S. ; J. B. Markham, P. W. C. T.; 
George F. Noble, D. G. W. T. The temple has had its seasons of prosperity and seasons of adver- 
sity. But three of the original number were living in the village January 1, 1880. The removal 
of the others has tended to weaken the order, but their regular meetings are still kept up. 
For the term commencing January 1, 1880, the officers were James Clapper, W. Y. T.; A. E. 
Drinker, W. V. T.; C. A. Thompson, W. R.; N. Van Alstine, W. T.; Henry Rich, W. G.; I. 
H. Chickering, W. S.; J. B. Markham, P. W. C. T. The temple meets every Thursday night 
in Temple Hall. 

A Reminiscence. — " I came to Kilbourn City," writes A. Holly, "the last of October, 

1855, and hastily prepared a house in which my family could live, and an office in which to 
print my paper ; and issued the first number of the Wisconsin Mirror, the 1st day of January, 

1856. The day was very cold, for a peculiarly cold winter, and our office was very open. I 
wrote my editorials in the house, and picked up dry wood about where the village now is, and 
hired green wood cut when I could not get dry. 

" The day on which we published the first number of the Mirror, the mercury was 17 
degrees below zero, at noon. The office boys were obliged to heat planks to stand on, to keep 
their feet from freezing, and to keep a kettle of hot water to prevent their hands from freezing. 
There were several of the officers of the ' Wisconsin River Hydraulic Co.' and others, present, 
and when the first paper wa8 struck off", Mr. Noble, of Newport, now a resident of Kilbourn 
City, took it and put it up at auction, for my benefit, and Mr. Weaver, of Ohio, bid it off at 
$65, and immediately paid for it ! The next copy was sold to John B. Vleit, of Newport, for 
$10, and the third to a brother of J. B. Vleit, for $5. This, of course, was all done for my 
encouragement, but it was all kept a profound secret from me, till the sale began. It was to 
keep me ' printing in the woods ' till things thawed out, and it was a good way to do it. 

" The present Kilbourn City was then covered with woods, and not a dwelling-house within 
a mile. Our provisions and other things for use in the house had to be brought from Newport, 
or other places abroad, and much of them were brought on my back, or on the backs of my 
boys. There was, that winter, a considerable quantity of game seen where Kilbourn City now 
is — deer, sometimes bear, rabbits, squirrels, partridges and quail. But the larger of these 



832 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COLNTY. 

animals entirely disappeared on the appearance of the railroad, and considerable of the smaller 
ones. One winter, the northern bears got so hungry that they made us quite a long visit. 

" The Dells of the Wisconsin River, when we came there, had scarcely been seen, except 
by raftsmen, and nothing was said about the canyons or gulches. 

" The summer after we came there, we went frequently through the Dells in small boats, 
and to the canyons and gulches, in boats or on foot. But those canyons were so filled with 
brush and fallen logs that it was difficult to get through them. In 1856, I and the boy went 
to Cold Water Canyon, and it was so cold, in August, that I would not have our women try to 
go in. We afterward went to Witch's Gulch, not then named, and could not get through, 
because the water was so deep below the fall. Afterward I heard that some boys swam 
through ; and because they imagined they saw something on the high wall at the lower end that 
looked like a witch, they named it ' Witch's Gulch.' " 

It remains to point out a few of the advantages of Kilbourn City, geographically, for 
pleasure-seekers. It is situated about midway between Chicago and St. Paul, being one hundred 
and ninety-three miles from Chicago, and two hundred and sixteen miles from St. Paul, and is in the 
immediate vicinity of the Dells, which have already been described. It is seventy-seven miles from 
Oconomowoc, fifty-seven miles from Madison, and sixty-two miles from Sparta. By the run of 
trains, one can leave Kilbourn in the morning, go to Sparta and fish for trout all day, and 
return in the evening ; or go to Oconomowoc and dine, and have some four or five hours' amuse- 
ments on the lakes, and get back to supper at Kilbourn : or go over to Madison, arriving there 
at 10 A. M., and see the capital and public buildings, take a sail on the beautiful lakes by which 
it is environed, and return to Kilbourn to supper, the same night : or take a carriage and pair 
of horses and drive through to Baraboo and Devil's Lake, seventeen miles, and dine and "take 
in " all there is of scenery there, and back to Kilbourn the same night ; or take short runs out 
by trains to Mauston, Lisbon or Camp Douglas, and view the wonderful rock formations all 
along the line: or over to Delton, and take a sail on Mirror Lake, and back to Kilbourn. 

Mirror Lake, located three and a half miles from Kilbourn City station, and four miles 
from the Dells, has hitherto been kept from public notice by the few lovers of good fishing and 
the beauties of nature, who were acquainted with its attractions. But its wonderful refiections, 
magnificent canyons, and entire diflerence from other places of interest, have at length disclosed 
its beauties to the tourist, and in 1879, a steamer was put upon its waters. Its proximity to 
'• Congress Hall," and the mineral springs, and the well-known healthy climate of Delton, 
where it is located — the average mortality being only two deaths per year, out of a population 
of about nine hundred — make it one of the most desirable resorts in the Northwest. 

Lake Mason, the fisherman's paradise, is a spot comparatively unknown, though one of the 
finest of the numerous lakes scattered over Wisconsin. The lake proper is three miles in length, 
and two in breadth, with several large bayous. The lake is situated partly in Marquette 
County, and partly in Adams County, about ten miles north of east from Kilbourn City. The 
drive from Kilbourn City to the little city of Briggsville, so cozily nestled in the valley at the 
foot of the lake, is undoubtedly the finest drive for the tourist visiting the Dells. The fishing 
is among the finest in the West. The favorite sport is trolling for pickerel. The lake is filled 
with them, and the best time to troll is during the months of May, June, September and October. 
Pickerel have been caught here weighing as high as twenty-five pounds. Still-fishing for perch, 
rock bass, black bass, sunfish, and other varieties, is good at all seasons of the year, whenever 
the lake is clear from ice. In the spring and fall, large fiocks of ducks and geese tloat upon its 
bosom, and feed upon the wild rice that grows in wild luxuriance in the different arms of the 
lake. The lake is situated in a valley, where, in the springtime, the waters of the Fox, which 
(low into the great lakes, mingle with those of the Wisconsin, which enter the Mississippi. 

As the traveler reaches the eastern edge of the plateau, about half-way between Kilbourn 
and Lake Mason, he beholds a landscape of green fields, and waving woods, and silver lakes, 
and distant hilltops, veiled in blue, that makes him think he has caught a glimpse of fairyland. 
Now all these attractions around Kilbourn City are in addition to the unique — the wonderful 
Dells! 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 833 



OHAPTEE XV. 

Town of Otsego— Village of Otsego— Village of Rio— Village of Doylestown — Town 
OF Pacific — Town of Randolph — Town of Scott — Town of Springvale — Town of 
West Point— Town of Wyocena — Village of Wyocena — Village of Pabdeeville. 

town of OTSEGO. 

At a meeting of the County Commissioners, held in January, 1849, all of Township 11, 
Range 11, was organized into a town, to which was given the name of Otsego, and the house 
of Edward Williams designated as the place for holding the first election. The name Otsego 
was chosen by the early settlers in honor of Otsego, N. Y., from which place a number had emi- 
grated. 

Wayne B. Dyer was the first man to make a home in the town. He arrived here in May, 
1844, and erected a log house upon Section 22. In this house he entertained the weary traveler 
for a number of years, and Dyer's Tavern became a famous institution. During the summer and 
fall several others came in, among whom were Ulac Wilson and " Old Hans," Cyrus Root, 
Stephen James, Samuel Gibson, E. Lynn, Horace Dodge and Mr. Pellet. In 1845 and 1846, 
a large number came in, among whom were Frank Folsom, Isaac W. Spaulding, J. W. Stewart, 
Abram Van Aermsm and Henry Ager. 

In the fall of 1844, Horace Dodge returned East, where he was united in marriage with 
Miss Eliza Deck, being the first citizen of the town to be married. The first marriage occurring 
in the town was that of John Brown and Caroline Hughes, in the fall of 1847. 

Mary Topliff, in the fall of 1848, taught the first school on Section 22. In the organiza- 
tion of the town into school districts, in the following year, this was made District No. I. 

Elder Wood, of Wyocena, in the spring of 1847, came into the town, and at the house of 
Stephen James on Section 28, preached the first discourse. With the exception of about four 
years spent in the East, Elder Wood, who is a Baptist minister, in the spring of 1880 had com- 
pleted thirty-four years of service in this section of country. In 1849, Rev. Hanson, a Method- 
ist Episcopal minister, organized a class in the scboolhouse on Section 23, which was continued 
in that neighborhood until 1853, when a church was built on Section 3, where religious services 
were afterward held. 

In answer to a letter, Wayne B. Dyer writes : " In September, 1843, I settled on Fountain 
Prairie, on the farm known as the Baker farm (Section 34), and there built the first house in 
that town. Mr. Bushnell was then living in a small board shanty, where John Brown now lives. 
His house was built early in the winter, and John Brown built the next house on the Enos 
Grout farm. These three houses were all of Fountain Prairie until the next summer, except 
Smith Horton's, who built, during the winter, on the Hawkurst farm. Snow fell that year in 
October, and remained until about the 20th of February, when we had a thaw. The snow all 
went off, and the 10th of April plenty of feed for cattle. I have never seen grass as early 
since. In May, 1844, I sold out to E. J. Smith, and moved to the present village of Otsego, 
there being no settler between my place and Fort Winnebago. There I built the first house in 
that town, and I was the first settler there also. During the latter part of the summer and fall 
came several more settlers: Cyrus Root, Stephen James, Samuel Gibson, E. Lynn and others. 
My house, during the summer, was the stopping-place for people looking lor land ; also being 
visited by the Indians, who were sometimes troublesome. Once, during my absence, a drove of 
them came and undertook to make my wife and Mary Swift (now Mrs. John Swarthout) bring 
them water from the spring, which they refused to do. The women now became scared and left 
for the prairie where some men were at work, but before the men arrived the natives had left, 



834 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

and were never troublesome afterward. Snow fell about the middle of October, 1844, to a 
depth of six or eight inches, but soon left, and no sleighing that winter. The next summer 
people came into the country by hundreds, and my old log cabin became known far and wide. 
We were full all the while, and at one time had twenty-seven living in my house besides tran- 
sient visitors. We then belonged to Portage County. In the winter of 1845-46, Columbia 
County was set off from Portage County, and the fall following elected county officers. T. C. 
Smith, Sherift"; Richard F. Veeder, Nathan Griffin and John D. McCall, County Commissioners ; 
Major Dickason, Register of Deeds; John Swarthout, Treasurer; Nelson Swarthout, Clerk of 
the Board. N. Swarthout not qualifying, I was appointed Clerk — said meeting of the Board 
being held at my house. When I asked the Board where I should locate my office, the answer 
was, ' Carry it in your hat.' So you see I carried the county seat one year. The Board finally 
settled on Low's tavern for the county seat until the next Board was elected, and there was held 
the first court for Columbia County — Judge Irvin presiding. Being then under Territorial 
government, the jury were all paid in specie before leaving. Some of them coming without a 
cent, with their dinner and supper in their pockets, and leaving with several dollars, felt ;is if 
they had drawn a prize. ■ The whole expense of the county that year was less than one county 
official receives now. If that old Low tavern could speak, you could hear of some fine doings 
going on there of nights, when John Smith, with Capt. Low's old uniform on, with three or 
four pillows stuffed in for filling up, with sword buckled on, and the old Captain running up and 
down stairs to find out what was wanting ; and he had a cough so long his well had got low. 
Before this year, there were but three precincts for voting in the county — Fort Winnebago, 
Dekorra and Columbus. Four more were added at the first meeting of the Board — one at 
Lan^don's, near Cambria; one at Wyocena ; one at Lodi ; one at Dyer's, comprising Hampden 
and Otsego, known as Dyersburg ; and one at Lowville. The 9th day of June, 1847, there was 
a severe frost ; the ground was frozen and all early corn killed. I planted over the 17th of 
June, and by the 25th of August had as ripe sound corn as I ever raised, which was the most 
remarkable growth I ever saw. About the 15th of June came a hurricane across the prairie 
which blew down Thomas Swarthout's log house, and took John and his sisters about sixty rods 
into a. thicket. It also blew over H. Swift's house, where George Robinson's house now stands. 
The next year we became a State, and the judicial organization of our county commenced with 
the first court at Columbus, under Judge Larrabee. The first Norwegian settlers were Enlor 
Wilson and little Hans ; the first Welshman, Stephen James. Some of the first settlers in 
Otsego were so hard up that they had to live on roast corn and potatoes. Times were hardv as 
no one wanted to hire. The first winter they had to go into Illinois to get pork ; and no butter 
was to be had at any price. My own family never suffered for provisions. Always being fond 
of a dog and gun, I soon became a successful hunter, and always had plenty of venison, for deer 
were very plenty. Could sometimes see a hundred and fifty in a day. But those times are 
gone, and my rifle hangs up rusting." 

The day of the hurricane, leaving his wife at the house of a friend, Mr. Dyer and his 
friend went to Columbus. Observing the storm coming on, they hastened home, and as it 
increased in fierceness, and they were hurrying on, the friend shouted to Dyer, " For God's 
sake, Dyer, can't you drive faster ? " "No," was shouted back. "Then," said he, "I'll go 
afoot." Out he sprang from the wagon and was soon left far behind. Their families, however, 
escaped all injury. 

The old log tavern, although a home for any that came that way, had not been properly 
roofed, and during the first summer often let in more than a little dampness. It is related that 
on one occasion a traveler drove up during a storm, intending to ask for dinner. He found the 
light-hearted mistress seated in a large rocking chair, with skirts tucked up and a baby on each 
knee, while she held an umbrella over them to keep dry, and was rocking and singing, while the 
rain washed off the dinner dishes and covered the floor. 

Rattlesnakes were plenty in the early day, and, in the springtime it was considered dan- 
gerous to venture out without means to destroy them. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 835 

The habit of lost persons traveling in a circuit, was exemplified during the early years of 
Dyer's residence here. Mrs. Dyer had endured the toothache until she thought it impossible 
to longer stand it. Taking her horse and buggy, with her two little children, she drove over to 
Madison and had the tooth extracted. She reached there without trouble and in due time 
started for home ; driving all day, at sunset she reached tlie same house she had stopped at the 
the night before. Somewhat surprised, she put up for the night. The ne.xt morning, she started 
again only to repeat the previous day's experience, returning to the same house for the second 
time. She was now thoroughly frightened and began to think she never would reach home, but 
started with renewed courage on the third day, and was fortunate to reach home at night. 

When Wayne B. Dyer "entertained man and beast," his old log tavern and log barn at 
Otsego was a famous resort for the early settlers for miles around as well as for travelers. That 
was the good old time when there was no whisky tariff, no illicit stills, no Government gangers, 
whisky but three cents a dririk, and when common drinking tumblers were used in dispensino- 
that commodity. Though Dyer kept a bar, he was strictly abstemious in regard to drink, 
althougli it was well known that he sometimes smoked. One day late in the fall, two well-known 
men went to Columbus from Springvale on foot. Returning, they had buffeted a driving storm 
all the way from Columbus to Otsego. Leg- weary and somewhat chilled, with several miles yet 
stretching between the latter place and their- cabin, one of them proposed to the other that they 
should revive themselves at Dyer's bar. The jug and the big tumblers were produced, filled* to 
the very brim and emptied without a grimace, while Dyer looked silently on, in astonishment 
or admiration ; the closest study of his face did not reveal which. A dime was thrown down, 
which was slipped into the till. Waiting a moment for his change, but not seeing it, tlie 
Springvale man remarked, "I thought whisky was three cents a drink ? " Dyer replied " It 
is three cents a drink, but I just now was wholesaling." 

The following are the names of the town officers elected since 1849 : 

1849 — Orin Kincaid, Chairman ; Henry Ayer, John Boutwell, Supervisors ; Isaac N. 
Williams, Clerk ; Samuel Gibson, Assessor; Stephen James, Treasurer ; Christopher Hughes, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1850 — Orin Kincaid, Chairman ; Frank Folsom, Samuel Gibson, Supervisors ; John A. 
Byrne, Clerk ; Horace Dodge, Assessor ; Simpson Marsh, Treasurer ; Henry Ager, Superin- 
tendent of Schools. 

1851 — Orin Kincaid, Chairman ; Isaac D. Gano, John Hughes, Supervisors ; John A. 
Byrne, Clerk ; George D. Mead, Treasurer; Henry Thornton, Assessor ; E. R. Morris. Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1852 — Frank Folsom, Chairman ; William Chamberlain, Asa Thornton, Supervisors ; John 
A. Byrne, Clerk ; G. D. Mead, Treasurer ; Horace Dodge, Assessor ; J. D. Gano, Superin- 
tendent of Schools. 

1853 — G. D. Mead, Chairman : Henry Thornton, William Chamberlain, Supervisors ; Pat- 
rick Doherty, Clerk ; Cyrus Root, Treasurer ; Abram Van Aerman, Assessor ; Asa Thornton, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1854 — N. S. Green, Chairman ; Asa Thornton, David Dwyer, Supervisors ; Patrick 
Doherty, Clerk ; Cyrus Root, Treasurer ; Hans Oleson, Assessor ; Christopher Hughes, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1855 — Frank Folsom, Chairman ; William Allyn, Abram Van Aerman, Supervisors ; Pat- 
rick Doherty, Clerk ; Horace Dodge, Treasurer; Levi Nelson, Assessor; E. W. McNitt, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1856 — Abram Van Aerman, Chairman ; Hans Oleson, C. S. Tompkins, Supervisors ; 
Patrick Doherty, Clerk ; John Boutwell, Treasurer ; Isaac W. Spalding, Assessor ; George Put- 
nam, Superintendent of Schools. 

1857 — Frank Folsom, Chairman ; Hans Oleson, Joel L. Burke, Supervisors ; Patrick 
Doherty, Clerk ; Daniel Daly, Treasurer ; John Boutwell, Assessor ; Edwin W. McNitt, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 



836 HISTOUY OF COLIMBIA COUNTY. 

1858 — Frederick G. Smith, Chairman ; William F. Ide, John Anderson, Supervisors ; 
Patrick Doherty, Clerk ; Daniel Daly, Treasurer ; Hans Oleson, Assessor ; C. 0. Pequin, 
Superintendent of Schools. 

1859— J. L. Burke, Chairman: Cliff Wilson, William F. Ide, Supervisors; Edwin W. 
McNitt, Clerk; John Roche, Treasurer; Frank Folsom, Assessor; Thomas Doherty, Superin- 
tendent of Schools. 

I860 — C. S.Tompkins, Chairman : Thomas Henton, Peter Halverson, Supervisors; E. W. 
McNitt, Clerk; Philemon Root, Treasurer; J. W. Spalding, Assessor: John Sickles, Superin- 
tendent of Schools. 

1861 — J. L. Burke, Chairman : Annun Hanson, Charles C. Holly, Supervisors : E. W. 
McNitt, Clerk ; Philemon Root, Treasurer : J. W. Spalding, Assessor ; John Sickles, Super- 
intendent of Schools. 

1862— J. L. Burko, Chairman : Roswell Palmer, Levi Nelson, Supervisors : E. W. McNitt, 
Clerk ; Philemon Root, Treasurer; C. S. Tompkins, Jabez Hunting, Assessors. 

1863 — Roswell Palmer, Chairman : William H. Robins, Halver Halverson, Supervisors : 
E. W. McNitt, Clerk: Henry Stevens, Treasurer: C. S. Tompkins, Henry Blenis, Assessors. 

1864 — Roswell Palmer, Chairman : Thomas Henton, Clift" Oleson, Supervisors ; Patrick 
Doherty, Clerk : Halver Halverson Shelby, Treasurer : William F. Ide, Assessor. 

1805 — E. M. Rosenkrans, Chairman: L. G. Lloyd, William Bradley, Supervisors; E. W. 
McNitt, Clerk ; Halver Halverson Shelby, Treasurer ; Joseph W. Stewart, Assessor. 

1866 — L. G. Lloyd, Chairman : Thornton Thompson, J. W. Stewart, Supervisors : E. AV. 
McNitt, Clerk : W. A. Pulver, Treasurer : A. W. Dodge, Assessor. 

1867 — J. L. Burke, Chairman: John Bently, Samuel Sampson, Supervisors: Alexander 
Rogers, Clerk : W. A. Pulver, Treasurer ; F. A. Brewer, Assessor. 

1868 — Joel L. Burke, Chairman; Lester Curtis, L. H. Doyle, Supervisors: D. M. Hall, 
Clerk ; Hans Hanson Towgen, Treasurer : James S. Scott, Assessor. 

1869 — Joel L. Burke, Chairman : Lester Curtis, L. H. Doyle, Supervisors: D. M. Hall, 
Clerk : Hans Hanson Towgen, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1870 — J. L. Burke, Chairman ; James P. McMahon, Pliilamon Root, Supervisors ; S. B. 
Curtis, Clerk ; Gabriel Oleson, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1871 — J. L. Burke, Chairman ; James P. McMahon, John E. McMahon, Supervisors; S. 
B. Curtis, Clerk : J. H. Ferguson, Treasurer : Hans H. Tongen, Assessor. 

1872 — John Boutwell, Chairman; Oliver Noble, John E. McMahon, Supervisors; S. B. 
Curtis, Clerk: 0. A. Rustad, Treasurer: H. H. Tongen, Assessor. 

1873 — John Boutwell, Chairman ; Hans H. Tongen, John E. McMahon, Supervisors ; H. 
L. Stevens, Clerk : Philemon Root, Treasurer : D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1874 — John Boutwell, Chairman : J. E. McMahon, J. H. Jurgerson, Supervisors; H. L. 
Stevens, Clerk : Philemon Root, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1875 — D. M. Hall, Chairman : Robert W. Williams, D. D. Fox, Supervisors ; John Peter- 
son, (_'lerk ; M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer : D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1876 — Thornton Thompson, Chairman ; Samuel Sampson, E. C. Palmer, Supervisors ; 0. 
A. Rustad, Clerk: M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer; D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1877 — Thornton Thompson, Chairman; Samuel Sampson, E. C. Palmer, Supervisors; 0. 
A. Rustad, Clerk ; M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1878 — Samuel Sampson, Chairman : Theodore Henton, William H. Gaskill, Supervisors; 
0. A. Rustad, Clerk ; M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer : D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1879 — H. H. Tongen, Sr., Chairman : Andrew Anderson, Jr., John Roche, Supervisors : 
H. H. Tongen, Jr., Clerk : M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor. 

1880 — H. Phillips, Chairman ; H. H. Shelby, Andrew Anderson, Jr., Supervisors ; J. B. 
Meredith, Clerk : M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer ; 0. H. Smith, Assessor. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 837 



VILLAGE OF OTSEGO. 

Around the settlement of Wayne B. Dyer, grew up quite a village between the years 1846 
to 1849. Being on the direct route between Milwaukee and Stevens Point, quite a number in 
search of a home were prevailed upon to stop [here. A post office was here established in 
December, 1847, Cyrus Root receiving the appointment of Postmaster. During the first year, the 
entire recepts of the office was only a trifle over $4. Mr. Root retained the office for 
eleven years, being succeeded by Norman Mead, who held it a little less than one year, resign- 
ing in favor of Mr. Palver. The latter gentleman continued in charge until the inauguration 
of Abraham Lincoln in 1861, when Edwin McNitt obtained the appointment. Mr. McNitt re- 
signed in 186-3, in favor of .John Sickles. From that time until 1872, Mr. Sickles and Lewis 
Stevens filled the position. In 1872, VV. A. Pulver was appointed, serving until the fall of 1878, 
when Henry Root was commissioned. 

Wayne B. Dyer built the first hotel in 1844. The building was of logs, but in time was 
displaced by a large frame house. Mr. Dyer disposed of the property in 1853, to Abijah 
Stevens, and the hotel was discontinued. 

In 1848, John Boutwell built a large dwelling-house, and one year later converted the 
same into a tavern which he named the "Otsego House." His spelling of the word "house" 
was unique. His sign read "Otsego Hous." VVhen informed he should add "e " to the word, 
he replied, " Pshaw, you can't fool me ; that would make it read hous-y 't " The sign was 
put up as he spelled it, but travelers making so much sport of the spelling caused him to take 
it down and make the correction after a time. Mr. Boutwell only continued the house for one 
year, when he sold to Norman Mead, who ran it until 18.57, when Philemon Root purchased it. 
From that time to January, 1880, it has passed successively into the hands of W. A. Pulver, Sol- 
omon Mead, Lot Mead, Josiah Loomis, Archie McDougal, Mr. Willard, Mr. Robbins, Mr. 
Thompson, Mr. Bodie, Samuel Slifer and Fayette Ashley, the present owner. 

In 18.'j4, Dennison Dunning erected a hotel known as the "Gothic House," and continued 
in charge until his death, which occurred in 1864. The widow then continued the business for 
about three years, when she was married to John Boutwell, who, as landlord, served his guests 
until 1873, wlien the business was abandoned. 

The village attained a fair degree of prosperity before the completion of the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad, in 1864, which was located two miles north. 

VILLAGE OF RIO. 

The village of Rio is situated in the extreme northwestern part of the town of Otsego, and was 
laid out in 1864, by N. B. Dunlap, who owned the largest part of the land on which the village has 
been built. In the month of November, 1864, Mr. Dunlap engaged A. Topliff, County Sur- 
veyor, to lay out and plat a portion of his land. This survey was completed and acknowledged 
November 4. Previous to the 8th day of May, 1868, Mr. Dunlap made three small additions 
to the village plat, and Mosher, Buchanan, Van Aernam and Scott also added to the same. 

N. B. Dunlap and Jacob Ulrich began the erection of business houses about the same time 
in November, 1864. There was quite a strife between them as to which should complete and 
first occupy his ■ building. Sixteen years after, each party was confident he was the first. The 
only building that had previously been erected was that of a small warehouse built by Mr. 
Welch, for the storage of grain. This warehouse was also used by the railroad company, until 
the completion of their depot, in the fall of 1865. 

The first lot sold was purchased by Jacob Ulrich, on which he erected a hotel, to which 
was given the name of Rio House. The house was opened in December, 1864, and continued 
in successful operation until May, 1875, when it was destroyed by fire. In July, following, 
Mr. Ulrich began the erection of another house, which was completed and opened for the accom- 
modation of the traveling public, November 10, 1875. The new house was larger than the old, 



838 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

and more convenient, with ample room for twenty guests. In 1866, another hotel was erected 
by Rowland Morris. 

Tlie first dwelling-house was built by John Baw, a German shoemaker, who came here early 
in the spring of 1865. A daughter was born to him in May, of that year, being the first born 
in the village. 

The village post office was first established in the northeast corner of Lowville, in the year 
1852. It was given the name of Rio. When the new village was located, one-half mile from 
this office, it was thought best it should take the same name, as the office would undoubtedly be 
moved there. Delos Bundy at that time was running a small country store, and was Postmaster 
at Rio. In the spring of 1865, he moved his store and office into the village, and consequently 
was the first Postmaster. Mr. Bundy held the office for a few years, and was succeeded by Mr. 
Emerson, and he in turn, in 1872, by M. J. Leffingweil. 

In the winter of 1864-65, Robert Williams and Kennedy Scott started here a lumber-yard, 
being the first to engage in the sale of lumber ; Delos Bundy opened the first stock of general 
merchandise ; Dr. Vincent was the first physician : John J. Brown the first legal adviser. In 
the fall of 1866, W. Davidson put in the first hardware store. In the spring of 1866, Warren 
Bundy, in company with Delos Bundy, put in the first drug store. 

D. Buchanan, in July, 1865, commenced the erection of an elevator, with a storage capacity 
of 10,000 bushels of grain, which was completed and ready for use September following. Mr. 
Buchanan continued in the grain business for two years, when he sold the elevator, it passing 
through many hands, and in 1879, was purchased by F. R. Morris & Co. Mr. Welch, in the fall of 
1865, also commenced to build an elevator, but before completion it was sold to Knowles & Binnie. 
It afterward passed into the hands of Samuel D. Curtis, and was destroyed by fire November 
30, 1872. 

The village cemetery grounds was donated, in ]848, by Samuel Dowd, and a son of Charles 
Dowd was the first burial therein. 

A joint school district was organized in 1849, composed of a portion of the towns of Low- 
ville and Otsego, the schoolhouse being erected in Lowville. Here the children of the village 
have been sent. They now have a graded school of two departments. 

MetJiodist Episcopal Church. — A class was organized in 1863, at the schoolhouse in the 
northeastern part of the town of Lowville. Here religious services were held until the fall of 
1868, when services were held in the Congregational Church in the village. In 1869, together 
with the Baptists, a small building was fitted up for church purposes. The greatest era of 
prosperity attending this church was in 1872, when they had thirty-two members on the class- 
book. In 1879, the number had been reduced to about ten, caused by removals, death and 
withdrawal. 

Congregational Church. — This church was organized in 1863, at the house of David 
Palmer, two miles east of the village, with 0. C. Howe, Juliet Howe, William Scott, Jane Scott, 
David Palmer, Mehitable Palmer and Catherine McKenna. For several years, the congrega- 
tion worshiped in the schoolhouse. In the summer of 1867, they began the erection of a church 
building, which was completed and formally dedicated in October, 1868, Rev. S. B. Doe, Sec- 
retary of the Home Mission Society, preaching the sermon. Previous to this, a sermon was 
preached in the church on the occasion of the death of Abram Van Aernam, in the spring of 
1868. This was the first sermon preached in the house. The church has had the services, as 
Pastor, of Revs. Donaldson, Thompson, Brown, Fairfield, Logan, Cheney, Powell, Demarest 
and Ball. In 1879, Kennedy Scott held the positions of Trustee, Deacon and Treasurer ; Car- 
oline C. Scott, Clerk. A union Sunday school was organized in 1865. In 1879, Kennedy 
Scott was Superintendent ; Mrs. John AVeyant, Assistant ; Arabella Tifl't, Secretary. 

Baptist Church. — This church was organized June 29, 1867, with D. Buchanan, Mrs. 
Buchanan, H. Blemis, M. E. Mosher, L. H. Palmer and wife, J. A. Eliot, Mrs. Wm. Gaskill, N. 
A. Palmer and wife, Mrs. Herring and Miss Buchanan. M. E. Mosher was elected Clerk. The 
organization was effected by Rev. Nathan Wood, of Wyocena, who, in 1880, had served thirteen 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNT r. 839 

years, being the first and only Pastor. The first meetings of the church were held in the school- 
house, and were continued there until the house was refused them for religious services, when 
they niet in various halls in the village, and for a short time in the Congregationalist Church. 
In 1873, a building was purchased and fitted up for their use. In 1879, the officers of the 
church were: C. C. Holly, Clerk; Sylvester Noble, C. C. Holly, William Gaskill, J. B. Carter, 
Seth Allen, G. Palmer, Trustees ; Roswell Palmer, Seth Allen, Deacons. A Sunday school 
was organized in 1868, which has had a flourishing existence. In 1879, Roswell Palmer was 
Superintendent. 

VILLAGE OF DOYLESTOWN. 

On the 16th day of March, 1865, Lemuel H. Doyle purchased of Damon C. Starr 120 
acres off the southeast quarter of Section 11, and, on the 2.5th day of March, purchased of Eason 
Starr 115 acres oif the northeast quarter of Section 14. The main object of the purchase was 
to locate thereon a village. On the 26th day of August, 1865, Alfred ToplifF, County Surveyor, 
completed and had recorded the plat of the village of Doylestown. 

David Metcalf, a former resident of Columbus, erected a store here in the summer of 1865, 
being the first in the village. He operated it for about four months, or until it was burned. 
From that time until 1868, no improvements were made in the place, and, in January of that 
year, only four families resided here. Mr. Doyle determined the place should have a start, and 
made a public offer to give a lot free to any who would build thereon. His offer was accepted, 
and during the year 1868, about thirty houses were erected. Eaton & Canfield built at the 
time a $2,500 elevator, with a storage capacity of 15,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Eaton died 
shortly after, and the elevator was burned in July, 1876. 

The first lot sold was purchased by Thornton Thompson, who erected the first house in the 
village. This house was afterward sold to Joseph Doyle, who, in 1868, built an addition to it, 
and opened the first hotel. 

The first freight was received by J. H. Davis September 19, 1865, consisting of two bundles 
of sash, the charges on which were 25 cents. The first shipment was two cars of bulk wheat to 
Curtis & Mann, Milwaukee, sent by Metcalf & Starr September 16, 1865. First ticket was 
sold May 22, 1866. 

D. Metcalf was the first station agent, serving from September, 1865, to November 1, 
1866. L. H. Doyle was then appointed, serving until November, 1873, when Charles A. Doyle 
received the appointment. From the building of the road to March, 1880, D. Reed, J. A. 
Doyle. F. W. Whitcomb, Julia Williams, C. A. Doyle. C. S. Bensted, L. W. Davis, D. E. Moore, 
J. W. Hancock, H. A. Doyle, S. C. Budlong, F. N. Mills, S. B. Morse, George C. Wright, L. 
H. Martin, J. 0. Baker, P. Vandercook and E. J. Conner have served as telegraph operators. 

The original plat was composed of nine blocks off the northeast quarter of Section 14. 
The first addition was made, June 13, 1868, and was also off Section 14. The second addition 
was made, June 18, 1869, and was off the southeast quarter of Section 11, and comprised 
about forty acres. Isaac B. Downs, about this time, also made an addition, of about fifteen 
acres, to the plat of the village, off southeast quarter of Section 11. 

The first schoolhouse built near where the village was laid out was in 1859. In 1869, a 
larger and better house was erected, at a cost of $1,250. The first teacher in the new school- 
house was Miss Emma L. Holmes. In the winter of 1879-80, Peter F. McMahon was the 
teacher. 

First birth in the village was Martin, son of John Maloney, in the summer of 1866. The 
first death was Mrs. Thompson, July, 1866. 

Catholic Church. — In 1865, Father McGurke organized a society in this place, and in 
1866 a church was erected, at a cost of $1,500. The congregation increasing in numbers, the 
house became too small to accommodate those who desired to attend ; therefore, in 1874, it was 
enlarged, at an additional cost of $700. In 1877, a parsonage was erected, adjacent to the 
church, at a cost of $750. A Sunday school has usually been maintained during the summer 



840 • HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

months. Fathers McGurke, O'Kiefe, Gray, Roche and Murphy, have ministered to the spirit- 
ual welfare of the congregation, from its organization up to 1880. At that time, eighty families 
were represented in its membership. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — A chiss was organized here at a very early day, religious 
services being held in private houses and in the schoolhouses in the neighborhood. The church 
having become numerically strong, in 1870 determined to erect a church edifice. In order to 
best carry out their intentions, David Edwards, David D. James, James S. Hallock, George 
Ormsbee, John J. Scott, George Young, Norman B. Dayton, Lester Hoard and Lemuel H. 
Doyle were elected Trustees, by the congregation. The first meeting of the Trustees was held 
in the shop of L. H. Doyle, January 8, 1871, Rev. B. M. Fullmer, presiding, all the Trustees 
being present. It was then voted to erect a church edifice, which was completed and dedicated 
Sunday, October o, 1873, by Rev. Samuel Fallows, D. D., of Madison, Wis., Rev. J. B. 
Cole being then preacher in charge. The cost of the church was $2,000. L. H. Peck, Lester 
Hoard and L. H. Doyle were the building committee. The first funeral held in the church 
was that of an infant child of Ferdinand and Kate Pinkrou, in the fiiU of 1873, Rev. Oppen, 
of Columbus, a German preacher, ofliciating. The first marriage in the church was that of D. 
W. Edwards and Mattie James, October 21, 1874. 

Protestant Episcopal Church. — Rev. F. C. Eldved organized the church here November 
21, 1877, with the election of George Hall, Warden ; J. G. Smith, Treasurer ; Niels Rasmus, 
Secretary. Mr. Eldred discharged the duties of Pastor of the church, until the summer of 
1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Burlsora. For the first two years, services were 
held every Friday evening, with occasional visits from the Minister at other times. In the fall 
of 1879, the time of services was changed to each Sunday evening. 

Good Templars.— W. P. St. John, D. G. W. C. t., of Portage City, visited the place 
June 26, 1869, and instituted a lodge of twenty-nine charter members. Those composing its 
first officers and charter members were Lemuel H. Doyle, W. C. T.; Emma L. Holmes, W. V. 
T.; Delevan E. Moore, W. S.; Isaac B. Downs, W. C; David Edwards, W. F. S.; Cora A. 
Downs, W. T.; D. W. Edwards, W. M.; Delia E. Doyle, W D. M.; Ella Doyle, W. I. G.: Ful- 
ton R. Morris, W. 0. G.; Mary E. Doyle, R. H. S.; Nellie Peck, L. H. S.; Lester Hoard, P. 
W. C. T.; Charles M. Morris', Henry A. Doyle, Joseph Doyle, Lettie C. Edwards, Norman B. 
Dayton, David D. James. Brigetta A. Waters, Ira C. Edwards, Clarence Peck, T. C. Hop- 
kins, Charles M. Peck, Fannie Hopkins, James Hopkins, Mary Hopkins, Mary J. Doyle and 
John W. Hancock. For five years, the lodge continued in successful operation. In consequence 
of the removal of the greater* number of the most active workers, it was compelled to suspend. 

Patrons of Husbandry. — Union Grange, No. 430, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized 
March 5, 1874, by Deputy Kennedy Scott, assisted by John Sanderson, of Cambria. The first 
officers and charter members were Lemuel H. Doyle, Master ; George Hall, Overseer ; John J. 
Scott, Treasurer ; Peter Morse, Secretary ; Jerome R. Nasholds, Lecturer ; Franklin Andrews, 
Steward ; Charles Peck, Assistant Steward ; Edward F. Palmer, Chaplain ; F. C. Councilman, 
Gate Keeper; Mary V. Andrews, Stewardess; Ellen M. Titcomb, Ceres; Harriet Palmer, Pomona ; 
Sarah Youngs, Flora; Cora A. Downs. Mary J. Doyle, Ida Andrews, George Youngs, Lyman 
B. Ward, Dexter Titcomb, George Williams, Sarah A. Hall, Mary E. Doyle, Thomas W. Davis, 
Demosthenes Nasholds, Anthony Snowdeii. The first meetings of the grange were held in 
Hoard's Hall, afterward in Methodist Episcopal Church. A grange store was started in 1877, 
but both grange and store were discontinued in 1878. 

The Columbus Democrat, under date of March 22, 1872, thus speaks of Doylestown : 

" In 1848, Owen Kincaid entered a tract of land about ten miles west of Columbus (it is 
now owned by H. A. Whitney) and is not far from the station and village of Doylestown, and 
was the first entry in that vicinity. Daniel James was the first settler adjacent to the present 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 841 

site of the little village, his duplicate bearing date May 9, 1848, though Mr. Moses Roberts, in 
1847, entered forty acres, and built a cabin near where Joseph G. Smith lives. Damon C. 
Starr secured his land and arrived two weeks later, his patent, dated September 1, 1849, having 
the signature of President Taylor. He built a log house that year, which was the first struct- 
ure in that locality. The frame building with which he replaced it was five years ago the only 
building near where the village now is. In the same year, William Chamberlain settled on land 
which is now owned by Daniel Tompkins. Eason Starr, in 18.50, purchased of speculators a 
quarter-section adjoining his brother, and Dr. Edward Heath arrived the same year. Most of 
the village is situated upon which was originally bought by the former. The depot and water- 
tank were built in 1865. L. H. Doyle arrived in June, 1865, and purchased the lands of the 
two Starrs, between two and three hundred acres. 

" A village was platted that year, and David Metcalf, a previous resident of Columbus and 
now general roadmaster of the La Crosse & North-Western Division, erected a store which he 
operated for four months, or until it was burned. No progress was made for two or three years. 
In 1868, there were but four families living on the village plat. That year, Eaton & Canfield 
built a $2,500 elevator. 

'* The village now has a population of 200. D. D. Fox and D. D. Jones have each a good 
general store well stocked with dry goods, groceries, etc. Hoard & Earle are engaged in the 
lumber trade, and they also purchase wheat and produce. The elevator has a capacity of 
15,000 bushels of grain. Not long after its erection, one of its owners djed, and it has since 
been closed. R. Elliot, of Milwaukee, holds a mortgage on it, and the building is for sale on 
favorable terms. Residents claim that 40,000 bushels of grain would find a market there, 
under favorable circumstances. Joseph Doyle, father of L. H. Dowle, is the proprietor of the 
Doyle House, the village hotel, which he manages successfully. John Bau is the boot and shoe 
maker of the hamlet, and does his work well. He runs a saloon in connection with his shop 
I. Gormley, a new-conjer, is also proprietor of a saloon. .James Riley is the village blacksmitii. 
Dr. Henry Allen is the resident physician, and, though he only came to Doylestown a few 
months ago, is acquiring an extensive practice. He went thither from Hartland, though for 
six years he was Superintendent of an eye and ear infirmary at Chicago. L. H. Doyle is the 
station agent, express agent and Postmaster. Becoming the owner of the village site, he has 
shown an irrepressible desire to build up the town, and has given away acres to persons desiring 
to become permanent residents. In connection with other business, he established a nursery ia 
1868, and he now has about eight acres set out with choice trees and shrubbery. Last year, he 
manufactured about three thousand brooms. It is not to be denied that he has shown much 
enterprise and liberality in promoting the growth of the village which bears his name. A lodge 
of Good Templars is in Doylestown ; it has sixty members, and Dr. Allen is its Worthy Chief. 
A Catholic Churcli is the only building at present that has been erected for the purpose of wor- 
ship. The priest at Columbus conducts services periodically. One of the best schoolhouses in 
the county was built here some years ago. The Baptist and other denominations have wor- 
shiped here. The Methodists are about to erect a new church, 30x40, and have the stone for 
the foundation already on the ground. 

" It is now about three years since the leftd excitement broke out in the vicinity of Doyles- 
town. A point a few rods west of that station is, by survey, the highest elevation on the rail- 
road between the Wisconsin River and Lake Michigan. To the northeast, the land is broken 
into hillocks of reddish clay, though lime and sandstone frequently appear. On the Hallock 
farm, two miles and a half away, men at the plow brought up rich fragments of ore, and, while 
building fences across the land, found very promising specimens of that material. Carpenter, 
of Rio, has made numerous excavations upon the farm, and has secured ore in paying quantities. 
He is still at work under a lease. About a year ago, the farm was sold to a company at Sparta, 
and they have been since sinking a shaft. It had reached a depth of eighty-five feet the other day 
when we visited the spot, and the work is still in progress. They have been constantly taking 
out good ore, but in very small quantities, yet the indications are that lead exists in large 



842 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

amounts, if it can only be struck. The State Geologist has inspected the locality and adds the 
weight of his opinion to this statement. The formation is peculiar, those clay hills being 
approached on both sides by sand or by prairie. It should also be stated that evidences have 
been found which lead to the belief that silver exists in those ledges. If the secrets of nature 
shall be successfully read in this vicinity, it would make Doylestown a busy station and give an 
impetus to the business of the county even." 

TOWN OF PACIFIC. 

This town is located in the central part of the county, its northwest corner adjoining the 
city of Portage. It comprises the east half of Township 12, Range 9, and a fractional part of 
Sections 4, 9, 16, 21, 28 and -33, of same township and range, lying to the east of the Wis- 
consin River, which river forms its western boundary. It is watered by the Fox River, which 
enters the town on the east through Swan Lake on Section 1, flows west and northwest to 
Portage City. It is also watered by Duck Creek in the central part. About one-half of the 
town is marsh land, 'the remainder is oak openings. The land is generally sandy and low, the 
surface altitude being from 200 to 250 feet. The town was set off in 18-54 from Portage City, 
much to the delight of its inhabitants, avers a local writer, for the reason of the high assessment 
of its lands. 

N. H. Wood, who had entered and purchased a large portion of the land lying within the 
present limits of the town, and had also established a store on Section 16, had the honor of 
naming the town. 

The first election showed about fifty voters ; the number has not since materialh' increased. 
Among the first settlers were Henry Jennings, who came in 1849, Stephen Calverly, H. Holden 
John \V. Lawrence and Benjamin Dow, in 1850 ; N. H. Wood, 1851 ; William Bates, J. W. 
Porter, Moses Bump, Daniel Marston and Jonathan Pegg, in 1854 ; Amasa Porter, Joshua 
Calkins, J. L. Porter and Griffin Smith, in 1856. 

There are no villages in the town, though numerous attempts have been made to establish 
one, and paper cities have flourished. On an old Territorial map, issued in 1837, on the north 
side of Swan Lake is marked the village of " Ida." The proverbial '' oldest inhabitant," living 
in the spring of 1880, had never heard of its existence. In 1838, a magnificent " city " was 
laid out on the same site, which was given the name of Wisconsinapolis, and so well was it 
platted, the lake being crowded with such magnificent steamers, that in the East a large 
number of lots were sold at almost fabulous prices. The success of this venture encouraged the 
owners of the land on the south side of the lake also to plat a city which was to bear the 
name of "Winnebago City." Lots here brought good prices. Henry Merrell relates that 
upon one occasion a gentleman came into his store at the fort, and inquired at what hour 
steamboats left for Winconsinapolis. He was told that at the time boats were very irregular, 
but lie could direct him to the place. The man then inquired which was the best hotel. 
Mr. Merrill declined to answer that question, as he did not wish to injure his popularity as 
a business man by showing partiality in the case. A few hours afterward, when he returned 
from the " city," where no building larger than an Indian wigwam had ever been erected, 
and where twenty-five white men had probably never set foot, he drove rapidly by, neither 
looking to the right or left, his curiosity having been abundantly satisfied. 

In 1838, an act was passed by the Territorial Legislature, incorporating the Marquette 
and Swan Lake Canal Company. James Duane Doty, Lieut. Hovey and others were the 
incorporators. It was the intention of the company to run a canal from Swan Lake into 
Lake George, and down Duck Creek to the Wisconsin River. A tavern was built at the west 
end of Swan Lake, and a ferry run across the neck of the lake. This canal was in opposi- 
tion to the one connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers at Fort Winnebago, and, it was 
thought by its incorporators, would tend to build up the villages of Wisconsinapolis and AVin- 
nebago City. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 8-13 

" Baltimore City " was another paper city which never had an existence in fact. It was 
laid out on Section 33, where Duck Creek empties into the Wisconsin River. 

Says a local writer : " Cities have not flourished in Pacific, but industry has, and no where 
in the county is there less ostentation or more promptness to meet obligations than Pacific. It 
is one of those towns where from a variety of agricultural resources, nnd a strict economy, its 
population seem to ' come out all right in the spring.' When its population quadruples, and 
the land is drained and occupied, Pacific will he a very prosperous and popular town, and to-day. 
for a high order of intelligence, morality, industry, and moderate thrift, it is at least a good 
average of the county." 

The following is a list of town officers elected since the organization of the town : 

1854 — N. H. Wood, Chairman; John W. Lawrence, Benjamin Dow, Supervisors; La 
Fayette Dow, Clerk; Thomas Dow, Treasurer; Stephen Calverly, Assessor; Rodney Loomis, 
School Superintendent. 

1855 — Benjamin Dow, Chairman ; Giles M. Packard, Henry Jennings, Supervisors ; D. 
Marston, Clerk ; R. 0. Loomis, Treasurer and School Superintendent ; Stephen Calverly, 
Assessor. 

1856 — J. W. Porter, Chairman; William Weir, Giles M. Packard, Supervisors; James 
Wright, Clerk ; R. 0. Loomis, Treasurer ; Stephen Calverly, Assessor ; J. W. Porter, School 
Superintendent. 

1857 — William Weir, Chairman; Stephen Calverly, William Bates, Supervisors ; James 
Wright. Clerk ; B. F. Flowers, Treasurer ; A. D. Betz, Assessor ; Dan Marston, School Super- 
intendent. 

1858 — Francis Wood, Chairman ; A. D. Betz, Andrew Weir, Supervisors ; George W. 
Marsh, Clerk ; Daniel Marston, School Superintendent ; Stephen Calverly, Assessor ; B. F. 
Flowers, Treasurer. 

1859 — Francis Wood, Chairman; Andrew Weir, J. L. Porter, -Supervisors ; George W. 
Marsh, Clerk ; George Osborne, Treasurer ; Stephen Calverly, Assessor ; J. L. Porter, School 
Superintendent. 

1860 — Andrew Weir, Chairman ; J. W. Lawl'ence, S. W. Porter, Supervisors ; George 
Marsh, Clerk; William Bates, Treasurer; Stephen Calverly, Assessor; J. L. Porter, School 
Superintendent. 

1861 — Andrew Weir, Chairman; Griffin Smith, B. F. Flowers, Supervisors; Z.J. D. 
Swift, Clerk ; T. W. Dow, Treasurer; Henry Jennings, Assessor ; A. D. Betz, School Superin- 
tendent. 

1862 — Francis Wood, Chairman ; A. Weir, Samuel Hoyt, Supervisors ; Amasa Porter, 
Clerk ; T. W. Dow, Treasurer ; Griffin Smith, Assessor. 

1863 — H. Jennings, Chairman; Samuel Hoyt, Samuel Porter, Supervisors; Amasa Por- 
ter, Clerk ; B. F. Flowers, Treasurer ; Stephen Calverly, Assessor. 

1864 — Griffin Smith, Chairman; A. Coapman, S. W. Porter, Supervisors; Amasa Por- 
ter, Clerk ; Stephen Calverly, Treasurer ; William Bates, Assessor. 

1865 — Stephen Calverly, Chairman; Samuel Murray, B. F. Flowers, Supervisors; Z. .J. 
D. Swift, Clerk ; Edward Smith, Treasurer : J. L. Porter. Assessor. 

1866 — William Weir, Chairman ; William Bates, Moses Bump, Supervisors ; Amasa Por- 
ter, Clerk ; Z. J. D. Swift, Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1867 — H. Jennings, Chairman ; Lewis Evans, Samuel Murray, Supervisors ; E. Smith, 
Clerk ; Griffin Smith, Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1868 — Amasa Porter, Chairman ; J. F. Warren, Stephen Calverly, Supervisors ; J. L. 
Porter, Clerk ; William Bates, Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1869 — Edward Smith, Chairman ; Stephen Calverly, Henry Cutsforth, Supervisors ; H. 
Jennings, Clerk ; Stephen Calverly, Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1870 — B. F. Flowers, Chairman ; Lewis Evans, Moses Bump, Supervisors ; Z. J. D. Swift, 
Clerk ; Henry Jennings, Treasurer, J. L. Porter, Assessor. 



844 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1871 — Stephen Calverly, Chairman; W. B. Cutsforth, Lewis Evans, Supervisors, Amasa 
Porter, Clerk ; Frank H. Husbrook, Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1872 — J. L. Porter, Chairman; D. B. Tompkins, H. Jennings, Supervisors; Z. J. D. 
Swift, Clerk ; William Bates, Treasurer ; J. F. Warren, Assessor. 

1873 — Stephen Calverly. Chairman; Henry Cutsforth, A. Weir, Supervisors; E. Smith, 
Clerk ; I. Kershaw, Treasurer ; A. Kershaw, Assessor. 

. 1874 — E. Smith, Chairman ; E. A. Porter, Jonathan Pegg, Supervisors : W. S. Flowers, 
Clerk ; I. Kershaw, Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1875 — Lewis Evans, Chairman ; Stephen Calverly, Henry Cutsforth, Supervisors ; W. S. 
Flowers, Clerk ; E. E. Smith, Treasurer : J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1876 — Edward Smith, Chairman ; Anson Coapman, Patrick Lehan, Supervisors ; W. S. 
Flowers. Clerk ; E. E. Smith, Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1877 — J. L. Porter, Chairman ; Benjamin Dow, W. Cutsforth, Supervisors ; E. E. Smith, 
Clerk; I. Kershaw, Treasurer; E. Smith, Assessor. 

1878 — Henry Jennings, Chairman; Charles Lawrence, I. Kershaw, Supervisors; A. 
Bump, Clerk; William Bates, Treasurer; A. Kershaw, Assessor. 

1879 — E. Smith, Chairman; E. A. Porter, John Jarvis, Supervisors; E. E. Smith, 
Clerk ; H. W. Cutsforth Treasurer ; J. L. Porter, Assessor. 

1880 — A. Weir, Chairman; Patrick Lehan, L. F. Dow, Supervisors; A. A. Porter, 
Clerk ; E. E. Smith, Treasurer ; H. W. Cutsforth, Assessor. 

TOWN OF RANDOLPH.* 

BY WILLIAM T. WHIRRY. 

The first settler in this town was George Knowles, who came from the city of New York, 
selected his land in the fall of 1843, on Section 13, and entered it in February, 1844, and 
erected the first building in town at the same time, in the form of a board shanty, with white- 
wood boards brought from Fond du Lac ; broke up some land in May, 1844, and claims it was 
the first land broken in town ; planted the first crop, and raised a good one, without any fence ; 
put up his log house in August, 1844, and resided on the same place until about 1860, when he 
removed to Milwaukee. 

S. S. Torbert came from Illinois March 16, 1844, in company with John Langdon and 
Benjamin Williams. Mr. Torbert raised the first log house on Section 15. B. Williams being 
a single man, lived with him. They lived for a long time on succotash (green corn and beans), 
without anything else. He broke, as he claims, the first land, but that point is disputed by 
Mr. Knowles. His first crop of wheat was seventy bushels, from two acres, and two bushels in 
sowing, which had been dragged in with a wooden-toothed drag. At that time, there were only 
three log cabins at Fo.x Lake, and no building between there and Fort Winnebago, except Pow- 
derly's, near the latter place. 

John Langdon put up his log house very shortly after Torbert, on Section 29, but finished 
it first, making it the first log house in town. He brought in the first span of horses, and as 
Torbert and Williams came with him, and as they all brought cattle, they must all have the 
credit of bringing in the first oxen and cows ; and they were called a very superior lot of cattle. 
He also brought some hogs, and came fully equipped to break up land, and did break up a good 
(leal for others. He started Cambria — built the dam and put up a saw-mill, in company with 
Samuel Langdon, in 1845, and for several years it was called Langdon's mill ; but he became 
involved, and allowed a sharper, named Bell, to get hold of his property, who converted it to 
his own use, and changed the name of the place to Bellville (it was afterward called Florence, 
then Cambria). John Langdon was thus financially ruined ; and the loss of his hard-earned 
property probably shortened his days. He removed to Bad Axe (now Vernon County), and died 
there in 1852. 



•This akelch, with much additional, was written in 1871, rerised in 1873, and published ty the town. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 845 

Benjamin Williams located a piece of prairie on Section 32, but did not build right off. 
He sold to Joseph Kerr, who came here in the foil of 1846 ; he then built on a piece of land 
adjoining Cambria ; was Sheriff for one term ; now lives in the fruit region of Michigan. 

Alvin B. Alden came from Connecticut in July, 1844, and put up a hay shanty, with 
wings for bedrooms, on a splendid quarter-section of openings, on Section 24, being the first 
land selected in town ; built his log house in November, 1844 ; claims that he put in and har- 
vested the first winter wheat. He was clerk of the Board of Supervisors for several years ; 
now resides in Portage. 

John Converse came from Connecticut in October, 1844 ; boarded about six months with 
his son-in-law, Alvin B. Alden ; put up his log house in the spring of 1845, on a clay knoll, on 
Section 25: had a mill privilege, which nature had done a good deal for, except supplying it 
with water — if we except a few springs ; but Uncle John, nevertheless, not to be balked by such 
a trifle, built a dam and a small mill, and put in a run of stones, bolts, etc. Feed is still ground 
there, when we have a wet time. Uncle John kept the first house of entertainment for man and 
beast, and scores are now living who remember with pleasure the kind, liberal and motherly 
attentions of Mrs. Converse ; though not kept in the style of the Fox House, yet everything 
that was substantial was in abundance, and all left satisfied — style was not expected in a log 
house. He was the first Postmaster in town; kept the first post ofiice, called Polk Prairie, a 
misnomer, as it was situated in the openings. The name was afterward changed to East 
Randolph. 

He was the founder of the village of Randolph, in Dodge and Columbia Counties, for which 
he is entitled to the gratitude of the whole community, having labored almost single handed 
against the combined efforts of Cambria, Fox Lake and the railroad company. The opposition 
he encountered would, doubtless, have deterred almost any other person ; but, after repeated 
refusals, in February, 1857, he obtained permission from the railroad company to put up a 
shanty on the prairie for the reception of grain, the company agreeing to stop the cars whenever 
he succeeded in getting a car-load, on being signaled, and providing the train was not detained 
over ten minutes. A poplar pole, with an old neck-scarf attached, was the signal used ; now it 
is about the greatest wheat station on the line of the road. He built the Russell House, and 
when he removed there he took the post office and its name with him, which was the cause of the 
station being called Randolph. He was our first School Superintendent, and now resides at 
Portage. 

The first Welsh people in this section of our State settled a few rods east of our town line, 
and the first in this town were the Rev. Thomas H. Roberts, David Roberts, and John Evans. 
The two former settled on Section 4, and the latter on a poor eighty acres, on Section 15, now 
used as a pasture by William Harris ; his log house, with a stick chimney on the outside, stood 
near the road, on the north end ; and the first sermon delivered in the town was preached there, 
in the winter of 1844 and 1845, by the Rev. T. H. Roberts, at which time the Welsh church of 
Blaen-y-cae was organized, and also the Sabbath school, and religious services were held alter- 
nately at James Evans', near Lake Emily, Catharine Roberts, Blaen-y-cae, and John Evans', 
on Section 15 ; the first is now living at the same place, and aged about eighty-four years, the 
second died in May, 187 1, aged eighty-three years, and the last has removed to Iowa. 

The said Thomas H. Roberts, immediately after his arrival here, wrote letters to his friends 
in Wales, describing the country and its advantages, which were read in the mines there, and 
created quite a furor ; the result was that the next spring witnessed the departure of a great 
many families to Wisconsin, who settled at Lake Emily, and what is now Courtland, Springvale 
and Randolph, all brought here by these letters. Mr. Roberts, like most of the Welsh preachers, 
is also a farmer, and has resided, until a few years since, on his first location, and owns it now, 
but resides on the town line, in the town of Manchester, and is still a preacher and farmer, and 
very much respected by all. At one time, while he was in the woods splitting some rails, a 
noble-looking stag came near where he was at work, stopping under a tree and appearing to lean 
against it ; Mr. Roberts, rightly conjecturing that he had been wounded by some hunter, went 



846 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUXTY. 

up to him and caught him by the horns and secured him ; he had been shot. David Roberts, 
mentioned above, settled near Lake Sarah in 1844, and left in the spring of 1850 for California, 
and died just as he came in sight of it. He located the first settlers in Springvale, etc. 

The most of our first Welsh settlers had spent what little money they had by the time they 
had become settled here; some paid their last sliilling for their land, a yoke of oxen or a cow; 
one fiimily paid out their last sovereign for an old lame sow, but which proved a good specu- 
lation afterward in the sale of pigs ; but, with no money, or anything to exchange for groceries, 
they fared hard indeed ; ami some recollect well how thankful they were to receive from an 
acquaintance, who was fortunate to own a cow when they had none, a small piece of butter or a 
little milk occasionally, and they would go a long distance to get it, and live a long time on its 
recollections — for from that time they began to live, as they could exchange butter for what they 
needed, and, with the good pasturage the land afibrded, they would make about nine pounds of 
butter a week from a good cow, and felt comparatively independent. 

For a long time after they came here, not one of them owned a wagon ; but nothing pre- 
vented them from attending their religious meetings regularly, week days as well as Sundays — 
and they went mostly afoot: and when the creeks were swollen in the spring, or overflowed the 
low bridges, the women would take oiF their shoes and stockings, wade through, and re-dress on 
the other side, and go on to meeting. Would any American woman do that ? Some went to 
meeting with a yoke of oxqu and a low, log sled, similar to a stone-boat, winter and jmmer, and 
some used, for several years, low truck wagons, with the wheels cut from the ends of a large log, 
the stjueaking of which could be heard for a mile when they went to and fro to meeting. Now, 
some of those very individuals drive as handsome a turnout as any one. 

Our Welsh people started the poultry business under rather discouraging circumstances. 
A friend of John Roberts (Bontnewydd), had brought with him a pair of chickens to commence 
with, but they proved to be both roosters, and, as there were no hens to be found anywheie, the 
prospect for fresh eggs or chicken pie was poor indeed ; but a trade was struck vup, by which 
John Roberts was to have one, if he would help to procure a hen ; so they posted oif together 
to Columbus, and, after a good deal of travel and more persuasion, and representing the very bad 
fix they were in, they procured two hens. 

The following incident will give some idea of the loneliness of some of ourl early settlers 
(the neighbors being few and far between) : The family of the above-named John Roberts had 
resided here nearly one year before they saw a single individual, excepting their town people, 
when one day, one of the boys came running in, shouting at the top of his voice, " Mother I m jther ! 
there's a man coming ! " and they were almost as much astonished as Robinson Crusoe was when 
he discovered the footprints in the sand. 

The first celebration of the anniversary of American independence, in town, was cele- 
brated by the Welsh people July 4, 1848, on Section 4, by singing, and short lectures on tem- 
perance. 

Job W. Perry, though not one of the earliest settlers in this town, yet located his land in 
1844, and deserves notice here. He lived a short time a few miles beyond its limits ; built a 
large, good log house on Section 12, in the spring of 1845 ; came originally from New York, 
then Ohio, then Walworth County ; was a good specimen of the old-fashioned pioneers, who 
have done so much to build up this country ; had always lived at the western end of civilization, 
and, as soon as land became improved, so that his cattle did not have a wide range, he was 
uneasy, and would sell out and be off further West. He had sold here in 1852, and had located 
in Minnesota, and was preparing to remove his family when death put in his veto. I am afraid 
there were Ku-Klux or Wide- Awakes in those days, although they did not go by these names; 
but, as Shakespeare says, " What's in a name? " The early settlers generally respected claims. 
Uncle Job had jumped some claim and refused to give it up ; he was Ku-kluxed one night by a 
delegation disguised, and, after a bold resistance by the family, in which an old sword and hot 
water were freely used, he was taken off to Lake Emily, to be put under the ice, but at the last 
moment a compromise was effected. 





y ^^n 



DE KORRA 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 849 

In this connection, an amusing incident occurred. Uncle Job, previous to the threatened 
lynching, had become alarmed, from information lie had received, and, knowing the then cus- 
toms of the country and the characters he had wronged, expected trouble. So, one day, he 
came to F. R. Roberts and represented that the settlers were going to kill him because he had 
shown land to the Welshmen. Roberts and his brother David thought, in their innocence, that 
it was too bad that Uncle Job should be killed on their account, and that even if they lost their 
lives in consequence, they ought, by right, to go and protect him. They went, but found no 
one there. David left, but the other remained, and, in a very short time, some men were seen 
advancing toward the house. Uncle Job ran up a ladder to the chamber, and, Robinson Cru- 
soe-like, pulled it up after him. The old lady got out the old sword and put it into Robert's 
hands, and posted him near the door; she then hid under the bed, and the daughters left the house. 

The men tried to come in, but Roberts brandished the sword so vigorously that the feat 
was impossible without the risk of losing a limb or two. They expostulated and explained in 
English, which was the only language they were masters of, and Roberts talked back in Welsh, 
for the reason that he did not know a word of any other language — but the old sword still 
threatened. In the mean time, however, one of the girls came around from her hiding-place to 
the door, and found out that these men were travelers, and innocent of any murderous designs. 
She also tried to explain to Roberts in English, but all to no purpose ; the old sword still flour- 
ished menacingly. Roberts thought of nothing but saving the life of Uncle Job, which was 
placed in jeopardy on his account, and was determined to " fight it out on that line, if it took 
all summer." 

Finally, Uncle Job heard enough to satisfy him that he had nothing to fear from these 
men ; so he came down from his hiding-place, and the old lady from under the bed, and, after 
numerous motions and signs, Roberts was induced to give up the old sword, and the men allowed 
to come in. 

Uncle Job, like H. Stevens and other speculators, made a business of locating settlers on 
Government land at any price they could agree on, and then go or send to the Land Office at 
Green Bay and enter it. This same F. R. Roberts, in 1845, had paid Uncle Job for his land 
and was preparing to build on his present homestead, when he found out by a friend, who had 
overhea<-d the conversation, that Uncle Job had planned a trick to get his son-in-law to enter the 
eighty acres of prairie which he (Roberts) had paid Perry for — Perry having all his money, which had 
been delivered to him without any witness or receipt. Roberts had no alternative but to imme- 
diately squat on it and claim it under the pre-emption laws, and thus prevent it being purchased 
by others. As he happened to have a few boards, he immediately put up a small shanty on the 
prairie, and lived in it for four months, w^ithout any door to it, and by so doing he succeeded 
in saving his land, which he had previously paid for ; but it was a very close thing — his pre- 
emption having been made at 9 o'clock in the morning, and Perry's money, which he had fur- 
nished, having arrived at the Green Bay Land Office at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the same 
day. Uncle Job was like all the old pioneers, kind and good-hearted, and willing to aid any- 
one in sickness or distress ; a good neighbor, though sharp at a bargain ; he was our first Town 
Assessor, but would not stand a re-election. 

The first German who settled in this part of our State was Dr. William C. Arch, a much- 
respected and well-informed man, who settled on Section 6, near the Fox River marsh, in 1848. 
He still resides there, in the old log house. Through his influence, most of the numerous Ger- 
mans in this and the adjoining section of country were induced to settle here. 

The first school ever kept in town was kept at the log dwelling-house of John Converse, in 
184.5. The first schoolhouse erected in town expressly for a school was made of logs, on Govern- 
ment land, on Section 11, by voluntary contribution of labor and material, and school taught 
there by Margaret Jones, of Springvale, in the summer of 1846. The writer lived there for a 
few months ; but in December of that year, the forty acres it was built on had been exchanged 
for another forty, and a dispute arose about the ownership of the schoolhouse, and one night it 
was secretly torn down and carried away, and so ended the first schoolhouse. 



850 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

The first schoolhouse built after the School Districts were organized was built of logs, on 
Section 25, in School District No. 1. 

The first, and until quite recently, the only store in this town, was erected in 1846, by 
Elijah Dunlap and Milo E. Bradley, on the old Fort Winnebago road, and was the only one for 
a number of miles, and quite a business was done there for several years, by Dunlap & Scott, 
and it was considered the nucleus of a village, and called Centerville. Squire Patton, of Scott, 
used to hold there what was called the '' High Court of Centerville ; " said store and a one-horse 
tavern across the road, in the town of Scott, was all that ever came of it, excepting that a doctor 
set up there, for a short time, but it was so healtliy that he had no practice, and left, and 
Centerville, though in a new country, was reckoned among the things that had been. 

The first dwelling destroyed by fire was Mr. Blood's, on Section 36, which was built of 
hay — no insurance. Insurance agents had not arrived yet. 

The first road in this town was laid out and the sloughs bridged by the soldiers, for tlie 
purpose of getting their supplies, and was called the Fox Lake and Fort Winnebago road ; and, 
though no regard was paid to section lines, yet a part of it is still used as a road ; another, and 
older military road, from Fort Winnebago to Fort Howard, was, and is now, located a little 
north of the town line. 

The first election held in this section of our county, and in this town, was held in the house 
of John Langdon, in 1846, at which election M. W. Patton was elected Justice of the Peace, for 
the four townships now called Courtland, Springvale, Scott and Randolph. The old house still 
stands, in a good state of preservation, and can be seen any day, on the farm of Thomas Sander- 
son, between his house and the barn. The roof is shingled now, but for several years it was 
covered with bark, which was held in its place with poles. 

The first white child born in the town was a child of Henry Dantz, who settled on Section 
10. in 1845, who was AV. W. Dantz, of Princeton, and who was the Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms 
in the Senate in 1871. Now deceased. 

The first white death in the town was a child of James Lowell, who was buried on his farm, 
on Section 13, as there was no cemeteries -at that time. The first public cemetery was donated 
to the public by Job W. Perry, on Section 12, and was, for a number of years, the only burial 
ground in town, and a great many were buried there, but the bodies have been mostly removed 
to the beautiful cemetery at Randolph Center, which was surveyed April 24, 1851. 

All the first settlers avoided the prairies, having somehow, formed the erroneous idea that 
no one could live and support himself there, because there was no timber, and but little water 
or marsh — three very important requisites in a new country ; also, that the land was considered 
too poor to grow timber : too cold for man or beast to live on in the winter, and only fit for cat- 
tle to range on in summer : and some men thought that it would never be settled, and that they 
would get the use of it for pasture as long as they lived : consequently, you would find all the 
first settlements in the openings, at the edge of the timber, and near some spring of water — 
water and wood being the principal things looked for; and when land was purchased on the 
prairie it was generally for speculation, and the most of that was done after the Mexican land 
warrants came into market. The first man, in this town, who was bold enough to venture clear 
out into the prairie was the late E. D. Hewit, in March, 1847, having been enticed there by a 
large spring of water and some marsh, on Section 84, and lived there for several years, and 
raised crops without any fence, or any fear of being annoyed by roving cattle — his own cattle 
being tethered on the marsh. 

The first name given to the town was Luzerne, but a dispute arising as to its orthography, 
some contending that the third letter should be "c." some "s" and others "z," another meet- 
ing was called and its present name adopted. At a meeting of the County Commissioners, 
held at Columbus January 1'. 1849. it was decided that Township No. 13, north of Range 12. 
east of the Fourth Principal Meridian, should constitute the town of Randolph. A strong effort 
had been made by a portion of the people of Scott to get the east half of the present town of 
Scott attached to Randolph, but we preferred to go it alone, believing that a town six miles 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 851 

square was large enough. The County Commissioners designated the house of Oscar F. Ham- 
ilton, on Section 23, as the place for holding the first town meeting. The first town caucus was 
held at the house of Willard Perry, on Section 22 ; a union ticket was proposed, but failed, and 
party tickets were nominated — VVhig and Democratic. The first town meeting was held as 
stated above, on the 3d day of April, 1849, and at the election of moderator of that meeting 
the first party battle was fought, resulting in a Democratic victory, John Converse having been 
elected Moderator and George Knowles Clerk. That election was considered a test vote, and 
the Whigs tried to change the result and the Democrats to retain what they had gained, and we 
had lively times, and party feeling ran high ; but the Democratic ticket was elected, as the 
Whigs alleged, by illegal voting, and because the Democrats had the best horses. A few 
Englishmen who were working here, but whose families resided in the town of Scott, were 
arrested for illegal voting, and had atrial at the " High Court of Centerville." They were 
defended by ex-Governor James T. Lewis, but nothing came of it excepting hard feelings, and 
a great deal of party animosity, for several years, in town elections. 

At the first town meeting, in the town of Randolph, the whole number of votes cast was 
ninety-six : and, on Chairman of Supervisors, where the greatest efibrt was made, the vote stood 
fifty-six and forty. 

Tlie following were the first town ofiicers elected : 

Supervisors — William T. Whirry (Chairman), John W. Phillips, Powell Austin ; Town 
Clerk, S. D. Hambleton ; Assessor, Job W. Perry ; Treasurer, Warren Campbell ; School 
Superintendent, John Converse; Justices — Thomas H. Roberts, Francis Knowles, Powell Austin, 
John Converse ; Constables — David R. Roberts, Lorenzo D. Farrington, James Knowles ; Sealer 
of Weights and Measures, William T. Whirry. 

The unsuccessful ticket was headed by Joseph Kerr, who was the first member of Assembly 
from Columbia County, representing the whole country in the two first State Legislatures of 
1848-49. 

The following poll is a list kept at the first general election, the fall succeeding the town meet- 
ing: John Converse, Frederick J. Converse, William Bradshaw, Frederick Schroeder, Rufus 
Langdon, William H. Mack, Elam D. Hewitt, George Knowles, James Lowell, Isaac Holcomb, 
Charles A. Richards. John Whirry, John W. Phillips, Robert Andrews, Powell Austin, Hezekiah 
Dunham, Phillips W. Hartwell, Abraham G. Langdon, Meltiah Sweat, William T. Whirry, 
Daniel P. Larkin, Edward Lewis, Richard H. Roberts, Ezra A. Doolittle, Robert Hamilton, 
Warren Campbell, Benjamin Williams, Isaac Harris, George W. Scott, Rodney Campbell, 
Richard Lewis, Elijah Dunlap, Aaron J. Gibson, Riley S. Richmond, William H. Torbert, 
Thomas Lewis, William M. Jones, William Harris, John N. Hardy, Hiram Perry, John Schroe- 
der, John P. Converse, Charles Presba, James Knowles, William B. Presba, Henry A. Crooker, 
Willard L. Perry, J. S. Langdon, Greenleaf Ide, Henry Dantz, Rowland Langdon. Job W. 
Perry, Hiram W. Perry, Henry Hanson, James Taylor. Oscar F. Hamilton, Thomas Williams, 
Stephen D. Hambleton, Joseph Thomas, Benjamin F. Stanton, Joseph D. Stanton, Samuel S. 
Torbert, Henry L. Bessac, John W. Hinton, Joseph Kerr, Lorenzo D. Farrington, E. B.Finney. 

The total amount of tax on the first tax roll of the town was $706.48, and, on the last, 
$5,217.46. 

The assessed valuation of the town in 1849, was real estate, $62,885 ; personal property, 
$1,672; total, $61,557. In 1872 it was real estate, $503,806 ; personal property, $104,836; 
total, $608,182. What is called Kelly's Addition to the village of Cambria is located in town, 
and includes forty acres of land nor|h of the mill pond, and (including the buildings) was assessed 
in 1872 at $5,378. The largest tax ever raised in town was $8,930.28, in 1864, which included 
a war tax. 

The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist society up to 1854 had held their religious meetings in 
the old Lake Emily log schoolhouse, and in private houses, but in the summer of that year, they 
built a church edifice on land donated by F. R. Roberts, on Section 12, in this town, and it was 
dedicated on the first Sabbath of December, 1854, the Rev. Thomas A. Roberts, Proscaeron, and 



852 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY 

the Rev. John J. Roberts, of Columbus, ofiBciating. The name of the church was declared to 
be Engedi, a Hebrew name, signifying a fountain of pleasant waters. The cemetery adjoining 
the church is called Mai-hpelah, after the cave purchased by old Father Abraham. The first 
Trustees were J, W. Hughes, J. VV. Jones and 0. J. Jones. The Rev. John Daniels was their 
first and only Pastor. The church was enlarged in 1870. 

There are two other societies of the above nomination partly in this town : "one has its 
church just north of the town line, in the town of Manchester, and the other on the town line 
in the town of Scott, and a German Lutheran Reform Church is also on the town line in the 
town of Scott ; but as they are not located in town, the plan of this sketch precludes any further 
remarks, excepting that in 186H the latter society purchased five acres of land on Section 6, 
and built a parsonage on it. 

The First VVesleyan Methodist society of Randolph Center organized June 17, 1858, 
and built a church on land donated by Z. W. Oliver, on Section 22, principally through the 
inatrutnentality of Rev. John Willis, who had secedecl from the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
It was dedicated in October, 1858, by the Rev. A. C. Hand. The society is broken up, but its 
old members claim that they still own the church. 

The Methodist Episcopal society organized a class and Sabbath school at Randolph Center, 
in 1849. They own no building, but for several years they have used the Wesleyan Church, 
and hold religious services there every Sunday. 

The German Catholic Church, on Section 7, was built in 1861, on land donated by John 
G. Fisher. Religious services are held there occasionally by a priest from Beaver Dam. 

The German Lutheran society, under the guidance of Rev. C. Diehlmann, worship a part 
of the time in the town hall. 

In 1868, School District No. 3, having decided to build a new schoolhouse at Randolph 
Center, by mutual agreement the town built a stone basement under it for the purpose of a 
town hall, at a cost of $642.05; furniture, $77.50; total, $719.55. 

In 1871, Parkinson built a small store for the sale of groceries, at Randolph Center, and 
it is the only store in town. 

Randolph Center, at an early day, was platted as a village, but it never contained enough 
inhabitants for a set of village officers. In addition to what is mentioned elsewhere, it contains a 
post office, blacksmith and wagon shop. 

What streams we have in town start from springs, except the one on the marsh, on Section 
1, through which the small outlet of Lake Emily runs. We are pretty well up in the world, 
having a position on the boundary or divide between the Valley of the Mississippi and the Val- 
ley of the St. Lawrence, and on many farms the rain as it foils divides and finds its way to the 
ocean by different routes, a portion by the Gulf of Mexico and a portion by the St. Lawrence, 
so we have no fears of the greatest freshet doing us any damage. But I must not omit to men- 
tion that the celebrated Fox River takes its rise here at Lake Sarah, on the line between Sec- 
tion 4 and 5. It is not much of a lake, however, and once or twice, to my knowledge, during 
the time of our great droughts, it became perfectly dry, and at other times it is only a pretty 
good duck pond ; but nevertheless, it has been honored with the name of lake. I presume it 
must have been a wet time when it was named. 

One-half of the area of this township is prairie, the wooded portions occurring especially 
in the northern half Marsh extends along the stream in Sections 15, 10, 11, 2 and 1, and also 
along the eastern side of the town. The surface is generally level, lying at an altitude of 350 
to 400 feet. On the east sides are the heads of several small streams that pass eastward to Rock 
River. In the southwest quarter, the head-waters of Duck Creek make a deep ravine whose bot- 
tom has an altitude of only 240 feet. 

The first entry of land in the town was made by Mary Perry, the west half of the north- 
west quarter of Section 12. Entered February 8, 1844; patented September 1, 1846. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 853 

TOWN OF SCOTT. 

Among the first settlers in this town were Matthew W. Patton, Samuel McConachie, William 
Jones, John G. Evans, John Smith, John McConachie, George Payne, Edward Root, James Ingle- 
hart, Theodore Thomas, John Sawyer and John Dodge. The first mentioned moved on to his claim 
in the fall of 1845, the others coming in the following spring or soon after. At this time, neigh- 
bors were like angel's visits, " few and far between," while the nearest post office was Fox Lake. 
For their mill privileges they were compelled to go to Beaver Dam, or to Catfish mill, fifteen 
miles south of Madison. Mr. Inglehart, on one occasion, went to Beaver Dam with a load of 
wheat to be ground, and was informed that it could not be done inside of four weeks. Not 
wishing to be delayed so long, he prevailed upon the miller to exchange a small sack of flour 
for some wheat, and returned home, divided it between four families, and set out for Catfish 
mills. At this place hfe was more fortunate, being enabled to return home in about ten days 
with his flour. On the 30th of December at 11 o'clock A. M., rain began to fall and continued 
for two hours, when it commenced snowing, continuing all night, covering the earth to a depth 
of eighteen inches. This snow remained upon the ground until the following spring. The neigh- 
bors of Mr. Inglehart experienced great difficulty in procuring food, many of them during the 
entire winter living on buckwheat cakes, the wheat being ground by Inglehart in a small coifee- 
mill, and then run through a small sieve. Fifteen bushels of buckwheat were ground in this 
manner. 

As in many other places, the Methodist " circuit rider " was the first to wend his way into 
this new country with the "story of the Cross." This was in 1847, since which time ministers 
of other denominations have presented their peculiar views for the consideration of those who 
would hear. Four churches have since been erected in the town, one on Section 12 by the 
Reformed Lutherans, another on Section 26 by Welsh Methodists, the third on Section 7 by the 
Methodist Episcopal brethren, and the fourth on Section 34 by the Presbyterians. 

The first settlers were from the Eastern States, but at present many nationalities are rep- 
resented among its citizens, the Americans predominating. 

During the late war, the town showed its devotion to the Union in a prompt response to 
every call made by the national authorities, in no instance permitting a draft to be made. 

Mark Barden and Freeman M. Ross, from this town, have represented the county in the Gen- 
eral Assembly, serving with credit to themselves and honor to their constituency. Other men 
who became known outside of their own immediate neighborhood may be mentioned Squire 
Patton, Judge of the High Court of Centerville, and Edward Root, the honest man. 

The south and east part of the town is prairie land, while the west and north part is timber 
land and openings. The northwest part has a sandy soil, while the south part is good heavy 
black loam. 

The first death was that of a child of William Wilson, in 1847. 

Jude Luning taught the first school in the winter of 1847-48. and boarded around among 
the scholars for the sum of $12 per month. The house was situated upon Section 1, and, in 
1879, was still standing upon its original site, but for many years it had been used for storing 
grain raised upon the farm of Robert Beattie. A potato patch had also, for many years, adorned 
the school ground where the children formerly romped and playe!. The house was long used as 
a place of worship by various religious bodies. 

In 1860, the Presbyterians built a house on Section 34, and continued to hold services 
therein until 1872, when the congregation disbanded, its members visiting with such congrega- 
tions as was convenient for them to attend. The Methodists had, as early as 1847, a class in 
this neighborhood, but which ceased to exist after a few years. In 1872, when the Presbyte- 
rians retired from the field, the class was re-organized by Rev. Daniel Brown, a local preacher. 
In 1871», they had a membership of thirty-two, with Ervin McCall as Class Leader. From 1872, 
the congregation had enjoyed the ministerial services of Revs. Brown, Smith, Teel, Suifron, 
Bronson, Shepherd and Logan. A Sunday school was organized at the same time as the class. 



854 IIISTOUY OF COLUMBIA COtXTY. 

holding weekly meetings during the warm season of the year. In 1879, Ervin McCall was 
Superintendent. 

John Dodge settled in this town in the fall of 1844, but went back the same fall to New 
Hampshire and returned in the latter part of the winter, stopping at Cliicago to purchase a 
span of horses. Reaching Watertown, he bought a load of of corn and oats and brought it 
through. He then sent his brother to Green Bay on horseback to enter the quarter-section 
on which he now lives. A little more than two years later, the horses were stolen and run oif 
south, and John was left to mourn their loss, as he never found them This was the first 
horse team owned in this section. In the fall of 1844, snow fell to the depth of four inches in 
October, which was his first season here. They did not get their shanty completed until the 
middle of November, and it was very cold, but John says they did not mimi much about cold and 
storms then. 

In October of that year, he went down on the marsh and cut a small stack of hay, which, 
of course, was nearly worthless. Sara Langdon sold him a little hay, and the rest of his supply 
he bought at the rate of $20 per ton from an ex-soldier, named Howey, who, after serving 
his time at Fort Winnebago, had embarked in a limited way in farming, about two miles 
north of the old Powderly place. This, with the small store of grain he brought from Water- 
town, tided his stock through that dreary winter ; John avers that his steers in the spring 
•' looked like delegates from the seven years of' famine,' lean tiesh and ill-favored." Powderly's 
house on the old military reservation was the only one between his place a!id Portage. 

Deer and small game were plenty, and from time to time they replenished their larder 
with a buck or pheasant. He shot one buck from his dooryard. For two years or more, they 
were obliged to go to Beaver Dam or Columbus to mill, the trip occupying two days to go there, 
leaving their grist and returning for it in about a month, which required another day. In the 
fall of 1845, M. W. Patton, afterward known as the " High Court of Centerville," made his 
appearance at Mr. Dodge's, tired and hungry from land-hunting. The squire called for dinner, 
tfi which Mr. Dodge favorably responded. Patton says it was one of "' his biggest meals." and 
John believed him. The squire first' beheld John coming out of the woods with a gun and 
squirrel. He waited outside of the cabin while the culinary preparations were going on, the 
weather being fine, and fell to contemplating the scenery, thinking as his eye swept to the south 
that it was the finest panorama he had ever witnessed. Such a wealth of verdure, fertility and 
beautv reveling in its pristine glory he had never realized. Straight and lofty oaks clothed in 
their autumnal tints on the one hand, and the prairie with its rank vegetable growth on the other, 
bespoke the march of civilization and future wealth. After supper, Mr. Patton anil Perley went 
down to the creek and held a short palaver with a band of Indians that were trapping along the 
stream. 

In 1846, the first move was made in the United States to found a settlement by the English 
" Potters' Society," which pitched its tent in the town of Scott, there arriving here in May, John 
Sawyer, Hamlet Copeland and James Hammond. The society had grown from a very feeble 
beginning, six years earlier, to a powerful co-operative society, accumulating considerable funds. 
It was organized to protect the artisans of this extensive labor class from the frequent strikes, 
and provide homes in America for many of its members, thus keeping a demand for labor for 
those that remained. They published a journal devoted to the interests of the society. Each 
new settler was entitled to twenty acres of land, a house to be erected on the land, and the fam- 
ily to be provisioned for one year, at the expense of the society. Sawyer, Copeland and Ham- 
mond were made Trustees of the society to invest funds in this country. They sailed from 
England in January, 1846, and arrived at New York the following April. . They were then 
instructed to erect cabins for the nex't year's installment out of funds in their possession. 

At an early day, Theodore Thomas and Robert McConachie were together engaged in breaking 
land. In that neighborhood lived a family named Anderson. A fascinating young lady consti- 
tuted one of the attractions of that household. It was always the custom to turn the cattle out 
to graze on the prairies through the evening and night, and they sometimes strayed a considerable 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 855 

distance. In the morning Robert would always say: " I will look around in the neighbor- 
hood of Anderson's," while of course Theodore would look in another direction, but could sel- 
dom find them, while Robert was nearly always successful. This fact after awhile aroused 
Theodore's curiosity, and he began to investigate the case, and discovered that his partner had 
furnished the salt, and induced the girl to salt them at her place. The treacherous plotter never 
could satisfactorily explain so palpable a deception. 

In 1846, Samuel and John McConachie erected the " Blue Tavern," a roomy frame struc- 
ure. They " bached " it there a short time, when they rented the house to Zenas Oliver, who 
lived there about three years, and who was succeeded by Stephen B. Gage, who kept the house 
several years more, doing a thriving business. He charged travelers a shilling a meal, and 
always treated his customers to a drink of whisky. Out of these moderate charges he made a 
good deal of money. It was on the regular stage line, and in those days all the commercial and 
business traffic between Milwaukee and Portage passed over this road, as it was the main thor-- 
oughfare between these two points. It was no uncommon affair to see thirty or forty teams in a 
day on the road, carrying grain to Milwaukee, and freighting back goods. Mr. Gage stuck to 
the tavern until the railroad, in 1857, heralded the dawn of a new era, and this common thor- 
oughfare almost lost its identity as a theater of busy life. The long line of teams daily toiling 
wearily through sand, marshes, tenacious clay and the frightful corduroys, consuming from ten 
to fourteen days to make the round trip to Milwaukee ; the jostling crowds at the wayside inns 
that dotted this great highway, the loquacious landlord who with a liberal hand dispensed ham, 
eggs and whisky to the teamster and the wayfarer, and then packed them away in his " prairie 
feather " beds, or sometimes, to meet the exigencies of the case, planted them on the floors ; the 
endless jokes and fearful stories that passed around the bar-room, and robbed toil of its tedium, 
are things of the past. • But they are still fresh in the memories of many of the pioneers who 
are yet working out their probation here, and who sometimes almost regret to see the modern 
innovation of steam breaking up the great social compact that bound them together as a band of 
brothers in common trials as well as in common joys. 

All of Township 13, Range 11, was organized' into a town by the Board of Supervisors, at 
their annual meeting, held November, 1849, and it was given the name of Scott. The town 
is bounded on the east by Randolph, on the west by Marcellon, on the south by Springvale, on 
the north by Marquette County. 

The town of Scott lies directly north of Springvale, and like it presents eastward project- 
ing points of high|ground, with intervening sharply defined, and in part marshy-bottomed, ravines, 
which are occupied by the head-streams of Fox River.. The points of high land are shorter 
toward the northern part of the town, the longest lying on its south line. On the west side and 
■extending into Marcellon, is an isolated area of high land, some three miles in length, from 
north to south. The low ground has a general altitude of 230 to 280 feet, the higher about 
400. The extreme points are on the north half of Section 35. The latter point is on a prairie, 
which occupies the high ground on Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, being an extension of the large 
prairie area of Randolph. 

The first entry of land in the town was made by John Dodge, and consisted of the east 
half of the southeast quarter of Section 34. It was entered February 11, 1845, and patent issued 
June 1. 1848. 

The following are the names of the officers elected since the organization of the town : 

1850 — Board — Joseph Hewitt (Chairman), Freeman M. Ross, William Judd ; Clerk, William 
Smith ; Treasurer and Collector, Edward Tripp ; Assessor, M. W. Patten ; Superintendent, 
John H. Guptil. 

1851 — Board — John Guptil (Chairman), Edward Tripp, Truman Ross ; Clerk, Marcus 
Barden ; Treasurer, Andrew Leshar; Assessor, Jas. Inglehart ; Superintendent, Marcus Barden. 

1852 — Board — M. W. Patton (Chairman), David Clark, Elijah Sanderson; Clerk, M. 
Barden ; Treasurer, Samuel McConachie ; Superintendent, James Stebbins ; Assessor, James 
Inglehart. 



856 • HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1853 — Board — William Wiley (Chairman), John Cruckson, Samuel McConachie ; Clerk, 
M. Barden ; Treasurer, John Hamilton ; Superintendent, Stephen D. Hamilton ; Assessor, 
Elijah Sanderson. 

1854 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), Hugh Martin, William Stebbins ; Clerk, James 
Stebbins ; Treasurer, J. G. Lyons ; Assessor, E. Sanderson ; Superintendent, J. Hamilton. 

1855 — Board — M. W. Patton (Chairman), M. C. Prescott, John McConachie ; Clerk, James 
A. Stebbins ; Treasurer, John Hamilton ; Assessor, John Sawyer ; Superintendent, Samuel 
McConachie. 

1856 — Board — M. W. Patton (Chairman), George Payne, William Judd ; Clerk, Marcus 
Barden ; Treasurer and Assessor. D. H. Langdon ; Superintendent, Samuel Barden. 

1857 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), Major Woodard, Elbridge Clark; Clerk, F. M. 
Ross ; Treasurer and Assessor, D. H. Langdon ; Superintendent, Elon Woodard. 

1858— M. Barden (Chairman), C. H. Grover, William Wiley ; Clerk, F. M. Ross ; Treas- 
urer and Assistant, D. H. Langdon ; Superintendent, Wesley Gibbs. 

1859 — Board — Marcus Barden (Chairman), John McConachie, C. H. Grover ; Clerk, F. 
M. Ross ; Treasurer and Assessor, D. H. Langdon ; Superintendent, Samuel E. Stebbins. 

1860 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), John McConachie, Ervin McCall ; Clerk, F. M. 
Ross ; Assessor and Treasurer, Joseph Parkinson; Superintendent, John Hamilton. 

1861 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), W. H. Judd, John McConachie; Clerk, F. M. 
Ross ; Treasurer and Assessor, D. H. Langdon ; Superintendent, Samuel McConachie. 

1862 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), John McConachie, James Inglehart; Clerk, F. 
M. Ross ; Treasurer and Assessor, D. H. Langdon. 

1863 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), John McConachie, Joseph Sayers ; Clerk, F. M. 
Ross ; Treasurer and Assessor, E. G. Clark. 

1864 — Board — M. Barden ( Chairman), William R. Jones, Samuel JE. Stebbins ; Clerk, F. 
M. Ross ; Assessor and Treasurer, Archy Thom. 

1865 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), William R. Jones, Samuel E. Stebbins; Clerk, F. 
Ross ; Assessor and Treasurer, James Inglehart. 

1866 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), John Sawyer, Wesley Gibbs; Clerk, F. M. Ross ; 
Assessor and Treasurer, A. Thom. 

1867 — Board — F. M. Ross (Chairman), Theodore Thomas, Giles Langdon; Clerk, M. 
Barden ; Treasurer and Assessor, Stephen Woodard. 

1868 — Board — F. M. Ross (Chairman), Julius Barker, Robert Beattie ; Clerk, Marcus 
Barden ; Assessor and Treasurer, D. C. Merrill. 

1869 — Board — Marcus Barden (Chairman), C. F. Roberts, Theodore Thomas; Clerk, F. 
M. Ross; Assessor, D. C. Merrill; Treasurer, Isaac Hopkins. 

1870— Board— M. Barden (Chairman), C. F. Roberts, William Sauer; Clerk, F. M. 
Ross ; Assessor, D. C. Merrill ; Treasurer, William Owen. 

1871 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman). John Sawyer, C. H. Grover ; Clerk, F. M. Ross ; 
Assessor, D. C. Merrill ; Treasurer, Joseph Sayer. 

1872 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), John Sawyer, C. H. Grover; Clerk, F. M. Ross; 
Assessor, C. F. Roberts ; Treasurer, Joseph Sayer. 

1873— Board— M. Barden (Chairman), John Sawyer, C. H. Grover; Clerk, F. M. Ross; 
Assessor, C. F. Roberts ; Treasurer, Joseph Sayer. 

1874 — Board — M. Barden (Chairman), Charles Scharf, John Sawyer; Clerk, Lester 
Woodard ; Assessor, G. W. Gorsuch ; Treasurer, Robert Evans. 

1875 — Board — John Sawyer (Chairman), William Owen, William Sauer; Clerk, Lester 
Woodard ; Assessor, G. W. Gorsuch ; Treasurer, Robert Evans. 

1876 — Board — John Sawyer (Chairman), William Sauer, William Owen; Clerk, Lester 
Woodard ; Assessor, G. W. Gorsuch ; Treasurer, George Stancer. 

1877— Board— .D. C. Merrill (Chairman), William Sauer, G. L. Keite ; Clerk, Virgil 
Barden ; Assessor, G. W. Gorsuch ; Treasurer, George Stancer. > 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 857 

1878— Board— D. C. Merrill (Chairman), William Sauer, D. C. Keith ; Clerk, Virgil 
Barden ; Assessor, Henry Slinger ; Treasurer, J. C. Thomas. 

1879 — Board — John Sawyer (Chairman), William Sauer, G. C. Keith ; Clerk, Mark 
Roberts; Assessor, Henry Slinger; Treasurer, William Ross. 

1880 — Board — Marcus Barden (Chairman), Wesley Gorsuch, D. C. Merrill; Clerk, Mark 
Roberts ; Assessor, Henry Slinger ; Treasurer, William Ross. 

TOWN OF SPRINGVALE. 

This town is bounded on the east by Courtland and Randolph, on the west by Wyocena, on the 
north by Scott, and on the south by Otsego. In 1857, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad 
was built through it, entering on Section 1, and crossing Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and passing into 
Wyocena from Section 6. Duck Creek and its branches traverse the town in various direc- 
tions. The territory comprising the town. Township 12, Range 11, was organized into a town 
by the Board of County Commissioners in 1849, and the name of Springvale given to it and 
the house of Edward Williams designated as the place for holding the first election. 

Late in April, 1845, Ervin McCall came here from La Porte, Ind., in quest of a home. 
On the 1st day of May, he decided on the site of his present home, and, in the sub-land office 
at Fox Lake, immediately deposited the money for the entry of eighty acres of land. Mr. 
McCall stopped over night in the log tavern in that place, and, in the morning, long after sun- 
rise, seeing no visible signs of a breakfast, he settled his bill and started for Oak Grove, a dis- 
tance of fifteen miles, for breakfast. He arrived there late in the forenoon, got an early dinner, 
and while he was partaking of that meal a team passed the tavern ; he jumped up, settled his 
bill, ran and overtook the team, and secured a ride to ten miles beyond Watertown. He stayed 
over night with a farmer and took an early start the next morning. He was soon overtaken by 
a young man with a double-seated buggy, who was going to Milwaukee, who agreed to carry 
him to that point for the consideration of $1. He made a quick trip back to La Porte, and, 
early in September, with his family and brother John, with a wagon, two yoke of oxen, half a 
barrel of pork, a limited supply of other provisions and household goods, he started for his new 
home. While fording Fox River in Illinois (the bridge being gone), he overturned the wagon 
while ascending the bank, which resulted in a fracture of his wife's arm. The broken arm was 
properly adjusted and they came on to Rock County, where his brother-in-law, M. W. Patton, 
Jived. He left his family there, and, with his bi'other, pushed on with the team and stock, 
arriving here about the middle of September. The first night after their arrival here was 
spent at the log house of Sam Langdon. The next day, they commenced haying on the marsh 
near Cambria and got a winter's supply for their stock. They built a log house, and then 
Ervin returned to Johnstown, Rock County, for his family. Mr. Patton and family came back 
with them. While crossing the bridge over Rock River, a high and very narrow structure, the 
sides only protected by timbers laid along the edge of the bridge, a laughable incident occurred 
that might have been a lamentable accident. Mr. McCall was driving his two yoke of oxen, 
the wagon containing both families. The "leaders" were an exceptionably well-trained pair 
of old cattle, while the "wheel" oxen were a pair of skittish four-year-old steers. They had 
just got on the bridge, Mr. Patton following behind with a small herd of cattle, when a young 
heifer attempted to pass the team. It got by the wagon, but, getting frightened, turned in 
behind the steers and jumped astride the tongue. The steers snorted and plunged about in a 
very uncertain manner, and the risk of the whole load and teams going overboard seemed immi- 
nent. Perhaps they would, but for the nerve and coolness of Mr. McCall, who whipped up the 
head team and keeping the line straight, gave the heifer a free ride across the bridge and no 
harm was done, though all parties were badly scared. The squire, a terror-stricken witness of the 
scene from the end of the bridge, threw his hands over his head, assuming a most tragic attitude 
until the danger was passed, and then yelled out, "Well done." Had they been precipitated 
over the bridge, the result would likely have been fatal to the whole load. They came on the 



858 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

remainder of the way without further incident worthy of mention, and arrived at the hospitable 
residence of Sam Langdon on the 15th day of November, where they stayed all night, and the 
next day moved into the new cabin. 

On the 27th of February, 1846, that winter, Janette Patton was "born, being the first 
female child born in the town of Springvale. She afterward married William Gage, now land- 
lord of the City Hotel, Portage. 

During the first winter of Mr. McCall's residence here, after making the necessary pur- 
chases of provisions to last until spring, he took an inventory of his bank and stock account, 
and found that his total assets were two twenty-five cent pieces. A little later, two Methodist 
ministers, who are never out of hearing of the pioneer's ax, came through here on a kind of 
frontier missionary work, preaching and locating places to preach. The elder of the two was 
the Rev. W. G. Miller, afterward a presiding elder and an eminent preacher of great worth and 
great popularity, and I suppose to the pioneers, "like the voice of one crying in the wilderness." 
He delivered a sermon to the settlers at the log house of Mr. Langdon, before mentioned, and 
that night was entertained at the home of Mr. McCall. To his colleague, the Rev. Mr. Han- 
son, a young man, Mr. McCall gave one of his twenty-five cent pieces. This was the first 
religious service held in the town. 

Among the first settlers of the town were Ervin McCall, Robert Closs, Hugh Edwards, 
John Edwards, Evan Edwards, Robert Lloyd, John Rowland, Robert Rowland, William Lloyd. 
John 0. Jones, John Meredith, John Williams, Samuel Owens, Owen Samuel, Richard Owens, 
Alfred Cowley, John Morgan, David Roberts, John Leatherman and Mr. Jennings. 

The first marriage was that of John Williams and Miss Margaret Owens. 

The first death was Margaret Thomas, in 1847. 

The first schoolhouse was built on the southwest corner of Section 1, in 1847. 

The first male child born here was John Edwards, in the early part of February, 1846. 

It was not until 1860, that a mill was built in the town. In that year, S. Ingram erected 
a small one, on the south branch of Duck Creek, on Section 20. 

John Dodge, April 29, 1845, entered the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 1, 
and Lot 1 in Section 2, being the first entries in the town. He received his patents June 
1, 1848. 

Springvale lies on the Wisconsin side of the watershed. Three branches of Duck Creek 
traverse the town from east to west, running in flat, marshy, sharply defined valleys, which 
have an altitude of 230 to 260 feet, and are separated by tongues of high land which rise from 300' 
to 400 feet. The broadest marsh and valley are those of the north or main branch, the latter 
nearly four miles wide on the west line of the town. Prairie occiws on higher ground in Sec- 
tions 11, 12, 13, 15 and 4, connecting with that in Courtland. 

The Calvinistic Methodists, in the spring of 1849, erected a church building on Section 
12, the first in the town. 

Springvale was the name given to a post office established in 1852, on Section 28, Thomas 
Cowley being the Postmaster. Ii was discontinued in one year, but re-established in 1862, on 
same section, with Wilbur Kennicat as Postmaster, and again discontinued after a short time. 

The following is a list of town officers since 1853 : 

1854 — John 0. Jones, Chairman ; John Meredith, Alfred Cowly, Supervisors ; Robert 
Rowland, Clerk ; Thomas J. Hughes, Treasurer ; Nathan D. White, School Superintendent. 

1855 — John 0. Jones, Chairman ; Nathan D. White, John Meredith, Supervisors ; Robert 
J. Rowland, Clerk ; Thomas Hughes, Treasurer ; Robert Closs, Assessor ; William Depuy, 
School Superintendent. 

1856 — Nathan D. White, Chairman ; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Lewis H. Lloyd, Supervis- 
ors ; Robert J. Rowlands, Clerk : Thomas J. Hughes, Treasurer ; Robert Closs, Assessor ; 
William Depuy, School Superintendent. 

1857 — John 0. Jones, Chairman ; Luke Martin, Henry Delaney, Supervisors ; William 
Meredith, Treasurer ; Thomas Ingram, Assessor ; John B. Van Shaick, School Superintendent. 



HISTOKY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 859 

1858 — Evan Meredith, Chairman ; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Robert B. Sanderson, Supervis- 
ors ; Robert J. Rowlands, Clerk ; William Meredith, Treasurer ; Thomas Ingram, Assessor ; 
John B. Van Shaick, School Superintendent. 

1859 — Evan Meredith, Chairman; Robert B. Sanderson, Robert D. Owens, Supervisors; 
John Meredith, Clerk ; Thomas Sanderson, Treasurer ; John P. Rowlands, Assessor ; Thomas 
Meredith, School Superintendent. 

1860 — Robert B. Sanderson, Chairman ; Griffith 0. Jones, John Leatherman, Supervisors ; 
Robert J. Rowlands, Clerk : Evan Evans, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor ; Austin 
Cannon, School Superintendent. 

1861 — John 0. Jones, Chairman ; John Leatherman, John Edwards, Supervisors ; John 
Meredith, Clerk; Alfred A. Cole, Treasurer; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Assessor; J. B. Van 
Shaick, School Superintendent. 

1862 — John 0. Jones, Chairman ; John Leatherman, John Edwards, Supervisors ; John 
Meredith, Clerk ; Robert Closs, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1863 — John Leatherman, Chairman ; William J. Rowlands, Alfred Cowley, Supervisors ; 
J. B. Van Shaick, Clerk ; Thomas J. Hughes, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1864 — John 0. Jones, Chairman; Owen D. Owens, Alfred Cowley, Supervisors; Evan 
T. Evans, Clerk ; William Aiton, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1865 — John 0. Jones, Chairman ; Owen D. Owens, George Hall, Supervisors ; Morris J. 
Rowlands, Clerk ; Lewis Lloyd, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1866 — Thomas Meredith, Chairman ; William W. Rowlands, J. B. Van Shaick, Supervis- 
ors ; M. J. Rowlands, Clerk ; Alfred Cowley, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Assessor. 

1867 — Thomas Meredith, Chairman ; William W. Rowlands, E. P. Upham, Supervisors ; 
John Meredith, Clerk ; Alfred Cowley, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1868 — Thomas Meredith, Chairman ; H. J. Rowlands, Alfred Cowley, Supervisors ; John 
Meredith, Clerk ; John D. Jones, Treasurer ; Evan T. Evans, Assessor. 

1869 — John R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman ; A. C. Jennings, George W. Williams, Super- 
visors ; John Meredith, Clerk ; Owen D. Owens, Treasurer ; Evan T. Evans, Assessor. 

1870 — John R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman ; William Stokes, E. P. Upham, Supervisors ; 
Kennedy Scott, Clerk ; William W. Rowlands, Treasurer ; Evan T. Evans, Assessor. 

1871 — John R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman; E. P. Upham, William Stokes, Supervisors ; 
Kennedy Scott, Clerk ; William Meredith, Treasurer; Thomas Meredith, Assessor. 

1872 — J. R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman ; John D. Jones, George Cowley, Supervisors ; A. 
C. Jannings, Clerk ; Lewis Lloyd, Treasurer ; Thomas Meredith, Assessor. 

1873 — J. R. Rowlands, Chairman ; James Adams, J. R. Jones, Supervisors ; M. J. Row- 
lands, Clerk ; Luke Martin, Treasurer ; Thomas Meredith, Assessor. 

1874 — John R. Rowlands, Chairman ; George Cowley, E. T. Evans, Supervisors ; Morris 
J. Rowlands, Clerk; William W. Hughes, Treasurer; Thomas Meredith, Assessor. 

1875 — John R. Jones, Chairman ; James N. Cowley, E. F. Palmer, Supervisors ; M. J. 
Rowlands, Clerk ; W. W. Huntley, Treasurer ; E. T. Evans, Assessor. 

1876 — J. R. Jones, Chairman; E. F. Palmer, E. P. Upham, Supervisors; M. J. Row- 
lands, Clerk; W. W. Huntley, Treasurer; John R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1877 — John D. Jones, Chairman ; John H. Jones, H. D. Jennings, Supervisors ; A. C. 
Zennings, Clerk ; James Cowley, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1878 — John D. Jones, Chairman; H. D. Jennings, John H. Jones, Supervisors; A. C. 
Jennings, Clerk ; H. J. Rowlands, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1879 — John Leatherman, Chairman ; Robert S. Rowlands, Edward Roberts, Supervisors ; 
David J. Edwards, Clerk ; W. W. Huntley, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor. 

1880 — John Leatherman, Chairman ; R. S. Rowlands, Edward Roberts, Supervisors ; 
David Edwards, Clerk ; Thomas Meredith, Treasurer. 



860 lUSTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



TOWN OF WEST POINT. 



This town lies in the extreme southwestern part of the county, and is bounded on the east 
by Lodi, on the north and west by Sauk County and on the south by Dane County. The first 
settlement in the town was made by Christian and David Dorsch, in 1845. Other early set- 
tlers of the town were Horace M. Ayer, Alonzo Waterbury, Simeon Ryder. Dr. Drew, James 
Thomas, Francis 0. Sisson, Lewis Baldwin, Jeremiah D. Shumway, Ira Polly, Jesse Van Ness, 
Aaron and Philip Burlingame, Cyrus Hill, Mr. Arnold, Eldredge Northup, Simon Walker, 
John Chance, Orrin Hutchinson, Christian Ribblett, William D. Partridge. Enias Carncross, 
Isaac Richardson, Peter Van Ness, Joseph Lester, Otis A. Kilburn and Timothy Tirrill. 

On the organization of the county, in 1846, West Point was made a part of the Pleasant 
Valley Precinct. In 1849, it was attached to Lodi, but, on the 8th day of January, 1850, the 
Board of Supervisors set off the town, fixing as its eastern boundary, commencing at the north- 
east corner of the quarter-line, and running through the center of Sections No. 5, 8, 17, 20, 
29 and 32, in Town 10, Range 8, and including all of Town 10, Range 7, lying south and east 
of the Wisconsin River. The house of J. D. Shumway was designated as the place for holding 
the first election. 

The first marriage was that of Horace M. Ayer and Sarah A. Ryder, October 4, 1848. 
They were married by Aaron Chalfant, Esq. The day before the event occurred, Mr. Ayer 
went to tlie town of Lodi, to engage the services of Rev. Henry Maynard ; but, finding him 
absent from home, he engaged the Squire to perform the ceremony. A few minutes before the 
time set, the Squire, in company with a friend, was proceeding to the residence of the bride- 
groom-elect, when they noticed Mr. Ayer hard at work upon a house which he was erecting. 
Stopping, Mr. Chalfant called out, " Hello, young man ! ain't you the one that engaged me yes- 
terday to come this afternoon to marry you ? " "Yes," replied Ayer, '' I'm the man. You 
go on down to the house and wait till I come. Like the man that was going to be hung, there 
can't be anything done till I get there." After finishing his task, the young man brushed his 
clothes a little, washed his face and proceeded to the house, was married, and at once took his 
bride to the home which he had prepared for the occasion. 

Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Lester, was born in 1848, being the first white child born 
in the town. 

In the fall of 1848, Miss Adula Jones taught a select school at the house of Otis A. Kil- 
burn, in the south part of the town, it being the first. The next was in the Van Ness. 
neighborhood, and was taught by Miss Sarah B. Van Ness, in the fall of 1850, at which 
time the district was organized. 

The first death was that of Thomas Pratt, in the fall of 1849. 

In 1852, on Section 13, Christian Riblett erected a sign, bearing the inscription, " Pub- 
lick Inn," and. for a few years, entertained man and beast, this being the only hotel ever kept 
in the town. 

The town of West Point, which includes all of Township 10, Range 7, south of the Wis- 
consin River, is skirted on the east and south by the edge of the high limestone country, which, 
from this part of its course, borders the Wisconsin all the way to its mouth. North and west 
of this edge, which is ragged, sending out irregular projecting points, the general surface is 200 
to 300 feet lower, but the lowland includes a number of limestone-capped outliers, some of 
which have an area of several square miles, and reach as great altitudes as attained by the lime- 
stone country to the south and east — that is, 500 to 600 feet. Considerable areas of prairie 
occur in the central part of the town, including both lowland and high outlying bluffs. 

In 1857, a post ofiice was established near the central part of the town, to which was given 
the name of West Point, after the town. Jesse Van Ness was the first Postmaster, and was 
succeeded in order by Corilus Stone, Cyrus Hill, S. C. Kingon. J. N. Fellows, William H. 
Worthley and Mrs. R. A. Moran. Another office was established in the south part of the 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 861 

county in 1876, at a point known as Farr's Corners, which name was given to the office and J. 
L. Farr was made Postmaster. 

The most noted point in West Point is Gibraltar Bluffs, on Section 13, Township 10, 
Range 7, and Section 18, Township 10, Range 8. One of the legends of this bluff, as related 
by the old settlers, is, that at an early day, a party of hunters, with their dogs, had started a 
deer, which ran directly for the highest point, and being unable to check itself, jumped off into 
the marsh below, a distance of over 600 feet. The dog which was closely following it also gave 
a jump, the result of which can easily be imagined. 

A story is related of Christian Riblett, of whom mention has been made. One winter, a 
party came to his house, and wished to engage him to cut wood for them upon some Govern- 
ment land, which lay but a short distance from his place of residence. A bargain was struck 
and Mr. Riblett worked faithfully during the entire winter, and a large quantity of wood was 
taken off. His wife several times anxiously inquired of him, if he was certain where he was at 
work. 0, yes, he knew what he was about. Time ran along, and, when the snow went off in 
the spring, his wife proposed, one day, they take a walk down where he had been cutting the 
timber. On arriving at the place the lady began to search for the corners, and soon found, as 
she feared, that her husband had all winter been stealing wood off his own land. 

Wisconsin City. — While now there is neither city or village in the territory of West Point, 
there was a time when such was not the case. The State Historical Society, in 1872, published 
a report stating that : " Among the maps preserved by our Historical Society is an engraved 
plat of Wisconsin City ; without date, but made in 1836, 19 x 28 inches in size, and certified 
by John Mullett, United States Deputy Surveyor. It shows that this paper city was located 
on the south side of the Wisconsin River, on Sections 8, 9 and 17, Township 10, Range 7, 
situated in the bend of the river, on a beautiful eminence, commanding a splendid view of the 
stream, with two long public landings fronting the river ; a beautiful square for Territorial use, 
of two blocks; Franklin, La Fayette and Washington Squares, each four blocks — each block 
260 feet square ; three market places, three blocks in length, and 200 feet wide ; streets from 60 
to 100 feet wide. Isaac H. Palmer, of Lodi, confirms this description, adding that he visited 
the p.ace in 1837, with view of purchasing the city — it was then, he says, in all its glory, with 
the stakes all standing, or enough to show the public grounds. The locality of Wisconsin City 
is in the southwesthern part of the township of West Point, Columbia County, and must not be 
confounded with the paper place of the same name, mentioned elsewhere in this volume, located 
on Rock River, in Rock County ; nor yet Superior City, embracing the old Black Hawk 
battle-ground, in Dane County, a little below Sauk City." 

The war record of West Point compares favorably with any town in the county. Her 
quotas were generally filled, and but one bounty tax was levied, and that near the close of the 
war, for $5,000. 

The West Point Dairy Association was organized March, 1875, with a capital stock of 
$2,000. Enias Carncross was elected President; Martin Van Ness, Secretary; William Mor- 
rissey. Treasurer. During the season of 1875, the association made 30,880 pounds of cheese, 
which brought an average price of 10 cents per pound. In 1876, 42,605 pounds were made, 
realizing 8i cents per pound. In 1877, 55,102 pounds brought lOJ cents. In 1878, 57,904 
pounds were made, which realized Ih cents per pound. In 1879, but little was made, the price 
during the season being so low, the association abandoned the work temporarily, with the inten- 
tion of at once resuming when the price would justify. In 1880, the officers were Enias Carn- 
cross, President; Martin Van Ness, Secretary; William E. Smith, Treasurer ; W. B. Chrisler 
and George W. Nott, with the officers, forming a Board of Directors. 

The following are the names of the officers elected since the organization of the town : 

1850 — Ira Polly, Chairman ; Samuel Ring, David Dorsch, Supervisors ; Joseph Lester, 
Clerk ; Philip Burlingame, Treasurer ; Leander Drew, School Superintendent. 

1851 — Jesse Van Ness, Chairman ; Reuben Ring, James Thomas, Supervisors ; Philip 
Burlingame, Clerk ; Enias Carncross, Treasurer ; 0. A. Kilburn, Assessor ; Horace M. Dyer, 
School Superintendent. 



862 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1852 — Jesse Van Ness, Chairman ; Reuben Ring, David P. Green, Supervisors ; Samuel 
W. Walker, Clerk ; Samuel B. Farrington, Treasurer ; 0. A. Kilburn, Cyrus Hill, Assessors ; 
Timothy Tirrill, School Superintendent. 

1853 — Jesse Van Ness, Chairman: Volney Moore, Samuel Martin, Supervisors; Timothy 
Tirrill, Clerk ; Peter Van Ness, Treasurer ; Daniel P. Grow, Orin Hutchinson, Assessors ; 
Timothy Tirrill, School Superintendent. 

1854 — Peter Van Ness, Chairman ; Orin Hutchinson, Enias Carncross, Supervisors ; Timo- 
thy Tirrill, Clerk; Otis A. Kilburn, Treasurer; Samuel B. Johnson, School Superintendent. 

1855 — Samuel B. Walker, Chairman ; Albert Wheeler, James Thomas, Supervisors ; 
Samuel B. Johnson, Clerk ; Otis A. Kilburn, Treasurer ; Jesse Van Ness, Cyrus Hill, Assess- 
ors ; John F. Madison, School Superintendent. 

1856 — Timothy Tirrill, Chairman ; AVilliam S. Shears, Frederick Perry, Supervisors ; 
Albert Lovering, Clerk ; Samuel W. Walker, Treasurer ; Ira Polly, Charles E. Odell, Assessors ; 
Samuel B. Johnson, School Superintendent. 

1857 — Peter Van Ness, Chairman ; Cyrus Hill, George Yule, Supervisors ; Amos F. 
Abbott, Clerk ; John W. Fisher, Treasurer ; Jesse Van Ness, William H. Worthly, Assessors ; 
Laroy J. Burlingame, School Superintendent. 

1858 — Joseph Pound, Chairman ; Eldridge Northup, Otis A. Kilburn, Supervisors ; Alonzo 
B. Avery, Clerk ; John W. Fisher, Treasurer ; Ira Polly, Assessor ; Laroy J. Burlingame, 
School Superintendent. 

1859 — Ira Polly, Chairman ; Frederick Perry, Orin R. Ingram, Supervisors ; Amos F. 
Abbott, Clerk ; John W. Fisher, Francis 0. Sisson, Assessors ; Timothy Colby, School Super- 
intendent. 

1860 — Ira Polly, Chairman ; Frederick Perry, William L. Austin, Supervisors ; Amos F. 
Abbott, Clerk; John W. Fisher, Treasurer; Orin R. Ingram, Assessor; William T. Shurtliff, 
School Superintendent. 

1861 — George Yule, Sr., Chairman; William L. Austin, William H. Cook, Supervisors; 
Amos F. Abbott, Clerk ; Silas W. Gofrey, Treasurer ; Cyrus Hill, Melatiah Willis, Assessors ; 
Isaac Van Ness, School Superintendent. 

1862 — George Yule, Chairman; William L. Austin, William H. Cook, Supervisors; Amos 
F. Abbott, Clerk ; Silas W. Godfrey, Treasurer ; Cyrus Hill, Assessor. 

1863 — George Yule, Chairman ; Frederick Perry, J. L. Farr, Supervisors ; Laroy J. 
Burlingame, Clerk ; Silas W. Godfrey, Treasurer ; William L. Austin, William J. Robinson, 
Assessors. 

1804 — Frederick Perry, Chairman; Otis A. Kilburn, Joseph Pound, Supervisors; Laroy 
J. Burlingame, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Isaac Van Ness, Assessor. Isaac Van Ness 
appointed Clerk. 

1865 — George Yule, Chairman ; William B. Chrisler, David H. Fellows, Supervisors ; 
Joseph Lester, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; David Hesselgrove, Moses Smith, Assessors. 

1866 — Frederick Perry, Chairman ; F. 0. Sisson, AVilliam B. Chrisler, Supervisors ; 
Joseph Lester, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; J. N. Fellows, Assessor. 

1867 — William H. Sherman, Chairman ; William H. Cook, William H. Dodge, Super- 
visors ; George Grow, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Joseph Lester, E. Maloney, Assessors, 
Ira Smith appointed Supervisor in place of Dodge. 

1868 — F. 0. Sisson, Chairman; William II. Cook, William B. Chrisler, Supervisors; II. 
J. Bullis, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer : Cyrus Hill, William Madison, Assessors. 

1869— F. 0. Sisson, Chairman ; W. H. Cook, VV. B. Chrisler, Supervisors; L. J. Bur- 
lingame. Clerk : J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; A. F. Abbott, Assessor. 

1870 — F. 0. Sisson, Chairman; William B. Chrisler, William H. Cook, Supervisoi'S ; L, 
J. Burlingame, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor. 

1871 — J. L. Farr, Chairman ; Isaac Van Ness, Merrill Johnson, Supervisors ; L. J. Bur- 
lingame, Clerk ; Alonzo B. Avery, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 863 

1872 — J. L. Farr, Chairman; William B. Chrisler, Merrill Johnson, Supei-visors ; Jacob 
Chrisler, Clerk ; Alonzo B. Avery, Treasurer; J. N. Fellows, Assessor. 

1873 — J. L. Farr, Chairman ; Albert Vanderpoel, Cyrus Hill, Supervisors ; Jacob Chris- 
ler, Clerk ; Alonzo B. Avery, Treasurer ; J. N. Fellows, Assessor. 

1874 — Julius A. Parr, Chairman; John Evans, George Yule, Supervisors; William B. 
Smith, Clerk ; D. H. Fellows, Treasurer : William J. Robinson, Assessor. 

1875 — George Yule, Chairman : William E. Smith, John Evans, Supervisors ; William B. 
Smith, Clerk : L. W. Carncross, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor. 

1876 — John Evans, Chairman ; Amos F. Abbott ; D. H. Fellows, Supervisors ; William 
B. Smith, Clerk ; L. W. Carncross, Treasurer : J. N. Fellows, Assessor. 

1877 — Alfred Vanderpoel, Chairman ; William J. Robinson, John I. Newcomb, Supervi- 
sors : William B. Smith, Clerk; J. L. Farr, Treasurer: Amplius B. Avery, Assessor. 

1878 — A. Vanderpoel, Chairman; William J. Robinson, J. I. Newcomb, Supervisors; 
William B. Smith, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor. 

1879 — Julius A. Parr, Chairman ; L. J. Burlingame, John R. Scott, Supervisors ; William 
B. Smith, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer; M. V. B. Van Ness, Assessor. 

1880 — William H. Cook, Chairman : Francis 0. Sisson, John R. Scott, Supervisors ; 
William B. Smith, Clerk ; J. N. Fellows, Treasurer : W. H. Hill, Assessor. 

TOWN OF WYOCENA. 

The land is generally what is called oak openings, mostly of a sandy soil ; but little of good 
land in town, but is well situated in regard to internal improvements. 

The Fox River enters the town from Marcellon on Section 3, and runs southwest to the 
village of Pardeeville, where it forms a good mill site, thence northwest, emptying into Swan 
Lake. The north branch of Duck Creek enters the town from the east, on Section 13, thence 
west and southwest until near the east line of Section 21, where it forms a junction with the 
south branch, which enters the town from the east on Section 24, running in a nearly west 
course to the junction. From the junction the creek ruus nearly west through the town. 
There is a valuable mill site on the south branch on Section 23, and one on the creek 'on Section 
21, one-half mile below the village of Wyocena, both occupied by mills. 

The first permanent settlement in the town was made by Maj. Elbert Dickason, who 
moved here in May, 1843, and located on Section 21, and built the first house in town. The 
Major raised the first wheat in town on Section 21, and gave name to the town and village. He 
died here August 9, 1848. 

Benjamin Dey moved here in January, 1844, and spent the winter with Maj. Dickason, 
and the summer following made the first entry of land on Section 10, and raised the first corn 
in town. 

Aaron Hodgson settled on Lot 4, of Section 3, in 1845, and was the first settler in the north 
part of the town. In 1846, many others came into the town and became permanent settlers, 
among whom were Charles and Chauncy Spear, Darius Bisbee, S. H. Salisbury, Harvey Bush, 
Dr. Rockwood, Philip Hipner, Willis W. Haskin, and others. Harvey Bush built the first 
frame house on the southwest quarter of Section 22, which was afterward removed to the north- 
west quarter of Section 27. 

In the summer of 1851, John Hunter and A. B. Winchell commenced building a grist- 
mill on Duck Creek, one-half mile below the village of Wyocena. The mill was completed and 
commenced operations the next winter. It was burned down November, 1852, and rebuilt by 
Benjamin Dey in 1853. 

The town is divided into eight school districts with a schoolhouse in each. 

The religious denominations are Catholic, Methodist, Congregationalist, Baptist, Presbyte- 
rian, Universalists and Episcopalians. The Catholics have a church on Section 32. 

Wyocena was organized as a town April 3, 1849 ; previous to that time it had been unitel 
with Marcellon and Springvale as Wyocena Precinct. 



864 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

When the county adopted the county system of supporting the poor, the Commissioners 
purchased of Maj. Dickason's heirs the house and two acres of land with barn, at the village 
of Wyocena, for a county poor-house. 

As an incident of the early settlement of the town, Benjamin Dey related to Henry Con- 
Verse the following : 

" After traveling around Wyocena for some time, I did not see any place that suited me any 
better than where the old log house stands on Section 10. I inquired of the Major if it was 
claimed by any one, and he told me it was claimed by Charles Temple, son-in-law of Capt.^ 
Low, so I went to Portage with the intention of buying it of him. He asked me if I wanted 
it for the purpose of selling it or to settle on and improve it. I told him I wanted to settle on 
it. He said I was welcome to the claim for that purpose. After I had built my house and 
moved into it, I received a letter from the claim society stating I was on C. Dinon's claim and 
I could accept of three offers: I could stay on the claim peaceably by paying $100, or I could give it 
up to them, or I must leave the country, as they would drive me out. I took the letter and went 
to the fort, as Portage was then called, to see my friend, H. Merrell. He sent for Capt. .Jewett 
and Lieut. Mumford, and showed them the letter, which stated the time when they were coming 
to pay me a visit ; that they had paid Mr. Lewis, of Columbus, a visit, and Mrs. Die- 
fendorf, of Lowville, a visit. Capt. Jewett and Lieut. Mumford said they had six 
good wagons and teams, and they would be on the ground in one hour's notice with 
six wagon loads of regulars. I sent a letter back by the same man that brought it to me, 
to the reverend Claim Club Company, that I was not willing to capitulate on any of their terms ; 
that the only proposal I had to make to them was an open-field fight, on said prairie, by their 
giving me two hours' notice, and the victors to hold the spoils ; but I was never troubled with 
that party after that." 

Samuel Wedge and Amanda White were the first couple, residents of the town, united in 
marriage — the event taking place in the fall of 1846. Another early marriage was that of Ben- 
jamin Yates and Eliza Ennis, in 1848. Miss Eanis, some time previous, had run away from 
home, and was working for Willis W Haskin. One day, on looking out, she discovered her 
father coming toward the house with the evident intention of taking her home. Seizing some 
of her things, she started out of the back door, where she encountered Mr. Yates, and told him the 
trouble she was in. Mr. Yates proposed they should be married at once, the proposition was 
accepted, and together the couple started for a minister, and in less than thirty minutes the two 
were made one. 

The first death was that of Mr. Sexton, who died in 1816, near the village of Wyocena. 

Benjamin Cole taught the first school on Section -1, in 1816. 

In 1847, Elder Wood, a Baptist preacher, delivered the first discourse in the town. 

The first election, before the organization of the town, was held in 1846, at the house of 
Elbert Dickason. Harvey Bush, Benjamin Dey and Solomon Salisbury were the Judges. 
The first election, on the organization of the town, was at the house of Richard C. 
Rockwood. The town was organized by the Board of Supervisors January, 1849, and is 
composed of all of Township 12, Range 10. It is bounded on the east by Springvale, on the 
west by Pacific, on the north by Marcellon, and on the south by Lowville. The name Wyocena, 
Maj. Dickason claimed, came to him in a dream. In that dream it was determined that the 
village should be the county seat, the same being realized for a period of one year in which the 
county business was here transacted. 

In 1857, the Northern Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was com- 
pleted through the town, entering on Section 1, and passing west through Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 
into Pacific from Section 6. Afterward the La Crosse Division of the same road was completed 
through the town, entering on Section 31, and passing in a northwesterly direction, into Pacific. 

The town of Wyocena resembles Marcellon in lying wholly within the Potsdam area, in 
possessing generally a low sandy soil, and in being entirely without prairie. The Fox River 
crosses the northern row of sections in an easterly direction, being bounded for the most of the 




WYOCEN A 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 867 

distance by a marsh one-half to one mile in width. Duck Creek crosses the middle sections in a 
similar direction, and is similarly bounded by marsh. The Fox River marsh has an altitude of 
about 210 feet ; that of Duck Creek nearly the same. Between the two, there is a nearly level 
sand plain raised in its highest part not more than 20 to 30 feet above the streams. South of 
Duck Creek, the surface is much more broken, and near the south line are some quite high bluffs 
rising to an altitude of 350 feet. 

The first entry of land in the town was made by Joseph W. Turner, June 17, 1886, and 
patented August 10, 1887, for Lots 5, 11 and 12, Section 5, containing 166 acres ; also Lot 5, 
Section 6, containing 58 acres. 

The following comprises a list of town oflBcers since the organization of the town to the 
present time : 

1850 — Darius Bisbee, Chairman ; Robert M. Haynes, David H. Everson, Supervisors ; 
A. B. Alden, Clerk ; Nathan D. White, Treasurer ; John Carpenter, Jeremiah H. Heath, J. 
P. Kellogg, Assessors ; M. W. Sargent, School Superintendent. 

1851 — Daniel S. Bushwell, Chairman ; Joseph L. Sherman, Joseph Farrington, Supervi- 
sors ; Alvin B. Alden, Clerk ; E. H. Vaughn, Treasurer ; John Carpenter, James D. Slackly, 
E. H. Rice, Assessors ; A. B. Winchell, School Superintendent. 

1852 — Francis E. Whiton, Chairman ; Joseph Farrington, Henry Ager, Supervisors ; Henry 
Converse, Clerk ; Yates Ashley, Treasurer ; James D. Shackley, Assessor ; J. D. W. 
Roberts, School Superintendent. 

1858 — Henry Converse, Chairman ; James J. Pervis, A. E. Patchen, Supervisors ; John 
Weiting, Clerk ; William J. Towner, Treasurer ; James D. Shackly, Assessors ; J. W. Earle, 
School Superintendent. 

1854 — Henry Converse, Chairman ; A. E. Patchin, R. M. Haynes, Supervisors ; John 
Weiting, Clerk ; James J. Purvis, Treasurer : James D. Shackly, Assessor ; Seth A. Cooledge, 
School Superintendent. 

1855 — T. H. Briggs, Chairman; George Purvis, Lewis Kingsbury, Supervisors; S. E. 
Faurote, Clerk ; John Farrier, Treasurer ; James D. Shackly, Assessor ; S. E. Miner, School 
Superintendent. 

1856 — William Blair, Chairman ; R. M. Haynes, Ophir Leonard, Supervisors ; S. E. 
Faurote, Clerk; John Farrier, Treasurer; James D. Shackley, Assessor; S. E. Miner, School 
Superintendent. 

1857 — Henry Converse, Chairman; J. W. C. Langworthy, M.W. Twitchell, Supervisors; 
Seth A. Cooledge, Clerk; I. I. Purvis, Treasurer; S. A. Mitchell, Assessor; H. W. 
Roblier, School Superintendent. 

1858 — H. H. Roblier, Chairman; Edwin Spear, E. B. Blaisdell, Supervisors; S. A. 
Cooledge, Clerk ; N. B. Ellis, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor ; Erastus Taylor, School 
Superintendent. 

1859— H. W. Roblier, Chairman ; N. B. Ellis, E. B. Blaisdell, Supervisors; D. M. Hall. 
Clerk ; J. D. Shackley, Treasurer and Assessor ; J. W. Earle, School Superintendent. 

1860 — Norman Coapm.an, Chairman ; E. B. Blaisdell, N. B. Ellis, Supervisors ; William 
Depuy, Clerk ; E. S. Kellogg, Treasurer ; Henry Converse, Assessor ; J. W. Earle, School 
Superintendent. 

1861 — E. B. Blaisdell, Chairman ; S. H. Salisbury, J. P. Shackley, Supervisors ; A. D. 
Coapman, Clerk ; E. S. Kellogg, Treasurer ; James I. Purvis, Assessor ; J. W. Earle, School 
Superintendent. 

1862 — E. B. Blaisdell, Chairman ; S. H. Salisbury, George S. Mantor, Supervisors ; 
Henry Converse, Clerk ; John English, Treasurer ; James D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1863 — Henry Converse, Chairman; Samuel Hovey, Thomas S. Stanley, Supervisors ; 
Norman Coapman, Clerk ; James D. Shackley, Assessor ; John English, Treasui-er. 

1864 — M. W. Twitchell, Chairman ; R. M. Haynes, John Farrier, Supervisors ; H. M. 
Blair, Clerk ; Alexander Farrier, Treasurer ; A. J. Robertson, Assessor. 



868 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

1865 — E. B. Blaisdell, Chairman ; Seth Allen, 0. D. Van Deusen, Supervisors ; N. D. 
Cone, Clerk ; H. D. Burrows, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1866 — A. E. Patchin, Chairman ; R. M. Haynes, P. Hibner, Supervisors ; H. W. Rob- 
lier, Clerk ; G. S. Manter, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1867 — A. E. Patchin, Chairman ; R. M. Haynes, Philip Hibner, Supervisors ; H. W. 
Spear, Clerk ; H. G. Britt, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1868 — A. E. Patchin, Chairman ; R. M. Haynes, S. H. Salisbury, Supervisors ; Henry 
Converse, Clerk; R. Hawkins, Treasurer; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1869 — E. B. Blaisdell, Chairman ; Henry D. Burrows, Solomon H. Salisbury, Super- 
visors ; Norman Coapman, Clerk ; Henry C. Stanley, Treasurer ; James D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1870 — Enoch B. Blaisdell, Chairman ; Cornelius Phillips, Solomon H. Salisbury, Super- 
visors ; James W. Coapman, Clerk; Peter C. Irvine, Treasurer ; James D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1871 — E. B. Blaisdell, Chairman; Cornelius Phillips, 0. D. Van Dusen, Supervisors; 
James W. Steele, Clerk ; Albert Parmenter, Treasurer ; James B. Shackley, Assessor. 

1872 — C. J. Pardee, Chairman ; P. C. Irvine, A. E. Patchin, Supervisors ; H. W. Spear, 
Clerk ; A. M. Parmenter, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1873 — Charles Spear, Chairman ; Cornelius Phillips, C. S. Dowd, Supervisors ; L. S. 
Rolleson, Clerk ; A. M. Parmenter, Treasure)- ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1874 — C. J. Pardee, Chairman ; George Purvis, C. S. Dowd, Supervisors ; L. S. Roll- 
eson. Clerk ; D. C. Gilson, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1875 — C. I. Pardee, Chairman ; George Purvis, C. S. Dowd, Supervisors ; 0. C. Patchin, 
Clerk ; M. W. Twitchell, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1876 — C. I. Pardee, Chairman ; R. M. Haynes, C. S. Dowd, Supervisors ; N. Coapman, 
Clerk ; John A. Bull, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley. Assessor. 

1877 — Stephen Calverly, Chairman; C. S. Dowd, R. M. Haynes, Supervisors; N. Coap- 
man, Clerk ; R. C. Falconer, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1878 — S. Calverly, Chairman ; C. S. Dowd, R. M. Haynes, Supervisors ; H. W. Stanley, 
Clerk ; J. I. Purvis, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1879 — M. G. Tucker, Chairman ; H. D. Burrows, J. Valentine, Supervisors ; C. J. 
Pardee, Clerk ; D. C. Gilson, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

1880 — Rus Falkner, Chairman ; H. D. Burrows, Cornelius Phillips, Supervisors ; C. J. 
Pardee, Clerk ; W. S. Gardner, Treasurer ; J. D. Shackley, Assessor. 

VILLAGE OF WYOCENA. 

Hotel of Dickeson. — One night, in the winter of 1844, Elbert Dickeson had a dream, so 
he affirmed, that upon the site of his farm, on Section 21, there would spring up a village 
called Wyocena, whichshould be the seat of justice for Columbia County. In the morning, he 
told his dream to Benjamin Dey, who was then stopping with him. The two talked the matter 
over and determined to put the plan into execution, for the fulfillment of the dream. To this 
end, Maj. Dickeson opened a public house, to "afford entertainment for man and beast." In 
1846, the old log gave way to a large two-story frame building, which was duly dedicated with 
a grand dance the evening of July 4. Maj. Dickeson died in 1848 ; the hotel was not com- 
pleted. Mr. A. A. Bull took a lease of the hotel for a term of years, completed the hotel ; he 
occupied it for one year, and leased it to William Wolcott for one year. Wolcott sold out his 
interest to John Hunter. Hunter sold out to Becker; his time expired with the lease. Widow 
Dickeson, married to Dr. Singer, took possession of the hotel, kept it a short time, and sold out 
to Noah Dickeson. He, Dickeson, sold his interest to I. M. Carr ; he sold to C. Hill, and he 
to W. Austin ; that closes the hotel business. The county bought the property for a county 
house, for which purpose it is now occupied. 

About 1850, Dr. Rockwood built a public house, which was purchased by John Lewis, 
by him sold to J. Hunter ; he, in 1853, disposed of it to James Austin, who, iii 1880, had been 
in charge of the same for twenty-seven years. The name given to the house was Boston. 



HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 8tJ9 

Maj. Dickeson, who was a practical surveyor, laid out and platted the new village, in 
1846. The Board of County Commissioners adopting it as a temporary county seat, and the 
prospect seeming good for its being made permanent, lots brought a fair price and considerable 
improvements were soon under way. 

Jacob Rogers was the first to embark in the mercantile business in the place. In 1847, 
he opened a stock of general merchandise and commanded a fair trade. 

In 1817, the citizens erected a small frame building, for school purposes, which was used 
eight years, when, becoming too small, the district erected a two-story frame building, 32x40. 
The school was now divided into two departments, the primary department occupying the lower 
room, and the high school the upper. In 1879-80, Henry Stanley and Nellie Hughes were 
the teachers. 

Some two years before the completion of this building. Elder Miner erected a building for 
a select school, in which the higher branches should be taught, and students be prepared for 
college. Only moderate success attended his efforts. In 1817, the building was disposed of 
to the Methodists and Baptists, for church purposes. 

A post office was established here in 1845, with Harvey Bush as Postmaster. Jacob 
Rogers was next appointed. He resigned in favor of David R. Meloy. Mr. Meloy, in 1852, 
resigned in favor of John Weiting, who was commissioned by the Post Office Department, under 
James K. Polk. Through the successive administrations of Polk, Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, 
Buchanan, Lincoln, Johnson, Grant and Hayes, Mr. Weiting has served the people. • In his 
proud boast that not a dollar ever mailed in this office has been lost, to the best of his knowledge. 

In 1853. a grist-mill was erected by John Hunter and Chauncey Spear. In the fall of that 
same year, Benjamin Dey purchased the interest of Mr. Spear, the firm remaining Hunter & 
Dey for two years. In 1855, Mr. Dey purchased Hunter's interest, and, in the fall, the mill 
was burned. Mr. Dey immediately rebuilt, and on a more extensive scale. In 1865, he dis- 
posed of his interest to Mr. Sexton, of Milwaukee. Mr. Sexton continued sole proprietor for 
four years, when he sold to George Craig, who, in turn, in the spring of 1879, sold to Mr. 
Douglas. 

Wyoaena Cheese Factory. — In the fall of 1875, a stock company was organized for the 
purpose of manufacturing cheese. A paid-up capital of -f 1,600, composed of sixty-four shares, 
at $25 each, was immediately subscribed. During the summer of 1876, about forty thousand 
pounds of cheese were manufactured, and the same during 1877. In 1878 and 1879, the 
amount was reduced to about twenty-five thousand pounds per year, in consequence of the ina- 
bility of securing a supply of milk. 

Spear's Cheese Factory. — This factory is located about one mile east of the village, and 
began operations in the summer of 1878, making about twenty -five thousand pounds of cheese. 
In the summer of 1879, the .same amount was manufactured. 

ConyregntioJialist Church. — In the spring of 1853, Rev. S. E. Miner organized a congre- 
gation of fifteen members. For two years, services were held in the schoolhouse, but, in 1855, 
a small, neat house of worship was erected, at a cost of $1,600. From the organization up to 
Januaiy, 1880, Revs. Miner, Barton, Jenkins, Hassell, Donaldson, Richards, Fairfield, Logan 
and Ball have served as Pastors. At this time, there were twenty-eight members, with James 
I. Purvis, George Hill and De Witt Gilson as Trustees ; A. E. Patchin and John Wood, Dea- 
cons. A Sunday school was organized in 1853, which continued for three years, when, in con- 
nection with the Methodists and Baptists, a union school was organized. 

Baptist Church. — The first religious services held in the town, at which there was preach- 
ing, was in the summer of 1846, Elder Wood, a Baptist minister, officiating. Elder Wood 
preached here occasionally for one year, and then returned East. In 1852, Elder Moses Row- 
ley organized a congregation, with D. A. Vaughn and wife, Mrs. Electa Spear and Mr. Sher- 
man and wife, in the organization. Elder Wood returned in 1853, and was called to the pastor- 
ate, serving for four years, when he went to Baraboo and remained thi-ee years. Elder Meredith, 
during that time, having charge of the Wyocena Church. In 1860, Elder Wood again resumed 



870 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

the pastorate, with a record of twenty years' continuous service in the spring of 1880. In 
conjunction with the Metliodists, the schoolhouse erected by Elder Miner was purchased in 
18.57, wherein regular exercises have been held. About forty names were on the roll of church 
membership, January, 1880 — R. 0. Spear, clerk. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — A class was organized about the year 18.52. In 18.57, 
together with the Baptists, they purchased a house of worship. In the spring of 1880, they 
had a membership of twenty. 

The Columbus Democrat, December, 1869, has the following to say of Wyocena: 

" Wyocena is the remains of a once thriving and increasing village assassinated by the 
building of the old La Crosse Railroad. Seventeen years ago, it contained five stores doing 
a good trade. Now it has two. Pardeeville was erected upon its decadence ; then the 
new division of the railroad was laid toward Portage ; the seat of commerce again shifted ; 
the glory of Pardeeville departed, and Rio was built upon its ruins. Wyocena is overgrown 
with the thin moss of the Western antiquity, and is ancient in appearance, as is permitted to 
any village of less age than a quarter of a century. It has a good schoolhouse, a tolerably 
commodious town hall (costing, perhaps, .^1,500 more than the one in Columbus), and two 
churches. But we observed no new buildings and few evidences of the vigor generally found in 
Western villages. The railroad, upon which it scarcely impinges, came too late to benefit it much. 
Its settlement antedated Portage proper, though of course. Fort Winnebago was older. Maj. 
Dickason, the hardy pioneer of our own village, we are told, was the first settler also. He built 
the log cabin on the bank of Duck Creek, in which he afterward died. A man named Bush 
located shortly after the Major, about a mile east of the Columbus road, and Charles Spear, 
John Dalton and Benjamin Dey, are mentioned too as among the earlier settlers. They live 
here still, but the Major's descendants have sought newer camping grounds. We believe the 
old veteran himself was buried here and we meant to visit the spot of his repose, but time did 
not permit. It is about eleven years since the poor-house was located at Wyocena ; previous to 
that date a temporary accommodation for the destitute had been provided at Portage. Three 
inmates were removed to Wyocena in 1858. During the first winter, the institution was kept 
in a small building a little east of the present one. The three persons with which it was 
founded were an old deaf man named Savage, who was afterward killed by the cars, a lad whose 
father sent him from Madison off to school, and who became dissipated, was expelled, and after- 
ward sent up from Portage. The father came after the prodigal when he had been sufficiently 
punished. The third was a crazy Norwegian, who has since remained here. The buildings 
now occupied are pleasantly situated close upon Duck Creek. They consist of a two-story 
wooden building, and an adjoining two-story brick. The latter was built two years since by 
Messrs. Prescott & Carnagy of Portage, at a cost of about .$4,000. The frame of the former 
was erected by Maj. Dickason, who had been dispensing his hospitalities from his log cabin on 
the other side of the creek, and had determined to put up a more modern hostelry. The old 
Major's light was put out as the frame went up, and it was leased for a term on condition of 
being completed. It soon passed into the hands of the county and has since been used for its 
present purpose. 

"A little cabin on the Crawfish, in Columbus, was the first structure that the Major built 
in the West, and the mark of his hands ceased with the future poor-house building of the 
county. In the interim is the story of all his pioneer days. 

"An almshouse is the depository of much sad personal history. It is a discolored, worn and 
faded volume, in which are bound as many pathetic and discreditable biographies as there are 
inmates ; it is a charnel-house, where are laid the remains of missspent or unsuccessful lives ; 
and there is instruction there, in turning over dead relics of the past, and in the study of the 
causes of their decay ; it is a place where the brightness of life can be only a distant memory, 
and hope is but a specter of the irrecoverable. Few things can be sadder than the death of 
worn-out old age in the alms-house. We have talked with men of much experience in the man- 
agement of pauperism, and they have invariably informed us that, in nine cases out of ten, it 



HISTORY OF COLFMBIA COUNTY. 871 

is directly, or indirectly, intemperance, that makes men public charges. It is very seldom that 
misfortune, unassisted, makes men paupers. 

" The individual history of many of the inmates would not be uninteresting, did space permit. 
In this poor-house, two years ago, died Jonas Haywood, aged ninety-two years. He was a 
man possessed of much general information, and had fought with Wellington in the Napoleonic 
wars ; he had many a tale of that stirring period that had never reached the historian's page, 
and, doubtless, not a few of them were true. The aggregated individual experience of contend- 
ing armies is the only complete annals of war. It was too large and too frequent drinks that 
finally beat the old veteran. ■ 

"Here also died Gabriel Rongie, at the age of eighty-four, after living here four years. 
He came to Green Bay fifty-nine years ago, being a French Canadian. He was an Indian 
trader, and one period had amassed considerable property. During his life he formed 
three matrimonial alliances with dusky aborigines, and bequeathed to the Territory an unre- 
corded number of half-breeds. His personal experience and knowledge, properly compiled, 
would make a most readable volume. He was blind before he died, and used to aver that one 
eye was sick and that the other was scratched out by a wild cat, while he was climbing a tree 
for coon. He too succumbed to his cups. 

" Edward Lahey, a former Catholic priest, was once an inmate here. It was he who was 
pardoned from States prison, where was sent for the shooting of a man, eighteen years ago, 
in Pardeeville. He was comparatively rich, but claims brought against him after the pardoning 
beggared him." 

VILLAGE OF PARDEEVILLE. 

In the fall of 1848, John S. Pardee, then merchandising in Milwaukee, sent out Mr. Reuben 
Stedman to build a store in this neighborhood, and in December following, Yates Ashley came out 
with goods and commenced trading for Mr. Pardee, and getting out timber to build mills. In 
1849, the saw and grist mills were built and commenced operations. This was the beginning 
of Pardeeville. 

In July, 1850, John S. Pardee platted a portion of his land, and Willis S. Haskin did 
likewise. In 1855, Dr. Lake made an addition to the village of some forty acres on the south. 

The first frame house built on the site of the village was by Mr. Haskin, but Joseph Utley 
built the first after it was laid out. Killian Hepler built the second. 

In 1852, Reuben Baughman erected the first hotel, giving it the name of "Diamond Hall." 
In 1855, he sold the same to Mr. Turner, who in turn disposed of it to Mrs. Johnson, who 
assumed management for awhile, and then leased it to various parties until September, 1879, 
when it was purchased by George Briffett, who immediately took charge of the same. The 
house is roomy, with accommodations for twenty guests. 

Killian Hepler built the Hepler House in 1860, and leased it to John Benedict, who ran 
it three years, when Mr. Hepler took personal charge. 

J. S. Pardee commenced the erection of the large grist-mill, in 1849 ; in the same year 
he transferred his interest in Pardeeville to Joseph Utley, who, about the year 1853, turned the 
whole property over to John Pardee, father of the original proprietor, who took possession of 
the property (the mill being unfinished), and completed the mill in the latter part of 1856. 

About that time he disposed of a quarter interest in the mill property to Yates Ashley, the 
copartnership being continued till the death of Mr. John Pardee, which occurred June 26, 1873. 

The site of the village is embraced within School District No. 3. A schoolhouse was 
erected in the district as early as 1847, which soon gave way for a better one, and it in turn by 
a still better one, erected in the village limits in 1868. This latter building is a large two-story 
brick. In the winter of 1879-80, Miss Nora C. Waters was Principal, and Mrs. Blaisdell, 
Assistant. 

Presbyterian Church. — This society was organized in 1857, with six members — xllanson 
Hughson, Phila M. Hughson, Lebbuns H. Gilbert, William J. Ensign, Leona Ensign, and 



872 HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Sarah Burcheeker. Rev. S. H. Barteau was the officiating minister in its organization. A. 
Hughson was elected Deacon and William J. Ensign and L. II. Gilbert, Elders. Rev. S. Barteau 
was the first occasional and then stated supply till .January 1, 1862. Rev. E. F. Tanner 
preached one year, from August 1, 1862. Rev. E. F. Waldo, as his successor, supplied the 
pulpit for one year from October, 1863. After being without a regular minister for nearly a 
year, Rev. E. F. Tanner became the second titns the stated supply from September, 186.5. 
The house of worship was commenceil in the summer of 1863, ami completed at a cost of 
§2, .500. It was dedicated March 30, 1864. Rev. Charles Hichards succeeded Mr. Tanner, 
and was followed by the Rev. Joseph Rossiel. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — The church building was erected in 1861. John W. Fal- 
coner and Samuel Cannon were the most active in its construction. Its cost was $1,800. 
Revs. Boschee, Parker, Joseph Bolton, T. M. Ross, M. Peck. Edward Bronson, Jabez B. Cole, 
0. B. Clark, AVilliam Jones, William Cook, John Varty and W. F. Stright have each served 
as Pastor. The church form? a part of the Wyooena Circuit. 

Pardee Lodge, No. J7I, A.. F. ^f A. M. — A dispensation w!is granted September 12. 1867, 
to organize at this place, wliicli organization was effected by the election of Samuel B. Rhodes, 
W. M. ; Charles J. Pardee, S. W. ; David H. Langdon, J. \V. A charter was granted to the 
organization .June 10, 1868. It had a membership January 1, 1880, of thirty-two. There 
have been four deaths and ten dimissions since the organization. 

Pardee Lodge, No. 126, 1. 0. 0. F. — This lodge was instituted December 5, 1873, with 
Charles J. Pai'dee, N. G. ; David Narracong, V. G. ; F. A. Matthewson, Sec. ; John Hartman, 
Treas. Its membershiji January 1, 1880, was twenty. 

Post Office. — The first mail route was established here in 1849, from Madison to Fort 
Winnebago, thence to Pardeeville and Wyocena. Yates Ashley was first appointed Postmaster 
in 1843, served two years. In 1852, Jose])b Utley, who served one year. In 1853, Hubble 
West, Sr., who served two years. In 1855, Darius Coman, who served four years. In I860. 
John Pardee, who served one year. In 1861, Ira Atkins, who served six years ; died in 1867, 
when Luman A. Gilbert was appointed, who .«erved si.x years. In 1873, Newton W. Gilbert 
was appointed, served five years. In 1878, Mrs. Susan Falconer was appointed, who now holds 
the office as Mrs. Susan Yan Schaick. 




ERRATA. 

Jas. D. Shuchly, page 453, should be Jas. D. Shackley. 

Robertof Roberts, page 713, officers of 1852, should be Robert ap Roberts. 

Saffron, page 717, M. E. Church, should be Suffron. 

H. 0. Jones, page 717, M. E. Church, should be H. 0. Evans. 

M. J. Rach, page 717, Good Templars, should be M. J. Roach. 

Hattie Hughes, page 717, Good Templars, should be Katie Hughes. 

Fred Miller, M., page 718, Cambria Lodge, should be Fred Miller, G. F. 

Wm. Peterman, 0., page 718, Cambria Lodge, should be Wni. Peterman, R. 

Wm. Seeman, page 718, Cambria Lodge, should be Frederick Seeman. 

G. D. Jones, page 719, officers of 1879, should be G. D. Meyers. 

Adam Culdon, page 699, Town Treas. 1865 and 1866, should be Adam Culdow. 

Jno. Campbell, page 700, Assessor 1877, should be Jno. Caldwell. 

Adam Bogue, page 700, Chairman 1880, should be Alan Bogue. 

Aaron Town, page 763, made claims in spring of 1842, should be Aaron Town made 
claims in spring of 1849. 

On page 764, Elling Muhl should be made Male : George Windens should read Windus : 
Nels Paterson should be Peterson : Hans Lollinger should read Hans Tollackson ; Stephen 
Collenson should read Colbenson. 

On page 765, Talbot Askinson should read Tollac Asbinson ; Edmund Cushing should 
read Edward ; Nelson Van Wil should read Nelson Van Wie, and Andrew Baarnaman should 
read Boarnaman. 

On page 767, Herman Brane should read Herman Brune, and William Mews should read 
Maves. 

Hugh Mair, page 727, in election, 1849, should be Hugh Miner. 

Jno. Sims, page 728, early settlers, should be John Lines. 

Harver Curtis, page 729, officers 1854, should be Harvey Curtis. 

Jno. Sims, page 729, officers 1856, should be John Lines. 

Jas. L. Sims, page 730, officers 1860, should be Jas. L. Lines. 

Jas. Hastie, page 730, Clerk 1872, should be William Hastie. 

Page 731, " Village of Dekorra," far north as Madison, should read far south as Madison. 

Since the article, page 752, on the Village of " Inch " was printed we are informed that 
there were lots sold, houses built, and some business was done in 1856 or 1857. — Ed. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



ABBRJE"VI^TI0 1Srs. 



O) Company or county 

dlr dealer 

W. V. A Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery 

W. V. C „ Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry 



W. V. I Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry 

p. P"st Office 

S. or Sec Section 

Bt street 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 

W. H. C ABRLL, dentist ; born at Middletown, Genesee Co., N. Y. (now Wyoming Co.), 
May 25. 1827. When about 12 years of age. his parents removed to Ohio : lived there until he was 
20 years of age. Educated in dentistry in ^Middletown. Conn.; commenced study with a brother in 
1852 ; prior to that time, he was engaged in civil engineering, V>eing Second Assistant Engineer of 
the Western I)i\ision of the Erie Canal during its construction in New York State. The Doctor was 
married at Skaneatelcs, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in April. 1854, to Angelina C. Lawton ; she was born 
at Catskill. Greene Co.. N. Y. They have three children — David Hunter. Fannie Jewett and Henry 
Russell. Mr. Abell is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Lodge. 

SlILiES T. ALiVERSON, real-estate and loan agent : was born in the town of Rodman. 
Jefferson Co., X. Y.. Jan. 20, 1833 : son of Almanson and Sylenda Alverson, who moved to Russell, 
St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., November. 1848, where Miles T. lived until 1854, when he came to Wiscon- 
sin in October of that year, locating on what is now the town of Arlington, on Sec. 1, with his friend 
Ambrose Powers, remaining with him. more or less, until 1857. when he went to Southwestern Mis- 
ssouri. where he taught school a [jortion of the time, only remaining there a year, when he returned to 
Wisconsin to Lowville, working at the carpenter's trade. Married, JIarch 23, 1859, to Melissa A. 
Low. only daughter of Hon. Jacob Low. of Lowville. who died Jan. 24. 1875 ; her mother, Catherine 
Low. is now living ; they were among the early settlers of that place. Mrs. Alverson is probably 
the oldest settler now living within tlie corporate limits of Portage ; she was born in the city of New 
York. :March 28. 1841. They have two children— Charles Lewis, born Dec. 23. 18(30. and Harry 
Bartlett, JIarch 27, 1872. After marriage, ^h-. Alverson was engaged in teaching and working at 
his trade as carpenter and joiner, but teaching principally, until 1864 ; one year of this time, he 
carried on his father-in-law's farm ; in 1864, went to Milwaukee and took a course in commercial 
college, returning to Poynette. where he taught the higher department of the public school, that 
being his third term at this place ; he returned to ^Milwaukee in 1865, and was employed as a teacher 
in Bryant & Stratton's College, where he remained until he came to Portage. Jan. 1, 1867;- was 
Deputy Treasurer two years, then elected County Treasurer in the fall of 1868 ; re-elected in 1870. 
In 1872, in company with Thomas Yule, purchased aljstracts of titles of lands in this county ; was 
engaged in the abstract business and real estate, loans, etc.. until November. 1878. when he sold out 
their abstracts, and since then has been in loan and real-estate business ; since Aug. 1, 1879, has 
conducted business alone ; was Town Superintendent of Schools in 18(il, Town Clerk of Lowville in 
1862 ; was Deputy County Treasurer two years after he went out as County Treasurer, and Deputy 
County Register at the same time. Mr. A.'s father died Aug. 29, 1879 ; mother now lives on the 
homestead, in Russell. St. Lawrence Co.. N. Y. Jh'. A. was one of the charter members of the 
T. O. O. F.; also a memlier of the A.. F. & A. M.. and was a member of the School Board two years. 

WILLIAM ARMSTRONG was born in County Armagh, town of Drumminmadder, 
Ireland. June. 1824; came in 1839 to America, and located in the vicinity of Stevens Point, Wis.; 
engaged as head sawyer in Harper's mill for three j-ears, then came to JIarquette (now Green Lake) 



87(i BI0GHA1'IIICA]> SKETCHES: 

Co.; was on a fai'iii one smiiiiu'r : l)oiigiit and iiin a saw-mill at Now Lisbon for til'teen or sixU-en 
months ; cumc to what is now Portage ; ran a hunber yard two or three years ; took iij) the elaini 
and entered pro])erty in tiiat place : commented brick making in 1S47. which he has continued since, 
with the exception of two years. .Mr. .V. was married in I'ortage to Ilulda Fish. They have had 
three children, of whom but one. William John, is li\ing; William James, deceased : Sally Jane, 
deceased. Mr. A. was one of the (Irst Aldermen of the city, .serving several terms. 

CHAKIjKS ,1. AK^OI^I), son of Josiah Arnold, was born at Colnmluis, Cohnnbia ("o.. 
Wis.. Oct. 24. 1847. Attended I'ortage High School and Kacine College; came with parents to 
I'ortage in 1851 ; followed lumbering during ten years, up to ISTtl, when he engaged in his present 
business, that of freigliting. lie was married at Portage. June 30. 1870. to Mary F. Hutt, born in 
Canada. They have three children — Louis C. Jiobcrt'lL and Carl S. Mr. A. is a member of the 
A. O. V. W. and A.. F. c^ A. >L 

JOSIAH AKX4llil), son of Sylvester Arnold, was born in the town of Wasliington. 
Berkshire Co.. .Mass.. Nov. 1. 1820: moved to Stockbridge, Mass., with his parents, in 1824; his 
father died in that jilace Oct. 18. 1845 : removed to Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y., and resi<led there 
ten years ; he liwd afterwards for \arious periods in New York City, Stockbi-idgc, ^\'ashington. 
JMass., 3Iaryland. A'irginia, and Hamiltcm. .Madison Co.. N. Y. ; taught school in the latter (ilace 
until he came west in the spring of 1S4:J ; he located tirst at Stoughtou. but moved to Janesville in 
the fall of 184:5. where he rcmainetl two or three years, teaching the tirst public school ; in the spring 
of 1844. after the close of his school, he clerked for one year in Janesville : commenced general 
mercantile business in spring of 184") with Danii'l K, Bassctt : they started a liranch store at Colum- 
bus, in fall of 184"). closing out the business at Janesville in the spring of 1840 ; continued in busi- 
ness at Columbus until 1847 with Bassett ; then one year alone in trade; Mr. A. was appointed 
Clerk of Circuit Court in 1848, and elected to same position in the fall of same year ; in 1850. 
elected Hegister of Deeds ; held the office two years ; came to I'ortage in 1851. where he lias since 
resided (except during a few years at (ierraantowii), and engaged in the hardware business with 
J. B. Fargo, from 1853 to 1857 ; continued in that business alone initil 1801 ; then engaged in the 
lumber business, operating a large mill at Germantown. Juneau Co., Wis. ; also associated with 
Carnagie & I'rescott in a lumber yard and plauing-mill. at Portage ; Mr. A. owns pine lands in Wood. 
IMarathon and Clark Cos. Mr. A. was married in the town of Fulton. Rock Co., Wis., Dec. 20, 1840. 
to Mary Jane True. l)orn in Perry. Wvoming Co.. N. Y. Thev have five children — Charles J., born 
Oct. 24, 1847 ; William S., born Aug. 10. 1850 ; Samuel E., born Nov. 9, 1854 ; Harry E., born Feb. 
1,1859; Fred D., born March 23, 1804. IMr. A. was Postmaster at ColumVius for two years; 
Alderman of Portage in 1854. 1855 and 1850; in the si)ring of 1877, elected Mayor, and is now 
serving his third year ; in 1877, elected Assemblyman. He is a member of A. F. & A. .M., Lodge No. 
23. Chapter 14. and Commandery No. 4. Mr. A.'s grandfather, Timothy Arnold, served in the 
Revolutionary war. 

JOHX ARTHl'R was born in County Radnor. Wales, in Novemlier. 1821 ; came to America 
in 1845 ; lived in New Jersey until 1851 ; worked for a hosiery manufacturing company at New 
Brunswick, in that State; in 1851, Mr. A. came to Wisconsin, biit returned to New Jersey for five 
years after 1853 ; came to Portage in 1858. and began dealing in furs, hides, wool. etc.. with Evan 
Arthur and Samuel Brown. Mr. Brown retired from the business in 1807. 

EVAX AKTHi'K was born in County Radnor. Wales, in 1824 ; came to America in 1851. 
and settled lirst in New Jersey ; in 1854. he began tanning and dealing in hides with Samuel Brown ; 
John Arthur became a partner in 1858 in this business. He was married at Jlilwankee. in 1803. 
to Elizabeth F. Remington, a native of New York State ; they have four children — K\au R.. Willie J. 
(irace and Nellie; Mr. Arthur's mother died at Ft. Winnebago, after living there about one year ; 
father, John, died at Portage in No\ember, 1802 ; his sisters were Mary, iiow 31rs. H. II. Beanor. 
of Canada; Ann. ^Irs. Samuel Hrown. who died in Milwaukee in 1872 or 1873; Sarah, a resident 
of Portage, and Flizalieth. now Mrs. O. J. Thomas, residing near Pewaukee. Wis. 

CHARLES P. AUSTIN was born at Hamburg. Erie Co., N. Y.. Jan. 5. 1830 ; when he 
was a cliild, his jjarcnts moved to ( )hio ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1845 ; located at Janes- 
ville until 1850. when he came to I'ortage : Betsey Austin, his mother, died in Dodge Co.. Wis., and 
his father, James Austin, died at Portage ; Mr. Austin began clerking for John (iates. with whom 
he continued until enlisting in April. 180]. in Co. (!. 2d W. "\'. L ; participated in the following 
battles ; Blackman's Ford, ^'a., First Bull Run. (lainesville, C^hancellorsville, Wilderness, Gettysljurg. 
and Spottsylvania ; he was wounded in the left foot at the battle of Gainesville, Aug. 28, 1 8(52, for 



CITV OF POKTAGE. 8^7 

a long time disabled, and while on the skirmish line, the tifth day of the tight, at Spottsylvania. he 
was wounded in his left hip ; this wound rendered him untit for duty up to the time of his 
discharge ; after leaving the army, he returned to Portage and again entered tlie store of Mr. dates, 
with whom he had been prior to entering the service; in 1868, he eonnneneed business for himself, 
the firm being Austin & Campbell; at the expiration of one year, Jolui dates pureliased Mr. 
Campbell's interest, and Mr. tl. continued in business until the time of liis death : !Mr. Austin was 
appointed Postmaster in 1870; served in that position until Deeemlier, 1874; since that time he 
has been with Loomis. dallett & IJreese. as salesman. He was married at Kilbourn City, Wis., 
.Sept. 17, 181)7. to Mary J. Campbell: she was born at Carlisle, England, Aug. K), 1847 ; they have 
four children — Euplieues IM.. (Jeorge d., Martha A. and Nellie .May. Mr. A. is a member of the A., 
F. & A. M. Lodge and of tlic I'rcsliyterian Church. 

EIIIUUMD S. BAKl'iR,' bom in the town of Ft. Winnebago, Oct. 27.^1:^48; son of 
Charles and Priscilla Baker, who came to that town in April, 1848 ; mother died in 1802; father 
HOW lives on Sec. 2. where he lirst located ; Kdmund 8. remained on the farm until he was 2(1 years 
of age ; came to Portage ; clerked for Mr. Bacon in the hardware business for a year, then entered 
the law ofHce of Emmons Taylor ; remained there about three j-ears, and was admitted to the bar 
Dec. C, 1870 ; then engaged in farming until 1874, when he commenced the ))ructice of law; Justice 
of the Peace for three years. iMarried in town of Ft. Winnebago, Jan. Ill, 1874. to Miss Isabel A., 
daughter of A. Z. Maltljcy. of that town ; she was born in the village of McLean, Tompkins Co., 
N. Y., Jhirch 10, 1857 ; they have three children — Emmons M., born April 52, 1875 ; Burehard H., 
born June 17, 1877, and A(la ]\hiy, born Feli. 11. 1S70 ; Mr. B'. is a memlter of the A.. F. & A. M. 

LEVI W. BAKDFiN was born in Benton, Yates Co., N. Y.. Sept. 3. 1820 ; lived in that 
town until he was 24 years of age ; residc^l in dorham, Ontario Co., N. Y., six years ; was engaged 
in farming until the spring of 1851 ; in May of that year, he entered the New York State and 
National Law School, from which he graduated Aug. 11, 1852, at Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co., N. Y,; 
was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New Y'ork State, at Rochester, in September, 
1852 ; came to Portage, Wis., Novemlier, 1852, and entered the law office of Judge Dixon for four 
months, then entered into partnership with John A, Johnson, where he remained until the death of 
Mr, Johnson, in June, 1853; after ISfil, looked after his private affairs, and was manager of the 
dreen Bay Transportation Company, in which position he continued for several years, until about 
the time of the dissolution of the company ; first admitted to practice in Wisconsin at Janes\'ille, 
in November, 1852 ; afterward admitted to practice in I'ortage during the first term of court held 
there after he came; next admitted to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin ; then to United States 
Court at ^lilwaukee; wliile a resident of Benton, N. Y., he was To^vn Superintendent of Schools two 
j'ears ; after he was 17 years of age, he taught in the public schools of his native county and in 
Ontario Co., every winter for eleven years ; was Town v^uperintendent in town of dorham two years; 
Justice of the Peace of same town, which oftice he resigned when he went to law school. He was 
commissioned Colonel of one of the luiiformed regiments. New York State Militia ; Captain also 
of a rifle company, in town of Benton ; Captain of company in town of dorham ; afterward com- 
missioned Colonel of regiment to which this company was attached ; and, in 1857, he purchased 
property where he is now located ; the property was owned by Moses Pauquette and his mother ; 
part of the house he now occupies was owneil and occupied by the Pauquette family ; in 18(55, Mr. 
Harden enlarged and improved the buildings considerably, and moved here to hi^ present house 
in 1865; jilatted 100 acres, and Jerome B. Fargo platted 40 acres in 1857, known as Harden & 
Fargo's Addition to the city of Portage : he has since vacated the 100 acres, except a few of the 
streets which are retained as they weri' i)latted ; the 40 acres is still a part of the city i)lat ; since 
coming to his present location, Mr, B, has devoted his attention to farming. He has held offices of 
Justice of the Peace, District Attorney, Alderman of Second Ward, Sui)er\isor, Chairman of the 
Board of SuiJervisors, member of Assembly and State Senator. He was married at Mentor, Lake 
Co,. Ohio. Nov, 29, 1853, to Jane K. Corning ; she was born in Mentor, Nov, 14, 1824 ; they have 
three ehildren^William C., Marshall W. and ]\Iary E. 

P. J. BARKMAW is a native of Canada West ; was born July 23. 184() : when aljout 5 
years of age. he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Richard and Louisa Barkman ; they located 
at Oshkosh. and he lived there until he was 16 years of age, theu came to Portage ; previous to 
leaving Oshkosh, he had been engaged in the tinsmith business; after coming to this city, he 
worked for I. W. Bacon until six years ago, when the firm of J. E. Wells & Co. was formed, of 
■which he is a member. He was married in Portage Jan. 9, 1868, to Mary L. Pixley ; she died 



878 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Aug 8, 1878, leaving two chililren— Fred, born Sept. 24. 18(j9 ; Hanv. June 1, 1874. Mr. B. is a 
memhr ol .\. O. V. W. 

ANTOBf BARTL was horn in Anstria Nov, 11.1843: came to America in 1870 and 
located in .Menaslia. remaining there six months ; prior to locating at I'ortage, in 1877. he resided 
in Appleton. (Jshkosli and Bea\er l)am. Mr. B. eonnnenced the lirewing husincss when 16 years 
of age. and has continued in it ever since. He was married at Bea\er Dam to Anna Waldheir, 
who died in May. 1S7S. leaving two children — Frank and Ida. Was married in Portage May 21, 
1879. to Julia Mettler. ^Ir. B. is a memtier of the I. (). (). F. Lodge. Leiderkranz Society and the 
Hook and Ladder Conipanv. 

IRYI\(ir BATH, editor and proprietor I if Portage Ihniticnit : was horn in Charlton, N. 
Y.. April 27. 1S44. In ISCiS. his parents came from .Michigan to Columhus. in this county, and the 
year afti'rward were followed hy their son. Irving, who remained with them for three years, attend- 
ing school, after which he took a course of medical lectures at Ann Arlior. Mich. Upon the com- 
pletion of the course, he went to Beaver Dam, Dodge Co.. and was engaged in the drug husincss 
until 18(J!I, when he removed to Berlin, continuing there in the same husiuess up to the year 1871, 
when he went to Cameron, !Mo., and carried on the drug and jewelry business for about two years, 
when he returned to Beaver J )am : in 1 875, he was appointed, hy Attorney ( Jeneral A. Scott Sloan, Patent 
Clerk in the land ottice at Madison, and contiinied such under (iov. Taylor's administration ; in 
1878, he came to Portage and engageil as editor of the Portage Ihnuicviit. having the previous year 
purchased a third interest in that [)aper ; in 187;i, he became its sole editor and proprietor, which 
he has continued ever since. He has served as Hosi)ital Steward of the 47th AV. V. I. up to the 
close of our late civil war. He married .Miss Emma L. Chatfield. daughter of (ieorge and Eliza 
Chattield. of Beaver Dam, Dodge Co.. Jan, 11. 18(i!l. They have one child, a daughtei-^— Leila. 

JACOB BAl^fiR, wagon-maker; was born in June, 1838. in (iermany ; came to Cniled 
States in IS.'jII. and worked six years at his trade in Oneida Co., X. V.; in July. 1850, settled \\\ 
Portage, and foi- awhile worked as journeyman, but has been proprietor for fourteen years ; is now 
partner in firm of Bauer & Lewis, for maiuifacture of m-ir work, but each has other business 8e|)- 
arate. He was married in 1855. to Miss Rosa Wagner, formerlv of (lermanv. Thev have se\en 
children— Caroline, horn 185(i ; Fred, 18(i(l ; .\lhert, 1804 ; Anna, 18(iG ; Otto, 18(59 ; ".Minnie, 1872, 
and Emma, I87S. In 1804, he enlisted in the 11th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. 
He has been member of City Council two terms, and served three terms in Board of Supervisors of 
Columbia Co. He has a residence on Superior street, but the slioj) is on Canal street. Business is 
in '• healthy condition.' 

JACOB BENT was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, (iermany. .Martli 24, 1848 ; came to .Amer- 
ica .\ugust. 1807, locating at Alilwaukee, where he remained until 1870. when he came to Portage, 
and has resided here ever since. While living in Alilwaukce. was engaged in manufacture and sale 
of wines and liipiors ; since coming here, engaged in the brewery business. Was married at Port- 
age. \\^x\\ 19. 1S70, to Lizzie, daughter of Charles ILertel : she was liorn in this city. They have 
two daughters — .\ugusta M, and Ella M. Air. B. is a member of the Leideikranz and Turner Soci- 
eties and Fire Department, Diamatic .Vssociatiou and Portage Business Alen's .Association. 

DEABOLT BLAKN, Jr., son of Dcabolt and Lena Blass; was horn in New '\'ork 
City Jan. 1(1. 1S4S ; came with his parents to Portage in .May, 1852. Father resided in this place 
eighteen years, then removed to .Mansion : mother died at Mauston. Feb. 18. 1879 ; father is now 
engaged in mercantile business at Mauston. The subject of this sketch has resided in Portage since 
1852 ; has l)een engaged in the barhering business for him.self since the spring of 1800. .Mr. Blass 
was married in Chicago. Oct. 22. 1873. to Anna AI. Weber, a native of Richherg, Wurtemherg, Ger- 
many ; she was Ijorn Dec. 19. 1852 ; came to .America in 1872. Thev have three children — .Vima 
L., liorn (3ct. 0, 1874 ; Dealjolt M., horn Feb, 23, 1877, and Edwin J.." born April l(i. 1879. Air. B. 
is a member of the Odd-Fellow Lodge. D, Blass. Sr.. was born in .Vlsace (now (Iermany) in 1S()7 ; 
came to .America in 183(1 ; married in 1830. to Alagdalena Kripe ; she was also l)orn in .\lsace, July 
22. 1S13, and came to .Vmerica in 1S3(), The parents of Airs. D. Blass. Jr., Joseph and Theresa 
Weber, were married in 1S49 — both natives of (iermany : her father was horn in 1S22, died .April 
16.1859; mother's maiden name was Theresa Sluirr ; she was horn in 1.S81, and died .March 17, 
18(53, 

ERIVEST BOTHIN, retired carpenter and joiner : born in (iermany on the 27th of 
Septemlier, LSll ; came to the Cnited States in 1S52, and stopped two years in Ohio, and then, in 
the spring of 1855, .settled in this city, where he now lives. Soon after coming into Columbia Co., 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 879 

he liought a farm of 22(1 acres in Lewistoii Township, which he carried on till 1S77, when he sold 
the farm and returned to city life. Was married, in ]835. to 3Iiss Kozena Laveranz in Germany : 
have six children — Ottella. Amelia, Emma. Minnie. Julius. Henry : has Iniried two children ; the 
daughters are married. Himself and wife are members of the Eyangelical Church, of which he is 
a class leader, and to whose welfare he is devoted. He has retired from active life, and is enjoying 
the fruit of industry and economy ; lives in a fine brick house on Cook street ; also rents another 
house near the depot, and owns other real estate in the city. 

MRS. SAMUEL S. BRAXIVAIV was bom in Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt., on the 24th 
of April, 1837 ; she is the daughter of Joseph and Khoda M. Prentiss ; she came West in 185G, and 
made her home with her In-other. Judge G. C. Prentiss, then of Portage, now of La Crosse, Wis. 
On the 27th of August. 18(>1. she was married to her late husliand. Samuel S. Brannan, whose 
extended biography appears in tliis volume, with others of the illustrious dead of the county ; her 
entire married life has been passed in P(jrtage. and most of it also in her present home ; she has four 
children — S. Prentice, born June 2. 18(i2 ; William R., Feb. 24. 1SG4 : Lucy C. known as •■ Kittie," 
Aug. 5, 18(i5. and Jackson T. Brannan, Oct. 24. 1868. Her husliand's mother, aged 75. widow of 
William Brannan, formerly of this city, resides with the family, and is still active and vigorous. 
One son. Willie, is Assistant in the post office at Portage ; and the other, S. Prentiss, is mail agent on 
the Madison & Portage Railway. 

LL. BREESE was lioru Jlay 13, 1833. atA bermyuack, in the parish of Malwyd. Merioneth- 
shire, North Wales ; he is the son of Edward and JIary Breese ; he immigrated with his parents to 
this country in the month of May, 1846. and settled in the town of Randolph, this county ; his 
education was academic ; up to the age of 25. he was engaged most of the time with his parents 
in cultivating the farm. In tlie fall of 1858, owing to impaired health, he accepted the position of 
Deputy Sheriff of Columbia Co.. hoi)ing thereby to impro\e his health and extend his knowledge of 
business, and the circle of his ac(iuaintance. Previous to this, he held the office of School District 
Clerk, Town Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, and Town Treasurer. In the fall of ]8(i0, he received 
from the Republican County Convention the nomination for County Treasurer, and was elected the 
following November. He held this position for three consecutive terms, in all six years, having no 
competitor for the office, except in the first instance. In January, 1807, at the close of his third 
term as Treasurer, he entered as a partner the dry-goods firm of N. H. Wood & Co.. the firm being 
composed of N. H. Wood. R. (). Loomis. C. R. Gallett, and himself. This connection was continued 
until 1869, when Mr. Wood disposed of his interest to the other partners, and retired from the firm, 
which thereafter stood and was styled Loomis, Gallett & Breese. In the summer of 1 860. at the 
urgent solicitation of friends, he became a candidate for the office of State Treasurer at the State 
Convention held that fall. On the first informal ballot, he received a plurality of votes, but, owing 
to local combinations, the hdmination fell to his competitor. In about a month after this convention, 
the nominee for Secretary of State, resigning his position upon the ticket, made it necessary for the 
State Central Committee to fill the vacancy by ai)i)ointment. Without solicitation on his part, or 
even knowledge of the vacancy, the committee tendered him the nomination for that place, commun- 
icating their action by telegraph. Had it not been for the persistent entreaty of a few intimate 
friends, the appointment would have lieen declined. He was elected the following November. Under 
the organization of the State (iovernment of Wisconsin, the office of Secretary of State is by far 
the most important of the State offices ; besides involving the duties of Secretary of State proper, 
this officer is also ex officio Auditor of State, and School Land Commissioner, and also ex officio 
Commissioner of Insurance. In !May, 1876. he represented Wisconsin as Commissioner of Insurance 
at the National Insurance Convention held in the city of New York. This convention was composed 
of those officers in the ditterent States who had charge of the different departments therein. He was 
elected ^''ice President of the convention for the term of one year ; re-elected the second year, and 
elected President the third, and presided at its fourth annual session. After the expiration of his 
second term as Secretary of State, he returned to Portage and resumed his former occupation as 
merchant. In addition to this, he also held the pf>sitions of President of the City Bank of Portage, 
President of the I^ortage Iron Works and President of the Board of Education. He has lieen 
engaged in farming more or less extensi\ely throughout his life. Religiously, he is a memljer and 
Elder of the Presliyterian Church, professing Christianity at the age of 14 years. He is an active 
worker in the church and Sunday school. Mr. Breeafe was married, June 9, 1853, to Miss 3Iary E. 
Evans, of Milwaukee, by whom he has had six children, three lioys and three girls, one of the latter 
dying in infancj. 



880 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

VOLXRV E. BREWER, jeweler ; was horn in Otego. Otsego Co.. N. Y.. May l(i. 1841; 
moved from tliere to Lisle, Broome Co.. N. Y.. when 10 years of age. lived there eight years : Mr. 
Brewer traveled in Western New York for st-veral years selling patent medieines. miisieal instru- 
meiit-s, ete.; was one year in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, spent a year in Illinois. Iowa and Mis- 
souri before coming to Portage, where he arri\ed in 18118 ; he learned the jewelers' trade in Lisle, 
N. Y.. and has been engsiged in that business ever since coming to Wisconsin : he is a member of 
the T. <).(). K. 

JOH\ BRICKWEIiL was born in Ilighwicombe, Bnckinghamshire. England. Dec. 8, 
ISK:! ; came to Wisconsin fr<^m Uxbridge, England, locating at Ft. Winncl)ago in 1848; made a 
claim in Lewiston on Sees. 1, 2 antl 11 (only one section) ; lived there until 1857. then removed to 
Portage ; Mr. B. was first Justice of the Peace of Ft. Winnebago and organized all the schools before 
the town was organized or surveyed, and was the first School Superintendent of that (jlace ; he came 
to Portage, was admitted to the bar March 4, I85(i, and to the Supreme Court Nov. 0, 1877 ; his 
naturalization papers were issued Sept. 11. 185C. Mr. Brickwell was married in I'xliridge. England, 
to Sarah Barton, a native of Ilighwicombe. They have two children — Joseph and Sarah Ann. Mr. 
B, has held the ollice of Alderman several times, President pro tern, of the Council, etc. Justice of 
the Peace tbi' several years, Clerk of District School Board when he first came to Portage, Acting 
3Iayor one year, and was elected Supervisor April (i. ISSd. His son is now living on the land which 
his father first entered in this countv ; he was elected Justice of the Peace in Lewiston in April. 
1880. 

HARVEY BRINGS was born in Bens,)n. Kntland Co.. Vt, May 17, 1818; educated at 
Castleton Seminary, read law in the town of Whitehall. Washington Co,, N. Y.. admitted to the bar 
of Vermont in 1842 ; he then practiced law in his native place until 1854 ; came to Portage June 4, 
1854, has resided in ^Visconsin ever since ; be purchased a larm on Sec. 6 in the town of Lewiston, 
lived there one year ; in 1858. removed to Packwaukee, was appointed County Judge of Marquette 
Co, July 1(), 1858 ; in the spring of 1850, was elected to the same ottice on the Ilepublican ticket by 
a majority- of 500 in a Democratic district, served until 18li2, when he resigned ; was also Justice 
of the Peace and Assessor while in that county ; removed to Briggsville, was there until 1874 ; then 
in .Montello one year, and took charge of the ollice of County Judge. Came to Portage 
in 1875. where he has remained ever since; has been Justice of the Peace for four years. Mr. 
Briggs was marrieil at Cornwall, Vt, May 2, 1844, to Francis L. Peck, a native of Cornwall ; they 
have three children — Carlton W., now at Grand Rapi<ls, Wood Co., Wis., born April 21. 1845: Cloe 
Anne, now Mrs. Fred Davis, of Lewiston, born September, 1851 ; Ella ^lay, now Mrs, James S. Gay, 
of Douglas, Mar(|uette Co,, born July 13, 1858 — lost one son, Amasa, born 3Iarcli 10, 1847. died in 
Michigan in 18(17. aged 20 years ; Carlton enlisted as a private in Co. K, ISth W, \. I., in January, 
1862 ; was Captain of the 44th W, V, I. when he was mustered out. after close of the war: was 
Acting Assistant Inspector General of the post at Paducah. 

JA.MES R. BRODIE was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, about seven miles from (Uasgow. 
August. 18;iii : came to America in 18(16, and to Portage in the fall of the same year; learned the 
trade of shoemaking when he was 10 years of age, and has been engaged in that busini-ss since 
arri\'ing here, anil in trade alone for the last six years. Married in the town of Ardrie, Scotland, 
June, ISi;:'., to Margaret Leeds Potter ; she was born in Scotland ; they have three children — Hella, 
Willie and Jamcsij lost two, one infant son James, and Maggie, who died in February, 1877. 3Ir. 
and .Mrs. Brotlie are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

L.. WAIjTER BROWIV was born on Fox Island. Me,. June 1. 1850 ; came with his 
parents to tlu' town ol' Dckorra, Columliia Co,. Wis., in the fall of 1854 ; engaged in farming there 
until 1865, when he removed to Jackson Co.. ^linn.; his mother. Mary Green lirown, died in the 
town of Dekorra, April 16, 18()5, leaving six children — Eurena J,, now 3Irs. S. T. Keller, ri'siding in 
Jacks(m Vo.. Jlinn.; Frank M., now a resident of Maine ; Hoscoe G., (Juinncsec, Mich.; Flora E,, 
now Mrs, D, II, Ilaggaril, of Winnebago Agency ; L, Walter (the subject of this sketch), of Phillips, 
Wis., Register of Deeds for Price Co,, dealer in pine lumber, real estate, etc, and Harvey If., mineral 
explorer at Quinnesec 3Ir. B. enlisted in Co. E, 50th W. V. I. in January, 1865, mustered in Fel). 
22 of the same year ; mustered out in June, serving three months and twentv-flve days ; lived 
in Wisconsin most of the time since 1854 ; a resident of Price Co. since 1876 : local agent about 
three years for Senator Price, one of the largest individual lumber operators in America ; since then, 
operating on his own account principally ; his brothers and sisters are all natives of Maine, except 
Ilarvey L. who was born in Columbia Co.; father :uid mother both born on Fox Island, Me. 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 881 

ARCHIBAfiD BRYCE was Iwru Aug. 25. 1801. near Glasgow, Scotland; his parents 
came to America the April after his Ijirth, and settled in Stamford. Delaware Co.. N. Y., where he 
resided till 23 years of age ; the well-known cares and duties of a thrifty farmer's son were his 
till attaining his majority. He was married Dee. 1. 1824. to Miss Jaunette Frazer, formerly of 
Inverness. Scotland ; he lived twelve years at Little Falls. Herkimer Co., N. Y.; was engaged 
seven years of the time as overseer of repairs on a section of the Erie Canal ; and five years was 
engineer in a paper-mill at Little Falls ; he li\'ed four years in Oswego Co., N. Y., and then aliout 
six years in Steulieu Co., engaged in the lumber trade; he was a farmer four years in Ontario ; and 
then in 'Slay, 1840. he came to Columbia Co. and bought a farm in Marcellon Township ; this was 
his home till 187(1, when he sold this farm and soon afterward moved to Portage ; his fine brick 
residence is but a block from the court house, and on the corner of Clark and Pleasant sti'eets ; 
they have raised ten children — Thomas, Margaret ; Chauncey, who died in the army ; Jeanette, 
.Mary. Ann, Sarah ; Daniel, deatl ; David, dead, and Carrie ; one of the widowed daughters, Mrs. 
Sarah Tarbell, resides with the jiarents in their pleasant home: she was married to George L. Tar- 
liell in 1800. and his death occurrctl in 1808. Mr, Bryee. although nearly fourscore, is still hale 
anil vigorous ; himself and worthy helpmeet have trod the relialile patli of industry and economy 
which almost inevitably leads to an old age of happiness and competency. •■ Uncle Brjx-e" boasts 
that he •• never speculated, never went to bed hungry and never had a lawsuit." 

WILIjIAM W. BIIIjLARD, the subject "of this sketch, is a native of Vermont; is the 
son of Derreck and Sibley Ballard ; was liorn in Weybridge. Addison Co.. Vt., Aug. 23. 1845, lived 
there imtil he was 2 or 3 years old, when his parents moved to JIartinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y.; 
remained there about twelve j'ears ; during the next two years lived In Kingston, Canada, when he 
removed to Rutland. Dane Co., Wis.; resided there about eight months. Feb. 10, 1861. enlisted in 
Co. A (Lieut. Nobles commanding), Sth U. S. Infantry ; served in that regiment until May 12, 18(32 ; 
on account of disal>ilitv. did guard duty at Ft. La Fayette and Ft. Hamilton ; re-enlisting in 
July. 1862, in Co. E, 23d W. V. I., and was mustered out August, 1865 ; moved to Baraboo and 
resided there until coming to Portage, in 1876. Married Jliss Isabelle Elgie, daughter of jMathew 
Elgie, who came to Caledonia thirty years ago, and is now living there, March 18, 18(iG ; she was 
liorn in Guelph, Canada; they have one daughter — Belle, born Dec. 25. 1866. 

WlfjIilAIH a. BUNKER, sou of Levi and Maria Bunker; was born in the town of 
West River, Randolph Co.. Ind.. Aug. 17. 1834; his parents moved to AVayne Co., Ind., in 1841 ; 
learned his trade at Richmond, Ind.. and commenced business for himself in 1853, in Wheeling, 
Delaware Co.. Ind.; remained there six years ; then went to Logansport, where he remained until 
18(51. when he moved to (ialveston, in Cass Co.. and remained there four years, when he came to 
Portage in spring of 1865 and engaged in harness-making, which Inisiness he has since followed, 
with the exception of two years that he resided in the town of Ft. Winnebago. Was elected Justice 
of the Peace in 1874. and was re-elected in 1876 and 1878. Mr. B. was married in Jonesboro, 
Grant Co., Ind., Dec. 17, 1857, to Ursula A. Mehaffej- ; she was boru near Dayton. (Jhio, Ma3% 1840 ; 
they have two children — Adeline ^I. and Warren W. 'Sir. Bunker is a member of I. 0. 0. F. since 
18(52. 

ALEX. CARlKf AGIE, a native of Cupeer, in Fyfe, Scotland ; was born July 12, 1820, emi- 
grating to America in 1840, and locating in Vermilion Co., N. Y.; remained there one year and a half; 
then going to Albany, N. Y., where he made it his home until 1848 ; then coming to Milwaukee, and 
remaining there until September, 1850, when he came to Portage; returning to New York City in 1853 ; 
living on Staten Island most of the time until 1855, when he returned to this city, which since hag been 
his home. Mr. C. learned his trade before leaving Scotland. He murried in the town of Hope, Ham- 
ilton Co., N. Y., June 3, 1842, Eliza Mills, who was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 12, 
1824 ; they have four children, three sons and one daughter — Agnes, Alex, Jr., John W. and George. 
Mr. Carnai:;ie has been City Assessor for two terms, also Alderman of the Second Ward two years. 

FRED <jr. CASTLE, .passenger conductor on the Northern Division of the C, M. & St. P. 
R. R.; born in Waukau, Wis., Sept. 2, 1851 ; his father was for several years proprietor of the PJxchange 
Hotel at Omro, Wis. At the age of 14 years, he left home to .seek his fortune, and spent four years in 
the pineries, part of the time as cook and the la.st portion as lumberman. When 18, he began railroading 
as brakemau on the Northern Division of the C, M. & St. P. R. R.; after one year's experience, 
he was promoted the charge of same train — the " Winneconnee Freight" — which he ran four years: 
then for a year, he was an " extra passenger man," and, in the spring of 1875, he was appointid 
conductor of a passenger train on the same road, and he has been in continuous service to date — 



882 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Summer, 1880. He was married, Sept. 5, 1877, to Miss Frankie Gould, of Beaver Dam, Wis.; they 
have one son, named Guy Wilkinson, born on the 8tli of February, 1871). Mrs. Castle is a member 
of the Baptist Church at Portage; she is a graduate of the higli school at Lincoln, Neb.; she is a niece 
of B. F. Taylor, the well-known author — America's gifted word painter ; she herself wields a ready 
and graceful pen Mr. Castle is one of "the boys" who has hosts of friends; is a genial and popular 
conductor; he will be recognized in Portage by his constant attendant, "Don," the noblest dog in th • 
city, a pure-blood St. Bernard. 

MRS. JULIA E. CHRISTOPHER, nee Waters, was born on the 11th of April. 1832. 
in Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.; her early education was in her native town, and afterward with her 
brother in Canada; she and her brother Daniel came West in the fall of 1855, and the winter follow- 
ing, they together engaged in teaching the public school in Portage. In the summer of 185(3, she. 
taught school in District No. 5, township of Wyocena, and boarded with David Reynolds, an old pioneer. 
Eighteen years afterward, 1874, her stepdaughter, Mary Christopher, taught in the district, .same school- 
house, boarded at same house and in the same family. In the summer of 1879, her oldest daughter, 
Susie E. Christopher, taught in same district, in same schoolhouse and boarded at the same house, but 
the old pioneer, David Reynolds, had gone to his last home. Mrs. C. taught in Ft. Winnebago before her 
marriage. In 1857, she taught in the First Ward School, and for the last five years, her stepdaughter, 
Mary, has been teaching in the same building, which has been moved nearer the present center of busi- 
ness, and now her daughter is teaching in the same bjilding. Mrs. Christopher is one of a family often 
children, of whom seven have been successful teachers in Wisconsin. She was married on the 2d of 
October, 1859, to Thomas Christopher, of Portage; they had sis children — Susie E., Daniel T., who is 
dead ; Daniel J., George M., Julia B. and Willie J., all of whom live at home. Her husband was one of 
the earliest settlers in Portage — came in 1848 ; he was a useful and leading citizen, and contributed 
largely to the building-up of the city ; he was a liberal Catholic, as is also Mrs. Christopher. He was 
seven times honored with the office of Assessor, and on the first Tuesday of April. 1872, he was again 
elected to that difficult position, but on the 30th of April — the day before his official duties were to begin 
— he passed from earth's toils and triumphs to the rewards ot the righteous. 

JOHN TILIjOTSON CLARK was born in what' was then the town of Wolcott. now 
the town of Huron. \\'avne Co.. N. Y.. on the Idth of April. ISlil ; he was the son of the Rev. 
Williaui Clark, a l'resl)yt:erian flergyuian. and Sophronia Tillotson : resided in Huron until 1835. 
when he removed with his father tt) the town of J)aubv. Tompkins Co., N. Y. When IS years of 
age. he purehused his time of his father, paying therefor :?15ll. Naturally a elose student, losing no 
opportunity to ae(piire information while in the serviee of his father, he now took measures calcu- 
lated to increase his facilities for gaining knowledge ; his time being his own, he applied all leisure 
moments to stud}', entering ( )wego Academy, Tioga Co., and ( rroton .Vcademy. Tompkins Co., for 
brief terms during the winter seasons, and laboring in the harvest field during summer, in order that 
he might earn the price of his tuition ; in September, 1843. he entered Hamilton College, where he 
graduated in 1845; in the fall of that year, he went to Camden. Oneida Co., N. Y., and taught a 
private school initil July 5, 1848 ; during the latter part of this time, he studied law out of .school 
lioiirs ; from Cannlen he went to Lyons, N, Y'.. and was there engaged as Princiijal of the Lyons 
Cnion School for three ^ears ; in the mean time he continued his study of the law, and was admitted 
to the bar in September, 1859, in Rochester. He was married at Lyons, N. Y.. on the 24th of Sep- 
tember, 1851. to Harriet Louise Holley. daughter of John iM. Holley. M. C. In April, 1S53, he 
commenced practicing law with his eldest brother. AVilliam Clark, with whom he had studied; in 
September of that year, he removed to New Brunswick, N. J., and soon took charge, as I'rincipal. 
of the pul>lic school, remaining there until the spring of 1857, wdien he came to Wisconsin, locating 
at Portage, and engaging in the practice of his profession. In the spring of IStil, he was elected 
County Judge of Columbia Co.. serving until the 1st of January. lS(i(i : in the fall ol' this year, he 
was chosen District Attorney, and heUl that otliee two years ; in 1870. he retired to his farm in the 
town of Roxbury, Dane Co.. Wis., where he lived with his family until the fall of 1875, removing to 
the city of Madison, that his children might enjoy the advantages of the State rnivevsity. In Feb- 
ruary, 1878, he purchased of Messrs. Brannan & Turner the Wiscmixiii Stutr Jiegisttr, soon after- 
ward admitting B. F. Goodell as a partner, ami removing his family from the State capital in July, 
1879 ; Judge Clark has sole control of the editorial colunnis of the Rrgtstir. Seven children have 
been born to Judge and Jlrs. Clark — Mary Holley, born in Lyons, N. Y.; Elizabeth Sophronia, and 
John Tillotson (died Nov. 19, 18li3), born in New Brunswick. N. J.: Helen Loinse. Jidia Kirkland. 
Sarah Amelia and William Henry, born in Portage. 



^.^^^ 



^^^'*i?1 











,te,, -m^li'^^^.. 



Res ofI.W.SchULZE Portage Wis. 




Residence^/Buisness Block OF J. O, Eaton Lodi Wis 



mmm 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 885 

W. a. CLOUGH, Principal of the high school, was born in Portage, Maj' 20, 1853 ; son 

of Win. R. and Mar}- A. Govve_y Clough ; parents settled in Delavan, Wis., in 1846; afterward 
removed to Portage ; father died Feb. 8, 18(>9 ; Mrs. C. is still a resident of Portage ; Mr. C. was 
educated in the piil)lic schools of Portage, and also a graduate of the State University at JIadison 
in 1875 ; taught district sclioc^ls three winters prior to entering the State University ; afterward 
appointed Assistant Principal of Portage High School, and held the position one year ; since that 
time has been Principal in the same school. 

ROBERT COCHRANE, miller and grain dealer, was born April 25, 1822. in Westfield, 
Chautauqua Co.. N. Y. ; his mill is in Westfield, Marquette Co., Wis,, and his residence is in 
Portage ; in 1842, came west, and remained nearly three years in Joliet, 111. ; about 1845, he, with 
three brothers, bought fully a thousand acres of land, near Waupun, and farmed unitedly on a large 
scale ; in 185(1. himself and two bnjthers went to Marquette Co. and bought a large tract of land, 
and laid out a village, which, in honor of his birthplace, he named Westfield ; there they erected a 
gi-ist-mill and saw-mill, and store and dwelling, and thus founded the village. He was married on 
the 12th of January, 1859. to Miss Lucy R. Emerton, of Ft. Winnelmgo ; she was born on the 21st of 
September,] 838. in Columbia, Coos Co., N. H. ; during the war. the Cochrane lirothers divided their 
respective interests. 3Ir. Robert C. retaining the Westfield property ; he also has a farm in Dodge 
Co.. besides the improvements at Westfield, and a large brick residence in Portage. One child died 
in infancy, and four are lining — Jennie E., Lula A.. R. Li^'ingstone and T. Harry. Mr. C. has held 
town and county ottices. and was a member of Legislature in 1803 ; is a memlier of the Odd Fellows 
and of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons ; he votes in local elections for the '' best man," but 
in State and National afliiiirs is of decided Democratic proclivities. Mrs. C. is a Presbyterian ; the 
familj- are highly respected. 

J. COLE was born in the town of Cherry Vallej-. Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, 1815 ; worked 
in cotton mills in Oneida Co, until nearlj' 21 years of age ; then went to Lockport, N. Y., and 
remained about three years ; returned to Rochester, and worked in the cotton-mills for eighteen months ; 
in the fall of 1839, removed to Newton Falls, Ohio, residing there eleven years; he subseijuently 
resided in Painesville one year, Cleveland one .year, town of Bristol two years ; JNIr. C. came to 
Wisconsin in the fall of 1854, and located at (Jconomowoc, residing afterward at Milwaukee and 
Hartford ; in the tall of 1858, was employed by railroad company, as machinist, running stationary 
engines, etc. ; remained in their employ for twelve years ; in September, 1871, engaged in flour and 
feed business, and has continued in that Ijusiness ever since ; he also deals in wooden pumps. ^Ir. 
C. was married in Rochester, N. Y.. in the fall of 1839. to ;Mary A. McDonald, a native of Water- 
town, Jefferson Co., N. Y. ]Mr. and Mrs. Cole are l:)oth members of the M. E. Church ; Mr. C. is 
Stewartl, Recording Secretar}- and Class Leader in the church. 

CONRAD 'COLLIPP. [An autobiography]. I was born Feb. 21, 1822. in the village 
of Obersuhl, in the middle Werra Valley of Northwest Thuringia, near the city of Eisenach, and the 
renowed castle of Wartburg, where Dr. JNIartin Luther in the years 1522-23 translated the Bible into 
the German language ; my liirthplace. Oliersuhl, belonging at that time to the J]leetorate of Hesse- 
Cassel, now to Prussia; I was brought up under stern Protestantism — the (jrcrman Reformed Church — 
vigorous Zwingli-Calvanism. 'Sly father. John CoUipp, was a verj- severe and stiff military gentle- 
men, of strict morality and of very few words ; he was a manufacturer of worsted and other fine 
white woolen yarns ; lie owned quite a wealth of real estate. 3Iy mother's name was Christina Mohr. 
of old German stock, tough and wiry all lier lifetime ; she died in Philadelphia in 1873. 77 years of 
age. I was the only son of five chiklren, having tour sisters ; I went to school about fourteen j-ears. 
from my 4th to my 14th year, in what we call in regular school, and four years in extra preparatory 
school tor higher studies, mostly three times a day, till I was 18 years old. 3Iy mother becoming a 
widow through the sudden death of my father, and she intending to use me for other purposes than 
book studies, took me awaj' from school against my most obstinate remonstrances and wishes, and 
put me in apprenticeship to a damask-weaver, antl afterward to plush and velvet weaving. After 
the death of mj' father, my mother, who had given up my father's business, commenced a commer- 
cial business of selling table-linen, damask and general hosiery, besides carrying on our farming : 
from my 18th to my 22d j'ear, I have alwaj'S considered the worst four years of my life, because 
l)eing compelled to engage in employments against my inclinations and wishes ; I rather would ha\e 
liked to be a soldier from my 20th year, but even that could not be, for I was the only son of a 
widow, and therefore exempt by law and the circumstances ; but thank God ! the year of 1844 came 
on, the 3-ear of my majority — 22 years old according to German laws ; yes, dear mother — 22 years 



>i86 BIOGRAPHICAI. !>KETCIIES: 

old, now 1 t"ui do something for myself; aTid straightway I i)repared to go into the great universe, 
wlieresoe\er I might get to. to the East Indies or elsewhere, no differenee to me. 

The 1 Ttli of .March. 1844. I left the old domieile of my mother and my native village of ( )l)ersulil 
amidst copious shedding of tears and great sorrow of my dear mother, sisters and hundreds of 
friends : per foot, knaiisaek on my liaek. eane in hand, the legal pajjers and passports, and necessary 
cash in my pockets ; going to (i ittingen in pretty had weather, and rather footsore. 1 took the mail 
coach for Bremen ; arriving in Bremen the 22d of March. 1S44. I noticed a large poster, stating that 
in a few days a ship would .sail for America ; I went to the ottice and asked what it would cost to 
go to Amerit'a : the man asked me what I had. I told him nothing hut myself and a knapsack ; he 
tohl me if I paid lit thalers in gold. I coulil go. I paid right away and took my passage ticket ; after 
looking around the city of Bremen, and buying .some maps of America and otlier stationery. 1 Anally 
left the old foggy jtlace in a schooner on the Weser Ui\-er for Braka some miles seaward. On the 
night of the 24th of March. 1844. I left dear old Fatherland in the hrig Louisa. Capt. Claus Wencke. 
for far-off America ; in the morning, when I got out, I could see nothing more of land, only dreary 
fog, and once in awhile a dangerous looking buoy in dismal waters. Adieu. After a stormy and 
terrific voyage of eight weeks in despair, sulfering in the meantime almost every conceivable misery 
and discomfort. T arrived hale and hearty the 21st of May. 1844, and about 9 o'clock A. M. set my 
feet on drv land at Spruce street wharf in Philadelphia, thanking (rod and kissing the very dry soil 
on terra tirina. I advanced a few rods upon my •' sea-legs " to the corner of Spruce and Water 
street, to a barrier post, made of an old cannon, and gazed with delight in the lialmy bright May 
morning up Spruce street, with its gilt-lettered liehung signs. While I was standing there in won- 
drous admiration and meditations of many sorts, a middle-aged. tall, paletaced and lank gentleman 
of a pleasant countenance approached me and asked, whether I had come with yonder ship, point- 
in<i with his finger toward the brig Louisa, with the Bremen flag flying in the lireeze in the Dela- 
ware Ki\('r : T understood so much, that I assented with nodding of my head ; for with the remem- 
brances of the voyage, I had no desire to look toward the shij)s. The gentleman spoke a few more 
words to me, but I shook my head in the negative ; a few moments afterward, he said, you stay 
here a few minutes ; I understood that also partially, and again assented with my heatl nodding : 
s<'arcely five minutes had elapsed and the same gentleman appeared in company with a youngish 
man ; this youngish man stepped toward me, and bade me \ery [jleasantly good morning in German, 
and asked me further in the (lermap language whether I had just come with that ship, over there in 
the river, and whether there had not come some i)erson I knew of who could manufacture such ma- 
terial as my cap was made of (I had a plush cap on my head). I answered that I had learned to 
make such stuff at Marksuhl in Saxe-Weiucingen ; they both appeared very much pleased, but I did 
care much about it. for T was very hungry, having scarcely eaten anything within sixty hours of the 
miseralile food on board the ship ; though I was enchanted with the handsome landscapes, the crow- 
ing of roosters, lowing of cattle, sights of towns, orchards and fields on l)oth sides of the grand Del- 
aware Bay and River, slowly coming up with the ship, in delightfid .May weather ; the old gentleman 
soon lelt. but the youngish man stayed with me, took me to an adjacent hotel, where a bountiful 
table was set with everything the heart could wish for. such as I only had seen at grand festi\'als ; I 
thought by myself CoUipp. yon have it ; there is surely a great festi\'al on the go here : no doubt of 
it, for all the people are dressed so well and everything looks so gay ; the reader may depend on it, 
1 did eat at that time with great comfort, and to my entire satisfaction. 

An incident occurred during my first American meal, which I may relate : While 1 was studi- 
ously eating away, the landlady of the house came in — a middle-aged woman ; she asked me where 
J came from in Germany. I answered, '-From Ul)ersuhl in the Werra-Valley."' "What is your 
father's name '! " I said. '• I am the only son of Johannes CoUipp ; my name is Conrad." " dear 
(iod! " she exclaimed. " my dear young man, I nursed you while you Was a little boy. I have 
known your father \erv well ; you must stay with me as long as you please. " T hjoked at the 
woman with great pleasure, and asked who the good lady was who addressed a stranger so kindly 
(for I could not remember ever seeing the person). She told me her father's name, and other things. 
Well known to me in Europe, etc. I recognized at once that I was not altogether in a strange land, 
without friends. 

After having finished my meal, the youngisli man. whom we will call now Mr. Hess, foreman of 
Mr. Woo<lrutf' s millinerv. hat and cap manufactory, took nu' witli him in an omnibus, and we rode 
that first half-day over many parts of the oi)uleut city of Philadi4phia. he treating me with many 
kinds of luxuries, such as oranges, ice cream, cocoanuts. iringcr beer. etc.. and showing me some of 



CITY OF porta(;e. 887 

the arts, seieiu't-s. line architeeture and memorulile places of that tjreat t'ity. I thanketl (ioil in the 
evening, that in reality I had now come to a place where I could for awhile learn a great deal, and 
be happy. Mr. Hess treated me for several days in the same manner, till I told him that now I had 
• enough of sight-seeing, and we would go to business henceforth. We procured the necessary ma- 
chinery, twisted mohair and other properly dyed yarns, etc., and went to work. I taught at that 
time about sixty girls to make plush for the manufacture of hats, caps, etc., 'Sir. Woodrurt'. the pro- 
prietor of the estal;>lishment. paying me well for niy ser\ices, and treating me with all the good 
graces of a gentleman while 1 was with him. Naturally for me, I applied my mind right away with 
an intense assiduity to the learning of the English language. I remained with >Ir. Woodruff aliout 
half a j-ear. Afterward. I apprenticed myself to become a printer in a newspaper printing office. 
An editor — a fine man — Mr. Miskey. addressed me once thus : '■ Dear young man," he said, ■■ I get 
12.000 a year. Ijut I have to work almost day and night like a slave, in a room like a prison : take 
my meals in a hurry ; only a few hours on Sunday I can see my family, and when the year is around, 
there is nothing left of my hard-earned wages ; besides, I have almost daily to write down, to my 
utmost disgust, the manifold truths and mendacities of commonplace men and hypocrites. I am 
sick of this business. If I were young yet. I would go to the West. Dear young man. I advise 
you to give up learning this business, and go West.* I assure vou, you will live happier if you 
work as hard there as I must do here." I took the hint — and quit ; or, I saw the reason in the ad- 
vice, and quit. 

After the printing experiment, I went to learning weaving ingrain carpets, tor which art I had to 
pay $80. With this business I could, and really ditl, make good wages during four days of the 
week, and so had three days for muse and studies while I remained in Philadelphia. The years, 
and parts of years. I lived in Philadelphia, were of great blessing to me, and added much to my 
future career. I learned the English tongue, some of the English literature, antl various good man- 
ners and Americanisms. Late in the fall of 1844, I got ae(iuainted with a \ery good, common-sense, 
reasonable and pious man. Rev. Daniel Berger. Through the grace of (Jod. tliis good man and mj- 
zealous efforts. I found peace of mind religiously, in the Christian fundamental truth or principle ; 
and my motto was henceforth. --Entire negation of the negative. ' 

My mother's great love of her only son indui-ed her to sell her iiroperty in Europe, and follow 
me, with my four sisters, to America, in the year 1 840. They arrived safely at Philadelphia, and 
mother bought some real estate there, and I helped to get them in tolerably good condition, in the 
way of living to their satisfaction. 

In the year 1848, lieing now additionally a little lietter prepared for the great world, I started 
off again — for the West and wilderness — to the infinite sorrow of my dear mother and sisters. But 
who could heljj it? I went via New York. Hudson Ri\er. Erie Canal. Buffalo ; per steamer Olobe 
over Lakes Erie and Huron, Straits of JIackinaw and Lake Michigan, to Wisconsin, and finally arrived, 
in the beginning of August, 1848. at Chicago, 111. There I got, the first day, employment as a clerk 
In a large dry-goods and grocery store. In April. 1840, I obtained the excellent situation of clei-k 
on the steamboat Indiana, whicli was towing at that time vessels in and out of Chicago's poor har- 
bor, in Iwisterous, l:)ad weather : also the many canal and packet boats of the Illinois Canal, from 
Bridgeport up and down the Chicago River — an arduous, dangerous and dashing business for me ; 
among primitive, chaotic ^A'estern wickedness, putrid water, mud and (luagmire. jjestilential cholera, 
numerous and terrific deaths, and lilack clouds of tormenting mosquitoes at night-time, but plenty 
cash rolling around me. in the general havoc going on at that time in Chicago. I eame out all hale 
and hearty ; no impression made on me of any jjarticular hurt, then or afterward. 

In the beginning of August, 1840. I startecl from Chicago, per steamer, well equipped with gun, 
pistol, ammunition, etc., and some cashj for Milwaukee. From there, per foot, to the Indian lands, 
bej'ond Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, having at Chicago set my eyes for the wilderness and utmost 
limits of civilization, to try progress, I had for company, on this adventurous route, Mr. Samuel 
Slifer. who afterward liecame my father-in-law. and another — a youngish Yankee he was, I think. 
At Oak Grove, a little westward of poVerty-stricken Watertown, at that time, I saw the last poor 
habitation of quasi-civilizatif)n. Further on toward Fort AVinneltago, I saw nothing but inane 
expanse of grassy, wild, rolling i)rairie and wf)ods. About ten miles eastward of Fort Winnebago, 
we struck an apparent wagon-track through tlu* woods, which. I afterward found, had lieen the mili- 
tary road to the fort. I eame up to Fort AVinnebago about half an hour in advance of mv weary 
comrades, it being now about o'clock A. M., middle of August. I sighted the consoling and well- 

*Horace Greeley, it seems, did not urigiiiute this familiar expression. 



888 BIOURAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

arranged frontier military Ijarrack and building of the fort with much pleasure, and was delighted 
with the fine view toward the west and Barahoo hills. While I sat there waiting, I soliloquized : 
" Precious castle of comfort to the pilgrim seeking an eartlily home ; a watch-house of our glorious 
Government for the protection of ad\ancing civilization anil wealth, versus barbarism.'' As S(5on 
as m\ comrades came up, I walked again in advance down to a bridge across a small stream. A 
grassy ditch, thought I. All at once I noticed what appeared to me a half-breed Indian in the big 
grass near the bridge. •' What is this ':* " I asked, pointing to the water. He said. " Fox River." 
O Poseidon !* said I to myself — Fox River. I asked. '■ Where is the Wisconsin River ':* " He said. 
" Over there," pointing with his finger southward. • great big river, that. " 'My comrades now came 
up to the bridge ; I told them, ■ This, you see. is the great Fox River ;" but they were so weary and 
worn-out. they had nothing to say. Tn the mean time, the indi\idual down in tlie grass came up to 
us. I asked him. ■ Is there any tavern round hereabouts ?" He said. •■ Little way over there — the 
C'ap'ns place." pointing soutiieasterly across the liridge. I said then to my comrades, "Let us cross 
the Xiemen. and now into — Russia. " As soon as we were a few rods across the river among tiie 
tall willow brush which at that time covered the whole flats to the Wisconsin River, we saw every- 
where groups of horriljle-looking Indians, old and yijung. l\ing among the bushes on the ground. 
Alas ! wild-looking creatures to liehold. In a little while, we came to the Franklin House — a cozy 
resting-place for weary men in this wilderness. (31d Capt. Low had built this hospice a few jears 
back, in this <lreary marsh, for the coming of '■ advancing civilization" westward. We got some- 
thing to eat, and rested for that day. 

The next day. I equipped m3self with fighting tools, plenty of dr\' [jowder. round lead and 
pocket compass, for an expedition into the Indian lands. I walked toward what is now called 
Ketchum's Point, kept along the dry land toward Mud Lake, turned a little north, to the marsh 
below what we now call Siher Lake, crossed the quagmire northward, and went to the westerly side 
of the lake. Here I found a splentlid woods and ijretty good soil, north and west of this fine slieet 
of clear water. Why not pitcii on this spot ? thought I to myself I wandered till toward evening 
round about the woods, meeting some Indians and wild game, and returned finally, wet and tired, to 
the hospice in the marsh. 

Next day, Mr. Slifer. the young Yankee, and I started out prosjjecting into the Indian land, and 
stayed several days in the woods. We got pretty deep into it. finally astray, about the big slough 
and general chaos thereabouts. We slept in the woods and went next da}' in a southerly direction, 
across a seemingly endless marsh, miry swamps and low. thick woods. At last we came, toward 
midnight, aliout twelve miles above the portage to the Wisc(;nsin River, but did not know at that 
time where we were. It must be the Wisconsin River, and sure enough it was. It was the first 
time I got sight of the grand river of much movalile sand. We had shot two raccoons during the 
day. and I tried to eat some nasty coon's flesh, but could not get it down. Early next day. I 
marched down along the shore of the r'wev through the awfuUest woods, slough, abominable quag- 
mires and tall cutgrass, which was swarming full of hungry mosquitoes. Jly hands, face and neck 
became one smear of blood, sweat and black mud in the struggle. At last. al)out noon, I reached 
dry land, at what we now call Prospect Hill. Passing along this eminence on the shore of the 
ri\er. T came to tiiat hca^•y-tinlbered infernal cornel'! where now old Jlr. Leach resiiles. and where 
Mr. William Armstrongs brickyard is. There in that wild nook of hill, slough and morass. I 
notici'd a ealaxerous smell, some human hair. rags, traces of clotted blood and a grave of recent 
date in the dark wcxjds. 1 felt somewhat iuicomf(3rtal)le. shivered some, and with fleet steps made 
my exit from the dismal place. Coming pretty soon to that other dark nest of timber and slough, 
where now Mr. A'alentine Helman's house is. I came again into the mud. The big timber reached 
in a slough, at that time, to where now John Rurchhard live* on Wisconsin street. Finally I came 
to dryer land covered with young l)lack-oak woods, and met, about the place where uo^v Peter 
Neiss' brick house stands, a few lioards stuck up, behind which I discovered a woman, an old stove 
and a few barrels. No doubt I looked like a hard case, for the poor woman was much scared when 
she got sight of me. I told her not to be afraid. ■■ Have you anything to eat ? " I asked. She said, 
•' Yes, I ha\e some pork in that barrel there, and some bread. " I told her to (piickly cook some, 
for I was very hungry, I ate about three pounds of half-raw i)ork and some doughy fresh liread. 
I ofl'ered her some money, but she refused to take it. This good woman was Barney Cook's first 
wife, afterward the wife of Peter Neiss. I asked the woman how far it was to Fort Winnebago. 
She said, " I don't know, but I think, it is only a few miles.'' I could not see far for the heav}' 

*The Grccirtn water god. 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 889 

Wisconsin River slough-timber full of drifted logs, slabs, lumber and all kinds of muss, about ten feet 
high in some places, reached about to where now Main street meets the canal at Portage. Somewhere 
along the hills, in the neighborhood where Hettinger's brewery now stands. I got sight of the fort 
buildings-. I felt relief In a short time. I entered the comfortable hostelry, the old Franklin 
House. " 0. my God ! " exclaimed Ashlum. the keeper of the liou.se, ■' I thought you were dead." 
I said, '• I guess not yet." • Where is Mr. Slifer and the other young man ? " I said, " The young 
man is a little behind me. but he may soon turn up." And he did after awhile. Mr. Slifer came 
another route through the woods, and appeared also toward evening. 

Next day, being the third time of ray going out in the woods, I went to Silver Lake again, tak- 
ing an ax with me, and made tlien and there at the very place where I now reside my claim, with a 
settled determination of the lilack hussar sort — "victory or death." I marked out what I called 
160 acres, cutting my name on the trees. I chopped one tree down (which blistered my hands), cut 
some underbrush awaj- and knelt down and passed through my mind the Lord's Prayer. Mean- 
while, a beautiful liird flew over my head — of good omen, thought L Subsequently. I built me a 
tight and snug log house. 14x1 S feet, with one door and one window, sash SxlO inch glass. I built 
my log house all alone. Nobody would nor could help me. Now and henceforth. I commenced work 
in earnest, chopping, digging, rooting, liurning- and clearing up general chaos around ; frequently 
went hunting for game, of which there was plenty, and for other provender. 

When I came to the Indian lands in lS4il, I had cash, $150, ;\Iy dear mother sent to me. in the 
years 1849 and 18ij(», $130 cash, and, in 3Iay, 1850, a chest containing tools and clothing from I'hil- 
adelphia. Late in the fall of 1840, I surveyed the town line from the southeast corner stake of 
Sec, 33. Town 13, Range il, and ran it westward into the Indian land four miles, or four sections, for 
the purpose of getting my claim fixed as near as possible according to the Government survey, I 
found it to be nearly correct, when finally the lands of the jMenomonee Purchase were surveyed by 
order of the Government in the summer of 1851, I had already, in 1851, about 40 acres fenced and 
20 under good cultivation, which can be seen marked on the original maps of the ITnited States 
survey of 1851, 

In December, 1849. I measured the depth of the water of Silver Lake, and found the westerlj- 
part, deepest measurement, sixty-two feet ; and the easterly part, deepest measurement, twenty-two 
feet. During the first years of my living here. Silver Lake used to be lower in summer-time than it 
is now. The marsh at the easterly end of the lake was of a very loose and swampy nature — a per- 
fect quagmire ; high wire-grass and reeds grew there. When the road was liuilt across this marsh, 
in 1851 and 1852. it took large quantities of log timber, brush and earth to make it passable. Still 
it sunk and remained very aqueous for years, needing fixing and filling up. It dammed Silver Lake 
up considerable. I think in the summer-time over two feet ; for I could go on my marsh westward, 
joining Silver Lake, safe with a horse-team in the summer time, before the road we now call pinery 
road was there. The waters of Silver Lake were full of fish of fine quality. I caught some weigh- 
ing thirty-two pounds. In the spring and ftill time, its surface was sometimes covered with various 
kinds of wild ducks and other water-fowls. At times, I would throw a stone into the lake, and a 
cloud of wild ducks would rise above me to fire into, and sometimes a dozen or so would come down 
with a bounce to my feet, on dry land — plenty of fun. 

In the faH of 1849, some prospectors, travelers and some actual settlers appeared at Ft, Win- 
nebago and vicinity. S^me traders put up at the fort, and a few, with a very small stock, liuilt 
shanties at the portage in the woods. Next year and henceforth, dickering and merehantiug 
improved consideralile. The place at present called the city of Portage was nicknamed " Gauge- 
ville " for awhile, because a --hard set " had gathered there. In 1850, a good many excellent set- 
tlers came to the Indian lands and made homes ; also a lot of quasi and sham settlers made their 
appearance hereabouts — the worst kind of settlers in a new country. But, after all, all of them 
together, myself includetl, made up a population good enough for this wilderness ; and the conse- 
(juences were and are, what you see now, dear reader — grand city of .Portage, with first-rate people 
therein and thereabouts, 

I cannot give you an adequate representation of the privations and pleasures of frontier settler life, 
or an understanding of its reality. Still. I will give you a little of my experience. We hear of military 
and. pinery roads. Where do they lead to ? Green Bay and the pinery. Just as good, as far as 
you are concerned, as leading to nowhere ; they are only tracks through the dark, wild woods and 
gi-assy wilderness, scarcely recognizable when you see or meet them. There were some Indian trails, 
but leading to nowhere in particular. Wherever you went into the woods, swamps, etc, you came 



890 ■ I'.IO(;RAPniCAL SKETfllES: 

in •coiitMcl with liii;' iirass. iiii(UTlini.sli. rotlinji' ilel)ris. wiitcr and mire, very unconitnrtalik' to u:ot 
tliroufi'h in wrl wi'athiT. Iiiu'i<y was lie who had an ax. luindsaw and hatchet to liuild a hut for 
shelter ; and also a gun and plenty of ammunition. There was danger of ugly Indians ; there wa.s 
also plenty of wild ganie to be had. Fish, wild-fowls, deer and coons were abunilant. I sometimes 
met with eight or more deer in one drove. Such common things as salt, bread and potatoes weri' 
luxuries if you could get hold of any. but to do so was not very easy. You had to eat the wild, 
natural provender in the best way yon knew how to prepare it ; sometimes in a very insipid way. 
witii yellow marsh or lake water for drink, and nothing else most of the time. At night-time you 
licanl all kinds of queer noises of wild animals, and sometimes the terrilic screeching of Indians, 
lied foxes were plenty around here. Oftentimes tliey used to bark at night aroinid my log house. 
One time, early in the morning. 1 went hunting and came on the ice of the Wisconsin Kiver. a little 
■diove prospect I'rospect Hill, near a heavy-timbered island, where I found myself at once sur- 
rounded l)y nine or ten big red foxes barking at me like ugly dogs. At another time. 1 came to 
a i)art of my claim wliich 1 called the Hiiscli Dell; there, only aliout six feet from me. arose from 
out of the underbrush a monstrous deer, heavily built, the size of a stout three-year-old heifer, with 
very short, strong legs, enormous antlers and large, fierce eyes. The beast stared at me with deti- 
ance. and did not l)udge for some time. 1 had with me a double-barrel gun — one barrel rifle, 
loaded with bullet, and the other l)arrel being for shot, was loaded with l)ig shot. Instantly. I was 
ready for battle, the triggers cocked, and sharply lacing the wild beast. By-and-by. it moved a little 
backward from me. I also moved a little backward. So we continued moving from time to time 
further apart, till the deer was aliout five rods distant from me. when it turned around and trotted 
off. I felt relieved when T got so easily rid of the monster. There were various kinds of snakes — 
rattlesnaki's included. I have killed thousiuids in the s[)riug and summer time, often averaging a 
few hundred a ilay. The worst pests were the ditferent species of ants. >Iy land was full of these 
troublesome insects. Numerous ant-heaps stood like large beehives in every direction. By burning- 
out their haunts, 1 finally subdued that tormenting animal in some degree. Countless gophers, who 
would root out my new-i)lanted crops, had also to l)e destroyed; Init the greatest danger to the 
frontier settler were the unexpected and disastrous wood and i)rairie fires when they came with a 
strong blast of wind. 

Among the okU'St, permanent and solid settled men of the city of Portage, whom I now call to 
mind, were and are, including some that are dead — Henry ^Merrill. AVilliam .Armstrong. Dr. Prentice. 
J. J. (xuppey, H. T. Haskell. A'alentine Helmann. James Collins. W. K. Clougli. Solomon Leech. 
John (iraham. Anton Klenert, Bemos Pixley, (ieorge Thakell and Alex. Carnagie. 

The 12th day of February, 1S50, I married Miss Louisa Slifer (the marriage taking place on her 
2()tli birthday) ; she was born at the village of Trappe, Montgomery Co., State of Pennsylvania ; her 
father, Samuel Slifer, had taken up the next claim, westward of ray claim on Silver Lake, for a home- 
stead, on the Indian land. .My wife's parents. "Sir. Sanniel Slifer and his wife (her maiden name being 
Ksther Scholl) of Pennyslvania, were descendants of the Palatinate I'migrants of the seventeenth cen- 
tury, in the time of Louis the XIV. (" (iraud Louis," His Most Cluistian Majesty, King of France, 
devastating i)oor South (icrinany with his infamous infernal dogs, like Turenne, 3Ielac and ^lontelus, 
at a fearful rate ; worse than the Huns and .Mongolians.) 

S(|uire S. \'an Slyke. a young man. tied the ■connubial knot.' a little, young'lawyer. a Mr. 
Soo]), being witness. It liai)pcncd in front of Mr. Slifer's log lK>use. at Silver Lake, on the sod 
(being very line weather), and under the ■canopy of heaven. " Here is the statement of the genuine 
document : 

STATE OF WISCONSIN, 1^^ 
Columbia CoiiNiy. i 
Hf il Rpmemhereii — TImt nt Fori Winnehngo, in siiid f'ounly (being in the Woods), on the I'Jili day of February. 
18")0, Mr, Coiirad Collipp mul .Miss Louisa Slifpr were duly ioined in marriage by me. 

S. VAN SLYKE, 

Jusdce of the Peace. 

This, our marriage, was, I believe, the first legal marriage of white man and woman kind on the 
Indian lands, hereabouts. Momentous destiny ! Glorious, indej)endent Ijachelorhood now gone — 
e\a|iorated to zero. The desperate plunge of life had now been made forever. I must confess I 
dreaded, in an uneasy, anticipative way, the so-called l)unlen, care and sla^very of married life. But 
l)e it said by inc. the \er\ reverse became the fact in my case ; happiness, success, and entire con- 
tentment henceforth to tliis da\'. 



CITY OF POTri'AGE. 831 

God blessed our marriaue with eleven children : eight girls and three sons ; all born at Silver 
Lake. Jennie Oetavia. was lH)ru the Sth of Deeember. 1S51. and was married to W. W, Lloyd the 
27th of Auiiust, 187.'5 ; Louise Anna was born the 20th of January. 1S54, and was married to D. C. 
Treadway the loth of Septeml>er. 1875 ; Sophia Augusta was liorn the 8d of November. 1855 ; Lydia 
Amanda' was Iwrn tiie 24th of November. 1857. an<l was married to \X. A. Krause the 22d of November. 
187(; ; Katie, or Catharina. was born the !lth of December, 18511 ; Christine Klise was born the 20th 
of ;\[arch. 18(Jl ; she died at the age of 12 years and 4 months, the 2<lth of July, 1873 ; she was a 
highly gifted girl. (T took the shock as ealmly as possible, but it commenced to turn my hairs gray. 
Grim' death had shot the center out of my deiir children.) Lilly Rutii was born the 22d of January, 
18(58; Washington was born the 21st of February, 18(55; Horace was born the 13th of Maj', 
18(57 ; Platon was bom the fith of May, 18(59 : Hildegard was born the 31st of May, 1871. 

September the 9th. 1852. 1 recei\ed one part of my land, as a first actual settler, according to the 
pre-emption laws of 1842, at the Jlenasha land otiiee. The other part. Oct. 2(1. 1852. under the same 
law. at the Oshkosh land otHee ; it being 1(50 acres, more or less, in Sec. 31. Township 13, Range 
9. and the east part of Lot 2. Sec. (5, Township 12, Range 9. In 1854, I rented land to Jiirgens & 
Dreyer, for the manutacturing of brick. In 1855. they started the l>rickyard and ran it till 18(55. 
In 18(5(5, I took the brickyard niyself and ran it. with good success, till 1875. Since 1878, the brick- 
yard has been run liy Ati'elt & (ronten. 

In April. 1855. a wood fire swept like a hurricane in a terrible devastating manner over my 
land. I lost 90 cords of newly chopped wood, 1 1 rods of rail fence and many large trees, which 
stood like burning spires, and would come down at last with an awful crash. AH my laud, except 
the cultivated parts, looked like a black, dreary waste. I felt pretty rough at the time. The season 
of planting had arrived, but now my fields lay open. Matters, however, mended, and everything 
went on as smoothly as ever. In July, 1856, I laid out a road, four rods in width, over the center 
of Collipp's Point, from the narrowest part of Silver Lake northward to the town line, and from 
thence westward four rods in width on the town line to the one-quarter line, meeting there the land 
I had sold to Hon. J. J. (luppey. through which we had formerly fixed the road more westward. la 
the s'l^riug of 1859. Hon. J. J. (luppey, Charles Hiertel and I built a bridge, about twelve rods in 
length, over the narrowest part of Silver Lake. The first team drove over the bridge May 11, 1859. 
:My part of the expense was S250 and one month's work with team. In 1874, the city of Portage 
took charge of the bridge as a public highway, and. in the winter of 1875, built an earth dam across 
the same place, where the bridge had stood. In 1875, I dedicated the same road I had laid out in 
1851 to the city of Portage as a pulilic highway. It was named Collipp avenue. 

In the years of 1853"aud 1854. I built a frame house. 14x22, and, in 1855. a barn, 20x30 feet, 
on my land on Lot 2, Sec. 0, Town 12. Range 9. A little east of these buildings, I built, in 1858. a 
convenient, solid brick house, two stories high abo\-e ground, and basement and cellars Iielow. This 
l)uilding is 32x32 feet, with wing 20x22 feet. Since August. 1858, we have resided in this house. 

Since 1854, I have planted a great many fruit trees, vines, ornamental trees and shrubbery, and 
we have had. since 1858. most every year plenty of apples, grapes, berries, etc. In 18U9, 1 built, on 
Cook street, in the city of P(irtage. a lirick store, twenty-two feet wide l)y se\-enty-five feet long, two 
stories high, with cellar under the whole building. In 1875, I built an addition of forty feet in 
length thereto, making the store now 115 feet long, now rented to Parry & 3Iuir, who keep a large 
<lry -goods establishment. I have been several times Assessor of the city of Portage, and have been 
of late years one of the cit}- School Commissioners and County Supervisor of the Fifth \\'ard. and 
been elected to the last named offices again, this spring of 1880. 

Dear reader. God has blessed all our family (excepting the sickness and death of one of our 
children) since our commencement, and onward till now with good health and plenty, thank God ! 

JOBf AS COi\KHX, son of Samuel and Margaret Conkliu, was liorn in the town of Conk- 
lin, Broome Co., N. Y. His grandfather was the first settler there ; his parents came to Fox Lake, 
Dodge Co., Wis., in the fall of 184(1. remained there one year, and in 1847 removed to Courtland, 
Columbia Co.. where his lather died May 11, 1861 ; his mother is now living, and resides with a 
daughter, ]Mrs. Matilda Rockwell, at Fox Lake. Mr. Conklin came to Wisconsin in 1845, to Fort 
Winnebago ; he spent seven months in the pineries of Portage Co.. in 1846. then coming back, he 
worked for Henry Merrell, in the stone and lumber business, most of his time for seven years ; he 
liought laud in the town of Courtland. Sec. 3, Township 12. Range 12. 40 acres, and 40 acres of tim- 
ber in Sec. 26, the first purchased in that township in 1846, next spring buying 40 acres more on 
Sec. 3, and at the present time he owns 100 acres located on Sec. 3. 20 acres on Sec. 26, and 40 



802 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

acres on Sec. 33. all in the same town. Mr. Conklin was engaijed in buying produce and furs nio.st 
of the time for about fifteen years ; he had charge of the canal here for about five years, and was 
engaged winters in freighting between this point and Milwaukee, while he had charge of the canal ; 
although at present a resident of Portage, he owns and carries on his farm in the town of Courtland. 
He was Assessor of that town nine years in succession, and held various other otlices in that town : 
he was elected Sheritl' in 1S7S, He was married in the old Fort ^\'innel1ago, to Frances L. Shipley ; 
she was born at Potsdam, N. V,; thc\- have three daughters — Frances J.. Ella K. antl Lula JSelle. 

W. W. CORNING, son of Warren Corning, Jr., and Khoda (Prouty) Corning ; his father 
died at IMentor, Lake Co., Ohio, in Septemlier. 1834 ; his mother is still living in Mentor, aged 7S 
years. The subject of this sketch was born in Mentor Aug. 20. 1S29 ; in 1S4S, he went to New- 
ark, Licking Co.. Ohio, where he resided two years, going thence to Hebron in 1S50. and remaining 
there until 1854 : from there he removed to Columbus. Ohio, where he lived until 1850 ; going to 
Nashville, Tenn., in this year, he remained until the spring of 1857, returning to Licking Co.; 
in October, 1858, he came to Portage, and in March, 1850, engaged in the hardware business at his 
present location, corner of Wisconsin and Cook streets. Mr. Corning has lieen Mayor of Portage 
City two terms, and served as Alderman for many years ; in 1872, he was a member of the Assem- 
bly, and is now a County Commissioner. He was married at Loveland, Ohio. Pec. 2(1. 1854, to Cor- 
nelia E. Smith ; she was born in Cincinnati Dee. 3, 1830; they have five children — Anna ^[.. born 
in Hebron. Ohio, now Mrs, S, E. Arnold, of (lermantown, Juneau Co., Wis.; Nellie R., William 
Smith, Mary L. and Bella T., born in Portage. Mr. Corning is a member of the A., F. & A. M. 
Lodsrc. Chapter and Comnianderv. and of the A. O. U. W. 

' ACiJNES N. CORN WEIjL, born in Windsor, Vt., in 1820 ; her life-work has been teach- 
ing ; she was educated in the Amherst Female Seminary and at Wilbraham Academy, Massachusetts ; 
her first teaching was with her two Itrothers in a select school at Newton, Sussex Co.. N. J. She 
was married in 1842 to Elijah C. Butz. who died in 1842, at Southport (now Kenosha), where he was 
in mercantile business ; they had one daughter — Carrie A., who is now married and living in New 
Jersey; in 1847. ^Irs. Cornwell taught the first school in Columbus. Wis.; in 1850. she came to 
Portage and opened a select school with seven pupils, in the okl .Mcd-'arland warehouse. In T853, 
she married Jiynian Cornwell, and soon afterward went to California and returned in 1857, on the 
death of her brother; before returning to California, they built the liou.se wliere she now resides. 
Mr. Cornwell died in California in the year 1800 ; she owns her cozy home and also has considerable 
unimproved land in the State. She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church ; she was a com- 
petent and conscientious teacher, and her faithfulness is attested by many grateful pupils. 

MISS AXNA CROAK, chief dining-room girl at the Corning House, was born in Port- 
age in 1858. and has lived all her life in this county. She is a Catholic; she is the veteran 
employe of the hotel, having worked under the Fox atlministration about three years ; her fpiick 
step and i)leas:int smile are remembered by myriads of well-fed patrons of the Corning House. 

a. •!. cox, was born in Minnisink. Orange Co., N. V.. Aug. 4. 1832 ; when (i. J. was 5 years 
of age. his father. Calvin Cox, moved to ^lontrose, Susquehanna Co.. I'cnn.. where he ilied when the 
suflject of this sketch was a small boy. His mother, BLirgaret L.. now 75 years of age. still resides 
atMoiitro.se. !Mr. C. came to Wisconsin, locating at Wyocena. in 1854 ; he remained there a little 
over a year, when he came to Portage and engaged in teaching until the year 1858 ; having studied 
law before coming West, he commenced the practice of his profession in 1858, and has since con- 
tinued the liusiness of lawyer. In 1801. he was elected County Judge, of Marquette Co.; from 
1802 to 1808, was Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue; in the years 1874 and 1875. was City 
Superintendent of Schools, and Alderman of Third Ward in 1870 and 1880. Jlr. Cox was married 
at Wyocena. Oct. 31. 1855. to Eliza A. Wood, daughter of Rev. Nathan Wood, who came to Wyo- 
cena in 1840, and still resides there : her mother, Harriet Wood, died there Sept. 4. 1847, being the 
first person ever interred in the cemetery of that place ; they have five children — Edward E., Hubert 
H., Margaret C., 3Iabel A. and Mary Alice. Mrs. Cox was' born at Stockliridge, Madison Co., N. Y. 
Jlr. and Jlrs. C. and son are members of the Presbvterian Church, and Mr. Cox is a member of the 
lodiic of 1, O. O. F. of this citv. 

' tiEOROE CURTIS. Jr.. attorney at law, was liorn at Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, 
Dee. 18. 1851 ; followed the liusiness of farming and teaching school until November. 1870, when 
lie began the study of law at Madison, Wis, Mr. Curtis has been in the practice of his profes- 
sion at Portage since July 1, 1877. He was married at Lindina. Juneau Co.. Wis., Pec. 24, 1870, U> 
Alycia M. .^I'. (Iregorv. daughter of Ezra and ^lartlia (Iregory. now residents of (Jleiidale, Monroe 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 893 

Co.. Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have two children— George G., born May. 1S7S, and an infant son, 
born in February, 188(1. Mr. Curtis was elected Justice of the Peace in April 1880. 

HEi\RY'HALE Cl'RTIS, attorney at law. was born at Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., 
Ohio. Dec. 15. 1848; removed from there with his parents, George and Elizabeth Curtis, in 185G, 
to Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis., where they still reside. In 1875, he entered the law office of 
Winsor & Veeder, at Maustou. Mr. C. followed farming and school teaching; in 1807, he entered 
the Law Department of the State University, at Madison, from which lie graduated in the class of 
1870. and in July of that year came to Portage and liegan the practice of law ; while in Juneau 
Co.. Mr. C. was Court Commissioner, Justice of the Peace. Town Clerk and the incuml)ent of other 
local offices. He was married at Lemonweir. Juneau Co.. Oct 11, 1871, to M. E.. daughter of John 
MeXown, who was killed at the battle of Shiloh ; they have three children — Alfred S., Iwrn Sep- 
tember. 1871 ; Norman P., born Fel)ruarv. 1875, and Nathan, born December. 1877. 

DAIVIEL J. DAliTON was "born in the town of Springvale. Columbia Co., Wis., Aug. 
14. 1853 ; son of Thomas J. and Mary A. Dalton. residents of Juneau Co.. Wis.; entered Mauston 
High School at tlie age of 17 ; afterward attended the commercial college and State T^niversity at 
Madison ; began teaching school winters at the age of 18 ; studied law while teaching, and after- 
ward read law with J. B.' Tayler. and was admitted to the liar in May, 1879. :Mr. D. began practic- 
ing law in Portage in Augu.st, 1879 ; he is also in the insurance business; he is a member of the 
Guppey Guards, and attornev for the companv. 

JOHN R. DALTON was Ijorn at' York. England, in January. 1835 ; came to America 
in 1849. locating at Buffalo. N. Y., for six months, after which he settled at Milwaukee, where he 
resided until 1854. In :Milwaukee. Mr. D. attended school and learned his trade, that of a mason. 
In 1 854. he came to Portage, which has since lieen his home. He was married, in Portage, to Eniily 
Ellis, born in England ; they have tw(3 children living — Reginald G. and (ieorge C. Mr. D. is a 
member of the lodge of A., F. & A. M. Thev have lost one infant child. 

HENRY J. DARTON, freight engineer. C. 51. & St. P. R. R. ; born September, 1852, 
at Hartford, Wis.; his father was one of the earliest settlers of Hartford, his nearest neighbors then- 
being nine miles distant ; began railroad life in the summer of 1809 as fireman onC..M. &St.P.R. R., 
and was promoted to charge of engine in August, 1870, and has -run" continuously to date. Was 
married, July 21, 1878, to Miss Alice Dean, a niece of R. E. McMillan, a leading lumberman of 
Oshkosh. Wis.; they have one son— Harry Irving, born Jan, 4, 1880. (hi the 27th of April. 1879. 
he was seriously injured by an exploding torpedo on the track, near whicli he was standing. A 
fragment of the shell is still in the wounded leg. His run is on the Northern Division. He is well 
spoken of bv " the bovs." 

JOHN B. DASSI was born in Lombardy, Italy. Feb. 11. 1825 ; emigrated to Germany in 
1840, and to America in 1850 ; located in ^lilwauliee, and engaged in peddling two years ; removed 
to Portage Nov, 0, 1854, having purchased property here "in 1851 ; erected a residence in 1850; 
returned "to Milwaukee in 1803, and engaged in clerking until 1809 ; removed to Portage, and, in 
1870, engaged in present business. He was elected Justice of the Peace from 1870 to 1880 ; Alder- 
man, from 1871 to 1878 ; meiulier of and organized the Leidei-kranz Singing Society ; was President 
of that society, and is now Secretary ; was connected with the I. 0. 0. F. from 1850 to 1873. Mr. 
D. was married in Milwaukee. Nov. 15, 1852, to Barbara Dofmeyer, a native of Bavaria, liorn Feb. 
2. 1835 ; came with her parents to America in 1847. .^Ir. and 3irs. Dassi are members of the Irish 
Catholic Church. 5Ir. D. was ori^anist of St. Mary's Catholic Church. 

WILLIAM W. IJATES. The suljject of this sketch was born in the town of York, 
Racine Co., AVis.. April 19. 1845 ; is the son of Abram and Polly C. Dates, who were early settlers 
of Racine Co.; they moved to the town of Ft. ^^'illnehago. Columliia Co.. in 1852 ; the fatlier died 
in October. 1875. and his mother still lives on the homestead. William W.'s life was passed on a 
farm until he came to Portage in October. 1877, when he engaged in the flour and feed liusiness. 
which business he still continues ; also is one of the proprietors of the Dates' Flouring Jlill, water 
and steam comliined ; owns a farm of 75 acres in Marcellon ; he and his lirother, George D., own 
the old homestead ; George D. and William W., with their mother own the mill. Married Lizzie Jones 
in the town of Ft. Winnebago December. 1870 ; they have two sous — George E. and Fred. 

WILLIAM M. DAVIE, machinist, was born 1820. in Htate of New Jersey ; served his 
apprenticeship, as machinist, in New York City ; from age of 12 to 18. was a seafarer, and made 
several voyages as a •• whaler. " He was married, in 1840, to Miss Mary L. A' an Sands, of New Jer- 
sey, He has been connected with the N, Y, C. and the N. Y, & N. H. R. Rs. ; he came West in 1854 



894 BIOGKAPIIICAL SKETCHES: 

and was master inechanic on the C. & >I. R. R. ; this was the second raUroad Imilt in the State ; in 
1873. he settled in Portage, where he still resides: has worked for many different railroads. l)ut is 
now in employ of C. M. & St. P. as maehinist. Has three children — .Mary E.. William C. and 
Winnefred E. : his dangliter is now wifi^ of T. T. Rhodes, and resides in Kansas. (Jwns a pleasant 
residence next to tlie - little lirown chiiri'h on the corner." situated on Wisconsin street : he is a 
natural inccliaiiic and a ueniai citizen. 

MOKTON E. I>A VIS, freight conductor on St. P. R. R.. was l)orn in .Madison Co.. .\. Y.. 
in 1S4S ; came Wi'St in lS.")(i and lived three years in Walworth Co.. Wis. ; in 1S51I. moved to Hardin 
Co.. Iowa: his father was a real-estate speculator ; in ISlid. he made Beloit his home : spent ncarlv 
four years in .Milton College, and graduated therefrom in 1S(J4 ; in 1SG7 and ISdS. lie tried the busi- 
ness of liuying. training and selling horses: for the work he has taste and ahility — seldom mis- 
judges the capaiiilities of a horse. In ISdS. he married Miss Kuphemia L. Vincent, daughter of 
Christopher \'incent. of Rock County. He tried the livery business first in Kdgerton. and 
then in Chicago ; the fearful epizootic in 187H found him at (>(•!• and (ill Cottage (Jrove .\ venue. 
Chicago, in livery, with hirge stock of tine horses, — the result was bankruptcy ; his railroad life 
began as brakeman in the fall of 1S74. on the Wisconsin Division of the C. & X. ; this he continued 
till the fall of 1S75. when he tried his hand at the horse business again ; bought some fine Kentucky 
stock and trained them, and did well, until a mishap in Septeml)er. lS7(i. set him back again : then 
immediately went to braking again, on Sept. 15. lS7ti. for the C. !M. & St. P. R. R.. and after one 
year's experience, was given charge of the same train, which he still retains : no accident has ever 
ha|)pened to his train : he has had even another "horse experience;" in ISfin. he had a first-class 
training stable at Milton. Wis. ; had seventeen horses in charge, and all of them " fast ; " with the 
best of these, he made the eastern circuit two seasons ; his affliction this time was that of having 
■• two much partner: he is now confining his attention to the •• iron horse : has three children — 
.Minnie K.. born in 1S72 : Jesse .M. in 187"). and Susie Burdick. called -Birdie." boru in 1878 ; his 
paii'iits live with him : .Mr. Davis is an .\ncient. Free & .Vccepted Mason and a Knight of Pythias ; 
although a thoroughbred horseman, he was never intoxicated : is devoted to his family, but has a 
lingering love for the ■■ horse : ' is social, popular and respected. 

CHAN. L. l>ERIIV<ir. The suliject of this sketch was born in Sunliury. Penn.. Dec. H, 
18;-i(i. and came to Wisconsin in the spring of 184il, locating at New Diggings. LaFayette Co. : lived 
there until the fall of ISdS ; is the son of Charles and Maria JI. Dering : his mother died at New 
Diggings in 185!). and his father died in Texas in 1875 ; the year 1808. he came with his father 
to Columbus, this county; April lit. 18(11, Chas. L. enlisted 'in Co. I. 8d W. V. I., at Shullsburg, 
entering the ser\ice as a private ; was first Color Sergeant of his regiment, and afterward Sergeant 
Major ; then promoted to 2d Lieutenant of Co. I ; again promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and mustered 
out as 1st Lieutenant of Co. B. July 24, 18()3 ; was in all the Itattles his regiment participated in, 
until he was wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain, Aug. 0, 18(52 : Mr. Dering was educated at 
Platteville .\cademy. Wis., graduating from that institution in 1855 ; also spent one year at Holiart 
College. (Jeneva. X. Y., and on account of ill health was obliged to leave college l)efore completing 
his course : had taught school several terms before entering college, and one term afterward ; then 
commenced the study of law in Shullsliurg, in the spring of 1858, and admitti'd to the bar in the 
fall of 18511 ; engaged in the practice of his profession, at Cohnnlius. with (Icrry W. Hazlefou. and 
remained with him twelve years : in 1875, dissolved partnership ; in Xovomber, 187S, in connection 
with .Mr. Smith, purchased the abstract business of .Vlverson & Y'ule. and continued his [jractice in 
Columbus, until the spring of 1S79 ; still continues to practice here ; also engaged in abstract and in- 
surance business; was C S. .\ssistant .\ssessor of Internal Revenue from 18(14 to 18(50: was Village 
Clerk from the organization of Columbus, in 18(14. to the time of city incorporation : then served one 
year as City Clerk ; Snijervisor of Second \Vard one term ; afterward. Supervisor from Third ^^'ard one 
term ; winter of 1 8(17, was .\ssistant Sargeant-at-.\rms of State Senate : meml)er of School Board four 
years liefore the city incori)oration ; three years member of Board of Eilueation ; elected to State 
Setiate in the fall of 187S. Mr. Dering was married at Waterford, Erie Co.. Penn., Oct. 7. 1874, to 
S. .Vda .Maxwell: she was born in Chenango Co.. X. \. ; have two children — Jes.se (4. and Irma. 

CHARLFiH DEVLIN, engineer on C., .AL & St. P. R. R.. was born Xov. 4. 1840. near 
Dublin. Irt'laiid : when a mere'lad. he had a great desire to travel, and studied navigation with 
enthusiasm: he went to Canada in 1S54. clerked nearly two years, and in 185(1. liegan work in the 
inacliine shop of the (ireat Western Railway of Canada ; he was afterward a fireman, and was pro- 
moted to the charge of an engine in 18(11. which he ran uijtil 18(17: for a vear and a half he 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 895 

repreresented Xevlund iV ('o.. Jfrturson, Texas, as salesman for all leading kinds of eountrv produee ; 
afterward he ran a stationary engine, at Sedalia. Mo.; then was with the A. &. X. R. R. aliout a year 
and a half, and then the same length of time with the P. & Ft. W. R. R.; was then a year in the C. 
& X. W. Ry. shops ; In July. 1878. he engaged as engineer on the C. M. & St. P. R. R.. and has 
been in eontinuous serviee to date ; he was married on the 3d of January, 1S76. to Miss Luey 
Horning, a resident of Portage, horn in 1848 ; they have one child. Kitty .Maud, horn Oct. :51, 1870. 
The famih' are Catholics. She was fifteen years in the employ of W. D. Vox. at the Railroad House, 
as chief cook ; he is a member of the •• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers ;" no one was ever 
injured on his train ; he is a Liberal Democrat ; this season he has erected a fine brick residence on 
the corner of Dunn and Marion streets. 

CH.4R.LES C. "^OW, i'ostmaster ; was born in Piermont, (irafton Co.. X. H.. June 
2, 1S8() ; lived in Xcw Hampshire until he came to Wisconsin in 185(i, and located in Portage, 
engaging in clerking in a hardware store for Josiah Arnold al)out one year, and clerked in other 
stores until April 9. 18(i], wlien he enlisted as a pri\ate in Co. (>, 2d W. V. L; was in the tirst and 
second liattles of Bull Run. battles of the Wilderness. Chancellorsville. (iettysl)urg, and all the other 
engagements that his regiment was engaged in, except South Jlountain and Antietam ; was wounded 
and disal)led at the first and second battles of Bull Run, and was mustered out June 3tt, 1804, as 
First Lieutenant commanding the company, having had command of the 'company more than a year 
prior to this time; returning to Portage, but remaining (mly a few weeks: went to Oulf Department 
with the 21st Iowa ; in the fall of 1803, he returned to Portage, and clerked in the County Clerk's 
oflSce for a ^-eai' ; he then clerked in a diy goods store, until 1807 ; then with W. W. Corning until 
he went to Madison with Secretary of State L. Breese ; remained with him four years ; returned 
to Portage, and has lieen connected with the U. S. postal service since, on the C, M. & St. P. R. R.. 
until he received an appointment of Postmaster, in the spring of 188(1. He was married in Port- 
age, Dec. 10. 1807, to Annie K. Jones ; they have three children — W. Corning, Carrie Louisa and 
Charles Homer. Mr. Dow is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and a Kniii'ht Templar. 

THOMAS W. DREW was Ixn-n in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, July 4, 1SH9, and 
resided there until coming to Portage in the spring of 1855 ; in 1850, he commenced clerking for 
O. Ward, with whom he remained three years ; then going into the grocery lousiness himself which 
he continued until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. A, 2d 111. 
L. A,, in April, 1801, and served four and a half years in the same company and regiment ; was in 
all the battles his regiment jiarticipated in ; was with Gen. Grant when he was a Colonel ; partici- 
pated in the Vickslnirg and Red River campaigns, serving as a private : was mustered out in the fall 
of 1805, and returned to Portage and resumed Inisiness as a grocer, which he continued alone until 
^larch, 1879, when Mr. Pugh was admitted to partnership in the grocery business, Mr. Drew dealing 
in farmers' produce in addition to his other business. He was married in Portage, Feb 1, 1808, to 
Minnie AVilliamson ; she was born in Canada ; thev have four children — Jennie. Minnie, Delia and Lillie. 

Ci^EORGE W. DITSEXBURY was 'born in Canaan, Columbia Co., X. Y„ July 27. 1851 ; 
son of .Alorgan H. and Alniira Dusenbury, who came to Pardeeville when the subject of this sketch 
was about 8^ years old, and where his boyhood days were passed upon his father's farm, located four 
miles east of Pardeeville, also lived in the \illage a short time : then coming to I'ortage, he attended 
school for a 3ear, when he went into the emph^y of the C, M. & St. P. R. R.. and has continued with 
the company to the present time, with the exception of one year. Married Morgie A. Thompson, 
a native of Rhode Island, Oct. 22. 1873, at Pardeeville : they have two children — Ovie V. and 
Bartie. Mr. D. is a member of A., F. & A. M., with the degree of Knight Templar. 

JOHN DULL.AWHAN was born in County Louth, Ireland, Xov. 23, 1831 : came t(, 
America in 1850 ; was in Xew York City for a short time ; removed to South Carolina in 1851, and 
to Charleston, S. C, in the spring of 1852, and returned to Xew York same spring ; he then went to 
the Isthmus of Panama and worked for the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. at what is known as Xa\y 
Bay, working for the company eleven months, building piers, etc ; April, 1853, he went to California 
and remained there mining until 1858, when he returned to Europe, where he was married July 5, 1858, 
to Ann McShean, County Armagh, Ireland, a native of that county; they have seven children — 
James Joseph, Stephen ?I., John, Mary Ann, Blargaret, Edward and Elizabeth ; was engaged in 
Xewry, County Armagh, Ireland, in the grocery and provision business, there ten years ; when he 
came to Wisconsin in 1808 and locates! in Portage ; engaged in the business of grocery and liquor 
dealer, etc., since coming here, and has remained in it ever since. Jlr. and Mrs. D. are members of 
St. Mary's Church, and of St. John's Literary and Benevolent Association. 



890 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

WILLIAM MARSHAL EDWARDS (ilrusr clerk with John Graham); was born 
in ^lihvaukfL'. March 15, 1850 ; son of Samuel and .Sarah (Keene) Edwards ; came to Portaije with 
his parents in 1851 ; in 1800, removed to Winona, where he lived until 1867 ; commenced learning 
the drug business with his father in Winona in 1804 ; has been with Mr. Graham since 1807. Mar- 
ried in Portage, Sept. 5, 1875. to Lizzie J. Baxter, daughter of D. R. Baxter, of Sauk Co. Mr. 
Kdwards is a memlier of three branches of the Masonic Order, the Lodge, Chapter and Commandrv. 

WILLIAM EDWARDS, lock-tender on the Portage Canal, which connects the Wis- 
consin and Fox Rivers ; he was born in Wales Oct. 15. 18.30 ; his parents came to the United States 
in 1832. and settled in Deerfield. Oneida Co.. N. Y., where they resided until their death. He was 
married in March. 1855, to Miss Johanna C. (Jray, of Deerfield, N. Y.; in March. 1855, they came 
to Portage, and this county' has been their home to present date. 1880 ; he lived seven years on a 
farm near Portage ; on Sept. 22. lS(i4. he enlisted in Co. B, 22d W. V. L; he was on detached <luty 
until the close of the war : soon after the war. was nearly two years in railroad service as foreman 
at the yards in Portage, of C. M. & St. Paul R. R.; he was then night watchman in Portage for eight 
years, and was then City ^larshal two years : has been nearly two years in charge of Government 
interests on the canal, with the nominal appointment of lock-tender ; he has been thoroughly identi- 
fied with the growth and improvement of Portage, He is a Repulilican. but has held ofliee ten years 
in I'ortage, which is a Democratic city ; thej" have no children. Himself and wife are members of 
the M. E. Church. ( )wns an attractive home on Cook street. 

HENRY EMI>ER is a native of Prussia, born Aug. 27, 1831 ; came to America May 1, 
1850 ; was in New York and Boston until ho came to Milwaukee, in 1851, where he remained until 
1853; then removed to ^ladison. where he resided until 1S55. when he came to Portage. Was 
engaged in the railway lousiness l)efore coming to this city. From 1855 to 1858. was clerk in a gro- 
cery ; since in the hotel l)usiuess ; was proprietor of the National Hotel for ten years. In 1870. 
erected his elegant hotel, which he has successfully managed up to present time. Mr. E. was mar- 
ried in >lilwaukee, July 23. 1854. to Pauline .\rsand : she was born in Prussia. They have five 
ciiildren — Louisa, Emma, Paulina. George W. and Charlie H. Is one of the oldest members of the 
I. O. O. F.; also memljer of Leiderkranz Societv. 

MRS. REBECCA L. EMERTOIV, widow of Thomas J. Emerton ; was born May 
15, ISlO. in NiirtiiHekl, Merrimac Co., N. II.; she is daughter of Benjamin and Lucy Hoegg Rogers. 
She was educated in the public schools of her native town, and taught several terms before her 
marriage. She was married Vah. 23. 1833. to Thomas J. Emerton, of (Jrafton Co.. X. H. He was 
born March 15, 1805 ; he was a successful farmer in the East, and enjoyed the confidence of his 
fellow-citizens ; held several town otiices. and was several times elected to the Legislature. In 1851. 
the family came to Fort Winnebago and bought the farm which he carried on seventeen years ; in 
1808. he moved to Westficld, Marquette Co., where he died on the 14th of January, 1870, leaving 
one (laughter and two sons — Benjamin J., born .Jan. 10. 1835 : Lucy R.. born Sept. 21, 1838, and 
Andrew .J., born Aug. 24, 1841, Her daughter married Robert Cocln-ane, and lives in Portage: 
her sons are married, and are farming in F(irt Winnel)ago. She owns some real estate in Wisconsin 
and a pleasant home on Conant street : her young granddaughter resides with her. She is a Pres- 
bvterian. She is threescore and ten. and is cheerfuUv nearins the smiset land. 

FRANK B. ERNSPEROER. merchant. Opera House ; born Oct. 14. 1838, in Rock- 
ford, Wood Co., Ohio. His pareuts arc of Swiss ancestry. Began commercial life as a dry -goods 
clerk, at age of 14 ; after 1.S41. his parents lived in Sandusky Co., Ohio; at age of 20. he located 
in Fulton Co., Ind., and continued as salesman ; in 1801, he went into trade for himself, at Roches- 
ter, Ind., with a large stock of general merchandise. He was married in Jlay, 1801, to Miss Mary 
A. Lyon, formerly of Pennsylvania. He h;ul a large trade for many years, being the leading house 
of the city, and doing both a retail and a jobbing trade ; he closed his business there in 1879, and 
opened business in Portage on 1st of .January, 1880, in the elegant Opera House Store ; keeps good 
stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, and hats and caps. Has four children — Lillie X.. Cecil R., Laura 
M. and Edgar B. He is a member of I. O. O. F.. and is a Royal Arch Mason. Is a thorough tem- 
perance man and an active Methodist. Previous to 18S(l, his history was connected with another 
State, but he is rapidly becoming identified with the city wherein are his commercial interests and 
his chosen home. 

CHRISTIAN P. ETTEN was bom at :\luffen<l(.rf Rhine Prussia. March 31. 1839; 
was educated as a musican.and served in the military band of the Prussian Third Grenadier Guard. 
After leaving that, he played one year at home, and then came to America, arriving in Chicago in 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 897 

March, 186-t, where he remained three j-ears ; lived at Rocktbrd two years, and tlicn came to Port 
age, where he has since resided, except one year spent in Madison, teaching music and as organist 
of St. Raphael's Church, which position he still holds. He teaches vocal and instrumental music. 
He was married at Kenosha, Wis., March 5, 1866, to Amelia Toemmel, who was born in Mering, 
Prussia, Nov. 1, 1847. They have six children — Fannie, born in Rockford ; Lizzie, John B., Mary 
B., Albert, and Emma L. M, born in Portage ; Joseph, died in Chicago, aged 5 months. They are 
members of the Catholic Church. 

MARTIN FARRAR, passenger engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-' 
way ; was born in April, 18lj(j, in ^'crmont. He began railroad life at the age of 19, as flreraau on 
the Rutland & Washington Railway, and he continued with that road eight years, the last one of 
which was as engineer. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Hannah Driscoll, of Vermont ; came West 
in May, 1863, and engaged as engineer for the St. Paul Road, and lived in Milwaukee till 1866, when 
he moved to Portage, where he still resides and continues in the engineer service. He has one son, 
born October, 1865, and named George. Mr. Farrar belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive 
Engineers ; his neighljors report him as a reliable, candid man ; his residence is No. 28 Franklin street. 
" EDWARD FINK was born in Prussia Jan. 10, 1839 ; came to America in 1854 ; located in 
Cleveland, Ohio, one year, Sandusky two and a half years, Norwalk one year : came to Portage, Wis. 
April. 1859, and has since Ijeen engaged in the bakery, restaurant and confectionery Inisiness, which 
he began in 1854, most of the time since. Mr. F. was married at Portage. JIarch 24, 1861, to Teresa 
Kettler, who was born in l^russia. They have six children living — Amarudie H., Henry L., Anna 
M., Willie C, Freddie E., Edward Daniel Emil ; Carl, born June 19, 1872, died at the age of 4 
months and 11 da vs. 

ALEXANDER D. FORBE$$. deceased, was born in Madrid, N. Y., in 1823, He 
early engaged in the mercantile l)usiness in Waddington, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he remained 
till he C'aine to Wisconsin in 1856. He and his brother, AV. W. Forbes, engaged in general mer- 
chandising in Portage till 1870. He was married on the 7th of August, 1869, to Miss Carrie E. 
Baxter, of Prairie du Sac, Wis. They had four children — Frederick, born Feb, ,18, 1863, and grad- 
uated, in 1880, from the liigli school "in Portage ; William R., liorn June 22, 1865 ; Carrie A., born 
Dec. 17, 1867; Fraukie, l)orn March 13, 187o', and died April 9, 1871, He owned a farm of 320 
acres, and one of 170 acres, Ijoth in township of Arlington, Columliia Co., and a fine brick residence 
on Conant street, besides other real estate in the city. This property Jlrs. Forljes still retains. 
When ^Ir. Forlies began business here, onlj- three stores were in Portage. He was a careful, quiet, 
successful business man, attended closel3- to his business, and was devoted to his family. He took 
but little interest in politics. He was a patient sufferer for five years with consumption, and he 
died Jan. 12, 1871. The residence on Conant street was built and fitted up in 1865, and Mrs, Forbes 
and familv continue to live in their i)leasant homestead. No family is more highly respected. 

J. C. FORBES was born in 'Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y., July 8, 1828 ; lived there and in the 
vicinity until coming to Kingston, (xreen Lake Co.. Wis., in July, 1861, where he remained for seven 
years ; removed to Portage in 1867, and engaged in his present Inisiness, which he still continues 
to follow, that of watchmaker and jeweler, the same business he has been engaged in for the last 
thirty years. Married in the town of .Marilla, N. Y„ Aug. 7, 1851, to Betsey M. Ells ; she was born in 
Evans, Erie Co., N. Y.; they have six children living — James S., Melissa M., Henry M,, Samuel L., 
Frederick J., and (^eorge C., — lost two children, one daughter, Amelia, who died at the age of 4 
years and 5 months, and one son, Sherman, at the age of 10 months. iNIr. F. is a member of the 
Temple of Honor. 

CHARLiES FOSTER was Iwrn at Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis., JNIay 10, 1855 ; son of 
Lucius and Blargaret Foster, His father was born in Watertown, N. Y., and settled in Jefferson, 
Jeflferson Co., before the admission of Wisconsin as a State ; in 1848, located at Fox Lake, and 
engaged in mercantile Inisiness ; removed to Melrose in 1859, and carried on hotel and lumber lousi- 
ness for seven years : then went to Sparta and engaged in the mercantile business for several jears, 
since which time he has been farming in La Fayette, four and one-half miles from Sparta, Charles, 
the suliject of this sketch, remained with his parents until 1875, then became connected with the 
railroad eating-house at Sparta, remained there one year ; since that time, until Jan. 12. 1880. with 
W. D, Fox in tlie Corning House at Portage, and at present with A. E. Smith in the same house. 
He is a nu'mber of the A. 0. U. W. Mr. Foster's mother was a native of Great Bend. Penn. 

JOHN FOSTER was born in County Antrim, Ireland, >Iarch 16, 1820 : came to the town 
of Jackson. Washington Co., N. Y., in the spring of 1847 ; lived there until the fall of 1850, then came 



S5'.>8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

to Buttalo. .Marquette Co.. Wis., and engaged in fanning, dealing in ive stock, butchering, etc.; 
resided tiiere until the fall of lytllt. then came to Portage in the fall of 18(iil ; in the spring of 1870, 
eonnnenced dealing in general produce and dressed meats for the mining regions of Wisconsin and 
.Michigan, which he discontinued six or seven years ago; he has been dealing in live stock since 
1S70. which business he still follows, also extensive dealer in wool : while a resident of Buffalo, 
was Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. Mr. Poster was married in Portage. May 2, IStil. to 
Margaret (ialloway, a native of Fyfeshire. Scotland; they have three children — James A.. Jennie 
H.. (leorge G. 3Ir. Foster and his partner, Mr. Keid. own a large ranch in Saline Co.. Xeb.. on 
which they have 275 head of cattle. 

W. D. FOX was born in Richmond. Ontario Co.. N. V., Dec. (!. 1824. and lived there until 
1843 ; then went to Black Rock. Erie Co.. N. Y., remained there until 1845 : then to Ohio near 
Wooster. Wayne Co.: came to Milwaukee in the spring of 1847, lived there a few months, then came 
to Watertown and lived two years, wliei'e he was engaged in the milling business : from M'atertown 
he moved to Kingston and c<intinue<l in the same business until spring of 1857 ; in May, 1858, came 
to Portage and engaged in the hotel business being virtually proprietor of the A'eeder House, hotel was 
burned two years later ; in April, 18()(l. went to Faribault, Minn,, September. 18G(). and took charge of 
the depot and eating-house, until it burned in the winter of 18(i2-(i3 : early in 18()8, took charge of 
the railroad eating-house and hotel at Milwaukee until 187(J, and was for a portion of the same time 
jiartner in the Plaukinton and Newhall Houses of Milwaukee ; alter returning to Portage in June, 1 870, 
lie took charge of the railroad eating-house and hotel here : in 1873. sold out the Milwaukee Cnion 
Hepot eating-house business : in 187(l.opened the Corning House, remodeled it and ran it until he sold 
it to A. E. Smith. Jan. 1.1880 : he took possession of the Cameron Hou.se at La Crosse. Wis., March 
1. ]88(». which he now conducts : he owns and runs seven farms in .Martin and Faribault Cos., Minn. 
Married in Fond du Lac. Dec. 10, 1855, to Alvina Smith, daughter of Asa Smith, who settled in Fond 
du Lac in an early day. Mr. A. Smith died in St. Paul three years ago : Alvina Smith was born in 
Manstield. Ohio. Mr. F, is the son of (Jeorge and Hulda (Sheldon) Fox ; both parents died in New 
York State at Richmond : they have one child, Hattie M.. now attending Bishop Whipple's school 
at Fariliault. .Minn. 

MISS DOKA FKl'SiD, pastry cook at the Corning House: was born in 1857, in Ger- 
many ; came to I'niteil States in 18()5, Her parents are farmers. She has worked out since she 
was 14 years of age. and has been in the hotel nearly four years. She is a Methodist. She is 
responsible for the " jjies and things" which are •■taken" so freely from the tables of the Corning 
House. 

\VILliI.4M FULTON was born in Keighley. Yorkshire. England, May 12, 1843: edu- 
cated to the drug and grocciy liusiness in Skipton, England; came to America Feb. 22, 18(5(5. and 
to Wisconsin same \ear, and located in Portage about March 1, 186(5. For some time after coming 
here, was employed' by the ('.. M. & St. P. R. R, Co.; clerked for N. H. Wood & Co.: also for John 
Fulton: purchased present business Dec, 2(>, 1872, with Alex Thompson; buying Thomp.son out 
in 1880. he has since carried on the business alone. Was married Jan. 22, lS(iO, in Waukesha Co,, 
Wis., to Agnes T. .More : she was born in Glasgow. Scotlan<l. They have two children — Agnes .V.. 
aged 1(1 years, and Mary H.. aged 5 years. .Mr, and .Mrs, F, are members of the Prcsljyterian 
Church, and .Mr. F. belouiis to the Temple of Honor. .Mr. l'"ult<in carries on the business which was 
originally established by T. .M. .McMillan. 

J.4MFiS FYFE, born in Scotland .Vug, 8, 1837; came to .\merica in 1854, and h)cated 
in Chicago, where he remained until 18(i0 ; then going to Davenport. Towa. where he was employed 
in the C, R. L & P, H. K. shr)ps (then the Miss. «fe Mo. R, R, Co.) From Davenport, he went to 
Bloomington, HI., working for the C .\, «& St. L. R. R. Co.; then returning to Chicago in 1804, and 
remaining there until 1805, when he came to I'ortage, where he started a general jobbing and repair 
shop (iron work) : commenced the manufacture of plows in the fall of 1877 : his step-son is at pres- 
ent associated with him in business. .Married .Clarion Crow at ])avenport, Iowa, .Vug. 22, 1800 ; she 
was born in Dumfriesliire. Scotland. They have four children — George C,, Fannie McD,. Marion C. 
and James J.,.; ^Irs. Fyfe has a son by a previous marriage — John C. .\nder.son. Mr. F. has been 
Sui)ervisor of Second Ward, and City Engineer ; he is a member of the A., F. & A. 51.. and is also 
Secretary of the Curling Club. 

STEPHEN P. WAfirE (deceased) was born in Vermont in May. 1813: he removed to 
Pennsylvania at the age of 14. He was married. Jan. 1, 1834, to .Miss Lavinia Maria Baird, of Craw- 
ford Co.. Penn.. who was born in Massachusetts in 1814. Mr. Gage was a successful farmer, and a 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 899^ 

natural racfbanic ; he lived on the old homestead in Crawford Co.. Penn., till November. 1858. when 
he sold out. came ^^'est, and liought a tarm in Medina, where he lived two year.s, and then rented 
the farm and liegan hotel life : in 18(j(l. he was keeping hotel at Beaver Dam, and afterward was 
four years at the •• Blue Tavern," in Scott Towilship. Dodge Co., Wis ; they had large patronage 
from the line of stage coaches running between Portage and Beaver Dam — was often called upon 
during the night to get supper for as many as thirty teamsters and travelers ; in 1805, he exchanged 
his farm for the City Hotel at Portage, which is now the property of Mrs. (rage. Mr. Gage dieil 
on l-ilst of May, 1873 ; at time of death had begun preparations to build a large brick hotel — much 
of the material being already on the ground ; a fire in 1877 destroyed the barn and a portion of 
the hotel ; by relniilding and repairing,' the property has been placed in better condition. Mrs. 
Gage and her son carry on the business. The hotel is favorably located, Iteing on a corner near the 
business center. She also owns ()<l acres of woodland. They had nine children — Wheeler W., Myron 
M., Richard, Julia (dead). William, Oliver, Stephen. Lavina and Lucy (dead). The family affiliate 
with the Presbyterian Church. 3Ir. (iage was Alderman at time of his death ; his neighbors speak 
of him as a good man in all thi' relations of life. 

C. R. CrALLETT was born in town of Benton. Yates Co., N. Y.. Jan. (1. 1883 ; lived there 
until 12 years of age, then moved to Petersburg. Rensselaer Co., N. Y.; remained there two years: 
then went to Penn Yan, N. Y.; after remaining there a short time, he entered Lima Seminary, at 
Lima, Livingston Co., N. Y.; after completing his studies there, he was engaged as a teacher' of 
pulilic schools of his native county ; came to Wisconsin in 1854 ; came to Portage in 1855 ; his first 
liusiness was surveying and engineering, which he followed until 1860, when he entered the mercan- 
tile establishment of N. H. Wood & Co., as clerk ; afterward with the firm of Wood, Loomis & 
Osborn ; in 1SG3, he commenced business for himself; member of the firm of Wood, Loomis & Co. 
about two years ; afterward N. H. Wood & Co., until 1869, Mr. Gallett being the only partner of 
Mr. Wood in 1869, when the present firm of Loomis, Gallett & Breese was formed. Mr. Gallett 
has given some attention to his farming interests since 1865. Married at Portage May 5, 1865, to 
Lydia V. Wells ; she was born at Pittsfield, Mass.; they have five children — Sarah, Henry W.. 
Anna, Robert M. and Charles H. Mr. Gallett is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., A. (). U. W. and A.. 
F. & A. M.; for two years he was President of the Curlei's' Club. He served as Bridge Com- 
missioner two years. Alderman several terms. Mayor three terms, memljer of the Assembly in 
1879; while he was Mayor he held positions as follows : President of the Portage Manufactur- 
ing Company, President of the Waterhouse ^Manufacturing Company, C. P. of the L (). 0. F. Encamp- 
ment, N. G. of L 0. 0. F. Lodge ; all these offices, together with his business interests, demanded 
more attention than it would seem possible for one man to devote to them, but in every position to 
which Mr. Gallett has been called, he has been found capable of discharging the duties thereof sat- 
isfactorih". 

GEORGE IV. GATES was liorn in Portage Sept. 18, 1852 ; son of John and Almira 
(Austin) (rates ; his father died here Aug. 2, 1872 ; mother now resides in this city ; father carried 
on the gi'ocery an<l livery l)usiness ; he came to Portage in the spring of 1851 ; when he first came, 
he carried on the dry-goods and grocery Inisiness for a time. He also held some positions of trust — 
Assessor, etc. George succeeded his father in business ; was in the grocery business for two years 
and sold out. and has since continued in the livery business. 

FERDINAND GERSTE\KORN, blacksmith, in machine-shops of C, M. & St. P. 
R. R., at Portage ; born Jan. 1, 1S35, in Germany ; served an apprenticeship in the old country and 
reached the United States in 1854 ; spent a year and a half in Milwaukee ; then in fiiU of 1855 
went into the employ of old Horicon Railroad, at Horicon Junction, under foreman Alexander 
Thomas ; in summer of 1861, began work at ^lilwaukee, for C, M. & St. P. R. R.; in January. 
1S66, was transferred to Portage, Ed. Kilbridge being in charge ; and through all the changes of 
administration, he has remained continuously to date. He was married at Horicon on June 13. 
1858, to Miss Bertha Jesse ; have buried four children ; tlu-ee are living — Earnest, born in 1862; 
Bertha, born in 1866 ; Paul, born in 1873. Since 1859, he has been a member of the I. O. 0. F.: 
has a fine brick residence. No. 444 Wisconsin street. 

B. F. GOODELL was born in Ashtabula Co.. Ohio, July 12. 1843 ; when about 7 years 
of age, he removed with his mother to Manjuette Co., Wis., where lie was married. May 16, 1865, to 
Mary L. Waldref ; two children have been born to them — Mary A. and (Juy F. Mr. Goodell has 
been in the newspaper business for many years, being now one of the proprietors of the Wisconsin 
State Rcf/ister. 



900 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

PHILIP GOODMAN, dealer in read}--made clothing and merchant tailoring ; was born 
in Bavaria Feb. 2. 184(3. and came to America in IStil to Pontiac. Mich., where he remained only a 
short time, moving to Port Huron, where he lived one year : he then wont to Rochester, X. Y., where 
he remained three years. Married Sarah X. Cardoza in Rochester in 186(5 ; she was l)orn in Lon- 
don, Enijland ; thev liave two sons — Morris W. and Louis. 

DARIL^S A. GOODYEAR was born in Sopronius. X. Y., Aug. 9, 1822 ; is the son of 
John and Julia (Bradley) (loodycar ; when an inlaut. his parents removed to (Jenesee Co., X. Y.. 
near Batavia : lived there only a year or two, when his parents died, anil the chililren were taken 
back to Cayuga Co., where he remained until about (i years of age, then to Chemung Co.; remained 
in that county two years, when he went to Ft. Defiance. (Jhio. where he remained until a lad of about 
15 years of age ; during the next five years, was in Brooklyn- and Xew York City most of the time 
up to 1841 ; was employed as clerk and collector for a large lumbering and commission house. In 
the year 1846. he engaged in business with his brother-in-law. C. C. AVaterhouse (lumber-yards in 
Brooklyn and commission house in Xew York). Mr. Goodyear took charge of the lumber-yard in 
Brooklyn, and continued'there up to the time of coming to Portage ; in the spring of 1858. engaged 
in the lumlier business, and has continued in it ever since, manufacturing now at Mather, or (jood- 
year's Jlills. He is tiie owner of large tracts of pine lands in this State. Mr. (}. has been engaged 
in the lumber trade most of the time alone ; his son. Charles A., is now associated with him. and has 
been since 1S76 in the mercantile business, which has been carried on in connection with his mills ; 
manufactures aniuuilly between four and five million feet. Mr. (I. was married at Johnson's Settle- 
ment, near Havana. Schuyler Co.. X. Y.. in the spring of 1848. to Mary Ann Waterhouse ; she died 
in Brooklyn Dec. 7. 1849. leaving one son — Charles A., born Sept. 22. 1849 ; present wife was Sarah 
Holmes, married near Ithaca. X. Y., April 16, 1851 ; she was born in Solon, Cortland Co.. X. Y.. 
daughter of Linus and Jlary (Lindsey) Holmes ; her father now resides with them ; he is a native 
of (Jolerain. Mass.. and was born in 1797 ; her mother died in September. 1877. aged 81 years. 
Charles A. married Fannie, daughter of Alva Stewart. Sept. 11. 1872 : they have three children — 
Alva, born April 18, 1875 ; Mary Bell. Sept. 19. 1877. and Ella Josephine, born at Tomah Feb. 28. 
1880. .Mr. (ioodvearhas made two trips to California. He has been Alderman one term. 

HOMKRS. GOSS, a native of ^'ermont ; born in Randolph. Orange Co., \t., Xov. 3<t, 
1838, and remained thereuntil coming to Portage in April, 1861, and engaged in clerking for (). 
Ward in the dry-goods liusiness : remained witii him a year and a half; afterward with A. D. Forbes, 
dry -goods merchant, also remaining with him a few months, when he engaged with Miles & Co., and 
their successor, John (h'aham, where he still remains. ^Ir. (i. is a member of the A., F. it A. 31. 

JAMES GOWRAN was l>orn in Ft. Ann, Washington Co.. X. Y., Oct. 18, 1883. and 
resided there until he enlist.'d in the 16th X. Y. Heavy Artillery, Co. I, at Troy, X, Y.. Sept. 7, 1864 ; 
was mustered out of the 1 ■nited States service at Alexandria, Va., Aug. 1, 1865. and out of State 
service at Harts Island, near Xew York City, same month ; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1S65. 
locating on a farm in the town of Xew Haven. Adams Co., when he came to Portage ; was in 
business one year with H. O. Lewis, and in trade by himself for last six years, selling agi-icultura! 
ini|ileuients. .Mr. (i. was married at Ft. Ann, April, 1856, to Mary Ann Stephens; they have two 
children — Edward A, and Carlton C. Mr. G. is a charter member of the Temple of Honor and of 
the A. O. r. W. 

ROBERT GRACE, passenger engineer. C, M, & St. P. R. R. ; born in Hyde Park. 
Dutchess Co.. X. Y.. in July. 1841; he is a son of Patrick and Catherine Grace ; his lather was 21 
years and 6 months in the em|)loy of one man. James H. Wilkes, in Dutchess Co.. X. Y.: Robert is 
one of a fiimily of sixteen children, of whom fifteen were lioys; only three are now living — Joseph. 
Oliver and the subject of tiiis sketch : he came West in the fall of 1855 ; began working for the rail- 
road company, in 1857. as engine wiper, then as fireman, and. since 1864. as engineer. Was mariicil. 
June 15. 1868. to Miss Louisa Dall ; she is a native of Wisconsin, and was twelve years chief din- 
ing-room girl at Fox's Hotel, in Portage ; have four children — Willie, born 1870 ; Oliver, 1875 ; 
Myra L.. 1877. and Horace (ireeley. 1880. He is an earnest and consistent Temperance man ; was 
a leading organizer, and is a loyal supporter of the Headlight Temple of Honor, Xo, 163. in Port- 
age ; he owns a neat lirick residence near the depot. 

JOHN GRAHAM, a iu»tive of Scotland, son of Alexander and Jane (Duncan) Graham ; 
his father was born at Mulbirn, parish of Skerlig. county of Peeliles. Scotland. March 22. 180(i. died 
May 16. 1850. dying on his passage to this country ; his mother was born April 1. 1805. at Fordal. 
parish of Xew Battle. Scotland, and is still living and resides here. The subject of this sketch was 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 903 

liorn in Edinburgh. Scotland. Api'il 14, 1833; came from Europe to Portage in the 3-ear 1850; 
was employed at Ft. Winnebago in the post office for a short time ; afterward in, the employ of 
Samuel Edwards as clerk ; in the fall of 1856. he commenced liusiness for himself — drugs and gro- 
<;eries — under the firm name of Jliles & Co., W. K. Jliles l)eing his partner ; they continued business 
together until the time of Mr. M.'s death, which occurred in 18(i7, since then Mr. Graham has been 
in business alone ; he has one brother, James T., who resides at La Crosse. Wis. Mr. (Graham 
married Fannie M. J^dwards, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. G. has Ijeen Alderman of Second Ward 
several years ; Mayor one term, SujK'r\'isor, etc. JIeral)er of A., F. & A. M. Lodge and Episcopal 
Church. 

ALiPHEUS S. CirRBIiilV wa.s born on the Atlantic Ocean, twenty-seven miles from Boston, in 
American waters. Nov. 8, 1812 ; son of Wells and Alngail (Ballard) Green. nati-\-es of London. pjUgland ; 
they located at Gill, Mass., where they resided twelve years ; removed to Utica, N. Y.. remaining 
there four years ; then to Rochester. N. Y.. resided there eight years ; removed to Buffalo, where 
they resided ten 3'ears ; came from Buflalo to Portage, Wis., in 1852. where they have lived ever 
since. Mr. G. learned the liaker's trade in Utica. and after coming to Portage worked one year for 
others, then commenced business for himself, which he carried on for five jears ; afterward served 
as Deputy Sheriff, two years under Robinson, two years under E. F. Lewis, and as Deputy ^larshal 
for one year under Daniel Gindner ; returned then to New York for ten months, but during the last 
seven years has Ijcen night watch. He was married at Utica. N. Y., Nov. 20, 1834, to Mary A. 
Jaques, born in Oneida Co.,, N. Y., in 1814 ; thej- have had three children, one of whom is living — 
Marv Jane, now Mrs. John Brown, of Portage. 

'LUCIUS E. <i}REElVLEAF was born at Elyria, Ohio, Dee. 8. 1843 ; in 1845, he came 
with his parents to Markesan. Green Lake Co., Wis.; remained there one year; at ^Manchester one 
year ; Kingston two years : Marquette two years, and then returned to Kingston, where the family 
resided twenty years ; his father, Alltert (Treeuleaf resides at Kingston ; his mother. Mary Green- 
leaf died at Chicago in 1873. Mr. G. was in the employ of the American Express Co.. at Milwau- 
kee and elsewhere, thirteen years ; engaged in dry-goods business at Kingston from ISGOto 1871. and 
since 1878 has resided in Portage ; at present with Schulze Brothers, hardware dealers: while in 
the emplo}' of the American Express Co., Mr. G. was at Hannibal, Mo., Quincy, 111.. Kansas City, 
^[o.. and in other places, many years acting as route agent for that company. He was married at 
Randolph. Columbia Co., in 1870, to Isabella, daughter of George B. and Cynthia AYilliugton ; they 
have four ehil<lrcn — JIary Belle, Jennie, Samuel George and Lucius Alljert. 3Ir. G. is a member of 
the Odd Fellows' Lodge at ^lilwaukee. 

REV. (j^EORUE P. GUILD, A. M., Pastor of Baptist Church, Portage ; was born in 
.Vmherst, Mass,, Jan. II), 1832; he was born totally l)lind. His father, George Guild, was the first 
architect and builder who settled in Milwaukee ; in 1835, he built the first church in Milwaukee, and 
was killed by accitlent in 1842. while building the First Unitarian Church, on Spring street ; in June. 
1843, his mother died, leaving six children, all of whom were provided for except the "blind l)oy ;" 
•■ noliody wanted him ; " liy earnest personal eftbrt and the aid of a few friends, he secured a place 
in the Institution for the Blind, in New York City, where he remained six years, leaving in 1850 ; that 
year, at the Eye Infirmary, he had performed an operation for an artificial pupil, which resulted in giving 
partial sight to one eye ; he graduated from Shurtleff College, at Alton, 111,, in 1850, and immediately 
settled as Pastor of the Union Baptist Church, at Jersey ville. 111.; he remained five years in that 
place, and was then five years Pastor at Waverly, and afterward two j'ears in Jacksonville, followed 
by three years at Pittsfield, 111, ; he was four years agent for the American Printing House for the 
Blind, after which he was Pastor five years at Ahnapee, Wis.; in ^lay, 1878, he became Pastor of the 
First Baptist Church of Portage. He was married June 30, 1859, to Miss JIary 3Ioore, of Jersey- 
ville. 111.; the widowed mother, Mrs. Hannah Moore, aged 75, is a member of the famil}', and an 
example of Christian serenity, 3Ir, (luild has two children living — Leah and Betsey — and one, 
Jesse, died in childhood. He was a member of the first llepulilican State Convention ever convened 
in America, which was at Madison. Wis., in 1854 ; his only political speech was at Upper Alton, 
in 1850, when Republicanism was dangerously unpopular ; he was acquainted with Al>raham Lin- 
coln ; was one afte.inoon driving slowly past Lincoln's home, who hailed him and intpiired who he 
was searching after ; the reply was. " a Baptist Deacon ; " to Lincoln's inquiry of what they were 
good for. Guild said it was their duty to keep the preacher over night, and take care of his horse ; 
Lincoln says, '-I'll be Deacon," and suiting the action to the word, liegan unhitching the horse, and 
both preacher and horse were welcome for the night ; years afterward, at the White House, in 

HH 



904 BIOGRArHIt AL ><KET(1IE>: 

Washiiiiiton. Mr. (liiild I'lilU'il to pay his respet'ts to the Chief Magistrate, and Lincohi. in.stantly 
rememheriii'; tiie incident, asked. -AVell. Klder. have you found a Deacon yet?" Mr. (iuihl is an 
earnest temperance advocate : while in Jerseyviile. he was County Commissioner of Schools ; during 
his pastorate he has built six churches, and baptized fully one thousand persons ; like all the blind, 
his touch is exceiMlinuly delicate — he will easily read his Bible througii eight folds of handerchief ; 
one eye is still in darkness, and the other very dimly reveals the outer world, but happy sunshine 
<lwells ever in tiic inner world, lit bv the smile of (jod. 

«EX. .lOSHLA J. GI'PPEY. of Portage, was born at Dover. N. H.. Aug, 27. 182{»: 
graduated at Dartmouth College. Class of ]S48 : was Captain of the college military company ; was 
admitted to the bar at Dover. N. II.. in April. 1840 : settled in Wisconsin, at Columbus. Columbia 
Co.. in the fall of l.S4(;, and commenced i)racticing law : was api)ointed Colonel of the militia of 
Columbia Co,. Feb. Ci. 1,S47 : was appointed Judge of Probate Sept. 2!'. lS4!t ; was elected County 
Judge in Sept. 18411. for four years from Jan. 1. 1S5(I ; removed from Columbus to Portage in 1S51 ; 
was re-elected County Judge in 1S5H. for four years from Jan. 1. 1854 ; was Superintendent of the 
public schools of the city of Portage, from 1S5S to IStil : was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of 
the Kith W. X. I.. Sept. 13. 18(il.and was in active service as such thereafter until July 25. 1862. 
when he was promoted to Colonel of the 28il W. V. I., and held that position till the end of the war. 
He participated in the first assault on "\"icksl)urg. in I)ecember. 18(52. and took part in the capture 
of Fort Hindman. Ark., and all the important battles around Vicksburg which resulted in the cap- 
ture of that stronghold : his regiment was then transferred to the Department of the (rulf and while 
in that department, on the od of November. 18(i:5. at Carrion Crow Bayou. La., he was wounded and 
taken priscmer. but was exchanged in a short time ; he was breveted Brigadier (Jeneral from INIarch 
IS. 18(i5. -for gallant and meritorious services during the war." In April. 18(;5. while absent in the 
military service, he was re-elected County Judge for four years, from Jan. 1, lSli(J. and has held 
that office ever since by successive elections, his present term closing Dec. 31. 1881. In 1S(){). he 
was again elected Superinten<lent of the public schools of the city of Portage, and held that office 
by successive elections till 1871!. 

CHARLES HAERTEL, son of Charles and Barbara Haertel. was born in Portage May 
C. isoo ; lirought up in the l)rcwing business with his father, whose family consisted of four girls 
and one son — .Margaret, now Mrs, F'red W, Schulze: Lizzie, now Mrs. Jacob Best; Mary, now Mrs, 
Fred C, Starke, of Milwaukee ; F]mnia and Charles. The subject of this sketch. ^Ir. H., is a mem- 
ber of the Turners Soeietv ; also ot' the Hook and Ladder Companv, 

MRS. MARIA. P. HASKELL, widow of Hon, H. S. Haskell, whose extensive 
biography appears in this volume, in the list of the •■ Illustrious Dead" of this county. She is the 
daughter of Sayles and Hannah (Hubbard) Ilawlev. of Vermont, and a native of Waterbury, same 
State ; she was educated in the iniblic schools of her native town, and in the Academy at Mcmtpelier. 
\t. Her fir.st husband was William Pride, who died of consumirtion in 184(). leaving one daughter 
— Martha M.. who married Kmmons Taylor, of Portage: both the daughter and her husband are 
now dead. Mrs. H. was married in 1850 to ;\Ir. II. S. Haskell, and soon after they removed to 
Columbus, where he practici'(l law nearly four years : previous to marriage, he had studied one year 
in the law office of Judge Nogglc. and had previously read, one year, in the office of Ex. (iov. DilHng- 
ham ; he was a law partner of Judge (Juppey. By her last marriage she had two children, both of 
whom died in infancy. ^Ir. Haskell died Feb, Ki. 187!t. She has no blood relatives in Wisconsin ; 
she lives in her fine brick residence, on Howard street, which was erected by her husband not many 
years before his death : she is a member of St. John's Kiiiscopal Church in Portage ; she is a lady 
of culture and refined tastes, also of a (juiet. retiring disposition, and. while attractive socially to 
friends, she is. uevertheless, more thoroughly attached to home than to society. 

(jEO. E. HELMAXBJ was born in Prussia. (Jermany. Feli. 2(i. 18o7 : came to Portage. 
A\'is,, in April, ]8r).3 ; engaged in carpentering for a few years : then clerking, until he commenced 
the grocery l)usiness, in which he has continued for the last filteen years. Mr. Helmann was 
married, in Portage, to Johanna Schwartz, a native of Prussia, They have seven children — fieorge, 
Lizzie, Willie, Anna. Kmma. Otto, and an infant son. Mr. H. has been a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows Lodije. 

VALENTINE HELMANN, Ixirn at Smalcalde (now Prussia). Sept. 2!l. 1831 ; came to 
America Aug. 1. 1S47. landing at New York City: came to Kichwood. town of Shields. Dodge Co.. 
with his uncle. Sept. 15. 1S47 : came to Portage May Id. 1^5(1: worked at the carpenter's trade 
most ol'the time, until the spring of 18(i4. although he engaged in insurance business in 18C3 ; he 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 905 

served as Justioe of the Peace several years ; in the spring of ISlU. lie was elected City Clerk ; 
again elected to that position in 1874 : spring of 1875, once more electeil Jnstice of the Peace; 
elected City Clerk in 1870 and 1877 ; City Treasurer from 1878 to 1880. .Married at, Portage. Nov. 
2. 1851, to Margaret AVard : she died April 8. 1873. leaving nine cliildren. all now living — George 
P., Wm., John V.. Lawrence F.. Chas.. Lizzie, Henry. Katie and Anna. Married for second wife. 
Catharine Koljerstein. at Milwaukee. Aug. 2(1, 1875 ; she was born in Bavaria ; by tliis marriage 
there are two children — Rosa and Barliara ; Jlr. H. is a member of the Board of Kducation, from 
Fonrth Ward ; also a memlier of Leiderkranz Society. 

NICHOLAS M. HENRY, born on the Isle of Guernsey ^Murcli 1, 18:-]1 ; came to Port- 
age in l.SdtJ ; in 1807. he spent nine months at Oxford ; balance of the time has liccn engaged in 
flour, feed and grocery trade in Portage. He was married in New York City. July <i. 1808. to 
Caroline LePage : she was Itorn on the Isle of Guernsey Jan. 30. 1833. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Baptist Cluirt'li. 

WILLiIAll HESfSEL, wagon-maker, born in Schleswig. Germany, on the 1st of March. 
1835 ; he, with his parents, came to the Fnited States, and .settled in Milwanivoe. in 1840 ; in 1850. 
he went to California, and was with his uncle in business ; in 1859. returned, and lived in St. Louis 
till 1801. when he enlisted in the 2d Mo. X. I. ; was Sergeant of Company H ; served three years, and 
then. 1804. came to Portage. Was married. Oct. 4, 1805, to Miss Paulina Filterinan, (jf Portage ; 
had six children — Louis, born in 1807; Willie, born in 1800. now dead ; Henry, liorn in 1870 ; Sophia, 
born in 1872 ; Willie, born in 1874. and Lizzie, born 1870. and lately dead. He was Chief Engineer 
of the Fire Department four years, and .Vssessor two years ; belongs to ■ Ancient Order of Cnited 
Workmen," also to Independent Order of ( )dd Fellows : has been representative to the (irand Lodge 
and to the Grand Encampment of Wisconsin ; is partner in firm of Collins & Ilensel. wagon-makers ; 
business is prosperous. 

JOHN HETTINGER was b(jrn near Buftalo, Erie Co., N. Y.. Aug. 2, 1830 ; Nx'ated in 
Freeport, 111., in 1844 ; came to Portage, Wis., with his parents, Michael and Frances Hettinger. 
May 12, 1849; Mr. H. began hotel l)usiness in Portage, March 20, 1805, in whicli he has continued 
ever since ; also engaged in speculating in horses, real estate, etc. ; his father, Michael Hettinger, com- 
menced brewery business at Portage, in 1849, and continued it until his death. Oct. 20, 1802; his 
mother is still living, now Mrs. Zetz. of Freeport, 111. Mr. H. was married in Portage, April J22, 
1801, to Wilhehnina Eljerline, a native of Hesse-Darinstadt ; they have six cliildren living — Lizzie 
J.. Clara F.. Anna, Josephine, Minnie. Emma F. ; lost three sons — John, aged a little over 5 months ; 
one infant. Willie; Johnnie, aged less than 5 months. 

DRAYTON A. HILL.YER was born in Granby. Hartford Co., Conn., Dec. 21, 1840 ; 
came, with his parents, Andrew A. aiul Nancy llolcoml) Hillyer. to Portage. Wis.. Feb. 1. 1857; 
associated with his fatlier as clerk in tiie drug business, until the time of his father's death, Dec. 27, 
1862; he then continued the business alone until 1808; has not been engaged inactive business 
since; his mother is now a resident of Portage. Mr. H. was married at Green Bay, Wis., Sept. 21, 
1871, to Alice W. Hickox. born in Pottcrsville. Warren Co.. N. Y., daughter of llev. llickox. an 
Episcopal clergyman, who located in Wisconsin aliout 1857. ^Ir. H. is a meml)er of tiic three A.. 
F. & A. ;M. Ixidies here, and also belongs to the Milwaukee Consistorv, 

ED C HINMAN was born at Battle Creek, Mich., .March 1. iS52 ; received his education at 
Michigan University, graduating as civil engineer in January, 1874 ; appointed Assistant Engineer 
of Fox and Wisconsin Ili\ers improvement, and has lieen stationed here since Aug. 4, 1874. ]>Ir. H. 
was married at Ann Arbor. Jlich., Oct. 25, 1870, to Carrie L. Bisdon ; she was born at Ann Arbor ; 
they have one child — Gertrude B., born April 1. 1879. 

WILLIAM HOLDEN is a native of Rochester, England ; born Aug. 10. 1S29 : Uved there 
until he came to America, coming to Milwaukee in August. 1849 ; remained there until fall of 
1850, when he came to the town of Pacific, Columbia Co., and was occupied in farming there for two 
years; he then removed to Portage and worlvcd at wagon-making about three years, when he 
returned to his larm, where he remainetl until enlisting in Co. (i, 2d W. X. ].. .May 20. 1801 ; was 
in every liattle the regiment participated in until he was discharged. Feb. 24. lSt)4, on account of 
disability caused by ill-health ; entered the service as a private and was mustered out as First 
Sergeant of same company ; returning from the army and living on the farm a year, he then came 
to Portage; on account of illness, was not engaged in active business for a miml)er of years ; en- 
gaged in cabinet work for the last five years. Married in Wyocena ^March 10, 1851, to Harriet Ann 
Corsten ; she was born at Wrotham Heath, county of Kent, England ; she died Oct, 30, 1870 ; 



906 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

present wife was Mrs. Elniira R.. widow of John dates ; was married Sept. 2S. 1877; she was 
born in New York State. Mr. H. has two eliildren l)y adoption — Helen E. (Wright), adopted wlien 
an infont only 12 weeks old. and is now aged 23 years; Wni. Henry (Whitam). adopted when ti 
weeks oltl. and is now 15 years old. 

Jl'LIi:S ii. HOLSTEN, brakeman on freight. C. M. & St. P. R. R.: born in Cedarburg. 
Wis.. July 27. 1S51 : his parents moved to Portage when he was a child ; with the exception of three 
years spent in La Crosse, this has been his home ever since ; began as brakeman in 1808 on St. 
Paul road, and in fall of 1870, he got a train as conductor and run till 1877; then, as result of 
'•running against flags," he was set liack to braking, which he still continues. He was man'ied in 
September. i8(i,8. to >Irs. Minena A. Clemens, who was born in Burlington. Essex Co.. "\'t.. on the 
loth of Feliruary, 1848 ; she is one of thirteen children, eight of whom are living; they have no 
children. Charles V. Monroe is lier son by a former marriage : he works on the river; two of her 
brothers have been killed by railroad acc-idents. She is a Presbyterian ; they own property soutli 
of the canal, but live on Pe Witt street, near tiie St. Paul depot. 

R. E. HOLiSTOX. station agent. Southern Division of the W. C. R. R.. at Portage ; born in 
1840 in Wauwautosa. Milwaukee Co.. Wis.; lived in his native town till 18G8, tlien moved to Del- 
avan. Walworth Co.. where lie lived till 1874 ; most of his labors prior to this were on a farm ; in 
fall of 1874, began railroading at Elkhart Lake. Shelioygan Co.. Wis.; then to Saukville, Ozaukee 
Co.. in 1875; then to Westfield, Manpietto Co.. in 1877. and came to Portage in June, 1879 ; in each 
and all of these places he was the station agent. Was married in March. 1873. to !Miss Edith E. 
Barlow, of Delavan. Himself and wife are Baptists ; they have two children — Grace, born in 1S74. 
and Eugene. l)orn in 1876. Takes no active part in politics, but is a reliable Republican ; resi- 
dence is on Conant street. 

M. Hl^BER is a native of France ; l)oru in Alsace Sept. 28, 1835 ; came to New York City 
in 1854 ; connuenccd working at the business of linker in New York City ; ^May 11, of same year, 
came to Portage and engaged in the bakery trade ; erected his present hotel, eating-house and liak- 
ery on the same spot where he tirst located when he came here. ^Married in Portage, Sei)t. 9. 1858. 
to Dora Erhart ; she was born in Saxony ; they have six children — Sartdi. Emma M. C Georgi- 
anna, Charles T.. Samuel J. T. and Nellie May. Mr. Huber is a charter member of the tire depart- 
ment^ — diploma gi^•en him for serving his term of ten years as foreman ; he also is a member of 
A. 0. H. W. 

JOSEPH R. HUEBL was born in Austria, March 19, 1845 ; came with his parents to 
Portage. Wis.. July. 18(il ; was in the employ of the >L & St. P. R. R. Co. for four years, one and 
a half years with Charles Haertel, of I'ortage, brewer ; one year at Madison in a Ijrewery ; returned 
to the employ of Haertel ; afterward in the mills of Waterhouse, and also awhile with Wells & Craig ; 
Mr. H. went to Oregon, and remained one year ; returned and worked on IIk' Government impro\e- 
mentof the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers a short time. He was married in Portage in 18l!9, to Louisa 
Haertel, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt. They liave three children — loseijh. Charles R. and Eliza 
Mary. Mr. H. is a inemlier of the Lcidcrkranz Society. Father died in I'ortage. and mother is 
living with her son, J. R. He has held the oliice of Alderman, and was elected City Treasurer April 
li. ISSd ; lias been emploNcd in hardware store of AV. W. Corning for the last seven years. 

JOSEPH HI'EB\ER was born in Prussia Jan. 22.'^ 1845 ; came to America in 1871. 
and liveil in New (Jrleans. La., tliree years ; then came to Ciiicago for a few months. an<l in the sum- 
mer of 1 874 came to Portage ; has worked at the tailor's traile twenty-two years. JIarricd in Portage 
April 13, 1875. to Miss Helena Swanz ; she was born in Prussia. They have three children — Charles, 
born .Alarch 24, 1870 ; Mary, born Jan, 13, 1877, and Paul, born Nov. 8, 1878. Mr. H. is a mem- 
ber of I. O. O. F. Lodge and Encampment. He is now employed as cutter in the extensive tailoring 
estal)lishment of Ph. Goo<lman. 

MRS. MliVNIE L. HrRliBl'T, M. D., liorn Oct. 30, 1835. in Defiance, Ohio, daugh- 
ter of .Jacob and Minerva Kniss. Her father was a merchant. In 1853. she. with her parents, came 
to Wisconsin and .settled in New Lisbon. Juneau Co. She had enjoyed the advantages of the public 
schools in her native city, and afterwaril attended one year at Delton Academy in Wisconsin ; she 
taught the tirst school in New Lisbon. Siie was married on the 7th of Octolier. 1850, to Roderick 
W. Coe. of Delton. who died Dec. 15. 1857. She had. from early life, an aspiration for the medical 
profession, and nnich of her reading and study liad tliat end in view, several years before beginning 
her systematic course of pre|)aration. On tlie 2Uth of January. 1859. she was married to Hiram 
H. Hurlbut. of Delton. The^' have two sons — Wendell J'hillips. born Dec. 21, 1859, and John 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 907 

Fremont, born Sept. 29, 1861 ; W. P. is in Wayland Academy, at Beaver Dam, Wis., and the other is 
at home. Mrs. H. studied medicine three years in tlie office of Dr. Woodruff, of Lima. X. Y. ; she 
attended two fall courses of lectures at Hahnemann Medical College in Ciiicago. and graduated in 
1872 : she remained in the college as Assistant House Physician, and spent one season in hospital 
work. For nearly three years after graduation, she practiced her profession in Delton, and tlien 
located in Portage, where she has a well-estal)lished and increasing patronage. They have a spaci(jus 
home, which, in connection with their bathing estabHsUm^'ut. is known as the '■ Portage Sani- 
tarium ;" a few boartling patients are acccjmmodated : in 187S. they purchased and fitted, at the 
expense of SI. 000. the celebrated - ^loliere Thermo-Electric Bath ;" this, they claim, is the only one 
of the kind l)etween Chicago and San Francisco. Her husl)and. Hiram H. Hurlbut, is ((uite enthusi- 
astic in proclaiming the etticacv of these l)aths. and in their use he is said to be experienced and 
skillful : electricity is closely allied to life, and the specific virtues of this over the ordinary bath are 
unquestioned : the philosopliical construction and re\'ivifNing power of tliose baths are well attested. 
Mr. H.. who has chief care of them, is a man of diversified attainments, having studied music, medi- 
cine, theology and law ; he was born April 30, 1814, in LeRay. Jefferson Co.. N. Y. 

EVAN H. fIl.I4i}HES, merchant tailor ; was born in Bangor, Nortli Wales, June 19, 
1838 ; came to America in "Shiy. 1850. settling with his parents at Racine, Wis., where he resided 
seven years ; removed to Chicago for three years, and. after working in various places in Wisconsin 
and Illinois, came to I'ortage in ISlU. where he has been engaged in business for himself most of 
the time since. ;Mr. Hughes was married at Cambria. Wis. — where he resided one year — June 8, 
1801. to Sarah E. Roberts, born in Wexam. Xorth Wales. They have eight children — William, 
Minnie. Maggie. Walter. Fannie, Roltert. Byron and Sarah. Mr. H. is Senior AVarden of the A., F. 
& A. M. Loda'e. His parents. Evan E. and Mary Hughes, are living, and reside at Racine. 

JOf^E'PH HURST, round-house carpenter at Portage for the C, M. & St. P. R. R.: is of 
English parentage. l)ut was born in Ireland on Feb. I.), 1833 ; he came to the United States in 3Iay, 
1849, and served an apprenticeship as carpenter in New Haven, Cf)nn. ; after fi^'e years' service, he 
came to Portage in 1854, and has been in the employ of the railroad company ever since the road 
ran into this city. He was married Feb. 8, 1849 (when at the age of 10). to Miss p]lizabeth Board- 
man, who Was but 15 years old ; she is of Quaker parentage, but was born in Dublin, Ireland, 
They have had nine children, two died in childhood ; the living are named — Benjamin, who is a 
fireman ; (ieorge T,, an engineer : Aliigail IM., Joseph W., a fireman ; Hannah M., Fanny and John 
F. are in school ; the sons and daughters all live at home. Himself and wife are memliers of the 
Jipiscopal Church. While in New Haven, his main business was church building. He is a Royal 
Arch Mason. 

GEORGE C. JACKSOX, a native of New York State, was born in East Bloomfield, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 13. 1825. and lived there until 1846. when he went to Chicago, where he 
resided until 1850 ; he then made an overland trip to California, was there eighteen months, came 
back, only remaining three months, when he again went to California wliere he remained until 1854, 
working as overseer at Sacramento of a wagon manufactory and employed as general superintend- 
ent of the business : he then went to Orange, N. J., and went into wagon manufacturing for himself, 
selling his wagons to the California firm which he had been formerly connected with ; remained in 
(_)range two years, then lived in Newark six months, when he came to Wisconsin, locating at Portage in 
June. 1857. and engaged in his old business of manufacturing carriages, wagons, sleighs, etc., and 
is now engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. Married in Buffalo, N. Y,, to Rosina I. Day, 
she was Iiorn in p]ngland ; they have had nine children, six now living — James C., William H., 
Ella A., Charlotte "\^, Walter L, and Percy F. — lost three who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. J, 
and two daughters are members of the Baptist Church. 

OLE JOHNSON, son of John and Julia Johnson, was born in Norway, Sept. 5, 1854 ; 
came to Lewiston, Columbia Co., in 1809, where liis parents are farming ; came to Portage in 1873, 
where he has since Iieen engaged as salesman with Schumacher & Schulze. Jlr.Johnsonwas married 
at Lewiston. June 17. 1879. to Amelia, daughter of Andrew Jackson. Both are members of the 
Lutheran Church, 

SILAS S. JOHNSON, born in Boston. :Mass.. March 19. 1809 : when about 10 years old, 
went to Leicester. Addison Co.. A't.. with his parents. Silas and Abigail (Rhodes) Johnson ; resided 
in Yermont. two j'ears of the time in Montpelier. tlien returned to Leicester and kept hotel for a 
time until he came to Wisconsin in 1845. to Eagle Prairie. ^lilwaukee Co. (now Waukesha Co.), 
where he lived lor six years, then coming to Portage, where he engaged in blaeksmithing and the 



?08 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in.imilai'turiiiii of lireakiuii; plows : continued that Imsiiiess for six years ; during the next six veai-s, 
was rndc'V Shcritf. and at the expiration of tliat time, enfiaged in tlie t:rf)eory and provision trade, 
whioii lie still follows. .Married in Leieestc. Xovemlier. lS3ii. t<> Sarah T. Tower : she was liorn 
in Shorcham. Addison Co.. \'t.: have one .son. .Mliro S. 

MICHAEI^ R. K.4\'K. horn in Ireland Sept. 2!t. ISO.i ; came to New York in Septem- 
her. IS.Hd ; settled in ^Milwaukee in Sei)tenilier. isy>7. On the Stli of Septeniher. 1S37. he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Cox. of Pennsylvania, who is of Scoti-h parentage, lint was liorn in Armagh. 
Ireland, in 1S2II. .Mr. Kane ser\ed three years and six months in Co. !>. l!Uh W. V. I.; held rank 
of Sergeant ; he was commissioned lirevet Captain liy (rov. Lucius Fairchild. ■ for meritorious con- 
duct on the battle lield." on the 27th of .\pril. LSG4 : he was jailer of the first jail liuilt in Columbia 
Co.. and afterward was gate-keeper at Waupun Penitentiary. They had seven children, five of 
whom died in chililhood. and a son. James, ilied in St. Louis Xov. 23. 1S70. of intermittent fever, 
aged 23 years : one daughter survives, named .NIary .).. who is a native of Portage ; was educated 
in the public schools of Portage, and for several years has been an acceptable teacher in inter- 
mediate departments of the city schools. On the Stii of January. 1877. Mr. Kane sufl'ered a eom- 
l)'>und fracture of the leg as a result of a runaway accident. He is now at the Soldiers' Home in 
.Milwaukee. The family own a pleasant brick residence on Wisconsin street. Mrs. K. is an Epis- 
copalian. 

REV. THOMAS KEESfAN. born in County Tyrone. Ireland, .\pril 15. 1820: lived 
in Ireland until ]X4i. then emigrated to Philadelphia with frieuils ; received his education in part in 
the old country, studying mathematics, grammar. Latin, etc.. to some extent. Aftercoming to Phil- 
adelphia, was a stiKlent of IJev. P. Ratferty. a [)riest. receiving instructions from him for three years. 
Then entered the seminary of St. Cliarles Borrenea. located on Eighteenth street. Philadelphia ; was 
a student there for two years, but (jn account of ill-health! was compelled to leave the institution. 
.\t the solicitation of his friends, he came West (as he had acqiiired a thorough (iernian education) 
to this State in 1S52 : ordained for the Diocese of .Alilwaukee July I'.l. 1851. Prior to his ordination, 
since coining West, had been engaged in teaching and being taught. One of his teachers was the 
present Hishop of La Crosse. Attended lectures, studied theology and attended school while he 
remaine<l in .^lilwaukee. In 1855, he went to Brighton. Kenosha ('o.. and remained there a year 
and a half; from there, went to East Troy. Walworth Co.. staying there one year and a half when 
he removed to Oshkosh. where he remained nine years until coining to I'ortage in October. 18(i7. 
Has paid many of the debts of the numerf)us churches he has been connected with. Built the 
church at Omro and Payden ; commenced the church at Oshkcjsh. Had charge of a mission that 
now has nine priests. While at Oshkosh. in that city there are now three parish priests, when there 
were none there but him.self He now has several missions that he attends to — one permanent at 
Lodi. In 1871. he traveled over six countries of Europe — France. Belgium. England. Holland. 
Scotland an<l Ireland. His lather and mother. Patrick and Bridget (Owens) Keenan. came to Phil- 
adelphia in .\pril. 1.^47 : his father died in 1848. and mother in ]87(i. l)oth dvinu' in IMiiladelphia. 

AliO\%<> C. KEIiLOGCi was born in Clinton. Vermillion Co.."lnd.. July 8. 1S45. s(m 
of Orri.son and Theodosia Kellogg: he came with his parents to Calamus. Dodge Co.. Wis., in 1852 : 
received his medical education in Chicago, and engaged in the practice of his profession at Portage 
in 1S70. In 1875. lie was elected amember of the Democratic State Central Committee, and is still 
a member of that body : in 1877. he was elected Superintendent of City Schools, and still occupies 
that position. Tlic Doctor was married in this city to Harriet B. .Vckerman in SeptemVier. 1871 : 
she was born at Three Mile Bay. Jetferson Co., X. Y.; they have three children — .\lonzo F.. James 
liossiter and Harriet Ruth. Mrs. Kellogg, before marriage, was engaged in the Hungerford Colle- 
giate Institute at .\dams, Jetferson Co., X. Y.. as a teacher of oil painting, and afterward taught in 
the Wesleyan l''emale Seminary at Wilmington, Del. 

T. li. KEX^.AX^, attorney at law : was born in Morristown. St. Lawrence Co.. N. Y.. Feb. 
22. 1827. where he lived until the age of 20. when he went to Xorvvalk. Ohio, and studied law with 
his uncle. Jairus Kennan : came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1851. and located at Oshkosh: was 
admitted to the bar of Wisconsin Oct. 2.'i. 1S51 : removed to Portage abfiut Oct. 1. 1855. .Vt the 
breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted Aug. 22. 18(11, in Co. D. lOth W. V. I., and was cf>inmis- 
sioned First liicutenant. and recruited half of his company: resigned July 12. 18()2 : the follow- 
ing summer he was app(jintcil I)e|)uty Provost Marshal of Marquette Co.. serving until near the 
clo.se of the war. resided at Pewaukce about ten years : going then to St. Louis, where he was 
employed as general agent for the Xorthwestern Life Ins. Co.; then for a short time practicing 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 



909 



law there, and ivtiirniiig ajjain to Portage in JIarch. ISTo. He was married at N'ortli Fairfield 
Hnron Co., Oliio, Sept. 30, 1S50. to Loa Brown: she was born in Borodino. Onondaga Co.. X. V.; 
they have six children— K. Kent (a lawyer of .Alilwaukee). Chester T. (in college at Hipon). Loa B. 
(in\^ollege at Kipon), Mary B. (at home). Ciiarboth J. (at home) and Thomas L.. Jr. Thomas L. 
Kennan.^Sr., was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court Nov. (J. lS7(i. having been 
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin many years earlier, also to the United Dis- 
trict and Circuit Courts several years prior to 187G. 

FR.^\K KELM was liorn in Prussia April 2. 1835 ; came to America in October. 1S57, 
and lived in tlie State of New Voriv for nearly one year ; then came to AVisconsin. and lived in Osli- 
kosh and al.so in AVaupaca Co. until the war l)roke out. In the fall of lS(il. he enlisted in Co. C. 
nth \V. y. I., and ser\ed until the tall of IStU ; was in Co. A of some regiment for one year of this 
time ; he never went to the hospital, nor was he e\er absent from his regiment a single ilay. and par- 
ticipated in every V)attle they fought. After leaving the service, he went to Oshkosh and resided 
there until he came to Portage Sept. 29. ISlili. lie has Ijeeu connected with one lumlier-yard ever 
since coming here. He was married in Portage to Miss Wilhelmina Fischer ; she was born in Sax- 
ony ; they have two children — Lena and William. Mr. Kelm is a member of the Hook and Ladder 
Co.. and of the Leiderkranz Society. 

ANDREW KIEFER, the subject of thi.s sketch, was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, 
Germany, April 2S. \s:'M : came to Xew (Orleans Dec. 1. LS45 ; in February. lS4(i. went to Cincinnati. 
Ohio, where he learned his trade of Ijarber. remaining two years, when he returned to Xew Orleans, 
where he spent at portion of the time' for several years ; he then removed to St. Louis, and was 
engaged in business on l)oard ^lississippi River steamboats for three years. si)ending about seven years 
in the South ; he then lived for two and a half years in Buffiilo. X. Y.. prior to removal to Port- 
age. May 1. 185(i ; 3Ir. Kiefer has been engaged in present business ever since he came here. He 
was Akierman of the Fourth Ward in 18(i()-^(il ; City Treasurer of Portage in 1874-75 : connected 
with the Fire Department from its organization to the present time, and has been of material assist- 
ance in maintaining its etticieney. holding the office of Secretary for ten years. Secretary of the Hook 
and Ladder Co. since its organization ; President and Secretary of Leiderkranz Society several times ; 
Secretary of the German Cemetery Association since its organization. Mr. Kiefer was married at 
Watertown. Wis., to Henrietta Arenliurg ; she died July 14. 18(34, leaving two children — one now 
living, Andrew J., born July 20. 18()2 : lost one son, George Henry, born July 3. 18(54. died Sept. 
10. f870. His present wife is Wilhelmina Anacker. and was married Feb. 23. 1868. at Portage ; she 
was born in Hesse-Cassel. Germany : they have three children — Charlotte E.. born Nov. 1. 1868 ; 
Emma Louisa. Feb. 13. 1873. and Fred W.. Sei)tember. 1878. 

H. L. KIND was liorn in Prussia June 23. 1814: came to Chicago in June. 1854. and to 
Portage in September of that year ; he has lieen in the grocery business twelve years, but worked 
eight years in eleyators before going into Inisiness for himself Mr. K. was married first in (ier- 
raany. February. 1836, to 3Iaria Spangl)erg, who died in 1847 ; in June. 1848. he married 
Susanna Frederieka Kind, Ijy whom he had ten children : the children are all dead but Ida ; Mr. 
Kinds second wife died March 30, 1875, and he married his present wdfe, Henrietta Brick, Aug. 28, 
1875 ; she was born in Kolberg, Germany, and came to Milwaukee in 1849. and to Portage in the 
spring of 1855. Both are members of the German Lutheran Church. 

ALiOIS KLENERT, of the firm of Klenert & Son. was l>orn in Portage July 23, 185(); 
resided a short time in .Minnesota, but this city has been his home since the time of his birth : he 
is the son of Anton and Catharina Klenert. Alois was married in Portage Aug. 1. 1878, to 3Iary 
Wurst : she is a native of Austria ; they have one son, Fred, born July 6. 187!'. Mr. K. is a meni- 
mer of the I. ( ). O. F.. Leiderkranz and Turner societies. 

A. KOENIG, merchant tailor, and dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods : was liorn 
in Prussia, July 13, 1823: engaged in tailoring at the age of 15 years: caiue to Milwaukee in ■ 
1854, and to Portage in 1864," Mr. K. was married at Portage July 29. 1865. to Louisa M. Blass. 
who was born in Xew York City ; they have two children — Clara Augusta and Laura Louisa, 

CirEORGE KRECH, a native of (iermany. liorn in Saxony, Oct, 8, 1838 ; came to Xew 
York City, landing there Oct. 7. 1857 : came directly to Beloit : resitled there four years, then came 
to Portage, and has been engaged in the butchering business since the fall of 18(il : was dealing als(j 
in stock for several years ; at present not engaged in that Inisiness. Marrietl Catherine Dunnan in 
Portage. June. 1866 : they have one child. Kittle. 



ftlO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

OTTO KKISCH, lioin ill Boliomia. Oct. 4, 1831 ; cixiiK- to America in the latter part of 
SeiJteinlier. 1S54. and in Xoveralier of same year eame to Portage ; commenced saloon business 
here in 1855 ; in 1856, he was employed by Charles Haertel. and remained «ith him two years and 
two months : since then he lias been in business for himself. Mr. K. was elected City Treasurer for 
two years. 1870-71. Was married to Madeline Sihliss in Portage, Feb. 7. 1857 ; she was liorn in 
Kleinwetzheim. Hesse-Darmstadt, ffermany ; they have four children — Alois, Anna, Ida and Otto. 
Mr. K. is a meinlier of the Lciderkraii/C and A. (). I'. W. societies. 

MRS. JIARV .1. LA KOWE, ncc Bryce. was born Jan. 5. 1834. in Albany. Oswego Co., 
N. Y. Mrs. La Rowe was born Aug. :i, ISHl. in Amwell. Hunterdon Co.. N. J.: the family came West in 
1848 ; before her marriage, she taught school several years in Columbia and Manpictte Cos. She was 
married Aug. 14. 1854. to S. Hamiltnu La Kowe. of Kingston. Marquette Co.. where he was engaged 
in general merchandizing ; he removed his business to Portage in 18(i2. and kept the express office 
in connection with his mercantile liusiness ; he died in 1808. leaving three cliil(h-en — 8. Hamilton, 
born Feb. 5. 185(5. in Kingston; ^[arv Estelle. born at Kingston Dec. l(i. 1857. and Frank F.. born 
on ]>ec. 25 (Christmas). 18(17 ; the oldest son has bought land and is fanning near Sioux Falls. 
Dak.; the other two are at lK)me. The family attiliated with the K|)iscopal Church ; she still owns a 
pleasant home on Conant street, but has disposed of ail other real estate ; she is the daughter of 
■T'ncle .\rcliie Brvce." of Portasje. 

JAMES M. LAWSOiV was born at (ilasgow. Scotland. March 28. 1849 ; came to Amer- 
ica with his parents in 1852 and located in Packwaukee. Marquette Co.. Wis.; in 1808. moved to 
Kingston, (jreeu Lake Co.: two years later moved to Washington. Mich., where he was general sales- 
man for the Washington .^Iining Co.; six months afterward, moved to South Saginaw. Mich., where, 
for three years, he was book-keeper, general salesman and paymaster; came to Portage in 1873, 
where he has since been with Schumacher & Schulze. He was married to Sarah P. Smith, at Port- 
age. Oct. 11. 1870 ; she was born at Racine; they have one child — Fred S.. born Oct. 5. 1878. He is a 
memlier of the A.. F. & A. 'S\. 1 Hiring the past ten years. .^Ir. L. has been engaged in the fire-insurance 
business, representing five of the leading comjianies — Fire Association. Boston rnderwritcrs, St. 
Paul Fire and .Marine. Continental, of New York, and Westchester, of Xew York. 

AIjFREI) lee. carpenter : was born in London. Kngland. March 25. 1843: came to 
America in 1850. and located in Portage, where he has since residi'd ; he worked three years in the 
car-shops, and has followed carpenter work and lathing the balance of the time. He was married 
at Portage Oct. 24. 18()8. to Mrs. I". A. Harmon, liorn in (iermany ; she died Feb. 8. 1880, leaving 
one son — Frank T. W.. born Oct. 27. 18(i!t. .Mr. I^ee is a member of the 'SI. K. Church. 

PATRICK LEXXOX was born in County Armagh. Ireland. iSIarch 17. 1817 ; came to 
America and landed in New York City ; spent seven years in Upper Canada ; then resided 
at Crown Point. N. Y.. until he came to Wisconsin, in .Ahiy. 1840. locating on Sec. 31. town of Ft. 
Winnebago. Mr. L. was married at Crown Point. N. Y.. .Alarch 8, 1840, to Julia Rnddey. who was 
born in Ireland ; they have had ten children — Catharine, Terrence, John, Mary Ann. James. Mar- 
garet. Patrick and Kdward. now lining ; James, aged 1 year and 1 month, deceased ; Bridget, aged 
15 years, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fiennon are both memliers of the St. ^Mary's Catholic Church. 
Mr. L. was Town Treasurer of Fort Winnebago six years. Supervisor three years. School Director 
and Clerk of the School Hoard for severtil years ; he owns 240 acres of land — 200 on Sec. 31. town 
of Ft. Winnebago, the balance on Sec. 24. town of Lewiston. Ijcing still the owner of the land on 
which he first located in Columbia Co. ^ 

FRAXKIilN^ 11. LEWIS, lumlier dealer; was born in Hopkiuton. Washington Co.. 
R. I.. Jan. 0. 1S48 ; rainc to Wisconsin in the spring of ]8(i5. locating at Werner, Juneau Co.; was 
engaged in lumber liusiness. having his residence there until 1870. when he came to Portage ; since 
1872. has lieeii in business for himself manufacturing at Werner ; since coming to Portage in 1870, 
has continued his manufacturing at Werner ; he has large lumber-yards at Portage, and is owner of 
extensive tracts of pine lands on Yellow River. Wood Co. Mr. Lewis deals in salt, cement, sash, 
doors, lilinds. etc.. in connection with his lumber business. Was married in Werner. Juneau Co., . 
Sept. 17. 1874, to Miss Vir>rinia L. Bacon ; she was born in Lee. Penobscot Co.. Me. 

HEIVRV LITTLE was born in the t(jwn of (Jardner. near Augusta, Sle.. May 19, 1848 ; 
moved to Xew Ork'uns in 1S57. and attended school in that city until he came to Wisconsin with 
his father. William Little, to Fairfield. Sauk Co., in February, 1801 ; his father died there in 1863. 
Henry lived in Fairfield most of the time until he came to Portage in 1805. and was engaged in 
farming ; and since coming to this place has been engaged in the livery and omnilius business. Mv. 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 911 

Little iiKUTied M:irv Bolting, a native of Portage. Sept. 22, 18U5 ; tliey have Liad two children, one 
living. Heniy Wni.; lost one son. died in intancy. Is a memlier of the I. t). 0. F. 

R. J. LIjOYD, horseshoer and jobber ; was born in Wales in 18.39, and eanie to America 
in 1S4G. and settled in Oneida Co.. N. Y.. where he remained nine years ; in 1855. he uame to 
Oxford, Marquette Co.. where he lived till IStil!, when he located in Portage, which is still his home. 
On the 2()tli of May. 18(50, he was married to Miss Jane Watkins. formerly of Pennsylvania ; they 
have six children — William. Wallie. Robert. Lillie. Daisy and Lawrence. He has been proprietor of 
one shop ever since lie came to Portage ; he owns his shop on Main street, and his house on Conant 
street : employs one journeyman, and has a good run of patronage. Himself and wife are memljers 
of the First Presb_yterian Church of Portage. 

SAMUEL'S. LOCKHART is a native of Ayrshire. Scotland : son of John and Agnes 
Lockhart. who came to America with tlieir family in 1853. locating tirst at Williamsburg, L. I.; in 
1854. they removed to Caledonia in this county, locating on Sec. 3 ; they now live on Sec. 9, in the 
same town, engaged in farming. Samuel S. w^as born Nov. 20. 1850 ; he passed his early life on his 
father's farm ; attended the high school of Portage, where he graduated the summer of 1874 ; prior 
to this had attended the district school of his own town, and had also taught some ; his tirst graded 
school was at Pardeeville. where he taught the summer of 18T() ; in the fall of the same year, entered 
Randolph public school, and had chai-ge of that as Principal, until the summer of 1878 ; during 
vacations studying law in the office of James B. Taylor ; was elected Clerk of the Court in Novem- 
ber. 1878, which office he now holds. Married in the town of Randolph, March 29. 1879, to Hallie 
L. Marvin, daughter of Hon. G. G. Blarvin ; she was born in the town of Randolph. 3Ir. L. is a 
memlier of the A.. F. it A. M. 

ROI>NEV O. LOO.^SIS, is a native of German Flats, Herkimer Co., N. Y.; born Sept. 
•17. 1833 ; came to I'aciflc. Columbia Co.. Wis., in September, 1852. and has resided in this county 
ever since ; was employed in the store of N. H. Wood as clerk until 1857. when he became a mem- 
ber of the firm of Wood. Loomis & Osborn ; at the expiration of one year. Mr. C)sborn retired, and 
the Ijusiness was conducteil under the firm name of AVood & Loomis for one year : then the firm of 
N. II. Wood & Co. was formed, which consisted of N. H. Wood. R. O. Loomis. Geo. H. Osborn and 
Frank E. Wood ; in 1801. the firm name was again changed to AVood. Loomis & Osborn ; from 18(j3 
to 1.S65. the business was carried on bv Wood. Loomis & Co.. Jlr. C. R. Gallett becoming a memljer 
of the firm ; from 18(J5 to 18(37, the firm was N. H. Wood & Co.; in the spring of 18(i7. LI. Breese 
became associated with them, but the style of the firm name was not changed ; in 1869, the present 
firm of Loomis. (rallett & Breese was formed. Jlr. Loomis married Susan Wood, Sept. 8, 185G, at 
Dubuque, Iowa ; she died C)ct. 5, 1865, leaving two children; one. an infant eighteen months old, 
survived the mother Init a short time: one son. Fred W.. was born ]March 30, 1859. Jlr. L. was mar- 
ried the second time at Ly(ms, N. Y., to Isabelle H. Cole, Oct. 23. 1867 ; she was born in Lyons; 
there are three children bv this union — Isabelle Chester. Marv Emily and Frank Breese. 

JOSEPH LIIWWMw, born in Bohemia Dec. 25. 1825 ; came to America in 1848, worked 
in New York City from June to October of the same year, then came to Milwaukee ; December to 
May. worked in tannery ; in the spring of 1849, commenced liuying hides, wool. etc.. running a 
small tannery a short time liefore coming to Portage ; he learned the tanner's trade in Europe: in 
1851. he came to Portage and engaged in buying hides, which business he is still engaged in. l)esides 
carrying on the tannery ever since he came here : he commenced the boot and siioe business in 
1857. and has Ijeen in his present location since 1859. His present wife was Mary Rohn ; she was 
born in (Germany : they have five children, two girls and three lioys. Mv. L. has two daughters by 
a former marriage. 

ALEXANDER 3IfI)f>IVALI>, one of the four oldest settlers of Columbia Co.. was 
born in the parish of Kilmarnock, near the bridge of Spean. Inverness-shire. Scotland. April 23. 
1817 ; parents both McDonalds. Mr. McD. came to America in July, 1836. and for a year traveled 
in Canada and the I'nited States ; in 1837. engaged with the Government survey in Michigan ; in 
December. 1838, he came to Madison, Wis., where he was ill about a year; in June. 1839, removed 
to Ft. Winnebago, and was present when (fen. Scott had a conference with the Winnebagoes to 
induce them to remove to a reservation ; in 1840. he joined the (ioverninent survey in Wisconsin ; 
t«ok up 160 acres in Caledonia, a portion of which lie still (jwns ; was a contractor in the C. & N. 
W. Ry, at ■Tunnel 1. " and other points ; was Sheriff of Columbia Co. in 1851-52, and is now giv- 
ing his attention, in addition to carrying on his farm, to an agency for the sale of sewing machines. 
Mr, .McD. married in the town of York. Livingston Co.. N. Y., April 5. 1853, to Mary A. Crawford. 



yi2 HIOGHAPHKAL SKETCHES: 

born in Freedom. (';itt:iraugiis Co.. N. Y.. who ilied May -•!. 1S(!1. leavinjj: four eliililren — lane Kliz- 
abctli, horn Fel). !l, 1S.">4 ; James Alexanitor. Iiorn Xov. 11. 1S5() ; Mary Ann. liorn Feb. 14. 1850 : 
John C. born April 22. ISiil. Mr. .Mcl>. nianieil .^Iarl;aret Roljurtson. of Caleilonia. June 18. 1862: 
They liave tiiree ehildreii livino; — Jeanette M.. born Ai)rii It. 18(18; KHzalieth. born Jan. 1(1. ]8()5. 
and (ilengarrey W.. born l>ee. 2(1. 1872. and have lost two. >Ir. .^IeI)onald haife seen C'oliiniliia Co. 
and Wisconsin t-hanijed from an Indian luuitino triouiid to a cultivated, tliickly settled and wealthy 
State. lie was appointed by (iov. Dodue as Major of militia ; has lieen Supervisor and Chairman 
of the County Hoard : was proprietor of the Ellsworth, now Corninif House, for eight years. 

l>EWiTT C. MeWl'FFIK. express messenger between Portage and Ashland, on the 
Wis. Cent. K. K.: born in Lafayette. Wis., on the 15th of November. 1848. He came into Columliia 
Co. with his parents in 1853; they settled on a farm in Springvale. where they li\-ed twenty years : 
in 1878. they sold tlie tarm and moved into Rio. Devvitt began railroad life as clerk in station office 
at Rio. on the C, M. <& St. P. R. R.. in 1870 : he was express messenger in 1871 between Portage 
iind Horicon, and then he was two years at Portage as telegi'aph operator and express agent : he 
served a year and a half as engineer of a iiuartz-inill at Silver City. Xcv.: since fall of 187(). he has 
been express messenger on Wis. Cent. R. R. He was married on the 28tli of August. 187!'. to Miss 
Harriett S. Race, of Portage. He is a Republican. Li\es in brick house near 8t. Pa(d dejjot. 

1*. JlefwIXX «'as born in County Monahan. Ireland, in 182!t: came to America in 184(i : 
resided in \'ermont. New York. Ohio and California, prior to locating in Portage in 1857; was 
engaged in mining while in California ; learned the molder's trade in Vermont; began the grocery 
business in 1857. in which he has continued ever since. His present wife. Catherine (raffnev. is a 
native of East Canada. They have ti\e children — .Mary, aged 1 1 : Catherine, aged Id ; John T.. aged 
8 ; Margaret Celia. aged 7. and James, aged 4. Mr. anil Mrs. McOinn are both members of St. 
Mary's Catholic Church. 

"MICHAEL moKENXA, coppersmith, at Portage machine-shops of the ('.. M. & St. P. 
R. R. ; was liorn in January. 181S. in Dul)lin. Ireland ; served a seven-year apprenticeship in Dub- 
lin ; he came to the ruited States in 18411. and settled in Butfalo. N. Y.. where he remained five 
yeai-s. working at his trade ; then spent five years in l)etroit. and after that two years for M. C. R. 
R. at Marshall. Mich ; spent one year in Chicago, and located in La Porte. Ind.. where he remained 
eleven years in the employ of the .^I. S. R. R. : in fall of 1872. he came to Portage and began work 
for C, M. & St. P. R. R. Co.. and has been in their employ continuously to date. Before leaving 
Ireland, he was married. DecemVter. 1848. to Miss Mary Dolan. who died in 1878, leaving one 
daughter. Catherine IX McKenna. who is established as milliner and dressmaker on Cook street. 
Portage ; she also keeps a stock of fancy notions : she has ■ more than a dozen employes :" before 
starting her business this season, she made a visiting tour of England and Ireland. The family 
affiliate with the Catholic Church. He belongs to no society except the ■■ Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern Insurance .Vssociation. " He is the onlv coppersmith in the employ of the railroad com- 
pany at Portagi'. and is reported as a first-class mechanic. 

' D. A. jieKEXNEY was l)orn in Malone. Franklin Co.. N. Y., July 18. 1880 ; resided there 
until he was IS years of age, then came to Berlin, (!reen Co.. Wis.: remained there until he came 
to Portage in the fall of ISlil ; while at Berlin, he was employed as a clerk in a store ; after coming 
to Portage, he was in the photograph business until 1868, when he went to Washington. 1). C. where 
he remained until 18()4 — in the (lovernment service one year — connected with the construction of 
buildings there and in that vicinity. In lS(i4. he returned to Portage, and has been, most of the 
time since then, with P. S. Hollenlieck. furniture dealer, being employed as finisher and salesman. 
.Mr. McKenney was married at Berlin. Wis.. Jan. 1. 185!>. to Miss Elizal)eth Behan ; she was born 
in Syracuse. N. Y. They have tour children — Charles T., Wni. 1).. Clara and (rcorgc. 

FELIX MflilXDON, son of James and Sarah McL.. was born in the town of Annaloist. 
County .Armagh. Ireland. Oct. 81. 1812 : came to Peru. N. V.. in May. 1881 ; lived there six years, 
and in Franklin and Chemung Cos.. until the fall of 1845. when he came to Shullsburg. Wis., in 
April, 184it : moved IVfim there to Portage. ^Ir. McLindon has been engaged in various pursuits: 
was Postmaster of the Assembly in 1858: has l)een Constalde twenty-seven years. Justice of the 
Peace during the last four years: was Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly in 184!*. He was married 
in Peru. Clinton Co.. N. Y.. Jan. 28. 1888. to >Iargaret. daughter of Wm. and Elizabeth Watson, 
born in Scotland : she died Dec. Iti. 1877. leaving three children — Martha J., now Mrs. D. L. Beards- 
lev, of Odessa. Minn., born July 1. 1842: James, of La Crosse, born July lit, 1S44. who is an 
engineer on the Southern Minn. R. R.. and was married in September. 1874. to Ellen McLaughlin; 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 913 

Robert E., horn at Fort Winneliago, April 16, IH.')!. is an engineer on tlie M. & St. P. P. R., and was 
married June 2.'!. 1S79. to Teresa MeSorley. Mr. Meljindon was for several j-ears President of tlie 
St. Josepli's Total .Mistinenee Soeiety. and is now its A'iee President. 

JOHIV H. 91Ani>EN was horn in County (Jalway. Ireland. Aug. 25, 1.S3!) ; came witli 
his parents, Miehael and .Mary Madden, to America in 1847 ; located in Racine Co., resided there 
initii 1851, and then removed to Buffalo, Mar<inette Co. His mother died in ;\Iay. 1877 ; his father 
is now a resident of I'ortage. Mr. Ma<lden is carrying on iiis farm of 240 acres on Sees. 20 and 20. 
in the town of Buffalo, and is also engaged in the mercantile business at Portage. He was married 
in ;\Iontello, Marquette Co.. Wis.. Jan. 11, 1864. to Maria Eagan, a native of County Roscommon. 
Ireland ; her parents, who were old settlers of Columbia Co., now reside in Marcellcju. 'Sir. and Mrs. 
Gladden are memliers of the Catholic Church. Mr. M. was a meml)er of the Board of Supervisors 
for three years : als(j Roadmaster in the town of Buffalo. They have nine children — >Iary Ann. 
.Martin James. John. Wni. llenr\-. Catherine, Thomas Francis, IMargaret, Clara and Estella. 

TH03IAS €. llIAl>l>ElV came to Wisconsin, in ISfjO, with his father, Michael Madden, 
who located in Butlalo. .Maniuette Co.. Wis., and who is now living with his son, Thomas C. in 
Portage. Mr. Gladden was engaged in the dry-goods and grocery l)usiiiess at Lyons, Iowa, for nine 
years, from 1860 to 1860 ; enlisted in Co. K.lSth W. V. I., and served until discharged on account 
of disaliility caused \)y sickness ; ong'aged in farming from 1869 to 1872 ; traveling salesman three 
years ; in business at Portage one year; at ^Montello one year; then on a farm one ye.ar. Slv. Mad- 
den married Hellen Hendricks, who died in 187:^.. leaving one daughter — Mary Ellen. He married 
ills present wife. 3Iarv .\. Oa'le, a native of WLsconsin, Sept. 17, 187i). 

PETER E. MAHOIV, l>orn in Meath Co., Ireland, Dec. 4, 1846; canie to America with 
liis parents. Edward and Mary Malion, wlio settled in Milwaukee, where they resided six years ; 
came to Portage in May. 1855 ;' father died Jan. 31. 1871 ; mother is still resident of Portage. The 
subject of this sketch has worked at carpenter and .joiner's trade the past sixteen years ; is carpen- 
ter, contractor and builder. He was married in Portage, Jan. 24, 1876, to Elizalieth O'Brien ; they 
have two children — .Mary, born March 4. 1878. and Edward, born Nov. 15, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. 
^lahon are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. M. has been Chairman of the First Ward 
Board of Supervis(jrs three years, and is now serving his fourth year as Alderman of the same 
ward. 

DR. EDWIX C. MAIXE, homeopathic physician ; born in North Stonington, New Lon- 
<lon Co., Conn.. July 2(1, 1821 ; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1850 ; made it his home for a year 
and a half in Dane and Rock Cos.; in Madison foi' about four years ; came from ^ladison to Port- 
age in October. 1856 ; engaged in student practice with Dr. J. B. Bowen, at Madison, and ever since 
coming here has practiced houKcopathy strictly. I)eing one of the oldest physicians of that school in 
Wisconsin. .Alarried at North Stonington, June 13, 1852, to Ellen L. Wheeler ; she was born at 
Noi-th Stonington : they have three children — Lilla M., Clinton Dewitt and Thurlow Wheeler. Dr. 
.^I. was for five ^ ears member of the Board of Aldermen ; is a Mason an Odd Fellow, also belongs 
to the Temple I)f Honor. Good Templars, etc.. and member of the State Jledical Homcfopatliic 
Association. 

THOMAS 3IALOY, liorn in Vermont; came to Wisconsin in 1855, locating at La Crosse ; 
he was in the employ of the C M. & St. P. R. R. Co. until about Ave jears ago ; after leaving the 
railroad business, he enteretl into partnership with IMr. Sanborn in the Ijrick and ice Inisiness : he 
has been in the brick liusiness six years and the ice Ijusiness two years. He was married at La 
Crosse, in June, 1850. to JIary Quinn, who died in January, 1874. leaving two children — Annice H. 
and (ieorge S\. Mr. M. and his daughter arc members of the Episcopal Church. 

ESTHER F. 9IARSH, widow of Darius Marsh, a former physician in Portage; she 
was born on the 2d of .\ugust. 1802. in the town of Brookfield, Otsego Co., N. Y. ; her deceased 
Jnisband was horn on the 25th of December, 1708, in Litchfield, Conn. ; on the 1st of April. 1815. 
when a mere lad. he enlisted as bugler, in the I'nited States Army, and he served until his honor- 
able discharge, on the 1st of i^I arch." 1810 ; ^Mrs. Marsh's grandfathers, on ))oth sides, were Revolu- 
ti<j)iary soldiers, and of the old English Puritan Stock. They were married Fel). 1, 1820, in Broome 
Co.. N. Y. He was educated as i)hysician. and practiced the healing art several years in the East ; 
came West in 1846. and settled iii (Jalesburg. Knox Co.. 111., where he practiced his profession: 
after residing in other places in Illinois, he came to Columbia Co. in 1856. and located at Ft. 
Winnebago, near Portage; in 1861, he enlisted in Capt. Coffin's company, to try the fate of a second 
war ; he was honorably discharged in April. 1862, because of injuries received at Bowling Green. 



914 BIOGUAPHICAI. SKETCHES: 

Ky. ; for some time after the war. he practiced his profession in and about Portage, but lived 
on his farm in Ft. Winnebago ; he applied for a pension, and on the day that he received his pen- 
sion papers, he was seated in the City Hotel playing liis fife to an admiring group, while waiting 
for his conveyance home: suddenly, in tiie midst' of a martial strain, lie dropped lifeless, and thus 
the veteran of two wars passed away on the Sth of JIay. 1871 ; the family then moved into Portage, 
where they still reside ; tliey had eigiit cliildren. two of whom died in childhood ; the living are — 
William L.. born Jan. 11. 1S21 : fleorge \\'.. born Sept. 21. 1S2H : Andrew J., born Feb. 28. 1820 ; 
Ksther 'SI.. Ixmi Aug. 11. 1882 : Mary E.. born Feb. 18, 1884. and Clarissa A., born Oct. 20. 1840 ; 
all the children are married. Dr. Marsli was a •• Sevcntli Day Adventist," and that is the faith 
of Mrs. ^larsli. Her youngest daughter. Clarissa, was married on the 8d of Octolier. 1850, to 
Samuel Crouch. Jr. ; on the 2(Jth of September, 18(n. he enlisted in the 10th W. \. I. ; he died on the 
17th of Marcli, 18()2, as a result of exposure, at Xasln ille. Tcnn. ; he left but one child. Albert 8. 
born Aug. 11. 1802 : Mrs. 3Iarsh and this widowed daughter. Mrs. Crouch, live in one home ; Mrs. 
Marsh draws a pension, as a widow of soldier of 1812, and Jlrs. Crouch draws a widow's pension 
for her sacriticc in the reliellion : the old lady, though nearly fourscore, retains use of all her 
faculties ; she is still cheerful, and is ■ only waiting till the shadows be a little longer drawn ; only 
waiting till the Father calls. ■ .Mv child, come home.' " 

GEORdiE W. 9IAR$>«'II was born in Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., Sept. 21, 1823. and resided 
in Broonic and Chenang(j Cos. until 1847. when lie went to Boston. Mass.: spent six years in that 
city, and studied short-hand ; removing from Boston, he came to Pacific, Columbia Co.. in Decem- 
ber. 1854. and remained there until he enlisted in 1801 ; was the first man who enlisted in Portage, 
in the Portage Light (hiardsat first, afterward Co. (1. 2d W. V. I.: served until Aug. 2. 1801, when 
he was discharged for injuries received at the first battle of Bull Bun, July 21, 18(n ; Oct. 7, 1861. 
he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the Fremont Bifles of Portage City, afterward Co. D, 
loth W, V. I.; served about two years in this company, on detached duty most of the time; Post 
Adjutant at Louisville, Ky., and afterward detailed as Commissioner of claims at Huntsville, Ala., 
and on (Jen. Rosecrans' staff, detailed to do duty at bouisville, Ky.. in charge of discharge oftiee : 
resigned after about two years' service, and coming to Columbia Co., where he has lived most of the 
time since ; after resigning, he spent several years in teaching ; was afterward Deputy County 
Clerk for two years ; Coroner from 1858 to 1802 ; Town Clerk in Pacific for five years ; janitor of 
the court house now, and in the insurance business with L. S. Rolleston. He was married in Smitli- 
ville. Chenango Co.. N. Y., March 12, 1848, to Maria Pick ; she was l)orn in the town of (Ireen in 
that county ; they have four children — Ellen A. (now Mrs. ( Jabriel Budal, of Lodi). F]mma J.. 
Esther A. (now .Airs. W. 11. Kenyon). and (leorge A. While in the army, Mr. Marsh was the accredited 
correspondent of the >Iilwaukee Snitiurl. writing under the noni ile plume of " Agawau," 

JOHX ^lARSllALL, boot and shoe maker, was ))orn in Lenarkshire, Scotland, in 1.S87 : 
his father was a shoemaker, and John served an extcndt'd apprenticeship at home — calls himself an 
apprentice for the past thirty years, and has not learned it all yet. He was married in 18()0 to Miss 
Ellen Phclan. of Manchester. England ; came to America in 1805. and ever since has been a resident 
of Portage. He lias nine children, all living at home — Robert, born in 1801 ; James in 1803; 
Nellie in 1805 ; John in 18t;7 ; Thomas in 1809 : Henry in 1871 : Willie in 1878; Annie in 1875 ; 
and (leorge in 1877. His two oldest sons are his assistants in the sho]). Since the exhibition of his 
work at the fair, some vears asjo. he is often called the ■■ Premium Shoemaker." 

WILLIAM ME ACHER, M. D. The subject of this sketch, a native of Bungay. Suftblk 
Co., England, was born on the 27th of .May, 1888, and "is the son of William and Sarah Ami (Brown) 
-Meacher. At the age of ten years, William attended part of a winter term of school and one sum- 
mer term of the same length in Monroe Co., N. Y.; later, he spent a little less than two years in 
school in Wisconsin, whither he moved with his father in the summer of 1844 ; at the age of 22. he 
conceived a desire for literary culture, and. giving himself with avidity to the work, at once l)egan 
the arduous task of educating iiimself ; beginning with grammar, arithmetic and spelling, lie spent 
the forenoon in study and de\oted the afternoon to work on the farm, or carpentering, during the 
summer, and in the winter employed his evenings and Sundays with his liooks. .\fter one year's 
diligent study, lie spent two months in a select school in the city of Portage, and in the following 
winter taught the school of his district, receiving a comi)ensation of $18 per month and lioarding 
iiimself; in early life it iiad been his desire to become a iihysician, liut it seemed lieyond his reach. 
During this winter, iiowever, he determined to accomplish his purpose and gratify his desire. 
.Accordingly, in the ensuing spring, with the encouragement of T>r, O. D. Coleman, of wiioin he 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 915 

liorrowed books, he began his studies at home, dividing his time between tliem and his work to support 
his family. At the expiration of two years thus spent, he mortgaged his tarm of 40 acres for $250, 
and witli this money pursued a course of study at Kush Medical College of Chicago, and in the fol- 
lowing summer began practice in Waushara Co., Wis.; meeting with little success, he sold his laud in 
the fall for 1500, paid his former loan, and with the balance attended another term at the college, 
and graduated in the spring of 18G2, six years from the time when he first began his private study 
of grammar and spelling. It had been a long and tedious work, l)ut as he compared his condition 
now, the master of a noble profession, with his former state, when, as a boy, he was oliliged to toil 
as a day laborer, or when, as a sailor upon, the lakes, he was thr<jwn into the company of those 
whose influence tended only to degrade, he did not regret his course, and felt that he had made a 
noble sacrifice, and what he had gained repaid him a thousand-fold for all that it had cost him. It 
is worthj' of mention that during all his former varied career, though at times associated with reck- 
less and abandoned i-haracters. he had never contracted any of the haliits ol' drinking, gambling, or 
using toliacco. After his graduation, witlKJut means. Dr. Meacher Ijegan his practice in the village 
of I'ardeeville, and, liy the aid of his friend and benefactor. Dr. Coleman, managed to make a living. 
He engaged in this work liecause it was his natural preference, and he considered it the noblest of 
iill professions ; beginning at the Ijottom, his career has marked a gradual gnjwtli. and each year 
has added to his practice and reputation. Thoroughness in his professional work has alwa3-s been 
his motto, and to this may be attrilnited his remarkable success. Of late years, he has devoted him- 
self especially to surgery, and in all his surgical operations, his constant practice is to make a care- 
ful stud}- of his case, both by reading and observations, before beginning it. During the war, Dr. 
bleacher was commissi(^ned Assistant Surgeon of the 16tli W. V. I., and later, served for four 
months as contract surgeon. He was at the siege of Atlanta, and participated in the famous march 
to the sea. Aside from his iirofessional duties, he has shown a public spiritedness. and been honored 
bj- his fellow-citizens with positions of trust. His ambition, however, has ne^-er led him to desire 
political honors, he finding in his profession ample .scope for his best talents. His political views 
are Democratic, though he is not a partisan ; in his religious sentiments, he has always been a " free 
thinker.' He is a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity, having taken thirty-two degrees, 
and makes the principles that underlie this brotherhood his religion. Dr. bleacher was married in 
the winter of 1854 to 3Iiss Jane E. Clayton, an orphan, of Oak Creek. Milwaukee Co.. and by her 
he has had two sons and three daughters, of whom the eldest, a son. died in infancy. 

«OR»OIV H. !IIERRF>LL was born in Utica, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 24, 1807 ; resided 
in Utica. Jacket's Harlior and Oswego until 1830 ; then removed to Geneva, N. Y., and carried on 
the drug business until 1840, when he came to Ft. Winneliago, Wis., and engaged in merchandising 
and farming, with his brother Henr>-, six or eight years ; then came to Portage and purchased his 
present location, where he has lived ever since ; he is real-estate agent, and is also agent for various 
property owners of the city. iMr. M. was married, at Geneva, N. Y., to Mary C. Tippetts. who died 
at Portage in 1841 : they had two children, liothof whom died before the mother. His second wife 
(deceased) was Alvira Tompkins, of Fox Lake, Wis.; liorn in Canada ; they had three children, all 
deceased. Mr. M. was married again, in 1862, to Jlrs. Milo Pettilione, nee Eliza Dibble, born in 
New York City ; came to IVjrtage in 1852 ; she had three children — Frank R.. now a resident of 
Chicago ; Jessie, deceased, and Flora E., living at home. 

HENRY L. :^IERRELIj was horn at Ft. Winnel)ago July 22, 1848, in the same house 
in which he now li\es (the same having been removed to Portage) ; son of Henry and Elizabeth 
(Low) Merrell ; mother died when Henry was 5 years of age. A portion of Mr. Merrell's farm is a 
part of the old homestead ; he was engaged in the drug business up to the time of his father's death. 
May, 1876 ; since then attended to matters pertaining to the settlement of his father's extensive 
estate ; in 1875, Mr. M. purchased an orange grove of 15 acres and 1.10(» trees at Orange City, Fla.; 
spends winters there with his family. Mr. M. was married in Portage, Sept. 5. 1872. to Ida M. 
Miller, born in Portage, daugliter of Dr. Fred K. and Amanda Miller, early settlers of Portage, hnv- 
ing located here in 1850 ; they have one child — Frederick H., born May 17, 1873. 

JULIUS METTLER, butcher and stock-dealer; was born in Switzerland Jan 4, 1830 : 
settled in Newark. N. J., when he first came to America; then coming tf) Sauk City. Sauk Co., Wis.. 
where he remidned ele^'en years, when he came to Portage and engaged in present liusiness ever 
since coming here. Married, at Newark. N. J., in the fall of l854, Barbara Abbath ; she was 
born in Baden, Germany ; have nine children — Thecla, Amelia, Julia, F]mma, Bertha, Julius. Jr.. Carl, 
August and Joseph, ^Mr. JI. is a member of I, O. 0. F. and A. 0. I'. W. 



916 JJIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHES: 

JOHX MKTZIjKK, l"X't anil shoo nuikor ami repairer ; borii in Haden. Prussia, in 184S ; 
came to America in lS(i7. and settled in J*(jrtaij;e in spring of isyo ; has earried on tlie business 
since 1871) : employs one j<jurneyman. Was marrie<l. on the 20tii of .March. ISTl. to !Miss Fanlina 
Daiip. formerly of Erie, Peiin.; has three children, named ("arrie. Charley and Johnny. The 
family affiliate with the Catholic Church ; his shop is on Cook street, and his house on Bronson 
avenue. 

CHARLES 9IOIIR is a native of (lermany ; was horn in Ilesse-Cassel Oct. 15, 1S36. and 
came to America in lS5:i ; engaged in steaniboatinj; on the lakes four years liefore cominu; to Wis- 
consin ; in 1857. he located in tlie tcjwn of Caledonia on a farm, and remained there until 186(1 : he 
commenced teaciiing school in this county, and taught most of the time for four years ; went then to 
Milwaukee and clerked in a wholesale grocery for nine months, after wliicii he was employc<l in tiic 
ollice of the l'><iiniii<<,- VnlhisfrriKul. attending to their collections ; he then was engaged in lumliermaii- 
ufiicturing one year, also made a business of raising hops one year ; then traveled for the Bdiaur it- 
\'ii//,xf'ri mil/ one season ; then coming to Portage Septemljer. 18(!!1. he commenced his present l>us- 
iness of merchant and dealer in hops. ^Ir. M. was married in Portage. July 1. 18t>2, to Mary 
Arntz ; she was liorn in l^russia ; they have one son — Charles. Jr.. aged 17 years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mohr are memliers of the (ierman Metiiodist Churcii. 

<irEOR4irE W. 9I0RRIN01V, son of Cxcorge T. and Harriet T. Morrison, who settled at 
Soutli|)ort, Wis., in 1S45. and came to Marcellon. Columbia Co.. in 1849 ; remained thereuntil 1S57 ; 
from there removed to Portage; mother died in June. 18(j(>. and father in (>ctol>er. 1878. Mr. 
Morrison was Ixirn in Jordan. Onondaga Co.. N. Y.. April 2ti. ]8y,!l ; engaged in farming while Tiv- 
ing in Marcellon ; was in the City Hotel here for five years, his father being proprietor ; lived in 
Brandon. Fond du Lac Co.. for three years, in mercantile business ; from there went to town of 
York. Uane Co.. and again occupied his time in farming : thence to Lowville. and farmed there for 
three years, then coming back to Portage, where he entered the store of Gates & Austin as a clerk, 
remaining witli them six years; hetlicn went into business witli his brother, James <i..and has con- 
tinued it to the present time. .Married in Portage July (>. 18(13. to >Iiss 'A. K. .Marrs : she was born 
in tile town of Paris. Edgar Co., 111., Sept. 5, 188!t (daugliter of Sylvanus 11. Marrs. who was among 
tlie early settlers of Portage) ; they have four children — .Vrtliur J., Stephen F.. ^Marion K. and ( Jeorge 
W., Jr. .Air. M. is a member of tlie A. 0. V. W. and Temple of Honor. Mrs. Morrison s father died 
in Portage .March 17, 1851; her mother also died here Nov. 11, ISliS; they were both natives of 
Clark Co.. Ind.. and came to Watertown, Wis., in 1840, and came to I'ortage in 185(1, 

JOHN MUKLIjER, the subject of this sketch, was l>orn in Hesse-Darmstadt. (Jermany. June. 
18:58. and came to New York City in 1802. remaining one year there, when he came to Portage, and 
engaged in the coopering business ever since ; worked alone at lirst. and now employs three men ; 
manufactures all kinds of cooperage. Was married in Pcu'tage. October. 18(17. to Anna Schlcisman; 
she was liorii in' Hesse-Darmstadt, (rermany ; they have four children — .\ una. Charles, Louis and 
Fannie. 

|>.4 VII> ii. MFIR, a native of Dunbar. Scotland ; was born July 11. 1S4(). and is the son 
of Daniel and .\nn .Muir. who came to America in 184!), coming directly to .Manpiette Co.. Wis., 
and engaged in farming; lived there until 1801. when they came to Portage, where they now reside. 
J), (i. >Iiiir commenced business here as a clerk, and continued as such until 1805. when he 
went into the mercantile business with Parry & Hebb. under the firm name of Parry, Bebb & Muir, 
wiiich firm e.xisted for four years, when the present firm of Parry & Muir was organized. .Married 
in the town of Buffalo. .Mar(|iiette Co., Wis.. Oct. 20. 18(;:5. to Catherine H. Cairns; she was born in 
I'eebles. Scotland ; tliey have four children — Carrie. Annie. Wilberforce D. and John D. Mr. M. is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church; he has been one of the choir singers in that church for six- 
teen years. He is a cliarter member of tln' Temple of Honor. 

<i;EOR<wE MTRISOX was bom in Aberdeen. Scotland. .March 17. 18:!:! ; moved to Mont- 
rose when:! years of age. and lived there until he came to America, locating at Milwaukee, in 1850, where 
he remained until (X'tober. 185:], when became to Portage; in 185S, engaged in liusiness in the 
manufacture of furniture, nudertakiug, etc.. which he still continues. .Mr. .AL was married in Port- 
age, July li. 1804, to Jane Dalton, a native of the city of York. England ; she died July 17. 18(10. 
leaving one child — Richard W. — born July S, 180(! : he was married again. Nov. 20. 1808. to Fannie 
K. Wailace. a native of Essex Co.. N. Y.: they have two children — Wallace, born Sept. 7, 18(i0; 
Mary F., born July 20, 1870. Mr. M. is a member of the I. 0. O. F. Lodge. 



CITY OF rOKTAOE. 917 

BRYAX MURPHY was born in County Carlow. Ireland : came to America in the fall of 
18(55 : located ;uid engaged in the fruit business in New York City : resided there about ten years ; 
removed to Riclimonil. A'a.. and continued the same l)usiness ; was in business for himself six 
years : came to Portage, Wis., from Richmond. August. 187!l ; commenced the grocery business in 
this place in November of the same year. Mr. Murphy was married in Brooklyn. N. Y.. Nov. 6, 
1870. to Catherine Sheehan. a native of County Limerick. Ireland; they have had six children — 
;\Iary Ellen, born July 13. 1870 ; an infant son. born JIarcli 8. 1880 ; Edward Emmett. born Oct. 1. 
187i. died Sept. 2. 1875 ; John, born Julv lit. 1873. died Aug. 2. 1875 ; Bernard, l)orn Sept. 21. 
1874, died Aug. 19. 1875 ; Annie, born April 12. 1878. died Aug. 29. 1878. :\Ir. and Mrs. Murphy 
are members of the Catholic Church. 

HENRV SfEEF, the subject of this brief sketch, was born in the town of Bluck Rock, 
near the city of Butl'alo, N. Y.. July 21, 1838 ; when he was 18 years of age. he came to this county, 
locating in !Marcellon, May, 1 85(j. and engaged in farming ; he commenced farming on his own 
account in ISlJO. He was married at Jefl'erson. ^\'is.. December. 18()1. to Helvetia L. Reese ; they 
have seven children — Clella R.. William J. J., Carrie L.. Delia ilay, Henry Alden, John H. and 
Sarah. During his residence in ^larcellon he was Town Clerk about eleven years : he was elected 
County Treasurer in the fall of 1876. and re-elected in 1878. Mr. N. enlisted in March. 18(35, in Co. 
F. 194th O. Y. I., and was mustered out Oct. 24. 18(55. Is a member of Pardee Lodge. A., F. & A. 51. 

DAVID M. BfEILL was born in Perthshire. Scotland, Feb. 2.1852; son of John and 
Margaret (Moreland) Neill. who came to New Y(jrk in 1859 ; remained there one year, then removed 
to Caledonia. Wis., and located on Sec. 36. where they now live ; when 10 years of age. he left 
home : attended high school in Portage two years : commenced clerking in the grocery store of John 
Fulton. March 19. 1871 ; remained there until July of the same year ; Aug. 10. 1871. he entered 
the employ of Purdy & 3Ierrell. druggists, in which store he has remained ever since. 3Ir. Neill was 
married at Fox Lake. 5Iay 20. 1875, to Alice A. Purdy. daughter of Edmund and Harriet Purdy. 
born at Fox Lake: they have one child — Edmund — b6rn at Portage. July 26, 1877. Mr. N. is a 
member of the ( )dd Fellows' Lodge. 

HENRY NEILIj, County Superintendent of Schools ; was liorn in the parish of Kin- 
cardine. Perthshire. Scotland. 3Iarch 26. 1849; came with his parents. John and Margaret More- 
land Neill. to New York in 1859, remained there one year ; in the spring of I860, they located on 
Sec. 36 in the town of Caledonia. ColumljiaCo., Wis.: engaged in farming until 21 years of age ; taught 
school until 23 years of age ; spent three years at Thayer College, in Kidder. 5Io., from the spring of 
1872 to June. 1876 ; entered Beloit College. September. ls7(i. graduated July 3. 1878. withdegTee of A. 
B.. full classical course ; he taught district school in ("'aledonia in the winters of 1878 and 1879 : 
commenced teaching in the Portage High School in September. 1879 ; elected County Superintend- 
ent of Schools, November. 1879 ; taught the' high school until the holidays; resigned his position 
in the school Dec. 24, 1879, to assume the duties of the office which he now holds. 3Ir. Neill is a 
member of I. O. Ct. F. lodge. 

WILLIAM NIEMEY'ER was born in Hanover, (iermany. Jan. 2, 1830 : came to New 
York and engaged in tailoring in 1850. remained there one and a half years, then came to Milwau- 
kee : removed to Portage in 1854 : carried on the tailoring and clothing Inisiness until 1861. then 
engaged in the grocery l)usiness. which he has carried on ever since. Mr. Niemeyer was married in 
Portage. July 11, 1857, to Caroline A\'entzel, a native of Prussia ; they have seven children — Albert 
J.. Lizzie. Charles, William, (Jeorge. Henry and Emma. Mr. N. is a member of the Lutheran Church, 
and of the I. 0. O. F. lodoe. 

JOHN J. O'KEEFE, born in North Hadley 3Iarch 29. 1852 : removed from therewith 
his father. John C. O'Keefe. in May, 1853. and came to Wisconsin, locating at Pacific, near Portage, 
where he remained for aliout two years, then moved to Portage, and has resided in this vicinity ever 
since. 5Ir. O'Keefe .engaged in (iox-ernment surveying for a numlier of years and steamboating 
part of two years. He was elected City Clerk in the spring of 1878 ; re-elected in the spring of 
1880 ; member of the Board of Education from the Third Ward. .Mr. (JKeefe received his educa- 
tion in Portage. 

M. DE WITT OliDER, son of Amos and Ann Older, was born at Farmersville. Catta- 
raugus Co.. N. Y.. Dec. 20, 1831 : came to Walworth C<x. Wis., in 1838, his parents 1 icing the third 
family in the town of Darien : moved to Boone Co.. 111., in 1852: two years afterward removed 
to >[arquette Co.. Wis., then went to Minnesota, where he aided in the organization of ^lartin 
Countv and towns: left Minnesota on account of the Indian massacre in 1862; returning to 



918 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Maniuette Co., unlisted in Co. II. .itli W. \. I.. Aug. 2)1 lSt)4. and was uiiistered out June 20. 1S65. 
when he again returned to Manjuette Co.: in 1>^()!1. Mr. O. moved to Lineohi. Adams Co.. Wis., 
where lie remained until eoming to I'ortage. March 3, 1880. He was married at Nevada, Martin 
Co., Minn.. April 2t!, 185!l, to Elizabeth A., daughter of James B. and Jane A. Clark, born in On- 
tario, Canada, June 10. 1830. Thev have six children — Clark, born Oct. 20. 18(i0 ; James Amos. 
July 2ti. 1S(52 ; Edna. June 2.'). 18()() "; Nellie. April 24. 18(i0 : Bert, July 18. 1875. and Clifte. Nov. 17, 
187'(). ^Ir. <). is a member of a lodge of A.. F. & A. M. 

lIR>i>. MARY A. OWKNS, nee Parrish. wife of John T. Owens; she was born 
July 12, 1828. in the city of I'eterliorough. England; he is a native of Wales: she sailed from 
Liverpool in the good ship Milan, on the 14th of May. 1848, and reached New York on the IHth of 
June. 1848. which was the shortest passage of sailing vessel recorded up to that date : she lived 
twelve years in I'tica. N. Y. ."^Iie was married in 1S.")() ; in the spring of lS(i() they came West, and 
bougiit land in Caledonia Township, where they lived till 1S7H: since which date she has resided in 
Portage. Had four children; three are dead: the other. Anna, is marrietl to a son of Thomas Walker, 
of Caledonia, and now lives in Bremer Co.. Iowa. She keeps a stock of fancy notions, and also does 
stamping. .8he is a member of the Presbj'terian Church, and is a reliable and useful member of 
society. 

ABRAHAM PADLEY is a native of England : was born at Staley Bridge. Lancashire. 
Oct. 27. 1828 ; came to .America with his mother in the fall of 1840 : lived at New Y'ork Mills until 
he came to Wisconsin. February. 1857 ; acquired his musical education at Utica, N. Y. When first 
coming to this State, he settled at Lodi. in this county, where he resided one j'ear ; then moving to 
the town of Dekorra. where he remained six years, in the hotel business and owner of tlie ferry : 
moving from I)ekorra to Pojnette. he engaged in the mercantile business, where he li^ed for seven 
years ; was Vostniaster for about five years during his residence in this place, and then, coming to 
Portage in the fall of 1871. he engaged in the music liusiness. dealer in pianos, organs and all kinds 
of musical instruments, and teaching vocal and instrumental music. ^Ir. Padley was marrieil in 
Whitestown. Oneida Co.. N. Y.. August. 1840. to Jliss ^lary A. Walker, a native of Rome. N. \'. 
They have two children — Viola J. (now Mrs. J. H. Rogers, of this city) and Julia E. Is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church ; also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Society. 

WIIjLjIAM T. parry, son of ^\'illiam and Catharine Parry; was Ijorn in Bangor. 
Xoi-th Wales. 'Slay 17, 1837 ; came to America in 1840 ; to Wisconsin in Septemlier of the same 
year, locating at Nianehester. (ireen Lake Co.: lived thereuntil 1858. and engaged in farming: in 
1850, came to Portage : clerked for aliout six years with A. D. Forbes ; in 1805. the firm of Parry. 
Bel)l) & Muir was formed ; they were together about four years, when the firm became Parry & >luir. 
and has continued to present time. Married Margaret Williams June 30, 1857, at Randolph, this 
county ; she died June 30. 1860. leaving two children — Mary A. (now ^Irs. Thomas Moss, of Hud- 
son, Wis.) and William. Present wife's maiden name was Annie R. Roberts ; were married Aug. 
27, 1807. at Westminster Church. Utica. N. Y.: Mrs. P. was born near Bala. North Wales: they 
have four children — Lemuel R.. Floy. Richard and Pierce. Mr. Parry is an Elder of the First Pres- 
byterian Church, and has lieen Superintendent of Sabbath school for the last eleven years. William 
I'arry. father of William T.. died in Cambria: mother is still living; she resides at Randolph, in 
this county. 

JAMES PATERSON was liorn in Dumfries, Scotland. Sept. 27. 1827 : came to America 
in 1851 ; spent one year at .\tliens. Penn.. two years in Steuben Co.. N. Y.. and the balance of the 
time, until coming to Columbia Co. in 1857. at Franklinville. Cattaraugus Co.. N. Y. In the fall of 
1800, Mr. P. entered the store he is now connected with; spent the summer of 1870 in Scotland. 
He was married at Portage. June 5. 1808. to .\gnes Reid. l)orn in Hamilton. Scotland. Both are 
members of the Preslnterian Church. They have one son — James, born in Ai)ril. 1800. Mr. 1*. is 
a member of the Curling Club. 

ROBERT C. PIXLEY was born in London. Canada West. Oct. 14, 1832 ; lived there 
until the spring of 1850. then came with his parents. Bemus J. and Mary Pixley. to Portage. Wis., 
arriving April 15. 1850. Father died in the house where he .settled. August. 1870: mother died 
May. 1870. leaving four children — William B.. of Stockton. Cal.; Jonathan B.. now in Minnesota : 
Han-iet M.. now Jlrs. Philo .M. Plumb, of La Crosse, and Robert C. the subject of the sketch. Mr. 
P. was engaged in teaming for six or seven years : in the fall of 1850. he went to New Lisbon. Wis., 
and carried on grocery, livery and express 1)usiness. initil 1801 : he then spent one year in Califor- 
nia ; has l)een a resident of Portage ever since, dealing in hides, furs. etc.. since 1802. with .Vrthur 






'/p(-^iy- 



FOUNTAIN PRAIRIE. 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 921 

Bros., with the exception of two years spent in the store of Loornis. Gallett & Breese. Mr. Pixley 
was married Jan. 20, 185(5, to Elizabeth (), Blanchard, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y. They have 
two children — Charles R., born Jan. 18. 1857. and Minnie L.. born Oct. 25. IStiO. Mr. P. is now 
serving as Alderman. 

SHERiUAN L. PLL'IVIB, the subject of this sketch, was born in Monroe, Fairfield Co., 
Conn., July 20, 1841 ; when a lad IG years of age, he went to Galesljurg ; was there about four 
years, then came to Milwaulvee, where he remained, most of the time engaged in railroading, until 
1866, when he came to Portage and engaged in his present business since coming to this city. Mar- 
ried in Portage, Aug. 27, 1872, Alice I. Stanton ; she was born in Lake Co., 111. Mr. Plumb is a 
member of the A., F. & A. M. 

CHARLEIS PRKHIV, carpenter ; was born in North Prussia Sept. 23, 1830 ; came to Mil- 
waukee in 1853 ; in 1855, he came to Portage and began working at his trade, which business he has 
since followed. He was married at Portage, Feb. 3, 1861, to Emma La Clair, who was born in 
Prussia ; they have six children — William L,, born Julv 17, 1863 ; Charles ({„ born March 18, 
1865 ; Bertha A., born Aug. 6, 1867 ; (lustav C, born Oct. 15. 1860 : Louis, born Jan. 8, 1872, 
and Augusta D., born Sept. 25, 1876. Mr. P. is a member of the Temple of Honor, and has served 
as Alderman of the First Ward ; his father. John Prehu, died in 1857, liut his mother. Minne Prehn. 
is still living, being mer 80 years of age. 

LiOUIS PREHX, blacksmith ; was born in Mecklenburg, Germanj', on the 10th of Janu- 
ary, 1843 ; when he was of the age of 10 years, his parents emigrated to America, and located at 
Milwaukee ; his father was a farmer named John Prehn ; has lived in Portage since 1855. Was 
married in January, 1866, to Jliss Bertha Ncimats, who was born in July, 1846. in Prussia. He 
has been Supervisor two terms ; is connected with the I. O. 0. F. Has three children — George, born 
in 1867 ; Emma, born in 1872, and Lizzie, born in 1876. His widowed mother lives with him : he 
is reported as a substantial, reliable citizen ; he reports business prosperous. 

JAMEN PRENTICE, physician and surgeon ; was born at Aurora. Erie Co.. X. Y., 
Nov. 15, 1820 ; came from Erie Co., with his brother, to Milwaukee, in 1844 ; remained there six 
months, when he removed to Antioch, Lake Co., III., living there one year ; then went to 
St. Charles, Kane Co., 111., where he studied medicine with Prof G. W. Richards ; he gradu- 
ated at Indiana Medical College, at La Porte, Ind., in 1847, his preceptor being Professor 
of Theory and Practice in that institution : came to Fort Winnebago in 1840. and has since 
made this his home. Was Surgeon of the 23d W. Y. I., entering the service in August. 1862, and 
resigned in Feliruary, 1863, on account of ill health, antl has since been engaged in the active 
practice of medicine up to the present time. Was married at Bellefontaine. Columbia Co.. Wis., in 
1848, to Emma Bonney ; she was liorn in Elaine ; they have three daughters — Alice (now the wife 
of R. J. Flint, an editor at Jlenomonee). Anna and Emma. The Doctor was a Justice of the Peace 
at Fort Winnebago in an early day. 

JAME)^ 6. PRESCOTT, of the firm of Carnagie. Preseott & Co., lumber dealers, and 
manufactui'ers of sash, doors and blinds ; was born in the town of Sanbornton. Belknap Co., N. H.. 
March 16. 1820 ; when 16 years of age, he went to Massachusetts ; lived in Worcester one year, 
and then went to Lowell, where he remained until 1855, when he removed to Westfield. N. Y., where 
he resided until coming to Wisconsin, in May, 1856, locating at Portage, where he has lived ever 
since ; engaged in building, contracting, etc.; soon after coming here, he became associated with A. 
Carnagie in Ijuilding operations, and they were together in that business for fifteen j'ears, until 
1872 ; they erected the Veeder House in 1857, the high-school building, the Columljia Co. Court 
House and Jail, and also built several of the principal blocks of this city ; was appointed 
Under-Sheritf Jan. 1, 1873, and did the business of Sheriff during the term for which William W. 
Drake was elected; in the fall of 1874, Mr. Preseott was elected Sheriff; lias lieen lender Sheriff all 
the time since he was Sheriff, with the exi'cption of a few months of the first part of Mr. Conklin's 
term ; was Alderman, from 1864 to 1871, of the Second Ward ; was President of the Council two 
years, and a member of the School Board one year. Was married in Lowell, Mass.. Oct. 20, 1851. 
to Sophia T. Mass ; she was born at Fairfield, Me.; thej- have two children — Allie L. and Laura E. 

EDMUND S. PURDY is a native of the city of New York ; was born Sept. 6, 1845 ; is 
a son of F]dmund and Harriet Purdy, who came to Wisconsin, locating at Vox Lake, Dodge Co., in 
1846, and have resided there to the present time ; E. S. lived there until the fall of 1868 ; has been 
engaged in the drug trade since he became 13 years of age ; with Frances Ibberson, of Fox Lake, 
for ten years ; then in Ripon one year ; engaged in business for himself several years ; took charge 

II 



922 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of the business for Waterhouse & Davis since April 0, 1871 ; Henry Merrell was a partner witli liiin 
until liis death, in May, 1876 ; Mr. Merrell's heirs were interested in the business until Dec. 8, 
1879 ; is also eno;au;cd in the manufacture of the A^aeuuni Cream Extractor, for the last two years. 
Married at Portage, Sept. i:-{, 1871, to Helen M. Merrell. daughter of Henry Merrell ; she was bora 
at Ft. Winnebagcj July 1, 1850, and was probably the first one christened in the Episcopal Church 
of Portage ; tiiey liave two children — Henry Kdmund, born Octol)er. 1872, and Hattic Elizabeth, 
born Nov. 5. 1874. Mr. Purdy has been Alderman of the Second Ward four years ; is at present 
member of the School JJoard. 

JOHN l>. PUGH, of the firm of J. D. Pugh & Co.. grocers ; born in Ni.rth Wales. Feb- 
ruary. 1847 ; is the son of David and Laura Pugh. who came to America when John D. was an 
infant, 11 months of age, locating in Green Lake Co., where they still reside ; Mr. Pugli lived in 
Green Lake Co. most of the time, until 1808 ; during the next tliree and a half years, was engaged 
clerking for J. M. Darling ; returned to Green Lake Co.. and was employed in fanning, up to the 
fall of 1877 : has been in liusinoss for himself since March, 187II. associated with Thomas W. Drew. 

JOB PURNELL was born in Trowl)ridge, Wiltshire, England, Dec. 1, 181ft ; came to 
America in 1841, and located at Norwich, Conn., remaining there until lS5o, when he moved to Ohio, 
where he resided one year before coming to Wisconsin, to Portage, where he located in 1854, and 
has resided here ever since, and engaged in present liusiness, dealing in stoves, tinware, etc., up to 
present time, with the exception of two years that he worked for Bacon & Atkins. Mr. P. was 
married, at Norwich, Conn., Oct. 23. 1844, to Emma Osborne ; she was born in Somersetshire, 
England ; they have five children — Eliza E., now Mrs. Arthur 0. Stevens, of Milwaukee ; Mary A., 
now Mrs. J. F. Coss, of Milwaukee ; Susan M., now Mrs. Alex. Thompson, of this city ; Sarah 0. 
and Minnie A. ; lost one daughter, aged 14 months, died in 1858. Mrs. Purnell died here Jan. 3, 
1879. 

CwEORfirC S. RACE, route agent on the C, M. & St. V. R. R. ; born at Mineral Point, 
Wis., on the 15th of October, 1843 ; lived with his parents until his enlistment in the United States 
service at Portage, on the 15th of September, 1801. in Co. E, Capt. (ieo. N. Rithm<in<l. of 2d W. C., 
under command of Col. C. C. Washburn ; tlu' company went in barracks at Cold Springs, ^Milwaukee, 
during the winter of 1801 and 1802, for drill and discipline ; in April, 18(i2. the rigiment was 
removed to Benton Barracks, St. Louis. Mo., where it was mounted, armed and equipped, and 
thence ordered to Helena. Ark. : while there, he was Chief Clerk in Post Provost ^larshal's Office ; 
afterward, he was Commissary Sergeant ; was appointed Commissary Sergeant of the regiment on 
1st of Septeml)er, 1803 ; he '■veteranized" on the 1st of January, 1865. and on the 3()th of same 
month, he was commissioned First Lieutenant and made Regimental Quartermaster, in which 
capacity he served till mustered out at Austin, Texas, on the 15th. 1805 : the regiment was in the 
Army of the Southwest, serving in Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas, 
and took part in several liattles ; since the war, lie has lieen clerk, liookkeeper, mechanic, and is 
now in railway mail service between Chicago and La Crosse. He was married Sept. 27, 180(i. to 
Miss Agnes Carnagie, of Pcjrtage ; they have four children — Earl. Harry, Fred and Ralph. He is a 
Mason and member of Temple of Honor ; lives on Pleasant street. 

SYLVENl^S RACE, son of William N. and Vienna Race, was born on the 28th of Feb- 
ruary, 1814, in Berkshire Co., Mass. lie lived with his parents several years after they removed to 
Lorain Co., Ohio ; he came West in tiie fall of 1836, and settled in Mineral Point, Wis. He was 
married May 0. 1841, to .Miss Sarah Vnn Ornum, who was l>orn Nov. 12. 1823. in Chautauqua Co., 
N. Y. He is a carpenter and joiner, and has worked many years at his trade. While living in 
Mineral Point in 1840. he went to New Orleans with five boat loads of copper ore, as a speculative 
experiment. After marriage he took charge of a hotel for three years, and afterward farmed for 
three years; he tried mercantile life three years at Dodgeville. In 1850, he settled in Portage, and 
has been a continuous resident to date. They have had six children ; two died in childhood ; the li^■ing 
are named George S.. F]arl, Frank A., and Abner H. : and Harriet S. Green, who from early child- 
hood has been as a daughter, and is thoroughly identified with the family. The five are married, 
and ff)ur have settled in Portage, and one. Earl, is in Idaho Ter. For nearly twenty-five years, ;Mr. 
Race worked at his tratle in Portage ; liis wife excels as a landlady ; for several years they have 
owned and kept a large boarding house on the corner of Mack and Emmett Streets ; tlie\' have an 
average patronage of forty ; sometimes sixty to seventy per day take nn'als with them, and they 
have rooms to accommodate flft^- boarders. \Vhile at Mineral Point he was Jailer and Under Siieriff; 
he is a Free-thinker ; is a kind, social man and good citizen. Mrs. Race's father was a jirominent 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 923 

Spiritualist, and she. from eliilrlhood. has professed the same faith ; she is a hid}- of good executive 
ability, and the ■' Race House " is well patronized. 

JIRS. !»I.\RTH.\ S. KEFiI> (nee Brooks) was horn Aug. 30, 1830, in township of 
Haneot'k, ^'t. ; she was married in Noxemher, 1855, to D. F. Chandler, of Vermont, and soon after- 
ward came West and located in .Milwaukee. He was a passenger engineer on the C, M. & St. P. R.; 
he was killed April 28, 1857, by his engine running off the track at Beaver Dam ; his injuries were 
internal, and he died that day at the residence of the Hon. Scott Sloan, where he had been immedi- 
ately- taken. He was born Dec. 24, 1820, in West Randolph, Vt. ; he left one son, Wallace B., born 
November, 1855 ; he is now ticket agent and telegraph operator at Portage, for the C, M. & St. P. 
R. R. Mrs. Chandler was married in January, 18C3, to Theodore Reed, who had been for several years 
ticket agent and telegraiih operator at Portage, for the C, M. & St. P. R., which position he held 
until his death in 1873 ; his only surviving son, by a former marriage, Oliver T. Reed, succeeded him 
in that position, and held the same until his death, in March, 1870 ; and he, in turn, is succeeded by 
Mrs, Reed's son, Wallace, the present incumbent of the ottice. Mr. Reed left three children, all of 
whom are living — .Martha H., Iiorn in 18(55; Angle E., in 1868; and Julia Maud, in 1872; the 
oldest is at school in .Massachusetts ; Mr. Reed and his son, Oliver T., were Masons ; Mrs. Reed's 
pleasant home is located on the corner of Dunn and Emmett streets. 

JOHX KFi[I>, son of Andrew and Janet Reid, was born in Paisley, Scotland, Feb. 24, 1835 j 
came to Butfalo, .Alanpiette Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1850, where his father died, in 1854, and 
where his mother still resides. Mr. Reid came to Portage in 1865, and engaged in the stock and 
produce business, which he has since followed. He was married in Buffalo, Marquette Co., in 
December, 1860, to Margaret H. Mnir, born in Dunbar, Scotland ; they have five children — Anna 
Cr., Jessie S., Henry D., Maggie May and John J. ; a son died in infancy. The firm of Reid & 
Foster are the heaviest dealers in wool in AVisconsin, 

DR. RICH.4RI> C. ROCKWOOI> wasborninUtica,N. Y.,Nov.23,1814 ; came to Mil- 
waukee in !May, 1830, but returned to ITticain thefall. In May, 1837, he again landed at Milwaukee, 
and soon after visited Madison, Mineral Point, Blue Mounds and Dekorra, returning to the East via 
Chicago, in September. On the journey home, he rode, for the first time, after a locomotive, from 
Adrian, Mich., to Toledo, Ohio. In April, 1845, Dr. Rockwood returned to Spring Prairie, Walworth 
Co., where he entered land, in .Vugust, 1837 ; one year later, he moved to Wyocena, Columbia 
Co., where he lived until coming to Portage, in 1872 ; assisted in rolling up the first log house 
at Oconomowoc. He has been in practice thirty-six years, being at first the only physician between 
Wyocena and St. Paul, and also engaged in farming. Dr. Rockwood was Justice of the Peace, at 
Wyocena, twehe years and has been Alderman, Street Commissioner and Supervisor, at Portage. 
He married Mahala Packard, in Otsego Co., N. Y.. who died in 1860, leaving two children — Helen 
A. and Charles S. The Doctor married his present wife. Rosa Conlon, a native of Count}' Louth, 
Ireland, at Madison, in September, 1860 ; they have four children — Ernest S., Louis, Mellie A., and 
Edward. The Doctor is Treasurer of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons ; at Wyocena, he kept the 
"Cottage Inn," from 1847 to 1859 ; was President of the Columbia County Agricultural Association 
in 1876. 

J. H. ROWERS, District Attorney, was born in Oshawa, Ontario, July 27, 1841 ; edu- 
cated in Canada ; graduated from Victoria University in the spring of 1866 ; entered Osgood Hall 
August, 18(j(; ; was articled to attorneys at (.)shawa, and afterward graduated from the Law I)e))art- 
ment of Michigan l^niversity, at Ann Arbor, in the spring of 1868, and came to Wisconsin imme- 
diately afterward, locating at Poynette, residing there one year and a half, practicing his profession ; . 
he then went to the State of New York, where he spent one year, returning to Wisconsin and locat- 
ing in Portage, in the spring of 1871, when he .engaged in the practice of law, which he lias 
continued ever since ; has lieen District Attorney since 1874, ha\'ing lieen elected three times to this 
office. Married, at Portage June 12, 1872, to Miss Viola J. Padlev, daughter of Abraham Padley, 
who located at Lodi, about twenty years ago ; she was born at York Mills, Oneida Co., N. Y.; they 
•liave two children— Edith Ethelyn. born Sept. 19, 1875 ; Seldeu Wallace, Sept. 1, 1877. Mr. Rogera 
was one of the charter memliers of the A. ( ). U. W. of this city. 

L.BO\.\RD S. ROLLESTOIV is a native of Nottinghamshire, England ; was born Sept. 
19, 1834. Married, in Leicester, I]ngland, Jan, 22, 1857, to Maria Xewton ; she was born in 
Leicester Dec. 21, 1835 ; they have twelve children — Elizabeth A., Florence E. and Flora L. (twins), 
Maria L.. John P., Ida Fannie. Arthur Septimus, Ada F., Leonard W^illiam, Alice Mauil, William 
Launcelot and Beulah Octavia. Came to Wisconsin March, 1857, and located in the town of Lowville, 



924 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

on Sec. 5 ; was tliuiv six yciirs. then ino\eil to the ailjoiiiiiio; town of W^ocena, on 8ei'. 32, still 
retaining liis property in ths town of Lowville ; resided in Wyocena until Jan. 1, 1875. when he 
came to Portage, having been elected County Clerk in November, 1874; he was re-elected in 1876 
and 1878. While residing in Wyocena he iield the otlices of Town Clerk two years. Justice of the 
Peace two years, and several times member of the School Board. Mr. Rolleston is a member of 
the A., F. & A. 51. Lodge. In 1854. he graduated from Kossal College, at Lant'ashire. England, he 
being in the first class, fourth form. During the Crimean war. he served as Lieutenant of Co. No. 
6. 57tii Ilcgiment Hoyal Sherwood Foresters. 

JAMES RITTHVEX was born in (Uasgow. Scotland. Sept. 8. 1814 : when 1 year of age, 
his parents moved to Kendall. Westmorclandshire, England, where he lived thirty-two years ; came 
to .Vmerica, and first located at Albany. N. V.; resided there until 185(1. then came to Chicago, 
where he remained until he came to Marcellon in September. 18(55 ; resided in the latter place until 
the spring of 1878 : worked at shoemaking when 15 years of age ; while in Kendall was employed 
in a wholesale gi'ocery store for fifteen years. Mr. R. was married, at Kendall. Westmoreland. 
England. Nov. 28. 1838. to .Vgnes Sandford. a native of Westmorclandshire. England ; they have 
three children living — Isalx'Ua S.. now Mrs. Walter Riddell ; John antl Allan, and have lost five — 
Mary Ann. 4 years : Edwin. months, and three infant children. Mr. R. is a member of the Temple 
of Honor, (^ood Templar, and Sons of Temperance societies. 

PIERCE RVAN, son of Chief Justice Ryan and Caroline Willard (Pierce) Ryan ; was 
born in Milwaukee. Wis., Oct. 9, 1851, and resided there until early in 1865. when he went to Bos- 
ton ; lived there and in that vicinity about four years ; two years of this time at Dummer Academy, 
and two years with a Calcutta importing house in the city of Boston ; he then returned t<i his native 
city, and was with the Milwaukee Iron Company eight or nine years. Since the summer of lS7(i. 
has been in the employ of the C. M. & St. I*. R. R. Co.; in January. 1877. came to Portage, and 
remained three months, and settled here permanently in October, 1877. Was married, at Ann 
Arbor. Mich.. Oct. 1. 187!t, to Miss Isadorc .M. Risdon ; she was born in Ann Arbor. 

JAMES S. SAIVBORX^, ice dealer and brick manufacturer: born in (xrafton Co.. N. H.. 
Nov. 14. 1887 ; is the son of Martin L. and Emeline Sanborn . his early life was passed on his 
father's farm ; at the age of 24, he took a fidl cour.se in Eastman's Commercial College, at Pough- 
. keepsie, N. Y.. after which he clerked in a grooory store three years in Boston ; then he spent nearly 
two years at Bristol, N. H., with Jason C. Draper, learning the Plymouth (ilove business ; in Sep- 
tember. 18(j8, he came to Boscobel, Wis., where he clerked till January, 1871, at which time he 
took a contract to saw the wood on the Niirthern and La Crosse Divisi(ins of the C. M. & St. P. R. 
R., and the contract has been in continuous force to the present day. He was married June 12, 
1872, to Miss Anna E. Estabrook, of Brunswick. Me.; they have since resided in Portage ; he has 
manufactured brick since 1873; will, in 188(1. make 2.(l(l().(l(t() lu-ick in Portage ; last winter he put 
up 10.0(1(1 tons of ice at Fox Lake and Waukau. for the Milwaukee market ; the ice used here is 
harvested at Silver Lake, near Portage; they have three children — Ellen I)., born May 7, 1873: 
Pwight A., born Sei)t. 12, 1875. and .Vnna L., born July (>. 1877. He aims to vote for the best men. 
is not active in politics, but is of Democratic proclivities ; he is a Methodist, and his wife is a Con- 
gregationalist ; she is a member of the local Shakespearean (!lub : they have a pleasant home on 
Prospect Hill. 

JOHN M. f>>»AXI>ERSO]V was born in Ncwbiu-g. N. V.. Sept. 17. 18.38. and lived in Albany 
froTU his youth until he lauic West ; enlisted in Albany. N. Y.. August. 1802. in llaverlock Batterj'. 
and served until tiic close of the war ; was in all of the engagements his command was in after he 
enlisted ; the principal battles he was in were Cold Harbor, second battle of Bull Run. Petersburg, 
Chancellorsville and ( Jcttysl)urg ; came to Portage in ISCti and engaged in the business of cigar- 
making for himself which liusiness he still continues. Married in Portage to Helen Augusta Lin- 
scott ; she was liorn in Utica. N. Y.; they have have two children — Warren F. and Harr\'. 

JOHN W. SARtiiENT, freight engineer on main line P. & M. ; born in Lake Village. Bel- 
knap Co.. N. H., Oct. 21. 1838 ; his father. William T.. was proprietor of the hotel at Lake Village ; 
at the age of 14, he began railroad life as a water boy on a gravel-train on the B., C. & M. R. R.; 
at the age of l(i, he was given the position of fireman on the same gravel-train ; after a years expe- 
rience, he was sent on to a passenger train, and continued there until fall of 185(3. when he came 
West ; he landed in .Milwaukee on Christmas. 185(j. and, on Dec. 28. he began firing on a freight 
running between Milwaukee and Fo.\ Lake, on C, M. & St. P ; in spring of 1857. the road was 
opened through to Portage ; he was for awhile engine-dispatcher at Portage, and afterward the 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 925 

same at Milwaukee ; in the fall of 1858, while on a visit to New Hampshire, lie came near death's 
door with typhoid fever; this detained him till spring of 1860. when he returned and took his old 
position of fireman, and that fall he was given an engine, which he run till the time of his enlist- 
ment ; Co. F, 2d W. V. I., was formed entirely of railroad men. He enlisted in that company Aug. 
21, 1862, and was honorahlj' discharged on surgeon's certificate of disaliilitj^ after about one j'ear's 
service ; on his partial recover}-, he was given his old situation on the railroad ; he was four years 
on the W. W., two of which was while the St. P. ran it, and the last two years by request of W. W. 
and consent of St. P., and he has been in continuous engineer service to date — part time freight, 
and sometimes passenger. Mr. Sargent has been longest in engineer service of any now living in 
the county. He was married Feb. 22, 1868, to Miss Julia B. Snow, of Watertown, Wis.; they have 
no children ; he belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers ; they have boarded since 
marriage until this season. Mrs. F. N. Snow, his wife's mother, lives with them ; the family are 
social and respected. 

CHARLiES SCHARIEKwasbornin Mecklenburg. Germany, Dec. 5,1852 ; came to Port- 
age, stopping three weeks in New York on his way from Europe, in March, 1878, where he has since been 
engaged as book-keeper for Haertel's brewery. Mr. S. is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, 
Turner's and Leiderkranz Societies and Hook and Ladder Company. He was married in Mecklen- 
burg Feb. 15, 1875, to Carolina Kopcke, born in Mecklenburg; they have three children living — 
Amelia, Charles and Louis, and have lost one — Hulda, who died at Portage in July, 1878, aged 2 
years ; before engaging with the Ilaertels, Mr. S. was with Schumacher & Scluilze two months. 

MISS MARIA ^illAlIB, first cook at the Corning House: was born in Waterford, 
Racine Co., Wis., in 1855 ; her father is a furniture ilealer in Waterford ; has worked several years 
in private families, and two and a half years in the hotel. She is a Catholic. To her skillful hand 
can be ti-aced the well-prepared substantials which so attract the hungry traveler to the Corning 
House. 

FRAIVK SCHERBURT was born in Prussia JLarch 12. 1856 ; is the sonof Christoph and 
Mary Schubart, who emigrated to America when Frank was 11 years of age. locating in Portage, 
where they still reside ; has worked at cigar-making for about eight years, and has been in business 
for himself during the last four and a half years as manufacturer of cigars and dealer in tobacco 
and smokers' articles. He is a member of the Turner Society and Hook and Ladder Company. 

BEIVJAMIK SCHITLZE was born June <). 1801," in Taura, Saxony, where, when he had 
reached a suitable age, he was apprenticed to learn the art of butchering, the mysteries of weaving, 
and the rudiments of music, all from the same master : Mr. Schulze remembers having seen, when 
he was 13 years old. Napoleon Bonaparte's army as it passed through his native town en route to 
Russia, and was soon afterward employed with the Prussians in making fortifications for the pur- 
pose of retaking Torgau, on the Elba — which place the French had captured in 1810 — and was 
present during the fight that followed, and saw the town set on fire ; he also witnessed the shooting 
by Russians of three French soldiers for horse stealing, the victims being placed upon the edge of a 
hike, and pushed backward into the water when killed ; after finishing his aiJiircnticeship, he went to 
Schmannewitz, where he engaged in his various avocations, applying himself more particularly to the 
study of music. Here it was that he met and married Johanna Rosina Wagenknccht, the matrimonial 
event taking place April 25, 1824 ; Schmannewitz was the home of Mrs. Schulze's parents ; she was born 
Jan. 2, 1804, and also bore witness to the French Invasion ; when the news was received that the 
army was approaching, her father, who was a farmer, collected his small flock of cattle and ran them 
into" the woods, to save them from being carried off by the advancing foe, while Johanna, then but 
fl years of age, gathered together her younger brothers and sisters, and marched them into the 
village of Schmannewitz, where, a few days later, she heard the roar of cannon in the historical 
battle of Leipsic. In 1830, Mr. Schulze remo\ed to Tamenheim. a small Saxon hamlet, and there 
engaged in hotel keeping in addition to his three professions ; in 1833, he went to Sitzenroda, and 
purchased a farm and tavern for $1,600, living there until 1850, when he came to America, crossing 
the Atlantic Ocean in the sail-ship '■ Amalia.' and bringing with him his wife, eight sons and one 
daughter, the eldest son, who was then 25 years of age. remaining in the fatherland, in the service 
of the Emperor as buglei' in one of the national liands ; the family aiTived in Portage, by way of 
Quebec, Buffalo and ^Milwaukee, July 28 of the same year, stopping at the old Franklin House ; a 
settlement was soon after made on the east side of Silver Lake, on a quarter section of land, which 
was soon placed under cultivation ; and here, for thirty years, they have made their home ; Mr. 
Schulze is 79 years of age, and his wife but three years younger. There have been born to this now 



ft26 lilOGHArmCAL (SKETCHES: 

aju'il foiipli' ton cliiklren, as follows : Frederick (now Sern'tMrv of :i National Telej^rapli Bureau, in 
Bautzen. Saxony), liorn ]\Iay 15. 1825; Charle.s (drowned in the ^lississippi River. .Vpril 17. l.S(i5), 
born Aug. 20, 1829 ; llenry"(now in Chieajjo). l)orn Nov. i:i, 18S1 ; Krank (dii'd .May 22. 187!)). Ijorn 
Jan. 14. 18:)P>; Hermann (now livini; in Oregon), born Mareli 0. 18;^(( ; l-'erdinand. born July 2(1, 
188!» ; Frederick W.. born .March (1. 1842 : Saiuuel. liorn July 22. 1845 ; Minnie, liorn Feb, 17. 1847 : 
Benjamin, liorn Jan. 7. 1849. .Mr. and Mrs. Scliuize celebrated their fjoldcu weddinn' April 25. 1874. 
the occasion beinj; api)ropriately observed ; the famous Schulze iiand was. of course, present, tlie 
old Ljentlcnian once more taking part in the musical exercises ; there were seven children present ; 
a very touching poem, tifcy verses in lengtli. commemorative of the occasion, written by tlie absent 
son in (xerniany, was read, also one of the same length, composed by the family pastor, the Hev. A. 
Klein; both were publislied in tlie ('u/iiinliin ('(imifi/ Wrc/,-rr : Mr. and .Mrs. Schulze are apparently 
in as good health as ever, and have not vet outlived their usefulness. 

ilRS. B.4.RBAR.\ SCHUI^ZE, n.'e Schwartz, widow of August Frank Schulze ; she 
was liorn May 1. 184(1, in Wittenburg, (termany; her deceased husband was born on the 14th of 
January, ISor!, in Prussia; he came to the United States in 1850, and settled in I'ortage. where lie 
was for many years a hardware merchant. He was married, Feb. 5, 18li0. to theeslimalile lady who 
survives him. From early liovhood. he was a member of • Schulze brass band," organized liv his 
father, and composed mainly of the Schulze family. He died on the 28d of May, 1879; they had 
eleven children, six of whom died in infancy: the living are Louis, liorn Dec. (>. 18(10; Oscar, born 
Dec. 13. 18()8 ; Herman H.. born Nov. 12. 1872 ; .Vugust Frank, born Feb. 2, 1875. and Samuel A., 
born Dee, 15, 1877. .VII the children reside at home. Louis is salesman in the store in which .Mrs. 
Schulze still retains an interest. She has a small place of about 20 acres near I'ortagi'. and her 
pleasant home on I'orncr of Howard and De Witt streets. Jlrs. S. is a member of the Evangelical 
('liurch. and so also was her husband. He was a social gentleman, and a good citizen. The family 
arc :ill highly respected. 

FE<]Ki>I]VANI> SCHULZE, the suliject of this sketch, was born in Saxony. Prussia, July 

20, 1840 ; came to America in 1850, and located at I'ortage, and spent his time until 1861 on his 
father's farm ; he then went across the Plains to Ne\ada, and for five years was engaged in 
mining and music business ; returned to this county in the spring of IStili, and occupied his time in 
farming for two years in the town of Hampden, in this county ; then came to Portage, and engaged 
in the mercantile business, which he has continued ever since. Mr. S. was married in ^lilwaukee, 
March 2, 1880, to ,Miiiiiie A. Dent: she was born in St. Mary's Co.. >Id.. near Washington, D. C: is 
a daughter of Dr, Walter Brewer and ^largaret (Fowler) Dent. Mr. Dent was born in Charles Co.. 
Md.; he came to Milwaukee in 18.')2 : returned to .Maryland in 1854. and remained until 185!t, when 
he again came to .Milwaukee, and came to Portage in 18(11 ; died July Ml, 1807. Jlrs. Dent is a 
native of Cliarlotte Hall, St. .Marv's Co., Md, 

FKIEI>K1€K W. SCIILIliZE, a native of Saxony, Prussia; liorn .March 0. 1842. and 
came to America with his parents, I5cnjamin and Johanna K. Schulze. in 1850. locating in the town 
of Portage, where they still reside. Mr. S.'s early life was spent on liis father's farm until the age of 

21. then worked three years at the carpenter and joiner's trade, when he went to California, spend- 
ing live years there. From 18(13 to 18(17, while in California, his whole attention was devoted to 
instrumental music and the composing of music ; returned to Portage in 18(i7 : he was a mem- 
ber of the firm of Si'humaehcr, Schulze & Bro., for a few years; then, in 1873, for about ten 
months, he carried on mercantile business at ;>Hnneapolis, Jlinn.; allerward returned to Portage and 
engaged in banking business, which he has continued ever since. .^larried in Portage, Aug. 9, 
1872, to Miss .Margaret A. Ilaertel : she was born at Portage; they have three children — Clara, 
Anna and Carl, Mr, and Mrs. S, are members of the Kvangelical Lutlu'ran Church, and ^Ir, S, is a 
member of the A.. F. it A, M, 

I.OriS SCHl^liTZ was born in Portage Seiit. 25. 185(; ; son of Christian and Maggie 
Schultz. both R'sidcnts of Portage : engaged in surveying, etc., on government improvi'inents from 
1871 to Septemlu'r, 1878, running engine in connection with the river improvements and Wis- 
consin Uiver steamboats ; engineer in Haertel's brewery since September, 1878, 3Ir. S. was mar- 
ried in Madison. Wis,. Dec. 25. 1878, to Mary I'lihotl': they have one child — Carrie Dora, He is a 
ini'inbcr of the Hook and Jjadder Co. 

SAMUELi SCHUIvZE, son of Benjaniin and Johanna Schulze: born in Saxony, 
Prussia, July 22, 1845 : came to America in 18,1(1, arriving in Portage on the 28th of July of that 
year. In 1803. commenced learning his trade — tinsmith — with I. W. Bacon, with whom he remained 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 927 

six years, with the exception of about seven months while in tlie army. He entered the United 
States service Feb. 14, 1865, as a.memljer of Co. D, 46th W. V. I., and was mustered out Sept. 27 
following. At the expiration of his six years' service with Jlr. Bacon, he went to Virginia City, 
Mont. ; returning, he was with his brother Henry for awhile in Chicago ; then purchased a stock of 
hardware of Charles Goodyear and commenced business in 187(5, in Portage, in partnership with his 
brother Frank, who died 'Slay 22, 1879. Is now carrying on an extensive hardware store. Has 
been a menilier of the I. < )'. O. F. since 18GS. 

<i}EKHAKD SCHl' JIACHER was liorn in Cologne, Prussia, April 12, 1840 ; he 
emigrated to America in 1854. locating in Milwaukee ; remained there about two years, and then 
came to Portage, and engaged in clerking for N. H. 'NA'ood & Co.. and continued to clerk for about 
eleven years ; has been in Inisiness for liimself since April, 18(!!t, under the firm name of Schu- 
macher, Schulze & Bro., for three years, when Fred W. Schulze withdrew, the Arm name then became 
Schumacher & Schulze, and has remained so up to the present time. He was married at Portage on 
March 4, 1857, to Wilhelmina Schulze ; she was born in Saxony ; the^- have five children — Fred W., 
Samuel M. Milton, Benjamin and Ferdinand. 

WUSTAVIIS A. SELBACK was born in Prussia May 1, 1838, and came to America 
in 1.857, locating at Columbus, Ohio, where he resided until the breaking-out of the war, when he 
enlisted in Co. F, loth (). V. I., served six months, and eight months in the 9th 0. V. C, and in 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. M, 9th 0. V. C. and was in all the engagements of Kilpatrick's 
cavalry. After the war, he remained in Columbus about a j-ear ; in the fall of 1869, he located at 
Appleton, Wis., and engaged in publishing the Appleton VoUcs/rcund, the first German i)aper pub- 
lished there, and continued its pulilication for three years, when he again returned to Ohio, and 
started the Mansfield CouriiT. the first German paper at Mansfield, conducted that paper a year and 
a half when he returned to Appleton, spending eight months there, when he came to Portage in 
1874, and has been conducting the Columbia Comity W<:i-kn- ever since. Mr. Selbach was married 
at Columl)us, Ohio, in the fall of 1 868, to Mar}- Buerkle ; she is a nati\'e of Baden, Germany ; they have 
six children — Matilda, Lizzie, Charles, Lydia, Gerhart and Lotta. He is a member of the A. 0, U. W. 

GEORGrE SHACK ELL, son of Thomas and Mary (Tyrrell) Shackell, was born near 
Banbury. ().\;fordsliire, England, June 15, 1821 ; came to Portage in 1853. making a contract to 
build a house for Judge Dixon, the first brick house erected in Portage ; he was the first mason in 
Portage ; he has followed the contracting and building ever since, and has been a master mason 
fortj'-five years — the leading mason of Portage. Mr. Shackell was married in Souldern. Oxford- 
shire, England. Oct. 17, 1843, to Elizabeth Bishop, daughter of Richard and Eachael Gough, born 
at that place Sept. 3, 1822 ; they have five children — William, born in England, July 15, 1846, who 
is a mason in Portage ; Elizabeth, born Jul}' 17, 1850, in England ; George T., born Jan. 9, 1856, 
at Portage : Richard G., born Sept. 7, 1859, and Francis W., born Sept. 6, 1861. They have lost 
three children — John Gough, born in England, Aug. 2, 1844, and died at Portage Jan. 29, 1855 ; 
Mary, born in England, June 25, 1843, and died June 28, 1843, and Edgar Gough, born in Portage 
Jan. 9, 1858, and ilied hwg. 24, 1858. Mr. Shackell is serving a second term as Supervisor ; he is 
a member of St. John's Church ; "Vestryman of that church for six years, the corner-stone of which 
he assisted Bishop Kemper in laying. His children have all completed a full course in the high 
school. 

NOEL K. SHATTUCK was born in Bakersfield. Franklin Co., Vt., May 9, 1822, and 
lived there until 1845, then moving to Hamburg. Erie Co.. N. Y., where he taught in the academy, 
as Principal, two years ; he then went to Mounds^ille, Va, (now West Mrginia), and engaged in 
teaching there from 1847 to 1872, in the academy, a classical school ; was proprietor and Principal 
of the institution, which was known as Moundsville Academ3\ Mr. Shattuck received his education 
at Bakersfield Academj'. Bakersfield. Vt.; he came to Wisconsin in 1872, locating at Portage; he 
engaged in a commercial college a few months, then engaged in general insurance business ; Mr, S, 
has held the office of Superintendent of City Schools in Portage. Married at Moundsville, Va., 
July 12, 1853, to Emily S. Purdy ; she was born at Moundsville Aug. 31, 1833 ; have five children — 
Elizabeth Lucelia, Louis L., Emily J., Laura V. and Charles B. 

PATRICK SHEEHAN was Ijorn on Prince Edward Island, British North America, 
in April, 1827 ; came to Wisconsin in June, 1851, locating at ^A'atertown, eighteen months, after 
■which he came to I'ortage. Mr. S. was bridge-tender four years ; worked at the carpenter's trade ; 
has been a contractor and Iniilder ; was Alderman, and is now serving as Marslial. He was mar- 
ried at Portage June 26, 1854,to Margaret H. Maloney, who was born in County Tipperaiy, 



928 BIOGRAPHICAI, SKETCHES: 

Ireland. Dec. 15. 1834 : thev have seven children — William, bom Feb. 11. 1857 ; Johanna A.. March 
2. ISGd ; John H.. May 4. iSCS : Thomas (r.. Feb. 24. 18fi8 ; Patrick F.. Sept. 12. 1870 : Mary E., 
April .30. 1873. and Clara. Feb. 28. 187t!. They have lost two children^Mary. aged 1 year and 7 
months, and Frank, ui^ed 4 \ ears and 10 month.s. Thev are members of St. Marv's Church. 

ALKXASiDKR 8HERET was born at Ft. Winnebago Oct. 9. 1850 ; in ISOo. he com- 
menced clerking for D. Ferguson, in Portage : was with him nearly two years ; afterward, was at 
fJreen Bay for a short time : for the last eight years, he has been with E. L. Jaeger, as salesman ; 
in the spring of 1880, he commenced his present business, carrying on business with a partner ; 
they deal in fancy go<xls. notions, hosiery, furnishing goods, etc.: a fine assortment of goods in their 
line will always be found at their estiiblishment. which is located near Bard's jewelrj- store. Mr. 
Sheret s parents. Alexander and Margaret llobinson Sheret. were liorn at Montrose. Scotland : his 
father was engaged in the hardware trade in Portage for several years prior to his death ; his widow 
is still a resident of Portage. The subject of this sketch was married in Portage Nov. 1. 1876. to 
Miss Emma E.. daughter of J. B. Wood, now a resident of Ft. Winnebago. Mr. S. is a member 
of the I. (). (). F. Lodge and Encampment : he and his wife are members of the Presbj'terian 
Church. 

A. E. ISniTH, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Cabot. A't.. Sept. 25, 
1820 : he moved to Massachusetts and lived there about nine years prior to his coming to Wiscon- 
sin, when he came in May. 1857. locating at Plover. Portage Co.; he remained there three months, 
then went to Waupaca. Waupaca Co.. Wis.: was engaged in the hotel business there for eleven 
years, removing from there to Beaver Dam : he kept the Clark House for four years : rented the 
Silver House and kept both houses : sold out there and kept the eating-house at Minnesota Junc- 
tion for a year and a half and from there went to Elroy Junction, and was proprietor of the eating- 
house there for six years : owned a farm in Columbia County for a number of years, and lived 
there in 1870 ; in 1880. purelia.sed the Corning House, of which he is at present proprietor. Mr. 
Smith was married in Cabot. A't., June 10. 1844. to Sarah 0. Warner, a native of Cabot ; they have 
three children — Clinton E.. Edna and Eddie W. ; lost one daughter, who died at about the age of 
3 years. 

SILiAS M. SMITH was born in the town of Bastard. County of Leeds. Upper Canada, 
Sept. 27. 1815. and is the .son of Silas and Phcebe Smith, who were natives of the State of Vermont 
He came to Michigan in 1837. locating at Orion. Oakland Co. ; came to Watertown. Wis., in May, 
1842 : remained there one year : then going to the town of Aztalan. where he stayed about a year ; 
trom there, removed to Portlanil. Dodge Co.. where he erectetl the first house in the town, which was 
about 1844 : then moving again, he came to Fountain Prairie. Columbia Co.. in 184G : was the first 
Town Clerk, and held that office lor several successive years : was elected Justice of Peace in 1849, 
and held that office tor a number of years ; worked at the eari:)enter and joiner trade for a time ; 
was engaged in merchandising with Mr. Brayton for two or three years, and in business alone for 
some time, until the fall of 1857 or 1858. when he sold out. and removed to Randolph, and carried 
on the mercantile liusiness over the line in Dodge Co.. living, however, on this side of the line ; 
was appointed Clerk of the Court in December. 1871 : November. 1872. elected to the position of 
Clerk of the court, and re-elected in 1874 and 1876: then buying the abstract business of Alverson 
& Yule, in connection with C. L. Dering — the business being carried on at the present time by them 
under the finn name of Smith & Dering. Silas M. Smith was married at Brockville. Canada. Jan. 
31, 1837. to 3Iary Ann Campbell ; she died in the town of Portland, Dodge Co.. Aug. 5. 1845, 
leaving three children. One son. ( leorge A., now at Lanark, HI. ; is agent for the W. U. R. R. 
Co. ; has been stationed there for the last ten years, and twenty years with the same companj' ; 
he also serv-ed in an Iowa regiment for two years during the late rebellion. Mr. Silas M. Smith 
married for his second wife. Cynthia M. Bennett, in Fountain Prairie. Oct. 2. 1847 : she died in 
Portage. June 16. 1876. leaving one daughter, who is now Mrs. Azelia M. Wilde. His present wife 
was Ann Jeannette Gallett. a native of Penn Van. Yates Co.. N. Y.: married Aug. 28. 1877. Mr. 
S. was Supervisor of Fountain Prairie in 1857 : ser\'ed three years as Supervisor from Randolph, 
Columbia Co.. in 1870. 1871 and 1872. 

REIXHART A. KPRECHER was born in .Madi.son. Wis.. Sept. 24. 1857: resided at 
-Madison, until iscs, when he came to Portage. His father died in 1860. and his mother in 1868, 
and being a nephew of Carl Haertel. who became his guardian, he came here to live with him. He 
owned the Sprecher Brewery at Madison until October. 1879, when he sold it. and engaged in bank- 
ing since March, 1875, and has remained in it ever since, except the summer of 1879, which he 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 929 

spent in Europe. Mr. Sprecher received his education in the public school, and the high school of 
Portage. Commercial College, etc. He was the son of Frederick Reinhart and Margaretta (HoUen- 
back) Sprecher ; his father came to Madison in 1847,, and mother came in 1848, the year they 
were married. His fatlier was one of the first brewers of 3Iadison ; established his brewery in 1848 ; 
put up the first permanent liuilding in that year, and continued the business up to the time of 
his death. There were ten children in the family, and Reinhart is the only one who survives. 

HON. ALVA STEWART is a native of Morrisville, Madison Co.. N. Y. ; was born 
Oct. 24. 1821, and came to Ft. Atkinson, Jefferson Co., in the fall of 1847, and came to Portage in 
the summer of 1853 ; while in Jeflerson Co. he was a member of the Assembly in 1850 ; also a 
member of the Senate, and member of the Court of Impeachment which tried Judge Hubbell. Mr. 
Stewart commenced to read law with Hon. Nathaniel Foote, of Morrisville, afterward with J. C. Curtis, 
of Canastota, and finally with Whipple Jenkins, of Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y.; admitted to the bar in 
Wisconsin in 1847. The Judge practiced law until February. 18G5. when he was appointed Circuit 
Judge and has been elected several times since, never having any opposition. He is now serving 
his third term. Was married, at Munsville. Madison Co., N, Y., Aug. 24, 1845, to Miss Ann 
MePherson ; she was born at JIunsville, N. Y.; they have three children — Ellen L., now Mrs. 0. M. 
Clark, of Winona, Minn.; Clara Belle, now Mrs. A. W. Walters, of Denver, Colo.; Fannie, now Mrs, 
C. A. Goodyear, of Tomah. 

JOHN W. ST. JOHN was born in Utica, N. Y., April 13, 1841; son of William P. St, 
John ; came with parents to Portage May 18, 1855 ; was in office of Clerk of Court one and a half 
years ; several years engaged as a clerk in the lumber business, and for eleven years took the entire 
charge ; was engaged in mercantile and lumber business at NeillsviUe, Clark Co., for two years ; 
with a lumbering company on Chippewa River three years, since which time he has resided in Port- 
age, Mr. St. John was married, in Portage, May 23, 1864, to Martha E. Harriman, a native of 
Clinton, Me. William P. St. John, father of J. W., was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1809, and 
was an extensive dealer in grain and wool until 1868 ; died November 1876, leaving one child — 
John W., the subject of this sketch. 

Z. J. D. SWIFT was born in Delhi, Delaware Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1835 ; son of Joseph 
and Susan Swift ; his parents moved to Greene Co., N. Y., when he was but 1 year old, lived there 
until 5 years of age, when they removed to West Point, N. Y.; remained there until moving to 
Wisconsin, in the year 1855, settling in Wyoeena ; before coming West, Mr. Swift learned the 
trade of painting, and served a partial apprenticeship as carpenter in New York City, Was married 
to Lydia A, Dow, daughter of Benjamin Dow, a farmer of Wyoeena, who came there in an early 
day, Jan. 1, 1859; she was born in Cattaraugus Co., N, Y,; they have three children — Edwin J., 
born Jan, 1, 1860 : Charles R., Dec. 25, 1863, and Edith G., Oct." 15, 1869. Mr. S. is a memlier of 
the A., F. & A. M., Secretary of the Agricultural Society for the last three years. Coroner of the 
county for a number of years. Justice of the Peace, since 1860, with the exception of one or two 
years Postmaster at Pacific since 1861, has been Town Treasurer, and has been Town Clerk several 
times ; he has also kept the plank-road toll gate since 1860. 

ANDREW TARNHTZER was born in S\\-iti5erland Nov, 22, 1834; attended school 
there until 1846, when he cqme to Sauk Co.. Wis., among the fu'st settlers ; his father and mother 
both died in Sauk Co.. and were buried at J^ittle Prairie, or Black Hawk, in the town of Troy, in the 
Evangelical (lemetery. opposite the old homestead, which Mr. T. still owns ; he is a self-made man 
in every sense of the word. Mr. T. entered the ministry of the Evangelical Association in 1855, 
and was on probation in the Cedar Rapids Jlission, traveling all the time ; there one year ; then in 
the spring of 1856, the i)resent conference was foiTned, of which he was one of the founders ; he is 
now Presiding Elder. 

JAMES B. TAYLOR is a native of Rupert, Bennington Co., Vt., born Aug. 15, 1840 ; 
was educated at Burr Seminary, Manchester, Vt„ and Union College, situated at Schenectadj', N. Y., 
where he took a four years' course, and gi'aduated from that institution in June. 1865 ; came to 
Portage the same year, and commenced the study of law with his lirother Emmons Taylor, who 
came to Portage in 1857, and died here April 13, 1874 ; after reading law with his brother for a 
year and a half, he was admitted to the bar, and has been engaged in practice here up to the present 
time, and has acted as City Attorney the most of the time since. Was married at Portage, Sept, 
16, 1873, to Miss Julia A. Davidson ; they have one child, Emmons Haskell, born April 7, 1875. 

EZRA K. THAYER, born iii Orwell, Addison Co., Vt., Jan, 3, 1812, where he resided 
until coming to Wisconsin, town of Green Lake, Green Lake Co., in 1853 ; lived there for eleven 



^^0 lilOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

years, then removed t<i the town of Marcellon. Columbia Co., where he remained up to the time of 
coming to Portage, in tiie spring of 1S77 : has been engaged in grocery business since November. 
1879. Married at Sudbury. Rutland Co.. Yt. March 12." 1845. to Angeline E. Wallace, a native of 
Vermont. They have two children — Wra. W. and Isaljclla. 

HENKV V. THKI>E, born in .Milwaukee. M'is.. July 15. 184;t ; his parents. W. H. and 
Catherine Thede. moved to Sauk City, whore they now reside, in 1S51 : Mr. T. learned his trade, 
that of a harness-maker, in MadLson and Mazomauic. and followed it in various places before 
beginning for himself at Portage in 1877. He was married at Sauk City. Aug. 28. 1877. to Joseph- 
ine Sturm, liorn in Tvrol. They h;n-e one child. William, born May 81, 1878. 

AliEX.4:VI>KK TH05IPS01V, born in Glasgow. Scotland, ftlay 2G, 1848; came with 
his parents, Ninnian and JIary Thompson, to Ft. Winnebago in August. 1850 : father worked at 
carpenter's trade for fifteen years, then engaged in farming in the town of Hekorra, Columbia Co., 
which he still continues. Alex. T. worked at carpenters traile three years, but in 18711 engaged in 
grocery business, and dealing extensively in clover, timothy and field seeds generally, which busi- 
ness he still continues. .Mr. T. was married in Portage. Dec. 18. 1872. to Susan ^M. Purnell. a native 
of Norwich. (Vjun. They have one child. Marv Emma, born May D, 1874. .Mr. T. is a prominent 
memlier of the 1. (). (). V. 

A. B. THOMPSON, born in Smithtield. Providence Co.. R. I.. Aug. (J. 1825: came to 
Pardeeville in November. 18(i4. resided there ten years, then removed to Portage. Was married in 
Smithlield. R. I.. .November. 1846. to Thankful Handy, a native of that place : they have four chil- 
dren living — Morgie .\.. now Mrs. (ieo. W. I)usenlierry. of Portage; Philip K.. .\lice G.. now .Mrs. 
Frank A. Mathewson. of Pardeeville. and Frank B.. living ; Sarah, deceased. .Mr. and Mrs. Thompson 
are members of the Presb\terian Ciiurcii. and of the temperance societv. 

MISS JEXNETTE THOMPSON, at Corning House;" was born in Butfalo. Mar- 
quette Co., Wis., in I)ecember, 1857; her parents are farmers, and were counted of ■■ pure blood 
in the land of Burns. " She has been for six j'ears a member of the United Presbyterian Church ; 
has been a vear in the hotel. 

WERT F. THOMPSON, deceased, was born in Colchester, Vt, in 1834 ; lived in Ohio 
before coming to Wisconsin ; settled in Portage in 1858 ; was married in 18(i0. to Miss Cornelia E. 
Reed, formerly of Seneca Co.. N. Y. : her father. Warren S. Reed, came to Portage in 1858. and died 
in January. 18(i7. Mr. Reed started the rest:uirant Inisiness. at the depot, which, with enlargements, 
is now conducted Ijy Mr. Fox, Mr. Thompson died in May. ISiiS. and at the time of his death, was 
in charge of the railroad shops ; he has been a railroad man most of his life ; he was a 82(1 Degree 
Mason, and was buried with Masonic honors; .Mrs. Thompson and her brother reside in the ■ Reed 
Homestead. " The brother. Samuel, was Iwru Jan. 10, 1844 ; he has been a resident of Portage since 
the age of 14. In June. 1878. he was married to Miss Julia Crane, of .Mauston. Wis. ; they have 
one child, liorn September. 1874. and named Wert Thompson Reed : Mr. Reed is a railroad engineer. 
EPHR.4IM B. TRAOEWELI., farmer ; born in the city of Baltimore. .Md.. in 1822 : 
in 1840. he came to Wisconsin, anil settled in Kenosha, which continued his home until the spring 
of 1851, when he came to Portage. In 1858, he was married, in Kenosha, to ^liss Harriet Dana ; in 
18H0, he bought a farm. 200 acres, in Marcellon. Columbia Co.. Wis., which he still owns and rents ; 
since 1874 he has lived in Portage ; has two children — Frances, born in December, 185(i ; and .Major 
D.. born in 1858 ; both live in the county ; his wife died in 187(> ; he was crippled in the knee, by 
the cut of an ax, on patella, when a child ; Government was making the canal when he came to 
Portage, and water was let into the canal that same year : muscle and grit were the elements of 
success then, for those were rough pioneer times. 

A. J. TIIRNER was i)orn in the town of Schuyler Falls (then Plattsburg). N. Y.. Sept. 
24. 1882. where he lived until 1853. removing to Grand Rapids. .Mich., where he took his lirst les- 
sons in the art of type-setting in the />"//<■ ottice ; returning to his native town, in 1855. he "set 
up' the first number of the Plattsluirg Snitini/. a paper still in existence, teaching school for a 
short time, and returning to Grand Rapids early the .same year: in September. 1855, he came to 
Portage, and was employed as a com|)ositor in the Lulipiiiiliiit otHee the second day after his 
arrival, and worked there until the spring of 185(). when he went to .Madison, and was engaged at 
his trade in the ottice of the Statr ./luinin/ for six months : at the end of that time, he was pro- 
moted to the position of city editor of that paper, and this e\ent marked the beginning of his jour- 
nalistic career ; in the spring of 1857, he returned to Portage, and became one of the editors of the 
Record; in the fall of that year, he returned to Madison as a clerk of one of the legislati^•e 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 931 

coininittees. and. in tho tbllowini)- spring, he made the trip, on foot, with thai reuuirkahle genius, 
"Shanghai" Chandler, to Friendship, Adams Co.. where he assisted in establishing the Adrnm 
Cciiiiti/ hiih-pcudcut. remaining tliere four or five months ; returning to Portage, he resumed his 
former connection with the Rn-nnl. Tn the fall of 180(1, he was elected Clei-k of the Circuit Court, 
and served one term, at the expiration of which he was chosen to represent his district in the State 
Assembly ; returning from the State capital, he again took his place upon the Record, which he 
soon afterward purchased and consolidated with the Whfonsin ,Statf Ri-t/ixfer. founded a few months 
pre\ious by S. S. Brannan. upon the ruins of the Badger State .• he continued witli Mr. Brannan. as 
publisher of the Register, for seventeen years, selling! in 187S. to Judge J. T. Clark. Mr. Turner 
has l)een prominently before the people of Columbia Co. for nearly a quarter of a century, having 
filled various county offices ; he was a delegate to the National Convention which nf)minated Lin- 
coln, was Chief Clerk of the State Senate three years, and now holds the otticc of State Railway 
Commissioner. To Mr. Turner is due the credit of establishing the - Blue Book ' upon its present 
plan, and he was for se^■eral years its compiler ; he was the first Secretary of the Wisconsin Central 
Railway Company, afterward one of the Directors of the Portage & Stevens Point Railway, and, 
still later. President of the Portage, Friendship & Grand Rapids Railroad, which was consolidated 
with the present [Madison & Portage road. Mr. Turner was married at Friendship, Adams Co., ' 
Wis., :May 29. 1860. to :Mary (). Hanford. a native of Walton. Delaware Co.. N. Y.; they have three 
children — Fred J., Rockwell F. and Ellen B. 

STKPHElif TURNER was Iwrn in Nelson Co., Va.. Dec. 14, 1818 ; came to Portage 
May o. 1858 ; engaged in peddling one year ; in 18()0, commenced mercantile business, dealing in 
gi-oceries and fruits ; continued in that for four years ; then engaged in auctioneering and speculating, 
in wliich he has successfully continued ever since ; owns two-thirds interest in the jewelry establishment 
of Turner & Parsons. ^Ir. Turner was married at ITnion Hill. Nelson Co., Va.. December, 1840, to 
Eliza Jane Hill, born at Tuion Hill ; they have had nine children, three of whom arc deceased — 
Samuel died in 1801. aged o years and 8 months ; Annie died in 1872, aged i) years; Charles died 
in 1872. aged 3 years and 3 months ; the children living are Bluford B.. Stephen. Jr.. Elizabeth, 
liUcretia. Willie and Jessie. Mr. T. is in every sense a self-made man. 

ELKtiENE a. VAUIiiHAN, son of Samuel K. and Lavina A'aughan, who came to Wis- 
consin, locating at Waupun. at an early date ; his father died in Portage, in September, 1872 ; his 
mother is now living and a resident of this city ; Plugene was born in Wyocena, Feb. 28. 1853, and 
has been employed in John (Jraliam's drug and grocery house for the last ten years. He was 
married in Portage 3Iarch 24. 1875, to Sarah" A. Padley ; she was born at Lodi ; they have one son 
—Samuel K. — b<jrn March 12. 1870. Mrs. V. is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and iMr. Y. 
is a member of the I. (). O. F. 

}>IRS. RICHARD ¥. VEEDER, widow of the earliest settler on this side of the canal ; 
her maiden name was Winopher ^'eeder. and she was born near Albany. N. Y.. April 2. 1812 ; 'Mr. 
Veeder was liorn Jan. 11. 1812. in ]M(jntreal. Canada, where his parents were temporarily stopping ; 
from the age of 10 he lived with an uncle in Boston. ^lass. ; he came to Wisconsin June 20, 1835, 
but stopped a while near (Jreen Bay. as he had relatives connected with the pineries; became to 
Portage several years before his marriage, which was on JIarch 10, 1844 ; when a -'bach." he kept 
travelers at his cabin, and after marriage he kept open house for many years ; they built the first 
dwelling in Portage (since destroyed by fire), and there was nothing here when they liuilt in the sum- 
mer of 1845 ; the,y first spent nearly a year at the Indian trading-post ; the ^^'isconsin River now flows 
over the site of the trading post, and also over the site of their first pioneer dwelling near "the Post ;" 
the house Iniilt by them and now occupied by Mrs. Veeder is the oldest building in the city ; it was 
built for a storehouse, but has been used tor nearly everything. They have had four children — Eliza- 
beth, born in 1845. in the first dwelling in Portage (she is dead) ; John S. .born Feb. 4, 1847 (he is 
now a railroad conductor) ; Hannah, liorn in 1849. is dead ; Richard T.. Jr., born Jan. 1. 1851 (he is 
also a railroad conductor). Mr. \' eeder is remembered as a kind-hearted man and good citizen, and 
was universally known as -Uncle Dick," and iiis widow is still called ■ Aunt Dick ;" he died Jan. 19, 
187(1 ; he was not a churcii nu^mber. but aftiliated with the Episcopalians. Her son. R. F.. still lives 
with his mother on Sec. 5. wiicrc Portage is mainly l)uilt. and which Mr. Y. bought at government 
price ($1.25 per acre) ; ]Mrs. A', owns two blocks in Portage beside her old home. 

JOHN VERSEN, deceased, was l>orn in Paderborn, Pnnince of Westphalia. I'russia, 
Nov. 8, 1814 ; came to America and landed at New Orleans. Decemlier. 1847 ; remained there al)out 
one year ; removed to St. Louis, and worked at carriage trimming ; was in Galena, 111., for some 



932 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

time, where he made the acquaintance of U.S.Grant; afterward a resident of Madison ; came to Portage, 
Feb. 1. 1851. engaofed with his partner in harness-malving. with credit sufficient to obtain material 
for a single liarness. having landed at Portage with only five cents ; at tlie time of his death. May 
24. 1S72. he carried on the largest harness manufactory in Central Wist'onsin. doing business where 
Purdys drug st«re is now located : leaving a larire estate at his death. 

JOSEPH A. VERSEN, son of John Versen. was born in Portage June 9, 1857 ; edu- 
cated at the High School ; served an apprenticeship of three years in the harness and saddlery 
business ; has been engaged in mercantile luisiness for some time, being now in the employ of 
of D. Fischbeck & Son, of Milwaukee, wholesale dealers in saddlery- hardware and leather. The 
Portage Register of Oct. 3. 1874. contained the following complimentary notice of young Versen: 
■' Joseph Versen. of this city, a boy of 17. entitled himself to the -reward of merit.' if not to the 
' first premium.' by the manufacture of a set of single harness which he had on exhibition at the 
county fair. Though he is but a yearling in the business, his work would do no iliscredit to a much 
more experienced workman. He will, no douljt, make his mark in his particular line of business, if 
in no other direction. \Ve take pleasure in saying a word of encouragement to hini. as we do to all 
bovs who pursue the rightcoursc. " 

SAM WAH & BROTHER, laundrymen ; Sam was born in China in 18(i3. and Charley 
was born in IS.'jtl : Charley came to San Francisco in 1870. and Sam in 1878 : both have lived in 
Red ^\'ing. 5Iinn. ; they came to I'ortage nearly a year ago. and are doing a good business on Conant 
street : are law-abiding, prosperous Chinamen. 

MRS. ELECTA WARD, widow of Orlanilo Ward, who was one of the earliest mer- 
chants in Portage; she was lx>ni I)e('. 17, 1812, in liCe, Berkshire Co.. Mass. Mr. Ward was ))orn 
Jan. 22. 1812. in ^'ermont ; they were married in Carlton. Orleans Co.. X. Y.. on the 2Hd of June, 
1836 ; came West in 1840. remained two years in Milwaukee, and then settled in the house where 
Mrs. Ward now lives in Portage; he died in October. 1871, leaving one child, Helen — now Mrs. 
Winne — living in Iowa : ^Ir. ^\'ard was a member of the Masonic ( )rder. and of the ( )dd Fellows ; 
she is a member of the First Presbvterian Church ; is still an active worker. 

MARVIN WATERHOl'SE, M. D. (deceased), was born in Alden. Erie Co.. N. V., 
on the lilth of September. 1827 ; when at the age of 14. he was bereft of father, and. soon after- 
ward, he and his widowed mother removed to T)arien. Walworth Co.. Wis.; in 1850. he moved to 
Packwankee. Wis.; his early life was passed amid the scenes and duties incident to farming. On 
the 1st of January. 1852. he was man-ied to Miss Maria A. Older, who survives him : they had 
no children. A broken leg. in October. 1853. caused him to study medicine, and he graduated 
from Hush Medical College, in Chicago, in 18(j0 ; he had practiced medicine, in response to local 
calls, since 1855; in August. 18(;4. he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the 1st Regiment 
Wis. Heavy .Vrtillery : was in the army one year; located in I'ortage in September. 18(i5. and 
practiced his profession in the city and surrounding country until pre\ (.'uted by his last illness ; 
in July. 18(i7. he became a member of the Wisconsin ^Medical Society ; was elected Mce Presi- 
dent in 1871. and President in 1873; was delegate four years to the American Medical Society, 
and contributed several valualile papers to the society ; he was a successful physician, and had a 
lucrative practice : his broken liml) never fully recovered, and finally amputation was necessary ; 
this was done Jan. 1((. 1878. and the wounded limb rapidly healed ; but in the summer it broke 
out vvith ulcers, and an abscess formed, caused by taking I'old ; he endured the intense pain with 
remarkalile fortitude, until his iron constitution yielde(l. and he died on the 19th of October, 
1878 ; he had been an active memlier of the I. O. O. F.. and was one of the original Patriarchs 
of Excelsior Encampment, at I'ortage ; the brotherhood conducted his obsetjuies. according to 
their impressive cereuKmies. He was a pulilic-spirited citizen ; at the time of his death, he was a 
member of the Board of Education, also, Kxamining Surgeon for Pensions ; he was financially 
comfortable : he was naturally cheerful, but firm and teiuicious ; all declare him to have been an 
honorable, high-minded gentleman, and one who acted well his part in all the varied relations of 
husband, citizen and healer of the afflicted. 

ANDREW WEIR was born in Harthill. Lanarksljire. Scotland. April. 1821 ; he came 
to Ft. Winnebago. Wis.. May, 1851 ; remained there until November of the same year, then went 
with his lirother. John Weir, to California, where they spent fifteen months in mining, etc.; then 
went to Australia, where he spent fifteen months ; he then sailed for Scotland, where he arri\ed 
October, 1854. Mr. W. was married at Causewayhead. Sterlingshire, Scotland, May 9, 1855. to 
Margaret Kincaid, a native of Bowhouse, Sterlingshire, Scotland : they sailed for America, 



CITY OF PORTAGE. 938 

lauding in New York in June, 1855 ; came direct to Ft. Wiunel)ago ; engaged in real-estate and 
gi-ain business ; he now lives where he first settled. Mr. W. was one of the founders 'of the City 
Bank of Portage : was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors several terms, and is now in that 
position. 

EIjISHA a. wells, farmer : born in Hartford, Conn., on the 9tii of September, 
18(11 ; his parents removed to Berkshire Co.. Mass.. when Elisha was quite .young, and there the 
'•old folks ' resided uutil their death ; the fatlier was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Mr. 
Wells remained with his parents during their entire life. He was married on the 25th of June, 
1828. to Miss Anna ^lartin. of Massaeliusetts ; they have had nine children ; the living are 
Ann C, Martha E., Horace K., Lydia \.. Lemuel M. and Mary A. He came to Portage on the 
5th of 'Slay. 1855 ; present liouse was first liriek made in Portage ; lost a large residence May. 
1879 ; has a small place in I'ortage, also land in Lewiston ; has documents dated 1704, signed by 
Ichabod Wells, a Sheriff of Connecticut at that date ; he was a town official many 3-ears in his 
New England home. Their ■■ yiildnt wcddiiKj" yi&s, celebrated on the 25th of June, 1878 ; kind 
friends and valuable gifts made it a memoralile occasion. 

HORACE D. WELLS, retired farmer, was born on the 2d of January, 1798, in the city 
of Hartford, Coun. ; he is tile son of Elisha and Clara Deming Wells, of Connecticut ; the family trace 
their ancestry for 800 years, and show connection, l)v intermarriage, witli nobility and royalty. The 
" Magna Charta," signed hy King John, in 1215, was delivered at (runuymede to ■ Bishop Hugode 
Wells, of the Cathedral of Lincoln." The ancestral tree is traced generations bejond the •• Bishop," 
and its branches are in a connected liue with the Wells family iu Portage. The original ■ coat of 
arms ' of the Wells family bore the motto, ■■ Christ's Cross is my Light." Gov. Tliomas Wells, of 
Connecticut, was among their earliest ancestors in America ; real estate near Hartford, Conn., has 
been in continuous ownership of the Wells family for 200 years ; the subject of this sketch was 
married at Rye, N. Y., on the oOtli of April. 1834, to Miss Mary S. Barker, daughter of James 
Barker, a retired merciiant of New York (lity ; Mr. Wells was in the mahogany business at Yonkers, 
N. Y., from 1828 to 1843 : theuce he went to Owego, and engaged in mercantile Imsiness, together 
with lumbering ; in 1848, he weut to Hartford, and remained until coming West ; his residence in 
Hartford was once the home of Gov. Morgan of Connecticut, and when Jlr. Wells left the State, he 
sold it to Gov. Richard D. Hubliard. ^Irs. Wells died Oct. 6, 1852, leaving two sons — James B., 
born March 7, 1836, and Lemuel H., born Dec. 3. 18 — ; the latter is an Episcopal Clergyman in 
Walla Walla, Washington Ter. Mr. Wells first made a tour of the West in 1854 ; in the spring of 
1855, he bought a large tract in Sauk Co.. of which he still owns 1,0(10 acres ; he came to Portage 
in 1862, and his present beautiful home of 20 acres was i)urchased soon afterward ; this is also the 
home of his son James B., who was married on the 20th of April, 1859, to Miss Anna P. King, 
daughter of the Hon. 0. B. King of Watertown. Conn. : they have two children — Mary A., born 
May 24, 1860, and James H.. Iiorn November. 18(32. The W#ells i'amilies are all Episcopalians ; the old 
gentleman, past fourscore and two years, is in delicate health. l)ut still retains the genial air and 
quiet dignity of the -old-school gentleman." He has always been a worthy citizen, and is blest 
with competency and hosts of friends. 

JOSEPH E. WELLS was born in Birmingliam. England. March 22, 1842 ; came to 
Wisconsin in 1851, witli liis father ; his mother and otiier children came to Wisconsin in April, 
1852 ; his father located at Twiggs Ferry, in Coliunliia Co., on the Fox River. Rev. William 
Wells, father of J. E. Wells, now living at Fort Winnebago, located a form in that town at about 
that time, and still owns it ; has been engaged in preaching at different points until fifteen j'ears 
ago, regularly ; now preaches every other Sunday, as he is called upon, Joseph E. worked upon 
the fai-m until the age of 21. when he came to Portage and attended scliool for about a year; 
then commenced clerking for I. W. Bacon, a hardware dealer, and remained with him between 
eleven and twelve years, then purchasing the Inisiness of the Bacon estate ; he has been in part- 
nership with H. W. Williams for the last six years ; they also run a branch store at Waupaca. 
Mr. W. married in Portage. June 7, 1871, Addie E. Forrest ; she was born in New Hampshire ; 
they have four cliildren — Mary E.. Cora A., Maud S. and Josie A. He is serving his fourth year 
as Alderman of the Third Ward ; is member of the Temple of Honor and A., F. & A. M. 

DANIEL WELLS, son of Walter Wells, who died in Yates Co., N. Y., was Ijorn in Ham- 
ilton, Madison Co.. N. Y.. Sept. 24. 1829. In 1858, lie removed to Yates Co., N. Y., and resided in 
Penn Yan and vicinity, until 1859 ; in December of the same year, he settled in Wisconsin, pur- 
chasing a farm on Sec. 26, town of Randolph, and engaged in farming until he sold out iu September, 



934 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

18(58. and in November. 1868. removed to Portascc : in Fohruarv. 1870. engaged in tlonr and fci'd 
business, and also that of an aiiotioneer. Mr. Wells was ("hairman of the Board of Supervisors while 
at Handolph ; has been City .Marshal i>f Portage, and also held the otliee of Under .Sheriff for two 
years. Mr. Wells was married in the town of Jerusalem. Yates Co.. N. V.. Feb. 15. IS'ilt. to Martha 
fiallett. a native of that plaee. They have tlu-ee ehildren — Susan. Klizaheth. John W.. Daniel (>, 
Mr. Wells is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge. 

ROBERT B. WEXTWORTH was born in the town of Buxton. York Co.. .Me., 
Jan. 18. 1827. and resided there until he came to Wi.sconsiu in 1848, locating at Madison. He 
learned the trade of printing in Portland. Maine, when a boy. and while living at Madison, worked 
as a journeyman printer. He pulilished the first paper that was ever issued inDodgc^Co — Dixige 
County Gazi'tic — which was published in Juneau, and continued tiie pul)lieation of that journal for 
about four years : the last two years he issued it as the Burr (><ih. He came to I'ortage in 1857, 
and bought the Pariacir Citi/ liraml. publishetl it just four years, and then sold out to A. J. Turner. 
In 18til. he erected a grain elevator, and engaged in the grain and hunt ler trade : he also carried 
on steaml)oating between this point and Green Bay ; in the latter business ten years, from 18(i4 to 
1874. He is now interested in tiie City Bank of Portage; he and his .son own one-third of the 
stock of that institution. 3Ir. Wentworth was married at Fryeburg. Me.. Oct. 0. 1850. to Lydia 
H. I'ike : she was born in Fryeburg. ^fe, April 1, 1825. They have tiu'ee children — Ella Augusta, 
Winfield Scott and I'^lorence. He has been Alderman of the Second Ward four years, and member 
of the Assembly from Dodiie Co. in 1857, and Justice of the Peace one year. 

W. S. WEXTWORTH was born in Juneau. Dodge Co.. Wis.. Oct. 15. 1853 ; received 
his education at the pul)lie .schools of Portage, and at the Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis.; 
was connected with McGregor & Co., in the lumber and grain lousiness, as clerk for one year ; after- 
ward one year for his father until January. 1875. he was then a[)pointed assistant cashier of City 
Bank, and held that position until July 1, 1878, when he was elected cashier, which position he has 
since held ; stockholder and Director of the bank since January. 1876. 

CHARLES H. WILLIAMS, freight engineer on 'the C. M. & St. P. R. 11. ; was born 
in \'ermont Jan. 14, 184;!. His parents came West in 1855, and settled in Beaver Dam. Wis. ; his 
railroad life began in 18(iO. as fireman on the old La Crosse & .Milwaukee \\. \\.: he enlisted in 
August. lSt>2. in the 24th W. V. I., and was mustered out on the 22d of June. 18(15, having served 
nearly three years. His regiment was in the Army of the Cuml>erland during the entire war, and 
he was in eleven regular liattles. besides skirmishes and raids unnumliercd. Some of the engage- 
ments are familiar in hist<n\y — Resaca. Kenesaw Mountain. Atlanta. Jonesboro. Franklin and Nash- 
ville : he had several ■• close calls." l)ut came f>ut without a scratch. He enlisted from .Milwaukee, 
and at the close of the rebellion, he returned to his old position and -fired" until 1867, when he took 
charge of an engine, aiid has run as engineer to date. He boards at the Fox House ; belongs to the 
Temple of Honor. •■ Cliarley is well liked." 

RE%\ MATTHIAS WITTEXW VLER was born in Switzerland Aug. 9. 1840 ; came 
to America in June, 185;!, locating in the town of Washington. Green Co., Wis.; resided there until 
1862 ; then entered the holj- ministry ; was ordained in 1864 ; his first charge was the church at 
Lomira. Dodge Co.; remained there for tive months and was then stationed at Waupaca Mission, 
embracing five counties ; while in charge there, he traveled every day and had to preach about 
every other day ; remained until lS6;i ; the conference then sent him to Fox Kiver Circuit ; was one 
year t'onnectecl with that ; in 1S64. was sent back to Waupaca Mission, where he remained two years ; 
in ISli)!. was sent to Two Rivers Mission, and was located there two years ; in 18<)8. came to Win- 
nebago Circuit, was also two years in that place ; then sent to Dunn Co. Circuit and was there three 
years; then, in 187;!. to Buffalo Co. Circuit : was Pastor there for two years ; then, in 1875. appointed 
Presiding Klder for four years, and now has charge of Portage Church, and has a numlier of other 
appointments ; has made this city his residence since 1875. Mr. W. was married in Portage Oct, 
17. 18(15. to Auirusta M. 3Iellea ; she was liorn in I'russia ; they have eight children — A. R., Lydia 
W.. .Martha M .. Hulda S.. Kddie K.. Julia E., Fredrick F., and Henry H.' 

EI>\VARD L. WILCOX, I'oreman of the round-house! ('.. M. & St. R. R.. at Portage, 
Wis.; born Nov. 6. 1820. in New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y.; is a son of Samuel W.. who built the 
arsenals for the Government at Batavia. N. Y.; the mother, Abagail (White) Wilcox, still lives in 
Whitestown. Oneida Co.. N. Y.. which was named after her grandfather, who was the founder of the 
town ; she is aged 01. in 1880. The subject of this sketch learned the trade of machinist at Willow 
Vale, N. Y., of the firm of Rogers & Spencer; al)out 1850, he began work for N. Y. C. R. R.. at 



CITY OF PORTA(iE. 935 

Scheneetad>', where he remained three years ; then was at I^a Porte, Ind.. for tlie JI. S. R. R.; after- 
ward at (Chicago, with the C. & R. I., and tlien at BIoominsTton, in employ of C, A. &. St. L. R. R.; 
was for some time in eharge of the round-house, at North Milwaulvee ; was afterward foreman of the 
round-house at Davenport. Towa, on tlie ]M. & M. R. R. ; he ran an engine nine years between Jlil- 
wauliee and La Crosse ; and he lias been in continuous eharge of the round-house at Portage for 
the past ten years ; there maj- be several other railroads with whieh he was at some time connected, 
as he could at any time procure work on any railroad ; in various capacities lie has served the C, 
JI. & St. P. Co. twenty-five years. He was married in 1S(>:-! to Miss Mary McCauley, a native of 
Milwaukee ; they have had five children, four of whom died in childhood ; have one son — William 
Henry, born Nov. 21, 1870 ; his residence is on Emmet street ; is a member of A. 0. U. W.; he is 
President of the Wisconsin Milling and Mining Co.. of the Black Hills. D. T. ; they own four claims 
together with a water-right and a mill-site ; when the balance of their stock is sold, the company 
will enlarge their facilities for developing the mines. 

JOH^ A WITTER, photognxpher; was born in Manchester, Boone Co.. 111., April 20, 
1857 ; resided there until 18 years of age, when he moved to Janesville. Wis., and to Portage Oct. 
1, 1878. Mr. W. learned the photographic art at Janesville, and began liusiness Oct. 28, 1878. He 
is a Good Templar and a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

ADDIS L. WITTER was born in "the town of Manchester. Boone Co.. 111.. Sept. 19, 
1859 ; removed thence to Clinton Junction, Wis., in 1876 ; removed to Janesville for a few months 
in 1878. and to Portage Oct. 1. 1878. where he has since resided ; and is associated with his brother, 
John A., in the photographing business. 

N. H. WOOD. The subject of this sketch was born in Ashfield, Mass., Feb. 21, 1820 ; 
his father. Nathan Wood, was born in Phillipston, Mass.; he was an orphan at 12 years of age, with 
only one bnither. William, who was afterward engaged in the South American trade, and died in 
London in 1820, with quite a fortune ; the father emigrated to Ashfield in 180O, and married Lucy 
Ranney, daughter of Francis Ranney, fifth descendant of Thomas Ranney, who settled in Middleton, 
Conn., in 1669. From 1838 to 1844, when he married Harriet J. Luke, of Hamilton, N. Y.. and 
opened a store in Little Falls, N. Y., Mr. Wood was a wholesale peddler, supplying the stores with 
small wares ; his route was from Troy, N. Y., via Syracuse, to Watertown, generally journeying 
through the Mohawk Valley westward, and returning through Cortland, Madison, and the counties 
along the Cherry Valley turnpike ; in 1848, Mr. Wood visited Wisconsin, and, with a bundle of land 
warrants, located lands about Portage City, then Ft. Winnebago ; in the spring of 1849, he shipped 
a considerable stock of goods to Chicago, as a venture; he arrived there about June 1, with the 
cholera raging and the population very quiet ; most of his merchandise arrived in a single vessel, a 
perfect avalanche of goods, which obstructed the sidewalk, resulting in a fine imposed by a petty 
magistrate, complaint having lieen made by a jealous competitor in trade ; the fine was placarded 
on the door, and brought him both sympathy and notoriety ; having only two younger brothers with 
him, and disliking to employ those who would offer their services most readily, he adopted, from 
necessity, the novel plan of handing out goods to the customer who would first reach up his monej' ; 
the plan took like wildfire, and in this manner he disposed of his whole stock of general dry goods, 
fancy goods, and many articles in the gi'ocery line, which included 100 chests of tea and 300 boxes 
of raisins ; the nest arrival brought an immense stock of Ijooks. stationery and engravings, bought 
at the New York trade sales, obliging him to close his store for three days to examine ; the opening 
hour of 10 o'clock, which had been placarded, lirought a throng of people which filled lioth sidewalk 
and street for a block ; the openings of the counters were barricaded and the merchandise placed 
beyond reach ; on opening the doors, the rush of the crgwd was like a stampede of Texan steers ; 
jumping upon the counters, they commenced handing books to the first man who got the money up ; 
lawyers and business men came in by scores ; book after book accumulated in their arms, until, 
loaded, they would journey home, to return again ; a clearance of the room for dinner was facili- 
tated by the sale of thirty medium-sized mirrors, which reflected the suggestion of the propriety of 
improving the appearance by journeying home for ablutions and dinner : the afternoon so far 
exceeded the morning, that we lost all knowledge of time, forgot our supper, sold thicker and faster, 
until we observed the room was thinning : they were easily dismissed — it was past 11 o'clock ; they 
had sold that day. stationery in small parcels and liooks in single volumes, mostly, $1,461, a 
feat which retailers of books and stationery — the slowest of all merchandise — will appreciate ; the 
stock was soon exhausted, and Mr. Wood must replenish at the seaboard ; no one could keep up the 
system he had introduced, nor did he ever attempt it himself again. He sent to Little Falls for 



936 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

George S. and Chauiu-ey T. Bowen, aged 1(3 and 18 years : they suc-ceeded him in 1858. and. as the 
firm of Bowen Brothers, were for many years one of the learling wliolesale firms of Chicago, and 
known throughout the United States ; Chauneey T. Bowen was afterward one of the City Fathers of 
Chicago ; (ieorge S. Bowen is the cek'brated railroail President and dairyman of Klgin. 111., and is 
interested in its extensive watch manufai-tory ; their wisdom and ability liave increased with years, 
but they were • beautiful in tlieir youth :" so thought Mr. Wood when C. T. Bowen. at l*i. took his 
books in charge : in a week lie knew the cost and price of every article in the store ; in three weeks 
hi' knew the amount of credit each customer was entitled to. and in a month he was authority on the 
amount of credit every Jew in the clothing trade of Chicago might have, and the management of 
collections ; and so wisely and well did he do all these things, that he maintained his position ; Mr. 
Wood never had the least idea of failing in business ; his bark was always near shore ; he would 
never owe. or sutler others to owe him. more than he was worth ; with his caution, he woukl never 
enter the lists of a large and hazardous wholesale trade. The miasma of Chicago in those days was 
disagreeable to him. and he determined upon the economical life of a tax-payer upon unpmd active 
property in Wisconsin : perhaps thirty years of this experience has tried his ever-hopeful nature. 
i)ut the future of Portage City is assured, and his last (lays may Ijrighten. 

J. D. WOMKR was born in Philadelphia, Pen'n., .March 8, 1848; resided there until ll! 
years of age ; lived then in Pittsliurgh until enlisting in February, 18G3, in Co. B, lOdth Peun. V. I., in 
which he scr\'ed from the battle of the Wilderness to Jjee s surrender ; was mustered out at Har- 
risburg, Penn.. in August. 18(!5. On leaving the army, Mr. W. went to New York City, where he 
remained until 1872 ; moved from there to .Springfield, 111.; two years later, he went to (Irand Rapids. 
Wis., and in December, 187(!, removed to Portage, which has since been his home. Mr. W. was mar- 
ried at .Jamestown. N. Y.. March 1(!, 1869, to Sarah A. Wood, liorn near Westtield, Chautauqua Co.. 
N. Y. He is a mi'uiber of the Orand Army of the Republic, ami Captain of the Guppey Guards. 

E. 3. S. WRICJHT was born at No. 2 Phipnix Court. Newgate street. London, England. 
July 2t). 1848 ; came with his parents. Edward and Tamar (Kay) Wright, to Wisconsin in .Jan- 
uary, 1855, and located in the town of Moundville, Jlanjuette Co.; resided there one year: 
removed with his parents to Portage in 1850. Mr. Wright, Sr,, was engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Portage for se\-eral years previous to his death. Sept. 2t), 1875, Mrs. W. died April 8. 1877. 
E. J. S. Wright has been engaged as clerk in the dry-goods business since ISlil ; was four years 
with A. D. torbes. and for the last fifteen years with the present firm of Parry & Muir, and its pre- 
decessors, Mr. W. was married at Portage, in St. John's Episcopal Church, liy Rev. Walter F. Lloyd. 
Dec. 17, 18(J8, to Jennie M. Tayl )r, a native of Tillicoultry, Clackminningshire, Scotland, born Sept. 
lit, 1847 ; they have two chihlren — Nellie JIargaret. born Dec. 5 1809, and CoUette. born July 13, 
1879. Ixjth born on Cook street in city of Portage. .Mr. and Mrs. Wright are lioth members of the 
Episcopal Church, of which Mr. W. is 'S'estryman, and has been Treasurer for ten years (with an 
intermission of ten months). He has been Secretary of the Columliia County Bible Society for the 
last two }-ears ; he is a member of Ft. Winneliago Lodge, A., F. & A, M,, No, 33; Ft. Winnebago 
Chapter, No, 14 ; Ft, Winnebago Commandci-y of Knights Templar, No. 4. and is Seci'etary of Ft. 
WinneViago Lodge at the present time ; he has hejd the office of Senior Wanlen of the same lodge, 
and is one of the Stewards of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. Mr. M'rigiit's fatlier was born in 
London, England. Aug. 4. 1814 ; his mother was liorn at St. Noets. Huutingtonshire, England. July 
5, 1824 ; her father, Thomas Kay, was born at Barnard Castle, Durham, England ; her mother, Ann 
Shrives, was l)orn in St. Noets. England. 

FRAIWK YANKO, grocer ; was born in Bohemia .March 14. 1844 ; came to Chicago in 1854 ; 
one year later removed to Portage, where he resided until 18()5. when he removed to New Lisbon and 
engaged in clerking ; in Septemljcr. 1877. Mr. Y'anko returned to Portage, and engaged in the grocery 
and li(iuor business. He was married in Portage. May 10. 1870. to Amelia Hanule, born in Bohemia; 
they have four eiiildren living — Edith. Anna. Louis and Clara, and have lost two — Willie and Emma. 
Mr. Y. is a member of the German Catholic Church: was elected Alderman of the First Ward in 
April. 1880. His lather. Frank Yanko. died at Kilbourn June 27. 185S. ami his mother is now a 
resident of Portage. 

GEORIirE VULE was born in Northumli.n-land County. England.. .May 3. 1837 ; he 
came to .Vmerica in the spring of 1853, with his parents, (reorge an<l Elizalmlh Yule, who settled 
at West Point, in this county, on Sec. 18, where hi' lived until 1877. when he was elected Register 
of DjjlIs, and was rd-ehcted in 1879 ; In had hiea Chiinn m of thj Town Boird and Assessor 
prior to his election to the present otflce. He married Isaballa Summers, at West Point, Dec, 25, 



.^' 









^ ^ J^.-^^^ 



FOUNTAIN PRAIRIE 



,«; 



TOWX OF SPRINGYALE. 939 

IStil ; she was burn in NorthumhLTland Co., Ena;.: they have seven children — Alliort. Willie. Anne 
J., Fred., Addison ¥j.. rreorjre, Jr.. and an infant son. 

REV. JOHN IGNATIUS ZAWISTOWSKI was born in lUissian I'oland. Aug. 
11, 1S22; he was educated at the University at Warsaw ; he finished his theological education in 
Paris, France, remaining there from 1841 to 1845 ; his first ordination for minor orders was at the 
Polish capital, in 1840 ; he frequented the University at Paris, and repeated, also, his studies to a 
private instructor there ; he left Paris July 27, 1845; and went to Bavaria ; was ordained priest 
Dec. 19, 184G ; was in the convent at Wur/Juirg. In 1847, he was called to the convent at llattz- 
burn, Bavaria ; he went to Rome in 1851, and was sent to the East Indies as an apostolic mission- 
iiry, ijy the Propaganda ; he arrived at Boml)ay, E. I., April 4, 1851 ; he remained tiiere until June 
13, 1855, when he returned to Bavaria, and remained thereuntil 1857, he theli came to BuHalo, 
N. Y., and remained there until JMaj-. 18(;(i, then removed to Long Island, N. Y.; he came to Wis- 
t'onsin Sept. 21, 18(39 ; he lived in various places in this State before locating at Portage, which 
he did July 12, 1879. 



TOWN OF SPRINCVALE. 

ABSALOM BROWN (deceasedj, died at his residence in Springvale, Columbia Co., Wis., 
March 23, 1880, 77 years old. He was born in Cecil Co., Md., Nov. 5, 1803, being the third son of 
Josiah and Margaret Brown ; sis years after this, his father and family crossed the Susquehanna River into 
Harford Co., Md., where he bought a large tract of land lying between Bellair and Abingdon, on the 
Baltimore road ; his father sickened and died in a few days after he went there, leav.ing his mother and 
.six children in a part of the country poisoned with slavery ; care and hard work soon wore on his mother, 
and seven years after his father's death, his mother died ; Absalom was then put to the hatter's trade, 
and, being misused, he left there and went to Brown Co., Ohio, where he had relatives, where he married, 
at 21 years of age, Miss Abby, daughter of Tobias Woods, of Allen Co., Ohio ; she was born Aug. 27, 
1810, in Brown Co., Ohio, and died June 6, 1874. They had five daughters and one son, as follows: 
Mary Ann (married Mr. Leatherman), on Sec. 31 ; Josiah, born Oct. 7, 1828, and died in California 
thirteen years ago (married there and lost his wife and had no children) ; Maria M., born July 5, 1832 
(married Seth Allen, of Wyocena) ; Adaline M., born Aug. 28, 1837 (widow, wiih one son, Howard 
titokes), and now on the farm; Martha Jane, born Oct. 4, 1840 (now Mrs. Wm. Stokes); Elvira (un- 
married), on farm with her sister, who is also sister-indaw. Mr. Brown bought a farm in Brown Co., 
Ohio, and lived there a few years; being an adventurous spirit, he sold his farm and moved to Alien Co., 
Ohio, in a very early day, where he helped lay out a town, built the first house on it, and called its name 
Lima — it is the city of Lima, Ohio, now ; then, thinking he would like to see more of the Far West, 
he and his family, in the year 1847, came by land with team to Wisconsin, where he again bought a new 
farm. His son went to California and died there. Mr. Brown was a good husband, a beloved father and 
a kind neighbor ; always benevolent, he was ever ready to help the poor ; always cheerful and happy, he 
had a good word for everybody, and he died a sincere Christian. His family reside on the farm, on Sec. 
30 ; P. 0. Rio. 

ROBERT CLOSS, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Cambria; was born Feb. 4, 1803, at Llanberis, 
Carnarvonshire, North Wales; son of Robert and Ellen (Hughsj Closs. (Robert Gloss, Sr., was born 
Nov. 12, 1766, and Ellen Hughs was born in 1769.) He came to America in 1845, and was married 
Feb. 10, 1832, at Llanbeblig Church, near Carnarvonshire, by Rev. Wm. Bailey Williams, to Eleanor 
Evans, who was born March 10, 1810, daughter of Evan and Eleanor (Evans) Evans. Eleanor Evans 
was born near Dinorwig, and died March 20, 1861, on Sec. 11; she had twelve children — Ellen, born 
Jan. 15, 1833 (and was married Feb. 10, 1860, by Rev. Griffith Jones, to Wm. J. Rowland, who died 
in May, 1864, leaving three children, namely, John C. Rowland, born in 1860, Nellie Rowland, born in 
1861, and Mary Rowland, born in 1863 and died in 1864; she was then married, May 1, 1870, by Rev. 
Rees Evans, to Robert Thomas, by whom she had one son, Llewellyn; see biography of Robert Thomas; ; 
the second daughter, Elizabeth, was born Jan. 18, 1835, and is home (unmarried) ; Robert R., born July 
28, 1836; John, born Sept. 13, 1838 (married Jane Roberts Jan. 6, 1871), and hving on Sec. 11; 
Humphrey, born July 20, 1840 (married Ellen Hughs Nov. 27, 1867), and living at Blue Springs, 
Neb.; Evan, born Nov. 5, 1842, and died at thirteen weeks of age ; Jane, born Oct. 9, 1845, and died 
the same year; Ann and Evan, twins, born April 17, 1847, Evan died m 1853, and Ann is now at home 

.1.1 



940 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHED: 

(unmarried); Jomina Amelia, born Sept. 16, 1849 (unmarried) ; Thomas, born Dec. 16, 1851, and died 
at nine months of a;.;c ; Thomas Baldwin, born Sept. ;i, 1854, and is at home (unmarried). The Closs 
estate is very productive and well manan;ed, with one of the finest residences irt the town. Mr. 
Closs was a whole-souled, generous gentleman ; had held, at differenf. times, all the offices in town, and 
some of the time, two or three at once ; was a Magistrate before the formation of the town ; he had long 
contemplated publishing a histor}' of the Welsh settlement, whic;h enterprise w;is necessarily abandoned 
by reason of his death. The following notice, from the Wisconsin Slate Ri'ffisler, dated Dec. 21, 1872, 
will be read with interest by surviving friends : " Many will regret to learn of the very sudden death of 
Robert Closs, Esq., of the town of Springvale, which took place on Sunday, 8th instant. As he was 
returning home from the afternoon meeting, ho was struck with palsy, which terminated his life in less 
than thirty minutes from the time he first complained. Mr. Closs and his family emigrated to this 
country in the summer of 1845, and settled in Springvale in the fall of the same year. He at once took 
an active part in looking after the welfare of his town, took the lead in its organization, and, undoubtedly, 
great credit should be given him for the strong Republican opinion formed, especially among the Welsh ele- 
ment therein. He was elected to two, if not three, offices at the first town meeting held in the town, and since, 
he has filled every office in the town for more or less time, with one exception. He possessed a great 
stock of what is called ■' roundabout common sense." Hcmesty and integrity were his motives in all his 
dealings. He shared the sufferings of the pioneer without a murmur, and also greatly enjoyed the many 
funny incidents of the early settlement. A large circle of friends and aciiuaintances will greatly miss him. 
He died in the 69th year of his age, leaving quite a considerable amount of properiy to a family of grown- 
up children. Peace be to his dust." Mr. Closs' farm consisted of (lOll acres. 

N. G. COULTER, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Rio; born Nov. 9, 1830, in Delaware Co., N. Y.; 
came to Wisconsin March 6, 1862 ; spent nine years lumbering, with home in Fond du Lac ; for some 
time dealing in real estate, and two years in merchandise ; store on Second and Main streets ; came to this 
farm in September, 1859. Married, Dec. 30, 1875, by H. B. Moulton, of Empire. Fond du Lac Co., 
Vina N. Hayes, daughter of Jonathan Hayes and Sarah (Morrison) Hayes. Mrs. Coulter was born in 
Aroostook Co.. Me.; have two children — Mary Helen and Mittie A. Mr. Coulter has a fine farm, with 
good buildinus; 40-acrc grove nicely seeded with grass ; also a half-mile trotting course ; farm in good 
state of cultivation, and well fenced ; will sell for $10,000 ; 285 acres in Sees. 31, 32 and 12, in Otsego ; 
230 acres cultivated. 

liEHIUEL HASTINGS DOYLE, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Doylestown ; born on Mount 
Washington, town of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1832 ; at about 6 years of age, went with parents 
Allegjiny Co., and, at 20 years of age, to the town of Otsego, this State ; June 23, 1853, came to his 
present home. Married, at Arkport, Steuben Co., N. Y., Dec. 3, 1856, Amanda J. Hall, who was 
born in South Danville, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1833, and died in Whiting's Valley, Allegany Co., N. Y., Sept. 
It), 1857. Married, Sept. 27, 1858, Mary Jane Edwards, at Fountain Prairie, by Rev. Isaac Searles ; 
second wife was the daughter of David and Mary H. (Ailing) Edwards, of New England ; had two chil- 
dren by second wife — Edward Joseph Doyle, born at city of Waterloo, Iowa, Nov. 16, 1863; Lemuel 
Hobart Doyle, born at Doylestown, Wis., June 15, 1868. Mr. Doyle was the son of Joseph Doyle, who 
was born in Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., June 4, 1805, and Hannah (Seger) Doyle, who was born in Dry- 
den. Tompkins Co., N, Y., May 7, 1807, and daughter of German parents from the valley of the Rhine, 
who were married Jan. 10, 1832, and came to New York in 1837. Mr. Doyle's mother died Oct. 5, 
1839, and his father came to Doylestown, Wis., in January, 1866. The grandfather of Mr. Doyle (Samuel 
Doyle) was born in Providence, R. I., in 1757, and went to Bucks Co., Penn., with his parents. He 
enlisted in 1776 in the Pennsylvania Rangers, and served until the close of the war, being at Valley Forge 
during the memorable winter, and his father was killed by Indians near the present site of Doylestown, 
Penn. After the war, he (the grandfather of L. H. Doyle) married Mary Arbor, who was born in Mon- 
mouth Co., N. J., her parents having moved to Pennsylvania. In 1790, they went with a colony from 
Pennsylvania, and founded the village of Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., where he died in 1817, his wiie hav- 
ing died in 1836, aged 84. The great-grandtather of Mr. Doyle came to Rhode Island with Roger Will- 
iams in 1636. The father of Mrs. Doyle (David Edwards) was born in Amherst, Mass., Jan. 12, 1820, 
and her mother was born in New Haven, Conn., Oct. 5, 1821. Mr. Doyle was Supervisor of Otsego in 
1868 and 1869 ; went to Waterloo, Iowa, in November, 1859, and returned in 1865, and purchased 235 
acres on the present site of Doylestown ; laid out the town in August, 1865 ; was the first Postmaster in 
town, and sent out the first mail Aug. 1, 1865; resigned Jan. 1, 1880 ; was railroad and expre.ss agent 
from Nov. 1, 1866, until 1873, and resigned that also, naming successor in both cases ; he also distributed 
gratuitously 100 lots to induce settlement ; he established a nursery at Doylestown in 1866, and sold 



TOWN OF SPRINOVALE. 941 

in 1878 about 100,000 trees. Attends the Methodist Church, and is a Republican. Owns 280 acres 
in Sees. 5, 26, 34, 85 ; 90 acres improved ; balance timber and pasture. 

MICHAEL n. GREFiN, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Cambria; born Jan. 2:?, 1827, in Saratoga 
Co., N. Y.; son of David H. and Ovandah (Quivey) Green; came here in July, twenty-sis years ago. 
Married, Nov. 25, 1849, at Moravia, N. Y., by Rev. Albert S. Graves, Sophia E.. daughter of William 
and Vovilla ( Familia) Wilde, born April 5, 1832 ; have eight children — Charles M., born June 23, 185(J ; 
Sophia O. R., born April 12, 1858, died May 11, 1859; Mary E.. born Sept. 16, 1860, died Oct. 3, 
1862; Rosetta A., born Sept. 15, 1862; George W., born Dec. 8, 1864; Everett A., born Dec. 12,1866; 
Alice M., born Jan. 5, 1869, died Sept. 10, 1869 ; Willie L., born March 20, 1870. He owns 180 acres, 
70 acres of which is cultivated. 

GEORGE HAEL, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Doylestown ; born in Kent, England, March 24, 
1826; engaged in farming and hop-growing until he left London, Sept. 5,1848; landed at Hamilton, 
Canada, Nov. 5, where he remained one year, engaging in farming and milling ; came to the town of Lis- 
bon, Waukesha Co., Wis., and remained fourteen years, farming and hop-raising; came to this county in 
March, 1863, where he cultivated about 300 acres of land, balance of land being timber and pasture; 
making a specialty of hops and barley. Married about April I, 1848, Elizabeth Russell, of Maidstown, 
county seat of Kent, who died in Waukesha Co., March 16, 1859. Had four children — George Edwin, 
born in 1850; James S., born in 1852 ; Carrie E., born in 1854; Alfred T., born in 1857 ; his son 
George married Frances Cowles, of Waukesha, and is now living at that place ; James S. married Florence 
N. Henry, of St. Louis, Mo., in 1878, and is now practicing medicine at Jamestown, Dakota ; Carrie 
married (in June, 1877), George Williams, who is farming on Sees. 36 and 25; in December, 1860, mar- 
ried Sarah A Russell (cousin of first wife), in Lisbon, Waukesha Co., Wis., by whom he has five children 
— John F., born in 1862 ; Mary L, born in 1864 ; Laura A., born in 1866 ; Charles William, born in 
1868; Frederick E., born in 1875; all home except one daughter, who is at boarding-school. Mr. Hall 
is a liberal Democrat ; attends Protestant Episcopal (jhurch. Was one year on Town Board, and Treas- 
urer of the Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company, of Otsego, Lowville and Springvale, since its organiza- 
tion ; his father, Thomas Hall, was Register and Relieving OfiBcer in Kent, England, about sixteen years, 
and died in 1851, at about 60 years of age; he was born in Westmoreland Co., and removed to Kent at 
26 years of age. Owns 80 acres on Sec. 2, in Otsego, and 80 acres on Sec. 23, in Wyocena, also 20 acres 
on Sec. 27, in Courtland. 

JO^iEPH WALTER HEAl^Y^ (deceased), born in Leicestershire, England, March 26, 
1813; came to America in 1845; settled at Markesad, where he built the first mill in that place about 
thirty-two years ago. Married at Hudson, Walworth Co., Wis., Feb. 4, 1851, by Elder Chenev', to Miss 
Sarah Downs, daughter of Josiah and Amelia (La Gotte) Downs; had eleven children — Francis A., born 
Aug. 11, 1852, married and living at Medford, Clark Co., Wis., and has one child; Richard B., boru Jan. 
2, 1855; Walter, born Oct. 10, 1857 ; Charles B., born March 12, 1859, and died Jan 15, 1863 ; Oscar 
E., born May 26, 1861; Charles, born Feb. 12, 1864; John, born Oct. 29, 1865; Edwin, born July 1, 
1868, died Jan. 27, 1879; Sarah M., born May 10, 1870, died Jan. 28. 1871 ; . Robert, born Nov. 14, 
1876 ; one daughter died at birth. Mr. Healy died Jan. 26, 1879, of congestion of the lungs. Josiah 
Downs was in the war of 1812 ; was 87 years of age last December, and is living in Story Co., Iowa. 
Family resides on See 5 ; P. 0. Pardeeville ; own 450 acres of land ; 180 acres cultivated. 

WILLIAM W. HUGHE»!>, farmer. Sec. 21 : P. 0. Cambria; born March 21, 1828, in 
Carnarvonshire, North Wales ; son of William and Margaret (Owens) Hughes; came to America in 1846. 
Married in New York City, by Rev. E. Roberts, Nov. 19, 1859, to Margaret Davis, daughter of Ellis and 
Mary (Roberts) Davis. Mrs. Hughes was born in Carnarvonshire ; had nine children — William, born 
Aug. 12, 1858, died when 12 hours old ; Mary E. and Maggie, twins, born Aug. 2, 1859, Maggie died at 
birth, Mary E. died Jan. 22, 1874; Ellis E., born Aug. 20, 1861, died at birth; Hugh W.,^b rn Dec. 
17, 1862 ; Ellis E., born April 9, 1864; Jane L., born Oct. 5, 1865 ; Maggie Ann, born Dec. 18, 1868 ; 
Batchy, born Ojt. 6, 1871, died same day. Mr. Hughes was Town Treasurer one year, about 1875 ; his 
father died Dec. 14, 1873, aged 77 ; his mother died March 2, 1877, aged 69 years and 9 months. Owns 
220 acres ; 150 acres cultivated. 

SIMEO]¥ HUNTLEY, farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0. Doylestown; born Dec. 9, 1828, in Franklin 
Co., N. Y.; came here in 1848. Married at Portage, by J. J. (jluppey (County Judge), Jan. 30, 1877, 
to Ellen Holverson, daughter of Holven Holver.-^on ; had two children — Ljttie Imogene, born Feb. 10, 
1878 ; Henry Seyniore, born Oct. 10, 1879. Owns 160 acres of land; 115 acres cultivated. 

JOH^ O. JONES (deceased), born March 14, 1823; came to this country at 7 years of age 
from Angleseyshire, North Wales, with his parents, Owen ani Elizabeth (Morgan) Jones. Was married, 



ft42 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

April 28, 1856, to Judith Jones, daughter of Evan and Ella (Roberts") Jones. Had four children ; all at 
home and unmarried — John 0., born June 26, 1857; Masrgie Adelia, born Nov. 12, 1858; Evan N., 
born May :il, I860 ; Owen Franklin, born Nov. 24, 1862. Hon. John O. Jones died Nov. 10, 1871, 
after a long and painful illness (which he endured with remarkable fortitude), from the effect of a surgical 
operation, performed by Dr. Cody, of Watertown, rendered necessary by an enlargement of the cheek-bone. 
Mr. Jones was several years Chairman of Town Board, and represented his district in the Legislature in 
1859 ; later in life, declined all official preferment, choosing a retired life and the comforts of his home 
(which was peculiarly adapted to the requirement of a nature such as he possessed) ; he was widely known 
and universally respected for his honesty of purpose, benevolence, and upright manly course through life ; 
his was a singularly spotless reputation, and his heart a heart that knew no guile ; no man in the county 
has been so generally and so deeply lamented by his maay friends ; and enemies he had none. His estate 
contained 480 acres; 280 aere.< cultivated, balance in timber; Cambria is the post-office address of family. 

REV. JOHN R. JONES, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Cambria; Pastor of Welsh Presbyterian 
Church of Jerusalem, on See. 15 ; born in Dolwyddelan Parish, in Wales, April 29, 1811 ; son of Owen 
G. Jones and Ann (Jones) Jones, she being a daughter of John Roberts ; came here in 1847. Married, 
Feb. 12, 1870, by Rev. Rees Evans, to Maggie Jones, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (Jones) Jones, 
and who died July 29, 1870. Commenced preaching in 1875 to a congregation of forty-five; which now 
numbers fifty-five ; Side Supervisor two years ; Chairman two years ; charter member of Jerusalem Lodge 
of Good Templars (organized Jan. 26, 1875, with nineteen members, and now numbering thirty-five), 
and is also State Deputy. Owns 160 acres. 

JOH\ J. JOXES, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Cambria ; born in Anglesea, Wales, March 20, 
1830; son of John and Catharine (Williams) Jones; came to this country in 1867. Married, by Rev. 
Mr. Edwards, Angle.sea, Feb. 13, 1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Elizabeth Hughs, born 
May 6, 1826 ; had seven children — John, born May 1, 1853, died Sept. 8, 1864 ; William, born June 1, 
1857, died Nov. 17, 1859; William J., born Oct. 9, 1859; Owen, born March 12, 1861, died April 11, 
1861 ; Libbie E., born Aug. 9, 1865 ; Edward C, born April 18, 1867 ; John J., born April 12, 1871. 
Mr. Jones' father was killed in Anglesea, about fourteen years ago, by accidentally slipping against the 
cylinder of a thrashing-machine, mangling both legs in such a manner as to produce almost instant death. 
John Hughs (joiner), brother of Mrs. Jones, aged 31 years, was killed by the bursting of a boiler in a 
house which he bad built and was living in at the time (Dec. 25, 1871 ), at Fairfield, England. 

RICHARD JONES, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Cambria; born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, 
in September, 1823; came to America in April, 1851 ; settled in Welshtown, Lehigh Co., Penn. (now 
called Slatington); in December following, moved to Lobarth, same county; after one year, went to town 
of Lynnport, same county ; then to town of Westford, Dodge Co., Wis., where he followed farming four- 
teen years ; then came to present location. Married in February, 1842, in Carnarvon, by Rev. William 
Williams, to Ann Husly, daughter of Hugh and Jane (Parry) Huxly. Parents of Mr. Jones were John 
and Laura ( Evans) Owens. Had nine children — Laura, born 1844, died 1847 in Wales; Jane, born 
1847, married Daniel Morris; John, born 1849, married to Agnes Griffin, of Randolph ; Hugh H., born 
1851, at home unmarried; Richard, born 1854, died in 1860 in Pennsylvania; William R., born 1857, 
is in Chicago; Samuel, born 1859, is in Chicago; Laura, born 1861, and Maggie, born 1864, both at 
home, unmarried. Owns 165 acres; 5 acres in Sec. 21 ; 140 acres cultivated; balance timber. 

JOHN LEATHER3IAN, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Rio; born Aug. 22, 1823, in Tuscarawas 
Co., Ohio; son of David L. and Sophia (Steveley) Leatherman ; settled here June 12, 1847. Married, 
Aug. 10, 1845, in Allen Co., Ohio, by Edward Hartshorn, Magistrate, to Mary A. Brown, daughter of 
.Absalom Brown (.see Brown) ; no children. Mr. Leatherman was Chairman of Town in 1863, and is 
now in same office ; was also Side Supervisor five years ; has been District Treasurer, School Director, 
Constable, and a Magistrate sis years; also now President of the "Anti-Secret Society" organization of 
southwest Springvale, with forty or fifty members. Owns 587 acres ; 300 acres cultivated. 

LEWIS LLOYD, farmer. Sec. 1; P. O.Cambria; born June 12, 1828, in Denbighshire, 
North Wales; son of Lewis and Jane Lloyd; came to Rock Co., Wis., at the age of 21 ; lived there six 
months, and removed to present location on Sec. 1, on northwest quarter of southeast quarter, which was 
the first 40 acres entered in the township. Married, Sept. 15, 1854, to Catharine Williams, by Rev. 
William J. Jones; had seven children, all living — William E., born Aug. 1, 1855; Jane, Aug. 15, 1857; 
Kate J., Dec. 2, 1859; Annie, June 18, 1863; LewLs, Feb. 24, 1866; John, Aug. 6, 1868; Baldwin, 
Jan. 21, 1871 ; wife was born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales. Mr. Lloyd attends Calvinistic Method- 
ist Church ; is Republican in politics ; has been Treasurer of town two years ; one year Supervisor ; also 
member of State Agricultural Society ; is a practical farmer, with extensive knowledge of agricultural 



. TOWN OF SPRING VALE. 943 

chemistry ; a man of acknowledged ability, and widely known and respected for his good i|ualities, exem- 
plary life and scholarly attainments. Owns 190 acres; has 100 acres under cultivation. 

ERVIN McCAIiL, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Cambria ; was born Oct. 8, 1815, in Hebron, Washin- 
ton Co., N. Y. ; son of John and Nancy McCall ; his mother died in 1831, and in the fail of 1836, his 
father removed to Indiana with his family and settled in Li Porte Co., where he died two years after, 
aged 61, leaving a family of ten children. Ervin was married .May 18. 18HS, in Indiana, to Harriet 
Griffin, who was born April 14, 1817, in Schoharie Co., N. Y., town of Boone (now Conesville) ; daugh- 
ter of Seth Griffin. In the spring of 1845, Mr. McCall came to Wi-consin to look at the country, and 
located some land in Springvale, Columbia Co., where he now resides ; after securing his land, he returned 
to Indiana for his family, and came on the farm the next September. His brother John D. came to Wis- 
consin with him, bought land in company witli him, and lived with him till his death, Feb. Ii6, 1851, 
aged 40, and unmarried. Mr. McCall's 6rst wife died Aug. 11, 1854, aged l!7, leaving four children — 
Nancy A., now Mrs. Richard Mason, of Almon, Allegany Co., N Y.; Susan M., who married Henry 
Ellis, and died Jan. 1, 1873, leaving three children — George, Effie and Ida ; Mary E., now Mrs. Rich 
ard Gage, of Marinette, Wis., and Almina, now J\lrs. Samuel Wilcox, of Portage City ; had lost four 
— Orpha, Alice and Harriet, and one died in infancy, not named ; was married the second time April 2, 
1855, to Louisa Ann Wells, who was born April 20, 1820, in Chenango Co., N. Y. ; daughter of Asi 
Wells, who came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1850, and died Nov. 2, 1869, aged 79; has four children by 
the second marriage — Asa Ervin, born Dec. 22, 1856; John S., Sept. 12, 1860; Sanford H., April 3. 
1863, and Harriet V., Nov. 23, 1865 ; all now living at home with their parents. Has 201 acres of laud 
in Springvale and Scott. In June, 1865, his dwelling house (then standing on the north side of the 
t(]wn-line road in the town of Scott) was destroyed by fire, with about one-half of his furniture and wear- 
ing apparel ; immediately after, he rebuilt on the south side of the road, in Springvale, where he now 
resides. Mr. and Mrs. McCall are both members of the M. E. Church, in which he has held several 
official positions, and was Sabbath-school Superintendent for about three years ; Democrat. 

JOHN MEREDITH, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Cambria (or Rio) ; born May 27, 1817, in the 
parish of St. Harmon, county of Radnor, South Wales ; his parents' names were John Meredith and 
Anna (George) Jleredith, both born in the <iame parish. He was married, Sept. 29, 1843, in parish of 
Nantmeal, county of Radnor, by James B. Evans, Episcopal Minister, to Elisabeth Scott, daughter of 
Andrew and Elisabeth (Davis) Scott, of the pari.sh of Nantmeal. He left there April 9, 1845, and 
arrived at Racine, Wis., June 11, 1845 ; livtd there three years, engaged in faiming ; came to his present 
location in May, 1848. Have no children. Ho was elected Constable at the first election in the town, in 
1847, and also in 1850 ; was Supervisor several years, and Town Clerk 1856-57-59-61-62-67-68-69 ; 
was Justice of the Peace fourteen or sixteen years. Enrolled militia in 1863. Owns 120 acres in Sees. 
21 and 16. 

WILLIAM MEREDITH, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Cambria; was born March 2, 1827, in 
Radnor; brother of John Meredith; came with his parents at 16 years of age, and settled at Racine, 
Wis., where he lived nine years, and removed to this town. He was married, March 12, 1851, by Elder 
Dye, in the town of Raymond, to Julia A. Blaekman, daughter of Eleazer and Lucretia (Conklin) Black- 
man ; his wife was born July 2, 1826, in Erie Co., N. Y. ; have two children — Mary Jane, born Jan. 15, 
1854, in this town, and married March 31, 1878, to Sumner Jennings, on Sec. 29, by the Rev. Evan 
Meredith, now of the town of Otsego, brother of her father, he being a Baptist minister, who preached 
the first Welsh sermon in this State; Delia A. was born March 2, 1859, and was married to H. D. Jen- 
nings, on Sec. 29, Oct. 21, 1878, at Otsego, Wis., by her uncle, Evan Meredith. Owns 160 acres of 
land, 50 acres cultivated. 

HIKfH D. OWENS, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. O. Cambria ; born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, 
in June, 1840 ; came to America with his parents at 5 years of age; is a brother of Morris D. Owens. 
He was married, March 5, 1879, by Rev. Wm. J. Jones, to Kate Howell, daushter of David G. and 
Margaret (Owens) Howell, who were from Drefaldwyn, Carnarvonshire, North Wales. Has 540 acres, 
240 acres cultivated. 

MORRIS D. OWENS, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Cambria; is a son of David Owens and Jane 
(Roberts) Owens; born in April, 1838, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales; came to this town with his 
parents at 7 years of age. He was married, Feb. 3, 1873, by Rev. John H. Jones, at Rome, N. Y., to 
Ellen J. Pritchard, daughter of William and Jane ( Hughes) Pritchard, who were from Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales; have had three children — David W., born Dec. 14, 1873, died Dec. 27, 1873; William' 
D., born Jan. 30, 1875 ; David, Dec. 3, 1877, died March 24, 1879 ; his wife was born Jan. 29, 1841, 
at Carnarvonshire. Has 260 acres of land, 200 acres under cultivation. 



944 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

ROBERT OIVKXS, fiirmor, Sec. 28; P. 0. Cambria; born Nov. (5, 1840, in the parish of 
Corwen. Nurih Wales; snn of Robert and Elizabeth (Huithes) Owens, who lived near Slanfer. Wales. 
Married, in Liverpool, at St. David's Church, Brownlowhill, by Rev. Mr. Davidson, to Jane Williams, 
who was born in February. 1835; daughter of Thomas and Loui.sa Williams, of Ffvnonp;noeuw, Wales: 
was married May 21, ]8U(i, and came here June 13, 1860; had two children — Edward, born May 3. 
1807, at Cambria, and a son born Julv 31, ISO'.), at Sun Prairie, and died at birth. 

HUMPHRY V J. ROWLANDS, farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Cambria; owns 180 acres of 
land. 110 beini; under cultivatiun. 

JOHIV R. ROWLANDS, farmer, Sec. 15; P. 0. Cambria; born at Llanberris, Carnarvon- 
shire, North Wales, Feb. 19, 1827 ; came to this country in the summer of 1845, and .settled at his pres- 
ent location. Married, April 2, 1853, by Robl. ap Roberts ( Ma;;istrate i, to Winuefred Owens, daughter 
of David and Jane (Roberts) Owens, who came to America from Dalyddelen. North Wales; had three 
children— David O., born Sept. 3, 1857 ; Jane W., Oct. 2, 1860 ; Ellen W., May 25, 1864. Mr. Row- 
lands' parents were J. R. Rowlands and Jane ( Closs) Rowlands. Mr. John R. Rowlands was elected 
Town Treasurer at the first town meetinj; held in the town, in 1849 ; has held the ofiBce of Supervisor 
several years; was elected Assessor in 1.S59, and held it ten years; was Chairman of the Board eight or 
nine years; represented his district in the As.seaibly in 1875 (then the Second District, there being at that 
time three) ; has held the office of Assessor for the past five years; is a Republican, and attends the Cal- 
vinistic Methodist Church. Mr. Rowlands is essentially a self-made man, and to him we are indebted for 
much that is of importance in enniiection with the history of this county; owns 130 acres of land. 

WILLIAM W. ROWLANDS, farmer. Sec. 14; P. O. Cambria; born July 2, 1834, in 
the parish of Llanberis, Carnarvonshire. North Wales; came to America with his parents at about 12 
years of age, in 1846, and settled in Springvale. Married, March 23, 1859, at Portage, by magistrate, 
to Jane Jones, daughter of John J. Rowlands and Catharine (Jones) Rowlands. Jlr. Rowlands' parents 
were Owen W. Rowlands and Ellen (.Jones) Rowlands, all of Carn.irvonshire. Had six children — Mary, 
born June 7, 1860, died Aug. 17, 1860; Ellen J., born June 29, 1861 ; John O., Oct 3, 1863; Catha- 
rine, Sept. 24, 1800, died July 13, 1807 ; Maggie J., born Dec. 14, 1873 ; Fannie, Nov. 23. 1878, died. 
Mr. Rowlands was Supervisor two years, Treasurer of the town one year. Clerk of School District No. 1 
eight vears ; owns 100 acres in Sees. 14 and 15, 130 acres being under cultivation. 

JA9IES SCOTT, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P.O. Pardeeville ; born April 11, 1819, at Sparta, Livings- 
ton Co., N. Y.; son of Mathew and Anna (Oilman) Scott; came to Racine in 1846 ; kept the Fox River 
Hotel at Waterford two years, then kept a public house at Yorkville one and one-half years ; then 
removed to Marcellon, where he kept a hotel for a shun time. Married. October, 1847, by Ira A Rice, 
at Waterford, Wis., to Phcbe Maria Crippen ; they had six children, of whom two are living — Ada Maria 
(now wife of Russell Falconer, of Pardeeville), and Fred. L. C. Married the second time, Oct. 4. 1870, 
by John A. Young, to Phebe C, daughter of Jeremiah King, and widow of Morris VVilliams (who kept 
the " Jenny Lind House, " near Portage, and was a noted musician. Mr. Scott has by his second mar- 
riage one child — Minnie May, born Dec. 23, 1872. He has 420 acres of laud, 270 of which are under 
< ultivation. 

. SAMUEli SCOTT, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Rio ; born in the north of Ireland May 14, 
1826; came to this county thirty years ago (at the age of 28 years). Married in Otsego by Mr. Foster, a 
magistrate, Dec. 31, twenty-eight years ago, to Clarrissa C. Palmer, daughter of David and Mehetible 
(Hawley) Palmer; they had seven children — Harriet M., born Nov. 12, 1852, now wife of Theodore 
].iinfni r, of Noble Co., Minn.; Jane, born Feb. 17, 1854, wife of Monre Bushnell, and living at home ; 
Mehitible L*., born Jan. 11, 1856, attendin'j; school at Oshkosh ; William, born Oct. 31, 1857, died Dec. 
15. 1860 ; David Brainard, born Sept. 5, 1861 ; Samuel J., born Feb. 4, 1807 ; Carl C, born July 30, 
18(!9 ; he owns 323 acres of land (200 cultivated) in Sees. 31, and Sec. 1 in Lowville and 30 and 25 in 
Wyocena. The father of Jh'. Scott was William Scott, who died at the age of 75 years, and the following 
extract from an obituary published at the time of his death shows the estimation in which he was lield : 
" The eye that beamed in kindness is .sealed in darkness, and the voice we so much loved to hear is dumb 
forever. We have lost a friend, but we know that what is our loss is his gain. The name of friend is one 
which many usurp, and which few deserve; but he was a ' friend indeed.' Who in Springvale and the 
surrounding country does not feel that in losing ' Uncle Billy ' they have lost a friend in the truest sense 
of the word ? Coming to his late residence when the country was somewhat new and sparsely settled — 
when men seemed to think they had broken loose from their fellows, and almost from their God — his 
influence, advice and reproof were always on the side of Sabbath-keeping and right, thereby showing his 
interest in the welfare, present and future, of his neighbors, and in upholding God's law. Uncle Billy is 



945 
TOWN OF SPRINGVALE. 



to do his duty to God and to man, trusting only in the men . f '"^ ^\f ^^.'^ °^ ^,,j ;„ Hs 
grace, and such are never deceived. The m.mature ^^^^f "'^/ P^^^ fj^^ .^C^ol can douht. 
Hfeless hand was a fit symbol of his ripeness for ^^^^^ ' 'Jf J\',^^'„ ^f p^^,"^^^^^^ and for thirteen 
For nearly five years, he had been crippled in mind and ^ody^yi^^^lP^^'^^a vigor of life, his 
weeks he only waited, patiently waited, never murmuring. When in the ^"^^^'^ acquiesced in the 

prayer had been that he might be allowed to wear out, never to rust out. J^"\,''« ^^ Wt and Uncle 
Sf the Lord and so reverently said: ' His will be done so "-f T^^ /-■, ]^l ^;; , "^ ^^be 
Billy , may we all, children, grandchildren, .gr-t-gvandch.ldre,, - JJ°- .^^°™r ^^° t,,, 3„ ,ften 
permitted to reach that ' shining shore' and join you around that gieat wnite tnrone y 
in pubhc and private counseled us^to do.-- ^^^^ .^ Tuscarawas Co.. Ohio Aug. 

30, ^fd'^^f^. STS^fi^P^ 4o.- M rn^ tw^.o ye- ;;gM^War. B.w. 

^"' Rii'^F^ THOuis trmer Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Cambria; son of Hugh and Jane (Jones.) 

ROufciK i I HU Jl A», larmer, oec. ^^ , ^auo-hter of Robert C oss, deceased, 

Thomas, of North Wales ; wife born in Carnarvonshire, Jan. 15, l»f • J'^"-'^\"^q° "r^^^ GHffith Jones. 

and Ellen (Evans ) Closs ; came here at 13 years ot age, was man ed Feb; 10^«^ ^^^ born 18G0 ; Ellen 

ED%VAKI» WILiljlAiWW, ai , . p ' i^i North Waes; came to America in 

Jane (Owens) Edwards; was born ^eP^'/^'J^^-^' '",^'""\"T'^''^' '„ Ellen Evans widow of Robert 

child by first husband, Margaret Evans, now wife of Grithih O. Jone=, at Augusta, 

"""H^';;^''H' W^l^iVstrmTr Sec ''S • P. 0. Cambria ; born June 5, 1811, in North Wales ; 

HLKwH WILL.I Ai»lJ», t'lrmcr, sec. -o r. ^ , by John Lloyd ( curate), 

came to Rome, N. Y., 1837 and to this '^T"' ^849 Mar ed ^"n- l^- l^-_j J ^^^.^ 9_ 

1846: died in hospital in Arkansas in 18b4 ; Ellen, born June ^^'^'Oc 1^1868; George W., 
iZ demoliZd by artilfery. He has 160 acres of land, 65 of which are cultivated. 



94G BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



TOWN OF MARCELLON. 

HIRAM ALBEE (deceased) was born Feb. 15, 1812, in Windham Co., Vt.; his parents 
removed to Montgomery Co., N. Y , in 1828 ; he worked at farming during the summers, and taught 
school winters for several years in that vicinity. May 27, 1838. he married Jliss Mary Jane Barrett, of 
Fulton Co., N. Y., daughter of Sylvester and Ann (Cummins) Barrett; she was born April 30, 1817; 
he remained in New York till 184(5; and then came West and lived one year at Fort Atkinson, Jefferson 
Co., Wisconsin, and, in the fall of 1847, came to Columbia Co., and settled in the town of Marcellon, 
where he lived most of the tiuife till his death, May S. 1878 ; he was one of the first settlers in the town, 
which he helped to organize, and was the first Town Superintendent, which office he held for three years ; 
he was also Deputy Provost Marshal during the war, and was Justice of the I^eaco for over twelve years ; 
was also De])Uty Sheriff one term ; he took an active part in educational matters, and taught the district 
school twenty terms in Wisconsin. He was a member of the Close Communion Baptist Church, and in 
poliiics a Republican. He left eight children — William C, of Marcellon ; Emily A., wife of Henry Ross, 
of Barron Co., Wis.; Euretta, wife of Marion McDonald, of Furnas Co., Neb.; George W., of Benton 
Co., Iowa; Marietta, wife of Charles Dean, of Barron Co., Wis.; Deuane J., of La Crosse, Wis.; Guidetta, 
wife of Irvin Herreman, of Marcellon, and Fayette, who was married, March 26, 1878, to Ella Campbell, 
who was born Fob. 8, 1857, in Marcellon ; have one child, Lorena M., born Jan. 25, 187U; he lives on 
the homestead (160 acres); I*. 0. Marcellon. Mrs. Mary Jane Albec is also living on the .homestead. 
George W. enlisted in the 2cl W. V. C, Co. E, and was in the 8<^rvice over two years. 

WILI^IAM C. ALBEE, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. O. Bellefountain ; born Aug. 1, 1840, in Ful- 
ton Co., N. Y., son of Hiram Albee, who came to Wisoon.<in in 1847 ; lived one year in Jefferson Co., 
and came to Marcellon in the fall of 1848 ; was the first Town Superintendent of Marcellon ; was Chair- 
man six years, and was Deputy Provost Marshal during the war ; taught school twenty-five terms or more ; 
he died May 8, 1878, aged 66. William C. was married, Feb. 11, 1866, to Clarissa S. Dean, who was 
born Aug. 26, 1842, daughter of Hiram Dean, who died in 1865. Mr. Albae enlisted in the fall of 1861, 
in the 2d W. V. C, Co. E, and was in the service four years and three months ; was with his regiment 
most of the time, except three and one-half months he was a prisoner in Alabama; was captured near 
Yazoo City ; was with Custer in Texas and Louisiana. Has three children — Hiram. Alice and Eliza; 
has 80 acres of land. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Albee is a member of the Free-Will Baptist 
Church. 

GEOR<i}E W. ALLEN, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Bellefountain ; -born July 4, 1862, in 
Otego, Ot.sego Co.. N. Y. His parents removed to Erie Co., Penn , when he was only 18 months old. He 
was first married in Gene-see Co., N. Y., Nov. 2, 1842, to Jane Van Dusen, who died in December. 1855. 
in Wiscon.<in, aged 34, leaving three children — Emily (now .Mrs. Emmet, west of Marcellon), Lawrence 
G., who died Oct. 10, 1874, in his 28th year; and Susan J. (now Mrs. George Mahaffcy, of Fillmore 
Co., Minn.), Feb. 3, 1856. He was married to Paulina Smith, who died Feb. 6, 1862, leaving one 
daughter — Prudy ( now living at home). Was married the third time, Aug. 27, 1862, to Permelia H 
Cook, who was born April 9, 1843, in Trumbull Co., Ohio; have five children by the third marriage — 
Arihur, Addie, Clother, Esther and Edmund ; have lost two — Nettie, died at 10 months old, April 6, 
1864; and Lester, died March 19, 1873, aged 2 months; also lost two children of the second wife — 
Mary, died June 12, 1857, 2 days old ; and Luman, died Jan. 27, 18(>2, aged 14 months. Mr. Allen 
came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1851, and came on his present farm on the 1st day of May, 
in a fearful snowstorm ; he learned the shoemaker's trade before he was 21, and followed that business 
till he came West; has worked at it some in Wisconsin; has held the office of Supervisor three years, and 
in politics is a Reformer. Mr. and Mrs. Allen, and his daughter, Prudy, are members of the Seventh-day 
Adventist Church ; they believe (as the name indicates) that the seventh day of the week should be kept 
;i8 the Sabbath; also in the personal coming of Christ, and the total annihilation of the wicked. Has 140 
acres of land. 

WILLIAM BARRY, carpenter and farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Portage City ; born May 15, 1821, 
in Paisley, Scotland ; son of John and Jane Barry; came to America in 1841, and lived in the city of 
New York fourteen years ; learned the carpenter's trade in New York, and followed it while living there. 
Was married in New York in the fall of 1846, to Isabella Smith, who was born July 9, 1830, in McDuff, 
Banffshire, Scotland ; daughter of William Smith, who came to America in 1839, and settled in New 



TOWN OF MARCELLOX. 947 

York; came to Wisconsio when 60 years of age, and died Sept. 1, 1879, aged 87 years; her mother, 
whose maiden name was Margaret Mcintosh, died March 27, 186G, aged 73. Mr. Barry went to Wash- 
ington in the spring of 18i7,and worked on the Smithsonian Institution three years, then returned to New 
York, and in June, 1855, came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Buffalo, Marquette Co. ; lived 
there five years, then went to Portage City and worked at his trade there till the spring of 1864, then 
bought his present farm and has since resided on it; has three children — Angus (lives in Plattsmouth, 
Neb., married to Mary Heley, of Marcellon), John and Henry (both at home). Mr. Barry is Supervisor, 
now on his second term, and has been Clerk of the School District throe years, and is a Republican ; was 
in the Quartermaster's Department ten months, at Helena, Ark. ; in Gen. Buford's command during the 
last of the war. While in Portage he worked for Alexander Carnagie, and was employed on the court 
house and jail, high-school building and Fox House. Has 140 acres of land. Mrs. Barry is a member 
of the Baptist Church. 

ISAAC BEACH, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Marcellon ; bora April 9, 1835, in Saratoga Co., 
N. Y.; son of Nathan and Sarah Beach, who came to Wisconsin in 184(5; lived one year in Walworth 
Co.; then came to Columbia Co. in the spring of 1847 ; settled in Marcellon, and started the first black- 
smith-shop in the town. Mr. Beach >vas married Ma-ch 18, 1856, to Clarissa Lipe, who was born Feb. 
22, 1835, in the Soate of xVew York ; daughter of Abram Lipe, a native of New York State ; her mother 
was a native of Vermont; maiden name, Clarissa Richmond; they came to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled 
in Marcellon ; he died July 20, 1871. aged 64 years, and Mrs. Lipe died Aug. 21, 1867, aged 53 ; in the 
fall of 1872, Mr. Beach went to California, and spent about six months visiting friends and looking over 
the country ; his fiither, three brothers and one sister, are living in that State, and one bror.her, Frank, is 
railroading in Oregon ; his brother, Cormi, lives in Oakland ; Tyler and his father at San Jose, and Geo. 
D., in San Francisco; Mr. and Mrs. Beach have had two children, and lost both of them — Maria was born 
April 22, 1859, ia Marcellon, and died in January, 1868; Roland was born Oct. 31, 18i;6, and died in 
January, 1872. Mr. Beach is a Republican, and has held the oSice of Supervisor one term; has 360 
acres of land. 

JOHX CAMPBELL, firmer, Sec. 1 and 2; P. 0. Portage; born Jan. 29, 1848, in Dane 
Co., Wis.; .son of John Campbell, who died when John was only about 1 year old ; his mother afterward 
married John Bryan, of Portage City, and went to Iowa; lived there seven years; then came back to 
Cross Plains, Dan-i Co., Wis., and for the last eleven or twelve years has lived in Portage. John was 
married, Aug. 5, 1875, to Jane Smith, who was born March 16, 1850, in New York City; she was a 
daughter of Daniel Smith, who came to Wisconsin with his family in 1855, and was killed in January, 
1864, in Chicago, by a boiler explosion ; her mother is still living in the town of ButTalo, Marquette Co. 
Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have two children — John, born Dec. 20, 1876, and Nina Belle, born Nov. 4, 
1877. Has 80 acres of land ; is a Republican. 

LEWIS H. CASS, fiirmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Bellefountain ; born April 2, 1836, in Belknap 
Co., N. H.; son of Moses F. Cass, who came to Wisconsin with his family in 1850, and lived one year in 
Walworth Co., and in the spring of 1851, cime to Columbia Co. and settled on the farm now owned by 
his jon ; he died Dec. 7, 1861, agad 57; Mrs. Cass, whose maiden name was Nancy A. Smith, died Sept. 
1, 1879, lacking only 17 days of being 70 years old. Mr. Cass was married, Deo. 26, 1865, to Ellen 
Haynes, who was born Nov. 7, 1840, in Walworth Co., Wis., town of East Troy, daughter of William 
and Caroline B. Haynes, natives of New Hampshire, who came to Wisconsin in 1838, now living in Par- 
deeville, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Cass have only one child, Nancy Kvalene, born Aug. 22, 1870. He enlisted 
March 3, 1865, in the 52d W. V. I., and was discharged May 20, for disability. Is a Republican, and 
has held the office of Supervisor ; has 160 acres land. 

O. D. COLMAIV, M. !>., Sec. 13; P. 0. Pardeeville; was born Aug. 1, 1821, in Otsego Co., 
N. Y., town of Springfield ; son of Franklin Colman, who was a farmer ; spent his early life on his father's 
farm ; read medicine with Dr. Menzo White, of Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., N. Y.; his fiuher. Dr. Joseph 
White, w;is an eminent physician and surgeon, and had a reputation second to none in the State; he was 
the father of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Western New York, located in Herkimer 
Co., and had a more extensive personal acquaintance than any other medical man in the State. Dr. Col- 
man came West in 1848, and located in the village of Marcellon April 1, 1849; he received his diploma 
in 1850, at Rush Medical College of Chicago; he remained in Marcellon till 1857, then wont to Pardee- 
ville, whore he practiced about twenty years, then located on his farm in the town of Marcellon in 1877, 
where ho continues to practice his profession, his farm being carried on by his son. He was married, 
April 23, 1851, in Marcellon, to Miss Kate Sheffield, who was born Oct. 3, 1831, in Warren Co., N. Y., 
daughter of Simon Sheffield ; they lost their first child, Florence, who was born July 25, 1854, and died 



948 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in October. 1856; have one sin living, Charles D., born July 13. lS5li, and married Aug. 12, 1877, to 
Miss Eva Cook, now livin2 on the homestead, which consists of 4:50 acres of land, with first-class farm 
buildings; the Doctor caui; into this ounty when there was plenty of hard work, long rides and poor 
pay, his nearest neighbors in the medical profession being at Portage City, Kingston and Fox Lake. He 
is a Democrat, and has held the office of Town Superintend int of Schools, and Chairmin of the town, 
and wasa member of Assembly in the Legislature of 1853. 

eUFUS COMSTOCK, farmer, See. 16; P. 0. Bellofountain ; born May 2, 1818, in Ontario 
Co., N. Y., town of Gorham; came to Wisconsin in September, 1845, and lived in Rock Co. till the next 
March, then went to Marquette Co. and from there to Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton and Green Bay, then 
returned to New York, and was married, Feb. 10, 1848, to Irene Blodgett, who was born Feb. 27, 1823, 
in Gorham, N. Y., daughter of Benjamin Blodgett ; in the fall of 1848, again came to Wisconsin and 
lived in Brookfield, Waukesha Co., two years, then went to Gre^n Lake Co., and lived near Little Green 
Lake one year, then sold out and removed to his present location ; has six children — Charles, Edwin, 
Rosa, Adeiia, Mary and Alice ; Charles is at Warren's Mills, Wis., and Edwin in Miner Co., Dakota. Mr. 
Comstock is a Republican, and has been Town Clerk two years, and Assessor and Treasurer one year, and 
has 110; acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock and all the children are members of the Free- Will 
Baptist Church, except Charles, and he is a Methodist. 

WALTER W. COMSTOCK, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. O. Bellefountain ; was born June 17. 
1822, in Ontario Co., N. Y., town of Gorham; son of Jonathan Comstock; came to Wisconsin in the 
fall of 1849, and stayed through the winter near Milwaukee, and in May, 1850, located land in the town 
of Marcellon, where he remained till the next September ; then returned to the State of New York, and 
stayed there till the spring of 1852; then came back to Wisconsin, and has resided on the same farm ever 
since. He was married, Sept. 28, 1858, in Marcellon, to Susan H. Dean, who was born Oct. 5, 1839, 
in Livingston Co., N. Y., daughter of Harvey Dean. (See his biography.) Mr. and Mrs. Comstock have 
seven children — Truman 0., Clara E., Ettie L., Wallie, Phebe S., Frank C. and Edith May. Mr. Comstock 
is a Republican, and has held the office of Supervisor several years. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock and the three 
, oldest chilnren belong to the Free-Will Baptist Church. He enlisted in February, 1865, in the 49th W.V. 
I., Co. I, and was discharged on account of sickness, the 1st of the next August; was stationed at Rolla, 
Mo., all the time he was in the army. He has 200 acres of land in his farm. 

9IAKTIN A.COOK, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Pardeeville ; was born in Rodman, Jefferson 
Co., N. Y., July 14, 1822 ; spent his time on a farm till he was 21 years old, then followed a sailor's life 
on the lakes about ten years. He was married, March 19, 1848, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., to Emeline C. 
Griffin, who was born Oct. 12, 1828, in Columbus, Chenango Co., N. Y., daughter of Dr. John W. 
Griffin. After marriage, Mr. Cook concluded to settle down to a more quiet life, and in November, 1848, 
came to Wisconsin and settled in Burnett, Dodge Co. ; lived there three years, then returned to New 
York, and lived six years in Rushford, Allegany Co. In the spring of 1858, he again came to Wiscon- 
sin, lived one year in Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., and one year in Buffalo, Marquette Co. He then came 
to Columbia (lo.; lived twii years in the town of Seott, then came to Marcellon, where he has since resided ; 
bought his present farm in 1802. He enlisted in September, 1804, in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, .Co. 
F, and was discharged at the close of the war. Have had five children, three of whom are still living — 
Ada, is now the wife of (jeorge Clark, of Rockford, Floyd Co., Iowa; Anson Wirt and DcForrest Grant, 
are living at home. Georgiana Gertrude died in Burnett, Dodge Co., Sept. 29, 1851, aged 2 years 5 
months and 14 days; Adelbert Eugene died in Marcellon, Aug. 25, 1859, aged 7 years 3 months and 2 
days. Mr. Cook is a Republican, and owns 80 acres of land. 

JOHBi DAILV, farmer. Sec. 33; P. 0. Pardeeville; is a native of County We.-tmeath, Ireland, 
and came to America in 1847, when about 17 or 18 years old. He settled in Chenango Co., N. Y., where 
he was married in Auirust, 1855, to Ann Fagan. The next fall, he came to Wisconsin; lived in Wau- 
kesha Co. till spring, then went to Illinois and stayed till fall, then his wife returned to New Y'^ork, and he 
went to New Orleans, where he stayed through the winter, and went back to New York the next July. In 
the spring of 18G4, he enlisted in the 5th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was mustered out at the close of 
the war. He was in Virginia most of the time, and participated in six or seven battles. After the war 
closed, he returned to New York, and in October, 18G5, again came to Wisconsin, this time to stay, and 
the same winter bought his present location, where he has since resided. Mrs. Daily died Oct. 10, 1876, 
aged about 45, after an illness of a year and a half, leaving four children — Thomas, Mary Ann, Jane (now 
Mrs. William Robert Shaw, of Scott), and Julia. Mr. Daily is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic 
Church. He has 200 acres of land. 



TOWN or MAT^f'ELLON. 949 

HARVEY DEAN (decoased ), was born in the State of New York, May 21, 1814; son of 
Samuel Dean; was married, Sept. 23, 1836. to Eliza A. Wilkins, who was born Feb. 27, 1819, in the 
town of Sussex, England, daughter of Charles and Susan (Hobden) Wilkins, who came to America in the 
fall of 182!4 and settled in Monroe Co., N. Y.; lived there three or four years, then sold out and went to 
Victor (same county), and lived there till May, 1862, then came to Wisconsin. Mrs. Wilkins died in 
New York State Feb. 9, 1862, in her 73d year, and Mr. Wilkins died April 3, 1878, in Wisconsin, in 
hi.s 82d year. Mr. Dean came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1850, lived in Racine till the next fall, then 
came to (Columbia Co. and located on See. 14, and afterward bought more land on See. 15 and resided on 
the same farm till his death, Jan. 14, 1865, of pneumonia, after an illness of nine divs, leaving five chil- 
dren — Susan H. (now Mrs. W. Comstock), of Marcellon ; Clarissa L. (now Mrs. William Albee), of the 
same town; Caroline S, born Dec. 3, 1843, in Monroe Co.. N. Y. (now Mrs. Nelson Thwing, of Wa 
seca Co., Minn. ) ; Charles, born Sept. 25, 1847, in Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y., lives in Barron Co., Wis., 
and Martin H., born March 20, 1863, in Marcellon, Wis., now living on the homestead with his mother ; 
P. 0. Bellefountain. Have 140 acres of land. Mr. Dean worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade in 
New York, and most of the time after coming to Wisconsin. The sons are all farmers. Mrs. Dean and 
youngest son are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. 

JOHX M. FRENCH, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. O. Portage City; was born May 4, 1791, in Essex 
Co., Vt.; son of Hains French, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and was in the battle of Quebec, when 
Gen. Montgomery was killed; was the first Clerk of the Court in Essex Co., Vt.; he was a member of the first 
Council, and remained in both offices till 1S13; the county was organized in 180(1 ; in 1812, he helped 
raise a volunteer regiment in Vermont; took a major's commission, and died in November, 1813, at Chau- 
tauqua Corners, State of New York. John M. enlisted in July, 1812, in a New Hamp.shire volunteer regi- 
ment and served one year; then enlisted in the 4th Regulars and served till the close of the war ; Was in 
seven or eight engasiements ; once got shot throusrh the \es below the knee and had two ribs broken ; his 
oldest brother. Homer, enlisted in a Maine volunteer regiment, served one year and then re-enlisted in the 
4th Rifle Regiment, in the regular army, and was killed Nov. 17, in the battle of Fort Erie; his youngest 
brother enlisted in. a Vermont volunteer regiment, served one year, then re-enlisted and served through the 
war. He is now living in Canada East, aged 85 years. After the war, Mr. French returned to 
his native place and was married, Dec. 25, 1815, to Tirzah Day; came to Wisconsin in the 
spring of 1844 : lived in Dodge Co. two and a half years, and, in the fall of 1846, built the 
first saw-mill in the county, on French's Creek, in the town of Fort Winnebago. He removed to his 
present location in 1868 ; his first wife died April 1, 1863, in the 67th year of her age; she was the 
mother of eighteen children, only six of whom were living at her death ; had lost nine before coming to 
Wiseon.sin, and three died in Wisconsin before her death and one since ; those who are still living and 
those who died in Wisconsin are as follows : Ovid, born Nov. 3, 1816 ; John M., Jan. 3, 1818, and died 
Jan. 16. 1868; Tirzah, born Feb. 19, 1820, died Sept. 27, 1856 ; Haines, born April 21, 1822, died April 
21, 1842; Olive, born June 9, 1824, died Nov. 3, 1854; Ann, born Sept. 21, 1827; Homer, born June 
9, 1829 ; Volney V., Aug. 22, 1832, and William W., Jan. 8, 1824. Homer was in the Mexican war, 
through the whole of it, and also served in the 32d W. V. I., through the war of the rebellion ; William 
W. was in the 2d W. V. C., and served three years during the rebellion ; a grandson, William, son of 
John French, also served during the war, in the 2d W. V. C. Mr. French was married the second time, 
Sept. 13, 1863, to Malvina Barrows, who was born Oct. 25, 1824, in Oneida Co., N. Y. ; was edu- 
cated at the Wesleyan Female College, of Cincinnati, and graduated June 29, 1849 ; has one daughter by 
the second marriage — Lillie, born Sept. 9, 1867. Mr. French has had nineteen children; now has forty 
grandchildren and fifty great-grandchildren living. Although nearly 89 years old, he retains all his mental 
faculties, and gives names and dates readily from memory ; he still plays the violin and seems to enjoy it 
as well as ever, and can dance as well as most of the boys. He was an old-time Jeflferson Democrat and 
still acts with the Democratic party. Has 52 acres of land, which he rents, as his failing eyesight prevents 
active labor. 

FRANK FULiLER, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Bellefountain ; was born Nov. 26, 1827, in Erie 
Co., N. Y. Was married in Allegany Co., Dec. 31, 1850, to Esther Ann Aldrich ; came West in 1852 
and settled on the farm he now owns, and has resided on it ever since ; has eight children living — Albert, 
William, Homer, Andrew, Edwin, Arthur, Millie and Mina Ann; Albert and Homer live in Lake Co., 
Dakota ; William in the town of Marcellon. and all the rest at home ; have lost three — Ernest, died May 
29, 1877, aged 16 ; Theodore, died in August, 1861, aged l-l years, and one, an infant, died in 1862. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fuller are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church. He is a Republican in politics, and has 
200 acres of land. 



950 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

WIIililAlfl GOODMASr, farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Portage City; born Sept. 17, 1819, in 
Somersetshire, England, son of William Goodman. Was married, March 24, 1840, in Ware, England, to 
Eliza Carter, who was born in 1816, in Ware, England, daughter of Thomas Carter; Mr. Goodwin was a 
farmer in England ; came to America in 1849, and located in the town of Marcellon in July of that year. 
Has four children living — Jane(lives in Portage), William (lives in Mower Co., Minn.), Henry and Mary, 
at home ; has lost two — Robert enlisted in 1864 in the 3d W. V. C., Co. K, and died about two months 
after his enlistment from an accidental discharge of his own carbine, while passing through some timber 
in charge of a lot of horses ; the hammer of the gun was caught by some bushes and the gun discharged ; 
he died two weeks after the accident, aged 24 ; Ellen died, aged 28, Nov. 25. The family attended the M. 
E. Church, but are not members; he is a Democrat. Has 370 acres of land, and at the present writing 
there is a P.)rtage company minins; for silver on his farm on Sec. 7. 

DEXTBR S. HEATH, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0. Marcellon; born Sept. 30, 1831, in Cale- 
donia Co., Vt., son of John Heath, who came to Wisconsin in 1851, and settled in Marcellon on the farm 
now owned by his son, and died there Dec. 31 1876, aged 85 ; Mr. Heath has lived on the same farm ever 
since he was 20 years old. He was married, Sept. 18, 1864, to Mrs. Mariette, widow of Asa Langdon, and 
daughter of Hugh Barker; she was born June 29, 1837, in Genesee Co., N. Y.; her father came to Wis- 
consin when she was 7 years old, and died in Packwaukee, Marquette Co., in October, 1857, aged 64; 
Mr. and Mrs. Heath have three children— Allen, born Sept. 10, 1866 ; Julius, Jan. 29, 1869, and George, 
born July 17, 1873. Mr. Heath has 255 acres of land, and a first-class farm building. 

H. T. HE»rTO\, farmer. Sec. 9 and 10 ; P. 0. Bellefountain ; was born Feb. 24, 1823, in 
Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His parents removed to Erie Co., Penn., when he was 11 years old, and 
came to Wisconsin in 1850; his father, Thomas Henton, died in I860, and his mother died in 1832. 
He sailed on the lakes from 1838 to 1850; commenced, at the age of 15, on the old steamer Thomas 
Jeft'er.son, running between BufFaio and Chicago. Sept. 14, 1846, he was married, near Cresco, Fond du 
Lac Co., Wis., to Evaline, daughter of Capt. Fiancis Dorchester, a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and 
one of the first settlers in Fond du Lac Co., having located there in 1844. After his marriage, Mr. 
Henton returned to Erie, Penn., and lived there one year; then came to Milwaukee, where he resided 
five years. In October, 1852, he removed to Fall River, Columbia Co., Wis , and was engaged in the 
mercantile busine.ss three years; then he went to Ripon, Wis., and July 13, 1855, bought an interest in 
the Ripon and Gothic Mills, and removed his family to that place in October of the same year; was in 
the milling and produce business in Ripon until April 1, 1873 ; then went to Winneconne and bought the 
•' Lake View House," and an interest in the Winneconne flouring-mills ; remained there till March, 1878 ; 
then removed to his present location. Mrs. Henton died, Oct. 19, 1879, of hemorrhage of the brain, with- 
out a moment's warning, leaving one son — Henry Prcemont, born Feb. 8, 1850; had lost three sons — 
Francis D., died Aug. 19, 1869, aged 16 years; Harvey Howard, died in September, 1869, aged 13 
motilhs, and one died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Henton is a Republican, and was one of the delegates to 
the convention that organized the Republican party in the summer of 1854, and was one of the committee 
to appoint permanent officers for the organization; has been a stanch Republican ever since, and is "de- 
termined to fight it out on that line;" was nominated and elected Mayor of the city of Ripon in the 
spring of 1865, while away from home, and, on returning, his first official act was issuing a proclamation 
calling a meeting of the citizens of Ripon to take action on the death of Abraham Lincoln. He held the 
offices of Chairman, Supervisor, Superintendent of the Poor, and several other offices in Ripon, and repre- 
sented the village of Winneconne in the County Board. He has 240 acres of land in his home f\irm, and 
a farm of 146 acres in Clark Co., Wis. 

I> WIGHT B. HEKKE9IA1V, farmer. Sec. 11; P. 0. Bellefountain; was born Aug. 12, 
1835, in Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio ; son of William Herreman, who came to Wisconsin in May, 1849, 
and settled in the town of Farmington, Jefferson Co., and lived there two years ; then came to Columbia 
Co., and settled in the town of Marcellon, where he has since resided ; was Postmaster in Marcellon 
eighteen years, and resigned in October, 1879. Dwight B. lived at home until he was 20 years old ; 
then went to Rice Co., Minn., and lived there one summer, returning to Marcellon in the fall. He was 
married, Nov. 11, 1857, to Polly Aldrich, who was born June 29, 1839, in Allegany Co., N. Y., daughter 
of Gideon P. Aldrich, who came to Wisconsin in 184!, and now lives in Wyocena, Columbia Co. Mr. 
and Mrs. Herreman have four children — Warren, Cara, Prudy and Wallace, all at home. He has held 
the offices of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor ; he learned the blacksmith's trade of his father, when 
a boy, and now has a shop on his farm and carries on that business in addition to his farming. He 
enlisted March 13. 1865, in the 49th W. V. I., Co. L, and was discharged at the close of the war; spent 
most of his time in Missouri hunting "bushwhackers." He has lost two children — Esther Ann, born March 



TOWN OF MARCELLON. 951 

29, 1863, and died Dec. 16, 1863; Alvin Eugene, born Feb. 11, 1872, and died April 1, 1874. He 
has 120 acres of land, and is a Republican. 

WILLIAM HERREMAN, merchant, Marcellon ; he was born March 21, 1803, in Liv- 
ingston Co., N. Y.; his parents removed to Meadville, Pcnn., when he was 16 years old, and he started 
out at that age to do battle with the world on his own account ; spent about five years on the St. Lawrence 
River and in Canada ; then went to Meadville and stayed three years ; then went to Ohio and lived in 
Gi'auga Co. till 1849, and in May of that year, came to Wisconsin ; lived two years in Jeflferson Co., and 
in the spring of 1851, came to Columbia Co. and settled in the village of Marcellon, where he has since 
resided ; learned the blacksmith's trade in Ohio when 27 years old, and worked at that business till 1870, 
since which time he has been engaged in farming and selling goods ; had the post office in Marcellon from 
1864 to 1879, and then resigned the office. Was married, June 12, 1828, in Geauga Co., Ohio, to Caro- 
line Parsons, who was born June 27, 1811, in Hartford, Conn., daughter of Warhem Parsons; have nine 
children living — "William L., O.scar H., Celia M., Dwight B , Orlando A., Cassius M., Irvin T., James F. 
and Alice L.; have lost three — t hloe M., Mvron S. and Alonzo A.; had five sons in the army during the 
rebellion. Alonzo A. was in the 2d W. V. C. about two years, and died July 25, 1865, from the effects 
of a wound received at Vicksburg, while in a scouting party; Dwight B. and Oscar H. were in the 49th 
W. V. C, Co. I.; the last nine months of the war, Myron S. was in a New York regiment; Orlando A., in Gov- 
ernment service in Nashville, Tenn., and Cassius in the permanent corps, in Madison ; also had a son-in- 
law, T. M. Lockwood, in same corps as Cassius; Alonzo was a prisoner about two mouths, being taken 
April 21, 1S64. Mr. Herreman is a Republican and held the office of Town Treasurer five years; reads 
without glasses at the age of 77.; has a farm of 120 acres adjoining the village. 

JAMES HODtJMAX, fiirmer. Sec. 2; P. 0. Bellefountain ; born iu Rutland Co., Vt., Oct. 
5, 1825; son of Latt 0. and Mary Hodgman ; he came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1850 and settled 
in Lowville, Columbia Co.; remained there till the spring of 1866; then sold out and purchased the 
farm he now owns, and where he has since resided. Was married, March 16, 1856, to Sarah Jane 
Evarts, who died May 16, 1857, leaving one child — Frederick Lorenzo, now living in Lowville, Wis. 
Was married the second time, July 4, 1864, to Fanny Lucina Jerome, who was born in the State of New 
York, Feb. 7, 1852, daughter of Daniel Jerome; has three children by the second marriage — James W., 
born Jan. 1, 1867 ; Emma Viola, born Nov. 15, 1872, and Charles Nelson, born Aug. 26, 1875 ; has 
160 acres of land. Republican. 

W. H. HORTOBf, farmer. Sees. 5 and 6 ; P. 0. Portage City; was born May 17, 1835, in 
Ashtabula Co., Ohio ; son of Loren Horton, who came to Wisconsin in 1847, and lived in the town of 
Herman, Dodge Co., till his death, in April, 1839; was killed by a falling limb from a tree he was chop- 
ping. Mr. Horton was married, Oct. 8, 1857, to Sarah Whittaker, who was born Oct. 7, 1837, in Wor- 
cester Co., Mass., daughter of Robert Whittaker, a native of England; have two children— William, born 
Oct. 2, 1858, and Mamie, born Aug. 9, 1866; the maiden name of Mrs. Horton's mother was Mary H. 
Cheney, and she was a native of Massachusetts. Mr. Horion's parents were both natives of Washington 
Co., N. Y.; his mother's maiden name was Lucy M. Kingsley. Mr. Horton is a Republican and has 153 
acres of land. 

DANIEL JEROME, Jr., farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Bellefountain ; born Aug. 23, 1844, in 
Livingston Co., N. Y. ; son of Daniel Jerome, who came to Wisconsin in 1847, and came into the town of 
Marcellon in the fall of that year, and is still living in the town, aged 80 ; Mrs. Jerome is also living, at 
the age of 71. Mr. Jerome was married, Feb. 22, 1866, to Katie Ann Cobb, who was born Feb. 10, 
1847, in Canada ; daughter of Leonard Cobb, who settled in Wisconsin when she was a child ; have two 
children — Nellie, born June 29, 1869, and Wallace S., born Feb. 6, 1877 ; he is Republican, and has 
held the office of Constable ; has 160 acres in his home farm, and 160 acres in Waushara Co. He enlisted 
Aug. 15, 1862, in the 23d W. V. C. Co. C; was with his regiment one year, participating in four battles 
during the time; was then transferred to the 5th V. R. C, stationed at Indianapolis, Ind., and was 
discharged July 5, 1865. 

E. B. LAKGrDON, or " Uncle Frank," as he is called, was the first permanent settler in the 
town of Marcellon ; ho came here from Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1845, arriving with his family 
on the 3d day of November, having selected his land about ten days before ; he took oflF his wagon-cover and 
used it for a tent, living in it till he got his house built ; his nearest neighbors at that time were Samuel 
and John McConochie, of the town of Scott ; has lived on the same farm ever since ; helped to organize 
the town of Marcellon, and was a member of the first Town Board ; he was born Jan. 27, 1810, in the 
town of Wilbraham, Hampden Co., Mass.; son of Christopher Langdon, who removed to Geauga Co., 
Ohio, in 1814, and died there in 1822. Mr. Langdon was married in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, on Sept. 1. 



952 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1833, to Lydia Hamblin, who was born Nov. !l, 1812, in Grand Isle Co.. Vt.; daughter of Asa Hamblin, 
who removed to Ohio when she was 7 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Lanirdon have had four children, but 
the only one living is Rosellia, who was born June 11, 1834, and married to John Braden, who died in 
the army from a gun-shot wound, received in battle in Missouri ; he belonged to the 14th Iowa V. I., and 
his deatii occurred Oct. 31, 1864; he left five children — Alma, Julia, Erwin, Datus and Herbert; she 
is now the wife of S. R. Peck, and has one child by the second marriage — a daughter, named Mandania. 
Mr. and Mrs. Langdon have lost three children — Christopher, enlisted in the 32d W. V. I., was under 
Sherman, and died in North Carolina in the 27th year of his age; Asa, died Jan. 10, 1862, in his 24th 
year, and Marinett, died Dec. 21), 1841, aged 1 year. Mr. Langdon has 191 acres of land on Sec. 24 ; 
P. 0. Marcellon ; is a Republican. 

BARKEY I^OVELL, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Bellefountain ; born Dec. 2, 1820, in Cayuga 
Co., N. V. Was married Sept. 11, i842, in Livingston Co., N. Y., town of Sparta, to Elizabeth Spicer, 
who was born May 3, 1826, in Sparta, daughter of Asa Spicer; Mr. Lovell came from New York to 
Michigan in 1851, and lived in Cass Co. till Augu-it, 1865, then sold out, came to Wisconsin and bought 
the farm he now owns and occupies; have four children living — Nathan V., lives in Berrien Co., Mich., 
Henry C. and John T. are living on Sec. 11, in ^larcellon, and Mary Elizabeth is now Mrs. Alman 
Inglehart, of Cambria, Wis.; have lost one. Prances Adel, died March 6, 1875, aged 16. Nathan V. 
spent four years in the army; belonged to the 7th Mich. V. I., Co. B, almost a year; was taken prisoner 
at Murfre.sboro and taken to McMinnville, Tenn., where he escaped, and reported at Camp Chase, Ohi); 
his regiment being badly cut up, what there was left of it was disbanded, and he re-enlisted in the 7th 
.Mich. V. C, Co. B; spent three years with Sheridan and Custer; was with Grant when he took Rich- 
mond, and was discharged at the close of the war; had nine horses shot under him, and was once shot 
through the heel, but never left his regiment, and never spent a day in the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Lovell 
were both members of the Christian Church, in New York, but are not members of any church at present ; 
he is Republican, and has 80 acres of land. 

PELEG L. PEt'KHAM, farmer. Sec. 13; P. 0. Bellefountain; born May 24, 1819, in 
Madison Co , N. Y. ; his parents removed to Monroe Co. when he was in his 16th year; he remained at 
home till he was 21 years old ; came to Columbia Co., Wis., in August, 1844 ; lived near Columbus till 
January, 1846, then came up and located the land he now owns in the town of Marcellon, and has lived on it 
ever since. Was married, April 19, 1846, to Minerva Austin, who was born Oct. 4, 1825, in Mexico, 
N. Y. ; daughter of Lyman Austin, who came to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled near Lake Maria, then 
in Marquette Co. Mr. and Mrs. Peckham have five children — John lives in Harrison Co., Dakota ; 
Lucretia is now Mrs. Thomas Vining, of Faribault Co., Minn., and Elizabeth, Charles and William are 
still living with their parents; lost one child, which died in infancy; has 280 acres of land. 

E. R. PERRY, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Pardeeville; born Dec. 28, 1830, in Riga, Monroe Co., 
N. Y.; son of W. L. Perry, who came to Wisconsin in 1845, and lived in Dodge Co., town of Clyman 
two years, then came to Columbia, and lived in Randolph ten or twelve years, and died in Marcellon May 
30, 1874, aged 73 years; Mrs. Perry died in June, 1835, in Riga, N. Y., aged 34. E. R. Perry was 
married, Sept. 17, 1856, in Monroe Co., N. Y., to Mary Richmond, daughter of Joshua Richmond (see 
biography of H. J. Richmond) ; she was born in Ogden, Monroe Co., N. Y., and died March 26, 1876, 
aged 43 years, leaving two children — Charles E. and Ella D. Was married the second time, Nov. 27, 
1878, to Mrs. Maria Brown, daughter of Killian Hepler, of Pardeeville; she was born in Medina Co., 
Ohio, April 28, 1845 ; had one daughter by her first husband, Addie E. Brown. Mr. Perry is a Demo- 
crat, and held the office of Constable in Randolph, and Justice of the Peace in Marcellon ; hiis 160 acres 
of land. 

A. W. RESHEGUIE, farmer. Sees. 1 and 12; P.O. Bellefountain: born Oct. 30, 1848, 
in Susquehanna Co., Penn.; son of Lewis Resseguie, who came to Wisconsin, and settled in Berlin in the 
spring of 1850; he died Jan. 15, 1879, aged 69; Mrs. Ressequie died in 1151. A. W. Resseguie was 
married, Oct. 29, 1872, in Berlin, to Miss Lutie Leonard, of that place, and followed farming three and 
one-half miles southeast of Berlin till March, 1877, then sold out and removed to his present location ; has 
216 acres in his farm, with gnod brick residence. In politics. Republican. 

H. S. RICHJIOND, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Marcellon; born Aug. 20, 1838, in Monroe Co., 
N. Y.; son of Joshua Richmond, a native of Vermont, who raised a family of fifteen children, three boys 
and twelve girls; all grew up to maturity and all married and raised families except one girl ; his first wife 
was a Miss Sprague, the second, Nancy Creasey, and the third, Nancy True, all of Monroe Co., N. Y.; 
he died Dec. 13, 1868. H. S. Richmond was married in Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1858, to Mary Rob- 
bins, who died Aug. 16, 1870, aged 35, leaving three children — Harriet, Nona and Riley. Was married 



TOVVX OF MARCELLON. 953 

the second time, March 19, 1872, to Mrs. Maria Gibbs, widow of Almoti Gibbs, and daughter of R. P. 
McGlashan, a native of Scotland ; Mrs. McGlashan, whose maiden name was Sarah Holmes, was a native 
of Connecticut; they came to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled in Trenton, Dodge Co.; he died in 1848, 
and Mrs. McGlashan died May 12, 1877 ; they left seven children— James, living in Beaver Dam; Mary 
Ann, now Mrs. John Brown, of Beaver Dam ; Sarah, now Mrs. Ezra Parker, of Dartfurd ; Edwin, living 
in Beaver Dam ; Catharine, now Mrs. Hiram Hubbard, Dakota ; Maria, now Mrs. H. S. Richmond, and 
Frances, who married Mortimer Clark, and died April 16, 1878; Mrs. Richmond was born Aug. 3, 1839, 
in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. Mr. Richmond is a Democrat ; has 160 acres of land. 

MERRIliL H. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Portage City ; was born in Danbury, Grafton 
Co., N. H., May 5, 1823; son of James and Rachel (Hoyt) Smith; in 1852, went to California, and was 
gone between two and three years; then returned to New Hampshire. Feb. 24, 1854, was married to 
Rosanna Sanburn, who was born Aug. 25, 1824; daughter of Jonathan and Mary C. Sanburn ; in the 
fall of 1855, he came to Wisconsin with his family, and settled on his present farm in Marcellon, and has 
since resided there ; was a locomotive engineer and followed railroading while in New Hampshire ; went 
South during the rebellion and ran an engine in the Government service during the last year of the war ; 
altogether followed that business about fourteen years. Has five children — Leonora (now Mrs. Daniel 
Damuth, of Fort Atkinson, Wis.) ; Viola, Winfield S., Ulysess Grant and Minnie Eva ; all at home except 
Leonora. He is a Republican, and has held the office of Assessor and Justice of the Peace. Has 615 
acres of land in Sees. 20, 21, 28 and 16. 

ABEL STRONG, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Bellefountaln ; was born Dec. 17, 1822, in Nova 
Scotia; son of Stephen Strong; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1845, and worked out in Walworth Co. 
four years ; came to Columbia Co., in November, 1847, and bought 160 acres of land in what is now Mar- 
cellon ; then returned to Walworth Co.; and in the fall of 1848, came up and commenced fencing his 
land ; returned to Walworth Co. again in the spring ; in the fall of 1849, located on his land, and has 
resided on the same farm ever since. Was married in Portage City, Aug. 31, 1862, to Julia Dee, who was 
born May 1, 1844, in County Tipperary, Ireland; daughter of Lawrence Dee, who came to America in 
1847, and settled in Milwaukee; lived there one year; then Portage City one year ; then five years in 
Marcellon ; then removed to Fort Winnebago, where he died Aug. 18, 1865, aged 73. Mrs. Dee is still 
living at the age of 68. Mr. and Mrs. Strong have three children — John Gaylord, born Aug. 14, 1863 ; 
Stephen Eaton, born April 3, 1865, and Sarah Jane, born March 11, 1867 ; all at home. Mr. Strong 
enlisted March 8, 1865, in the 194th N. Y. V. L, Co. B, and was discharged about the middle of May. 
Is a Republican. Has 320 acres of laud. Mrs. Strong is a member of the Catholic Church. 

HIRAHl J. STRONG, carpenter. Sec. 7; P. 0. Portage City; born March 9, 1827, in 
Livingston Co., N. Y.; son of Amos Strong, who came to Michigan in 1831. Hiram Strong was married 
in Michigan, Aug. 28, 1851, to Mary Morgan, who was born July 10, 1830, in Miami Co., Ohio. Mr. 
Strong worked at carpenter work in Michigan ; was on the Michigan Central R. R., three years, and was 
division foreman on the N., I. & S. M. R. R., two years ; in August, 1855, he came to Wisconsin and 
located in the town of Buifalo, Marquette Co.; lived there seven years working at carpenter and joiner 
and millwright work ; in March, 1862, removed to his present location, where he has since resided, except 
one year in Sparta, Monroe Co., Wis., in 1863; still works at his trade. Has only one child — Carlton 
Delos, born April 13, 1859; now living at home ; one daughter, Emma Amelia, was born Feb. 19, 1855, 
and died Sept. 2, 1863. Mr. Strong is a Republican, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace two 
terms, and some school district offices. Has 17 acres of land. 

CASPER TURK, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Portage City; born June 6, 1837, in Nassau. 
Germany, son of Joseph Turk, who came to America in 1845, or thereabouts, and settled in Utica, N Y. 
He died Sept. 10, 1854, aged 54; was run over by a train on the New York Central Railroad, and died a 
few hours after the accident. Mr. Turk learned the machinist trade in Utica, of " Hart & Munson," and 
worked at the business twelve years ; before that, had worked for the same company about eight years, 
running a stationary engine six years of that time. He was married Feb. 3, IStil, to Mary Harny, who 
was born Jan. 8, 1835, in France, daughter of Sabastian Harny, who came to America in 1836, and now 
lives in Utica, N. Y. Mr. Turk came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1869, and settled in the town of 
Marcellon, where he still resides; has ten children — Mary, Frank, Samuel, George, John, Louisa, Clara 
and Clarissa (twins), Joseph and William, all at home. Members of the Catholic Church, and in politics , 
Republican. He has 160 acres of land. 

ANDREW WAITE, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Bellefountaln ; was born June 25, 1831, in the 
town of West Hawksbury, Canada; son of William Waite, a native of Boston, Mass. Mr. Waite came 
to Wisconsin in the spring of 1857, and lived in the town of Buffalo, Marquette Co., about three years, 



954 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ; 

then came to his present location in the town of Marcellon. He was married in September, 1862, in Port- 
age, to Mary Jane Smith, daughter of Harrj' Smith ; she died Nov. 27, 1866, aged 24, leaving three 
children — Rachel, born Aug. 7, 18()3 ; Abigail, born Dec. 21, 1864; and Mary Jane, born Nov. 27, 1866. 
He has 160 acres of land. Republican. 

SYLVESTER WALKER, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Bellefountain ; waa born in the town of 
Truxton, Cortland Co., N. Y., June 20, 1821 ; son of Phineas Walker ; came to Wisconsin in 1844, and lived 
in Kenosha Co. till the fall of 1850, then came to Columbia Co., and has lived in Marcellon ever since 
He was married Dec. 31, 1848, in Racine Co.,Wis., to Magdelan A. Vandy. Mr. Walker was in the 22d 
Wis V. I., Co. C, about four mouths, in 1865. Have two children — Clarence D., born April 18, 1861, 
and Minnie, born Fib. 18, 1864, both at home. He has 120 acres of land and is a Republican. 

ZADOCK WAITE, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Portage City; born Aug. 1, 1825, in Canada 
West; son of William Waite, a native of the State of New York. Mr. Waite left home when lit years 
of age, came to Wisconsin and lived five years in Walworth Co. ; then went to Marquette Co. and bought 
land in the town of Buffalo ; lived there till the fall of 1874, then sold out and removed to his present 
location ; was married in Walworth Co., in 1858, to Emily Jane Carpenter, who was born July 8, 1831, 
in Chautauijua Co., N. Y.; daughter of William Carpenter. Have only one child — Sarah Jane, born Jan. 
1, 1850, married to John Cuff, and living in Butler Co., Iowa. She has six children — Justin, Ernest, 
Oscar, Lillie, Mertie and Elsie Jane. Mr. Waite is a Republican ; was Supervisor of Marcellon two years, 
and has been District Clerk and Postmaster several years. He has 200-acre farm in Marcellon, and a 
120-acre farm in Butler Co., Iowa. 

DANIEL S. WOODWORTH, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Portage City; born July 9, 1827, 
in the town of Essex, Chittenden Co., Vt.; son of Jabez and Mehitable Woodworth, who removed to Niagara 
Co.,N. Y., in 1849 ; lived there two years, then came to Wisconsin and lived nine years in Racine Co. (now 
Kenosha), then in July, 1854, came to Columbia Co., where they both died — Mr. Woodworth, May 3, 
1867, aged 83 ; Mrs. Woodworth, May 15, 1868, aged 79. Mr. Woodworth has lived on his present farm 
ever since he came to the county in July, 1854. He married in Marcellon, Feb. 18, 1859, to Melissa Hart, 
who was born Jan. 6, 1841, in the town of Forestville, county of Norfolk, Canada West, daughter of George 
and Eliza Ann Hart, who came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1856. Mrs. Hart died July 18, 1864, aged 
15 ; Jlr. Hartis still living in Lincoln Co., Dakota, aged 64. Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth have five children — 
Emma, Albert, Eliza, Cora and Fannie, all at home. Mr. Woodworth is a member of the M. E. Church 
and a Republican ; has 411 acres of land, 150 is in his home farm, 160 acres in Marquette Co., one and a 
half miles from home farm, and 101 acres in Sauk Co. Mrs. Woodworth is a Baptist. 




TOWN OF COLUMBUS. ^55 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 

JOHN Q. ADAMS, was born in Franklin Co., Mass., in 1816 ; son of Charles Adams, who 
came to the town of Fountain Prairie, Columbia Co., Wis., in 1846, where his wife, nee Mary Howes, died 
soon after, and some time during the following year he returned to the State of Massachusetts, where he 
subsequently died. John Q., our present subject, received his education in the common schools 
and academies of his native State. He came to Wisconsin in 1844 and located on a farm, in the 
township of Fountain Prairie, Columbia Co., and made that his home for about twenty-three years. He 
then removed to the city (then village) of Columbus, where he has since resided, retaining, however, his 
farm of 350 acres. Mr. Adams was elected one of the first County Commissioners of Columbia Co., in 
1846, and was re-elected in the fall of 1847, serving in 1848. He was elected Chairman of the Town 
Board of Fountain Prairie in 1851 and 1852 and has several times been re-elected to that office. He also 
held the office of Town Superintendent of Schools of that town in 1849-50, and was one nf the organ- 
izers of the town in 1849. Mr. Adams represented his district in the Wisconsin Assembly in 1853, and 
also his county in the Senate during the sessions of 1854-55-56 ; he was again returned to the Assembly 
in 1863. In 1858, he was elected Superintendent of the County Poor, and has ever since been kept in 
that office. He has been President of the Columbia Co. Agricultural Society several terms, and has held 
the office of Treasurer of the same for eleven years. Was member of the School Board of Columbus for 
seven years; was President of the same for three years. Politically, Mr. Adams is a Republican, and was 
a member of the committee on resolutions at the organization of that party, at Madison, Wis., in 1854. In 
Massachusetts, in 1846, he was married to Miss Lucy S., daughter of Erastus Pomroy. Their children 
are Louie P. (now a student at Ripon College) ; Clara and Lily (at home). Mr. and Mrs. Adams are- 
members of the Congregational Church. 

A. T. AUSTIN, farmer; Sec. 14; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Grafton Co., N. H., in 1827, 
and with parents in 1835 he emigrated to Richland Co., Ohio. Ten years later (^May, 1845), he came to 
Wisconsin and located on a farm in Jefferson Co. He entered a farm of 220 acres in the town of Elba, 
Dodge Co., in 1846, and settled there in the spring of 1847. Here he lived for twenty years and devoted 
his attention wholly to agriculture. Selling his interest in Dodge Co., in February, 1867 ; he bought a 
farm of 250 acres on Sec. 14, town of Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis.; where he has since resided. He 
was married in 1853, to Miss Sarah Hathaway, of Jefferson Co., Wis., but a native of Monroe Co., N. Y. 
Their children are Thaddeus T. (now in California); Mercy D. (at home); Abraham S.,Gracie D., Frank, 
James W. and Charity S. Mr. Austin's family are connected with the Congregational Church. 

CAPT. CALVIN BAKER, was born in the town of Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt., in 1803; 
when quite young, with his parents, Remember and Cynthia (Stannard) Baker, he removed to Genesee 
Co., N. Y., where his father devoted much of his time to the trade of millwright, but later removed to 
Michigan, where they afterward died. The family was composed of seven children, four suns and three 
daughters — Calvin, the oldest of these, devoted much of his time with his father, to the trade of a mill- 
wright and at building thrashing machines — but failing health forced him to quit the trade and seek some 
outdoor employment. He followed buying stock wool for the New York markets for several years. In 
1834, he was married to Mi.ss Susanna Blodgett, of Genesee Co., N. Y., who died in 1841. His second 
marriage was to Mrs. Ann Scofield, of New York City, a daughter of George and Betsey Hague. Her 
father was a native of England, her mother of France. Mr. and Mrs. Baker came to Wisconsin in 1857, 
and located on a farm in the town of Fountain Prairie, Columbia Co., where he followed farming for some 
time. In 1862, he was engaged in the detective business, with his brother, Col. Baker. He was appointed 
Captain of the Quartermaster's Department at Washington, in 1863, a position which he held till the fall 
of 1865. Returning then to his farm in Fountain Prairie, he devoted his time to farming till 1872, when 
they removed to the city of Columbus, where he has lived a more retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are 
members of the CongTegational Church. 

HENRY D. BATH, deceased; was born in Schenectady Co, N. Y., in 1843; son of 
Levy and Agnes Bath. His father was a Baptist minister of New York, and came to Colum- 
bus in 1861, where he was Pastor of the church for a number of years. He died in this city in 
April, 1877, leaving four sons and one daughter, one of whom died in June, 1879, one having died in 
April. 1876. Mr. Bath was educated at the Grass Lake Academy, of Jackson Co., Mich. In 1861, he 
enlisted as private in Co. B, of the 7th Mich. V. I., under Col. Grovesnor, with the army of the Poto- 
mac ; was promoted to the positions of Sergeant, Second and First Lieutenant ; was severely wounded at the 

KK 



956 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, after which he came home for four months, and early in 1863, he 
rejoined his regiment and with it was mustered out in 1864. He then came to Columbus and read law two 
years with Cook & Chapin, and was admitted to the practice at Portage in 1866. He went then to Mil- 
waukee, and was city editor of the Daily News till July, 1868, when he returned to Columbus, purchased 
the Columbus Transcript, and converted it into the Columbus Democrat, of which he has since 
been editor. In March, 1877, he, with his brother, W. E. Bath, established the Portage Democrat, 
of Portage City, and were editors of the same till the death of his brother, which occurred in June, 1879. 
Mr. Bath was married in 1866, to Louisa T., daughter of Matthew T. D. and Theodate Nowell, of Colum- 
bus. Children are Paul T. and Dane. Mr. Bath died June 8, 1880. 

RICHARD BARROW, deceased ; was born at Hawkhurst, County Kent, England, in 1782, 
and was the son of John and Susan Barrow, with whom he spent most of his time till his marriage, in 
1818, to Miss Lucy, daughter of Humphrey and Mary (Rogers) Wickham, a native of County Sussex, 
England. After marriage, they settled on a farm in County Kent, which was afterward their home till 
1839. April 28, of that year, they sailed from London, and landed in New York (as emigrants to 
America) the last day of May following, locating at Oriskany Falls, Oneida Co., N. Y. They made their 
home there for three years ; then removed to Chittenango, Madison Co., whence in June, 1845, they immi- 
grated to Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis., and located on a farm on Sees. 22, 23 and 27, now consisting of 
181 acres, and 11 acres in the town of Elba, Dodge Co. Here Mr. Barrow died in 1854. Their family 
consisted of themselves and nine children; the latter are as follows: Richard, born 1819, and now lives at 
Baraboo, Wis.; Frances, born 1820, now Mrs. John H. Valentine, and lives at Mason City, Iowa; John, 
born in 1825, now at Merrimac, Sauk Co., Wis.; Ann, born 1827, the late wife of George McCafferty, 
now deceased; James, born 1830, now at home; Seymour, born 1832, now deceased; Samuel, born 1834, 
now deceased; Thomas, horn 1836, now at home; Lucy, born 1839, now deceased. 

JOHN BEBOW, farmer; Sec. 16; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Mecklinburg Schwerin, 
in 1828. He came to America in 1852 ; located in Erie Co., N. Y., where he followed farming for nine 
years. In 1861, he came to the town of Columbus, purchased a farm of 65 acres on Sec. 16, where he 
now owns 125 on Sees. 9 and 16, and also a farm of 90 acres on Sees. 8 and 17. He was married in 1852, 
to Miss Dorothea Minken, a native of Mecklinburg. Their children are Louisa, now the wife of Fred 
Prieri, and lives in the town of Leeds ; Mary, now the wife of Henry Reider, of the town of Columbus ; 
Matilda, Frank and Charles at home. They are members of the Lutheran Church. 

NELiSON C. BISSEIjIj, merchant tailor, Columbus; was born in Susquehanna Co., Penn., 
1823. His father, David Bissell, was a native of Connecticut; his mother, Hepsibleth Reynolds, was 
born in New York. When 15 years old, he began the tailor's trade in Montrose, Penn., and five years 
later, he went to New York City, where he continued his trade a year ; returning then to Pennsylvania, he 
worked three years at his trade in Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., and afterward at Lanesboro for a short 
time. Returning then to Montrose, he clerked in a hotel for two years. At Dundee, in May, 1854, he 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Ireton, and in August following they came to Wisconsin, and located at 
Columbus, where he has still continued the merchant tailor's trade. They have one daughter — Katie. 
Mr. Bissell was a member of the County Board of Supervisors from the Third Ward of Columbus, in 1877 , 
Himself and family are connected with the Presbyterian Church. 

DEXTER BliANCHARD, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Columbus; this pioneer of Columbia 
Co. was born in the town of Rochester, Windsor Co., Vt., in 1826 ; his father, John Blanchard, was a 
tanner by trade, and he worked much of the time with him at the same business in his younger days. In 1 846, 
he and his father came to Columbia Co., Wis., and entered a farm of 247 acres, on Sees. 28 and 29, town of 
Columbus, where they built their log shanty, covered it with prairie hay and " kept bach" therein for about six 
months. They returned to Vermont in the fall, and in the following spring (1847) came again with fam- 
ily to Wisconsin, and located on the farm which was ever after their home till their death ; Mr. Blanchard 
has always made his home on the original farm, and now owns 83 acres of it on Sec. 28. He was married 
in 1864, to Miss Emma J., daughter of Thomas and C. J. Sallsbee, a native of Ohio but an emigrant to 
Wisconsin in 185G ; their children are John, William T. and Marietta. 

HERMAN M. BLliaiENTHAL, of the firm of Turner & Co., proprietors of marble 
works, Columbus, was born in Prussia in 1853, and came with his parents to America in 1868; they 
located at Columbus, Wis., where he began his trade in 1870, with Miller & Graham, and has since con- 
tinued his trade in this city ; he became a partner in the firm of Turner & Co. in January, 1878. He 
was married, in May, 1878, to Miss Mary, daughter of the Rev. F. Kluckhohn, of this city ; they have 
one son, Edwin. They are members of the German M. E. Church. Mr. Blumenthal is a member of the 
I. O () F. 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 957 

F. H. BOIiTE, of the firm of Bolte & Eckoff, proprietors of the Columbus Foundry, manu- 
facturers of the Eureka Windmill and pumpg of various kinds ; Mr. Bolte was born in the town of Col- 
umbus, Columbia Co., Wis., in 185G; was educated at the Northwestern University at Watertown, 
Wis., from which institution he graduated in 1871 ; he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter 
and joiner's trade in 1872, with Charles Breyer, of the town of Elba, Dodge Co., and continued with him 
for three years; he invented and got patented the Eureka Windmill in December, 1878, of which he and 
his partner are now sole manu,facturers ; he also invented the Economist Churn in April, 1879. In 
December, 1879, he was married to Miss Minnie Eckoff, of Columbus, Wis. They are members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

PROF. a. M. BOWEN^, Principal of high school and Superintendent of the city schools of 
Columbus; was born in the tuwn of Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1847 ; when 10 years of 
age, he, with his parents, M. H. and Matilda Bowcn, removed to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and located on 
a farm near Ripon ; three years laier, they removed to Auroraville, Waushara Co., and settled on what is 
known as the '• Indian land," where they now reside ; Mr. Bowen received his earlier education in the 
public schools of Wisconsin. In 1864, he enlisted in Co. I, of the 7th W. V. I., at Auroraville; was 
with the Army of the Potomac, and was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 
1864, receiving two wounds, from one of which he now carries a ball ; he rejoined his regiment at Peters- 
burg, in August following, and was with it in all its principal movements and at the surrender of Gen. 
Lee, April 9, 1865 ; was mustered out at Madison, Wis., in July, 1865 ; returning then to Auroraville, 
he spent two years attending the common schools and teaching ; he entered the State Normal 
School at Whitewater, Wis., in April, 1 868, and graduated from that institution with the firstclass in 1 870 ; 
he was elected Principal of the West District of Jefferson, Jefferson Co., in the fall of 1870, and in the 
following year was elected Teacher of Mathematics in the Jefferson Liberal Institute; in 1872, he was 
elected Principal of the Wausau High School, and re-elected in 1873, to the same position ; he was elected 
Principal of the Berlin High School in 1874, and in January, 1876, he was elected to theprincipalship of 
the Columbus High School, and has been re-elected to that position for four successive years. The 
Professor is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and of the Universalist Church, 

JOHN A. BOWEX, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Columbus ; son of Joseph Bowen and Catharine 
Allison, natives of New Jersey ; born in Morristown, Morris Co., N. J., Sept. 13, 1812 ; his father removed 
with the family to Seneca Co., N. Y., in May, 1833, and in November following went to Tompkins Co., where 
his mother died in 1834 ; his fiither then returned to New Jersey, and died there in 1836 ; John A., the 
oldest of a family of five children, was educated in the district schools of New Jersey ; he followed teach- 
ing in New Jersey for ten quarters, and then returned to New York, and continued there for three win- 
ters. In December, 1836, in Morris Co., N. J., he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and 
Mary (Todd) McCord ; she is a native of that county ; they removed within a fortnight after marriage to 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., where they lived on a farm until 1842; immigrating thence to Wisconsin, they 
located in the town of Richmond, AValworth Co.; six years later, they removed to the town of Columbus, 
Columbia Co., and located on Sec. 10, where he now owns 280 acres; nearly twenty years after, he removed 
to a farm of 80 acres on Sec. 36, where he has since lived ; he also has 10 acres in the town of Portland, 
Dodge Co. Mr. Bowen has been Assessor of the town for ten years, and member of the Town Board for 
two terms. They had five clnldren, as follows : Mary C. (now deceased), Edward and Mary I. (twins, 
the latter deceased; the former now lives on Sec. 10, of this town), Erastus (now with his brother on 
the farm) and Eliza E. (now the wife of Ezra W. Richmond, and lives in the town of York, Dane Co.). 
Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

A. LiOUIS BRAUCKLiE, brewer, Columbus; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany Feb. 2, 
1814, and is the son of an extensive farmer in that country, Thomas Brauckle ; at the age of 20 years, he 
began the brewer's trade in Wurtemberg, and continued the same there till 1845, when he emigrated to Mil- 
waukee, Wis., and there worked at his trade for Mr. Brown, till 1847 ; he then went to Racine, where he 
followed his trade till the fall of 1848 ; he then came to Columbus, where he worked for Mr. Jussen nearly a 
year; then bought the brewery of him, and has since been its proprietor. He was married March 1, 
1851, to Mrs. Mary, widow of John Erhart, and a daughter of August Nussar, a native of Wurtemberg; 
they have one son — Peter, and have lost three children. They are members of the Catholic Church. 

(SllSTAVUS BREUXINtir, manufacturer and dealers in boots and shoes, Columbus ; was 
born in Prussia in 1843; ho emigrated, in 1854, with his parents, Gotlieb and Henrietta Breuning, to 
America, and located at Watertown, Wis., where his father died, about four weeks after their arrival ; his 
mother soon removed to Columbus with the family, and made it her home till her death, which occurred 
in 1875. Mr. Breuning entered upon a three-years apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, with Julius 



958 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Fox, at Columbus, in 1858, and continued with him a year as a journeyman, after his apprenticeship. In 
1866, he opened a shop of his own, in tiiis city, and has since been engaged in the manufacture as well as 
dealing in boots and shoes. He was married in 1866, to Miss Louisa Diamond, a native of Columbus, 
Wis. Their children are George and Carl. Mr. B. is a member of the Lutheran Church, his wife of the 
Episcopal. 

WILLIA5I BUTLER, carpenter, Columbus ; was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1819 ; he 
was educated in the common schools of his native country ; when quite young, he began the carpenter and 
joiner's trade, with his father, and continued the same there till 1841. He was married in 1840, to Miss 
Hellen Taylor, with whom he sailed for America early in 1841, and landed in New York City in March 
of that year, continuing his trade in the city for fourteen years. In June, 1855, they emigrated to Wis- 
consin, and located in the village of Columbus, where he has since followed his trade, and has been con- 
nected with the erection of many of the prominent buildings of the city and surrounding country, among 
them the public school buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have seven children, as follows : William Thomas, 
James and George, all three of whom are now in Colorado ; Charles, now in Nebraska ; Nellie, now the 
wife of Linton McNeel, and lives at Neillsville, Wis. ; Sadie, at home with her parents. Mrs. Butler is a 
member of the Baptist Church. 

R. W. CHADBOtIRN, banker, Columbus ; was born in York Co., Me., in 1819, and is 
the son of Nathaniel and Ruth Chadbourn, with whom he spent his earlier life, on a farm, in his native 
county, completing his studies at the academy at Gorham, Cumberland Co , in 1841 ; he then went to the 
State of Virginia, where he devoted his time to teaching till 1846, returning then to Maine, whence, in 
1849, he emigrated to Columbus, Wis. For the first few years, he was interested in making land entries 
for emigrants, and otherwise aided them in securing homes ; he gradually worked into the business of 
money loaning, and in 1855, secured a charter and began a regular banking business. He was married in 
1866, to Miss Catherine, a daughter of Thomas C. Atwater, a native of Catskill, N. Y.; they have one 
son — Frederick A. Mr. and Mrs. Chadbourn are members of the Congregational Church. 

EM510XS E. CHAPIX was bom in the town of Venice, Cayuga Co., N. Y., July 14, 1829, 
and in 1837, with his parents, removed to the town of Aurelius, near the city of Auburn, in the same 
county, where he remained until October, 1854, when he came to Wisconsin, first settling at Oconomowoc, 
and removed to Columbus in January, 1856, where he has since resided ; he received an academic edu- 
cation ; he is a lawyer by profession. For many years, he was a member of the Democratic State Central 
Committee, and in that capacity has frequently entered into State and national canvasses with speech, 
pen and purse, to reclaim the State and nation from the theories and aims advocated by the Republican 
party as opposed to the broad Democratic principles of government early established and advocated by 
Jefferson and the fathers; he attended as a delegate from Columbia Co., and participated in every Con- 
gressional and State Convention from 1857 to 1879 ; his political course has been liberal and progressive; 
in the convention held at Milwaukee in 1869, by which Hon. C. D. Robinson, of Green Bay, was nom- 
inated for Governor, Mr. Chapin, in connection with a number of other prominent Democrats, insisted 
upon and succeeded in laying down a platform of principles indicating the new departure that ultimately 
overthrew the Republican party in Wisconsin, or, as Mr. Chapin put it, " With these principles, and these 
alone, Wisconsin must and shall be Democratic" — and it was Democratic for the next four years. During 
the war of the rebellion he contributed time, money and efforts to sustain the Governnienr, and not the 
political party in the ascendency, firmly believing that military force must be met by military force, and a 
rebellion against the Government must be promptly met and surely suppressed. He was opposed to any 
act indicating a repudiation of the national debt, or of an assumption of the rebel debt, or any part 
thereof, by the United States. He has ever held an aversion to the present mode of the few combined to 
run an "available" for ofl5ce, and he insists that the country wants and demands intelligent, straightfor- 
ward, honest, good, practical, common-sense business men for official position — or that "the office should 
seek the man and not the man the office." Mr. Chapin has seldom permitted his name to be placed upon 
a ticket for any office, although often nominated and urged by his friends to do so ; yet he has held vari- 
ous local offices of a non-partisan character, and was placed in those positions by the aid of Republicans ; 
he was one of the Trustees, and also Supervisor of the village during the years 1872-73. In the fall of 
1873, when it was determined to incorporate the city of Columbus, he was appointed by the Trustees of 
the village to draft a charter and procure the necessary legislation for its enactment. The city charter 
was drafted by him, and it was passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor Feb. 26, 1874, 
and Columbus thereby became a city — but not without some opposition. In April, 1874, he was appointed 
by Gov. Taylor as a member of the State Board of Charities and Reform, and was chosen by the Board 
ita Vice President ; he held this office till May 1, 1876 ; he was chosen attorney by that Board to conduct 



TOAVN OF COLUMBUS. 959 

the examination of witnesses in the investigation of the management of the State Prison and the 
Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, in behalf of the State. He was one of the Commis- 
sioners named by the Legislature of 1874-75 to consider the feasibility of the removal of the State Prison, 
and presented a report in opposition to such contemplated change ; he had much to do toward inaugu- 
rating the present system of prison management and discipline. ^Ir. Chapin was appginted to and did 
represent the State at the National Prison Reform Congress held at St. Louis, Mo., May 13 to 16, 1874r, 
inclusive, and prepared and presented to the Governor (of Wisconsin ) a report of the proceedings of that 
Congress, which report may be found on pages 54 to 78 of the ''Fourth Annual Report of the State 
Board of Charities and Reform of the State of Wisconsin." March 5, 1875, the Legislature of Wiscon- 
sin enacted a general law authorizing the establisliment of free high schools ; the city of Columbus availed 
itself of its privileges under the act, and the free high-school system was adopted Aug. 9, 1875, by a 
vote of the electors of Columbus; Mr. Chapin was elected President of the Board of Education, and in 
the month of January, 1876, the Columbus Free High School was fully organized and running under the 
new law to the satisfaction of all. The first class of seven young ladies were graduated from the high 
school into the university grade on the 21st day of June, 1878, as the first-fruits of this system, and at 
this time Mr. Chapin, as President of the Board, in presenting the diplomas, took occasion to make a 
brief speech, which, as he says, was the best and happiest efi'ort of his life, lor his heart was really in the 
work — and having been a teacher in his early life, he was master of the siiuation ; he has been Corpora- 
tion Counsel ever since the city of Columbus was organized, and is now City Attorney ; he was appointed 
Dec. 24, 1870, United States Court Commissioner, and still holds this ofiice ; he has been a Free and 
Accepted Mason for over a quarter of a century ; he was one of the charter members of the Columbus 
Lodge, F., & A. M., No. 75, chartered in June, 1856, and subsequently its Worshipful Master ; in 1875, 
be was Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin, and in 1876 was elected one 
of its Trustees for the term of three years, and was re-elected in June, 1879, for a second term. 

A writer for the " History of Wisconsin," in speaking of Mr. Chapin, says : '' He does not allow his 
public duties to interfere with his professional labors, and con.«equently he enjoyS an extensive and lucra- 
tive practice as a lawyer; he stands among the first of the profession, and is held in high repute as a 
citizen." He is often invited to deliver lectures, orations and speeches, both at home and abroad, and 
complies, if, as he says, "any one can gather any comfort or happiness therefrom." Mr. Chapin was mar- 
ried, Dec. 28, 1853, at Aurelius, N. Y., to Miss Emily J., youngest daughter of Nathaniel and Mercy 
Blanchard. 3Irs. C. is a sister of the late Col. H. W. Blanchard, a pioneer of 1836 to Wisconsin, and 
late proprietor of the Blanchard Mills at Watertown, Wis.; Mrs. C. has in her parlors many pieces in oil, 
crayon and pastel — the work of her own hands — which would do credit to a more pretending artist. 
They have two sons — Herbert B., now in the employment of the C, M. &. St. P. R. R. Co., and Clarence 
E., at home attending school. 

DR. E. CHIIRCHIL.L(, dentist, Columbus; was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1836; he 
received an academic education at Springville, Erie Co., after which he began the study of dentistry with 
Dr. Streight, of Buffalo, N. Y., and later he continued his studies with Dr. Main, of New York City, 
where he completed them in 1860 ; he practiced his profession in the village of Concord, Erie Co., N. Y., 
for nearly two years ; in 1861, he went to Washington City for a short time, and in February, 1862, he 
located at Columbus, Wis., where he has since practiced his profession. In 1868, he was married to Miss 
Harriet L. Winch, of this city (Columbus). The Doctor is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. 

J0H:N B. CliEVELAND, farmer. Sees. 15 and 22; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y., in 1819; he spent much of his time in Schuylersville, Saratoga Co., till 9 years old ; then 
removed with his parents to Sandy Hill, Washington Co., N. Y., where he lived until 1837; he then 
removed to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in the mercantile trade till 1856 ; removing from 
there to the town of York, Dane Co., Wis., he located on a farm and followed agriculture there till 1873 ; 
disposing then of his farm in Dane Co. he bought his present one of 120 acres on Sees. 15 and 23, town 
of Columbus, Columbia Co., where he has since resided. He was married in 1845 to Miss Julia Coleman, 
a native of Ashtabula Co., Ohio, who died in 1865, leaving seven children — Louisa, Fannie, Oliver C. 
and Horace W., both deceased; Julia, Nettie and Mary. Mr. Cleveland was Chairman of the Town 
Board in the town of York, Dane Co., for one term. 

CHARLEiS A. COLOl^IUS, of the firm of George Linck & Co., dealers in dry goods, 
goods, etc., etc., Columbus, was born in Prussia in 1837. He came to America in 1855 ; worked on a 
farm in Orange Co., N. Y., for nearly a year ; in 1856, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and enlisted in Co. I of 
the 6th United States Infantry, of the regular army ; was employed most of the time for five years in the 
Quartermaster's commissary department, and in the Adjutant General's office ; was mustered out at Fort 



960 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

MpjavR, Lower California, in 1861. Returning then to Germany for two 3'ears, in 1864, he came a sec- 
ond time to America, and located in Watertown, Wis.; enijaging in the commission business there, with 
his brother, for a short time, and in the winter of 1867-68, he came to Columbus, and clerked for Fuller 
Brothers, for five years. He then began business for himself, but in January, 1874, he joined as a part- 
ner in the firm of» George Linck & Co. He was elected a member of the City Council, fr.^m the Third 
Ward, in 1874 ; in April, 1876, he was elected City Treasurer; re-elected in 1877-78-79 and '80. He 
was married, 1866, to Miss Josephine Brayer, a native of Prussia, but emigrated to America with parents 
when 3 years old, and settled in the town of Elba, Dodge Co., Wis. They have had three children, all of 
whom are deceased. They adopted two — Josie, deceased, and Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. Colonius are mem- 
bers of the German M. E. Church. 

BERNARD CONLIN^, deceased, was born in County Sligo, Ireland, in 1811 ; he was the son 
of Thomas Conlin, with whom he lived, in his native country, till about 1830 ; emigrating then to Amer- 
ica, he was employed in the construction of railroads and mining, in Massachusetts, for a number of years, 
and was afterward employed on the Erie Canal. He was married in 1848, to Miss Hannah, daughter of 
Thomas and Mary ( Hart) Clark ; also a native of County Sligo, Ireland, but an emigrant to America, with 
her parents, in 1847, and located, first, to Worcester, Mass., later, removed to Fitchburg, Mass. Mr. and 
Mrs. Conlin came, in 1848, to Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis., and located on a farm on Section 25, where 
he first bought a farm of 100 acres, and afterward increased it to 140 acres. He died, at his home, June 
22, 1876, leaving a wife and seven children. The latter are as follows: Mary, now the wife of John 
Dargan, and lives in Mitchell Co., Iowa ; Ella, now in Dubuque, Iowa ; Catherine, now at Emmettsburg, 
Md.; Thomas, Bernard, Elizabeth and James, at home. The family is connected with the Catholic 
Church. 

All ASA G. COOK, attorney at law, Columbus ; was born in the town of Norwich, Chenango Co., 
N. Y., in 1823. His father, Sylvanus Cook, was born in Rhode Island in 1787, and removed to Chenango 
Co.; N. Y., with his parents in 1798. His mother, Mary Green, was also a native of Rhode Island, born 
1790. Mr. Cook spent his earlier life on a farm in his native county, with his parents ; at the age of 17, 
he entered the Oxford Academy, and later the academy at Norwich, where he completed his studies in 
1844. He then began teaching in the public schools of Honesdale, Penn., and afterward taught in select 
schools at Laurens, Otsego Co., N. Y.; in 1845, he entered upon the study of law, with Fuller & West, of 
Honesdale, Penn., and pursued his study as much as circumstances would permit while teaching. He next 
read with Charles A. Thorp, of Norwich, for two years, and later with Hon. L. S. Chatfield, of Laurens, 
Otsego Co., N. Y. Mr. Cook was admitted to the practice of law in September, 1849, and in October 
following he removed to Wisconsin, and in March, 1850, he located at Columbus. He soon formed a 
copartnership with Gov. Lewis, in the practice of his profession, which lasted a year ; after which he 
continued the pra,;tice alone till 1862, when he took in as a partner, Mr. E. E. (^hapin, and the firm was 
known as Cook & Chapin till May, 1869 ; since which time he has had no partner. He was appointed 
District Attorney, by Gov. Dewey, in 1850, and in the fall of that 3'ear was elected to the same office, for 
a term of two years; ho was Postmaster of Columbus from 1856 to 1861, and has held various other 
ofiices in the city. He was at one time the Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin Assembly, and in 
1869 was candidate for the office of Secretary of State ; was also a candidate for Congress in 1870 and 
and again in 1874. In 1853, he was married to Sarah J. daughter of Ard. S. and Betsey Rockwell, of 
Otsego Co., N. Y.; who afterward removed to Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wis., where Mr. Rockwell died in 
1865. Mrs. Rockwell afterward died in the city of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have five children — 
three sons and two daughters. They are as follows : Hobart, (^a graduate of the State University, now a 
law student with his father); Henry (now at home); Charles, Bertha and Mary (^students at the State 
University). Mr. C. has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity for nearly twenty-five years. His 
family is connected with the Episcopal Church. 

HORACE C. COOPER, Columbus; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1815, and is the 
son of Chauncy Cooper and Annie Candee ; his grandfather, Daniel Candee, emigrated from New Haven, 
Conn., to Onondaga Co., N. Y., as an early settler ; his father was a native of New Haven, Conn., also, and after 
marriage removed to Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he and his wife both afterward died ; Mr. Cooper is the 
oldest son of a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, two of whom now live in Wisconsin. 
He began the trade of a cabinet-maker at Manlius, Onondaga Co., when (juite young, and continued the 
same there till 20 years' of age ; in the autumn of 1836, he emigrated to Detroit, Mich., where he worked 
at his trade during the winter ; in the spring of 1837, he entered a farm in Macomb Co., Mich., but spent 
the summer at Rome in the grocery trade, and in the fiiU of that year he entered some land near Grand 
Rapids, and spent the winter at his trade in Kalamazoo, and the summer of 1838 was spent at his trade in 



TOWN or COLUMBUS. 961 

Niles, going to La Porte, Ind., in the latter part of 1838 ; he was there, in 1839, induced by a friend to go 
to peddling ; this he continued for several years through Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, dealing largely 
in furs; in 1841, he opened a store at Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wis., though he continued his peddling wagon, 
and in the spring of 1843, he built and opened a store at Lake Mills, Jefferson Co., to where he afterward 
removed, located and built a hotel ; passing through Columbus, Wis., in the autumn of 1849, he made a trade 
with Mr. Eaton, a dry-goods merchant, and exchanged his hotel at the Lake Mills for a store and dwelling in 
Columbus ; he soon removed to Columbus and began merchandising, which he continued here till 1865, 
and was in the trade elsewhere till 1872, since which time he has been proprietor of the Cooper House 
of Columbus. He was married in 1845 to Miss Julia, a daughter of James Williams, of Le Roy, N. Y.; 
their children are Horace C., William (now a merchant at Streator, 111.), Charles F. (now at Chicago), 
Alice C. (now the wife of C. F. Rogers, of Lake City, Minn.), Etta C. (now the wife of Willard Scott, 
Jr., of Naperville, 111.), Helen (now the wife of H. M. Brown, of this city), Julia A. (now the wife of 
H. C. Williams, of Chicago). 

O. E. CORNWELLi, station agent for the C, M. & St. P. R. R. Co., Columbus; was born 
in the State of New York in 1840 ; he came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1848, and located at 
Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co.; in 1863, he was employed by the N.-W. R. R. Co., and stationed at 
Watertown for two years; he was employed by the C, M. <fe St. P. R. R. Co. in 1865, and stationed 
at Columbus, where he has since remained. Mr. Cornwell was elected Mayor of this city (Columbus) 
in 1877, re-elected in 1878, '79 and '80. He was married in 1865 to Miss Katie Atkins, a native of 
Maine ; their children are Ada B., Ella M. and Bessie D. They attend the Congregational Church. Mr. 
Cornwell is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. 

LEONARD G-. CROSWEIiL, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Columbus; is the son of Harman 
and Louisa Croswell ; born in Livingston Co. in 1835, and lived with his parents on a farm in that county, 
till his marriage, in 1860, to Miss Delia, daughter of William and Percilla Rosenkrans, of Wayland, 
Steuben Co., N. Y.; in 1861, they emigrated to Wisconsin, and located on his present farm of 124 acres, on 
Sec. 36, town of Columbus, Columbia Co., 80 acres of which he bought in 1861. Mr. C. was a member 
of the Town Board in 1877. Their children are Irene, Emily, Delia and Lois. Mr. and Mrs. C. and two 
daughters are members of the Congregational Church. 

JOHN CROUMBIE, farmer. Sees. 5 and 6, town of York, Dane Co., and Sees. 31 and 32, 
town of Columbus, Columbia Co.; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, in 1813, 
and is the son of William and Esther Croumbie, with whom he spent much of his early life on a farm. 
At the age of 17, he began the stonemason's trade, and continued the same there till his emigration to 
America in 1847 ; he worked at his trade on Staten Island for two years, and in June, 1849, came to 
Dane Co., Wis., bought a farm of 80 acres on Sees. 5 and 6, town of York ; he devoted most of his time 
to his trade for the first eight or ten years after his settlement in Wisconsin, but since that time has strictly 
adhered to farming and stock-raising ; he now owns 160 acres of land in Sees. 5 and 6, town of York, Dane 
Co., upon which his residence is built, and 240 on Sees. 31 and 32, town of Columbus, Columbia Co. He 
was married in 1842 to Miss Esther, daughter of James and Mary Rooney, of County Westmeath; their 
children are William, now a resident of the town of Columbus; James, now in Topeka, Kan.; John and 
Mary, at home. They are members of St. Jerome's Catholic Church. 

DATID C. DAVIS, 31. D., Columbus ; was born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, Dec. 25, 
1833. The Doctor received his literary education at Newcastle, Emlyn, Wales; at the age of 18, he 
entered the Bartholomew Medical College, of London, but owing to an aversion to the dissecting-room, he 
gave up the study ; his uncle, being then a member of the British Parliament, secured for him a position 
in the Government Printing Office, where he remained two years ; during a three-months vacation given 
him in 1854, he came to visit America and an uncle at Utica, N. Y.; such inducements were offered him 
to remain in America, that he never returned to Europe, but was connected with the Morning Herald, of 
Utica, for two or three years ; he was next publisher of the Mirror, a well-known Welsh paper of Utica, 
for three years; in 18(31, he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and was there connected with a publishing 
house for nearly a year; he located at Cambria, Columbia Co., Wis., in 1862, and there engaged in mer- 
chandising for one and a half years; there, in 1863, with Dr. J. H. Williams, he again took up the study 
of medicine ; he attended lectures at Rush Medical College during the terms of 1865-66, but took his 
diploma from the Columbia County Medical Society in 1866, and from the State Medical Society in 1868 ; 
he began the practice of his profession with Dr. Waterhouse, of Portage, and continued there from 1867 
till near the close of the year 1868 ; he removed to Columbus in November, 1868, where he has since 
successfully practiced his profession. While in Cambria, he served as Town Clerk, as Justice of the 
Peace and Police Justice, and was at one time a member of the Wisconsin Assembly from that district. 



962 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and was the author of the bill that was passed by that body and the Senate, legalizing dissection ; the 
Doctor has been a member of the State Medical Society since 1868. He was married in 1858 to Miss 
Dorothy, daughter of Richard and Gwen Roberts, of Lewis Co., N. Y. Their children are Julia M., now 
the wife of the Rev. L. H. Mitchell, and lives at Portage City, Wis.; Charles M.; John H.; Lemuel T.; 
Robert W.; George W. The family is connected with the Congregational Church. The Doctor was a 
charter member of the Masonic Lodge of Cambria. He was a member of the City Council of Columbus 
in 1876, 1877 and 1878; has been President of the School Board during the years of 1879 and 1880. 

URIAH DA VIES, of the firm of Bassett & Davies, dry-goods merchants; Columbus; was 
born in Merionethshire, North Wales, in 1823; is the son of John and Mary Davies, his mother dying 
when he was only 3 years old ; in 1845, with his father and stepmother (his father having married 
again), came to America, and located at Union, Rock Co., Wis., where his stepmother afterward died ; 
his fatJier now lives with him in this city. Mr. Davies came to Columbus in January, 1840, and began 
clerking for Arnold & Bassett, dry-goods merchants, and remained with Mr. Bassett eight years, Mr. 
Arnold having sold out to Mr. Bassett during that time; May 1, 1855, he formed a copartnership with 
Mr. E. P. SiLsbee, under the firm of Silsbee & Davies, and as such continued the business till, Aug. 20, 
1855, Mr. S. Axtell pureha.sed the interest of Mr. Silsbee, and the firm was then Davies & Axtell till 
1861, when he bought out Mr. Axtell; continued the business alone four years. In 1865, Mr. Bassett 
became an equal partner with Mr. Davies, and in 1866 they took in Mr. J. M. G. Price, but Jan. 1, 1873, 
Mr. Bassett bought back the interest of Mr. Price, and since that time the firm has been Bassett & 
Davies. Mr. Davies was married to Jane, daughter of Ellis and Elizabeth Roberts ; their children are 
Jane A. — now the wife of Wm. J. Edwards, and lives in this city — Mary and Luther. Mr. D. and 
family are connected with the Welsh Methodis't Church. 

JOHN R. OECKER, proprietor and publisher of the Columbus Republican, was born in 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1842 ; his father, Stephen Decker, was a native of Troy, N. Y., but his mother, 
Sylvania Richmond, was born in Connecticut; at the age of 22 years, he, with his parents, removed to 
Erie Co., N. Y., where his father followed farming till 1855, when they came as emigrants to Wisconsin, 
and located at Waupun, Fond du Lac Co., where his father now resides ; Mr. Decker was educated in 
the public schools of Waupun, and in that city in 1859, he entered upon his apprenticeship at the printer's 
trade ; a year later, he went to the city of Fond du Lac, where for four years he was employed in the job 
oflfice of which Edward Beeson was proprietor; in 1867, he returned to Waupun, purchased the Waupun 
Times, and was its editor for one year; he came to Columbus in lS68, established a printing oflfice where 
he made a specialty of job work, and where he has since edited the Columbus Republican; Mr. Decker 
was elected Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors in 1877 ; was re-electeid in 1878 and 1879; he 
was married in 1866 to Miss Harriet, daughter of Abramand Lucy Shelmadine, of Waupun, who died in 
1869, leaving two children — Minnie J., and Ray — the latter of whom is now deceased; he was again 
married, in 1870, to Miss Susan Hawxhurs, of Columbus, who died in three years after; his third mar- 
riage was to Miss Emma L. Holms, of Portage City, Wis., in 1875; Mrs. Decker is a member of the 
Episcopal Church ; Mr. D. is a member of the I. 0. O. F., P. of H., and also of the Masonic Fraternity. 

JOSEPH 1>ERR, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Bavaria April 16, 1841 ; his 
parents, Joseph and Magdaline (Schmidt) Derr, immigrated with their family to America in 1846; they 
stopped a short time at Detroit, Mich., and in the spring of 1847, came to the town of Hampden, Colum- 
bia Co., Wis., where his father entered one-half of Sec. 36, and made that his home till his death, which 
occurred in August, 1879 ; his mother died in June, 1877 ; Joseph, the youngest of nine children, made 
his home with his parents until 24 years of age ; he then bought 66 acres of his present farm, which 
now consists of 2171 acres, on Sees. 31, town of Columbus, and 25 and 36, town of Hampton ; he was 
married in 1864 to Miss Rosina, daughter of George A. and Dorothea (Long) Thine, a native of Bavaria 
but an emigrant to America with her parents in 1848, and to Dane Co., Wis., in 1849, where her 
mother died in 1862 ; their children are Mary M., Matilda B.; Frank J., John, Anna D., Lizza A., Jose- 
phine R., Catharine E. They are members of the Catholic Church ; Mr. Derr has been a member of the 
Town Board for two terms, 1879 and 1880. 

Cr. T. DODOE, dry-goods merchant, Columbus; was born at Greece, Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 
22, 1834; his father, Rev. H. B. Dodge, was born at Hanover, N. H.; graduated at Dartmouth College, 
and soon after at a theological college in the District of Columbia, and afterward entered the work of the 
ministry as a Baptist preacher in the State of New York ; his mother, Eliza Beckwith, was a native of 
Plattsburg, N. Y.; was married to the Rev. Mr. Dodge, June 13, 1830. Five years after marriage, they 
removed to Ohio, where Mr. Dodge continued his ministerial labors for a few years, and then returned to 
Plattsburg, where he died Nov. 11, 1865. Mrs. Dodge came to this city (Columbus) soon after the death 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 963 

of her husband, and made this her home till her death, which occurred Nov. 3, 1878; the family was 
composed of four sons and two daughters, three of the former were for several years merchants of this city. 
Harvey K., was a soldier in the 1st W. V. I., under Gen. Starkweather, and was connected with the gen- 
eral pay department of the army from 1862 to the close of the war. He was married to Miss Nellie 
Dudley, of Naperville, 111., who died in six months after marriage. He was afterward married to Miss 
Julia Manning, of Columbus. Rufus S., was in the 16th N. Y. V. I., and was in the battle of Bull Run, 
and remained with and engaged in all the principal battles and movements of his regiment till after the 
second battle of Fredricksburg ; he came to Columbus in 1863, and was a member of the firm of Dodge 
Brothers till 1879 ; he is now in business at Sparta, Wis. He married Miss Fannie Cotton, of Beaver 
Dam, Wis.; they have one daughter, Nellie. G. T., the subject of this sketch, came to this city (Colum- 
bus) in 1855, and has since been engaged in the dry-goods trade. He was married in 186-4 to Miss Julia 
I., a daughter of M. Meade, of Columbus, who died in six weeks after marriage. His second marriage 
was at LeRoy, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1866, to Miss Franc P., daughter of Dorus Hinkston, a native of Clark- 
son, N. Y.; their children are Bessie A. and Ruth M. Mrs. Dodge is a member of the Episcopal Church. 

WILLIAM W. DRAKE, farmer; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
June 20, 1819. His father. Col. Jeremiah Drake, was a native of Ulster Co., N. Y.; his mother, Lur- 
inda Brockett, was born in Connecticut. Mr. Drake was educated in the common schools of his native 
county ; he came to Wisconsin in June, 1843, and located at Columbus in September following ; he, with 
his father, rented the flouring-mill at this place (then the only one in this section of the country), and 
were its proprietors for three years ; he removed to a farm near the village, and there followed farming for 
awhile ; returning to the village two years later, he began the wagon manufacturing, which he carried on, 
for nearly twenty years, and then resumed the business of a farmer, which he has followed most of the 
time since ; he now owns a farm of 200 acres in the town of Columbus. Mr. Drake has been Chairman 
of the Town Board for several terms ; was elected Sheriff of Columbia Co. in the fall of 1860, for a term 
of two years, and re-elected in 1872 ; politically, he is a Republican. Dec. 2-1, 1845, he was married to 
Miss Helen, daughter of Jacob and Marie Miller, a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y., but who, when quite 
young, removed with her parents to Albany Co., and made that her home till 1843, when she came to Col- 
umbia Co., Wis.; they have two children — Lurinda M. and George L. Lurinda is a member of the 
Presbyterian Churi'h. 

ROBERT W. EARLL, M. D., Columbus; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in May, 
1823; his parents, Marcus and Calista Earll, were both natives of that county; his mother died there in 
1839, and his father afterward removed to Coldwater, Mich., where he now resides. The Doctor received 
his literary education in the Academy of Onondaga Hollow ; he came to Wisconsin in 1840 ; he pursued 
the study of medicine in Syracuse, N. Y., for two years, attended lectures at Rush Medical College of 
Chicago during the terms of 1847—48, and graduated from that institution in February, 1853; he located at 
Columbus, Wis., in 1851, and practiced his profession in company with Dr. Axtell for three years, and since 
that time he has continued the practice alone. He was married in August, 1850, to Miss Angeline, an 
adopted daughter of Henry Finney, of Lowell, Dodge Co., Wis., who died in April, 1872, leaving four 
daughters — Dora, Coie, Hattie and Ann. They attend the Congregational Church. 

ABRAM S. ECKERT, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 14, 1815. Mr. Eckert lived with his parents, Solomon and Margaret, on the farm in his native 
county till their death, and afterward remained on the farm till 1854; emigrating then to Wisconsin, he 
settled on a farm in the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., which he made his home for one or two years ; 
selling out his farm in 1856, he returned to New York for the winter, and, in the following spring, came 
again to Columbus ; in 1 868, he bought a farm of 36 acres on Sec. 36, which he has since made his home. 
He was married in 1830 to Miss Sarah A. De Graff, of Ulster Co., N. Y.; their children are Sarah M., 
now Mrs. Jeremiah Marshall, and lives at Lanesboro, Minn.; Oliver, now at Northwood, Iowa ; Solo- 
mon, now at 3IcGregor, Iowa; Henry, now in Winnesheik Co., Iowa; Emery, now at Nortiwood, Iowa. 
Mr. and Mrs. Eckert are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

J AHES ECKERT, farmer. Sees. 20 and 21 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in the town of Esopus, 
Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1837 ; he came with his parents, Hiram and Sallie Eckert, to Wisconsin in 1855, and 
located on a farm of 80 acres in Sees. 20 and 21, town of Columbus, Columbia Co., where his father died 
April 28, 1876 ; his mother now lives with him on the farm. He was married March 16, 1876, to Miss 
Viola Parker, a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., but immigrated with her parents, William and Sarah Parker, 
to Wisconsin in 1856 ; they have three children — James C, Troup and Adella. 

JOSEPH EDWARDS, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., 
in 1804, and made that his home till 17 years old, then, with his parents, he removed to Lewis Co., N. Y.; 



964 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

where he followed farming until 1837 ; emigrating then to Wisconsin, he located at Milford, Jefferson 
Co., on a farm; six years later (June, 1843), he entered a farm of 160 acres in Sees. 4, 9 and 17, in 
the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., he being the second man to make a land entry in this part of the 
town; he moved his family up from Milford Jan. 18, 1844, and has since made it his home; he now 
has a farm of 280 acres. 3Ir. Edwards distinctly remembers of being summoned as a juror, at Portage, 
in an early day, when, upon the calling of the court, the docket showed not a single case for trial ; his 
house was used for the church and schoolhouse for more than a year after his settlement there ; the first 
minister to hold service there was the Rev. M. Jones, of the M. E. Church. Mr. Edwards was married 
in 1824 to Miss Maria Bill, of Delhi, Delaware Co., N. Y.; their children are Mariette, now the wife of 
S. S. Loveless, and lives in Clark Co., Wis.; Olney, now in the city of Oconto, Wis.; James J., Norfolk, 
Monroe Co., Wis.; Eliza, at home; Lorilla, now Mrs. Bennett, of Luddington Mich.; Antha, now Mrs. C. 
S. McKinzie, of Oconto, Wis.; Maria, now Mrs. George Butterfield, lives in Oconto, Wis.; Joseph, Jr., 
now living at Waupun ; Theron, at home on the farm. Mr. and Mr. Edwards are mertibers of the M. 
E. Church. 

JOIUf A. EBHART, manufacturer and dealer in harness, etc., Columbus ; was born in Sax- 
ony Sept. 1, 1834. His father, John R. Erhart, was born there in 1805, and died when John A. was 
only 4 years old ; his mother, Louisa Erhart, was also a native of Saxony, born 1808, and, after the death 
of his father, she married Ferdinand Baerholdt, and with him emigrated to Columbus, Wis., in 1856, 
where they now live. Mr. Erhart began a three-years apprenticeship at the harness trade when 15 years 
old ; in 1853, he emigrated to America and followed his trade in Milwaukee for a year ; in 1854, he went 
to Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis., where he worked two years in a shop for J. R. Decker; in the spring of 
1856, he, with a partner, bought Mr. Hosmer's harness-shop at Beaver Dam, and conducted the business 
there till the following fall, when became to Columbus, and, in copartnership with Edward Vedder, carried 
on the trade two and one-half years ; he then bought out Mr. Vedder, and has since carried on the business 
alone. Mr. Erhart was one of the Town Supervisors before the organization as a city ; he was a member of the 
Village Board for two terms, and was elected a member of the City Council in the spring of 1880. He was mar- 
ried in October, 1858, to Miss Caroline, daughter of Andreas and Margaret Liebing, a native of Germany, 
born 1838, and came to Columbus, Wis., in 1853; their children are Annie A., born Sept. 9, 1861 ; IdaL., 
July 17, 1864 ; Charles A., born August 4, 1866 ; Oscar T., born April 20, 1870. Mr. E. and family born 
are members of the Lutheran Church ; he has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 1859. 

ELIJAH FEDERLY, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
in 1819 ; his parents, Daniel and Margaret Federly, were natives of Herkimer Co., but removed to Jeffer- 
son Co., N. Y., in 1815, where they afterward died. Mr. Federly was brought up as a farmer's son, and 
was educated at the district select schools of his native county ; at the age of 24, he began the ship-car- 
penter's trade at Clayton, Jefferson Co., and continued that most of the time for six or seven years ; he 
next turned his attention to the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he worked much of his time for a 
number of years ; he came to Wisconsin in 1848, and located on a farm in the town of Concord, Jeffer- 
son Co., and in the following year, he removed to the town of York, Dane Co., where he lived on a farm 
for fifteen years ; in the winter of 1865, he located on his present farm of 180 acres on Sec. 35, town of 
Columbus, Columbia Co. He held the offices of Town Treasurer, Constable and Depnty Sheriff while a 
citizen of Dane Co. He was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Edmund and Charlotte 
(Dickerson) Ingalls, a native of Vermont, but an emigrant to Jefferson Co., N. Y., with her parents when 
young ; her parents afterward came to Wisconsin ; both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Federly have 
four children — Charles M., who enlisted in October, 1861, in Co. B, 16th W. V. L, under Col. Allen, of 
Madison, was taken sick, was brought home, and died Jan. 11, 1863; Charlotte M. (now the wife of F. 
W. Oatman. and lives in Jefferson Co., N. Y.), Albert E. and Sarah C, at home. They are members of 
the M. E. Church. 

JOHN FICK, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Mecklinburg in 1827 ; he came to 
America in June, 1855, and located at Watertown, Wis., where he worked on a farm for six years; he 
came to the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., in 1861, bought a farm of 127 acres in Sees. 15 and 22, 
where he has since lived. He was married in 1855 to Miss Dora Scheibers, a native of Germany ; their 
children are Henry, Frank, John, Joseph and Mary. They are members of the Lutheran Church. 

HENRY C. FIELD, proprietor of livery stable, Columbus; was born in Onondaga Co., N. 
Y., in 1820 ; his father, Stephen Field, was born in Connecticut ; his mother, Charlotte Berry, was also a 
native of Connecticut, died when he was quite young ; he, with his father and family, removed to Kala- 
mazoo Co., Mich., in 1833, and lived there on afarm till 1848, whence they emigrated to Columbia Co., Wis., 
and located on a farm in the town of Fountain Prairie, where his father died in 1852 ; Mr. Field lived 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 9(35 

on his farm in the town of Fountain Prairie till 1876, when he removed to the city of Columbus, pur- 
chased the livery stable of M. D. Misner, and has since been its proprietor. He was a member of the 
Town Board of Fountain Prairie for a number of years, and Chairman of the same for four years ; he 
was elected a member of the City Council of Columbus in 1877. In March, 1850, he was married to 
Miss Theressa, daughter of Asa and Mercy Hicks, nee Robins ; her father was a native of New York ; 
her mother of Connecticut; she was born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1821, and removed to Kalamazoo Co , 
Mich., with her parents in 1834, where they afterward died. Mr. and Mrs. Field have five children, as 
follows : Carry M. (now the wife of S. V. Potter, station agent at Calmar, Iowa), William (now in Red- 
wood Co., Minn.), Charles (now on the farm in Fountain Prairie) Henry (an engineer on the Iowa Divi- 
sion of the Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R.J, Louis, at home with his parents. 

WAL.DO H. FIELD, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Cheshire Co., N. H., 
in 1796 ; his father, Waldo Field, was a native of Bridgewater, Mass.; his mother, Mary Atkins, was 
born in Waterbury, Conn , and removed to Cheshire Co., N. H.,a few years before the Revolutionary war. At 
the age of ten years, Waldo H. removed with his parents to Washington Co., Vt., where they afterward 
died. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and took part in the battle of Lake Champlain. He was 
married in 1840 to Miss Lovisa, widow of Zebina Lyons, nee Carey, and daughter of Theodore and 
Silence (Cobb) Carey, a native of Springfield, Vt., but removed to Brandon, Vt., at the age of 5 years ; 
in June, 1849, Mr. and Mrs. Field came to Columbia Co., Wis., and located on Sec. 30, town of Colum- 
bus, where they have since lived, and now own 31 } acres of land. Their children are Martha (now Mrs. 
Colville), Mary (now the wife of J. Folsom, and lives in Dane Co., Wis.)— these two are by Mrs. Field's 
first marriage," and by her second marriage they have two — Almira (now the wife of Hugh Twining, and 
lives in the town of Medina, Dane Co.), and Henry (now a resident of the city of Columbus). Mr. and 
Mrs. Field are members of the M. E. Church. 

RET. ERNEST FITZXER, Pastor of the German M. E. Church, Columbus ; was born in Prus- 
sia in 1839 ; he came with his parents, Charles and Christina Fitzner, to America in 1850, and located on 
a farm at West Bend, Washington Co., Wis., and made that his home for eleven years ; Mr. Fitzner pre- 
pared for the profession of a teacher in the Academy of West Bend, Washington Co., Wis., from which 
institution he graduated in 1861. In October of that year, he enlisted in Co. D, 12th W. V. I., under 
Col. Bryant, of Madison, and was with his regiment in all its principal movements and battles for one and 
a half years; he was then detached and placed as member of the board, at the headquarters of Maj. 
Gen. Howard, where he remained until the close of the war, and was mustered out of service at Louis- 
ville, Ky., in 1865. Returning then to West Bend, in August, where he soon entered upon the work of 
the ministry, he was assigned to the Charleston Mission, and at the division of the mission, 1866, he 
removed to Green Bay, which was then added to the portion assigned him ; joining the Northwestern 
Conference at St. Paul, in the autumn of 1867, he was then ordained Deacon, and appointed to the charge 
at Oconomowoc in 1868, of the German M. E. Church. During his stay at Oconomowoc, he was married, 
in 1868, to Miss Lizzie Horst, of Green Bay, and in the fall of that year he was sent to New Bremen, 
Cook Co., 111., where he remained in charge of the church for three years ; he was next at Plattville, 
Wis., for two years ; in 1873, he removed to Galena, 111., and by the Bishop was appointed Vice Presi- 
dent of the Northwestern German M. E. Normal School, which position he resigned at the expiration of 
one year ; in 1874, he was appointed to the charge at Fond du Lac, Wis., and, in 1877, to Madison, Wis;, 
and, in 1878, to Columbus, where he now resides. Their children are Edwin, Charles, William Ernest, 
John and Robert Philip. 

WILLIAM FRANZ, farmer. Sec. 7; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Prussia in 1831, and is 
the son of Martin Franz, with whom he came to America in 1848, and located on a farm in the town of 
Lowell, Dodge Co., Wis.; eight years later, he purchased a farm of 80 acres in Sec. 17, town of Colum- 
bus, Columbia Co., and, in the fall of 1864, disposed of that and secured his present one of 208 acres in 
Sec. 7, of this township, and has since made it his home ; he devotes his time to farming and stock-raising, 
making a specialty of sheep and cattle. He was married in May, 1855, to Miss Christina Schank,^ a 
native of Prussia ; their children are Louisa, now the widow of the late John Boskil, deceased ; Carrie, 
now Mrs. Rudolph Bankie, and lives in Lowell, Dodge Co. ; Charles, Matilda, Fredrick and Mena, at 
home. They are members of the Lutheran Cuhrch. 

JULIUS FOX, proprietor of the Fox House, Columbus ; was born in Prussia Nov. 19, 1827 ; 
his father, William Fox, was a tailor in that country ; his mother, Wilhelmina Kazloskie, was of Polish 
descent, her father, Carl Kazloskie, having escaped from Poland when he was a young man, and afterward 
made his home in Prussia. At the age of 14, Mr. Fox entered upon a four-years apprenticeship at the 
shoemaker's trade at Reetz, and after serving his time at the trade, he traveled in the interest of the trade 



966 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

for eleven years over various parts of Europe. Jan. 26, 1855, at Reetz, he was married to Miss Wil- 
helmina, a daughter of Gotlieb and CaroUne Breuning, a native of Prussia, born July 26, 1830 ; May 
15, 1856, they sailed from Hamburg for America, and landed in New York Aug. 2, following ; they came 
thence to Watertown, Wis., where they stopped a short time and then came to Columbus, where he began 
and carried on his trade for nine years, as a manufacturer and dealer ; he next engaged in farming for a 
year ; then in the grain trade for a short time ; he bought the Whitney House in 1868, changed its name 
to the Fox House and has since been its proprietor ; he also owns a farm of 400 acres in the town of 
Columbus. He has been a member of the City Council for two years. Their children are Charles 
(deceased), Clara, Robert (deceased), Henry, Bertha, Laura (deceased), Hobart and Ozisia. They are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

AUGUST FRITZ, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P.O. Columbus; was born in Prussia in 1841; his 
parents. Christian and Regina Fritz, emigrated with their family to America in 1857, and located at 
Watertown, Wis., where his father died in 1862 ; August, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in Co, E, 
W. V. I., in 1862, under Col. B. Pinkney, and partook in all the principal battles and movements of his 
regiment durinsr the war ; wa.s mustered out at Galveston, Tex., in August, 1865 ; returning then to 
Watertown, Wis., he made his home on the farm till 1866, when he sold there and bought his present 
one of 124 acres, on Sec. 34, town of Columbus, where he has since resided. He was married, March 
20, 1866, to Miss Mary Holsten, of the town of Farmingham, Jefferson Co., Wis., though a native of 
Germany, and an emigrant with her parents to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1849 ; their children are Edwin, 
Annie, Eleanora and William. Mr. Fritz and family are members of the Lutheran Church. His mother 
resides with him. 

DASflELi S. FULiLER, of the firm of Fuller Bros., dry-goods merchants, Columbus ; was 
born in Oneida Co., N. Y., June 13, 1834 ; with his parents, L. and Rachel Fuller, he came to Wisconsin 
in 1857, and located at Columbus; he soon went to Berlin, Wis., where he spent one year, returning to 
Columbus in 1858, and in January, 1859, with his father, in the firm of L. Fuller & Son, he began mer- 
chandising, and continued the business under that name till July, 1866, when his brother, Mark R., took the 
place of his father, and the firm was changed to Fuller Bros. In the fall of 1866, he was married to 
Miss Frances, daughter of Frederick Ingersoll, and a native of Attica, N. Y.; they had three children — 
Agnes v., Alfred H. (deceased), and M. Roosevelt. Mrs. Fuller is a member of the Congregational 
Church. 

liUSCIUS FULiIiER, retired, Columbus; was born in the town of Kirkland, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., in July, 1810; is the s^on of Daniel and Cynthia Fuller, who were natives of Connecticut; Mr. 
Fuller devoted his time to fiirming in his native county (excepting five years which was devoted to saw- 
milling), till 1857; emigrating then to Wisconsin, he located at Columbus, March 31, 1857; the first 
year after his arrival here was given to saw-milling at Berlin, Wis.; returning to Columbus, he began 
merchandising during the winter of 1858-9, and continued that business for several years; disposing of 
his merchandise in 1866, he has since spent his time looking after his farm of 170 acres in the town of 
Columbus. He was married in 1833 to Rachel Sanford, a native of England, who died in Columbus, 
Wis., in 1873, leaving three children — Daniel S., now a merchant of this city; Mark R., a merchant at 
Augusta, Wis.; and Alice V., who died in September, 1877 ; they had one son (Alfred E. ), who enlisted 
in Co. G, 23d W. Y. I., in August, 1863, and was with his regiment in all its principal movements, till 
March, 1864, when he died at Milliken's Bend, La. His second marriage was in February, 1875, to Mrs. 
Mary D., widow of the late E. Grover, of Madison, Wis.; Mrs. Fuller is a native of Monroe Co., N. Y., 
but came with her parents, C. H. and Mary A. Williams, to Dane Co., Wis., in 1846. She is a member 
of the Connreirational Church. 

ROBERT GARNIDGE, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Columbus; is a native of England. His 
parents, William and Jane (Richardson) Garnidge, were natives of Northampton Co., England ; his father 
was born in 1777, and died there in 1860 ; his mother was born in 1787, and died in 1836 ; they raised a 
family of four children, of whom Robert, the second and subject of this sketch, was born at Spratton, 
Northampton Co., in 1S16, and removed with his parents, when 4 years old, to Ravensthorpe, 
Northampton Co., >vhere he lived till 1845, whence he emigrated to America; he stopped first at Avon, 
Lorain Co., Ohio, where he was employed at farm labor for about a year ; April 2, 1846, he started for Wis- 
consin, and reached Columbus, Columbia Co., the 13th day of that month; he at once entered a 
farm of 40 acres on Sec. 22 of this town, made a few improvements, and sold it; he next bought SO acres 
of his present farm on Sec. 23, in 1848, and has since made it his home; he now owns 200 acres in that 
section. In 1849, he was married to Miss Sarah E., daughter of John and Sarah Adler, a native of 
Northampton, England, but emigrated to Wisconsin with her parents in 1846, where they afterward died. 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 967 

Mr. and Mrs. Garnidge have three sons and two daughters, as follows ; Byron R., now in Mason City, 
Iowa; Jennie, at home with her parents; William H., now at Albion, Boone Co., Neb.; Charles R., at 
home; and Anna V., at home. Mrs. Garnidge is a member of the Congregational Church. 

ROBERT GRIFFITHS, dealer in furniture and undertaker, Columbus; was born at Holy- 
head, Anglesea, North Wales, in 1829 , he began the carpenter and joiner's trade when 18 years old; in 
1856, he came to America and located in New York City, where he continued his trade for nearly nine 
years ; he came to Columbus, Wis., in 1864, formed a copartnership with J. Colville in the furniture and 
undertaking business, and continued with him till his death ; since that time, he has carried on the business 
alone, and now has the most extensive business in the city. In 1864, he was married to Esther Jones, of 
New York City, a daughter of the late Richard P. Jones, of Columbus, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. G. are mem- 
bers of the Welsh Calvinistic Church. 

EUGEIVE S. GRISWOLD, dry-goods merchant, Columbus ; was born in Salisbury, Her- 
kimer Co., N. Y., in 1833 ; is the son of Amos and Phebe (Sherwoodj Griswold, natives of Connecticut, 
but Mr. Griswold was educated at the Academy of Fairfield, N. Y.; completing his studies there in 1 853, 
he went to New York City, where, for the next two years, he was connected with the Mercantile Library 
Association; he came to Columbus, Wis., in 1855, and was employed as clerk by his brothers in the mer- 
cantile trade for eighteen months; in 1861, he began dealing in grain, which he afterward followed for 
two years, and then began the dry-goods business, which he has since continued. He was married to Miss 
Hattie, daughter of Dudley Tyng, a native of Augusta, Me. They have three children — Florence, Ada 
and Edith. 

WILLIAifl M. GRISWOLD, Columbus, was born in Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
in 1823. His parents, Amos and Martha Munson Griswold, were natives of Connecticut. Mr. Griswold 
was educated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., from which institution he graduated in 1844 ; he 
studied law with A. Loomis, at Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was admitted at Schenectady, 
N. Y., in 1850 ; he at once began the practice of his profession with Judge Loomis, the father of the code, 
and continued with him for three years ; he came to Wisconsin in 1853, located at Columbus, and for the 
first few years he was engaged in the mercantile trade ; he next devoted his attention to farming for seven 
years, and since that time has lived more retired from active life. He has been Town Supervisor several 
terms; was elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1858, re-elected in 1859 and 1860 ; in 1868, 
he was elected to the Senate from Columbia Co., and filled that position so faithfully that he was again 
re-elected to the same in 1870. In July, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Alfred 
Scofield, of Yates Co., N. Y.; their children are William E. and Mary M. Mrs. Griswold is a member 
of the Universalist Church. 

GEORGE GRISWOLD, Columbus, was born in Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1816; 
was educated at Union College, of Schenectady, under Dr. Nott ; read law with A. Loomis, at Little 
Falls, and later with Michael Hoffman, of Herkimer, N. Y; he came to Columbus in the fall of 1850, 
and for nine years was engaged in merchandising ; since that time he lived a more retired life. 

■ HARIIAN R. HANCOCK, farmer; Sec. 4; P. 0. Cdlumbus ; was born in Jeflferson Co., 
N. Y., in 1833 ; son of Isaac B. and Sally Hancock, with whom he emigrated to Columbia Co., in the 
spring of 1846, and located on a farm in the town of Columbus, where they lived for three years ; his father 
then removed to Fall River, where he now resides. Mr. Hancock was married in 1856, to Miss Mary R., 
daughter of Danforth W. and Emily Stiles, a native of Vermont, but an emigrant to Wisconsin, in 1847, 
and located on the farm where she now lives and where her father afterward died with the cholera. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hancock have eight children, as follows : Nellie, Lydia, Edwin, Cora, Matilda, Herbert, Willis and 
Laura. 

JOHN HASEY, Columbus ; was born in the town of Londonderry, Windham Co., Vt., in 
1817 ; is the son of John and Rhoda Hasey, who emigrated to Genesee, N. Y., about 1828, and to 
Wisconsin in 1844, and afterward died in Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis. Mr. Hasey came to Dodge Co., 
Wis., in 1845, and located in the town of Elba; two years later, he removed to the town of Columbus, 
Columbia Co., where he entered a farm of 160 acres, and made that his home till 1856 ; removing at that 
time to the city (then village) of Columbus, he began dealing in produce, and continued that line of 
business for nearly 20 years. Mr. Hasey has been a member of the City Council of Columbus since its 
charter as a city. In 1843, he was married to Miss Albina S., daughter of F. C. Farnham, of Alexander, 
Genesee Co., N. Y. They are members of the Universalist Church. 

SAIHUEL HASEY, P. 0. Columbus ; was born at Londonderry. Windham Co., Vt., in 1822. 
His parents, John Hasey and Rhoda Emmons, were also natives of Vermont, but were among the early 
settlers of Genesee Co., N. Y.; they came with their family to Dane Co., Wis., in 1844, and later, to 



968 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Columbus, where they afterward died. Mr. Hasey, our present subject, came with his parents to Dane 
Co., Wis., in 1844, and in the following year, removed to the town of Elba, Dodge Co., where he followed 
farming till 1866, returning then to Dane Co., and, in 1868, removed to Columbus for a short time ; 
thence to a farm of 240 acres on Sees. 9 and 10, town of Hampden, and made that his home for eleven 
years, and, in November, 1879, returned to the city of Columbus, where he has since lived. He was 
married in 1852 to Miss Mary E. Anderson, a native of Genesee Co., N. Y.; their children are James 
H., who was born at Danville, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1853, and lived with his parents till his marriage in 
1879, to Miss Alice, daughter of Robert and Alice McBurnie, a native of the town of Hampden ; they 
now live on the farm in that town ; George E., also on the farm ; Mary R. Mr. Ha.sey was Chairman of 
the Town Board of Hampden for three term.s, and was elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly 
from the Second Assembly District of Columbia Co., in 1874. 

WIIjL/IAM K. HOSKEN, photographer, Columbus; was born in London iu 1836; is the 
son of James and Mary Hosken ; when about 7 years old, he began the study of drawing and art in his 
native city, and devoted his attention to that study more or less of the time there till 1857 ; emigrating 
then to America, he located at Altoona, Penn., and there followed various kinds of business for awhile; 
he next resumed bis travel, which he continued over many of the States; in 1862, he located at Madi- 
son, Wis., and there, in 1865, began work at photography; in the latter part of 1866, he removed to 
Oconomowoc and continued this business there till 1869, when he removed to Milwaukee; he came 
thence to Columbus in 1873, opened a studio and has since continued his profession in this city, doing 
work also in crayon, water-colors and pastel. He was married in 1866 to Miss Angeline Stowe, of 
Sun Prairie, Dane Co , Wis.; their children are Charles L., Edith A. and Emma J. They are connected 
with the Universalist Church. 

CHARIiE$4 HOTON, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 
1833 ; is the son of Aaron and Nancy Hoton, with whom he came to Wisconsin in 1843, and located 
on a farm on Sec. 3, town of Columbus, Columbia Co., where his father afterward died. Mr. Hoton 
spent most of his time with his mother on the farm til! his marriage in September, 1874, to Miss Alice 
McBurnie, of the town of Hampden, this county; after marriage, he located on a farm of 120 acres on 
Sees. 3, 9 and 10, town of Columbus, which he bought in 1859, and has managed and controlled since 
that time ; they have one son — Clarence. 

WILiLilAJl K. HURD, farmer. Sees. 7 and 18; P. 0. Columbus; was born at Bridport, 
Addi.son Co., Vt., in 1820. His father, William Hurd, was a native of Connecticut, but his mother, Mary 
Kendall, was born in Vermont. William K., the subject of this sketch, spent his early life on a farm in 
his native State, and, in 1839, removed to Akron, Ohio, where he was engaged in a flouring-mill for seven 
months, and then clerked in boatyard there for five months. He was married at Akron in 1840, to 
Miss Jane L., daughter of Calvin May, with whom, in the autumn of that year, he returned to his home 
in Vermont; after spending a year on his father's farm, they removed to Randolph, (Cattaraugus Co., N. 
Y., where he worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade for four years; in 1845, they removed to the 
town of Richmond, Walworth Co., Wis., where he bought a farm, built what was known as the old 
" Gravel House" and kept tavern in connection with farming for three years, removing then to the town 
of West Troy, Walworth Co., where he kept tavern a year, after which he continued the carpenter and 
joiner's trade till 1854 ; while there, he built twenty miles of railroad fence for the M. & M. road, it 
being the first for that company in the State ; in the fall of 1854, he bought a farm of 120 acres in Sec. 
7, town of Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis, which has since been his home, and where he now owns 196 
acres in Sees. 7 and 18 ; here his wife died in March, 1855 ; their children are James E., who now 
resides in Schuyler Co., Mo.; Helen, now Mrs. Alonzo Chase, and lives at Wells, Faribault Co., Minn.; 
Achsa L., now the wife of Monroe Phi|lips, and lives in Brookfield, Waukesha Co., Wis.; Arthur C, 
deceased; Charles M., deceased; Reuben S., living now at Kasson, Minn.; Oscar A., who now lives in 
Iowa ; his second marriage was in August, 1855, to Mrs. Mary A. Murphy, nee Curtis, of the town of 
Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis.; she had two daughters by her first marriage — Frances M., the late Mrs. 
J. J. Sutton, now deceased ; Sarah A., now Mrs. Lsaac Thompson, and lives in the town of Columbus. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hurd have two children by their second marriage — William F., who married Miss Eliza 
Baker in March, 1879, and lives on his father's farm, and Fred W., at home; they have an adopted 
daughter — Mary. Mr. H. has been Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for several years. 

ADOLPHIIS W. INGALSBE, Columbus; was bom in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1822; 
he was educated in the common schools of his native county; he went to California in 1849, and spent 
three years in the West ; returning to his home in New York, in 1852, whence, in the fall of that year, he 
emigrated to Wisconsin, and located at Columbus in February, 1853, where he has since devoted his time 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 969 

to farming and stock-raising; he now owns a farm of 600 acres in the towns of Columbus, Columbia Co., 
and Elba, Dodge Co. Mr. Ingalsbe was a member of the Town Board for several terms, and Chairman of 
the same two years. In October, 1853, he was married to Miss Maria Butterfield, of Washington Co., 
N. Y., who died at her home in Columbus, Wis., in July, 1876, leaving three children, as follows: Burr, 
now living in Nebraska ; Nora and Millie at home with father. Mrs. Ingalsbe was a member of the 
Baptist Church ; Mr. Ingalsbee is an Ancient Odd Fellow. 

E. E. JOXES, Columbus; was born in Flintshire, North Wales, in 1828; is the son of Edward 
and Arabella .Jones ; he was educated according to the school system of his native country, and, at the age 
of 14 years, was apprenticed to the mercantile trade, which he continued there and in Liverpool till 1848, 
his father having died when he was not yet a year old ; in 1848, he with his mother emigrated to Amer- 
ica, and located at Columbus, Wis.; he engaged in teaching for a year, and then began clerking for Mr. 
Bassett, in the mercantile trade; after continuing with him for some years, he next became a partner with 
Mr. Hazelton, in the business, and, in 1861, he and Mr. Johnson bought out Mr. Hazelton,and continued 
the business for three or four years ; disposing of his business, he soon became employed by Bassett & 
Davies, in the dry-goods and general merchandise store, and has remained with them since. He was mar- 
ried, in 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Jones, of the town of Elba, Dodge Co., but a native of Caernavonshire, 
North Wales, and an emigrant to Wisconsin with her parents, about 1845; they have one daughter — 
Katie. They are members of the Welsh Calvinistic Church ; Mr. Jones is a member of the Temple of 
Honor. 

THOMAS JONES, farmer, Sees. 23 and 26 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Merionethshire, 
North Wales, Oct. 20, 1833 ; his father, Thomas Jones, was born in Merionethshire, and died in the town of 
Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis., Nov. 7, 1849 ; his mother, Elizabeth Gittings, was alto a native of that shire, 
and died in Wisconsin in August, 1862. Thomas, our present subject, is the oldest of five children, with 
whom his parents landed in New York, as emigrants to America, July 8, 1845 ; they settled in the town 
of Macy, Oneida Co., N. Y., for nearly a year, and then removed to the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., 
Wis., where they arrived June 3, 1846, where they located on a farm on Sec. 27 ; Mr. Jones made his 
home on the farm till his marriage in 1861, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Dan and Hannah M. 
Tompkins, a native of Yates Co., N. Y., but an emigrant with parents to Wiscon.sin, in 1854, and located 
in the town of Otsego, Columbia Co., where her father died in 1876 ; her mother still resides in that town. 
Mr. and Mrs. Jones located soon after marriage on a farm of 170 acres, on Sec. 22, and made that their 
home till Feb. 8, 1876, whence he removed to his present farm of 135 acres, on Sees. 23, 25 and 26. He 
has been a member of the Town Board for two terms. 

JOHX A. KITZROW, farmer. Sees. 16 and 21 ; P.O. Columbus; was born in Mecklenburg 
in 1838; he came to America in 1857, and located in the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis.; he 
now owns a farm of 160 acres, Sees. 16 and 21. In 1866, he was married to Miss Augusta Prien, of 
the town of Arlington, Columbia County ; their children are Otto, Edward, Charles and Mary. They are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

ALBERT EUGENE KOENIG, Columbus ; was born May 2, 1848, in Berne, Switzer- 
land, and came to America in April, 1867 ; located in Fayette Co., Iowa, and was in the law office of Mr. 
Goodrich for about nine months, and then went to New Orleans, and to Cuba, and was there till Decem- 
ber, 1870; then he went to California, from there to Shanghai, China, where he contracted the yellow 
fever, and, on account of ill health, returned to California, and was in the employ of his brother for three 
years, and then he went to New York, and, in 1876, came to Columbus, Wis., where he still lives, and is 
now in the employ of J. Fox, Esq.; he has charge of the livery and feed stables at the Fox House. 

REV. FREDRICK KEUCKHOHN, retired, Columbus ; was born in North Germany 
in 1820: he was educated in the common and select schools of his native country ; at the age of 14 years, 
he became apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, with his father, and continued that, together with farming 
there, till 1848 ; emigrating then to America, he located at Chicago, where he worked at his trade for 
nearly a year. There, in 1849, he was married to Miss Charlotte Friday, a native also of Northern Ger- 
many, after which he soon settled on a farm of 160 acres in Cook Co., 111.; two years later, he removed 
to a farm in Lake Co., Ind., where he remained two years ; during the time of his residence in Cook Co., 
111., and Lake Co., Ind., he devoted much of his time to the study of theology ; he joined the Rock River 
Conference in 1854, and was appointed to the charge of Manitowoc, Wis., for two years, during which 
time he built the first German M. E. Church there ; he was assigned, in 1856, to Fond du Lac, where he 
also built the first German M. E. Church, and remained there as its Pastor for two years, and, in 1858, 
to Wheeling, Cook Co., 111.; two years later, he was appointed to the German M. E. Church, of Clybouriie 
avenue, Chicago, where he remained for two years ; in 1862, he was sent to La Porte, Ind., and, in 1864, 



970 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

to Bremen, Cook Co., 111., where he remained three years, going thence to Peru, La Salle Co.. for one 
year. In 1868, he removed to Galena, 111., and was Presiding Elder of that district for four years, after 
which he was Pastor of the church there for one year. At the time of the division of the Northwestern 
Conference, in 1872, at his request he was transferred to Chicago German M. E. Conference, and by it was 
again appointed to the charge of Bremen, 111., for two years. In the autumn of 1875, he came to Colum- 
bus as Pastor of the German M. E. Church, and remained as such for three years, when failing health 
forced him to resign. Mr. and Mrs. Kluckhohn have six children — Fred, Louisa (now the wife of L. 
Hersch, and lives at Lemars, Iowa), Mary (^now the wife of H. Blumenthal, of this city), Josephine, 
Henry, Emma. 

DAVID IjASKEY, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Columbus ; was born in the town of Greene, 
Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1841, and came with his parents, Richard and Dorothy Laskey, to Wisconsin in 
1844 ; stopped one year in Walworth County ; in 1845, came to the town of Hampden, Columbia County, 
where he made his home till 1865 ; then he bought a farm on Sec. 30, town of (!olumbus ; disposing of 
that in 1868, he bought one of 120 acres, 87 of which lies on Sees. 33 and 34, town of Columbus, and 40 
acres on Sees. 3 and 4, town of York, Dane Co. He was miirried Nov. 1, 1870, to Miss Susan, a 
daughter of Henry and Mary McNamara, a native of New York City, born in 1850 ; her parents were 
natives of Ireland, but emigrated with her to Dane Co., Wis., when .she was quite young. Their children 
are Albert J., William H. and Uri D. Mrs. Laskey is a member of the Catholic Church. 

RICHARD IjASKEY, deceased, was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1784, and lived 
there on a farm till about 21 years of age; he then joined the British army as a soldier in the War of 
1812, and served most of the time in Canada; at the close of the war, he deserted the army, crossed the 
Niagara River on the ice into York State, and located in the town of Greene, Chenango Co., where he made 
his home till 1844. He was married there, Feb. 9, 1826, to Miss Dorothy Johnson, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, where she was born Feb. 13, 1800, but emigrated to New York with her parents when 12 years old. 
In 1844, Mr. and Mrs. Laskey, with their family of twelve children, emigrated to Wisconsin, and located 
on a farm in the town of Lina, Walworth County; a year later (1845), they removed to Columbia Co., 
and located in the town of Hampden, where they were among the first families, and made that their home 
for about twenty-two years. In 1867, they removed to the town of Columbus, and settled on a farm, on 
Sec. 24, where he died in 1870, and his wife in 1875; they were members of the M. E. Church. Their 
children are Rhoda, born Nov. 1 2, 1826, the late wife of Thomas Smith, now deceased ; John, born Dec. 13, 
1827, who owns a farm of 60 acres in the town of York, Dane Co.; Albert, born Nov. 30, 1828, who, 
with his brother John, owns a farm of 390 acres in the town of Columbus ; Lois, born Jan. 27, 1830, now 
the wife of Perry J. Kidder, and lives in the town of Columbus ; Thomas, born Sept. 30, 1831, enlisted 
in Co. K, 18th W. V. I, and killed at the battle of Shiloh ; Stephen, born April 13, 1833, and died in 
the town of Hampden ; Asenath, born Dec. 13, 1835, now Mrs. Thomas Smith, of Columbus ; Chloe, born 
March 7, 1837, now Mrs. L. B. Huntington, of the town of Fountain Prairie; Uri, born Feb. 14, 1839, 
enlisted in Co. A, 7th W. V. I., was wounded at the battle of Gainesville, Va., died at Alexandria ; David, 
born Oct. 23, 1841, and he now lives in this town (Columbus). 

PERRY IjEE, deceased, was the son of Jesse and Jane Lee ; born in the town of Eaton, Wy- 
oming Co., Penn., in 1816 ; he was educated in the common schools of his native county, and' devoted his 
time to farming there till his marriage, in 1840, to Miss Esther, daughter of Thomas and Polly Mitchell, 
of that town and county. After marriage, he, with a brother, turned his attention to milling (having 
purchased a grist-mill a short time before his marriage), and were its proprietors till 1844; emigrating then 
to Wisconsin, they located at Milwaukee for fourteen months, and in December, 1845, settled on a farm in 
the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., which was their home till 1850 ; removing then to Portage, he 
was proprietor of the Wisconsin House for two years, and then purchased the Lee House, of which he 
was proprietor till December, 1859, when it burned down. He was elected Sheriff of Columbia County in 
1852, and served in that office during the years 1853 and 1854. He went to Denver, Colo., in 1860, and 
there, with a company of men, started South on a trip, but he was taken sick and died at Abiquiu, New 
Mexico, in November, 1860, leaving a wife and five children to survive him. The children are as follows: 
Wm. D., who now lives in Texas; Mary M., now the wife of Thomas Sanderson, and lives in the town of 
Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis.; Sarah, now Mrs. J. J. Sutton, of this city; Esther M., now Mrs. A. H. 
Whitney, of this city, and Lillian E., at home with her mother. Those who knew Mr. Lee knew well 
his many manly qualities, being a man who took interest in public aflairs, and whatever seemed to be for 
the general good of the county or community he was ever ready to support. His acquaintance through- 
out the county was very extended, and all who met him honored him for his courtesy, his kindness, his 
manhood. 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 9^1 

JOHN W. L.EFFINGWEL.L, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Columbus ; was born in the town 
of Riga, Genesee Co , N. Y., Oct. 16, 1832 ; his father, Lemuel Leffingwell, was born in Connecticut, in 
1798, and was a grandson of William Leffingwell, who emigrated from France to America in an early 
day, and was instrumental in rescuing some whites from the hands of the Indians ; as a reward for which 
the U. S. Government granted him the land where the city of Norwich, Conn., is now located ; his father, 
Lemuel, removed with parents to the town of Camden, Oneida Co., N. Y., when a mere boy. There, in 
February, 1820, he was married to Miss Ruth Preston, a native of that county, born April 13,1803. 
Four years after marriage, they removed to Genesee Co., and made that their home until 1835, whence 
they emigrated to Monroe Co., Mich.; in 1837, they returned to Oneida Co., N. Y., and settled in the 
town of Vernon, whence, in 1847, they came to Wisconsin and located on a farm in the town of York, 
Dane Co.; he having come in the fall of 1846, and made preparation for the family, which arrived in the 
spring of 1847 ; he afterward purchased land near the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., to which he 
removed and made his home until his death, which occurred Sept. 6, 1877. He left a wife and four children 
to survive him ; the latter are as follows : Mary A., now the wife of Francis Smith, and lives in the town 
of Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y.; George, who lives with his mother on the farm ; John W. and Orrissa, now 
the wife of Daniel Peck, and lives in the town of York, Dane Co., Wis. John W., the third and subject 
of this sketch, was married Nov. 12, 1855, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Orlando and Thankful ( Parker) 
Wiseman, a native of the town of Gainesville, Wyoming Co., N. Y.; her grandfither, Thomas Wiseman, 
was a native of England, and came to America as a British soldier in the Revolutionary war, served his term 
under the King and then joined the American cause ; he was one of the men who watched for Maj. 
Andre at the time of his capture ; he afterward located in the town of Gainesville, Wyoming Co., N. Y., 
where he followed the weaver's trade, and made that his home until death ; he raised a large family, of 
whom Mrs. Leffingwell's father was the youngest but one, and come as a pioneer to Dane Co., Wis., and 
located in the town of York, where he died in the fall of 1876, and his wife two years later. Mr. Leffing- 
well has been Assessor of the town of Columbus for two terms, was elected Chairman of the Town Board, 
in 1878, re-elected in 1879 and 1880. He now has a farm of 230 acres. Sec. 33, town of Columbus. 
Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Their children are as follows: Luella, now the 
wife of Calvin J. Fairbanks, and lives in the town of Hampden ; Ada E., now the wife of Franklin 
Feelyater, and lives in the town of Columbus ; Arthus L. and Milton F., at home. 

HON. JAMES T. LEWIS. Searching the streets of Athens with a lantern, Diogenes 
illumined a truth of his own discovering, namely, that honest men are a nation's rarest as well as most 
precious jewels, and we have discovered that of those who shine in the crown of the republic, none have 
a higher worth than the faithful administrators of the law. Prominent on the roll of true and 
good men, we find the name of James T. Lewis, a native of Clarendon, N. Y. He was born on the 30th 
of October, 1819, and is the son pf Shubaei Lewis and Eleanor Robertson. His grandfather, Samuel 
Lewis, lived in Brimfield, Mass. His father, a native of New England, was born on the 27th of Febru- 
ary, 1783, and grew up from a poor boy, with a spirit of self-reliance and strong hope, and by his sterling 
qualities commanded universal respect. He was a man of sturdy enterprise, and acquired large estates 
both in New York and Wisconsin. He was thrice married — first, on the 29th of January, 1815, and the 
second time on the 15th of April, 1835, to Parna Nichols, who was born on the 10th of April, 1798. 
She was a lady of the truest womanly qualities, a devoted wife and all that a mother could be to the chil- 
dren placed under her care. Her pure life was devoted to the welfare of her family, and to the influence of 
her teachings and example the subject of this sketch to-day feels himself largely indebted for the success 
of his life. His third marriage was to Mary Bugbee. He died at the advanced age of 78 years. The 
mother of our subject, a lady of Scotch descent, died on the 8th of October, 1834. Of Mr. Lewis' 
brothers and sisters, William L. was born Oct. 19, 1815, and was married Oct. 7, 1842, to Miss Eliza 
Ann Martin, of Clarendon, N. Y.; Shubael R. was born Nov. 3, 1817 ; was a distinguished soldier in the 
Mexican War — the first to scale the walls of Chapultepec, and for his gallant conduct on the field was 
presented with a sword ; married, Aug. 18, 1839, to Mrs. Sarah Ann (Nichols) Brown, widow of Harvy 
Brown, M. D. ; died in August, 1856. Hiram W. was born January 13, 1823 ; married Sept. 2, 1847, 
to Miss Melissa P. Tousley. Mary Jane was born Sept. 6, 1825 ; married Oscar A. Harris. Andrew J. 
was born May 23, 1828 ; died January 20, 1840. Lydia A. was born Sent. 22, 1831 ; died Oct. 12, 
1834. 

James T., the third son, after receiving a common-school education, completed a course of English 
classical study in Clarkson Academy and Clinton Seminary, in New York, and, in 1842, began the study 
of law with Gov. Selden, of Clarkson. He afterward removed to Wisconsin, and, in 1845, was admitted 
to the bar of the United States District Court, and subsequently to the Supreme Court of the State. 

LL 



972 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Declining the gift of an elijiible law oflSee offered him by influential friends, if he would settle in Clinton, 
N. Y., he decided more wisely, and established himself in Columbus, his present home. At the age of 
26, he was married to Miss Orlina M. Sturges, daughter of a prominent and successful merchant of Clar- 
endon, N. Y., and by her had four children — Henry T., deceased at the age of 16 months; Selden J., 
named after Gov. Solden, of Clarkson, N. Y.; Charles R., named after Hon. Charles D. Robinson, of 
Green Bay, Wis., and Anna L. Mr. Lewis, a man of superior executive ability, rapidly rose to the success- 
ive positions of District Attorney, County Judge, member of the Constitutional Convention which 
formed the organic law of the State, member of the General Assembly, State Senator, member of the 
Court of Impeachment, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and Governor. As Secretary of State, 
it was truly said of him, " He has been prompt, methodical and systematic in all the departments of his 
oflBce ; a true man in every sense of the word, kind and gentlemanly in his deportment and possessing 
great executive ability." When elected to this office, he received every vote cast in the city of his resi- 
dence, and, when elected Governor, in 1863, received a majority of 25,000, by far the largest ever 
accorded to any candidate for that office. The nation at this time being engaged in civil war, Gov. Lewis 
felt that for the time political divisions should cease ; that all loyal men, forgetting party strifes, should 
rally around our country's flag, and save it from dishonor ; that rebellion should be crushed by hearty 
co-operation and earnest sacrifice, and that peace should be restored. Sincerely impressed with this 
belief, he severed party ties and proclaimed : " He who is not a faithful friend to the Government of his 
country in this trying hour is no friend of mine," and spared neither time, talent nor money in sending 
troops to save the national capital. 

Especially was his attention engaged in caring for the needs of the sick. He repeatedly visited camps 
and hospitals, making long and careful tours, and finally secured a special order from the Surgeon General 
of the United States for the transfer of all the sick and wounded soldiers from Wisconsin to hospitals 
within their own State, a privilege never before granted. Under his administration, hospitals were estab- 
lished, a soldiers' orphans' home was founded, and families of soldiers provided for. Through his influence, 
multitudes of suffering " boys in blue " were nursed back into life, in hospitals blessed with comforts, 
blessed by the prayers of mothers and wives at home ; the dying hours of brave men were soothed, and 
men who had risked their lives for a great principle, and bereaved families, were provided with homes. 
The marked but not forgotten graves of our slain heroes dot the hillsides of the South ; but, had it not 
been for the noble work of Gov. Lewis, hundreds who are among the living to-day would live only in 
the desolate, sorrowing hearts of those who loved them. By personal efforts, he obtained credit from the 
Government for soldiers fiirnished, and reduced the quota of Wisconsin at one time from 19,032 to 15,311, 
and Wiis especially successful in securing the claims of his State against the Government, amounting in all to 
more than half a million of dollars. In 1864, by his wise adjustment of affairs, the State tax was reduced 
several hundred thousands of dollars ; and, during his entire administration, he did not use one dollar of the 
Military Contingent Fund. At his request, the Legislature declined to vote the usual appropriation of 
$5,000 as a general contingent fund for the use of the Executive. He worked for the good of his State, 
and was economical, systematic and prompt in all his departments of duty. His large-heartedness and 
sympathy went out to all ;• yet, in the administration of justice, he was inexorable. As a man and public 
officer. Gov. Lewis possessed the unlimited confidence of the people, and through his varied career 
has maintained a name and character above suspicion or reproach. Figuring little in proclamations, orders 
and telegraphic communications, he performed his duties quietly and without ostentation ; unselfish and 
self-denying in all his actions, he labored for the welfare of his State and nation. Standing upon noble 
principles, he felt that he needed no other platform; the ends which he aimed at were his country's, 
God's and truth's. A marked feature in the character of Gov. Lewis, and one worthy of imitation, is his 
generous benevolence. Possessed of a liberal competence, he devotes a large portion of his annual income 
to the building and support of universities, colleges, academies and educational interests, thus exerting a 
silent but lasting influence for good by developing the minds and morals of his country's youtli. He 
has been a liberal contributor to churches and benevolent enterprises of various kinds, and in ail that 
pertains to the welfare of his city, or the good of his fellowmen, he is ready to lend a cheerful support. 
In 1864, Lawrence University conferred the degree of LL. D., an honor which was just!}' bestowed 
and has been worthily worn. He recently received a dispatch from Washington tendering him the 
office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue ; he, however, declined the h(mor, owing to other duties 
which require his constant attention. Mr. Lewis has been .several times offered similar offices, but has 
uniformly declined. 

WiLLiIAM Ir. liEWIS, Columbus; was born at Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1815; 
he is the son of Shubael Lewis and Eleanor Robertson, who are mentioned in the sketch given of his 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 973 

brother, Hon. James T. Lewis. Mr. Lewis received the greater part of his education in the common 
schools of his native State. In 1842, he began merchandising at Bergen, Genesee Co., and after 
continuing there two years he removed his business to Clareudon, Orleans Co., and there continued the same 
and also milling, for several years ; disposing of his interest at Clarendon, in 1853, he removed to Hawley, 
Orleans Co., and was proprietor of the Hawley Mills for three years ; he, with his family, emigrated to 
Wisconsin, in the spring of 1857, locating at Columbus ; he has since been engaged in farming, lumbering 
and the grain trade. He was employed as clerk in the Secretary of State's office, in 18G3, with his 
brother, during his term of office, and by Mr. Pairchild, in lSti4. Returning to Columbus, in 1865, he 
has devoted his time to superintending his farm of 312 acres, in the town of Columbus. He was married 
in 1841, to Miss Eliza Ann Martin, of Clarendon, Orleans Co., N. Y.; their children are Martin J., who 
now lives in Dakota; Adella, now the wife of D. M. Inmann, and lives in Dakota; Anna E. now Mrs. M. D. 
Thomp.son, of Vermillion, Dakota; Jennie, deceased; Lillie, now at home with parents. Mr. Lewis' family 
is connected with the Baptist Church. 

MATTHEW LOWTH, farmer; Sees. 10 and 15 ; P.O.Columbus; was born in County 
Meath, Ireland, May (5, 1819 ; when 7 years old, he, with his parents, Edward and Alice, nee McCabe, 
emigrated to America ; they settled in Aug. 1820, in the town of Tinmouth, Rutland Co., Vt., where his 
mother died in the following December ; his father followed mining tliere for a number of years ; after the 
death of his mother, he and his brother were put out to live with American families of Vermont, and 
with them he made his home until 21 years of age ; at the age of IS years, he entered upon a three years' 
apprenticeship to the molder's trade, in the Granger Stove Works, at Pittsford, Rutland Co.; he next 
came to Albany, N. Y., where he worked at his trade awhile, and later to Troy, N. Y., where he followed 
the same for a time ; he emigrated to Wisconsin in 1844, and stopped a year with his cousin, John Lowth, 
at Troy, Walworth Co.; Nov. 9, 1845, he removed to his log house, in the town of Lowell, Dodge Co., 
Wis., where he made his home until the fiill of 1849; disposing of his interest in Dodge Co. at that time, 
he entered a farm of 120 acres, in the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., and returned to Troy, N. Y., 
and continued his trade at INIechanicsvilie for two years ; coming again to Columbus, Wis., in 1851, he 
settled on his farm, which has since been his home ; he devoted the winter seasons of the first eleven years after 
his permanent settlement in Columbia Co., to teaching, and the summers in farming. Mr. Lowth was 
elected Assessor of the town or village of Columbus, in 1856 ; he has served three terms as Chairman of 
the Town Board, and in 1879 was elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, from the Second 
Assembly District of Columbia Co. He was married, in 1843, to Miss Mary Glavin, a native of Cork, 
but an emigrant to America with parents, when about 2 years old, and settled at Troy, N. Y., where she 
was afterward married ; their children are Edward, Alice Francis, Catharine, Thomas H.; Josephine, now 
the wife of Charles Hall, and lives at Spencer, Marathon Co., Wis., and Emma, at home. 

OL.IVER RODNEY LIIEY, farmer; Sec. 20 ; P.O.Columbus; was born in Windsor 
Co., Vt., in 1824 ; he had the advantage of the common school in his boyhood, where he received his 
education ; he devoted his attention to farming in Vermont, until 1844, whence he emigrated to Wisconsin; 
he found employment at farm work at Mr. James' in the town of Richmond, Rock Co., for two summers ; 
in November, 1845, he came to the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., bought a claim of 160 acres in the 
southeast quarter. Sec. 20 ; and in February, 1846, he obtained a deed to 40 aci'es of it and pre-empted the 
remainder ; he at once built his pioneer log house, at first only 16x10, but was afterward enlarged, which 
was his home for fifteen years ; his farm now numbers 250 acres, and instead of his log house, a commodious 
residence decorates his premises. Mr. Luey has been a member of the Town Board for two or three years. 
He was married. May, 1848, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Robert and Polly (Berry) Miller, a native of 
Windham Co., Vt.; her mother died there in 1870 ; her father came to Wisconsin in 1876, and now 
makes his home at Mr. Luey's. Mr. and Mrs. Luey have five children, as follows : Charlotte, now the wife 
of Frank Hopkins, lives at Gary, Dakota; Edwin, now at Rochester, Minn.; Cheney 0., Walter R. and 
Cornelia, at home. 

ADAH McCONSfEIiL/, Deputy Sheriff, Columbus; was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 
1824; he is the sjn of James McConnell, who came as an emigrant to America, in 1845, and located at 
Columbu-', Wis., where he afterward died. Mr. McConnell, the subject of this sketch, spent four years in a 
constabulary in County Kildare, Ireland, and was on duty at the Clontarf when the notice was given by 
Daniel O'Connell to bold one of the monster meetings at that place, in 1843, and was present when he 
was arrested. Remaining there in that line of duty until 1847, he then resigned. May 3, 1847, he was 
married in the town of Kilcock, County Kildare, to Miss Anna Walsh, immediately after which, they sailed 
for Americj, and landed in New York City about the 1st of July following ; they came thence to the 
town of Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis., and located on a farm, which was their home until 1805 ; then 



974 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ' 

removed to the city of Columbus, where they have since resided. Mr. McConoell was appointed Deputy 
Sheriff of Columbia Co. for two years, by P. P. Pool ; was re-appointed by Mr. H. A. Russell, during hia 
term of office, and again appointed by Mr. Jonas Conklin, which position he now holds ; he was a member 
of the Town Board of Supervisors for two years ; was Village and City Marshal for Columbus, six or eightyears. 
Their children are Anna M., now the wife of R. M. C. Turner, and lives in Philadelphii ; Thomas H., 
now a clerk in R. W. Chadbourn's Bank, at Rochester, Minn.; Charles H., a clerk in the First National 
Bank, at Leadville; Morris J., now in a store at Birds' Island, Minn.; Jennie, at home. Mrs. McConoell 
is a member of the Congregational Church. 

JAMES McTIKKNAN (deceased), was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, about 1806 ; he was 
brought up as a farmer's son, in his native county ; when about 30 years old, he emigrated to America, 
and lived in Vermont and Massachusetts for several years ; in 1847, he with his family removed to 
Columbia Co,, Wis., and located on a farm of GO acres on Sec. 25, which he bought of William Drake, 
and afterward purchased 42 acres, making his farm 102 acres on that section ; here he made his home till 
his death, Nov. 2, 1865. He was married in 1850 to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas and Margaret 
Kelly; a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, born in 1828, an i came to America in 1849. Their children 
are Maria, now the wife of Edward Lay, and living in Kansas ; John, at home ; Margaret, at home ; 
Bridget, in Chicago ; Thomas, at home ; Annie (deceased); Katie and KUen, at home. The family is 
connected with St. Jerome's Catholic Church. 

JOSEPH S. JIANSTIWdr, proprietor of flouring-mill ; was born in Plainfield, N. J., in 1819 ; 
his father dying shortly after his birth, his mother soon removed with him to Middletown, Monmouth Co., 
N. J., where he spent much of his time at school till 14 years of age ; he then went to New York City, 
and began with an uncle as clerk in a dry-goods store ; remaining there till 1844, he came to Wisconsin, 
and located at Kenosha (then Southport), where he clerked in a dry-goods store for three years; he 
removed thence to the town of Courtland, Columbia Co., where he followed farming for two years, and then 
came to Columbus, purchased the Ludington mill, and has since been its proprietor. Mr. Manning was 
a member of the City Council for three years ; he has been a member of the Ma,sonic Fraternity for 
twenty-five years. In 1847, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of James and Julia Campbell, of 
Southport (now Kenosha), Wis. ; they have one daughter, Julia M., now the widow of the late H. K. 
Dodge, dec'd. Mrs. Manning is a member of the Congregational Church ; Mrs. Dodge is a member of 
the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Manning's brother, Benjamin Campbell, enlisted in the 6th W. V. I., at 
Milwaukee, in 1861, and was with his regiment till it reached Baltimore, Md., where he died from physi- 
cal exhaustion cauj^ed by the measles. 

ISAAC MEKRIAM, dealer in lime, coal, brick, plaster, etc., etc., Columbus; was born in 
Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1811 ; he is the youngest of a family of seven children, whose parents, Benjamin 
and Sally (Kendall) Merriam, were natives of Connecticut, but removed to Franklin Co., N. Y., about 
181(1 ; his father dying when he was ((uite young, he was soon compelled to earn his own living as best he 
could; and being thus early in life deprived of his home, he sought employment at farm work from friends 
and neighbors; coming to Wisconsin in 1847, he located at Watertown, where he followed the carpenter 
and joiner's trade, to which he became apprenticed in his native county at the age of 21 years ; seven 
years later (1854), he removed to the town of Lowell, Dodge Co., where he followed agriculture for nearly 
ten years ; in the spring of 1863, he came with his family to the city (then village) of Columbus, where, 
in 1866, he begah dealing in lime, coal, etc., and has since continued the same. xA.t Cornwall, Addison 
Co., Vt., in 1847, he was married to Miss Lucinda S. Goodrich, a native of that county ; their children 
are: Mary H., a graduate of VVayland University, of Beaver Dam, Wis., and now a teacher in the public 
schools of Milwaukee; Lucy M.; Sarah I., a teacher in the public schools of this city; Jesse I., now a 
printer at Alexandria, Dak. Mr. Merriam and family are members of the Baptist Church. 

HEBfRV 510RSE, firmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Columbus; was born in the town of HalfmooDi 
Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1814. Hi.s father, John E. Morse, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y.; his mother, 
Rebecca Palmer, was also a native of York State. At the age of 18 years, he began the carpenter and 
joiner's trade, which he afterward continued in Saratoga and Genesee Cos. till 1859 ; emigrating 
then to Columbus, Wis., he stopped in the village one year, then located on a farm on Sec. 24, town of 
Columbus, where he and his son together own 240 acres. He was married in 1837 to Miss Minerva, 
daughter of F. C. Farnham, a native of Washington Co., N. Y.; her father came to Columbus, Wis., in 
1858, and died here in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Morse have two children — V. C, now with his father on the 
farm ; Mary, now the wife of Eli Thaire, who lives in Minnesota. Mr. Morse was elected Assessor of 
the town in 1877, and re-elected in 1878-80. 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 975 

STEI>MA1¥ S. NEWTOX, dealer in musical instruments, sewing machines and jewelry, 
Columbus; was born in Tioga Co., Penn., in November, 1850. His father, Lewis Newton, was a native 
of Vermont ; his mother, Emily Egbert, was born in New York ; his father and grandfather John D. 
Egbert, came with their families as emigrants to Wisconsin, and landed at the house of Mr. Josiah Fos- 
ter, in the town of Arlington, Columbia Co., in April, 1854; they soon located in that town, and Mr. 
Egbert was, for several years, a prominent citizen of that town ; he died there about 1862 or 1863 ; he 
did much in the way of making deeds and drawing papers of various kinds for the early settlers, and was a 
man to whom all looked for counsel. Mr. and Mrs. Newton had a family of six children — three sons 
and three daughters; three of them now live in this County. Stedman S., the subject of this sketch, 
was the fourth child, and spent his time on his father's farm and at district school till 1868, removing 
then to Poynell, where, in 1870, he began clerking in a drug store, and also had charge of the post office 
at that place ; in 1871, he entered the State University and completed his studies there in 1872 ; return- 
ing then to Columbia Co., he taught at Dekorra for a term of five months; in the spring of 1873, he 
began dealing in machines and musical instruments at Poynette and Lodi ; in the fall of 1876, removed 
the main portion of his business to Columbus, though he still continues these points as branch houses to the 
business here; he added a stock of jewelry to his trade in the tall of 1878, and has since carried on the 
three lines of trade. In February, 1877, he was married to Miss Delia, daughter of Lewis and Eme- 
line Cave, a native of Staten Island, but an emigrant to Poynette, Wis., in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Newton 
are members of the M. E. Church ; he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. 

GERD H. XIEJIEYER, farmer. Sees. 22 and 27; P. 0. Columbus; was born at Han- 
over, Germany, in September, 1820. His mother, Dorothea Rolls, died when he was only 5 years old, 
and his father, Gerd H. Niemeyer, when he was 8. An orphan boy at that early age, he was forced to 
leave off his studies and seek some employment by which he could earn his own living ; he went to live 
with a neighbor farmer, where he learned that honest industry is the true source of wealth, and upon 
that principle he has ever acted ; he emigrated to America in 1848, and located at Milwaukee, Wis., where 
he followed laboring for five years, and then removed to Portage, where he lived two and one-half years; 
he next removed to the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., and located on a farm of 40 acres on Sec. 16 ; 
a year later, he sold that farm and bought one of 120 acres on Sees. 17 and 20, where he lived for two 
years; disposing then of that, he bought another of 100 acres on Sec. — , and made his home there till 
1876, whence he removed to his present one of 140 acres on Sees. 22 and 27, where he has since lived. 
He was married, in 1853, to Miss Mary Alfs, a native of Germany, but an emigrant to America in 1848; 
their children are Eliza IMary and Fred. They are members of the Lutheran Church. 

ASA PERKINS, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Columbus; was born in the town of Ira, Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., in 1826; he was educated there in the common schools, and devoted his time to farming there 
till 1849, when he emigrated to Wisconsin, and entered a farm of 120 acres, on Sec. 19, town of Colum- 
bus, Columbia Co , in June, having just 2 shillings left after paying the purchase money; he returned to 
New York in the following fall for tlie winter, and a year from that time, came again to Wisconsin, and 
located at Janesville, where he worked by the month on a farm for two years, after which he made his 
home there most of the time for another year; he settled permanently on his farm in 1853, and has 
increased it to 166 acres. Mr. Perkins is one of the committee on the extension of the North-Westem 
Railway from Granville to Lodi, Wis., and has taken an active part in the enterprise ; in 1870, he took a trip 
to California, thence via the coast to Portland, Ore., and up the Columbia River to Waulula, and from 
there by stage to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, whence, alter a fortnight's sojourn, he returned the 
same way to his home in Wisconsin. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Sarah C, daughter of Reuben 
and Nancy George, a native of Indiana, but an emigrant to Wisconsin with her father in 1847, her mother 
having previously died in Illinois ; their children are: Mary A., born in 1854, and married to Stephen 
B. Marvin in November, 1875, and now lives at Redwood, Minn.; Randall K., born in 1856, and now at 
Redwood, Minn.; Francis F.,born in 1858, now at home ; Charles M.,born in 1860, and Arthur R., born 
in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are members of the M. E. Church. 

JOHSf PETERS, farmer. Sees. 22 and 15; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Prussia in 1817; 
he came to America in 1853, and lived five years at Milwaukee, Wis., and, in 1857, he came to the town 
of Columbus, Columbia Co., where, in 1857, he bought a farm of 60 acres ; selling that in 1866, he bought 
his present one of 120 acres in Sees. 22 and 15. He was married in 1850, to Miss Louisa Harms, a native 
of Germany ; their children are Henry, Charles, William, Mary, and one adopted daughter, Emma. They 
are members of the Lutheran Church. 

JOHN PRIEN, manufacturer of wagons and buggies, and agent for all kinds of agricultural 
and farming implements, Cjlumbus; was born in Mecklenburg in 1824; at the age of 21 years, he began 



976 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the wagon-maker's trade in his native country, and continued the same there till 1852 ; eniigratinii then to 
America, he located in Milwaukee, Wis., and followed his trade there for five years ; he came to Columbus 
in IS57, and has since carried on the business of a wagon manufacturer. In 1853, he was married to Miss 
P]rnestina Kreutzfeld, a native of Germany. They have one daughter — Mary Charlotte. They are mem- 
bers of the Ijutheran (church. 

JOHN 11. tir. PRICE, of the firm of Price & Henderson, Columbus ; was born in Norfolk Co., 
Upper Canada, in 1835 ; he received his earlier education in the common schools and academiis of his 
native country, but completed his studies at the Lawrence University of Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1860 ; 
he came to Heaver Dam, Wis., in 1856, and clerked in a dry-goods store for two years ; then, after com- 
pleting his studies at the University, returned to Beaver Dam, and continued clerkin;; for two years longer; 
in 1862, he began clerking for D. E. Bassett, at Danville, Wis., and, in August, 1864, came to Columbus, 
where, in January, 1865, he formed a copartnership with Bassett & Davies, in the firm of Bassett, Davies 
& Price, and continued business for about seven years ; he removed to Milwaukee in 1873, and for three 
years was engaged iu the wholesale tea trade ; returning to Columbus in 1876, he formed a copartt.ership 
with J. T. Henderson, under the firm naiue of Price & Henderson, lumber merchants. Mr. Price has 
been a member of the City Council for two terms. He was married in November, 1865, to Miss Frances 
A., daughter of Thomas Eggleston, of Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis.; their children are George W. and 
Harry A. They attend the Congregational Church ; Mr. Price is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. 

GRIFFITHS ROBERTS, of the firm of Roberts & Thiede, manufacturers of wa-nns, 
farm machinery, etc., etc., Columbus; was born in Caernarvonshire, North Wales, in 1845, and bejran the 
black.smith's trade when 11 years old. He came to America in 1868, and located at Columbus, Wis., and 
worked at the trade with Owen Jones for some time. In 1871, he formed a copartnership witli Mr. 
Thiede, and establi-shed the present firm of which he is a member. He was married, in 1871, to Miss 
.Sarah Williams, of Dodge Co., Wis. Their children are Rece and John. They are members of the Welsh 
Calvinistie Church. 

<]}EOR4tE ROBINSOSf, Columbus ; was born in Worcester Co., Mass., in 1824. His 
parents, John and Nancy Robinson, were natives of County Armagh, Ireland, but were early emigrants to 
Massachusetts, where his father afterward died. His mother died in Poriage, Wis. Mr. Robinson came 
to Wisconsin, in October. 1843, and located at Kenosha. In May, 1844, he came to the town of Columbus, 
Columbia Co., and settled on a farm, which was his home for ten years ; selling his farm at that time, 
he bought another in the same town, where he now owns 240 acres ; this he made his home most of the 
time till 1878, when here' moved to this city, where he has since resided. He is now one of the three 
first settlers of the town who now reside in this city. His brother, Isaiah Robinson, was a pioneer lawyer 
of Columbus, and died in New York City in 1856, while on a visit Kast. Mr. Robinson was elected 
Sheriff of Columbia Co. in the fall of 1854, served during the years of 1854 and 1856. Politically, 
he is a Republican. In September, 1855, at Wyocena, Wisconsin, he was married to .Miss Elizabeth R., 
daughter of Charles and Charlotte Woodward ; she was born in Pembroke, South Wales, and died in 
Columbus in March, 1878, leaving the following children — Nelson, Frances A., Berth i E., and an adopted 
son, George R. Mr. R. and family are connected with the Congregational Church. 

NEWTON A. ROBINSON, Columbus; was born at Glens Falls, Warren Co., N. Y., Aug. 
19, 1828. His father, William Robin.son, was a native of Rhode Island, but removed to New York in 
an early day ; his mother, Lydia Warner, was a native of York State. Mr. Robinson began clerking in 
a store at Glens Falls, when 15 or 16 years old, and remained there in that business till 1 850 ; going then 
to Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., he clerked for five years. In 1855, he emigrated to Dodge Co., Wis., 
and stopped at the village of Randolph tor the winter. In the spring of 1856, he went to Danville, 
Dod'.e Co., where he clerked two and a half years for D. E. Bassett, and one year for E. H. Silsbee ; 
coming then to Columbus, he began clerking for Davies iV Axtcll in their dry goods .store, and remained 
with that house till 1869. He afterward clerked one year for Fuller Brothers, and three years for Farn- 
ham, Allen & Co., grain dealers, and in January, 1879, he began as bookkeeper for J. S. Manning, with 
whom he remained till May, 1880. Mr. Robinson was Town Treasurer in 1869, Town Clerk in 1872. 
He was married, in 1860, to Miss Frances J., daughter of Daniel Malls, the pruprietor of the first Colum- 
bus journal ; she died Dec. 5, 1875, leaving one son — Newton F. 

REV. FATHER HENRY J. ROCHE, Priest of St. Jerome's Catholic Church, Colum- 
bus ; born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1834. He received his early education in the common schools 
of his native county, and when 14 years old, with parents, he came to America, and located at Utica, 
N. Y.; three years later, they removed to the town of Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis. In 1852, he entered 
the University known as the " St. Mary's of the Lake," Chicago, where he pursued his classical studies 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 977 

for three years ; after which he took up the study of philosophy, physics, and also theology at St. 
Francis, of Milwaukee, where he completed his studies in 1859. He was ordained to the priesthood by 
Bishop Henni, of Milwaukee, in December, 1859, and in 18C0 entered upon the work at Beloit, Wis., 
as Assistant Priest of St. Thomas', Catholic; remaining there one year, he was next sent by the Bishop, 
as Priest of St. Andrew's, of Delavan, Wis.; three years later, he came to Richmond, Dodge Co., where he 
organized an entirely new society, built St. Jo.seph's Church, and remained there nine years. In Decem- 
ber, 1872, he came as Priest of St. Jerome's to Columbus, and has since supplied the parish of St. Au- 
gustine's, at Wyocena, and St. Patrick's, of Doylestown, and also St. Mary's, of the town of Calamus, 
Dodi;e Co. 

^FiHIL I,. RUPNOW, farmer, See. .34; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Prussia in 1819; his 
parents, John D. and Regina Rupnow, both died when he was quite young. Though early in life de- 
prived of that good counsel which only comes from a parent, he resolved to gain an education that would 
fit him for any responsible position he might be called upon to fill. He began his studies at the public 
schools, and continued them at the College of Neuzelle — the State institution in the Province of Branden- 
berg — from 1837 to 1841, when he graduated in the teacher's course; he was then a teacher in the Gov- 
ernment employ till 1856, when he resigned. He sailed May 1, 1857, for America, and landed in New 
York sixteen days later ; coming thence direct to Watertown, Wis., he was engaged as a teacher in the 
Lutheran School there for nine months. In the spring of 18G8, he went to Jefferson, Wis., where he 
was Pastor of the Lutheran Church for six years; coming then, in 1864, to Columbus, he clerked for Mr. 
Whitney in the hardware store for five years; having purchased a farm of 132 acres in Sec. 34, town of 
Columbus, in March, 1863, he located on it in 1869, and has since made it his home. He was married 
in Germany, in 1844, to Miss Augusta R., a daughter of Charles and Caroline Schultz, and their children 
are Mary R., now the wife of Herman Hehmeyer, and living at Lagrange, Mo.; Maximilian, now a civil 
engineer on the railroad from Chippewa Falls to Spencer, Wis. 

HEMAN SHERMAN, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 
1828. His father, Amos D. Sherman, was born in Waterbury, Washington Co., Vt., Oct. 17', 1789, and 
made that his home till about 25 years old, when he removed to Essex Co., N. Y.; he was a soldier in 
the War of 1812, and for his services as such, now draws a pension from the Government; he is now 90 
years old. His mother, Millie Handy, was a native of Pittsford, Rutland Co., Vt., and came to Essex 
Co., N. Y., with her parents prior to her marriage; she died April 15, 1850. Mr. Sherman is one of a 
family of twelve children — six sons and six daughters — -three of whom now live in the State of New York, 
and one in Iowa. He spent his time in farming in Essex Co. till 1849, when he removed to Steuben Co., 
N. Y., where he engaged in lumbering for three years. In 1852, he immigrated to Columbia Co., Wis., 
and located on a farm on Sec. 4, town of Columbus, where he now owns 103 acres on Sees. 4 and 5. He 
has been a member of the Town Board for two years. He was married in March, 1851, to Miss Laura 
E., daughter of Charles and Caroline Loveless, a native of Essex Co., N. Y.; born Dec, 15, 1836. They 
have five children — Orlin D., who married Miss Marian Link, of Randolphj Dodge Co., Wis., and now 
lives in this town (Columbus) ; Albert R., at home; Eliza, now the wife of Charles Oliver, and lives at 
Winnebago City, Minn.; Frank and Clinton, at home. 

T. CLARK SMITH, farmer. Sec. 3; P. O. Columbus; was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., in Jan- 
uary, 1811 ; when a mere infant, his parents removed with him to Yates Co.,N. Y., and located on a farm near 
Seneca Lake, where he lived till near 31 years of age; he emigrated to Wisconsin in 1842, and in June 
of that year, entered and located on a farm of 160 acres in Sees. 3, 7 and 8, in the town of Columbus, 
Columbia Co., and in the following September he went t« Illinois, purchased some land, and in October 
took the boat at Chicago, was joined by his family at Milwaukee, and returned, via Bufl'alo, to Yates 
Co., for the winter; he came again, with his effects, to Columbia Co., in the spring of 1843, and 
found his log house occupied by Mr. Bushnell, who received him kindly, and soon gave up his possessions 
to him ; he at once began to make improvements, and has since made that his home ; his farm now con- 
sists of 446 acres in the town of Columbus, and 40 acres in the town of Calamus, Dodge Co. ; his log 
house has been exchanged for a commodious residence, with all the improvements of a model farm. Mr. 
Smith was elected the first Sheriff of Columbia Co. in the spring of 1846, and in the fall of that year 
was re.elected for another term of two years ; he has also been Chairman of the Town Board one term. 
He was married in April, 1868, to Mrs. Angeline Carpenter, nee Compton ; they each have two children 
by former marriages. 

THOMAS SMITH, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Columbus; was born in the County of Suffolk, 
England, in 1809; he followed farming in his native country till 1832; emigrated then to America, and landed 
at Quebec, May 1st of that year, and afterward located in Upper Canada, where he worked at farm labor till 



978 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1836; coming then to Michigan, where he remained but a short time, on account of bavins, unfortu- 
nately, lost his arm ; he next went to Rochester, N. Y., and there was engaged in keeping a restaurant, 
from 1837 to 184(), when he came to Columbia Co., Wis., and located on a farm in the town of Hampden, 
Columbia Co., where he followed farming till 1861, when he removed to a farm of 160 acres, on Sees. 14 
and 23, town of Columbus. He was married in 1853, to Asenath Laskey, of the town of Hampden, 
Columbia Co., Wis., but a native of Chenango Co., N. Y.\ their children are Jerome H., Ellen M., Jesse 
L. and Charles T. Mrs. Smith is a member of the M. E. Church. 

JACOB SMITH, merchant tailor. Columbus; was born in Yates Co., N. Y., May 20, 1815; 
son of Col. J. J. and Nancy Smith; his father was a native of New York, but his mother was bora in 
Philadelphia; when 16 years of age, he entered upon an apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, in Eddy- 
town, Yates Co.; one and one-half years later, he went to Dundee, N. Y., and there continued bis trade 
for ten years; in June, 1843, with his brothers, T. C. and Lewis Smith, he landed at Milwaukee, as an 
emigrant to Wisconsin, and came thence to Columbus, where they arrived a week later ; he invested in 
real estate, and located on a farm near the village, and for three years devoted his time to farming ; in 
1846, he opened the first merchant tailoring establishment in Columbus, and has continued that business 
most of the time since. In May, 1835, he was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of Joseph and Catha- 
rine Ireton, of Dundee, Yates Co., N. Y.; they had an infant son, deceased. They are members of the 
Presbyterian Church; Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. 

JOHIV SWARTHOUT, druggist, Columbus; was born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1819; he 
emigrated to Wisconsin in the fall of 1843, and located at Kenosha, and a year later (1844), he came to 
Columbus, Columbia (then Portage) Co; returning in September, 1848, to Buffalo, N. Y., he purchased 
the first stock of drugs ever brought to Columbia Co., Wis.; reaching Columbus again, he opened 
the first drug store of this place, and has ever since continued in that business. He was elected the first 
Tax Collector of Columbia Co. in 1847-48; he was appointed Postmaster at Columbus, by President 
Grant, in 1872, and has been re-appointed to that office at the expiration of each term since that time. 
In 1853, he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Hiram and Sarah Swift, a native of Vermont; 
they had one daughter, Eva, now deceased. Mrs. Swarthout is a member of the Universalist Church. 

CHARLES H. THOMAS, farmer and horse farrier. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Columbus; was born 
at Alabama, Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1840, and came with his parents, Merrit A. and Julia A. Thomas, to 
Wisconsin in 1847, and located on a farm in the town of Columbus, Columbia Co., where his parents 
lived till 1876, and then removed to Albert Lea, Minn., where they now reside. Mr. Thomas made hia 
home with his parents on the farm till 18 years old, and then began firming and trading for himself; in 
1860, he began the profession of a horse farrier, and has successfully practiced it through this section of 
the country most of the time since ; in 1863, he bought a farm of 55 acres on Sec. 8, town of Columbus, 
which has since been his home. He joined the United States service in 1864, and was on detailed 
duty through the Southern States as a veterinary surgeon till February, 1865, when he returned to his 
home in Columbus. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Martha E., daughter of Charles Loveless, of the 
town of Columbus, but a native of the town of Maria, Essex Co., N. Y., and an immigrant to Wiscon- 
sin in 1851 ; their children are — Merrit, Clara A., Edwin S., Melvin J. and Nellie. 

ALFRED TOPLIFF (deceased); was born in Wesifield, Mass., Nov. 11. 1799; he was 
the youngest of a family of eight children, whose parents were John and Susanna (Jacobs) TopliiF. 
Mr. Topliif devoted much of his earlier life to teaching in his native State, and, in the spring of 1844, 
he came to Columbus, Wis., but soon after located in the town of Hampden, and there went to work mak- 
ing improvements, and preparing a home for his family, who were then East; in 1846, he went back for 
his fiimily, consisting of a wife and three daughters, and when he returned with them he found that he 
had been elected County Surveyor, an office which he held till the year 1870, when he resigned, but the 
instruments which he loved so well were not allowed to become rusty for want of use ; many were the 
lines run and the roads laid out by him. Scarcely a year before his death, did he give up the profession 
that he had followed so long and faithfully; in 1851, he was elected a member of the Wisconsin Legis- 
lature and re-elected in 1852, proving himself to be an active, intelligent and honest member of that 
body ; in 1855, he removed to the City of Columbus (then village) and resided here till his death, which occur- 
red Nov. 3, 1879 ; his wife having died eleven years before him ; he left a family of three daughters — Mrs. 
Chadbourn, Mrs. Waterhouse and an unmarried daughter. A writer who knew Mr. Topliff says : '■ It 
was always pleasant to meet the good old gentleman, kind, intelligent, courteous, a good word for every- 
body ; always appearing to look on the bright side of the picture, and with that quaint humor of which 
he was so fond, and ever at his command, he was sure to dispel the gloom which might be upon his 
auditor, leaving him, for the time being at least, a transformed being, feeling better for having conversed' 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 979 

■with the good old man. He was a religious man in the true meaning of the term, nothing egotistical or 
Pharisaical about him, but a true, intelligent belief in God and his Savior, guided and controlled him in 
the latter part of his earthly career." 

REY. M. Cr. TODD, Pastor of the Universalist Church at Black River Falls, Elkhorn, and 
the parish of Wyocena ; was born at Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1821 ; he i^ the youngest son of 
eleven children, whose parents were Dan and Sarah Todd, natives of Connecticut, but were among the 
first settlers of Cortland Co., N. Y., where they afterward died. The Rev. Mr. Todd completed his 
studies at the Cortland Academy of Homer in 1843, and afterward removed to Geneva, Kane Co., 111., 
where he engaged in teaching for five years, and then followed farming there for six years. Reduced in 
health, he came to Wisconsin for recuperation and located on a farm in the town of Merrimack, Sauk 
Co. Regaining his health, he entered upnn the work of the ministry at Prairie du Sac in 1856 ; in 1857, 
he preached the first Universalist sermon at Lodi, Wis.; organized the society and was settled as its 
Pastor for five years ; in the spring of 1862, he removed to Mazo Manie, Dane Co., where he organized the 
society and was Pastor two years. He was called to the chaplainjcy of the 23d W. V. I., under Col. 
Guppey, in 186-1:, and remained with his regiment till the close of the war. Returning then to Mazo- 
Manie, he resumed his ministerial work there, and also organized a society and built the Universalist 
Church at Prairie du Sac ; in February, 1866, he preached his first sermon at Columbus; organized the 
society and was settled as its Pastor in the following spring. After a successful pastorate of twelve years, much 
worn with labor, he resigned. Soon forming a circuit, including the parishes of Black River Falls, Elk- 
horn and Wyocena, he has since supplied these places with regular services. At Homer, N. Y.,in 1845, 
he was married to Miss Margaret Williams, who died at Geneva, 111., in 1849, leaving two sons — Lew- 
ellyn and Willard. His second marriage was in 1850, to Miss Helen Parker, of Geneva, 111.; they have 
three sons and two daughters — W. E., a graduate of the State University in 1876, and has since been 
Principal of the Lodi High School ; D. Charles, a farmer in Sauk Co.; Miles E., now a student at the 
Columbus High School ; Evelyn, a student at vocal music under the instruction of Miss Fannie Root, of 
Chicago; Myrtie, a student in the public schools of Columbus. Rev. Mr. Todd is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity ; also of the Order of Good Templars, Temple of Honor, and S. of T., and of I. 0. 
0. F.; has been R. W. G. Chaplain of the Order of the State. 

JOHN TOPP, of the firm of John Topp & Bro., general merchants, Columbus; was born in 
Mecklenburg in 1 840 ; he came to America with his parents, John F. and Anna Topp, and located at 
Columbus, Wis., in 1852, where his father afterward died; his mother now lives with him. Mr. Topp 
was educated at the public schools of Columbus ; he devoted two summers to forming near this city, and, 
in 1859, began clerking in a general store in Columbus for B. Stern, continuing as such four years; he 
was then placed in charge of the business at this place by Mr. Stern ; two years later, he formed a 
copartnership with his proprietor in the firm, John Topp & Co.; in April, 1866, his brother Charles, who 
had been managing the farm, formed a copartnership with him in the place of Mr. Stern, and they have 
since continued the business as John Topp & Bro. Mr. Topp has been a member of the City Council 
for one term. He was married in 1864 to Miss Mona, daughter of Henry and Louisa Schwieson, of 
Columbus, but anative of Mecklenburg ; their children are Charles J., Henry J., Rudolph 0. They are 
meaabers of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Topp is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity. 

WILLIAM T. TL^RNER, farmer and stonecutter; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in the town 
of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in 1819 ; when 12 years of age, he entered upon an apprenticeship at the 
stonecutter's trade, which he afterward followed in Scotland, the Island of Jersey and other British 
possessions till 1847, emigrating then to America and landing in New York in March, 1847 ; he worked 
at his trade in Lockport, N. Y., for a short time ; he came to Wisconsin in December following, stopped 
for the winter in Milwaukee, and, in the following spring, came to Columbus, Columbia Co.; he entered a 
farm of 160 acres, part of which lies in the town of Fountain Prairie, and part in the town of Courtland, 
Columbia Co., and devoted his time exclusively to farming till 1870 ; removing then to the city of 
Columbus, he opened a marble-shop and resumed his trade, which he has continued most of the time 
since. He was married in 1847 to Anna Marston, of Yorkshire ; they have seven children — John, now 
a former in the town of Courtland ; Joseph M., now Principal of the High School at Watertown, Wis.; 
William R., now in marble-shop in this city ; Alice A., at home; Mary A., a teacher in Dodge Co.; Ange- 
line D., a teacher in Columbia Co.; Emily M. The family is connected with the Universalist Church. 

RICHARD D. VANAKEN, architect and builder, Columbus ; was born in Ulster Co., N. 
Y., in 1830; at the age of 15, he became apprenticed to the carpenter and joiner's trade at Kingston, 
Ulster Co., and continued there until his removal to Wisconsin in 1856 ; locating at Columbus, he has 
since devoted his time to the business of an architect and builder, and has had the contracts for the 



980 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

erection of" many of the most prominent buildings of this city and surrounding country ; among them 
are the Lutheran, Episcopal and Universalist churches, three store buildings for Lueders & Krause, two 
for John Topp & Bro., two for C. Leitch, two for E. S. Griswold, one for H. Brown, the Union Bank; 
among the dwellings are those of P. Farnham, A. Sexton, L. Fuller, D. Fuller, — Fay, Allen, Mr. Erhart, 
Mr. Brinkers and many others of the city, several fine farm residences of the town of Columbus — not 
less than two hundred and sixty in all. Mr. Vanaken has been and is at this time a member of the 
City Council. He was married in 1851 to Miss Charlotte Echert, a native of Ulster Co., N. Y.; their 
children are Wilson, now at the trade with his fiither ; Mary, now the wife of Jefferson Smith, and lives 
in the town of Columbus ; Richard, a student at telegraphy. Mr. and Mrs. V. are members of the Uni- 
versalist Church. 

KEY. HENRY YOdrEIi, Pastor of the Lutheran Church, Columbus ; was born at Hof, 
Bavaria, April 2, 1842 ; he came with his parents, George and Christiana Vogel, to America in 1855, 
and located at Dubuque, Iowa ; in the following year, he entered the Wartberg College, of Strawberry 
Point, Clayton Co., Iowa, from which, as a theological student, he graduated in 1863; he was ordained 
to the holy ministry at Toledo, Ohio, in February, 18(54, and entered upon the work as Assistant Pastor 
of St. John's Lutheran Church, of Toledo, soon after his ordination ; in the fall of 1864, he was called 
to the Lutheran Church, at West Bend, Iowa, where he remained till 1867, when he accepted a call 
and removed to Madison, Wis.; remaining there till 1875, he was called to the church of Charles City, 
Iowa, whence, in 1876, he came as Pastor of Zion's Church, of Columbus. He was married in 1865 to 
Miss Augusta Gropp, of McGregor, Iowa ; their children are Herman, Sophia and Leonard. 

ENST YON BRIE^EN, attorney at law, Columbus ; was born at Bromberg, Prussia, in 
1841. He was a soldier in guard artillery of the Prussian army from 1860 to 1868, and was com- 
missioned First Lieutenant of his company in 1866, and served as such till his resignation in 1868. He 
sailed from Bremen for America in April, 1868, and landed in New York City the same month ; sis 
months later (September, 1868), he went to Chicago, where he followed clerking, and various kinds of 
business, till June, 1869 ; he went thence to La Salle, 111., where he was foreman of the rolling mills till 
December of that year ; returning then to Chicago, he continued clerking till 1871, when he removed to 
Cambria, Columbia Co., Wis.; there was engaged in merchandising till April, 1873; June following, he 
removed to Columbus, where he has since resided. In April, 1874, he was elected Justice, an office which 
he has since held. He was elected City Clerk in April. 1875, and has been re-elected to that office every 
year since that time. In February, 1879, he was appointed one of the Court Commissioners of Columbia 
County by Judge Alva Stewart, and in May, 1879, he was admitted to the bar. He was married in 
1872, to Miss Margarethe Klappenbach, of Chicago, but a native of Texas; their children are Elizabeth, 
Henrietta, Ernst, and Richard. They are members of the Lutheran Church. 

OKIN D. YONBrKCrH, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. O. Columbus ; was born in the town of Ancram, 
Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1816; is the son of Richard A. Vosburgh and Catharine Thorapkins, both of 
whom were natives of Columbia Co., N. Y., and both died there. Mr. Vosburgh was brought up as a 
farmer's son, and spent his time at that vocation in that county till 1846. He then emigrated to Lake 
Co., Ill , where he leased a farm for four years; though soon after he arrived there, he came to Columbus, 
Columbia Co., Wis., and entered his present farm of 160 acres on Sec. 29 ; then returned to Illinois, and 
in 1850, came again to Wisconsin, and located on his farm. He was married, April 8, 1846, to Miss 
Mary, daughter of Arthur and Sarah (Jennings) Holmes, a native of Greene Co., N. Y; her parents were 
natives of Massachusetts; her mother died in Clark Co., Wis.; her father now lives in Columbus, Wis. 
Mr. and Mrs. Vosburgh have eight children — Henry, born June 7, 1847, enlisted in Co. C, 51st W. V. I., 
in 1864, under Col. Martin, was with his regiment in all its principal movements and battles till the close 
of the war, and is now at home; Charles F., born in Lake Co., III., Feb. 22, 1849, and now at Copake, 
Columbia Co., N. Y.; William, born March 28, 1851, died Nov. 18, 1869 ; Cornelia, born April 8, 1853, 
married Mr. Daniel Bath, died Aug. 23, 1878; James E., born March 10, 1855, now in Dane Co., Wis.; 
Edgar M., born Jan. 21, 1857 ; Fannie, born Feb. 3, 1859; Martin H., born July 10, 1861; Frank, 
born July 4, 1863 ; Everett, born Nov. 22, 1868, died Dec. 23, 1869; George W., born Nov. — , 1871. 

HENRY A. WHITNEY', hardware merchant, Columbus ; was born in Windham Co., Vt., 
April 20, 1819; is the son of Warren and Caroline Whitney, both of whom died in Windham Co.; Mr. 
Whitney was educated in the common schools of his native State, and at the age of 14 years, began peddling 
Yankee notions, which he continued a few years through that State ; emigrating to Illinois in 1839, he 
located on a farm near Peoria, and there devoted his attention to agriculture for two years; removing then to 
Rockford, 111,, he continued farming another year; he came to Columbus, Wis., in 1844, built a small 
frame house where the Fox House now stands, and began merchandising in one part of it, and keeping 



TOWN OF COLUMBUS. 981 

tavern in the other ; after conducting his business in these somewhat cramped circumstances for a few 
years, he sold out his hotel and erected another building near the first one, and continued his mercantile 
trade and livery business ; about a year later, he began buying produce and drawing it to the lumber resiions 
of this State, and taking in exchange therefor lumber, which he would raft down the Mississippi to St. 
Louis, losing nearly all his lumber by the breaking of his raft, one day, at Alton, 111., where he beheld 
all he had in the world floating down the river, with no apparent destination ; returning then to Columbus, he 
began drawing provisions to Green Bay, and trading with the Indians, he next bought back the hotel, and 
was again proprietor of the same for nearly three years, after which he turned his attention to buying 
wheat and hauling it to Milwaukee, reluming either with his wagons loaded with goods for the merchants 
of his village, or emigrants for this section of the country; much of his travel being done with ox teams, 
it would require from ten to fourteen days to make a trip to Milwaukee and return ; a few years later, he 
began dealing in live stock, and shipped the first car load from this part of the country ; after filling Gov- 
ernment contracts for stock two or three years, he then took up the hardware trade and livery business ; 
he also built the Whitney House (now the Fox House), the roof of which was put on just eighteen days 
after the foundation was laid, and he was its proprietor for the next eight years ; disposing of the hotel at 
that time, he has since continued the hardware trade. Mr. Whitney was Postmaster at Columbus in an 
early day ; he has several times been a member of the Village Board and City Council. He now owns a 
farm of 300 acres in the town of Columbus ; four farms in the town of Fountain Prairie — one of 280 
acres, another of 308, a third of 130 acres, and the fourth of 120 acres ; he also has three farms in the 
town of Otsego — the first contains 300 acres, the second 260, the third 130 acres ; two in Dodge Co.— one 
of 200 acres, near Loss Lake, the other of 180 acres, in the town of Calamus ; he also has two farms, 
of 120 acres each, near Augusta, Eau Claire Co., Wis., and one of 160 acres at Fairmount, Minn. Mr. 
Whitney was married to Miss Helen M., daughter of John and Nabby Pierson, of Rockford, III, but a 
native of Vermont. Their children are Alonzo and Orlina (now the wife of Mack Lee). Mr. W. has 
been a member of the Masonic Fraternity for twenty-five years. 

JOUIlir WARNING, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Columbus ; wa.s born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 
in 1838, and came to America in 1854; located in the village of Columbus, where he worked four years 
for Mr. Edson; he then bought 45 acres on Sec. 8, where he lived till 1875, when he bought his present 
farm of 80 acres on Sec. 28, and has since made his home. He was married, in 1857, to Miss Mena 
Reilkneck, a native of Germany ; they have one daughter — Eliza. They are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

JOHN WILiIjIAMS, druggist, Columbus ; is a native of Breconshire, South Wales, born in 
1842 ; his parents, John and Mary Ann (Davis) Williams, had a family of sixteen children, of whom he 
is the sixth ; his father was a farmer in Wales, but John early turned his attention to the drug trade, and 
has since continued in it ; in 1860, with his brother Thomas, he emigrated to America, and located at Adrian, 
Mich., for a short time, and in 1861 they came to Columbus, Wis., where he has since lived and continued 
the drug business ; his brother afterward went to San Francisco, where he died March 17, 1880. Mr. 
Williams was married in 1863, to Miss Martha B. Smith, a native of Yates Co., N. Y., born in 1841, and 
came to Columbus, with her parents, in 1843. Their children are Sidney H., George E., and Charles H. 
They are members of the M. E. Church. 

JOFiL. WINCH, retired; Columbus; was born at Bethlehem, Grafton Co., N. H., March 28, 
1808; he is the son of Joel Winch and Sarah Sessons, natives of Massachusetts, but emigrated to Beth- 
lehem, N. H., shortly after their marriage, at Boston, which occurred about 1806. Mr. Winch, our present 
subject, was the oldest of a family of eight children ; he received an academic education, after which he 
devoted a part of his time to teaching, from the time he was 20 until 30 years of age ; the remainder of 
the time he devoted to farming there until 1847 ; emigrating then to Wisconsin, he located on a farm in 
the town of York, Dane Co., where he lived until 1872, when he disposed of his realty, and removed to 
the village of Columbus, where he has since lived a more retired life. Sept. 29, 1835, he was married to 
Miss Louisa Moore, of Lunenberg, Essex Co., Vt..; they have three children — George D., born May 19, 
1837 (studied medicine with Dr. Earl, of this city, and graduated from the Rush Medical College, with the 
class of 1863-64, but during his course he was commissioned and was Assistant Surgeon of a Wisconsin 
regiment ; he subsequently returned to college, completed his studies, and was commissioned, by Gov. Lewis, 
Surgeon of the 36th W. V. I., with which he served until the close of the war; returning to his home, 
he removed in 1865, to Blue Earth Co., Minn., where he successfully practiced his profession until his 
death, which occurred July, 7, 1877 ; he was a man whom all held in the highest esteem professionally 
and as a citizen) ; Harriet, now the wife of Dr. E. Churchill, of this city; Mary, born Dec. 13, 1853, 
and died Sept. 24, 1868. Mr. Winch was Justice of the Peace and School Superintendent, in the town 



982 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of York, Dane Co., for teu or twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Winch are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

B. J. Y^ULE, former; P.O.Columbus; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1832 ; in 1844, 
his parents, John and Elizabeth Yule, emigrated with their family to Wisconsin, lauding at Milwaukee, 
June 1 ; they came thenoe to Watertown, where they stopped one year; in 1845, they removed to the 
town of Elba, Dodge Co., and located on a farm where his parents afterward died. Mr. Yule was educated 
in the common .schools of New York and Wisconsin, and has always devoted his attention to agricultural 
pursuits. He was married in 1856, to Miss Lucy Pomeroy, a native of Ohio, but an emigrant to Dodge 
Co., Wis., with her parents in 1850 ; they located in Calumet Co., Wis, soon after marriage, and made that 
their home until 1800 ; returning then to Elba, Dodge Co., he resided there on a farm until 1877, when he 
disposed of that and bought his present one of 213 acres, in Sec. 12, town of Columbus, Columbia Cn., 
where he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Yule have five children, as follows : Ella H., William H., 
Harvey E., Nellie May and Hobart. They are members of the M. E. Church. 



TOWN OF HAMPDEN. 

ROBERT BELL, farmer; Sees. 10 and 11 ; P. 0. Columbus; was born in the town of 
Brookfield, Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1845, and is the son of Francis and Mary Bell, natives of Ireland, 
but emigrated to America in 1838 ; his father now lives in Waukesha Co.; his mother died therein 1853 ; 
Mr. Bell lived with his father an the farm in Waukesha Co. until 18(31, when, June 12 of that year, he 
enlisted in Co. B, of the 5th W. V. I., under Col. Amasa Cobb ; he was with his regiment in all its 
movements and battles (losing only one day), until mustered out at Madison, Wis., July 28, 1804; 
reluming then to his home, he spent a year on the farm, and in 18(36, he went to Nevada, where he 
engaged in various kinds of businesses until June 28, 1868 ; coming then again to Wisconsin, he with his 
brother, Stewart C, purchased a farm of 182 acres, on Sees. 10 and 11, town of Hampden, Columbia Co. 
He was married in February, 1864, to Miss Flora M., daughter of Levi and Hannah Nelson, of this town. 
They have one daughter — -Kittie. 

STE%VART C. BELL, farmer; Sees. 10 and 11 ; P. O. Columbu'^ ; brother and partner of 
Robert Bell, whose biography appears above, was born in Brookfield, Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1847 ; he 
went with his brother to Nevada in 1866, and was a book-keeper at Austin and White Pine, Nev., until 
1868 ; returned, and, with his brother, bought the farm on which they now live. He was married, Nov. 
15, 1869, to Miss Merzia, daughter of Eli Phillips, of the town of Brookfield, Waukesha Co.; their 
children are Francis E. and Alma. 

NICHOLAS HE]VRY BOCK, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Hanover 
in 1819; his parents, John Peter and Anna Maria Bock, both died in Germany. Mr. Bock was a farmer 
in his native country, and, in 1S54, with his brother, A. T., came to America; they stopped a year in Mil- 
waukee, and then came to the town of Hampden ; bought a farm of 160 acres on Sec. 16, where they now 
own 240 acres. He was married in Germany, in 1841, to Miss Anna S. D. Waltmann ; their children 
are Augusta, the late Mrs. F. Duebore ; Christopher Henry ; Matilda Sophia, now the wife of Fredrick 
Duebore, and lives in this town ; Anna Sophia Dorothea, now Mrs. William Ladwig, and lives in Hamp- 
den, and John Peter ; they are members of the Lutheran Church. 

WILLIAiU BRADLEY, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 16; P.O.Columbus; was born in 
Yorkshire, England, March 4, 1826; his parents, Ralph and Elizabeth Bradley, both died in England. 
Mr. Bradley spent his time at farming in his native country till .1854, whence he emigrated to America ; 
he stopped for three months at Utica, N. Y.; he went then to Essex Co., N. Y., where he followed fiirm 
labor for a short time, and afterward followed teaming in an ironstone mine for the firm of Lee, Sherman 
& Welby ; he came to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1858, thence to the town of Columbus, where he made his 
home with T. Clark Smith for two months, removing then to the town of Hampden for nearly a year ; he 
next went to the town of Otsego, where ho lived til! March, 1866, when he returned to Hampden and 
located on his present farm of 245 acres on Sees. 16, 17, and 21, where he has since lived. He was mar- 
ried, Oct. 10, 1859, to Miss Lockey, a daughter of Levi and Lucy (Force) Nelson, of the town of Otsego ; 
their children are William J., Delbert (deceased), Martha M. and Elizabeth. 

HE\R\' R. CLARK, farmer. Sees. 8 and 9 ; P.O.Hampden; was born in the town of 
Springport, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1819; his parents, Henry R. and Sally (Craft) Clark, were also 



TOWN OF HAMPDEN. 983 

natives of New York. Mr. Clark is the third of a family of seven children, and with his oldest brother, 
Albert, came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Darien, Walworth Co., where his brother died in 
1847 or 1848. In June, 1846, he came to the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., and purchased a claim 
to some land on Sees. 6 and 7, where he made his home for a few years ; then removed to his present home 
on Sees. 7, 8 and 9, where he now owns 600 acres. Mr. Clark has been for several terms and is at present 
a member of the Town Board. He was married, Sept. 28, 1850, to Miss Lucy J., daughter of Elias and 
Elizabeth Ives, a native of Cortland Co., N. Y., born March 19, 1832, and came with her parents to the 
town of Miltcn, Rock Co., Wis., in 1845, and to Columbia Co. in 1850 ; they now live at Leeds Center. 
Mr. and Mrs. Clark's children are De Witt C, born May 6, 1852, died Sept. 8, 1862; Harriet P., born 
May 12, 1854, died Nov. 24, 1854; Elias H., born April 26, 1858, now married and lives on Sec. 8 of 
this town; Hattie M., born June 1, 186H ; Albert J., born April 2, 1866 ; Lucius I., born March 27, 
1868; Ezra A., born Aug. 17, 1872. 

WILLIAM H. CURTIS, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Columbus; was born in the town of Maria, 
Essex Co., N. Y., in 1840 ; his father, Austin Curtis, was a native of Massachusetts; his mother, Polly 
Conn, was born in Vermont; he came with his parents in 1851 to Columbia Co., Wis., and located on a 
farm in the town of Otsego, but soon removed to the town of Hampden. Mr. Curtis enlisted in Battery 
M, of the 1st W. H. A., in August, 1864, and was with his regiment in all its movements till mustered 
out at Milwaukee in July, 1865; he returned then to Columbia Co., Wis.; in 1869, he went to Bremer 
Co., Iowa, for a short time. He was married, Jan. 24, 1868, to Miss Emma J., daughter of James Ortha 
Montgomery, of this town ; their children are Elida M. and Carrie D. Mr. Curtis owns a farm of 76 
acres on Sec. 1, town of Hampden, and 38 acres on Sec. 6, town of Columbus, upon which he settled in 
the spring of 1870. 

JOHN DERR, farmer, Sec. 36; P.O.Columbus; was born in Bavaria in 1828, and came, 
with his parents, Joseph Derr and Magdaline Schmidt, and eight brothers and sisters, to America in 1845, 
leaving three in the old country ; they landed in New York in November, and came thence to Detroit, 
Mich., whence, in the spring of 1846, they removed to the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis., and 
located on a farm on Sec. 36, where his mother died in June, 1877 ; his father in August, 1879, leaving 
seven children, three of whom now live in this county. John, the oldest, and subject of this sketch, 
made his home with his father till 28 years old. He was then married, in October, 1855, to Miss Mary 
R., daughter of Joseph and Caroline Rinck, a native of Bavaria, but came with her parents to the town 
of Bristol, Dane Co., Wis., in 1848, where her fither died in March, 1874; her mother now lives there. 
Mr. and Mrs. Derr located on Sec. 36, town of Hampden, soon after marriage ; have since made it their 
home ; he now owns a farm of 260 acres on Sees. 35 and 36. Mr. D. has been a member of the Town 
Board for several terms and has served as chairman of that body for four or five terms ; he has been 
elected to various other minor oflBces, but did not accept them ; their"children are John, at home ; Annie, 
who was married in February, 1879, to Henry Schey, and lives in this town (Hampden). Mr. and Mrs. 
Derr's family are members of the Catholic Church. 

IN<]rERRRI<]}T EVERSOI^, farmer. Sec. 5; P. 0. Hampden; was born in Norway in 
1833 ; his father. Ever Johnson, was also a native of that country and afterward died there; his mother, 
Sarah Halverson, came with him to Wisconsin in 1859, and made it her home till her death. Mr. Ever- 
son began the life of a sailor at the age of 18 and followed sailing on the North Sea for nine years; he 
came to America in 1859, and located in Green Lake Co., Wis., and, in 1860, he came to the town of 
Hampden, Columbia Co., and located on a farm of 125 acres on Sees. 5, 8, and 9, where he has since 
lived. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Ingeborg Holstenson, a native of Norway, but emigrated to 
America in 1857; their children are Hawkin, born in 1863 ; Henry, 1865; Sarah, 1867, now deceased ; 
Gena, born 1869 ; Ida, 1871 ; John, 1873 ; Elizabeth, 1875 ; Annie, 1877 ; Herman, 1879. They are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

EDWARD PAIRRANKS, farmer, Sees. 24, 25 and 26, 290 acres ; P. 0. Columbus. 
The subject of this sketch is the son of Reuben Fairbanks and Lucinda Fish, natives of Massachusetts, 
but removed to Clinton Co., N. Y., prior to tlie war of 1812, where his mother afterward died ; his father 
afterward removed to Iowa, where he died. Mr. Fairbanks was born in the town of Champlain, Clinton 
Co., N. Y., in 1819, and spent his time on the farm there till 1838 ; he then secured the position of Over- 
seer of the Vermont & Massachusetts Railway, and, after serving in that capacity for some time, he became 
a conductor on the Ogdensburg road. In 1852, he emigrated to Columbia Co., Wisconsin, and located 
on a farm on Sec. 25, town of Hampden, where he has since devoted his time to agriculture and stock- 
raising. Mr. Fairbanks has been Chairman of the Town Board for four terms. He was married, in 1850, 
to Miss Mary J., a daughter of Samuel and Dolly Long, a native of the town of Champlain, Clinton Co., 



984 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

N. Y.; their children are Ellen M., now the wife of H. Hall, and lives in this town ; Calvin J., who mar- 
ried Miss Ella LeflSngwell, and now lives on the farm ; Florence E., now Mrs. David Jones, and lives at 
home. 

IRA. H. fORD, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Columbus; was born in the town of Grranville, 
Addison Co., Vt., in 18:i8; his father, Capt. Caleb Ford, was born in Connecticut; was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, and was among the first settlers of Granville, where he died in 1852 ; his mother, Roxina 
Lamb, was born in Addison Co., and died in 1877. Ira H., our subject, went to California in 1852, 
where he engaged in mining a short time, then in the dairy business two and a half years ; in October, 
1855, he came to Columbia Co., Wis., bought a part of his present farm, and has since made this his 
home ; he now owns 320 acres on Sees. 14 and 27. In the fall of 1862, he raised a military company in 
his neighborhood, which afterward became Co. I, 18th W. V. I.; he enlisted as a private, but was elected 
First Lieutenant, and was with his regiment in all the principal battles and movements until taken prisoner 
at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 18G2,and taken as such to Memphis, Mobile, Montgomery, and to a place 
in Georgia, where he made an attempt to escape, but was chased down by bloodhounds, and kept in 
chains five months; was taken to Andersonville, Madison, Ga., Columbus, S. C, and to Libby Prison, 
where he was paroled in November, 1862, and at once rejoined his regiment, though did not receive his 
exchange papers until the following March ; he was promoted Captain of his company, i« February, 1863, and 
served as such until August, 1864, when he resigned, came home and enlisted in Battery M, 1st W. H. 
A., was elected Captain and served with the Army of the Potomac, until the close of the war, and was 
mustered out at Alexandria, Va., in June, 18G5. Mr. Ford was elected a member of the Wisconsin 
Assembly, from the Second District of Columbia Co., in 1867, and re-elected in 1868 ; he was appointed 
to fill a vacancy in the County Board, from his district, in 1869, and elected a member of the Board in 
1870 ; member of Town Board and other minor offices. 

DANIEL J. HAIIVS, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Otsego; was born in Westchester Co., N. Y., 
in 1831, and is the son of Sylvester H. and Jane Hains, both of whom were natives of New York. Mr. 
Hains came with his parents to Wisconsin, in September, 1839, and located on a farm in the town of 
Koshkonon;;,.Iefferson Co.;Jn 1843, they removed to the town of York, Dane Co., where his father deeded 
the first ]jiece of land in that town ; his mother died there in January, 1850 ; his father lived there for 
twenty-five years, now resides in Turner Co., Dakota. Daniel J., our present subject, made his home on 
the farm in the town of York, until 1852, when he to went Placer Co., Cal., where he engaged in 
mining, until 1856; returning then to Dane Co., Wis., he continued fivrming there until 1863, then 
removed to the town of Hampden. He enlisted in 1864, Co. M, of the W. H. A., under Capt. I. H. 
Ford, and partook in all the principal movements of his regiment, until mustered out at Alexandria, Va., 
in June, 1865, when he returned to Hampden. He was married, in 1858, to Miss Mary, daughter of 
Hugh Kclley, of the town of Springvale, Columbia Co., Wis ; their children are Alberto, Viola, Clarence, 
Marian, Edith, Ellen. Mr. Hains has held the office of Assessor for nine years, and that of Justice of the 
Peace for fourteen years. 

JAMES liVtirLIS, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born '" S-^lkirkshire, Scotland, in 
1828 ; his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Johnston) Inglis, died in his native country. Mr. Inglis was 
apprenticed to the weaver's trade in Selkirkshire, at the age of 14 years, which he followed until 2 1 years 
old ; he came to America in 1849, and landing in New York, he went thence to Amesbury, Mass., where 
hecontinued his trade in the woolen-mills, until July, 1852; emigrating thence to San Francisco, and to the 
interior of California, where he engaged in mining until 1856, when he returned to Scotland, and in March, 
1857, he was married to Miss Isabel, daughter of James and Mary Williamson, nee Hall; they started the 
day after marriage for America, sailing from Liverpool and landing in New York ; they came thence 
via Philadelphia, to the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis., where they located on their present 
farm of 1.3(1 acres; their children are Mary, Elizabeth, Jessie, Davina, Olive, Thomas, Jennie and James. 

SAMl'EL JOHNSON, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0. Hampden; was born in Norway in 1833. 
He came to America in 1845, and located at Chicago for nearly ten years; he then came ti. the town of 
Otsego, Columbia Co., Wis, whence, in 1860, he removed to a farm on Sec. 4, town of Hampden, where 
he now owns 120 acres. He was married, in 1854, to Miss Caroline, a daughter of Olie Oleson ; their 
children are John, Matilda, Annie, Olive, Martin, Estella, Caroline S. and Henry. Mr. Johnson and 
family are members of the Ijutheran Church. 

JOHN KLUPEKDANZ, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Bavaria in 1816, 
and is the son of George F. Kluperdanz, a farmer of that county. He emigrated to America in 1846 ; 
stopped a short time in Chicago, and then came to the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis., located 
on Sec. 35, where he has since made his home, and now owns a farm of 320 acres. He was married, in 



TOWN OF HAMPDEN. 985 

1846, to Miss Vasula Derr, who died in 1847, leaving one son — John, who now resides on the farm. His 
second marriage was, in 1847, to Miss Margaret Scheingar, a native of Bavaria, hut emigrated to Wiscon- 
sin in 1846. Their children are Magdaline, now the wife of Anton Naiser ; Lawrence, now in this town ; 
Henry and Andrew Joseph, on the farm ; Maggie, now the wife of Fred Fox, and lives in the town of 
Columbus ; Catherine, Mary and Elizabeth, at home. They are members of the Catholic Church. 

ROBERT MeBURNIE, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Glasgow, Soot- 
land, in 1810. His father, Wm. McBurnie, was born in Ireland, and died at Glasgow about 1805; his 
mother, Alice Cleland, was also a native of Ireland, and died at Glasgow. Mr. McBurnie was apprenticed 
to the weaver's trade under his father at the age of 13 or 14, and continued the trade at Glasgow till 21 
or 22 years of age. He went, in 1838, to Galicia, Scotland, and engaged in the manufacture of woolen 
goods till 1849, when he came to America, and located on his present farm of 160 acres. He was married, 
in 1839, to Miss Asnes, daughter of Thomas and Mary Rea Wilson, a native of Selkirkshire. Their 
children are Mary R.; William, now a resident of this town ; Alice, now the wife of Charles Hoton, of 
the town of Columbus ; Thomas, at home ; Agnes, now the wife of Asa Baker, and lives in Blue Earth 
Co., Minn.; Christina, deceased; Robert, deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. James Hasey, and lives in this 
town (Hampdenl ; Margaret, deceased. They attend the Presbyterian Church. 

ISAAC MAURER, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. O. Columbus; was born in the town of West Beaver, 
Snyder Co., Penn., April 7, 1822. He is the son of John Maurerand Elizabeth Smith. The former was 
born in that town and county in March, 1794 ; the latter was born in Dauphin Co. about 1787 or 1788, 
and died in Wisconsin, April 13, 1857. Mr. Maurer is the fourth of a family of eight children, and was 
brought up as a farmer's son in Snyder Co., Penn.; at the age of 11 years, he was hired to work for the 
farmers in that vicinity, and continued the same until 24 years old. He was married, Sept. 7, 1844, to 
Miss Polly, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Pontious, a native of Freeburgh, Penn., born May 7, 1822. 
Her parents were natives of Union Co., Penn.; her father was born in 1809, her mother in 1857. Mr. 
Maurer and family came to Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis., and located on Sec. 5, May 18, 1850 ; six 
years later, he removed to his present farm on Sec. 1, town of Hampden, where he now owns 200 acres. 
His first house in Hampden was of logs, without doors, window, roof or floor. It has long since been 
exchanged for a more commodious one. Their children — Mary A., born in 1845 (married, Feb. 8, 1865, 
to Daniel McKinley, and lives now in Minnesota — their children are William, Carrie, George and Ida) ; 
Matilda, born in 1849 (married Mr. Benton Sowards, Jan. 15, 1864, and has four children— Darwin, 
Laura, George and Wesley — they live now in Nebraska) ; Elizabeth, born in 1852 (married, Sept. 20, 
1869, to Alexander Bowen, a native of Orange Co., N. Y.,and their children are Harry and Arthur — they 
now live on the farm) ; Maria, born in March 17, 1862 (married Charles Kopplin Nov. 26, 1879), and 
now lives in Hampden. 

JAMES MONTGOJIERY, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Washington 
Co., Vt., in 1820 ; his father, Thoaaas Montgomery, was a native of Massachusetts, and was the son of a 
Mr. Montgomery, who emigrated to Massachusetts, from the Isle of Man, in a very early day ; his mother, 
Lucy Blanchard, was born near Old Haverhill, Mass., and after marriage removed with Mr. Montgomery 
to Washington Co., Vt., where they both died — her husband about 1849 or 1850, at the age of 87 years, 
she about 1855. Our present subject was brought up as a farmer in his native county, and, in 1846, 
emigrated to Columbia Co., Wis., and settled on a farm on Sec. 30, town of Columbus, and, in the autumn 
of 1847, he removed to Sec. 25, town of Hampden, where he now owns 127 acres off the northeast one- 
quarter. Mr. Montgomery has held the office of Town Assessor for twelve years ; was Deputy Sheriff 
under W. W. Drake, and member of County Board under the Supervisor system; that of Town Treasurer 
three years. He was married in Vermont, in 1842, to Miss Orpha M., a daughter of Reuben and Adeline 
Stiles, a native of Washington Co., born 1825 ; their children are Cyrus, now a resident of the town of 
York, Dane Co., Wis.; Mary A., now Mrs. A. Sanderson, and lives in this town ; Sarah A., now Mrs. 
William McBurnie, of this town ; Ella J., now the wife of Albert Welton, of the city of Columbus<; 
Emma J., now Mrs. William H. Curtis, of Hampden ; Hannah B., now Mrs. Milan Brewer, of this town ; 
Adelia M., at home ; Armelia, twin with Adelia, now deceased ; Henry W., William, Adeline and James 
W., at home. 

liEVI NEIiSON, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Columbus ; was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1823; 
his father, Levi Nelson, was a native of Massachusetts ; his mother, Lucy Force, was born in New Jersey ; 
they both removed to York State when young ; Mr. Nelson spent his early life on a farm in his native 
county till the fall of 1849, when he emigrated to Jefferson Co., Wis., and, in the summer of 1S51, to the 
town of Otsego, Columbia Co., and made that his home till April 8, 1865 ; he then removed to his pres- 
ent home on Sec. 11, town of Hampden, where he now owns 400 acres of land; his mother died in. the 



980 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

own of Lowville, Columbia Co., Wis.; his father ia New York. Mr. Nelson was Assessor and also a 
member of the Town Board of the town of Otsego. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Hannah, a daugh- 
ter of Riley and Elvira Monger, a native of Attica, N. Y.; their children are Flora, now the wife of Robert 
Bell, and lives in this town (Hampden); Elvira, now a teacher of this county ; Frank and Myrtie, 
at home. 

JOIl\ E. PERKINS, farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Columbus; is the sou of Francis and Alice 
(Kelley ) Perkins; his father was born in Bennington Co.. Vt., and removed on foot to Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
which he afterward made his home; his mother was a native of Ireland, and came to Washington Co., 
N. Y., when only 7 years old. Mr. Perkins, our present subject, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1830. 
and spent his time at farming there till 1852, when he came to Wisconsin and located on Sec. 24, town of 
Hampden, Columbia Co., in 1S54, where he now owns 150 acres on Sees. 13 and 24. He has held the 
oiEce of Town Treasurer one term. He was married, in 1856, to Mi.ss Laura A., daughtsr of Loyal and 
Rhoda Morton, a native of Franklin Co., N. Y.; she died in Hampden May 26, 1879, leaving three chil- 
dren — Alice A., Warren M. and Ellen G. 

CHARLES REMUS, farmer. Sees. 14 and 12; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Prussia in 
1842 ; is the son of Charles and Louisa (Hoffman) Remus; he came to America in 1862, and located at 
Watertown, Wis., where he followed farm work for two years; in 1865, he came to the town of Hampden 
and located on See. 15, and two years later, he bought 9(1 acres of his present farm, which now numbers 
200 acres on Sec. 14 and 20 acres on Sec. 12. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Augusta, daughter of 
William and Charlotte Schulz, a native of Prussia, but then living in this town (Hampden); their chil- 
dren are Eddie, Clara, Annie, Martha, Paul, Mary and Delia; they are members of the Lutheran Church. 

CIjA.REXDO\ ROY^S, fanner and stock-breeder; P.O.Columbus; is a native of Berkshire 
Co., Mass., and is the son of William Roys and Mary A. Hicock, born Jan. 20, 1828; his father dying 
in the East about 1848, he, with his mother and four brothers, came as emigrants to Columbia Co., Wis., 
and located on a form of 160 acres on Sees. 29 and 3(1, town of Hampden, where his mother died Jan. 
18, 1879. Mr. Roys now owns between 1,600 and 1,700 acres of land in this town; he has been largely 
interested in the importation of the Percheron stock of horses into this county ; he has been Chairman of 
the Town Board one term. His brothers are Edwin, born Nov. 13, 1836, and enlisted as a private in Co. 
B, 16th W. V. I., at Waterloo, Wis., in 1861, was elected First Lieutenant of his company, then promoted to 
the captaincy of his company, in which capacity he served till January, 1862, when he resigned ; he now 
lives on the farm with his brother; Theodore was born in 1842, and makes his home on the farm ; Martin 
D. and Tunis V. are deceased. 

ARCHIBALD SANDERSON, farmer, Sec. 1; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Selkirk- 
shire, Scotland, in 1837 ; his father, John Sanderson, was a weaver by trade, and was born in Scotland in 
1805; his mother, Isabel Trotter, was born in 1815; they came to America in May, 1849, and located in 
the town of Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis., where his mother died in 1854 ; his father now lives in this 
town. Our present subject spent the first twenty-one or twenty-two years of his life with his parents on 
the farm, after which he began business for himself He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary A., daughter 
of James and Orpha Montgomery, a native of Vermont, born in 1846, but came with her parents to 
Columbia, Wis., when a mere babe. Their children are Ellen, born Sept. 6, 1865 ; Jennie, born May 1, 
1868 ; William, born May 23, 1873 ; Thomas, born Feb. 7, 1875. They located on a farm of 164 acres, 
on Sec. 1, town of Hampden, in 1868, where they have since lived. Mr. Sanderson has been Town 
.Assessor for two terms, Town Treasurer for three terms, and Town Clerk for five or six years, and was 
re-elected to that office in the spring of 1880. 

SAMUEL SMITH, farmer. Sec. 14; P.O.Columbus; was born in the County of Suftblk, 
England, in 1822; his father, John Smith, was born in 1798. His mother, Rachel Barber, was also a 
native of that county, but died there when he was not yet 2 years old, leaving him and a younger sister; 
Mr. Smith was brought up as a farmer's son in England, and was married, March 21, 1846, to Miss Ann, 
a daughter of Thomas and Ann Jennings, with whom he sailed from London for America in May, 1853, 
and landed at New York after a five weeks' sail ; they came thence to Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis., 
and located on Sec. 15 ; six and one-half years later, they removed to Sec. 28 of this town, and in 1866, 
to Sec. 14, where he now owns 200 acres. Mr. Smith has been a member of the Town Board for several 
terms, and Town Treasurer fur one term. Their children are William, born in England, Nov. 4, 1846, 
died Nov. 24, 1853 ; Alfred, born in England April 1, 1849, now resides on Sec. 6 of this town; Thomas, 
born in England, April 2, 1851, now resides in the town of York, Dane Co.; Julia A., born Sept. 27, 
1855, now a teacher of this county ; Francis, born Nov. 1, 1859 ; John, born Sept. 3, 1861 ; Celia A., 
born April II, 1864. 



TOWN OF HAMPDEN. 987 

C1IARL.es D. stiles, farmer, Sec. 23 and 26 ; P.O. Columbus; was born ia the town 
of Waterbury, Washington Co., Vt., in August, 1834; his father, Reuben, was the son of Peleg and Eunice 
(Wyman) Stiles, and was born in Washington Co., Vt., in 1799 ; his mother, Adeline Cobb, was born at 
Montpelier, Vt., in 1803. Mr. Stiles, with his parents, removed to Columbia Co., Wis., in 1844, and 
located in the town of Columbus, where his parents now live and where he spent most of his time at 
farming for fourteen years. He was married in August, 1858, to Miss Margaret, a daughter of Ephraiiii 
and Fannie Baker, a native of Franklin Co., Mass., born in March, 1839, but emigrated to the town of 
York, Dane Co., Wis., with her parents in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Stiles located on a farm in the town of 
Columbus soon after their marriage, and in 1861, removed to his present home, on Sees. 23 and 26, town 
of Hampden, where he now owns 135 acres. Their children are an infant son, born September, 1862, 
deceased ; Minnie, born June, 1871 ; Arlettie, born July, 1874 ; an adopted son George, born 1862, died 
February, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Stiles are members of the M. E. ChurcL. 

CHRISTIAN STEINBACH, farmer, Sees. 23 and 24 ; P. 0. Columbus ; is the son of 
Charles and Susanna (Scheifle) Steinbach, born in Baden in 1831 ; he followed farming, and worked in 
a vineyard until 1853, when he emigrated to America and located at Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked as 
a laborer until the fall of 1855 ; he came then to Columbia Co., Wis., and in 1861 bought 40 acres of his 
present farm, which now comprises 120 acres. He was married at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1853, to Miss Chris- 
tiana, daughter of Gotfried and Carolina (Pflum ) Of, a native of Baden ; their children are Catharine, 
now Mrs. Fred Siede, and lives in the town of York, Dane Co., Wis.; Charles G., Mary M., Joseph C, 
Caroline, Anna, Clara. They are members of the Lutheran Church. 

JAMES H. SUTTOX, farmer. Sees. 23 and 26; P. 0. Columbus; this, pioneer of Colum- 
bia Co. was born on the banks of the Hudson, at Haverstraw, Rockland Co., N. Y.. Dec. 29, 1812; his 
father, Noah H. Sutton, was born in the town of Horseneck, Conn., in 1770, and died in New York City, 
in 1835; his mother, Rachel Lent, was born in Westohester Co., N. Y., and died in New York City, 
about 1865, at nearly 100 years of age. James H. is the eighth of a family of nine children — four sons 
and five daughters, only one of whom beside himself is now living, that is Clarissa, now Mrs. Quacken- 
bush, of New York City. Mr. Sutton was apprenticed to the carpenter and joiner's trade, in Rockland 
Co., at the age of 14 years, where he served seven years. In May, 1832, in New York City, he was 
married ttj Miss Jane A., daughter of William and Mary (Wooding) Bentley, a native of Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., born in 1812; her father died in 1832 ; her mother now lives in that county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sutton settled in Dutchess Co., N. Y., some time after marriage, and he continued his trade there until 
1844, when they emigrated to Columbia Co., Wis., and settled on Sec. 26, where he made a claim of 160 
acres, built a pioneer log shanty, and covered it with prairie hay, which sufficed for a home until 1845, 
when it burned, turning them out of doors with six children ; he next built a log house, which was their 
home for many years ; he has, however, exchanged that for a commodious frame house ; he now owns 36(1 
acres on Sees. 23 and 26. Mr. Sutton has been a member of the Town Board for three terms, and was 
Town Treasurer for three terms. Their children are William, deceased; Abraham, now at Cordova, Le 
Sueur Co., Minn.; George, deceased ; John J., now a resident of Columbus ; Daniel J., deceased ; Mary, 
deceased ; Frederick and Fletcher, twins, both deceased ; Rachel L., now a student at the Normal School, 
of Oshkosh ; Ellen M. and Tabor G., at home ; Clarissa A., at the Norman School, of Oshkosh ; also, 
Franklin P. and Charles H., at home. 

GEORGE S. TILLOTSOX, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Columbus; was born in Essex Co., 
N. Y., in 1828. His father, Richard Tillotson, was a native of Connecticut; his mother, Rosemond Car- 
penter, was born in Vermont. Mr. Tillot.son was brought up as a farmer's son, and has always devoted his 
time and attention to that vocation. He emigrated to Columbia Co., Wis., in 1851, and located on a 
farm in the town of Otsego ; two years later, he removed to the town of Hampden and settled 
on a farm, where he now owns 240 acres, 80 of which is on Sec. 3, and 160 acres on Sec. 10. He 
has been Town Clerk for one term, and also a member of the Town Board. January 1, 1851, 
he was married to Miss Prudence, a daughter of Austin and Polly (Conn) Curtis, a native of 
Essex Co., N. Y. Her father was born in Massachusetts, and her mother in Vermont. They 
emigrated with Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson to Columbia Co., Wis., in 1851 ; her mother afterward 
died in this town; her father, in the town of Columbus, in May, 1878, at the age of 86 years. 
Mr. and Mrs. T.'s children are Richard R., born in March 13, 1852, now living in the town of Otsego; 
Adelade A., born March 28, 1854, died Feb. 12, 1879 ; James R., born May 17, 1857, now at home ; 
Coriothia P., born Sept. 17, 1860, was married to Mr. James Dowd, in January, 1879, and now resides 
in the town of Wyocena; Henry S. born Nov. 9, 1866, died Deo. 19, 1869; Hattie J., born Nov. 8, 
1870. Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson are members of the M. E. Church. 

MM 



988 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

WIIililAM W. TIL-LOTSON, farmer, Sees. 3, 4 and 10; P. O. Columbus; was born 
in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1834. His father, Richard Tillotson, wiis a native of Connecticut; his mother, 
Rosemond Carpenter, was born in Vermont. Mr. Tillotson was brought up as a farmer in his native 
county, and in 1851, came to Columbia Co., Wis., and lived with his brother George in the town of 
Hampden for four years; he then bought a farm of 120 acres on Sees. 3 and 10, where he has since 
made his home and followed farming; he now owns 200 acres on Sees. 3, 4 and 10. He was married in 
1859, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Smith) Sprague, a native of Essex Co., N. Y. 
Their children are Ida A., now Mrs. Elias Clark, and lives in this town (Hampdenj ; Charles S., Jessie 
M., Harry J., and Alta M., at home. They attend the M. E. Church. 

(^EORCiiFi W. TRIPP, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. ( >. Otsego ; was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 
1821. His father, Elisha Tripp, was a native of Vermont, born in 1783, and early in life removed to 
Albany, N. Y., where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and continued the same there till 1818; then re- 
moved to Tioga Co., N. Y., where he devoted his time to farming during the summers, and to his trade 
during the winters; his mother, Polly Bebee, was born at Kingston, N. Y., in 1791. In 1847, Mr. and 
Mrs. Tripp came to Columbia Co., Wis., and located in the town of Fountain Prairie, where he died ia 
1856 ; his wife now lives in that town, and has reached her 88th year. George W., our present subject, 
began the blacksmith's trade at the age of 175 years, at Binghamton, N. Y., and continued there until 
the spring of 1845, when he emigrated to Wisconsin. He stopped a few weeks at Columbus, Columbia 
Co.; then settled at Beaver Dam, where he was the second blacksmith, and the only one from July, 1845, 
to March, 1846. In 1847, he removed to Madison, where he continued his trade till 1854, with the ex- 
ception of eight months that he was in business in Columbus. He was the first man to ring the first 
church bell in the city of Madison (1852). Removing to Columbus in 1854, he continued his trade till 
1856, when he located on a farm on Sec. 9, town of Hampden, and followed farming for twelve years; 
removing then to the city of Columbus, where he lived (except the year 1870, which was spent in St, 
Louis Co., Cal.) till 1879, when he removed to his present farm of 80 acres. He was married, in 1856, 
to Miss Louisa C, daughter of William and Polly (Brown) Alexander, a native of Windsor, Ashtabula Co., 
Ohio, but an emigrant to Columbus, Wis., in 1855. 



TOWN OF LODI. 



EDWARD ANDREWS, proprietor of Lodi Mills, was born in the town of Solon, Cort- 
land Co., N. Y., in 1836 ; he came to Lodi Jan. 1, 1858; purchased the mills in 1870. He was married 
to Miss Sarah J. Palmer, daughter of Judge Palmer, and they have three children — Henry E., Edward 
P. and Helen G. 

HORACE M. AYER, Police Justice and Justice of the Peace, Lodi ; was born in Vermont 
in 1822; he removed from Vermont to Sauk Prairie, Sauk Co., Wis., in 1843; came to Columbia Co. 
in the fall of 1846, and settled in what was then Sec. 19, town of Lodi, now West Point. He resided 
there till the spring of 1851, when he came to the village of Lodi ; he engaged in the mercantile business 
till 1871 ; was Postmaster from the spring of 1853 until the spring of 1861 ; he has been Justice of the 
Peace since 1852, except two years, when he refused to serve as such. He was married to Sarah A, 
Rider, who was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1827. They have had nine children, eight of whom are liv- 
ing — Edward A., Delia, Minnie, Susie, Douglass, George W., Horace M. and Nellie; the oldest son, 
Albert H., died suddenly in Denver, Colo., April 16, 1880, in his 31st year. 

ARETAS BAILEY, Postmaster, Okee ; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1817. He 
came to Columbia with an older brother, April 8, 1854, and settled at Okee ; was engaged in the saw- 
mill here for some time, and has also been engaged in farming, etc. He was married to Margaret Wolf, 
who was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio. They have two children — Cordelia M. and Mary E. 

JAMES BAIRD, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Lodi ; he is the son of Adam Baird, deceased, 
a native of Scotland, who came to the United States in 1850 ; he lived in Steuben Co., N. Y., about five 
years; came to the town of Caledonia, Columbia Co., in 1855, and he died on the place which his son 
now owns, July, 1879, aged 56 years. Mr. Baird's mother and sister, Joanna, live with him. The farm 
contains 160 acres. 

a. M. BARTHOLOMEW, retired farmer, Lodi; born in Clarke Co., Ind., in 1812, where 
he lived till he was 21 years of age, when he removed to McLean Co., 111., where he lived till April, 



TOWN OF LODI. 989 

1845, when he came to the town of Lodi, and settled on Sec. 26, where he engaged in farming ; Mr. 
Bartholomew is also a surveyor, and has been engaged in that occupation more or less for many years; 
in 1875, Mr. B. retired from farming, and has since resided in the village of Lodi. His wife was Miss S. 
C. Hefner, born in Virginia ; they have seven children— C. Elizabeth, now Mrs. James McCloud ; B. 
Jane, now Mrs. George Clegliorn, resides in Nebraska; Joseph M., by profession a lawyer, of Red Oak, 
Iowa; Mary A., now Mrs. E. B. Wait; Josephine, now Mrs. W. H. Chapin, resides in Nebraska: Ellen, 
wife of L. K. Luse, Esq., of Dane Co., and James I., a student at Lawrence University. Mr. Bartholo- 
mew has been Justice of the Peace for twentv years. 

JOSEPH M. BARTHOLOjIIEW, express agent, Lodi ; son of M. C. Bartholomew, one 
■ of the early settlers of the town of Lodi ; he was born in Lexington, McLean Co., 111., Dec. 26, 1837; he 
enlisted at Lodi, June 12, 1861, in Co. A, 7th W. V. I., enlisted for three years, but was discharged on 
account of disability Oct. 30, 18G2 ; he re-enlisted Feb. 8, 1865, served till April, 1866. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah C. Rathbun ; they have three children — Harlow L., Marston A. and Molly. Mr. 
Bartholomew has been espre.^s agent since 1870. 

R. N. BARTHOLOMEW, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Lodi ; son of M. C. Bartholomew, who 
came to the town of Lodi in the spring of 1845. He (M. C.) was born in Clarke Co., Ind., in 1806; 
removed to Illinois in 1830 ; then to Columbia Co., Wis. His wife was Mary Hopkins, born in the State 
of Delaware. R. N. was born in McLean Co., 111., October, 1834. He was married to Priscilla Eells, 
born in Hanover, Mass. ; they have seven children — M. C, Martha E., Mary D., Ransom G., Albert G., 
Nellie M. and John B. * Mr. Bartholomew now resides on farm of T. U. Warren ; owns farm in Sec. 22, 
now occupied by Mr. S. Wells. 

W. M. BARTHOLOMEW, druggist, Lodi ; born in Indiana in 1821 ; he removed to 
Illinois in 1831 ; came to the town of Lodi in February, 1849, and purchased a farm of M. C. Bartholo- 
mew in Sec. 22, which was the first farm improved in the town of Lodi ; this farm Mr. Bartholomew still 
owns. He was married to Frances M. Goddard, born in Cincinnati, Ohio ; they have six children, one 
son and five daushters — Frances E., born Oct. 7, 1843; Julia B., Feb. 13, 1848; William A., Nov. 8, 
1851 ; Annie M., April 27, 1854; Eva L., July 17, 1856, and Angelia D., March 5, 1860. Mr. Bar- 
tholomew engaged in business in Lodi in 1864. 

REV. A. CONSTANTIIVE BARRY, Pastor of the Ilniversalist Church, Lodi, was 
born in Delaware Co., l\. Y., July 15, 1815. His parents removed to Victor, Ontario Co., when he was 
2 J years of age, where he resided until 1836; his preceptor was the Rev. Jacob Chase, of Geneva; he 
began his labors in the ministry at Gaines, Orleans Co. ; thence to Homer, Cortland Co., where he 
preached four years ; thence to Fort Plain for five years ; thence to Racine, Wis., in 1846, which was his 
home for many years. Although actively engaged in the ministry of the church with which he is identi- 
fied, yet Dr. Barry has long been engaged in scientific pursuits, and prominently identified with, the edu- 
cational interests of the country ; he was State Superintendent of Public Instruction during 1856 and 
1857 ; he entered the army as Chaplain of the 4th W. V. I., in which capacity he served about one year; 
was then engaged in the recruiting service for about two years, and during this time was elected to repre- 
sent Racine Co. in the Legislature of Wisconsin; he served as Chaplain of the 19th W. V. I., from the 
spring of 1864 till Feb. 10, 1865, when he was made Chaplain of the United States Hospitals by Presi- 
dent Lincoln ; was mustered out of the United States service Aug. 15, 1865. In the spring of 1864, Dr. 
Barry removed his family to Fond du Lac, which was his home for four years ; he then went to Elkhorn, 
Walworth Co., where he established a church ; he came to Lodi, in April, 1878. He was married in the 
fall of 1866, to Adelia Robinson, of East Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y., and she died at Elkhorn, in 
May, 1877 ; his present wife was Helen Peterson, of Fond du Lac. He has three children by his first 
marriage — Malon P., who is in the service of the N. W. R. R. Co., at Chicago; Melville A., resides in 
Lodi; Bella B., now Mrs. Frank Warner, of Chicago. He has one child by his present marriage — 
Jennie A. Dr. Barry is well versed in the natural sciences, and enjoys the acquaintance of the most 
eminent naturalists of the State ; has been for many years corresponding member of the Academy of 
Sciences, of Philadelphia, of the " Boston Natural Historv Association " and the Buffalo Scientific 
Association. Dr. Barry and wife were victims of the " National Hotel " poisoning on the occasion of 
the inauguration of President Buchanan, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He is 
still actively engaged in the ministry, where he has long labored to make men better, to prepare them 
more fully for the present and the hii;her life. 

SAMUEL M. BLAKE, M. D., Lodi, born in Vermont, Feb. 15, 1835; he began the 
study of medicine with Dr. Ralph Rugg, of Compton, in the Province of Quebec ; entered the Eclectic 
Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall of 1859 ; he attended a course of lectures, then returned 



990 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

to the town of Cannon, Vt., where he practiced medicine for six years ; he then went to Eaton, Canada, 
where he remained two years; he returned to Cincinnati in the fall of 1867, and graduated the following 
spring; he then returned to Eaton, and practiced six montlis ; in October, 1868, at the solicitation of Dr. 
A. P. Cummings, he came to Prairie du Sac, Wis., and practiced with Dr. Cummings for some time ; he 
came to Lodi in the summer of 1877. He was married to Miranda J. Haynes ; they have two sons — 
Wilbur F. and Au.stin M. 

REV. JO.SEPH BOWMAX, retired Baptist clergyman ; resides in Sec. 4, in the town of 
Dane, Dane Co. ; though a resident of Dane Co., yet Mr. Bowman has long been identified with the 
interests of Columbia Co., and especially of Lodi, which has been the field of his labors, for many years, 
in the ministry; he was born in Leicester, the county seat of Leicestershire, England, in 1816 ; he began 
his theological studies under Rev. S. W. Wigg and Rev. W. Finn, of his native town ; he began his 
ministry in England ; came to the United States in May, 1845, and settled in the town of Berry, Dane 
Co. ; a Baptist church was organized in that town, in 1847 ; Mr. Bowman was called to the pastorate of 
this church in 1848; he was ordained 1849 ; he continued as Pastor of the church in Berry till about 
1852, when he received a call from his Baptist friends of Lodi, to organize a church at that place and 
become their Pastor ; he accepted this call, and remained the Pastor of the Lodi Baptist Church for about 
nine years; afterward, for three or four years, was Pastor of Middleton Baptist Church. Mr. Bow- 
man was married in England, in 1814, to Miss Ann Sharman; she died Jan. 15, 1873; in May, 1874, 
Mr. Bowman visited his native land, where he was married to Miss Sarah S. Jordan ; returned to his 
home in September of that year ; he had eight children by his first marriage, only three of whom are 
living, viz., Mrs. Elizabeth A. Thomas, Mrs. Mary Riddle and Joseph J. ; in 1875, Mr. Bowman became 
Pastor of the Baptist Church at Mazo Manie, Dane Co.. which charge he held for two and a half years. 

JOIJ^EPH BROWN, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in the State of New Jersey in 1817 ; 
when he was a child, his parents removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived till manhood ; he was 
engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for about nine years. He went to the State 
of Illinois, where he was married to Miss Emeline Newburry ; she was born in New Jersey ; her parents 
died when she was quite young ; she lived a number of years in New York City ; then returned to New 
Jersey, thence to Illinois, where she was married to Mr. Brown ; after he was married, Mr. Brown 
removed to Missouri; returned to Illinois, and came to Columbia Co. in May, 1846; lived on Sec. 25, 
town of Lodi, for two years; settled where they now live in July, 1848; have six children — Cornelius, 
Richard K.; Maria, now Mrs. John Porter; Edwin; Emma, now Mrs. Milton; Freeman and Sylvester. 
Farm contains 100 acres. 

REV. N. E. CHAPIN, Pastor of Baptist Church, Lodi ; was born in Washington Co. N. Y., 
in 1815 ; in 1833, removed with his parents to Wayne Co.; he attended Florence Manual Institute; began 
his ministry in Randolph, Cattaraugus Co., in 1837 ; settled in Bradford, McKean Co., Penn.; was 
ordained in 1839; removed to Belmont, Allegheny Co., in 1840, where he remained three years; thence 
to Bennington, Wyoming Co., for two years; he came to Wisconsin in 1845 ; settled in Lancaster, Grant 
Co., where he remained till 1851 ; he settled in Beaver Dam in the spring of 1852 ; in the fall of 1857, 
went to Darlington, La Fayette Co.; thence to Aztalan, Jefferson Co.; in 1867, settled in Merton, Wauke- 
sha Co.; thence to Lanark, Carroll Co., 111.; came to Lodi in the spring of 1877. Mr. Chapin was mar- 
ried to Miss Sara L. Goiny, born at Rushford, Allegany Co., N. Y.; have two children — Mary L. Lindlay 
and George B. 

JACOB CHRISliER, blacksmith and machinist, Lodi; was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
February, 1837 ; his parents removed to Chenango Co.; thence to Madison Co.; they came to Wisconsin 
and settled in the town of West Point, Columbia Co., in 1856 ; Jacob came to the town of West Point 
the following year, where he worked at his trade about twelve years ; he settled in Lodi in the spring of 
1874. He was married to Mary H. Leigh, born in the state of New York ; tbey have had eight children, 
five living — Alberta L., Harriet E., Margaret E., Minnie T. and Jesse J.; lost three daughters. 

WILLIAM CROSS, fiirmer. Sec. 16 -. P. 0. Lodi ; was born in England, March, 1843; he 
came to this country with his parents in 1848; they lived two years in Racine, Wis.; came to the town of 
Lodi and settled on the farm where Mr. Cross now lives, in 1850; his father now resides in Walworth 
Co., Wis. Mr. Cross enlisted in February, 1864, in the 50th W. V. I.; .served till the close of the war. 
Married Miss Mary Atkinson, born in Wisconsin ; has one child — Thomas F. 

JOHN COLLINS, harness-maker, Lodi; was born in Wales, January, 1846 ; he learned the 
trade of a tanner and currier, which business he followed for several years; he came to the United States 
in the spring of 1866 ; he lived in Albany, Green Co., Wis., for about one year; then went to Madison, 
where, for several months, he was engaged in driving stage between Madison and Fort Atkinson ; came to 



TOWN OF LODI. 991 

Lodi in October, 1867 ; was engaged in driving stage till October, 1870 ; visited his native land in 1871i 
returning in the spring of 1872 ; served an apprenticeship to the harness-making business in Lodi I 
engaged in the business of harness- making in the fall of 1876. He was married to Miss Anstis A- 
Simons, daughter of Freedom Simons ; tHey have three children — Mattie E., John F. and Richard J. 

EVERET DAVIS, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Lodi; was born in Massachusetts in 1830 ; he 
removed with his parents to the eastern part of the State of New York ; he came to Wisconsin in the 
spring of 1859; he lived in Vienna, Dane Co., for six years; located on his present farm in 1865. He 
was married to Elizabeth Haggard, daughter of William Haggard. They have three children — Amelia 
J., Edwin N. and William. Mr. Davis' farm contains 180 acres. 

WILLIAI!! DUNIjAP, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Lodi; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, 
Dec. 6, 1806 ; he came to Dane Co., Wis., in 1846, and settled in the town of Dane, in 18-17, where he 
lived until 1853, when he came to the tovvn of Lodi, and engaged in the lumber business, at Okee ; in 
1858, returned to his farm in Dane Co., which he sold in 1860, and purchased farm in Sec. 22, Lodi; 
bought farm where he now lives, September, 1865 ; he still owns his farm in Sec. 22. He was married to 
Phoebe Blachly, born in Ohio March 6, 1807 , they have five children — Eben, Oscar, Sarah, James and 
William M.; lost one daughter, Melissa. 

JOHN B. I»WINS[EL.L, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in Worcester, Mass., in 
1827 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1850, and settled in the village of Lodi ; he established a stage route 
between Madison and Baraboo, via Lodi, in 1853, which he conducted for one and a half years ; this was 
the first public conveyance running between Madison and Baraboo ; since that time he has been engaged in 
farming; he bought his present firm in August, 1856, where he located in 1868. He was married to 
Maria C. Stanley, daughter of W. D. Stanley, who settled in Vienna, Dane Co., in 1847 ; they have six 
children — Lizzie L, George W., William S., John L., Mary L. and Bessie Y.; lost one son, Henry, who 
died July 17, 1879. Mr. Dwinnell was elected to represent the Third District in the Legislature, in the 
fall of 1874 ;. has been Chairman of the Town Board for two years, and has held other local offices. Is 
a Republican politically. Farm contains 280 acres. 

ADDISON EATON, merchant, Lodi; was born in Auburn, Mass., in 1821 ; he went to 
Ohio in 1844, where he lived three years, when he returned to Massachusetts ; in 1856. he came to Lodi, 
and engaged in the mercantile trade. He was married to Miss Emily Garfield ; she died February, 1869 ; 
his present wife was Miss Julia Palmer, daughter of Judge Palmer, of Lodi. Mr. Eaton was Chairman 
of Town Board from 1872 to 1875 ; has been County Supervisor since 1876, and was elected to the 
Assembly, in the fall of 1879. 

JAMES O. EATON, Lodi; was born in Sutton, Mass., in 1818. He came to Walworth 
Co., Wis., in 1842, and engaged in the mercantile trade. He went to Racine in the fall of 1845, where 
he also engaged in the mercantile business. He came to Lodi in December, 1848, where he also entered 
the mercantile business, which he continued till 1860. Mr. Eaton was Postmaster at Lodi, during the 
administration of Presidents Taylor and Filmore, also during the first administration of President Lincoln ; 
was assistant U. S. Assessor for about five years. For the last thirteen years, has been engaged as a commer- 
cial traveler. His first wife was Miss Mary M. Dwinnell, born in Massachusetts; she died in March, 1802. 
His present wife was Mrs. Judith Fisk. Mr. Eaton has two children by his first wife — Mary E., now Mrs. 
B. S. Lewis, and Harlow. - The latter was born May 24, 1854; he graduated at the Wisconsin State 
University in 1878; he is now a student of the University of Leipsic, Germany. Lost his oldests on, 
Herbert E., born June 3, 1844, died July 17, 1849. 

HENRY R. EATON, Postmaster, Lodi ; born in Massachusetts June 20, 1832. He first 
came to Lodi in April, 1853, but returned to Massachusetts in August of that year. He settled in Lodi 
in February, 1857, and engaged in the shoe manufacturing business; was appointed Postmaster Feb. 18, 
1875. His wife was Miss Harriet A. Cadwell, daughter of Edward Cadwell, of Sauk Co. They have 
one child — Fred A. ; lost their oldest son, Herbert, who was killed by the kick of a horse in 1871 ; aged 
7 years. 

JOHN FOOTE, farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in 1820. He re- 
moved to Lee Co , Iowa, in the spring of 1844, thence to Hancock Co., 111., where he taught school during 
the summer of 1844 ; in the winter of 1844-45, taught a school in Dane Co., 111. ; in the spring of 1845, 
removed to Dane Co., Wis. ; engaged in farming during that summer, and taught school the following 
winter. In the 'spring of 1846, he came to Lodi, and entered 80 acres of his present farm in June of that 
year, where he settled the follo\fing autumn, and where he has since resided. His wife was Miss Elmira 
Fisher, daughter of Willard Fisher; married October, 1848; wife died Aug. 15, 1868. Mr. Foote has had 
nine children, five of whom are living — -Laura R., John W., Emily B., Frank F. and Agnes M. 



992 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

PETER L. FROLiAND. farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was one of the earliest settlers of 
the town of Lodi. He was born in Norway in 1802, and came to the United States in 1837 He lived 
near Ottawa, 111., for nine year.s, where he was engaged in work on a canal. He came to Columbia Co. 
in 1846, and settled near Columbus, where he lived three years, when he settled where he now lives. Mr. 
Frohind is unmarried. His farm contains 70 acres. 

EDWIIV W. CirAKDXER, insurance agent, Lodi ; was born in Panton, Vt., in 1829; he 
removed to Madison, Wis., in 1853, where he engaged in work at his trade, that of a carpenter and joiner, 
where he resided till the fall of 1859 ; then engaged in farming in the town of Dane, Dane Co., till the 
spring of 1867, when he came to Lodi. He was married to Miss Lucina Colburn, niece of Zcrah Colburn, 
the mathematician ; the latter was a cousin of the author of Colburn's Arithmetic, etc. Mr. Gardner is 
Justice of the Peace of the village of Lodi ; also Secretary of Lodi Agricultural Society. 

CirEORGE C OESELL, miller, at Lodi Center MilN, Lodi; was born in the Province of 
Hanover, Germany, Oct. 17, 1834; he came to the United States in the spring of 1861 ; came to the 
village of Lodi in the fall of that year, where he was engaged as miller in the Excelsior Mill for thirteen 
years and five months ; then went to Wonewoc, Juneau Co., where he conducted a mill for one year, then 
engaged in the grocery business; came to present location in April, 1879. He was married to Mary 
Kruegcr ; they have three children — Hannah, George L. and George C. 

WILLIAM GOLDSPOHN, lumber dealer, of the firm of Vanderpool & Goldspohn, 
Lodi ; born in Germany in 1828 ; he came to the United States in 1849 ; he settled in the town of Rox- 
bury, Dane Co., Wis., in the fall of that year, where he was engaged in farming ; in the spring of 1869, he 
came to Lodi; he engaged in selling lumber for Vanderpool & Clark in the fall of 1872; in the fall of 
1877, he bought the interest of Mr. Clark ; since that time has been associated with Mr. Vanderpool. 
He was married to Frederica Kohlmann, born in Prus.sia, Germany ; she came to the township of Spring- 
field, Dane Co., in 1847 ; the}' have four children — Albert, Mary, Emma and William. 

CHARLES GOODALL, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0. Lodi; born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 
1830; his parents, Nathaniel and Fannie Goodall, removed to Ohio, near Cleveland, in 1836, then to 
Illinois, in the fall of 1840 ; the family came to the town of Lodi June 20, 1851 ; his father still resides 
where he first settled, Sec. 26 ; when the ftimily came to Lodi, it consisted of parents, two sons and two 
daughters ; youngest daughter now deceased ; another son, L. K., was born in the town of Lodi. Mr. 
Goodall was married to Miss Caroline Taller, daughter of John and Laura A. Tuller. Mrs. Goodall 
taught the first school in the town of West Point; they have two children — William Herbert and Eva C, 
both of whom are now students in junior class of Wisconsin State University ; Herbert was born in 
1857 ; Eva A., March 13, 1860. Mr. Goodall has been Chairman of Town Board two years, and mem- 
ber of Side Board three years; he resided in Crawford Co. from 1856 till 1861 ; settled on his present 
farm in 1861. Has 142 acres of land. 

SAMUEL A. HOLDRIDGE, blacksmith, Lodi ; born in Ithaca, N. Y., in 1847 ; he went to 
Crawford Co., Wis., in 1854 ; went to Kansas about 1856 ; returned to Wisconsin and came to Lodi in 
December, 1859; he enlisted in September, 1862, in Co. G, 23d W. V. I.; was at the battles of 
Arkansas Post, Yazoo Swamp, Grand Gulf, Champion Hills, and in all the battles in which his regiment 
was engaged up lo the time of his discharge for disability in the fall of 1864 ; he returned to Lodi; was 
sick for two years ; after his recovery engaged for his uncle in the blacksmith business till 1870 ; when 
he engaged in business for himself He was married to Miss A. S. Woodley, daughter of John V. 
Woodley ; has three children — Harry L., Clarence A. and Edith Maud. 

E. HOWARD 1RWI9f, M. D., Lodi; bom in Mifflin Co., Penn., July 1, 1833; he 
studied medicine in Pennsylvania, came to Lodi with his father. Dr. George H. Irwin, in June, 1854; 
he practiced medicine with his father in Lodi till the breaking-out of the rebellion, when his father 
enlisted as a private in Capt. Mansfield's company, 2d W. V. I.; he was made Hospital Steward, then pro- 
moted to Assistant Surgeon in the 2d W. V. I.; he was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run, in the 
charge of the Black Horse Cavalry; he resigned from disability, and died at his home, Lodi, Jan. 31, 
186-1. Dr. E. H. Irwin, in August, 186i;, under authority of Gov. Salmon, raised a company which was 
mustered into the United States service as Co. H, 23d W. V. I., Aug. 30, 1862; he resigned to take 
position on regimental staff as As.sistant Surgeon, and entered on duty as such Nov. 19, 1862, at Louis- 
ville, Ivy., under orders of Gen. A. J. Smith, but was not mustered as such till Dec. 19, 1862, at Memphis, 
Tenn.; he resigned on account of disabillity at Milliken's Bend, La., April 25, 1863. His wife was Miss 
Sarah Pashley, daughter of Samuel Pashley, of Vienna, Dane Co.; they have had six children, five of 
whom are living — -Annie E., now Mrs. Tim B. Lewis; Harris J., George H., Samuel P., and William 
Russell. 



TOWN OF LODI. 993 

ERIK KNUTSEN, merchant, Lodi ; born in Norway in 1834 ; he came to the United 
now lives in Minnesota ; he resided in Madison for four years, where he was engaged as a clerk ; he came 
States with his parents in 1851 ; the family settled in Dane Co., Wis., where his father died ; his mother 
to Lodi and engaged in business in 1857. His wife was Miss Annie P. Brunserg; they have nine chil- 
dren, one son and eight daughters ; Mr. Knutsen is engaged in general merchandising. 

JAHES McCLiOUD, merchant, Lodi; born in Gallipolis, Gallia Co., Ohio, Nov. 27, 1822 ; 
his father died when he was about 3 years of age ; after the death of his father, his mother removed to 
Vermillion Co., Ind., where she was married, and removed to Joliet, 111., in 1830, and to Van Buren Co., 
Iowa, in 1837 ; in the fall of 1839, he entered into the employment of the American Fur Co., and was 
engaged iu trading on the frontier till 1844 ; he came to Mineral Point, Wis., in August, 1844 ; he came 
to the town of Lodi in the fall of 1845. He was married to Catherine E. Bartholomew, daughter of G. 
M. Bartholomew; they have had five children, four of whom are living — James W., Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
R. W. Jones, of Iowa Co., Wis.; Joseph B. and George ; their daughter, Clara J., aged 19 years, a stu- 
dent of Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., and just ready to graduate, was drowned in Lake Buttes des 
Mortes, on June 10, 1871. Mr. McCloud has been engaged in the mercantile business since 1851 ; he 
has been very successful in business ; has been in the lumber trade ; is also a large land owner, and has 
been extensively engaged in farming for many years ; is now engaged quite extensively in stock-raising 
and fish culture. 

GILBERT E. lIcKEEBY, M. D., Lodi ; born in 1844 ; his parents removed to Oregon, 
Dane Co., Wis., when he was 2 years of age, where his father died, and where his mother still resides. 
The Doctor enlisted in August, 1864, in the 1st W. Heavy Artillery ; served one year ; discharged July,' 

1865. He began the study of medicine at Evansville, Wis., with Dr. Smith ; he was a student of the 
university at Madison for about three years ; in the fall of 1865, he went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and 
attended a course of lectures at the medical department of the university of Michigan ; in the spring of 

1866, he resumed his studies with Dr. Smith ; in 1867, he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
at New York City, where he graduated in March, 1868 ; he began the practice of medicine in Iowa Co., 
Wis.; came to Lodi in the fall of 1868. His wife was Carrie M. Ansdell, daughter of P. T. S. Ansdeli, 
an early settler of Sauk Co.; they have two children — Fred E. and Carrie L. 

JOB MILES, farmer and one of the proprietors of the Lodi Valley Cheese Factory, Lodi ; was 
born in Lancashire, England, in 1840 ; he came to the United States with his father, William Mills, in 
1842 ; they came to New York City, thence to Paterson, N. J., thence to Oswego, and to Walworth Co., 
Wis., in 1844, where the family lived about ten years, engaged in farming ; thence to Dodge Co. for about 
two years ; thence to the town of Scott, Columbia Co. Mr. Mills was married, in 1863, to Mary A. Dye, 
born in the State of New York ; they have five children — Josephine, Mary, Esther, Albert and Elmer. 
Mr. Mills has a farm of 300 acres ; residence in Sec. 26. 

R. W. MILLS, Lodi, grain-buyer, firm of Mills & Albiston ; was born in the State of New 
York in 1843; he is the son of William Mills, and brother of Mr. Job Mills, of Lodi ; he engaged in the 
business of grain-buying with his brother Job in 1871 ; Mr. Albiston became a member of the firm in 
May, 1872 ; the firm was then known as Mills Bros. & Albiston ; the firm became Mills & Albiston in 
1876. Was married to Margaret A. Wells, daughter of Mr. T. S. Wells ; they have two children — 
Nettie and Thomas A. 

ROBERT MOSS, miller, Lodi; born in Sutton, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, Feb. 22, 
1822. Was uianieJ to Sarah Reed, native of the same town ; she died in England. Mr. Moss came to 
the United States in May, 1854 ; lived in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., a few months ; thence to Fox Lake, Wis., 
in the fall of 1854 ; thence to Fairwater, Fond du Lac Co.; lived for a short time at several other points 
in Wisconsin ; came to Lodi in 1864 ; since that time has been engaged as miller for Mr. Andrews. His 
present wife was Mrs. Charlotte Haley, whose maiden name was Case; she was born in Herkimer Co., N. 
Y., in 1825. Mr. Moss had five children by his first marriage, two of whom are living — Alfred E. and 
Charles W. 

EDWARD NICHOLS, of the firm of Wait & Nichols, hardware dealers, Lodi; was born 
in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1820, where he resided till July, 1853, when he came to Wiscon.^in ; 
lived in Janesville till the fall of 1854, when he came to Lodi. He was Town Superintendent of Schools 
for the years 1856-57 ; has been Town Clerk for several years. He was married to Miss Mary A. Dun- 
ning, daughter of Samuel S. Dunning, from near Ithaca, N. Y.; they have one son — Charles E. — born 
March, 1866. 

CHARLES E. ODELL, furniture dealer, Lodi ; was born in Ohio, April, 1827 ; his father, 
William Odell, was a native of the State of Vermont, born Feb. 9, 1793 ; he was a volunteer soldier in 



994 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the war of 1812 ; be removed from Ohio to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1837, and to Dane Co. in 1849 ; he 
settled in the town of West Point, Columbia Co., September, 1855 ; be died August, 1879 ; his wife died 
in Waukesha Co. in 1847. Mr. Charles E. Odell was engaged in farming in West Point Township for 
about twelve years, residing on Sec. 27 ; he came to Lodi in October, 1867, and engaged in his present 
business in February following. He was married to Miss E. F. Burnett, of Ohio ; they have two chil- 
dren — Edna (now Mrs. George H. Simons), and Edgar. 

I. H. PAL/HER, Lodi; was born in Binghamton, N. Y., in 1809; his father was a Presby- 
terian minister, and when a young man was engaged as a missionary among the Indians, and elsewhere in 
the State of New York ; he preached for several years at Binghamton ; afterward removed to what is 
now Fulton Co., N. Y.; he died about 1850. Judge Palmer came to Madison from Fulton Co., N. Y., in 
1837, where he lived till the spring of 1846, when he came to Lodi and settled on 40 acres of land in 
Sec. 27, which he had entered the previous February; in March and April of that year he entered more 
land in this section ; on this land is located the present village of Lodi. He was married in 1836, to Miss 
Ann Thompson, of Fulton Co., N. Y.; they have had ten children, eight of whom are living — Elizabeth (now 
Mrs. John Slightam) ; Sarah J. (now Mrs. Edward Andrews) ; Mary; Julia (now Mrs. Addison Eaton) ; 
Helen ; Clara (now Mrs. C. Clemens) ; Hattie and Herbert; has lost two sons — Henry and Edward. At 
the organization of Dane Co. Mr. Palmer was appointed Probate Judge ; he was elected to the Legisla- 
ture in 1842, and served several years. Judge Palmer has always been actively engaged in business, and 
by industry and economy has accumulated a fine property ; he is a worthy representative of the pioneers of 
Columbia County. 

JOSEPH E. PARKE, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Lodi; was born in Pennsylvania in 1821 ; 
his parents reniuved to Chenango Co., N. Y., when he was about 3 years of age, where he lived till 1845, 
when he removed t<p Michigan ; in the spring of 1846, removed to Illinois ; he came to Wisconsin in 
November, 1851, and settled in the town of Dekorra, Columbia Co., where he lived about three years; 
thence to the town of Lodi ; in 1856, he removed to Winona Co., Minn.; returned to the town of Lodi 
in 1863 ; settled where he now lives Sept. 25, 1877. He was married to Marianna Kingsley, daughter 
of Darius Kingsley, who came to Lodi and settled on the form where Mr. Parke now lives, in May, 
1856 ; Mr. Kingsley died in 1878 ; Mrs. Kingsley died Oct. 6, 1875. Mr. Parke has two children- 
Emily M., now Mrs. Walter Lamont, of Dane Co., and Harry J.; has lost two children — Elisabeth and 
Henry D.; when the parents of Mrs. Park came to Lodi they had nine children, all but one of whom 
arrived at the age of maturity ; of these nine children, only Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Sarah A. Pratt are now 
living ; farm contains 140 acres. Mr. Parke has a farm of 110 acres in Sees, 29 and 32. 

S. DANFORD PRATT, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in the town of Long 
Meadow, Hampden Co., Mass., in 1822; when he was 10 years of age, his parents removed to Onondaga 
Co., N. Y.; he removed with his parents to McHenry Co., 111., in 1843, where he was married, December, 
1845, to Miss Sarah A. Kingsley, daughter of Darius Kingsley ; they came to Columbia Co. in January, 
1849, and settled in the town of Dekorra, where they lived till 1853, when they removed to the town of 
Lodi and settled on Sec. 25 ; bought present farm in the spring of 1856 ; has two children — Wolcott, who 
married Miss E. Walker (they have one child — Danford W.); Noah D., married Ada M. Thompson 
(they have two children — CJeorge S. and Lettie M.). Mr. Pratt's farm contains 290 acres. 

JOELi 31. PRUYN, merchant, Lodi; son of Joel Pruyn, born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., 
March 28, 1843 ; he came to the town of Lodi, with his father, in August, 1858. He was married in 
1864, to Miss Sarah L. Richmond, daughter of Anson Richmond; born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in 
October, 1843 ; her parents came to the town of West Point in April, 1855; her father died in the 
summer of 1856 ; her mother lives with Mr. Pruyn. Mr. Pruyn engaged in the butchering business with 
his father in Lodi in 1868, which he continued until Jan. 1, 1879 ; engaged in the grocery business, 
March, 1880. Mr. Pruyn has had three children, only one of whom is living — Howard, born September, 
1865; lost son and dautrbter in infancy. 

GABRIEL REEOAL, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Lodi; was born in Michigan in 1833; his 
parents were natives of England ; they emigrated to New York, in October, 1831 ; thence to Michigan, 
in May, 1832, and to Illinois, in 1837 ; they came to Columbia Co. from' Illinois,. in November, 1849 ; 
his father died Sept. 22, 1863, in the 76th year of his age. Gabriel Reedal was married to Miss Ellen A. 
Marsh, daughter of George Marsh, of Portage; they have three children — Mattie, Henry and Laura. 

SYLVESTER REYNOLDS^ farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in Columbia Co., N. 
Y., in 1816. He was married to Miss Hannah Elliott, who was born in Sharon, Conn.; her parents 
removed to the State of New York when she was but 1 year old; they came to Columbia Co., Wis., in 
the fall of 1853. Mr. Reynolds purchased his present fiirm soon after, though he lived in the town of 



TOWN OF LODI. 995 

West Point about one year. Mr. Keynolds learned the trade of a blacksmith, at which he worked for one 
or two years after coming to Wisconsin. His farm contains 175 acres; has two daughters — Ida S. and 
Cornelia ; has lost two children — Gilbert, who was a member of 23d W. V. I. during the war of the rebellion , 
was afterward engaged on the police force of Chicago, where he was accidentally killed by the discharge 
of his revolver ; lost another sun, Albert. 

PETKR RICHARDS, editor and proprietor of Lodi Vallci/ Neivs, Lodi; born in Ohio 
Feb. 2, 1828 ; came to Wisconsin in March, 185.5 ; he located in Fond du Lac ; thence to Madison in 
1856, where he worked at the printing business for ten and a half years; he went to Baraboo, in April, 
1867; he was for sometime engaged as local editor of the Jndependent, of that city; was afterward 
associated with J. C. Chandler, in the publication of that paper ; came to Lodi in April, 1874 ; his wife 
was Miss Mary Daniels ; they have two children — Fred and Grace. 

JOSEPH H. RIDDLE, farmer. Sec. 34; P. 0. Lodi; was born in New York City, June, 
1839; his parents removed to Delaware Co., N. Y,., when he was a child; they settled in the town of 
Dane, Dane Co., about 1850, where they still reside. Joseph H. married Miss Cornelia A. Simons, 
■daughter of Frederick H. Simons, who settled in Dane Co. about 1845, from Canaudaigua, Ontario Co., 
N. Y. ; Mr. Riddle settled where he now lives in the fall of 1869 ; has four children — Arthur H., Ernest 
H., Corie and Bertie E. His farm contains 174 acres ; is engaged principally in dairying. 

REV. R. GILBERT RILEY, Presbyterian minister, Lodi; was born in Otsego Co., 
N. Y., in 1810; he began his preparatory course at Hartwick Seminary, Otsego Co.; continued under 
Dr. Hazelius, and at JeiFerson. Schoharie Co., under Rev. Wm. Salisbury; in 1831, he entered the soph- 
omore class of Williams College, graduating in 1834 ; entered Andover Theological Seminary in the fall of 
1834, where he remained one year, when he assumed the principalship of Oxford Select Seminary, New 
York; he entered the Union Theological Seminary, New York City, in 1837, graduating in 1839 ; he began 
the ministry as Pastor of the Congregational Church at Hartwick, N. Y. ; thence to Livonia, Livingston Co., 
in 1843, where he remained till 1855, when he became Principal of Genesee Model School, Lima, N. Y.; 
resigned on account of failing health in the spring of 1856 ; thence to Horseheads, N, Y. ; came to Lodi 
in September, 1857, where he was Pastor of the Presbyterian Church for six years, when he was appointed 
Synodical Missionary of Wisconsin; he served in this capacity for thirteen years, resigning in July, 1877. 
Mr. Riley was married to Anna Farrell, born at Detroit, Mich. ; has had five children, three of whom are 
living, viz., Laura E., Edward F. and Dr. Charles P. Riley, of Prairie du Sac; Rlary F. married Capt. 
George M. Humphry; died Feb. 29, 1880 ; Ellen S. died in Livonia, N. Y., in 1849. Mr. Riley began 
teaching at 14 years of age, and has always been an earnest worker in the cause of education. 

CAPT. WM. RYAN, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in County Kerry, Ireland, July, 1825 ; 
he served seven years in the English army; came to the United States, August, 1849; lived in Boston, 
Mass., two years ; thence to Milford, Mass., where he learned the business of boot-treeing ; thence to Wor- 
cester, Mass. ; afterward went to Dayton, Ohio, where he was engaged on a railroad ; came to Columbia 
Co., April, 1857. He was married in London to Ellen Sheehan, born in Ireland ; Mr. Ryan served in the 
army during the rebellion as a gallant and faithful Union soldier ; he enlisted in June, 1861, in the 7th 
W. V. I. ; was mustered into the service as Orderly Sergeant of Co. A, in August of that year; was pro- 
moted to Second Lieutenant, January, 1862 ; afterward to First Lieutenant and Brevet Captain, com- 
manding a company in several engagements ; he was severely wounded at Fitzhugh Crossing, October, 
1863, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered ; settled where he now lives, April, 1872 ; 
has five children — John T., Kittie M., Margareta, Wm. W. and Edmond E. 

FREEDOM SIMONS, retired farmer, Lodi; born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1813. His 
father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of the first settlers of Cayuga Co. Mr. Simons was mar- 
ried to Elmina E. Dudley, born in Cayuga in 1817 ; her father was also a soldier of the war of 1812 ; in 
September, 1842, Mr. Simons removed to Sauk Co., Wis.; in September, 1843, he settled in what is now 
the town of Springfield, Dane Co., being the first settler in that town ; he removed to the town of Dane, 
Dane Co., about 1845, this farm is on the line of Columbia Co., in Sec. 4 ; he leased his farm and removed 
to the village of Lodi, in the fall of 1874 ; Mr. Simons built a part of what is now the Briggs House in 
1849, which he conducted as a hotel about two years; he has eight children — Mary L., now Mrs. M. D. 
Mann, lives in McLeod Co., Minn.; Lydia J., married E. F. Lee, also lives in McLeod Co.; Sardis D., 
who was the first white male child born in Dane Co., reside.* at Lake (Crystal, Minn.; Levantia C, wife 
of E. K. Whiting, of Dodge Co., Minn.; George F., McLeod Co., Minn.; Anstis A., now Mrs. John 
Collins, of Lodi ; De Witt C, also of McLeod Co., Minn., and Elma A. ; lost one daughter, Emily S. 

GEORGE T. SIMONS, proprietor of Briggs House, Lodi; born in Montgomery Co., N. 
Y., in 1829; he came to the town of Lodi from the State of New York in October, 1846; the following 



696 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

winter he engaged in the business of rail-splitting at S6 per month, the following summer as a farm hand 
at $10 per month; he engaged alternately in farming during the summer season, and in rail-splitting 
during the winter, till the fall of 1850, when he returned to the Slate of New York ; he came back in the 
fall of 1852; Mr. Simons has been engaged in various occupations; in 1854, he engaged at work in a 
cabinet-shop in Lodi, which he continued for several years; went into the livery business in I860, also 
kept a hotel about that time for one year ; was Deputy Sheriff of Columbia Co. for twelve years, also 
Constable for many years; he bought his present hotel in 18G5, which he sold again in 1869, and re-pur- 
chased in October, 1879. His wife was Miss Melissa Burroughs ; they have three children — HarleyN., 
Jessie and Ettie. 

W. Cr. SIlION$$, farmer. Sec. 33; P. O. Lodi; was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in I8I2 ; 
he emigrated to Madison, Wis., in 1837 ; he settled in Sauk Prairie, Sauk Co., 1839, where he lived 
till 1845. He was married to Caroline L. Skinner, born in Ohio. Mr. Simons has resided on his present 
farm since 1845. The father of Mrs. Simons, Mr. John B. Skinner, removed from the city of Columbus, 
Ohio, to Iowa Co., Wis., in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Siipons have had fourteen children, nine of whom are 
living — Caroline, John and Mary, the first named (now deceased) were born in Sauk Co.; those born in 
Columbia Co. are Jennie (deceased), Ada, Joanna (deceased), Sarah (deceased), William, Clara (deceased),' 
Harper, Evelyn, Jesse, Margaret and Grace. Mr, Simons' farm contains 145 acres. 

SAMUEL STAHJL, farmer. Sec. 16; P.O. Lodi; was born in Columbia Co., Peon., in 
1811 ; his father, Abram Stahl, died in Lycoming Co., Penn., when Samuel was about 7 years of age ; 
he was brought up in Union Co.; when 19 years of age, he returned to Lycoming Co., where he served 
an apprenticeship to wocilen manufacturing. He was married to Louisa Rodgers, daughter of Joseph and 
Hannah Rodgers. Mr.s. Rodgers was born in the State of New Jersey; they came to Milwaukee in the 
fail of 1848, and to Columbia Co., Aug. 1, 1849, and settled in Sec. 5; settled on present farm in June, 
1854 ; they have had ten children, eight of whom are living — Benjamin F., resides in California ; Harriet 
J. Tallman, of Kossuth Co., Iowa ; Mary E. Grover, of Kossuth Co.; J. C; Almira A. Davi.son, of 
Kossuth Co.; Catherine R. Streater, of Kossuth Co.; William E. and Winfield S. John F., third child, 
enlisted in 23d W. V. I., and was mortally wounded at the charge on Vicksburg, May 20, 1863; lost 
youngest child, Louisa A., who died September, 1876, aged 20 y<5ars. 

REV. O. O. STEARNS, retired Baptist clergyman, Lodi; was born in Monkton, Addison 
Co., Vt., in February, 1810; when about 11 years of age, he removed with his parents to the town of 
Panton, where he lived till 21 years of age, when he went to the town of Newton, near Boston, Mass., 
where he began his preparatory course ; he returned to Monkton, Vt., where he continued his studies ; he 
entered the freshman class of Vermont University in 1832, where he remained one and a half years ; then 
he entered Brown University, Providence, R. I., where he graduated in 1837 ; he was ordained Pastor of 
the Baptist Church at Sturbridge, Worcester Co., Mass., where he remained about three years ; thence to 
Hancock, N. H., as Principal of Hancock Literary and Scientific Institution, where he remained two 
years ; resigned on account of failing health ; was afterward Principal of Rockingham Academy, Hampton 
Falls, N. H., where he remained one year; thence to Deerfield, N. H.; thence to Milford and Manches- 
ter, N. H.; afterward to Thomaston, Me., where he remained about three years; he removed to Racine, 
Wis., in 1854, where he remained about four years ; thence to Winona, Minn., for about three years ; his 
health having failed, he settled on his farm in Vienna, Dane Co., in 1862 ; became Pastor of the Baptist 
Church at Lodi in 1864, where he removed in 1867, and where he has since resided. His first wife was 
Miss Ann C. Valentine, born in Massachusetts; her father was for many years steward of Harvard Col- 
lege ; she died in 1849 ; his present wife was Anna Ashman, born in the State of New York ; Mr. Stearns 
has five sons by his first marriage, all of whom have received a liberal education and occupy prominent 
and responsible positions ; John W., now President of the Whitewater Normal School, graduated at Har- 
vard College; James H., attorney, of Freeport, III., graduat^^d at Harvard; George A., attorney. New 
York City, graduated at Harvard ; Charles A., of Janesville, Wis., graduated at the Chicago University ; 
Edward F., also a graduate of Chicago University, is Principal of the Collegiate Institute at Burlington, Iowa. 

THOMAS STRA]V«EWAY, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Lodi ; is son of James H. Strange- 
way, who settled in the town of Dane, Dane Co., from the city of New York, about 1848; Thomas was 
born in New York Nov. 14, 1843 ; he enlisted in 7th W. V. I., Sept. 9, 1861 ; re-enlisted January 1, 1864, 
served until the close of the war ; was at .second battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded"; was at 
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg ; was taken prisoner at the latter place ; was a prisoner about two months, 
then exchanged ; was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, and again in the siege of Richmond. He 
was married to Miss Eliza Lester, of the town of Dane, Dane Co.; they have five- children — Jessie, Lewis, 
Marian, Irene and Lynn. Has 160 acres of land. 



TOWN OF LODI. 997 

E. B. WAIT, of the firm of Wait & Nichols, hardware dealers, Lodi, was born in Montpelier, 
Vt., October, 1828 ; his father removed to Watertown, N. Y., when he was 2 years of age, where he lived 
until he was 21 years of age ; he went to Oswego, N. Y., where he lived about five years ; in the fall of 
1855, he came to Madison, Wis., where he worked at the tin trade; thence to Prairie du Sac, for one 
year, when he returned to the State of New York ; he came to Lodi in October, 1856, where he has since 
been engaged in business. He was married to Miss Mary A. Bartholomew, daughter of G. M. Bartholomew ; 
they have one son, Benson E., born July 5, 1861, 

J. W. WATSON, merchant, Lodi; was born in the town of Arlington, Columbia Co., Sept. 
30, 1851 ; he is the son of Phineas Watson, who came to Columbia Co. in 1844, and died at Poynett 
Nov. 5, 1876. Mr. Watson engaged in business in Lodi in June, 1878. He was married, Oct. 17, 1874, 
to Miss Nellie McKay, of Buffalo Co., Wis. 

S. H. WATSON, attorney, Lodi; was born in England in 1837 ; he came to the United States 
with his parents in 1847, and settled in the town of Dunkirk, Dane Co., Wis., where his father still resides ; 
Mr. Watson attended the State university, at Madison, about four years; studied law with Richard Lind- 
say, Esq., of Lodi, with whom he began the practice of his profession in May, 1876. His wife was Miss 
Margaret Patton, daughter of Mrs. Patton, who came to the town of Lodi in 1848 ; they have two chil- 
dren — Ida F. and Edward J. 

SYDNEY WELiLS, farmer ; resides on farm of R. N. Bartholomew, on Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Lodi ; 
Mr. Wells is the son of Mr. T. S. Wells, of the village of Lodi ; he was born in Utica, N. Y., in 1839 ; 
bis parents removed to St. Charles, 111.; then to Columbia Co. in 1846. Mr. Wells enlisted in the spring 
of 1861, in the 2d W. V. I.; served three years and two months; was at the first battle of Bull Run, 
Antietam and Gettysburg ; then served as wagon-master for balance of term of enlistment. He was married 
to Margaret Laughlin ; they have five children— Orpha L., Clara, Pearley, Addie and Amos. Mr. Wells 
owns a farm in the town of West Point. 

SAMUEL WOODL-EY, Okee ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1829; he came to Columbia 
Co. with his parents, John and Mary Woodley, in the fall of 1845; his father settled in Sec. 7, town of 
Lodi, where he died June 2, 1860. Mr. Woodley was married to Helen N. Shunwey, daughter of Jere- 
miah D. Shunwey ; they have two children— George W. and Lily Belle. Mr. Woodley was engaged in 
the lumber business for twenty-six years, and in the mercantile business at Okee for seven years. 



TOWN OF OTSEGO. 

EDWARD G09IER DA VIES, M. D., physician, surgeon, oculist and aurist, Otsego ; 
born July 5, 1846, at Glanelydog, Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, North Wales; son of David and Susan- 
nan (Thomas) Davies ; arrived here April 14, 1865 ; served a regular apprenticeship at drugs in the old 
country, under David Williams, of Newtown ; on his arrival here, he engaged with Dr. Godfrey, at Brook- 
lyn, then spent some time at Whitestown Seminary, in Oneida Co., N. Y., fitting himself for the church 
by wish of his parents; his sister (Elizabeth Brown) resided there, and does at this date, teaching music 
and organist at Grace Church, Whitestown, N. Y. (she being the eldest, as the Doctor is the youngest, 
of thirteen children) ; then went to West Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., and studied under H. P. Mead, of 
Morrisonville, N. Y., then to Clayville, where he was joined by his promised wife, on Aug. 12, 1868, who 
was born May 16, 1846, in Radnorshire, South Wales, at Castle Cottage, near Rhayadergwy ; on Jan. 22, 
1869, was married by Rev. W. H. Olin, to Jane, daughter of William and Margaret (Lewis) Warrington. 
William Warrington was an oflficer in the Crimean war, and died from the effect of wounds received at the 
battle of the Alma ; the mother of Mrs. Davies died at Newtown, in Wales. They have five children — 
Alma Victoria, born at Clayville, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1870 ; David St. Idloes, born at Otsego, Wis., July 14, 
1872 ; Autie Rose, born at Chicago Nov. 11, 1875 ; William Gomer, born at Doylestown Oct. 26, 1877 ; 
Susie Matilda, born at Otsego April 20, 1880. The Doctor got one of Greeley's books on farming, and 
concluded to try it in connection with medicine, but after a short time concluded he knew enough of that 
and not enough of medicine, so gave it up, and, at first for improvement, but now from necessity, devotes 
his whole time to practice in his profession ; he graduated at Rush Medical College Feb. 25, 1879, after 
completing a course under Dr. Wm. Meacher, at Portage; he has also a certificate as to proficiency as an 
oculist and aurist, from the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary ; having practiced four years 
before graduating (by permission ) , he has acquired a reputation for proficiency rarely equaled by those of his age. 



998 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

CHARIiKS A. DOY'LE, Doylestown ; merchant, was born June 24, 1845, in the town of 
Aimond, Allegany Co., N. Y ; came here in 1866, then went to Nashotah as station agent, from July 1, 
1867, to July 1 , 1871 ; then traveled six months ; then to Lyndon, Juneau Co., was agent there from January, 
1872, to Nov. 1, 1873 ; then returned to Doylestown, where he has been station agent fi-om that time, and 
Postmaster since Jan. 1, 1880. Was married at Lyndon, Nov. 26, 1873, by Rev. Wm. Hamilton, of 
Kilbourn, to Inez E. Wright, who was born Sept. 8, 1847, at Forestville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., 
daughter of R. S. and Anna W. (Holmes) Wright. Mr. Wright was born Jan. 18, 1818, in Chautauqua 
Co., N. Y., and Ann W. Holmes was born Dec. 6, 1828, at Rochester, N. Y.; they were married Oct. 6, 
1845, at Versailles, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. They have had three children — Charles A., born Aug. 31, 
1874; Dora Alice, born Feb. 24, 1876; Grace Elizabeth, born Jan. 14, 1879. Mr. Doyle is engaged in 
mercantile business with Niels Rasmus, from Pari.sh of Gzerpen, Norway; became to Dodge Co. in 1844, 
and here in August, 1876 ; commenced business with Doyle, and is unmarried. 

WILLI AM HENRY OASKILL, farmer. Sec. 5 ; 80 acres ; P. O. Rio ; was born May 
30, 1829, in Fayette Co., Penn.; son of Morgan and Sabrina (Lane) Gaskili. Mr. Gaskill, Sr., was 
from Crawford Co., Penn., and Mrs. Gaskill from Ohio. William came here July 13, 1854, and settled at 
Rio, where he followed the river and farming. He was married Dec. 14, 1859, by Justice J. W. Stewart, 
to Jane A. Stewart, who was born April 13, 1834, in Bradford Co., Penn., daughter of Joseph W. and 
Calista (Squires) Stewart; they have had four children — Stewart M., born October, 1860, died April 8, 
1864; Helen F., born Feb. 23, 1865, died Feb. 11, 1867; Stella E., born March 18, 1868; Alice J., 
born June 16, 1871. Mr. Gaskill has been Supervisor and Constable, Lodge Deputy in Good Templars, 
Worthy Patriarch in Sons of Temperance, several times W. C. T. in Templar ■>, and is a member of the Rio 
Farmers' Club, of twenty members; he is a Republican in politics, a Baptist in religion, and is Treasurer 
and Trustee in the church; an ultra Prohibitionist, as was Mr. Stewart, the father of Mrs. Gaskill, who 
was born Jan. 23, 1809, at Hartland, Niagara Co., N. Y., and was the first white child born in that oouniy. 
Mr. Stewart's father was in the war of 1812. He married Calista Squires in June, 1833; came here in 
1851 ; was a farmer, and an active Temperance man thirty years ; was a liberal, generous, honest man ; for 
years a Justice of the Peace, and died Nov. 27, 1879, of heart disease ; was a Republican, the father of 
twelve children ; they all survive him ; two of them were in the Union army ; he was a man of good 
principles, and respected by all. Mrs. Gaskill was a teacher in New York and Wisconsin from 1852 to 
1859. The father of Mr. Gaskill was Captain of the " Monongahela Blues," and was commissioned by 
Gov. Joseph Ritner, of Pennsylvania, about 1836 ; he w.is a steamboat builder in Pennsylvania and Ohio, 
and owned a farm and steam saw-mill. 

C. C. HOLLY, farmer. Sec. 8; 190 acres; P. 0. Rio; born in Greenville, Greene Co., N. Y., 
in 1829 ; is the son of John and Irene (Palmer) Holly; came here in 1852. Married at home in 1854 ; 
had four children— Frank, born July 5, 1853; Japhet Hull, born Sept. 8. 1855; Charles Irwin, born 
Jan. 28, 1863; Jessie H., born March 30, 1876. Republican in politics; attends Baptist Church. 
Was in Co. K, 22d W. V. I.; was out three years ; is now Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Holly was born 
Feb. 28, 1834 ; was daughter of Henry and Hannah (Palmer) Blemis ; her father died here December, 
1877, aged 74 years, and her mother died in 1865. Mrs. Holly's parents went from New York to Mich- 
igan in 1844 ; remained there six years and came here ; on the way, at Milwaukee, after taking teams off 
the boat, her brothers, John and William, aged 24 and IS years, were both drowned in the lake in a 
strange and unaccountable manner ; the young man Hoisington, who was with them, heard them struggling 
in the water, and got a lantern on the wharf; and the supposition was, that the pier-tender had something 
to do with their death, as he soon left the place (as also did a boy who worked for him), asserting that it 
(the wharf) was haunted, and it was believed he confessed the crime to his wife, but it was never proven ; 
the pier-tender soon after cut his own throat in a fit of delirium tremens, at Waukesha. 

STEPHEBf JAMES, farmer. Sec. 23; 220 acres, 140 acres cultivated ; P. 0. Otsego; born 
Aug. 12, 1813, in Pembrookshire, Wales; son of Daniel and Dinah (Lewis) James, came here in 1839, 
and went to Erie Co., Penn., and worked at the carpenter trade, thence went to Waterford a short time, 
and went sailing on the lakes four or five seasons as fireman and engineer ; then went to Racine Rapids, 
wagon-making, one season ; then made a wagon for himself and bought a yoke of oxen, and loaded uji his 
wife and their effects, and started to this town ; got here Aug. 15, 1844 ; went on foot and alone to Green 
Bay, to enter land; struck a hollow Indian trail and old military route; had a compass to steer by. and 
was gone nine days ; entered south half of Sec. 23, carried on farming ever since (also wagon-making), 
except two years at Beaver Dam. He was the first Treasurer in the town, and made the first wagon in 
the town ; at that time, people came from Columbus to get wagons repaired ; he built the first wagon it> 
his house (where be made a bench), and when they went up-stairs had to put a chair on the work-bench 



TOWN OF OT^iEGO. 999 

nd then climb ; went to Beaver Dam and sold his wagon to procure some grub, as they called it, and 
umber to build a house ; on his way home, he pulled stakes out of the fences to make spokes for a new 
wagon; the fence was at a spring where he stopped to drink (it is now the celebrated mineral springs). 
Mr. James is a Baptist ; Republican, naturalized at Green Bay. Was married April 13, 1843, at Erie, 
Penn., by Rev. M. Brown (Methodist), to Rachel H., daughter of Thomas and Jemima (Fisk) Henton, 
(see Cyrus Root) ; wife was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., April 16, 1825 ; their children are Thomas D., • 
born Feb. 23, 1846, married Emily Henton, now on Sec. 23, and has a daughter Mary, aged 2 years ; 
Benjamin W., born April 2, 1847, married Miss May Haines, of Lincoln, 111., now lives at Wausaw, 
Wis. — two children were buried last summer, both boys — -he is a leading lawyer of that place ; Mary J., 
born March 7, 1850, died April 24, 1869 ; Hannah C, born Jan. 31, 1853, died March 5, 1863 ; Stephen 
E., born Dec. 7, 1854, married Miss Etta Haskin, of Fall River. 

LEGRAND liLOY^D, farmer. Sec. 36 ; 80 acres ; P. 0. Otsego ; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 21, 1828 ; is a son of Washington and Amy ( Hungerford) Lloyd ; came to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., 
at 6 years of age, and six years after to Springfield, Erie Co., Penn., with parents ; at 20, he came to 
Westfield, and remained three years; then to Erie Co., Penn., two years ; and in the fall of 1854, to Dodge 
Co., Wis. On April 3, 1856, was married by Rev. Mr. Smith, at Saybrooke, Ashtabula Co, Ohio, to Miss 
Ellen, daughter of Asa and Phila (Cass) Anderson ; wife was born June 25, 1834 ; had four children — 
Watson, born April 23, 1857 ; Anice, born July 10, 1859, wife of James P. Goodman, of Hampden; 
Burton, born Jan. 29, 1862 ; Minnie, born June 10, 1866. Mr. Lloyd is a Methodist and a Republican ; 
has been Supervisor two years. District Clerk, President of the Otsego and Springvale Insurance Company, 
and Secretary of the Hampden Cheese Manufacturing Association; had one brother (Albert), died in 
Memphis, Tenn., during the rebellion; also, two brothers (Henry and Loammi), in navy and infantry, 
latter in Indian service. Mrs. Lloyd also had a brother (Charles Anderson"), in army three years. Mrs. 
Lloyd's father was born Feb. 15. 1804, and is living in Brie Co., Penn., and her mother was born March 

2, 1811, and died 1872, at Geneva, Ohio. 

JF. R. MORRIN, of the firm of Morris & Co., Rio. ; dealers in grain, produce, hides, salt, furs, 
etc.; was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1845 ; son of Marshal and Sarah ( Hoard) Morris ; came 
to Wisconsin in 1866, settled at Tomah, and engaged in the lumber trade; then to Arlington, on the 
" Madison and Portage road," where he engaged in the lumber and grain trade; then went to Texas, 
with a view to settlement; came back in April, 1878, and went into business here with his brother, C. M. 
Morris, who is unmarried. They have, in connection with the elevator, a steam " feed mill" ; also an eleva- 
tor at Doylestown. The father of Mr. Morris was killed at the battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862, being 
a member of the 15th N. Y. V. I. He had three children — Harry, born Dec. 4, 1874 ; Mabel, born July 

3, 1876; Paul Wm., born Dec. 20, 1879. His wife was Elnora Austin, daughter of Wm. Austin ; she 
was born Sept. 15, 1856, at Hannibal, N. Y., near Syracuse, and married at Portage, Wis., by the Rev. 
Mr. Ritchie, Feb. 2, 1873. 

REV. HENRY R. MURPHY was born at Forge Hollow, Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 17, 
1852 ; he is the son of John and Margaret (Roche) Murphy, who were from the County Wexford, Ire- 
land, and came to America in 1850. He resided for a short time at Elba, and went from there to St. 
Francis' Seminary, near Milwaukee, where he remained eight years, when he took charge of the '' Rocky 
Run Church," in Wyocena, and also of St. Patrick's Church at Doylestown, where he resides; orders 
conferred June 24, 1877, by Archbishop Henni ; his charge embraces 125 families (about 600 mem- 
bers), mostly Irish. Father Murphy is, physically and mentally, a man, and a genial, •' liberal-minded " 
gentleman; is successfully conducting a good work, and is highly esteemed by all alike, regardless of 
political or religious faith. 

OLIVER NOBLE, farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0. Rio; 140 acres, 80 cultivated; was born in Steu- 
ben Co., N. Y.; son of Harvey and Sophia (Ely) Noble, of Herkimer Co., N. Y.; came here in 1850. 
He was married, April 16, 1850, by Elder Jarvis, at Richfield Springs, Otsego Co., N. Y., to Charlotte 
Ely (born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 25, 1823), daughter of Gad and Lydia (Bradley) Ely, and had 
eight children — Sylvester E., born Jan. 11, 1851 ; Helen L., born Jan. 14, 1853, died Sept. 3, 1854; 
Martha A., born Oct. 14. 1855, died Sept. 14, 1857; Frances L., born Dec. 29, 1857, wife of Thomas 
Batty, at Rio; Lydia M., born July 3, 1859 ; Harriet S., Sept. 23, 1861, died Jan. 11, 1879 ; Elmore 
N., died at about 5 months of age; Anna A., born Aug. 30, 1867. Mr. Noble was Supervisor, Clerk, 
Treasurer and Director several years. Gad Ely was a soldier of 1812. 

OLSON & LARSON, manufacturers of and dealers in boots and shoes, hides, leather, etc., 
etc., Rio.; they keep a varied assortment in stock, and they do a square business, as their patrons can 
testify. M. D. Olson was born in Bergen-Stift, Norway ; is the son of Ole Olson and Sygnelde (^Johannes- 



1000 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

son) Olson ; was born March 3, 1849 ; came here in April, 1871 ; lived in the town of Leeds three years ; 
worked for A. Jones three years ; then worked for John Peterson four years, and then bought hioi out ; 
went into partnership two years ago with Peter Larson, who was born Aug. 10, 1842, at same place, as 
partner, son of Lars Asb Jiirnson, of Stenehjem, where his father died in 1849; his mother is now at 
Otsego, Wis., wife of J. Johnson ; he came to America in 1873, and worked for John Peterson until he 
went into partnership in 1878; married at his birthplace May 23, 1865, to Ingeri Pederson, and had 
eight children— Martha, born Jan. 8, 1866; Lewis, born Sept. 29, 1867; Peter, born Sept. 30, 1869; 
Andrew, born Dec. 15, 1871; Edward, born June 26, 1874; Emma, born Oct. 8, 1875; John, born July 
20, 1877; Anna Maria, born April 23, 1879. Mr. Larson's wife was born July 12, 1841. Both mem- 
bers of the firm are Republicans, and members of the Lutheran Church. 

GEORGK ORMSBEE, farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0. Doylestown ; 160 acres in Sees. 2 and 3 ; 
born Jan. 15, 1829, in the town of Wiodham, Greene Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin twenty-four vears 
ago, and to this town in 1870. Was married June 6, 1849, at Lexington, N. Y., by Rev. William 
Gould (Methodist), to Harriet Hosford, daughter of Willis and Lucia ( Osborn) Hosford ; they have had 
five children — Lafayette W., born Feb. 28, 1850, married to Christina Palmer, now in Smith Co., Kan.; 
Marion, born Dec. 18, 1851, married Mattie Sage, and living in Smith Co., Kan.; Buel S., born Oct. 4, 
1853 — in Smith Co., Kan., unmarried; Brazilla B., born Oct. 4, 1855, died Sept. 12, 1874; Myron H., 
born Dec. 10, 1857, married to Abigail Parsneau, who was born in Carleton, Kenauwee Co., Wis., March 
4, 1862. Mr. Ormsbee has a good farm, and wants to sell it and go West to join his children. Brazilla 
B. was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun, he having carried it along, as usual, to shoot squirrels 
while driving the cows from pasture, and left it at the fence while milking, which being done, he attempted 
to pull it through the fence, when the hammer caught, shooting him in the neck, causing instant death by 
severing the jugular vein. 

ROSWELL PAIillER, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Rio; born Jan. 18, 1821, in Lysander, 
Onondaga Co., N. Y.; son of Oliver S. and Chloe (Palmer) Palmer, who were from Greene Co., 
N. Y.; came to Wisconsin May 29, 1842, and settled in Lisbon, Waukesha Co., then came here ; was married 
Sept. 4, 1847, in Waukesha (then Milwaukee) Co., Wis., by Elder Timothy Palmer, his uncle, to Loretta 
M. Pease, who was born Aug. 8, 1827, daughter of Samuel and Olivia Pease ; her mother was a widow, 
and married Mr. Phillips; Mrs. Palmer died Oct. 30, 1878. They have had four children — Frances 0., 
born Oct. 8, 1848, wife of James C. Stewart, of Lowville, and has one child; C. Elmira, born July 15, 
1851, died April 23, 1871, wife of C. T. Jobbins ; Clara Nell S., born Dec. 19, 1854, wife of C. T. Job- 
bins (husband of deceased sister), married June 29, 1873, has three children, viz., George R., born June 
22, 1874, Clifford L, born Feb. 21, 1877, Loretta E., born Nov. 17, 1879, now on farm ; James R., bora 
Sept. 8, 1863, died Nov. 17, 1864. Mr. Palmer has been Supervisor and Chairman, and five years a Jus- 
tice ; is a member of the Baptist Church, as are also his two daughters, he being Deacon ; he is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and Anti-Mason ; he owns 120 acres of land. 

51. D. PARSWEAIT, farmer. Sec. 24; 100 acres; P. 0. Doylestown; born in Vermont Aug. 
22, 1828; son of Gilbert and Mary (Legisa) Parsneau, of Canada; came to Fall River tweuty-seven years 
ago, and after two years went to Kewaunee, Mich., where he remained twenty years; during the Peshtigo 
fire he lost most of his effects, and came near losing their lives ; he returned to Fall River, then to Doyles- 
town two years, and then to this farm. Was married Oct. 4, 1853, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., by Rev. John 
Thomas, Rev. H. Corbin assisting, to Judith A., daughter of Seneca and Abigail (Brown) Warner, from 
Aldburg, Vt.; they have had eight children — Alfred W., born July 23, 1854 ; Nelson G., born May 22, 
1856 ; Mary A., born June 27,^1858; Harriet J., born July 18, 1860 ; Abigail E., born March 4, 1862, 
married" to Myron Ormsby, Sec. 3 (see George Ormsby, Springvale) ; George M., born Oct. 16, 1863 ; 
Nettie Bell, born Aug. 11, 1865; Alpheus S., born Dec. 7, 1869. Mr. Parsneau is a Republican in 
politics, and a Methodist. He had two brothers, Jehial and William V., and several nephews were in the 
army. Mr. P.'s father was in the war of 1812, and was in jail in Montreal, sentenced to be hung, when 
peace was declared, and he was exchanged. Mr. P. had three brothers-in-law in the army. 

WENDELL A. PULVER, merchant, Otsego ; (16 acres) ; was born Jan. 3, 1827 in Ontario 
Co., N. Y.; son of John W. and Sarah (Sharpsteen) Pulver, who were born in Dutchess Co., N. Y.; came 
here in 1847; bought land and commenced farming in 1848: he lived on his farm some eighteen 
years, and then went into the mercantile line in a general way, which he has followed with more 
than an average success up to the present time. He was married in Niagara Co., N. Y., to Miss 
Helen M., daughter of George and Helen E. (MersaroU) Van Vleet. She was born on Jan. 6, 
1827, and died of typhoid fever July 3, 1861 ; left two children — Seward F., born Aug. 1, 1-848, 
married Annie McKay, at Rio, on farm; Alice M., born May 28, 1853, wife of M. Tillotson, Sec. 22, 



TOWN OF OTSEGO. 1001 

Otsego Township. Married the second time, May 4, 1862, by E. Blaisdel, J. P., to Emely, daughter of 
Abijah and Martha (Bryan) Stevens. She was born Jan. 25, 1839, in Lorain Co., Ohio; her parents 
being from Litchfield, Conn.; she had four children — ^Charles L., born June 11, 1865 ; M. Dell, born Feb. 
14, 1868; Estella, born March 18, 1872, died Jan. 16, 1874; Claud, born Sept. 21, 1873. Mr. Pulver 
attends the Baptist Church, as there is no other, and is a Republican, and has done his share of office 
work in town, but is not an aspirant for political honors. 

JOHN B. PEASE, veterinary surgeon ; P. 0. Otsego ; was born in Columbia Co. Dec. 20, 
1853; son of Wm. C. and Angeline ( McNett) Pease, of Somerset, N. Y. He was married, June 25, 
1862, to Alice L., daughter of Jotham and Martha (Howarth) Stone; she was born June 29, 1851, in 
N. Y. They were married by Elder Meredith, at Otsego, and had one child — Birdie E., born April 18, 
1865. His paternal grandfather was a Captain in the navy and merchant service, and his maternal grand- 
father was a Captain in the war of 1812 ; his brother, W. A. Pease, is in Rush Medical College. Mrs. 
Pease had a brother (Emerson) in the late war and died at Baton Rouge. Mr. Pease has followed his 
business four years at this place, and has acquired a good practice and a first-class reputation ; he is also 
agent for all kinds of farm machinery. 

N. RASMUS, President of the Doylestown Library Association; organized Dec. 20, 1878, with 
E. C. Stack, President; Mary B. Doyle, Vice President; C. A. Doyle, Secretary; J. S. Morris, Treas- 
urer and Librarian. Started with twenty-two members; has now twenty-seven, and owns sixty-eight 
volumes. Present officers — President, N. Rasmus ; Vice President, Mrs. B. Smith ; the others, same as 
above. Life membership fee, $1, yearly; dues, $1, per year, quarterly. Books purchased of E. 
Quinn, of Milwaukee, who earned the gratitude of members by his generous treatment of the Associa- 
tion. 

C¥RUS ROOT, retired; P. 0. Otsego; was born Sept. 26, 1811, in Onondaga Co., N. Y.; 
is the son of Cyrus and Esther (Loveland) Root; was married in Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., by 
Elder John Savin, to Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Jemima (Fish) Henton, born April 20, 1817, at 
Venango, Crawford Co., Penn.; they had six children — Clarissa, born March 4, 1838, died an infant; 
Mary Helen, born July 23, 1840 (widow of John Sickles, and has two daughters, viz., Edith May, 15 
years of age, born Aug. 9, 1879, and Jessie C, born in March, 1866); Henry Thomas, born May 24, 
1843 (married Jane Mitchell, and has five children, viz., Oliver H., Ralph M., Harry, Alma M., Curry, 
Henry Root is Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, and Clerk of School District) ; Brastus B., born Dec. 
13, 1846, died in 1848 ; Abbey A., born Jan. 7, 1851, died Jan. 17, 1852 ; Charles W., born March 
2, 1854, died April 9, 1855. The following was written by Mrs. R. H. James, sister to Mrs. Root, on 
the death of the three children : 

The chain of Love that bound us here 

•Stern Death has three times riven ; 
Why should we mourn ? Those three bright links 
But form three ties in Heaven. 

Mr. Root came to Sec. 24, and bought a claim, when W. B. Dyer was the only man in the town ; 
farming until 1853, when he opened a store on Sec. 22, followed that business four years, and returned 
to the farm ; then kept stage house for a time, and was the first Postmaster in town and held it eleven 
years : was Justice and Treasurer, etc., for several years. Henry was in the 32d Regiment, and trans- 
ferred to the 16th. Mr. Root's father was a minute-man and Fife Major in 1812, and the father of Mrs. 
Root was also a soldier at that time. W. B. Dyer kept the first hotel in this place, in a log house. John 
Boutwell built the first frame hotel, now the Otsego House, kept by Fayette Ashley. Mason Deming 
started the first blacksmith-shop about 1850. The first Sunday-school was organized in 1852, in the 
new schoolhouse. When Mr. Dodge first came to Otsego, he thrashed 300 bushels of wheat by driving 
oxen over it, on the ground, and then fanned it out by hand. 

MRS. J. W. STEWART, P. O. Rio ; 80 acres ; was born March 16, 1815, at Chemung, 
Chemung Co., N. Y.; came here May 29, 1852 ; married at Factoryville, Penn., Nov. 20, 1831, to Joseph 
Stewart, and had twelve children — -Jane A., born April 13, 1834, wife of Wm. H. Gaskill ; James C, born 
Oct. 11, 1836, married Frances Palmer, and is at Lowville ; Joseph E., born July 16, 1838, married to 
Salinda Lamphere, now at Fillmore, Minn.; Harrison H., born May 24, 1840, living in Montana; Wm. 
Humphrey, born May 7, 1842, living at Gordonville, Minn., married to Mary Jane Doran ; Ann Eliza, 
born June 13, 1844, wife of T. Price, of Springvale; Harley D., born March 30, 1846, married Libbie 
Learmonth, of Rio; Charlotte M., born April 1, 1848; Stella C, born Feb. 8, 1851 ; Sardius D., born 
July 20, 1853; Cynthia B., born Aug. 16', 1855; Grant S., born Sept. 8, 1864. Cynthia is a teacher. 
Harrison was First Sergeant in Co. K, 51st Mo. V. I., and was slightly wounded. Joseph E. was 
in the 30th Iowa V. I., and at Vicksburg, Mobile, Atlanta, etc. Both were in the army about four years. 



1002 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: ^ 

HANS HANSON TONGEN, fanner and merchant; P. 0. Rio; born Nov. 2, 1856, 
in Saude-Prestfjjeld, Norway ; came to America in 1850. Married, May 18, 1854, by H. A. Preus, 
at Portaj;e, to Miss Martha Rustad ; had five children — Anna, was born Oct. 22, 1855, now wife of 
H. 6. Wilson, Sec. 16, has one child; Hans, born Sept. 30, 1857, now lives at Otsego, married Eunice 
Carney, has one girl ; Pauline, born May 13, 1860, now the wife of John J. Baukuam ; Annie, born 
Aug. 9, 1862, single, in store at Rio ; Martha, born Aug. 9, 1866, at home Mr. Tongen is a Repub- 
lican, and a member of the Lutheran Church. He is by trade a mason, which he followed in the old 
country, and over in this State, until he began mercantile business, six years ago. He has been Super- 
visor, Chairman and Treasurer. Owns 280 acres of land. 



TOWN OF WEST POINT. 

AiriOS F. ABBOTT, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. West Point ; was born in Lemington, Essex 
Co., Vt., in 1822 ; when about 10 years of age, he removed with his parents, George W. and Lucinda 
Abbott, to Lyman, Grafton Co., N. H. ; his father was a millwright by trade ; he died in 1852, in the 
town of Lyman ; when 17 years of age, Mr. Abbott went to Montpelier, Vt., where he learned the trade 
of a printer, in the office of the Patriot of that city ; this busiues.s he followed for seven years ; a part 
of this time was engaged in publishing the Coo^ Democrat, of which J. M. Rix was editor; thence in 
1846, to Pittsburg, Coos Co., where he engaged in farming; here he also represented three towns of the 
county in the Legislature of Vermont. He came to Wisconsin in May, 1855, and settled on his present 
farm. He was married, in 1844, to Miss Emily Elliott, daughter of Daniel and Susan Elliott, born 1822 ; 
they have three children — Edna A. Bliven, born May 23, 1845 ; Zoe A. Bliven, March 18, 1848, and 
Noel G., May 14, 1853. Mr. Abbott enlisted Feb. 14, 1865, in 49th W. V. I., Col. Fallows; he was 
mustered into service Feb. 22, 1865, at Madison ; was transferred from the 49th to the 50th, and 
appointed First Sergeant of Co. E; he was discharged Oct. 31, 1865, at Sioux City, Iowa. 

FRANK B. ABBOTT, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Farrs Corners; son of Moses S. Abbott, 
who was born in the town of Bath, N. H., Oct. 22, 1806; his father, Josiah Abbott, removed to Leming- 
ton, Vt., when Moses S. was 5 years of age ; he was a soldier of the Revolution ; was an Adjutant in the 
army, and served five years in the war of independence ; he died in 1837. Moses S. Abbott lived in 
Vermont till 1828, when he removed to the State of New Hampshire ; he came to Wisconsin in June, 
1854, and settled on the farm which his sou, Frank B., now owns, and with whom he resides ; his wife 
was Sophrona Ladd ; she died in 1872 ; he has had seven children — Sewell W., Madalon M., Adeline D., 
Azro G., Adalaide A., Amanda M. and Frank B.; the latter was born, on the farm which he now owns, 
Jan. 22, 1857. He was married, March, 1879, to Mattie, daughter of Mr. J. Atkinson, born in Door 
Co., Wis., in 1863. Farm contains 54 acres. 

WILLIAM A. BLACKMAN, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Merrimac, Sauk Co.; was born in 
Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1842; became to Columbia Co. with his parents in 1858, they settled in the 
village of Dekorra ; his father, a Methodist clergyman, now resides in Sharon, Walworth Co.; Mr. Black- 
man enlisted in February, 1862, in thd 18th W. V. I., and serv.;d till the close of the war; was at the 
battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, seijond battle of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, and in all the campaigns 
and battles in which his regiment took part ; after the war, he worked at his trade, that of a carpenter and 
joiner, for several years. He was married to Mary Stanley. His farm contains 120 acres. 

HUBERT BOEH9IER, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Prairie du Sac; was born in Rhine 
Pru.ssia, April 30, 1834; hi.s father died in Germany ; he came to this country with his mother and 
family in 1852; they lived three years in Racine Co., then to Dane Co., where they lived about ten 
years ; Mr. Boehmer bought his present farm in 18G7. He was married to Sarah Laraberty, from Ger- 
many ; they have five sons and two daughters — Paul, Mary, Joseph, Hubert, John, Mathias and Lizzie, 
his farm contains 180 acres. 

NELSON G. BURLINGAME, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. West Point ; born near Sandusky, 
Ohio, October, 1829. His parents, James L. and Sophia Burlingame, rem )ved from Chenango Co., N. 
Y., to Ohio about 1825, but they returned to the State of New York about 1S30 ; Mr. Burlingame came 
to the town of West Point, from the State of New York, October, 1850 ; after two years, he returned to 
the State of New York and was married to Miss Helen Weatherby, of Madison Co.; his first settlement 
in Columbia Co. was in Sees. 14 and 23 ; he bought his present farm in the spring of 1854, where he 



TOWN OF WEST POINT. 1003 

has since resided; has three children — Mrs. Mary Farr, Carrie and Nelson D.; lias lost four children — 
Cynthia, Leonard, Edgar and Theresa; his farm contains 120 acres. Lery Burlingame, a brother of 
Nelson G. resides in Se3. 15 ; he was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1833; came to the town of West 
Point, June, 18.i5 ; he returned in 18.57, and was married to Arlina M. Slocum ; they have three chil- 
dren — Everet H., Ada May, and Inez E.; lost one child, a twin brother of Inez, named Ira ; 105 acres. 

ENIAS CARNCROSS, farmer, Sec. 14; P. West Point; was born in Montgomery Co., 
N. Y., in 1817; when 17 years of age, removed to Oneida Co.. where he lived until 1850, when he came 
to Columbia Co., and settled on his present farm. He was married to Miss Chloe Salisbury ; born in 
Oneida Co., N. Y. They have five children — Lysander W., John E., W. Irving, Mary A. Hill and 
.Martha M. Smith. Mr. Carncross has 220 acres of land ; he has been a member of the Board of Su- 
pervisors two years. 

OTHIViEIi €ARR, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in the town of Plainfield, Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., in 1819. He lived in Massachusetts and the State of New York until 1846, when he 
came to Wisconsin ; he settled on the line of Green and Rock Cos., where he entered 205 acres of land. 
He is a mason by trade ; he lived in Janesville twenty-five years, where he worked at his trade ; he settled 
where he now lives in September, 1878. He was married to Rebecca A. Howe; born in the State of 
New York. They have had six children, three of whom are living — Oliver, Amanda and Emma. His 
farm contains 160 acres. 

WM. B. CHRISLER, farmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. West Point; was born in Schoharie Co., N.Y., 
in 1812. He went to Montgomery Co. when a boy, where he lived until he was 24 years of age ; thence 
to Chenango Co., where he lived about fifteen years ; thence to Madison Co., where he lived five years ; 
he came to Columbia Co., and settled on the farm where he now lives in the fall of 1856. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Carncross, sister of Enias Carncross; she was born in Montgomery Co.. N. Y., in 
1813. They have eight children— Jacob, Catherine, John W., Armina, Austin, James A., Talcott E.. 
and Delia D.; lost their first child — Mary M., in infancy. Farm contains 137 acres. 

CirlDEOBf CEARK, retired farmer and lumber dealer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Okee ; was born in 
Yates Co., N. Y., October, 1813 ; he removed to Geauga Co., Ohio, when 21 years of age ; he came to 
Columbia Co. in the spring of 1853, and purchased a part of Lis present farm", where he settled in the 
spring of 1854; he was engaged in the lumber business for many years, from which he retired in the fall 
of 1877 ; his form contains 360 acres. His wife was Miss Louisa Odell, daughter of William Odell; she 
was born May 25, 1814 ; they were married Jan. 12, 1837 ; they have had two children, both deceased — 
Harrison, born Dec. 25, 1837, died March 21, 1855 ; Perliaett F., born July 4, 1844, died April 12, 1868. 

WIELIAlfl H. COOK, farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. West Point ; was born in Boston, England, in 
1827; much of his life has been passed as a sailor ; he began this business when but a boy; was for 
several years engaged on vessels plying between England and America ; he came to the United States to 
reside in 1846 ; went to New Orleans, which he made his home about two years ; he, however, a part of 
this time, was engaged in the quartermaster's department of the American army, the Mexican war being 
then in progress ; he afterward went to New York ; thence to Milwaukee in 1851 ; he was then engaged 
during the season of navigation on the lakes for several years ; in the mean time he had made him a home 
in Dodge Co., Wis.; he came to Columbia Co. in the fall of 1858, and settled where he now lives. He 
was married to Marion Madison, formerly of the city of Lincoln, England; they have eight children — 
Francis A., John M., William, Albert H., Annie, George, Martin J. and Sidney C. Mr. Cook is present 
Chairman of the Town Board ; he held that position for several years in his early residence in the county ; 
his farm contains 160 acres. 

EEANDER S. DREW, farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0. Farr's Corners; son of Dr. Leander Drew, 
one of the pioneers of Columbia Co.; Dr. Drew was born in Corinth, Vt., June 13, 1815; he was a 
student of Hanover and Dartmouth Colleges, graduating from Dartmouth when 23 years of age. He 
was married to Miss Alraira Shattuck, of Manchester, Vt.; they had two children — Leander S.,born Aug. 
23, 1842, and Frank F., born March 9, 1844. Mrs. Drew died when her younger son was born. Dr. 
Drew came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1846, and located in West Point, near Crystal Lake, purchasing 
.of the Government 400 acres of land, on which he that season built a log house, which was, probably, the 
first house built in the town of West Point ; this house is still used as a dwelling ; here Dr. Drew lived 
alone for two years, engaged in the duties of his profession, among the sparsely settled regions of this part 
of the territory of Wisconsin ; in the fall of 1848, he went back to Vermont, and returned with his 
mother, her daughter Emily, and his two children ; the Doctor erected a new house nearer the lake, in 
1850 ; this house is now occupied by his eldest son ; here, he was for a number of years engaged in the 
manufacture of the oil of wormwood ; he continued actively engaged in his business, and in the duties of 



1004 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

his profession, though suffering severely, from a nervous difiBculty, during the last years of his life ; he 
died Oct. 30, 1857 ; his mother is still living at the advanced age of a9 years. Frank F. Drew was 
married to Miss Emma ShurtlifF; he now owns and occupies half of the orginal homestead; they have 
two children. Leander S., was married, March 15, ISGlJ, to Miss Harriet Riddle, adopted daughter of 
Gideon Clark, of Okee ; they have two children — Harry, born April 19, 1868, and Lois A., born Sept. 
IC, 1872. 

JONATHAN L. FAKR, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. O. Farr's Corners; was born in the town ot 
Corinth, Orange Co., N. Y., July 23, 1817, where he lived until the spring of 1841, when he went to 
Boston, Mass. He was married in Cambridge, Mass., to Sophrona J. Parker, born in Vermont in 1816 ; 
he resided in Boston until August, 1855 ; he then removed to the city of New York ; he came to Wis- 
consin in August, 1857, and settled at Prairie du Sac, Sauk Co.; settled on his present fiirm March, 1862, 
where he has since resided ; has two children — Albert L., born in Boston Oct. 12, 1850, married Mary 
E. Farr, daughter of Nelson Burlinganic ; Henry 0.. born at Cambridge Sept. 1, 1852. Mr. Farr's 
farm contains 120 acres ; Albirt, whose farm adjoins his father's has 60 acres. 

DAVID H. FELLOWS, farmer, Sec. 14 ; 1'. 0. West Point ; was born in Rensselaer Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 15, 1827, wliere he resided till spring of 1857, when he came to Columbia Co., and settled on his 
present farm, where he has since resided. He was married to Amanda Gardner, daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth Gardner, who came to Columbia Co. from Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1856 ; her parents 
are deceased. Mr. Fellows has five children — Elbert, Frank, Herbert, Sidney and Chester; lost three 
children in infancy. His farm contains 285 acres. 

D. P. tritOW, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P.O. Prairie du Sac ; was born in the town of Newbury, 
Orange Co., Vt., in 1813 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1850 ; he lived on Sauk Prairie, Sauk Co.. from May 
till November of that year, when ho settled on his present farm, purchasing the land from the Government. 
He was married to Comfort A. Highlands, born in Vermont; they have four children — (Jeorge, Martha 
E., Mary A. and Charles F. He has 340 acres of land. His son George lives on Sec. 20 ; he was born 
in Vermont in 1841. He was married to Libbie Sherman, born in the State of New York ; they have one 
child, Albert. 

AMA'SA HATHAWAY, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. O. Prairie du Sac ; was born in the town of 
Adams, Mass., in 1800; his father removed to Rensselaer Co., N. Y., when he was a child; thence to 
Jefferson Co., where he lived till 25 years of age ; he learned the trade of a blacksmith ; worked at the 
trade of a cooper, also, for some time. Mr. Hathaway has been married three times ; his present wife 
was Marcia Berry ; he was quite an early settler of Wisconsin ; he lived in Buffalo Co. about sixteerv 
years; thence to Sauk Co ; he settled where he now lives about 1850. His f..rm contains about 140 
acres. 

JACOB HENRY, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. O. Lodi ; was born in Germany in 1826 ; he came to 
America in 1849 ; he lived in the State of New York about five years; came to Columbia Co., Wis., in 
1854, and settled where he now lives. His farm contains 80 acres. He was married to Theresa Tropf, 
born in Germany ; they have five children — Mary, Emma, Albert, Anna and Isabelle ; Albert became 
deaf and dumb at the age of 6 years, from scarlet fever ; he was educated at the asylum for the deaf and 
dumb, at Delavan, Wis. 

LYMAN HILL, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. West Point; was born at Hyde Park, in what is now 
Lamoille Co., Vt., in June, 1804. Mr. Hill, though not an early settler of Columbia Co., is one of the 
pioneers of the State of Wisconsin ; he came to Milwaukee via Whitehall and Erie Canals and the great 
lakes in the fall of 1836 ; he located in Waukesha Co., on the line of Walworth Co. Mr. Hill possesses 
an excellent memory, and it is both amusing and instructive to listen to incidents and anecdotes, as re- 
lated by him, of his early experience in the wilds of Wisconsin. His home, from Milwaukee, was twenty- 
six miles; in the winter of 1837, being short of provisions — a not uncommon occurrence in those days — 
he repaired to Milwaukee with a handsled, and returned, after an absence of but forty-eight hours, with 
flour and groceries suflicient to subsist himself and family for several weeks. Mr. Hill's first wife was Edna 
Preston ; she was born in Vermont, and died in Waukesha Co. in 1852. His present wife was L. 
Goldthwait, also born in Vermont. He had five children by his first wife, only one of whom is living — 
Mrs. Mary Ann Lester. Mr. Hill settled on his present farm in 1868. 

WM. H. HILL, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. West Point ; son of Cyrus Hill, who was born io 
Vermont in 1813; he came to the State of Wisconsin about 1837; he came from Sauk Co. to Columbia 
Co., and settled where his son now lives, in 1850 ; his first wife, the mother of Wm. H., was Miss Rhoda M. 
Hill ; she died soon after the birth of her son, Wm. H. His second wife was Betsy Polly, whom he married 
in the fall of 1849. He has two children by his first marriage — Maria Livermore and Wm. H.;the latter 



TOWN OF WEST POINT. 1005 

was born in 1848. He was married to Mary Carneross, dautiliter of Enias Cariicross ; tliey have two 
children — Arthur and Harlow H. Lost one child — Cyrus E. Farm contains about 230 acres. The 
father of Mr. Hill now lives in Jefferson, Greene Co., Iowa. 

IIERRILL JOHNSON, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Prairie du Sac; was born in the State of 
Maine Sept. V-^, 1827. His parents removed to Northern New Hampshire when he was an infant, where 
he lived until 1850, when he came to Columbia Co. His father, Samuel Johnson, came at the same time; 
he now lives at Wyocena. Mr. Johnson settled on his present farm in 1860. He was married to Hann ih 
S. Colby ; born in New Hampshire. They have three children — Irving N., Ernest W.and Nellie I. Mr. 
Johnson's farm contains 80 acres. 

REV. WARREN N. KINCw, Baptist minister, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Farr's Corners ; born in 
Windsor Co., Vt., in 1809, where he lived till 19 years of ape, when he went to Boston, Mass., and 
learned the trade of a cabinet-maker. He was married in 1830 to Cynthia Pcnnock ; he removed to 
Canada for two years; returned to Chelsea, Vt., where his wife died. He was married, 1833, to Jane 
Waldo; he began the ministry in Bridgewater, Vt. ; in 1844. enizaged as missionary among the Brotlior- 
town Indians in Winnebago Co., Wis.; settled in Racine in 1840, where he lived tlirec years; he started 
for California in June, 1860, but stopped at Niearaugua, whore he labored as mis.sionary among the 
natives for about one year, returning in 1862 ; has four children by second marriage — Walter M., George 
W., Cynthia J. and Sarah A. ; the two sons were soldiers in the rebellion ; Walter M. was a member of 
3d W. V. I.; George, 23d W. V. I. Mr. King's present wife is hit third, by whom he has one son, 
Warren ; went to California in 1869 ; remained two years ; settled where he now lives in 1878. 

J. I. NEWCOIUB, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Farr's Corners ; was born in Vermont, but his parents 
removed to Manchester, N. H., when he was a child ; they removed to Sank Co., Wis., town of Prairie 
du Sac, and came to Columbia Co., and settled on preseiit farm in 1861 ; his father, Bethure Newcoinb, 
lives at the homestead with his son ; his mother, Hannah C, died March 22, 1871. Mr. Newcomb was 
married to Delia Chrysler, daughter of Wm. B. Chrysler; they have three children — W^m. B., Lizzie C. 
and Rosella M. Farm contains 160 acres. 

G. H. OSTRANDER, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. West Pvint; was born in Albany Co., N. Y., in 
1808 ; he afterward removed to Montgomery Co. ; thence to Denmark ; he came to Wisconsin in the fall 
of 1865, and settled where he now lives in the spring of 1866. He married Polly Hurning; born in New 
York ; thev have five children — Wilson, Wilbert, Mary, Ann and Myron ; lost two children. Farm con- 
tains ill acres. Enos, aged 6 years, was drowned in the Black Piiver, N. Y., at Brownville. 

JUI..IITS A. PARR, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Farr's Corners; was born in Franklin Co., 
N. Y., June 15, 1834 ; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Wm. H. and Catharine Babcock Parr, in 
May, 1850 ; his parents settled in the town of Dane Co., where they resided till the death of his father, 
December, 1857 ; his mother resides in Eau Claire Co. ; Mr. Julius A. Parr purchased of the Government, 
a farm in the town of Maxwell, Buffalo Co., where he settled in 1861. He enlisted Aug. 7, 1862, in Co. 
E, 25th W. V. I. ; his regiment went North into Minnesota, after the Indian massacre of 1862 ; went 
South, March, 1863; participated in seige of Vicksburg, Sherman's Atlantic campaign, where he was 
wounded on the 9th ■ f August, 1864 ; he came home on leave of absence ; rejoined his regiment Nov. 14, 
1864; was promoted to First Sergeant, May, 1863; to Second Lieutenant, August, 1863; to First Lieu- 
tenant, September, 1864 ; in Sherman's march to the sea, he commanded Co. G, and commanded Co. D 
from Beaufort to Washington. He was married to Maria Welch, born in Canada East. Has 138 acres 
of land ; settled on his present farm in the fall of 1867. 

DAL.TON PECKER, fitrmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Prairie du Sac ; born in Lynn, Mass., Jan. 7, 
1810; his ancestors were from Scotland, but came to Americi over two centuries ago; the house in 
which Mr. Pecker was born, was also the birthplace of his mother, his grandfather and his greatgrand- 
father. He was married to Sally Bartlett, of Marblehead, Mass.; came to Wisconsin in 1861, and settled 
where he now lives ; has two children — Abner, who resides on the homestead, and Anna, now Mrs. Chas. 
H. Knight; has lost three children — ^Mary, Sarah and Frances Gardner. Farm contains 160 acres. 

SAMUEL SCHRINER, farmer, See. 15; P. 0. West Point; was born in Lycoming Co., 
Penn., in 1834, where his father still lives; came to Columbia Co. in the spring of 1855; in the fall of 
1858, he went to Dane Co. where he lived one year, then returned to Columbia Co., and settled at Okee. 
He was married to Miss Melinda Woodley, daughter of Mr. John Woodley, who died at Okee Jan. 2, 
1860. Mr. Schriner settled on his present farm in the spring of 1866 ; has seven children — Rachel, 
Samuel, Emma, Mary, Frances, George and John. His farm contains 80 acres. 

JOHN R. SCOTT, farmer. Sec. 7; P. O. Okee; son of John L. and Charlotte Scott; his 
father was born in the State of New York ; his mother is a native of New Jersey ; the family came to 



lOOti BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Wisconsin from Lycoming Co., Penn.; they reached Milwaukee in June, 1854, where the father died, 
three days after their arrival ; the remainder of the family, consisting of the mother, John R. and his sister 
Mary, settled at Okee, town of Lodi, July 22 of that year, where Mary died on the 27th of the same 
month; Mrs. Scott has since resided at Okee; she bought the farm where her son now lives in October, 
1854. He was married in 1866, to Rebecca Morter, daughter of John Morter, of the town of West 
Point; they have four children — Winfield, Lottie J., John M. and Seth T. Mr. Scott enlisted Aug. 14, 

1862, in Co. H, 23d W. V. I., he was at the battle of Arkansas Post and the attack on Vicksburg, from 
December 22, to the night of Jan. 1, 1863; discharged for disability April 3, 1863; re enlisted Aug. 
29, 1864, and served till the close of the war. Farm contains 83 acres. 

JOHN !*HARP, farmer. Sec. 30; P. O. Prairie du Sac; the eldest 'son of Michael Sharp, 
who was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1801 ; the family removed from St Lawrence Co. to Illinois, 
and then to Sauk Co., Wis., in February, 1845 ; in 1847, they settled in the town of West Point ; the 
parents had eleven children, ten of whom are living. John was born in St. Lawrence Co., in 1824. 
He was married to Lydia, daughter of Charles Evans, of Prairie du Sac ; they have one child — William 
Bertie ; he has 1 32 acres of land. 

IKA ^iMITH, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in New Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y., 
July 4, 1831 ; his parents are Richard and Sarah (Moshier) Smith ; his father was born in 1795 ; his 
mother, in February, 1797 ; they still reside in Columbia Co., N. Y. Mr. Smith came to Wisconsin 
with his brother, William E., in May, 1855, and settled where he now lives; in fall of that year, he 
returned to New York and was married to Lucinda Moore; she died in March, 1876. Mr. Smith has 
had six children, five of vfhom are living — Isabella, Eli, Sarah A., Theron M. and Nellie ; lost second 
child — Ida, who died IMay 10, 1876; farm contains 105 acres. 

WILIilAM B. >>»MITH, farmer. Sec. 13; P. 0. West Point; was born in Columbia Co., 
N. Y , in 1847 ; his parents removed to Rennselaer Co. when he was a child ; he came to Columbia Co. 
with his parents, April, 1865; his father now resides on S;c. 24. Married to Martha M. Carncross, 
slaughter of Enias Carncross ; they have two children — Maurice and Edith. Mr. Smith has been Town 
Clerk since April, 1874. 

WILLI A]!!I E. SMITH, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. West Point; was born in Columbia Co., 
N. Y., March 2, 1829; in 1855, he came to West Point, and, with his brother, Ira, bought a quarter of 
a section of land ; his half of this land he still owns ; he returned to the State of New York in the fall 
of 1859, where he remained two and one-half years, and where he was married to Miss Amelia Snyder; 
he bought the farm where he now resides in the spring of 1864, where he settled in 1865 ; his present 
wife was Dolly A. Moore, born in the State of New York. Mr. Smith has one child by first marriage — 
Emilv v.; also one by present marriaae — Walter E.; he has 220 acres of land. 

MRS. CATHERINE Ml STOXE, Sec. 14; P. 0. West Point; formerly Mrs. Policy, 
widow of Mr. Ira Polley ; is a native of the State of New York, born in 1822, where she was married 
to Mr. Ira Policy, from St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1846, and entered the farm which Mrs. Stone now 
owns; his family came in 1848, and have resided on the farm since that time. Mr. Polley died in 1862. 
Mrs. Stone has had seven children, only two of whom are living ; these are her third and fourth children, 
and were born in West Point — Hiram E., born 1855, and Etta M.; names of children deceased were 
Royal H., Herbert, John, Ernest and Inez, twins. Mr. Stone is also a native of the State of New York. 
Mrs. Stone has about 300 acres of land. 

ISAAC VAN NESS, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., 
in 1835 ; son of Peter and Emma Van Ness; came to West Point with his parents in 1851. He was 
married to Adeline Richmond, daughter of Anson Richmond, who came to the town of West Point in 
the spring of 1855; he died the following year. Mrs. Richmond resides with her son-in-law, J. M. 
Pruyn, of Lodi. Mr. Van Ness has three children — Walter P., born June, 1859 ; Ella Edna, March, 

1863, and Richmond, October, 1867. Mr. Van Ness works part of the homestead farm; also owns a 
farm of 61 acres, where he settled in March, 1859. 

WALTER VAN NESS, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Lodi; son of Peter Van Ness, who was 
born in the town of Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1801 ; when 18 years of age, he went to Wash- 
ington, D. C; was engaged for about five years as overseer of a company of men employed in preparing 
timber for the United States Navy; he returned to the State of New York, and was engaged in conduct- 
ing his father's farm till the death of the latter, which occurred in February, 1833; he resided in the 
State of New York till the spring of 1851, when he came to Columbia Co., and settled in the town of 
West Point, where he resided till the spring; of 1869, when he removed to the village of Lodi. He was 
Djarried to Emma Reed, born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Jan. 11, 1807; they have four children — Isaac, 



TOWN OF LEEDS. 1007 

Walter, Martha and Mary. Mr. Van Ness has been entirely blind since 1878 ; his general health is good 
for one of his age. Walter was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., April, 1837. He was married to Miss 
Clara Shurtliff, born in the State of New York ; they have two children — Frank and Leonard. Mr. Van 
Ness resides on the homestead, where his father settled in 1851. 



TOWN OF LEEDS. 



CHARLES L. BROWN, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O. Nonh Leeds; was born in Rutland, V't., 
September, 1826 ; he came to Wisconsin with hi.s parents, Charles and Alvina (Sellick) Brown, June, 
1846 ; in July following, his father purchased the farm which hi.s son now owns, buying the claim of Nathan' 
Stafford, where he resided till his death, Feb. 5, 1850 ; he was born in Connecticut Nov. 3, 1781 ; Mr, 
Brown's mother was born May 24, 1792, and died Nov. 23, 1851 ; Mr. B. has one brother — Justin J. — • 
who resides in the town of Leeds, and a half-brother — ^Andrew Brown — living in Rockford, III. Mr. 
Brown was married in 1852 to Harriet A. Greene, daughter of Abial B. and Fanny J. (Howard) Greene ; 
they came to Leeds from the State of New York in 1849 ; Mrs. Brown was born in Washington Co., N. 
Y.; she taught the first summer school in the town of Jjeeds. Mr. B. has two children — Alfred L, born 
April 4, 1856, and Charles L., born Oct. 23, 1865. Mrs. Brown's father died Aug. 31, 1875 ; her mother 
still lives on the homestead. 

OLIVER Ci}. CMILSOX, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Leeds Center; was born in the town of 
New Haven, Addison Co., Vt., Dec. 15, 1825 ; when he was about 7 years of age, he removed with his 
p.irents to Genesee Co., N. Y., where the family lived about three years, when they returned to Vermont; 
his father died suddenly during the return journey, but the body of the father was deposited in the wagon 
of the returning family, taken back to Vermont, and buried in his native town ; in the spring of 1844, Mr. 
Chilson came to Wisconsin ; in June of that year, he came to Columbia Co. and located his present farm, 
on which the following winter he erected a shanty, near the site of his present dwelling ; Mr. Chilson is, 
therefore, one of the pioneers of the town of Leeds ; in fact, he is the earliest present resident of the 
town. He was married to Lydia, M. Howard, born in Vermont; her parents died at the residence of Jlr. 
Chilson ; they have one son — William 0., born Oct. 30, 1860 ; have lost two children — Henry H., born 
Oct. 28, 1849, died Aug. 9, 1850 ; Etta, bora March 28, 1857, died April 17, 1859. Mr. Chilson's 
farm contains 230 acres. 

GEORGE CHIPiHAN, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Leeds Center; was born in Windham Co., 
Vt., September, 1828 ; he came to Rock Co., Wis., in 1849 ; he returned to Vermont the following spring, 
came back to Wisconsin in 1852; purchased a farm in Dane Co. in the spring of 1853, also 80 acres in 
the town of Leeds ; has been a resident of the town of Leeds since 1854. He was married October, 1860, 
to Martha A. Saylor, born in Vermont. Mr. Chipman's mother died when he was 2 years old ; his father 
came to Wisconsin and resided with his son several years prior to his death ? Mrs. Chipman's parents came 
to Columbia Co. from Vermont in the spring of 1855, and settled in the town of Leeds; they are still 
living — her father 86 and her mother 78 years of age. Mr. Chipman has two children — William, born 
May, 1863, and Mabel Inez, born March, 1867. Mr. C.'s farm contains 320 acres. 

JOSEPH FAEBER, M. D., Sec. 21 ; P. O. Leeds; was born in Austria in 1839. He 
attended the medical department of the University of Vienna, graduating in 1862 ; he was Surgeon of 
the navy of Holland, from Feb. 1, 1864, to March, 1866, when he came to the United States. He came 
to Portage, where he remained till November of that year, when he located where ho now resides, engaged 
in the practice of his profession. He was married in 1869, to Emily Koch, daughter of G. A. Koch. 
They fiave two children — Helen and Edward. 

JESSE W. HELDIN, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. De Forest, Dane Co.; was born in Armstrong 
Co., Penn., in 1818. He removed to Pittsburgh, thence to Steubenville, Ohio, thence to Cleveland ; loft 
the latter place in the spring of 1832 ; took part in the Black Hawk war ; has been a resident of Wis- 
consin since 1839 ; he passed several years in the pinery region. In 1847, bought the farm of Wm. Law- 
rence, which lies partly in Dane Co. and partly in the town of Leeds, on which he has since resided. His 
present wife was Mary J. Borbridge ; born in Dublin, Ireland. Has one daughter by the first marriage, 
and two children by the second marriage ;, the names of the latter are William and J. W. Present farm 
contains SO acres. 

ALONZO JONES, former and breeder of imported Spanish merino sheep, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. 
Leeds Center; was born in Hubbardton, Rutland Co., Vt., Aug. 13, 1819. He was married Dec. 31, 



1008 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1848, to Mar;li,i M. H .w.inl; 1) .rn in \Va5liin;;ton Co., N. Y., in 1829. Mr. Jones came to Wisconsin, 
in October, 1S47, and purciiased his present farm, where he located in the spring of 1849. He has six 
children — Josephine, wifuof Jlr. John Lowe; Norman A., Edward H., Fanny C, John H. and Helen M. 
They lost their third child — Evangeline B. His farm contains 200 acres ; he makes a specialty of breed- 
ing merino sheep : has a fine flock, a part of which are the pure Hammond, and the balance are descend- 
ants from the Jarvis and Humphnv importations. 

G. ADOLPH KLEINERT, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Norc'i Leeds; is the son of August 
Kleinert, who was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1809. He came to the United States with his family in 
1853, and settled on the farm where he now resides with his son G. A. He has three children; G. Adolph, 
who now owns the homestead and with whom the parents reside, was born in Prussii in 1840. He was 
married to Frederica Rennebolin; born in Brunswick, Germany. They have sis children — Adolph, Will- 
iam, Alfred, Edwin, Otto and Herbert. Farm contains 280 acres. 

WILI^IASl C. KLEIWEKT, farmer. See. 29 ; P. O. Leeds ; is the .son of Mr. August Klein- 
ert ; he was born in Prussia in 1838 ; he came to the United States with his parents in 1853. He was 
married to Miss Louisa Lubi°ns, daughter of Mr. Fred Lubiens, who came to the town of Leeds, from 
Germany in the spring of 1849 ; Mr. Lubiens was the first German settler of the town of Leeds. Mr. 
Kleinert has been Chairman of the Town Board for six years, and Town Treasurer for three years. His 
farm contains 8<l acres. 

JOHN McQueen, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. O. North Leeds ; wa.s born in Crawford Co., Penn., in 
1818; hi- came to Wisconsin in 1842; was engaged about ten years in the pine region of the State, 
during which time his home was at Grand Rapids, Wis.; he located where he now lives about 185G. He 
was married to Catherine Birch ; they have five children — Ada, H. B., John, Clarence and Martha. His 
farm contains 400 acres. 

WILLIAlfl MORRISON, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Leeds Center; son of James Morrison ; 
came to the United Stites from Scotland in the fall of 1842 ; tte family lived about two years near Mil- 
waukee ; thence to the town of Windsor, Dane Co., where he resided till his death in 1877 ; his mother 
still resides at the homestead in Dane Co. Mr. William Morrison was born in Scotland in 1829. He was 
married to Agnes Dawson, daughter of James Dawson, who emigrated from Scotland to the State of New 
York in 1842 ; thence to Waukesha Co., Wis.; thence to Madison in 1852 ; her father died in 1802 : her 
mother, in 1800. Mr. IMorrison has lived in Columbia Co. about twenty-five years ; he settled on his pres- 
ent farm in the fall of 1808. Has four children — William M., James D., Annie C. and Edwin. Mr. 
IMirrison has 040 acres of bind. 

A. S. PACK ARI>, farmer. See. 15 ; P. 0. Leeds Center ; was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb. 
4, 1815; his father afterward settled in the city of Albany; in the spring of .1839, Mr. Packard came 
to the town of Milton, Hock Co., Wis.; in June of that year, he helped to raise the first house erected in 
Janesville, Rock Co.; he resided in Rock Co. for about fifteen years ; he came to Columbia Co. and settled 
in the town of JiCeds in the spring of 1854. He was married to Lydia L. Ives, born in the State of New 
York Oct. 3, 1829 ; she is the daughter of E. M. and Elizabeth Ives, who came from Cortland Co., N. Y., 
to Rock Co., AVis., in the spring cf 1845, where they lived about five years, and then settled in Sec. 15, 
town of Leeds, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Ives have four children — Norman M., born Jan. 4, 
1826; Lydia L.; Lucy J., now Mrs. Henry Clark, born March 19, 1832; Eunice, wife of G. Hall, Rio, 
born July 3, 1838. Mr. Packard has three children— Elizabthe F., now Mrs. M. H. Wright, of Ash- 
tabula. Ohio; Euirene M.. now Mrs. Anna Boynton, also resides at Ashtabula, and Norman Edward. 

JAMEJii \\. ROBINSON, fermer, Sec. 1; P. O. Leeds Center; was born in Castleton, 
Rutland Co., Yt., Oct. 3, 1822, where be resided until June, 1846, when he came to Columbia Co.; his 
farm now contains 320 acres, 120 of which he purchiwed of the Government, at the time he made his 
location. His fir,-t wife was Maria Theresa Flagg; she was born in Rutland Co. Aug. 20, 1821, and died 
Dec. 2, 1855 ; bis present wife was Sarepta Sc ville, born in Ontario Co., N. Y. Mr. Robinson has one 
son by first marriage, James F., he lives in Kansas; has two children by second marriage— Edward M. 
and Horton B. In the fall of 1856, Mr. Robinson removed to Columbus and engaged in the produce 
business; returned to his farm in 1861 ; he is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising. 

THOMAS SANDERSON, former, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Leeds ; was born in Yorkshire, England, 
in 1827; be came to this country with his parents, Thomas and Francis Sanderson, in September, 1851 ; 
his parents settled in the town of Randolph, Columbia Co; his father died September, 1878, his mother 
died in 1853. Mr. Sanderson was married to Mi.ss Margaret Stevenson, daughter of Mrs. Esther Cald- 
well, of the town of Arlington; they have one child — Ettie. Mr. Sanderson settled in the town of Leeds, 
in 1862 ; he purchased his present farm in 1865 ; he is one of the largest farmers of the town of Leeds, 
has G40 acres of land. He was a member of the Assembly for 1871. 



TOAVX OF NEWPORT. 1009 

$><>91ITH J. SCOTT, farmer, Sl-c. 5 ; P. O. Lowville ; was born in Chau'.auqua Co., N. Y., 
March 26, 1823; he came to Columbia Co. in the fall of I84."j, and made a claim in Sec. 28, town of 
Lowville, where he lived seven years ; located where he now lives in February, 1852. He was married to 
Mary Corbet, daughter of Mr. A. Corbet, of Chautauqua Co.; they have five children — Luella B , now 
Mrs. Ambrose Eynon, resides in Minnesota ; William A., resides in Nebraska ; Elliott C., resides at the 
homestead ; Helen F. and Escella. Mr. Scott is one of the prominent farmers of the town of Leeds ; his 
farm contains 525 acres. 

C. EDWIN WOODFORD, physician and teacher, Sec. 36; P. 0. Keyser; now teaching 
district school No. 6; born in ODonda;j;a Co., N. Y., in 1838; he came to Wisconsin in the spring of 
1860 ; he lived at Viroqua until the fall of 1862, when he returned to the State of New York ; came 
back in 1867 ; since that time has been a resident of Leeds. He was married to Celestia Castner ; they 
have three children — Truman, Walter and Edgar. 



TOWN OF NEWPORT. 

JOHN L. BAYERliEIN, proprietor of '-Dell Saloon," Kilbourne City; born in Bavaria, 
'Germany, in 1850; he came to this country with his parents in 1853; they lived in Schuylkill Co., 
Pcnn., about three years; thence to Adams Co., Wis., in 1856; he engaged in business in Kilbourn 
City in 1871 ; his wife is also a native of Germany ; they have three children — Fldward, Charles and 
Anna. 

CAPT. J. BEIiL, Kilbourn City; born August, 1837 ; came from St. Clair Co., Mich., to 
Newport, Wis., in 1856; has resided in Kilbourn City since 1863. Mr. Bell is prominently known as 
Captain of the Dell Queen, which steamer he built in the fall of 1876, and was the first steamer of any 
importance that navigated the Dells of the Wisconsin River ; this boat he owned and operated till it 
•was burned, in June, 1878; the boat was rebuilt, of which he is still in command. He was married to 
Mary Christie, daughter of Col. James Christie, of Sauk Co.; have two children — Herbert and Ernest, 

HENRY H. BENNETT, artist, Kilbourn City; was born in 1843; became to Kilbourn 
dity from the East with his parents in 1857 ; he enlisted in 1861 in the 12th W. V. I., served three 
years, was at the siege of Vicksbura; and other important campaigns; was wounded at Paducah, Ky., by 
the accidental discharge of his own gun ; was discharged at the expiration of his term of service, Nov. 5, 
1864; he engaged in the photograph business at Kilbourn City in 1865; he now, however, makes a 
specialty of stereoscopic views, which he began publishing in 1868; the beautiful and romantic scenery ot 
this part of Wisconsin has afforded him ample opportunity to pursue his favorite study, and the hundreds 
of beautiful views that he has produced attest his success as an artist. He was married to Frances 
Douty, whose parents settled in Adams Co., in 1858; has three children — Hattie, Ashley and Nellie. 

HON. JONATHAN BOWMAN, attorney at law, Kilbourn City ; is among the most 
prominent of the early settlers and those who gave shape to the future of this section ; he was born at 
Charlt'ston, Montgomery Co., N. Y., May 16, 1828, and is by profession a lawyer; he first read law in 
the office of H. & T. Fish, of Fultonville, in his native county, and afterward completed his studies and 
graduated at the State and National Law School of that State, at Ballston Springs, in 1850; he 
came to Wisconsin in May, 1851, and settled at Delton, Sauk Co.; soon after his arrival, he opened an 
office in Delton, and commenced the pra tice of his profession, and was soon enjoying the reputation of 
being one of the best lawyers of the county; in 1852, he started the village of Newport, of Columbia 
Co., in company with the late Gen. Joseph Bailey, who achieved notoriety as the builder of a dam across 
the Red River during the late civil war; in 1853, he moved to Newport, and, in 1862, he again changed 
his residence to Kilbourn City, where he has since resided. Mr. Bowman has occupied several positions 
of trust and honor ; in 1860, he was an alternate delegate from this State to the National Republican 
Convention held in that year in Chicago, which resulted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for 
President; in November, 1861, he was elected to represent the First District of Columbia Co. in the 
Assembly ; he was elected State Senator for the Twenty-fifth Senatorial District in 1862, which office he 
held tor two terms, or four years ; in 1864, he was chosen one of the Presidental Ele ;tors on the Republican 
ticket, and was Chairman of the Electoral College for that year ; again, in 1874, he was chosen member 
of the Assembly from the First District of Columbia Co., by a handsome majority, there being only 
twelve votes cast against him in his own township. Mr. Bowman was also one of the Directors of the 



1010 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

C, M. & St. P. R. R. Co., from 1875 tp 1879, inclasive ; in addition, he has been the attorney for nearly 
all the different corporations which have been formed to utilize the water-power, both at Newport and 
Kilbourn City ; he was made President of the Bank of Kilbourn soon after its organization in 1867, 
which position he has held ever since, and still continues in the practice of his profession. In 1856, the 
subject of this sketch married Miss Hannah J. Davis, of Montgomery Co., N. Y.; he has five children — 
Ella D., Abram D., Asa, Jennie and Emma. Not among the least of this worthy gentleman's labors is the 
best young lawyers he has sent forth from his oflBce ; the first who achieved any note was James C. Edson. 
who studied with Mr. Bowman at Newport ; he commenced the practice of law at Glencoe, Minn., at the 
same time founding and editing the Gleneoe Rcffister ; he entered the army and returned a Colonel ; he 
still practices his profession at Gleneoe. The next student was Isaac A. Fancher, who afterward located 
in Isabella City, Mich., where he still continues in the practice of the law ; he has been elected to both 
the Assembly and Senate of that State. Then follows Michael Griffin, who enlisted as a private in the 
12lh W. V. I., and attained the rank of Captain ; at the close of the war, he entered the office of Mr. 
Bowman and remained there till his election to the Assembly, in 1875; then commenced the practice of 
law at Eau Claire, Wis., with Judge Ellis, and was elected to the Senate in 1879. Following Mr. Griffin 
was Henry P. Barlow, son of ex- Attorney General Barlow, and, at the present time, a promising younu 
lawyer of Baraboo, Wis. Charles F. Crosby was the next; he first began to practice in Rook Co., Minn.; he 
was County Judge of this county for a time, and also a member of the Assembly of that State; Mr. 
Crosby is now practicing law at Wausau, Wis. W. H. Mybrea, the present Postmaster of Kilbourn City, 
is another of Mr. Bowman's students. About the same time, Thomas J. Connor, son of Thomas Connor, 
of Kilbourn City, also read law in the same office, and has since located at Jenny, Wis. The success of 
these various students indicates the excellences of the teacher. 

JOHN W. BROW]«, cashier of Bank of Kilbourn, Kilbourn City; he is the son of John J. 
and Esther E. Brown ; his parents removed from the State of New York to Milwaukee in the summer of 
1857, and came to Kilbourn City in the fall of that year, and engaged in the mercantile business ; his 
father was appointed Postmaster during the administration of President Buchanan, which office he held 
till 1865 ; was also for some time engaged in the photograph business ; his father removed with his family 
to Minnesota in July, 1865, returning in June, 1866; he removed to Chicago in 1877 ; the other chil- 
dren of the family are Robert L. C, Clarence T. and Francis R., all of whom reside in Chicago ; John 
W. has been employed in the Bank of Kilbourn since 1869, was appointed cashier in 1870. 

JABfET CO.\E, widow of David Cone, Sec. 8; P. 0. Kilbourn City; born in Albany, N. Y., 
in 1807. Married to David Cone, also born in 1807; after marriage, lived in Steuben Co., three yeais; 
thence tt) Wyoming Co., and to New Berlin, Wis., in June, 1849; Mr. Cone went to California in April, 
1850, returned in October, 1851 ; purchased and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Cone, in June, 
1852; Mr. Cone died in August, 1877, of cancer in the stomach ; Mrs. Cone had ten children, six of 
whom are living — Persis, Janet, Elizabeth, Cornelia, Daniel and Alvah ; Alvah is one of the three sons 
born at the same time; the other two died in infancy ; they were born in August, 1857. Alvah was 
married to Mary Laffin, born in Columbia Co.; has three children — Harvey, Cora and Hubbard ; Mrs. 
Cone had five children at two births, Elizabeth being one of twins. The farm contains 160 acres. 

WILLIA.Tl H. FIXCH, proprietor of Finch House, Kilbourn City; was born in Greene Co., 
N. Y., in 1840 ; he enli.sted in the fall of 1862, in the 144th N. Y. V. I., served till the close of the war, 
came West in 1865, and located at Reedsburg, Sauk Co., where, with his brother, he was engaged in the 
harness business for about seven years; he then purchased the Mansion House at Reedsburg, which he 
conducted for two years ; he sold his hotel in the spring of 1875, and purchased his present hotel. He 
was married to Miss Mary L. Dwinnell, daughter of S. A. Dwinneil, of Reedsburg ; they have three 
daughters— Eva, Es.«ie and Marion. Mr. Finch is successful and popular as a hotel man, and the repu- 
tation of his house is doinir much toward making the Dells of Wisconsin a popular resort. 

M. H. HASKINS, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Kilbourn City ; born in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 
May. 1887; came West with her parents in August 1847 ; lived in Beaver Dam some time; thence to 
Le Roy, Dodge Co.; thence to Adams Co. He enlisted in the 10th W. V. I., in 1861, served three years. 
Married Julianiie Woodworth, native of Lower Canada ; located on his present farm March, 1869. 

FRANK H1LI.I. proprietor of livery stable, Kilbourn City; was born in Ohio in 1838; came 
to Portage City in the spring of 1857 ; was for some time employed as foreman in surfacing on railroad, 
between Pardeeville and Portage City ; went to Milwaukee, and was engaged one year on what was then the 
M. & M. R R.; was engaged for some time in a flouring-mill at Fulton. Rock Co., thence to Pardeeville ; 
came to Kilbourn City in 1862, where he was engaged in a flouring-mill for about three years ; engaged 
in the livery business in July, 1864. He was married, in 1863, to Amelia Bunnell, a native of Ithaca, 



TOWN OF XEAVPORT. 1011 

N. Y., whose parents are now residents of Mauston, Wis ; they have two children — George W. and Ida; 
May. 

JOH9f HICKEY. Kilboum City; was born in County Clare, Ireland, about 1829 ; he came 
to the United States in 1856; went to Canada, where he remained one year; then returned to Ireland, 
but came back to the United States in 1866 ; he was in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana for a 
few months; thence to St. Louis, and thence to Kilbourn City Aug. 28, 186G, which he has considered his 
home since that time. Mr. Hickey has been for twelve years in the employ of the W. W. R. R. Co. 

STEPHEN HrN<iiERFORD, farmer. Sec. .3; P. 0. Kilbourn City ; born in Fulton,- 
Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1818 ; his parents moved to Syracuse when he was a child; he lived. in Onondaga 
Co. till he was about 17 years of age ; he went to Livingston Co. in the spring of 1835 ; returned to 
Syracuse in the fall of that year ; also lived about two years in Broome Co.; he went to California in 
1850, and engaged in mining; returned in 1854; removed to Branch Co., Mich., in the fall of that year- 
He was married, in 1843, to Miss Lydia M. Root; resided in Michigan till the spring of 1864, when he-' 
came to Wisconsin, and located where he now lives ; he has seven children — Mary A., now Mrs Marcius A. 
Rublee; Henry Clay, resides in Iowa; Orville J., Charles Sumner, Fred R.; Frances A. and Louis. 
Jlr. Hungerford's farm contains about 200 acres. 

G. "W. JEIVKINS, II. D., Kilbourn City; born in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1824; when 16 
years of age, he removed with his parents to Schoharie Co.; in 1842, he engaged in teaching at Palatine 
Bridge, Montgomery Co., where he taught about three years ; in 1846, he engaged in teaching in the towo 
of Glen, Montgomery Co.; about this time, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Biggam ; he gradu- 
ated at the medical department of the University of the city of New York in 1851, after which he 
practiced for some time with his former preceptor. Dr. Biggam ; he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1851, 
and settled at the mouth of Dree Creek, afterward Newport ; he located in Kilbourn City in the fall of 
1861. He was married to Mary Markham, daughter of Sidney D. Markham; has one daughter, Kaii', 
born August, 1863. The Doctor is a very popular and successful physician, and possesses a large and 
valuable practice ; he is President of the Columbia County Medical Society, and a prominent member uf 
the American Medical Association. 

<]}EORGE P. JLliSON, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Kilbourn City; born in Norway in 1840; he 
is a brother of Hans Peterson ; his father settled on the farm where George now lives, in 1849. He was 
married to Helen Tofenson, a native of Norway ; they have four children — Dene M., Hans, Andrew and 
Ann. His fiirm contains 119 acres. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

EDWARD W. KIIVGSLEY, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Kilbourn City ; born in Venango Co., 
Penn., in 1818 ; he came to the pineries of Wisconsin in 1837 ; in February, 1838, be went to Sauk Co., 
where Baraboo now stands; he a.ssisted in building the first saw-mill at that place, where the first lumber 
was manufactured in the summer of that year ; in the fall of the same year, he made a claim in what is 
now the town of Lyons, where he located in 1840; he came to his present location im the fall of 1851 ; 
his home has been within a radius of seven miles of where he now lives, for about forty-two years ; tl)r 
about twenty-five years of that time, he has been engaged during the summer season on the Wisconsin 
River; Mr. Kingsley is one of the earliest settlers of this part of the State; his most intimate associates 
during his early residence here were the Indians, who formed the principal part of the population of this 
part of Wisconsin at this time. His first wife was Miss Jane Gibson, who died in the spring of 1857 ; 
his present wife was Martha Ulson, a native of Norway ; he had seven children by his first marriage, five 
of whom are living ; Jefl'erson, the oldest son, enlisted'in Co. K, 18th \V. V. I.; he was killed at the battle 
of Shiloh ; Mr. Kingsley has eight children by his second marriage. He has 180 acres of land. 

CHARLES KLEMME, merchant tailor and clothier, Kilbourn City ; was born in Germany 
in 1853 ; came to the United States in 1871 ; lived at Franklin, near Milwaukee, for five years, engaged 
in tailoring; came to Newport Township with his parents in 1876; came to Kilbourn City and engaged 
in his present business in March, 1880. 

B. KRECH, proprietor of city meat market, Kilbourn City; born in Saxony, Germany, in May, 
1839; he came to this country in 1854; lived in Beloit, Wis., about three years; tlience to Portage 
City, where he lived about six years; came to Kilbourn City in April, 1868; has been established in 
business here since that time. He was married to Anna Romal ; has six children — George, Cora, Frank, 
Mary, Christina and Effa. 

JULIUS LEUTE, proprietor of brewery and saloon, Kilbourn City ; born in Germany in 
1830 ; he came to the United States in 1853 ; lived in Philadelphia about two years ; removed to Mineral 
Point, Wis., in 1856 ; thence to Newport, and to Kilbourn City in 1858, and engaged in the shoemaking 
business; engaged in the brewery business in 1861, in the brewery built by his brother, Andrew Leute, 



1012 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and Joseph Micliler. He was married to Francisca Stierley ; they have six children — Charles, Julius, 
Andrew. Mex, Fannie and Mary. 

MA J. CHARIjES MOELiLER, proprietor of saloon, Kilboum City ; was born in Saxony, 
Gorniany, in 1821 ; served tiie army of his native land; came to the United States in 1852; lived in 
Waukesha Co., Wis., two years ; removed to Milwaukee in 1854. Married Elizabeth Brahm ; lived in 
Milwaukee till 1857, when he oame to Kilbnurn City ; kept hotel till 1861, when he enlisted in the 4th 
W. \ . I., and was made Orderly Sersjeant of Co. D ; as he had had experience in military service, he was 
soon after transferred to the Louisiana Artillery as Drill Ser^'eant ; was afterward promoted to a lieu- 
tenancy in the brij^ade of Gen. W. T. Sherman; buino; disabled, he resigned in January, 1864; he 
returned to Kilbourn City, and engafred in the hap hu.*iness, which he followed fur many years. 

(hEOKGE C. MeELROV, M. I>., Superintendent of the "Kilbourn Hygienic Institute," 
Kilbourn City ; was born in Beaver Co., Penn., in September, 1841 ; studied medicine in Philadelphia ; 
allcnded lectures at the " Hygeo-Therapeutic College," at Florence Heights, N. J.; his wife, formerly Miss 
Amanda McMaster, born at Jamestown, Penn., Dec. 22, 1845, is associated with him in the superintend- 
ency of the institute, she having received the same preparation for her profession as her husband ; they 
became connected with the institute April 5, 1879, and assumed their present position in February, 1880. 

CJ. M. JflARSHAlilj & SON, founders and machinists, Kilbourn City. Mr. George M. 
Marshall, Sr., member of this firm, was born in Canada East May 13, 1834, though his father was a 
native of the United States, and a cousin of the eminent Rufus Choate ; his mother was a native of 
Scotland. Mr. Marshall was educated at Willistoii Academy, A'^t., having removed with his parents to that 
Stale in 1842 ; he entered as an apprentice in a foundry and machine shop, at Burlington, Vt., in 1850, 
and commenced bu.siness as a carriage maker, at Shelbourne Falls, Vt., in 1856 ; came to Wisconsin iu 
1>^65, and settled at Big Springs, Adams Co. He served two years as Chairman of his town ; as a mem- 
ber of Assembly two terms ; he was appointed by Gov. William E. Smith one of the Commissioners 
under Chapter 273, Laws of 1877, to examine and test such steam or road wagons as may be presented, 
to compete for the SI 0,000 reward offered the State, for a cheap and practical substitute for the use of horses 
and other animals, on the farm and road. The subject of this sketch was Chairman of the Commission. 
Mr. Marshall was married to Julia A. Hoyt, a native cf Vermont; has three children — Frank, Evaline 
and Ruth ; lost four children in infancy. Frank, who is associated with his father iu business, was born 
at Shelbourne Falls, Vt., April 12,1856; this firm is building up a fine business in Kilbourn City ; 
they are engaged in the manufacture of Marshall's patent blacksmith shears, upsets, power corn sheller, 
improved Jonvil turbine water-wheels. 

CLARK I>. MUlVCwER, deceased, formerly of the firm of Walker, Munger & Co., 
Kilbourn City ; was born in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1827 ; he came to Kilbourn City in 185G. 
He was married to Miss Martha Pettibone, of Warsaw. N. Y.; he died Nov. 17, 18 0. Mrs. Munger 
has one son — Ellis I)., born Oct. 30, 1858 ; has lost three children — Charlotte, Frank and Henrietta. 

WILLIAM H. MVLREA, attorney and Postmaster, Kilbourn City ; son of Catharine 
Mylrea, was born in Rochester, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1853; his father came to this country from the Isle of 
Man in 1840; he returned to his native isle in 1849. He was married and returned to the United States 
in 1850. Mr. Mylrea's parents came to Kilbourn in 1856, where they still reside. They have three 
children — William H., Charles I-. and Susan J. William H. was educated at Lawrence University, at 
Appleton, Wis., which he attended about five years ; he entered the law school of Madison, in January, 
1878; was appointed Postmaster at Killbourn City, in March of that year ; prepared himself for the 
practice of law, in the office of Jonathan Bowman, Esq., of Kilbourn City ; was admitted to the bar, at 
Portage, Wis., May 13, 1879. 

ANDFEXI* NELSOIV, farmer. Sec. 5; P. 0. Kilbourn City; has 250 acres in farm ; born 
in Norway, October, 1828, came to the United States in August, 1848 ; he lived with Mr. Clark Young, 
in the town of Leeds, Columbia Co., for about five years ; settled on his present farm in 1854. Was 
married the same year to Melinda Cone, bcjrn in Genesee Co., N. Y., in May, 1835. Mr. Nelson has been 
Supervisor several years ; al.so Treasurer of the district several terms. 

GEORtliE F. i\OBLE, retired; Kilbourn City; was born in Addison Co., Vt., in 1818; 
ho came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1843, and settled in Walworth Co., where he engaged at his trade, 
that of a carpenter; he removed to Newport in the spring of 1855 ; he came to Kilbourn City in 
December of that year ; he worked at his trade until about 1860 ; from that time until 1873, was engaged 
in the stock and produce business. Mr. Noble was the first Justice of the Peace in Kilbourn City ; has 
served in that capacity for about twenty years ; has also been Town Treasurer and As.sessor of Township. 
He was married to Miss Angeline Cornwall ; they have had three children, two of whom are living — 



TOWN OF NEWPORT. 



1013 



Andrew E., resides in Iowa, and Frank H., resides in Roseburgh, Oregon. Their daughter, Mrs. Cornelia 
Maria Sorrenson, died at Portase, December, 1875. 

CHARLEISi A. NOYES, station and express agent, Kilbourn City; was born in New 
Hampshire in 1828. He removed to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1847, when he went to Two Rivers and engaged 
in the lumber business ; came to Kilbourn City in December, 18fi3, He was married to Bessie Ely, born 
in Saratoga Co., N. Y.; her father, Ambrose Ely, settled in Milwaukee in 1810. Mr. Noyes has two 
children — Lilly an'i Mary P., now Mrs. Edward Perry, of Kansas City. 

GEORGE OSWALiD, proprietor of Oswald's Beer Hall, Kilbourn City; was born in Wur- 
tembcrg, Germany, in 1832 ; came to the United States in the fall of 1865 ; lived in Milwaukee, where 
he worked at his trade, shoemaking; came to Kilbourn City in February, 1867, where he also worked 
at his trade until May, 1879, when he engaged in his present business. Ho was married to Louise 
Gobi; born in Germany. Has four children — Wilhelm, Gustavo, Louise and Clara. 

WILLIAM H. PEABODY, farmer and proprietor of stone quarry, Kilbourn City; born in 
Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1812. His father, Eliphalet Peabody, was a soldier in the war of 1812; he died 
in 1820 of disease contracted while in the army. His mother, with her family, removed to Otsego Co. 
about 1826. Mr. Peabody's first wife was Miss Sabrina Strong; they were married in 1841 ; Mrs. Pea- 
body died in 1847. In 1854, he was married to Mrs. Harriet Washburne, formerly Miss Harriet Hun- 
gerford, born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1828 ; they came to Kilbourn City in June, 1857. Mr. Peabody 
has one son by his former marriage — Durant B., who resides in Paris, 111. Mr. Peabody is an earnest 
champion of temperance, and a sworn enemy of intemperance, which he has been fighting all his life. 
His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. 

HANS PETERSON, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Kilbourn City; was born in Norway Feb. 15, 
1831 ; came to this country with his parents in 1840 ; his father made a claim in Sec. 19 ; his father died 
in Dane Co. in December, 1876 ; his mother died at the homestead, now owned by a brother of'Mr. Peter- 
son, George P. Julson, in 1870. Mr. Peterson was married in December, 1856, to Eliza Tufson, native 
of Norway ; her parents came to Wisconsin in 1844, and to Columbia Co. in 1853. Mr. Peterson owned 
a farm in Sec. 20 for thirteen years ; purchased his present farm in the fall of 1872 ; has 120 acres. Ha.? 
seven children - Peter H., Mattie, Mary E., Hans J., Emma C, Augusta L., and Norah H. Members 
of tlie Lutheran Church. 

JOHN J. PURCELL, telegraph operator, Kilbourn City; son of Joseph Puroell, native of 
Ireland, who came from Brooklyn, N. Y., to Milwaukee in 1855, and to Kilbourn City in 1857 ; has one 
son, John J., and four daughters ; the former was born May 31, 1856. He learned the business of tele- 
graphing in the office where he is now employed, beginning in January, 1873. 

WILLIAM A. RAMSAY, hop-dealer, Kilbourn City ; was born in the State of New York 
inl832 ; he came to Adams Co., Wis., in 1855, where he resided till 1857, when he located at Kilbourn 
City ; he was engaged in the grain business for several years ; has been engaged in the hop trade since 
1859; also owns farm near town, of 75 acres. He was married to Margaret A. Fay, native of Onon- 
daga Co., N. Y. They have seveu children— Olive C, George A., Minnie A., Lillian A., Wm. A., 
Ernest E. and Jennie C. 

RICHARD B. ROSE, proprietor of Farmers' Hotel, Kilbourn City; born in Jefferson Co., 
N. Y., in 1823 ; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1841, where he lived till 1849; engaged in the manu- 
facture of lumber. He removed to Adams in 1849, and engaged in farming; went to California in 1852 
and engaged in mining and the lumber trade; returned to Adams Co. in 1857 ; enlisted in 1864, in the 
37th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. From 1872 to 1876, was Superintendent of the 
County Poor Farm of Adams Co. ; came to Kilbourn City August, 1876; had charge of the Commercial 
Hotel for one year ; built the Farmers' Hotel in 1877. He was married to Miss Sarah E. Pike, a native 
of Ohio. They have one son, Harrison, who resides in Kansas. 

GEORGE SMITH, grain dealer and proprietor of elevator, Kilbourn City ; was born in York- 
shire, England, in 1818. He came to the United States from London in the llill of 1855. He resided 
in Milwaukee till the summer of 1857, when he removed to Kilbourn City. He began the grain business 
in the summer of 1860, which business he has since followed. His wife was Miss Susan Hales, also born 
in England. 

CHARLES W. SNIDER, of the firm of" Hansen, Snider & Co.," hardware dealers, Kilbourn 
City; born in Fulton, Co., 111., in 1850 ; married Miss Minnie Dunker, daughter of Henr,' H. Dunker. They 
have one child— Harry. His father, J. R. Snider, of Kilbourn City, was born in Clark Co., Ind., in 1822. 
His parents afterward removed to Yates Co., N. Y. ; thence to Steuben Co.; thence to Fulton Co., Ill, in 
1837. Mr. Snider came to Newport in 1850, and engaged in the lumber business ; came to Kilbourn City in 



1014 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1868. llis wife was Miss Harriet Kelsy, born in Illinois. They have four children — Nettie, now Mrs. 
J. G. Wilraar; Charles W., Frank R. and F. B. 

WILliIAM SNOAD, Justice of the Peace and Police Justice, Kilbourn City. Mr. Snoad is a' 
shoemaker by trade. He was born in East Kent, England, in 1812. He came to the United States in the fall' 
of 1882. He lived in Albany, N. Y., till the fall of 1834; then removed to Rochester, where he lived' 
till 1851. He then came to Wisconsin; lived in Waukesha Co. for some time; thence to Dell Prairie in 

1854. He came to Kilbourn City in 1858; was elected Ju.stice of the Peace in 1866, which office he 
has held most of the time since ; is also, at present, Police Justice. Mrs. Snoad is also a native of 
England. Has five children — Mrs. Sarah A. Armstrong. Mrs. Eliza J. Armstrong, Harriet E., William 
George, resides in Texas, Sirs, Victoria A. Blodgett. 

ALOIVZO B. STEARNS, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Kilbourn City ; was born in Womstet 
Co., Mass., April 17, 1824 ; his parents removed to Canada when he was a child ; he returned to Massa- 
chusetts when 17 years of age, and attended school in Middlesex Co. till he was 21 years of age, after' 
which he resided in Worcester till 1848, when he came to Wisconsin ; hp lived in Iowa Co. till the follow- 
ing spring, when he came to Columbia Co., and made a claim of his present farm, which he purchaseci 
when the land came into market, in the fall of 1853 ; Mr. Stearns has the honor of being the first settler 
of Newport Township ; his parents came to the State in 1851, and resided with their son ; his mother 
still lives with him ; his father died Feb. 5, 1877, in his 8Sth year ; his mother was born 1791. Mr. 
Stearns was married June, 1852, to Antoinette M. Calkins, born in Steuben Co., N. V., in 1832; her 
parents removed to Illinois about 1836 ; thence to Iowa Co., Wis., in 1843 ; they have had eleven chil- 
dren, eight of whom are living — Lorenzo D., Levi A., Isabella M., Nettie, Orra R., Lorena, Willie N. and 
Adelaide; their first child, John W., was killed by the running-away of a team, when 11 years of age ; 
the others, deceased, died in infancy. Mr. Stearns' farm contains 200 acres. He has served as Asse.ssor, 
Treasurer and Collector of Newport Township several terms. 

DR. JOSEPH F. STILLMAN, physician and druggist, Kilbourn City, was born in- 
Ren.sselaer Co., X. V., Oct. 31, 1831 ; his parents removed to Jeiferson Co. and to Lewis Co., when he was- 
about 8 years of age ; he pursued the study of medicine and received his diploma from the Medical Board 
in the fall of 1855 ; he removed to Oxford, Marquette Co., Wis., in the spring of 1856, where he resided 
till the spring of 1875, when he came to Kilbourn City. He conducts a drug store in connection witlv 
his medical practice. His wife was Miss Susan S. Pierce, native of the State of New York. He has ftnir 
children — Elmer A., Flora A., Harvey A. and Ernest J. 

FRANKLI]^ C. STRAW, farmer ; P. 0. Kilbourn City; was born in Orange County, Vt., in 
1832 ; he removed to Adams Co., Wis., September, 1856, and settled in the town of Dell Prairie, whore 
he resided; engaged in farming till the spring of 1878, when he removed to Kilbourn City; Mr. Straw 
still owns a large amount of land in Adams Co. ; he is owner of the '' Kilbourn Hygienic Institute." 
Has built him a fine residence, and made other valuable improvements to the village of Kilbourn City. 
He was married to Mary A. Waugh, also born in Orange County, Vt. ; they have two children — Cclia 
and Frank W. 

PERRY ii. STROliD, attorney at law, Kilbourn City; was born at Clinton, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., Nov. 30, 1834, while his parents were temporarily living at that place, his flither, Charles Stroud, at that 
time having been engaged in that locality as a contractor with the State for building the canal ; the actual 
residence of his parents was at Canastota, in Madison Co., N. Y., where they have ever since resided ; 
Mr. P. G. Stroud was educated at Oneida Conference Seminary, at Cazenovia, N. Y. He went to McHenry 
Co., 111., in 1854, where he married Miss Helen M. Bi.shop ; he came to Newport, in Sauk Co., Wis., in 

1855, and engaged in the mercantile business there with his brother, A. B. Stroud ; in 1857, he returned 
to Kilbourn City, where he has since resided, and in 1858, he engaged in the practice of law, in which 
profession he has ever since been and is now engaged ; he has two children, a son and a daughter ; his 
son, Wni. S. Stroud, is about 23 years of age ; was educated at Lawrence University, at Appleton, Wis., 
and was admittted to the bar at the May, 1878, term of the Columbia Co. Circuit Court, after a thorough 
examination by ex-Chief Justice L. S. Dixon, ex-Attorney General A. Scott Sloan and Hon. E. E. Cliapin, 
since which time he has been in his father's office; the daughter. May D. Stroud, is now pursuing her studies 
at Lawrence University ; Mr. Stroud has taken an active part in the business and private affairs of the town ; 
also been active in politics, but has never been an office-seeker; he was a strong Republican until the 
Greeley campaign, since which time he has acted with the Democrats; in 1876, contrary to his wishes, he 
was placed in nomination for State Senator on the Democratic ticket; at the election, his own town gave 
him a majority, while giving a majority for the rest of the Republican ticket, the Republicans carrying 
the district by about one thousand four hundred majority ; in 1878, the Democrats again placed Mr. 



TOWN OF LEAVISTON. 1015 

Stroud in nomination for the office of District Attorney of Columbia Co. ; he was induced to accept the 
nomination, though without any expectation of election, the regular Republican majority in the county 
being from 1,000 to 1,800 ; again his own town gave him a majority, he receiving 193 votes to his oppo- 
nent's 60, while the Republican majority in the town was 47 ; at the time Mr. Stroud ceased to 
.act with the Republican party, the town, county, assembly, senatorial and congressional districts, and also 
<the State, in which he resided, were all strongly Republican, in which party he had a good standing, 
tiaving frequently represented his town in county conventions, and his county in congressional and 
-State conventions, showing that political preferment had no influence over his political views or actions. 
Mr. Stroud has a good reputation as a lawyer and a public speaker ; enjoys the confidence and respect of 
the people where he is best known, and is highly respected by men of all political parties for his candor 
and fairness in his public discussions of political questions. 

<,MIiBERT B. VAIVALSTINE, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Kilbourn City; born in Onon- 
-daga Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1832 ; his parents removed to Buffalo when he was a child ; from Erie Co., N. 
Y., to Erie Co., Penn. ; thence to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and to Newport, Wis., in 1853 ; Gilbert B. went 
to sea in 1849 ; he was engaged in a coasting vessel, between New Orleans and Boston, for one year ; in 
February, 1850, shipped on board the Monongahela, a whaling vessel of New Bedford, for fo.ur years ; in 
February, 1851, landed at the island of Juan Fernandez, where he remained about sis weeksS A feeling 
of dissatisfaction existed between the officers and crew ; Mr. Vanalstine engaged passage on a rdpanish brig 
|to Valparaiso, Chili, where they remained about two months ; in May, 1851, shipped on boa o an Amer- 
ican vessel, Capt. Wood, bound for Europe, which vessel Mr. V. and comrades left at Hong K ng, China ; 
shipped thence to New York, where they arrived September, 1851 ; was afterward engaged o"^ a coasting 
vessel between Charleston, S. C, and New York ; returned home in December of that year ; was after- 
ward enga.ged on the great lakes for several years ; came to Adams Co., Wis.; enlisted February, 1865, in 
49th W. V. I.; served about a year. Was married to Amelia V. Rea, of Adams Co ; have six children 
; — Florence E., Gilbert E., Mary C, Byron R., Walter C. and John F., the last two twins ; loeat ed on 
present farm in 1870; number of acres in farm, 160. 

IVATHAIVIEL VANALfSTIlVE, wagon-maker and blacksmith; born in Onondaga Co., 
N. y., in December, 1826 ; learned his trade in Erie City. Married Nancy Hawes, of Erie City, Penn.; 
'lived in Crawford Co., Penn., for six years ; came to the village of Newport in 1854, and to Kilbourn City 
jn 1856 ; was burned out in the fall of 1866. Mr. Vanalstine has three children — -Eugene, Gilson and 
Lillian, now Mrs. Frank Durea, of New York City. 

JRVINIw W. VOKK, of the firm of Walker, Munger & Co., proprietors of flouring and 
.plaijing mills, Kilbourn City ; born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1833; his parents removed to 
Warsaw, Wyoming Co., when he was 6 years of age. He was married to Eliza C. Munger, of Wyoming 
Co.; came to Kilbourn City September, 1856 ; all the members of the firm came from Wyoming Co., N. 
Y., about the same time ; they were associated in the building of their planing-mill in 1858 ; in 1860, 
.built the flouring-mill. Mr. York has three children — George E., Hattie M. and Ernest R. 



TOWN OF LEWISTON. 

OLE M. BEXDIXEIV, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Lewiston ; born in Norway in 1833 ; he came 
to this country with his parents, ToUag and Anna Bendixen, in the fall of 1850 ; his father settled on Sec. 
17, where he still resides; his mother died in the fall of 1861 ; Ole is the only child of his jiarents now 
living. He enlisted, November, 1861, in Co. D, 15th W. V. I., and served three years and four months; 
he participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, including the siege of I.sland No. 10 
and the battle of Murfre&sboro, till the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded and sent to the 
hospital, where he remained about ten months, when he again rejoined his regiment, and was mustered out 
of service Feb. 13, 1865; he enlisted as a private, was made a Corporal, and Second Sergeant December, 1862 ; 
in consideration of his gallant conduct as a soldier, he waa breveted Captain at the close of the war, to 
date Oct. S, 1863. He was married to Julia P. Scott, a native of Norway ; they have four children — 
Anna M., Josephine T., Ellen. S. and Tollag B. L. He settled where he now lives in June, 1867 ; he has 
220 acres of land. 

DEN^N'IS CANX'ON, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Portage ; was born in County Donegal, Ireland, 
in 1812 ; he came to the United States in 1827 ; lived in Wilmington, Del., for about four years, when he 
returned to Ireland ; returned to the United States, and locating in Wilmington resided there about six 



lOKi BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

years; he came to Wisconsin and settled on his present farm in 18i5. He was married to Celia McCurdy, 
born in Ireland ; they have twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. Mr. Cannon's farm contains 
120 acres. 

JAMES AND WILl^IAM CLARK, farmers, Sec. 10; P. 0. Portage City; sons of Mr 
James and Ann ( Bain) Clark, who came to the United States from Scotland, in the spring of 1849 ; Mr. 
Clark made a claim of the farm now occupied by his sons, James and William, in the fall of that year, 
where he remained till his death, which occurred in September, 1873 ; his widow resides at the homestead. 
The parents had seven children, all of whom are now living — Joseph, Elizabeth (now Mrs. McFarland, 
of Dane Co.), James, Mrs. Ann Bobbins, William, Susan and Mary Ann; James was born in Scotland, 
about 1840; William was born about 184G ; Susan and Mary Ann reside at the homestead. The farm 
contains 240 acres. They are members of tlie Presbyterian Church. 

J. P. COLBURN, former and cooper; P. 0. Briirgsville ; son of A. W. Colburn, who came 
to Columbia Co. from Waukesha Co., and settled on Sec. 20, Newport Township, in the spring of 
1855; he was born in Genesee Co., N. V., and came to VVaukosha Co. with his parents in 1846. He 
enlisted, Feb. 1, 18(j4, in the 23d W. V. I.; was in Banks' Red River campaign, at the battles of Sabine 
Cross Roads, La., Pleasant Hills, Cane River, Bayou Sara, Spanish Fort, etc.; was transferred to the 35tli 
Regiment, and made a corporal of Co. C; was mustered out of service March 15, 1866. Mr. Colburn 
was married to Lucy C. Jacobs, daughter of Lester Jacobs : have four children^Frank L., Cora M., Lester 
and Lucy May. He settled on his present farm in February, 1877 ; he has 115 acres. 

K. B. CRAltir, farmer and stock-dealer, and owner of Menomonee House, Marquette Co., Sec. 4 ; 
P. 0. Briggsville; was born in Burlington, Vt., in 1821 ; his parents removed to Clinton Co., N. Y., 
when he was about 12 years of age ; he went to California in the fall of 1849, and engaged in mining; 
returned to Clinton Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1850 ; he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1851, and settled 
near Briggsville, Marquette Co., but purchased his present fiirm at about the same time ; built his hotel in 
1853, which, being on the old pinery road, did a large business, in the earlier history of the county ; the 
hotel and farm have been successively in charge of L. V. Rich, William Robinson, William Treadwell and 
the present occupants, Jonathan and Asa Douglass. Mr. Craig has resided on the farm since 1854. 
He was married to Harriet Hayes, born in Clinton Co., N.Y. Mr. Craig is engaged in buying and selling 
of stock. 

RICHARD DEMPSIE, student, resides with his brother in-law, Mr. Joseph Hay, Sec. 26 ; 
P. 0. Portage. Mr. Dempsie was born in Portage in September, 1 55 ; his parents, Richard and Mary 
Dempsie, came to Portage in 1849; his father was thrown from his wason and killed by the running 
away of his team, October, 1864; his mother, by a former marriage with Mr. John McDonough, had four 
children ; of these, William McDonough, enlisted in 1863 in 19th W. V^. L, served one year; she had 
five children by her marriage with Mr. Dempsie, all of whom are living. George Dempsie, brother of 
Richard, enlisted March, 1862, served three years. 

D. D. EKiJHJUE, farmer, See. 2; P. O. Briggsville; born in Buffalo, N. Y., July, 1838; Lis 
father, Daniel Eighme, native of the State of New York, removed from Buffalo to Pennsylvania ; thence 
to Illinois, and to Lewiston Township in 1849 ; he is now a resident of Adams Co., Wis. Mr. Eighme 
was married to Ann Worden, born in the State of New York ; they have three children ; settled on his 
present farm in 1874. 

DR. JOHX EWINW, farmer. Sec. 4; P.O.Portage; born in Vermont in 1816; he removed 
to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., with his parents, in 1835. He was married in 1835, to Angeline Needham, 
born in Vermont; in the fall of 1S49, he came to Columbia Co.; he lived in Lowell one year and came 
to Lewiston Township in the fiiU of 1850 ; settled on the farm where he now lives in the spring of 1854. 
He has four children — Mariette, Jasper, Malvina and Edgar A.; he lost i wo children — Oscar and Malvina, 
aged respectively 16 years and 14 months. Dr. Ewing has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors 
one year, and Town Treasurer one term ; his farm contains 160 acres of land. Besides attending to the 
business of farming. Dr. Ewing has practiced medicine, more or less, for many years. 

JOSEPH Cr. HAY, farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0. Portage; was born in Nunda, Livingston Co., 
N. Y., August, 1824; removed to Pennsylvania in 1849; came to Columbia Co. in 1851, where his 
father, Almon Hay, settled, locating on Sec. 17, Lewiston Township. Mr. Hay was married, March, 
1866. to Harriet A. McDonough, whose mother, then Mrs. Richard Dempsie, came to Portage in 1849. 
Mr. Hay's farm contains 160 acres. 

ANDREW ISAACSON, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Lewiston; was born in Sweden in 1835 ; 
came with his father's family to the United States in 1851 ; they came to Columbia Co. and settled on 
Sec. 22, where they now reside; his parents had three children, Andrew being the youngest. His wife is 



TOWN OF l.EWISTON. 1017 

a native of Norway ; has six children — John A., Henry, Charles, Angu>t A., Edward and Supan A.; lost 
one daughter, Mary C. 

AlVDERS JERTSOIV, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Lewiston ; born in Norway in 1821. Married 
to Martha S. Jertson ; came to the United States in 1850 ; lived a few months at Pine Lake, Wis., when he 
came to Columbia Co.; he settled on his present farm about 186ii ; has seven children — Swen, Hans, 
Nellie, Ann, Amelia, Martha, Sophia. Mr. Jertson and his oldest son, John Jertson, enlisted during the 
war of the rebellion in the 1st Regiment U. S. Heavy Artillery; John died at the hospital in Alexandria, 
June, 1865. Mr. Jertson's farm contains 190 acres of land ; his improvements are good. 

JAMES H. JERTSOX, carpenter and builder. Sec. 22; P. 0. Lewiston ; born in Norway, 
1844 ; he came to the United States with his parents, Hans and Aslang Jertson, in 1850 ; his parents 
soon after came to Columbia Co. and settled on Sec. 22, where th6y now reside ; Mr. Jertson is, by trade, 
a carpenter and builder. His farm contains 160 acres; his improvements are good. He was married to 
Clara C. Isaacson, daughter of liars Isaacson ; has four children — Ann M., Herman L., Gi'orge C, and an 
infant son. 

E. F. LiE WIS, farmer and manufacturer of knit underwear. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Lewiston ; was born 
in New London Co., Conn., July 16, 1821 ; he removed wiih his parents to Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1830 ; 
then to Rock Co., Wis., in 183y, where they resided till their death ; his father died in 1858 ; his mother 
died in the spring of 1874; in June, 1849, Mr. Lewis came lo Columbia Co., and made a claim of the 
farm which he now owns. He was married, April 19, 1841, to Miss Betsey L. Barrett, born in Chautau- 
qua Co., N. Y., March 29, 1819 ; her parents removed to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, when she was a child, 
then to Rook Co., Wis., in 1888; her father, Stephen Barrett, was a soldier of the war of 1812; was a 
member of M. B. Tubb's company, New York militia; he died Oct. 24, 1877, aged 86 years ; her mother 
died March 10, 1879 ; they died at the residence of Mr. Lewis where they had resided since March, 1875 ; 
Mr. Lewis has had seven children, tiiree of whom are living — Stephen B., Franklin F., and William L.; 
his oldest son, Judson A., enlisted August, 1862, in Co. C, 23d W. V. I., was made second Corporal of 
the company, afterward promoted to Sergeant, and was killed in the charge on the enemy's works at Vicks- 
burg. May 22, 1863, at the age of 19 years and 8 months; Edward B", fifth child, born Dec. 28, 1852, 
■died June 4, 1872 ; Charles L., second child, and George W., sixth child, died in infancy. Mr. Lewis, 
in honor of whom the town was named, made the third settlement in the town of Lewiston, and is the 
earliest present resident ; he was elected Sheriff in 1856, and has served as Under Sheriff two years ; has 
held various township offices, and was appointed Deputy Provost Marshal for Columbia Co. in July, 1863, 
served till the close of the war ; during his long residence in Columbia Co., Mr. Lewis Jjiy his sterling 
qualities, has maintained the respect and esteem of the people, and is a worthy representative of that 
pioneer element of our country, which laid the foundation for our present success and prosperity as a State. 
Stephen B. Lewis, born July 12, 1848, graduated at the State Normal School, Whitewater, Wis., 1875, 
married Elizabeth Church, of Whitewater. Franklin F. Lewis, born Sept. 28, 1850, married Victorine 
Rockwell, of Whitewater ; has one child, Mabel. 

WILIilAM McDonald, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Portage City ; was born in Wayne Co., 
Ohio, in 1824 ; his parents removed to Jefferson Co., when he was about 8 years of age. Mr. McDonald 
was married in 1849, to Elizabeth Cannon, a native of England ; they came to Columbia Co. in the spring 
of 1851, and settled on Sec. 26, Lewiston Township, on the farm now owned by his sons, David and John ; 
he bought his present farm of Hans Osmundson in 1854, where he settled permanently in 1859; has 
twelve children — David, John E., Nancy, Samuel, William, Ann, Margaret, Elizabeth, James, Abraham 
L., Ulysses S. and Julia. Mr. McDonald enlisted in the 1st Heavy Artillery, September, 1864, served 
till the close of the war; his father, David McDonald, was a native of Inverness, Scotland ; he came lo 
this country and settled in Columbiana Co., Ohio, about 1811 ; he died in March, 1870; his mother was 
born in West Virginia ; died November, 1878. His farm contains 484 acres ; his improvements are second 
to none in the town of Lewiston. 

CARL PHIEHLER, fiirmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Lewiston; was born in Prussia, Germany, in 
1825 ; he came to the United States in 1850 ; came to Lewiston Township and settled on his present 
farm in 1851. He was married to Wilhelmina Myer; they have five children — August, Carl, Ernst, 
Gustaf and Lizzie. His farm contains 200 acres. Ho and wife belong to the Lutheran Church. 

PETER TEKNISOIV, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Lewiston ; born in Norway in 1842; came t . 
this country with his parents in 1852; his parents settled in Lewiston Township, but now reside in 
Faribault Co., Minn. Mr. Tennison enlisted in 1861 in the 18th W. V. I.; served till August, 1865 ; he 
entered the service as a private ; became successively Corporal. Sergeant, Orderly Sergeant and Second 
Lieutenant, receiving his commission as Lieutenant in the spring of 1865 ; he participated in many of the 



1018 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

severest battles of the war ; was at the battle of Shiloh on both days of that desperate struggle ; at the 
siege of Corinth, battles of Corinth and luka ; was wounded at Jackson, Miss., and taken prisoner Mav 
14, 1862; was a prisoner about three months when he was exchanged ; he was also at the battles nf 
Chattanooga, Altoona Pass, etc.; at the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted and served till the 
close of the war. Mr. Tennison bought his present farm in 1807. He was married to Cornelia C. Olt- 
son, born in Wisconsin ; has three children — Becca H., Oscar T. and Carl A.; his farm contains 120 
acres. 

AliBERT SHARF, fiirmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Briggsville ; was born in Germany in 1833; came 
to the United .States in 1851 ; has been a resident of Lewiston Township since that time; he settled on 
Sec. 27 in 1*^57 ; located on his present farm April, 1877. He was niairied to Lizzie Hilderbrandt ; 
they have sis children — Sophia, Frederick, Charles, Henry, William and Emma; farm contains 215 
acres. 

C F. SIEVVERT, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Colburn ; was born in Prussia. Germany, in 1825 ; 
he came to the United States in the fall of 1850 ; settled on his present farm in 1851. He was married 
in 1854 to Henrietta Hickithier, born in Prussia; they have nine children — Wm. Gustaf, Elizabeth. 
Charles, Julius, Otto, Ida, Emma and Benjamin ; farm contains about 300 acres. Mr. Siewert served as 
a soldier in the German army for two and <me-half years ; also served in the Union army during the rebell- 
ion for about nine months, in Co. D, 46th W. V. I. Mr. Siewert came to this country with his parents, 
who bad seven children ; his parents live on the farm of their son, C. F. 

DEWITT €. STEPHENS, farmer and pilot on the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, Sec. 17 ; 
P. O. Lewiston ; born in Lamoille Co., Vt., in 1831 ; removed with his ])arents to Washington Co., N. Y.. 
in 1842, where he resided till 1858, when he came to Columbia Co.; he was engaged on the Fox River, 
between Portage and Green Bay, from 1861 till about 1866 ; from 1860 till 1871, had charge of a boat 
running between Portage and Oshkosh ; since that time, has been engaged as pilot for the Government ou 
tlie Wisconsin River. Mr. Stephens purchased his present farm in 1858, where he resides during the 
close of navigation. He was married to Ella R. Bissell, born in Vermont; farm contains 85 acres. 

B. H. WIIjMSEX, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Colburn ; was born in Prussia, Germany, in Novem- 
ber, 1822 ; he came to the United States in the spring of 1854; he settled on his present farm in the 
fall of that year. Was married, June 4, 1854, to Elizabeth Hebben, born in Germany; have ten chil- 
dren — Maria L., John G., Ernst A., Albert E., Matilda A., Bertha S., Napoleon J., Herman R., Charles 
:ind Cecelia; lost one daughter in infancy; farm contains 660 acres. Mr. Wilmsen has been Town Treas 
urer two years, and Town Clerk for about eight years. 



TOWN OF ARLINGTON. 

nRS. ESTHER CALDWELL, widow of the late John Caldwell, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Poy- 
-nett. Mrs. Caldwell w.is born in Scotland, where she was married to James Stevenson, born March 15, 
1808 ; they came to this country in 1853, and settled in the town of Dekorra, afterward removed to the 
town of Caledonia, where they lived about two years ; then returned to Dekorra, where Mr. Stevenson died 
December, 1857 ; his widow married Mr. John Caldwell, who died May, 1879, in his 72d year. Mrs. 
Caldwell had eight children by her first marriage, six of whom are living — Jane, Ella, Maggie, Nettie. 
Andrew and Annie ; has one son John, by second marriage. Andrew Stevenson, at present, has charge 
of his mother's farm ; he was born in Scotland in 1849 ; he has lived (juite a number of years in the town 
of Leeds ; he has taught eleven winter terms of school ; taught eight terms in District No. 5, town of 
Menna. Dane Co. 

WILLIAM CALDWELL, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Lodi; is the son of John Caldwell, 
who came to this country from Ayrshire, Scotland, 1850 ; the family consisted of father and five children : 
the mother having died in Scotland ; they passed the first winter in the town of Caledonia ; the following 
year removed to Arlington, and finally settled in Sec. 6. Mr. Caldwell, Sr., married Mrs. Esther 
Stevenson ; he died in May, 1879, in his 72d year ; his children by first marriage are living, excejit one 
daughter Janet. William Caldwell was born in Scotland in 1828. He married Miss Ann Mclntyre, also 
born in Scotland ; they have ten children — John, Ann, William A., Robert, Peter, Elizabeth R., Samuel 
Jj., Margaret, Jane O. and Katie May ; lost one son, Andrew, in infancy. Farm contains 460 acres. 



TOWN OF ARLINGTON. 1019 

JOHIV DUFF, farmer, Sec. IG ; P. 0. Poynettc ; was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in June , 
1S19 ; he came to Columbia Co. from Delaware Co., N. Y.; he lived in the town of Lowville one summer ; 
thence to the town of Arlington, Sec. 21, wiiere ho lived eight years; thence to his present location Nov- 
'M, 1863. He was married to Caroline Warren, born in England; they have eight children — Alexander, 
James W., Arthur E., George A., John A., Elizx, Frank E. and Edwin ; lost their fifth child, Charles S., 
in his 14th year. Farm contains 280 acres. He is engaged principally in stock-raising. 

P. H. (jrUXlVISON, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in Canandaigua, Ontirio Co., N. 
Y., in 1832. He was married to Miss Frank More, born in the State of Michigan; came to Wisconsin 
in January, 1856. and purchased his present farm of Ephraim Hazlet April 17, 1856; his parents still 
eside in Ontario Co., N. Y., on the farm where they have lived for fifty years. He has eight children — 
Eilna M., Irwin L., Charles N., George H., Emma A., William N., John H. and Alice F. His farm 
contains 160 acres. 

IVEK LARSON, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P.O. Lodi; born in Norway in 1829. Married Betsy 
Spoonam in 1853 ; came to the United States the same year ; bought present farm in 1855 ; have nine 
children — Lars M., Edwin C., M. Lena, Clara, Sarah, Em'ma, Adolph, Herman and M. Riber. Mr. 
Larson has 88 acres of land. Members of the Lutheran Church. 

liOUIS lilNTX ER, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Arlington ; was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1834 ; 
his father's family emigrated to the United States in 1848, and settled in Erie Co., Penn.; they came to 
Columbia Co. in the fall of 1854; settled in the town of Randolph in 1855; afterward removed to the 
town of Courtland. Mr. Louis Lintner settled on the farm where he now resides in the fall of 1867. He 
was married to Margaret Mueler, born in Hesse, Germany ; they have six children — Samuel, Frances, 
Henry, Benjamin, Louis and Theodore. Mr. Lintner has 324 acres of land ; they are members of Evan- 
gelical Church. His father resides with him. 

OliEi J. IjIONE, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. O. Lodi; was born in Norway in 1820; came to this 
country in 1847 ; lived in La Fayette, Co., Wis., about seven years ; then came to his present location. His 
wife is also a native of Norway ; they have three children — Magdalena, John and Lars ; their daughter, 
Martha, married and residing in Minnesota, died Aug. 30, 1879. Mr. Lione has 140 acres of land. 
He and family are members of the Lutheran Church. 

HUGH McFARLAXE, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Poynette ; born at Plumb Bridge, County 
Tyrone, Ireland, in 1875. Mr. McFarlane is not only one of the earliest settlers of Columbia Co., but 
also of Wisconsin ; he came to the Territory in 1835 ; he was for some time at the lead mines, in what is 
now Iowa Co.; he first came to Portage in 1837 ; he is one of the founders of that city, where he located 
permanently in 1843, where, for many years, he was engaged in lumbering and merchandising. He was 
a member of the last Territorial and first State Legislature of Wisconsin. He located where he now 
lives in 1859. His first wife was ^^Sarah Dunn, born in Ireland; she died July 14, 1862; his present 
wife was Ann C. Wells, born in Berkshire Co., Mass.; he had eight cliildren by first marriage, four of 
whom are living — Mary Ann, now Mrs. 0. P. Williams ; Matilda, now Mrs. P. L. Knappen ; Sarah, 
now Mrs. T. F. Knappen ; Lizzie D., now Mrs. A. Arthur Clark ; his oldest son, Andrew J., enlisted 
August, 1862, in the 23d W. V. I., and was mortally wounded at the siege of Vicksburg May 19, 1863 ; 
he enlisted as a private ; when^wounded, was First Lieutenant, and in command of his company ; he was 
a graduate of the University of Wisconsin ; the other children deceased died in infancy ; has two children 
by second marriage — Clara W. and Hugh. His farm contains 300 acres. 

ANDREW jflAIR, farmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Poynette ; was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in Jan- 
uary, 1835 ; came to the United States in the spring of 1854 ; lived in Rock Co., Wis., one year ; thence 
to Jefferson Co., one year ; came to the town of Arlington in 1857 ; settled on his present farm in the 
spring of 1861. Married to Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of James Wilson ; have seven children — Charles, 
Mary, Agnes, Margaret, James, Thomas and Robert. Mr. Mair's farm contains 240 acres. 

THOMAS MAIR, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. O. Poynette ; was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in Sep- 
tember, 1821 ; he came to the United States in April, 1849, and settled in Rock Co., Wis.; located where 
he now lives in the fall of 1855. He was married in Scotland to Agnes Jemmison, sister of Hugh Jem- 
mison, of Poynette ; they have nine children — Charles, Janet, Hugh, Agnes, Jeanie, Mary, Sarah A., 
Minnie and Maggie ; lost two children in infancy ; the two oldest were born in Scotland. Mr. Mair vis- 
ited his native land in the fall of 1874. His farm contains 177 acres. 

MARK MEDDOWCROFT, farmer ; Sec. 1 ; P. O. Poynette ; was born in England in 
1820 ; his father died in England ; he came to this country with his mother's family in 1840 ; he remained 
in the East till 1847, where he was engaged in work at his trade — that of a mason ; in June of that year 
he came to Wisconsin, and settled on his present farm. His wife was Sarah Rowley, born in England ; 

00 



1020 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

she died in February, 1867 ; he has had eleven children, nine of whom are living— Irene, Amanda, Jesse, 
Ann, Reuben and Ransom (twins), Hannah and Sophia (twins), and Millie ; lost oldest and youngest. 
His farm contains 315 acres ; it lies in the three towns, Arlington, Dekorra and Lowville. He is engaged 
quite extensively in stock-raising. His mother had six children when she came to this country ; only 
himself and a younger sister, now livins in Iowa, survive. • 

KEV. CHARLES NCHNEIDEK, Pastor of Emmanuel's Church, of the Evangelical 
Association ; born in the town of Girard, Clayton Co., Wis., in 1849, where he resided with his parents 
until about 19 years of age, when he entered the Northwestern College, at Naperville, 111., where he 
remained about four years ; he entered the ministry in the spring of 1872, at Beloit, Wis.; thence to 
Washington the following year, where he remained two years ; thence to Madison for one year ; thenc" to 
Whitewater for three years ; came to his pre-ent location in the spring of 1879. He was married to 
Emma Thilke, daughter of John Thilke, of Prairie du Sac, Sauk Co.; have two children — Cora and 
Adda ; lost second child, Reuben. 

HUGH SLOAX, firmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Arlington ; was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, about 
181G. He came to the United States in 1841, and lived in Whitewater, Wis., till about 1847, when he 
came to Columbia Co., and settled in the town of Dekorra, Sec. :{4, on the farm now owned by Mr. New- 
ton ; he purchased his- present farm in the fiill of 18G8, of Mr. R. B. Sanderson. His wife was Miss 
Marion Freeland, born in Scotland. Mr. Sloan's farm, consi-sting of 160 acres, is one of the best of the 
many tine farms in the town of Arlington ; his beautiful grove of evergreen trees, containing about five 
acres, is unsurpassed by any other in Columbia Co, if in the State of Wisconsin. 

LEWIS H. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Arlington ; son of Augustus P. Smith, who 
was born in ("onnecticut, but removed to the State of New York, where his son Lewis H. was born, June 
14, 1835. His father was engaged in teaching in one of the public schools of the city of Albany, (or 
about eight years; his father's family afterward removed to Herkimer Co., thence to Oneida Co., and to 
Columbia Co., Wis., about 1848, and settled in what is now the town of Arlington. The family consisted 
of father, mother, two socs and two daughters. His father afterward removed to Poynette, and built the 
first mill and store of that town. He died in 1870 ; his mother died in 1854. L. H. was marriei to 
Adell P. Foster, born in Pennsylvania ; they have four children — Lydia P., Lewis H., James E. and 
William F. Mr. Smith has been Town Clerk of Arlington, except two years, since 1861 ; he was also 
Town Superintendent of Schools one year. He is a Republican, politically, as was his father. His brother, 
James E., resides in Berlin, Wis.; his sisters, Sarah J. (now Mrs. William Morton) resides in Vernon 
Co.; Frances C. (now Mrs. D. Newton) lives in Barron Co., Wis. 

IIV<irLE E. SPOONAM, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Lodi ; was born in Norway Jan, 12, 1826 ; 
he came to the United States in 1850; he lived in Lodi three years, where he worked at his trade, 
shoemaking ; he bouirht his farm in the spring of 1854, where he has since resided. He was married to 
Ellen Moe, born in Nurway ; they have four children — Carrie C, I. Adelia, Edwin B., Ivor C. Mr. 
Spoonam's farm contains 173 acres. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors three terms, and 
Constable seven years. He and familv are members of the Lutheran Church, 

WILLIAM STEVEI^SOX, farmer, Sec. 17; P, 0. Poynette; was born in Ayrshire, Set- 
land, April, 1836 ; he came to the United States with his parents, John and Margaret Stevenson, in 1856, 
The family settled in Illinois, and lived there four years ; his father died there ; the mother and six chil- 
dren came to Columbia Co. in the spring of 1860 ; hi-i mother and four children are still living. Mr, 
Stevenson settled on his present farm in the spring of ISGO, His wife was Agnes Wilson, daughter of 
James Wilson ; they have eight children — John, James. Mary, Clark, Thomas, William, Margaret and 
Alexander. Mr. Stevenson has 440 acres of land. He is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, 

H. VEEUER, farmer, Sec, 8; P, 0. Poynette; was born at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., 
N. Y,, Sept, 22, 1819; he came to Wisconsin in 1836, landins at Green Bay June 11 of that year, 
where he remained till July, 1837, when he came to Portage, thence to Mineral Point, thence to Wiota ; 
in February, 1839, he went into the pinery region ; returned to Portage in the summer of 1840, where 
he lived till 1849, when he located where he now lives. He was married to Mary Blood ; they have five 
children — Frank, George, Emma, James and Lizzie, Farm contains 160 acres, Mr, Veeder is the only 
member of his father's family now living. 

IRA WITTER, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O. Poynette; was born in Madison Co., N. Y. ; his 
parents removed to Allegany Co. when he was 6 years of age. He was married to Elizabeth Swain, a 
native of England ; came to Columbia Co. in 1858, and settled in Poynette; Mr. Witter is a mason by 
trade, which occupation he followed for a number of years ; he settled on his present farm in the spring of 
1861 ; his farm contains 90 acres; he has five children — Morris, Minnie, Annie, Eddie and Nettie, 



TOWlSr OF (OURTLAXD. 1021 

ROBERT WILSON, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Poynette ; is the son of Mrs. Janet Wilson, who 
was horn in Scotland in ISltJ; married Robert Wilson, and came to tins country in June, 1849; they 
first settled in the town of Dekorra, near Poynette; afterward removed to Buffalo, Marquette Co.; he after- 
ward returned to Columbia Co., and settled in the town uf Arliniiton, where lie died March 3, 1873 ; he 
had seven children, six of whom are living — ^James, Hugh. John, Robert, Janet and Margaret; lost one 
child. Robert resides at the homestead with his mother. Farm contains 100 acres. 

CliARK M. YOUNG, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Poynette ; i.s a pi-meer of Columbia Co. ; he was 
born in Connecticut in 1810 ; his parents, Wm. and Clarena Clark Young, removed to the State of New 
York when he was a boy ; Mr. Young traveled about considerably when a young man, in the days when 
railroads were unknown; he wa.s at Chicago, or rather where that city now stands, in 1832; he went to 
Milwaukee in 1836, where he remained some time; spent a winter in the pineries of Wisconsin more 
than forty years ago; he settled on the farm where he now lives in 1838. He was married to Miss Janet 
Wilson, a native of Scotland ; they have four children — James, Robert, Samuel and Mary J. Mr. Young 
has about 600 acres of land. 



TOWN OF COURTLAND. 

HENRY W. ACKERMAN, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Randolph ; born Oct. 28, 1825, in the 
town of Franklin, Susquehanna Co., Penn.; son of Isaac and Elizabeth Aekrrman, natives of Westchester 
Co., N. Y.; when 13 years of age, Henry oommonoed working at brickmaking and followed it in Susque- 
hanna Co. till he was 21, then went to Connecticut and followed same business at Watcrbury till Septem- 
ber, 1855; he then came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Courtland, where he has since resided. 
Was married. Dee. 31, 1849, to Louisa Peck, who died March 2, 1874, aged 39, leaving two children — 
Ella A., born Oct. 8, 1853, now Mrs. Charles W. Hinchliff', of Appleton, Wis., and Calvin Leroy, born 
Feb, 27, 1864, living with his father. Was married second time, Nov. 2, 1864, to Mrs. Maryette Tobey, 
daughter of Dennis and Eunice Wait; she was born .\ug. 30, 1831, in the town of Rodman, Jefferson 
Co., N. Y., and was first married Dec. 25, 1849, in Jeffer-on Co., to Franklin C. Tobey, who came to 
Wisconsin in 1851, and died Oct. 21, 1863, aged 37, leaving throe children — Charles 0., born Jan. 13, 1853, 
lives in the town of Courtland; Harlow D.. born Dec. 13, 1859, and Frank C. born Sept. 26, 1863, both 
living with their mother and stopfiither ; Nettie L. Tobey died Aug. 22, 1855, aged 3 years. By his 
second marriage, Mr. Aekerman has one child — .Myron W., born May 15, 1871. Mrs. Ackerman is a 
member of the M. E. Church. He has 160 acres in hi-^ farm, and is a Republican. 

JAIVIES H. BELIi. farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Randolph; was born in New Bedford. Lawrence 
Co. (formerly Mercer), Penn.; son of John Bell, who is still living in Pennsylvania, aged 85. James H. 
left home when 16 years old, came to Wisconsin and lived in Grani Co. some time, then went to Sauk Co. 
and still owns two farms there ; was one of the first settlers in that county and helped survey it. When 
the Mexican war broke our, he enlisted in the 2d Dragoons, participated in a number of battles and was 
with Gen. Scott when he entered the ( ity of Mexico. For the last thirty-five years, he has been a pilot on the 
Mississippi River a good share of the time. He was married in Magnolia, Rock Co., Wis., Dec. 7, 1854, 
to Sarah P. Townsliend, who was born in Covington, Geuesee Co., N. Y., March 24, 1835, daughter of 
Abel B. Townshend, a native of Windsor Co., Vt.; he died in Mercer Co., Penn.; Mrs. Townshend is 
still living in the town of Courtland, aged 69. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have six children living — Nettie M., 
John T., William J., Cora R., James W. and Frank E.; have lost three — Mary J., was married to Geo. 
Hardy, of Fountain Prairie, Nov. 23, 1875, and died April 5, 1876, aged 19; James H. T., was acci- 
dentally killed, Dec. 16, 1862, by a barrel of ashes falling on him, au'l George Emory, was also accident- 
ally killed Jan. 6, 1876, aged 5 years, by falling while at play and running a stick in his mouth. Mrs. 
Bell's great-uncle, John Townshend, of Vermont, has twenty-four children, all living when last heard from. 
Mrs. Bell thinks herself, her husband and little girl were the first passengers on the M. & St. P. R. R. 
from Kilbourn City to Randolfih. Her mother, Mr-. Townshend's, maiden name was Mary M. Tarington. 
Mr. Bell has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity about thirteen years. 

GEORGE M. BENNETT, farmer. See. 23; P. 0. Randolph; born Au-. 20, 1836, in Jef- 
ferson Co., N. Y.; son of James Bennett, who came to Wisconsin in 1839 and lived in the vicinity of 
Milwaukee till July, 1847, then came to Columbia Co and settled in the town of Courtland on Sec. 
14; his mother's name was Elizabeth McMillan; she died in Courtland of consumption in June, 1851, 
aged 49, leaving fourteen children (two of them by a former husband) ; his father married again and is 



1022 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

living in Kansas. When 20 years of age, George N. went to learn the joiner's trade and worked at that 
business nine years, then bought the farm he now owns and has followed farming ever siuce ; has 235 
acres of land. Was married, Jan. 21, 18G4, to Samantha R. SheflFer, who was born March 13, 184G, in 
Morrow Co., Ohio ; her parents started to Wisconsin when she was 5 years old, and her father died on the 
journey ; her mother is now Mrs. Allen Gould, of Courtland, and is again a widow. Mr. Bennett has 
been Chairman of his town four years. Side Supervisor several years, and is now President of the Farm- 
ers' Mutual Insurance Co., of the town of Courtland. Has three children — Allison E., Frank H. and 
Nellie E., all living at home. Both members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Bennett has been Steward and 
Trustee in th3 church for thirteen years; Republican. 

GKORGE H. BFiYEK, hardware merchant, of the firm of Woodard & Beyer, Cambria; 
was born Oct. 20, 1850, in Buffalo, N. Y .. son of George and Catharine Beyer, natives of the German 
province of Alsace. His father died in the winter of 18G3. In 1867, he came to Wisconsin and lived 
in Columbia Co. one summer, then returned to Buffalo and lived there two years; he then came West 
again, and was employed as clerk in Portage City about a year, part of the time in a dry-goods store, and 
a part of the time in flour and feed store ; he then went to learn the tinsmith's trade when 19 years old, 
and has made Columbia Co. his home ever since, but during the time has worked in the States of Iowa, 
Minnesota and Nebraska. In January, 1878, he formed a partnership in the hardware, stove and tinware 
business with L. Woodard, under the firm name of Woodard & Beyer, in which business he still con- 
tinues. Mr. I?eyer's brother came West with him on his second visit to Wisconsin, and is now living in 
Cambria with him. He is unmarried. 

PETER BICKELHAIIPT, grain and lumber dealer, of the firm of Myers & Bickelhaupt, 
Cambria; was burn Dec. 18, 1830. Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, son of Peter and Mary (Metzger) Bick- 
elhaupt, who came to America when he was only 1 i years old, and settled in New York City, and followed gar- 
dening and the milk business for about twelve years; Peter, Jr., came to Wisconsin in 1857, and worked 
on a farm for two years; then returned to New York for his parents, who came to Cambria with him, and 
he, in company with his father, started the first brickyard in Cambria, which was in 1859, and run it 
about two years; he then worked for John ap Jones, buying wheat, until Nov. 10, 1863, at which time 
he was married in Cambria to Dorothy Weisel, daughter of Conrad Weisel, a native of (jrermany ; he then 
started a confectionery and toy store in Cambria, where he continued in the business until 1870, then sold 
out; he then bought a stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and ran a general store until 1872, then sold 
out again and removed to Austin, Minn., and started a wholesale soda and mineral water factory, the first 
in Austin; in the fall of 1875, he returned to Cambria and went into partnership with D. D. Jones in a 
general store, in which he remained till April, 1879; then formed a partnership in the business in which 
he is now engaged. He has five children — William G., Annie M., Mary, Emma and Ida. He has been 
on the Village Board six or seven years, and was a Justice of the Peace for two years ; he is a straight 
Democrat in polities. 

LEWIS BROWN, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Randolph ; born June 2, 1805, in Orange Co., N. 
Y., son of Daniel and Susannah Brown. He was married, Nov. 9, 1829, in Orange Co., to Elizabeth 
Greer, who was born Oct. 10, 1811, daughter of James and Mary Greer. Mr. Brown came to Wisconsin 
in 184G, and lived in Dodge Co., near Fox Lake, till the spring of 1847 ; then located in the town of 
Courtland on the farm he now owns ; he has 179 acres, worth about $6,000. Has been Supervisor two 
terms, and has always followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have raised a family of twelve children, all 
living — the old?st, Harriet K., is now Mrs. E. W. Cady, of Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa ; Daniel, in Leadvilie. 
Hiram L. and Oscar in Blue Earth Co., Minn.; Mary Frances, now Mrs. Wallace Griffin, of Denver, Colo ; 
Emaline, now Mrs. Theodore Griffin, also of Denver; Benjamin W. lives in Eau Claire, Wis.; Luzern in 
Beaver Dam, Wis.; Lucinda is Mrs. Charles Coulter, of Courtland ; George T. is traveling for a boot and 
shoe firm of Milwaukee (Atkins, Ogden & Co.) ; Emma is now Mrs. Frank Rust; her husband is in the 
emplpy of the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., and Sarah E., the youngest, is still at home. Mr. 
Brown, although nearly 75 years of age, reads and writes without glasses ; has carried on his farm himself 
till the last two years. Both are members of the Baptist (]hurch, and he is a Republican. 

OWEN CORDY, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. Cambria; born Aug. 16, 1839, in Gloucestershire, 
England; son of I. D. Cordy, who came to America in the spring of 1851, and located in the town of 
Scott, Columbia Co., Wis. ; his family came the next fall, and the next spring they went to the town of 
Randolph and lived one year; then lived nine years in Springvale, and in the spring of 18G1, came to the 
town of Courtland ; Mrs. Cordy died April 4, 187G, aged 75 j'ears, and Mr. Cordy is still living with his 
son, Owen, aged 79. Owen Cordy was first married to Sarah Mapson, who died in November, 1872, 
aged 23, leaving one child ; was married again Dec. 25, 1 874, to Mary Russell, daughter of John Russell, 



TOWN OF COURTLAND. 



1023 



of Sussex, Menasha Co., Wis., and has two children by the second marriage — Walter J. and Franklin 
K. Mr. Cordy has 230 acres of land ; is a Republican, and now holds the office of Supervisor. Both 
are Episcopalians. 

PATRICK CHESTSfUT (deceased); one of the pioneers of Columbia Co. ; was born in the 
North of Ireland, in County Donegal, March 17, 1789; son of John and Sarah Montgomery Chestnut, 
natives of Scotland ; he came to America in 1819, and engaged as clerk in the wholesale hardware store of 
Henry C. Delevan, of Alb my, N. Y., where he remained over three years. April 12, 1822, he was 
married in Albany to Elizabeth Schermerhorn, who was born Feb. 22, 1800, in the city of Hudson, N. Y.; 
daughter of Abram Schermerhorn, whose father, John, came from Amsterdam, Holland, and was one of 
the many wealthy Hollanders who were the first to settle along the Hudson River, between Albany and 
New York ; immediately after his marriage, Mr. Chestnut removed to New York City, and engaged in the 
wholesale hardware trade, which he continued till 183G ; then removed to the city of Hudson, where he 
lived about five years; in 1841, he started West; came as far as Great Bend, Penn., remaining there till 
181:4; then on to Wisconsin; he first located in Trenton, Dodge Co., and lived there about two years; 
then sold out, and bought 400 acres of land in Courtland, Columbia Cn., when there were but few families 
in the town; here he resided till his death, which occurred Nov. 24, 1878, of pneumonia; although 
nearly 90 years of age at the time of his death, Mr. Chestnut had the appearance of a man of 60, his furni 
erect, and his mind as active as ever; he retained all his faculties till the last; he was a cheerful, gener.us, 
public-spirited man, taking a lively interest in politics and everything pertaining to the general welfare of 
mankind. Was a member of the Episcopal Church, and a Republican ; in Ireland, he was in the coast 
trade, and owned a stock-farm of about 1,500 acres ; when young, he was in the P^nglish army, belonging 
to the cavalry branch of the service, and his old English sword is still kept in the family; he had a remark- 
able business talent, but never became a first-class farmer ; could scarcely manage a team when harnessed, 
but was at home in the saddle, and, when 70 years of age, could place his hands on the back of a horse 
and jump into the saddle with ease. Mr. and Mrs. Chestnut have had eight children, five of whom are 
living— John T. lives in California ; Alexander P. and Mrs. James Lang live in Cambria, Wis.; Wm. S. 
and Anna Maria living on the homestead with their mother, on Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Randolph. 

JOHN. W. DAVIS, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O. Cambria; was born in Merionethshire, North 
Wales, Dec. 30, 1842; son ofWm. Davis, who came to America in 1851 ; lived in Green Lake Co. about 
a year, and then removed to Springvale, Columbia Co.; he is now living with his son (the subject of this 
sketch) ; his mother, Eleanor (Jones) Davis, died in May, 1871, in Springvale; John W. went to Colorado 
in the spring of 1868, and followed mining and teaming there for three years, returning home in 1871. 
Nov. 27, 1872, he was married in Courtland to Eleanor Hughes, daughter of Hugh R. Hughes, the pres- 
ent Treasurer of Courtland, who came from the same place as Mr. Davis, in 1851. Mr. Davis has three 
children— Maggie Ellen, born Sept. 23, 1873; Wm. Centennial, born Oct. 18, 1876, and Mary, born 
March 18, 1880. He is a Republican, and has held the office of School District Treasurer. Both are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN W. DAVIS, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Randolph; was born in Denbighshire, North 
Wales ; came to America in 1848, and lived seven years in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.; then, in 1855, came 
to Wisconsin, and has lived in the town of Courtland most of the time since. Was married in St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1849, to Phebe Humphrey, from the same place he was; has five children — Wm. 
J., born Feb. 15, 1851 ; Catharine J., Feb. 54, 1853; Mary Ann, Oct. 26, 1861 ; Margeret Ellen, Aug. 
15, 1865, and Hannah Pilizibeth, Nov. 24, 1870. He is a Republican, and both are members of the 
Congregational Church. Mrs. Davis' mother, Mrs. Ann Humphrey, is now living with them ; she is in 
her 72d year. 

THOMAS A. DAVIS, black.smith, Cambria ; was born March 19, 1842, in South Wales ; 
son of Thomas Davis, who went to North Wales when Thomas, Jr., was only 1 year old ; when 18 years 
of age, Thomas went to learn the blacksmith's trade, of his cousin, John Jones, and worked in Wales and 
Liverpool, and Chester, England, till the spring of 1877 ; he then came to America, settled in Cambria 
and has carried on business here since in partnership with his brother, Edwin Davis ; shop is on the 
south side of Main street, just west of the Cambria House. Was married, Oct. 18, 1871, in Portage, to 
Jane Jones, daughter of Robert M. Jones, a native of North Wales, and now living on a farm in Court- 
laad ; have three boys — Robert Thomas, Elmer and Edgar ; lost one girl — Winnefred, died at the age of 
1 J years. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Methodist Church ; he is a Republican. 

THOMAS W. DAVIS, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Randolph; born May 14, 1830, in Carnar- 
von.shire. North Wales; son of Wm. Davis; he came to America in 1853, and settled in Utica, N. Y., 
where he lived four years. Was married there, June 17, 1856, to Mary, daughter of Humphrey Rees, a 



1024 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

uiuive of iVIontL'Oineijsliiiv, X. rlh Wulcs ; she was born April 22, 1820 ; in the spring of 1857, he went 
to Dubu((ue, Iowa ; lived there till fall, then came to Wisconsin and settled in Cambria, where he worked 
at stone-cutting five years ; then worked a farm on shaies two years, near Columbus, and in the spring of 
1SG5, removed to his present location, where he has KJij acres of land; has eight children — David, John 
D., Elizabeth, Rachel E., Mary. Nellie, William and Th .mas. all b^rn in the town of Courtland, except 
David, who was born in Utiea. X. Y.; they are all living at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. 
Davis and six of the older children are members of tlu' Calvinistic Methodist Church ; he once held the 
oflBce of Clerk of the School District, and is a Republican. The name of the farm on which he was born 
in ^^'ales was 'C'edrun." 

HLI91PHKEY O. EVAXS (deceased); was born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, May 3, 
1815 ; son of Owen Evans; his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Jones; came to America in 1849, 
landing in New York June 12 ; came direct to Wisconsin and lived a few months in Marcjuette ; then 
came (o the town of Courtlnd, and, in the fall of 1851, bought the farm on Sec. 16, where he resided till 
his death, March (J, 18G9, of typhoid pneumonia. He had been a member of the Welsh Methodist 
Church 29 years. He was married, Jan. 8, 184 1, in Wales, to Bridget, daughter of Evan Robert Evans; 
her mother's maiden name was Jane Evans ; left ten children living — Owen H., lives in Cambria ; Jane 
A., is now Mrs. Hugh Lewis, of Washinaton. D. C.; Bridget H., Evan R.; Lizzie A., now Mrs. John 
Keteham, of the town of Courtland; Ellen A., Margaret E., Mary Jane, Annie J. and Martha Ellen ; 
they lost one sou — Richard, died in 1842, in infancy ; four of these — Evan R., Mary Jane, Annie J. and 
Maltha Ellen — are living on the hnmestead with their mother. P. 0. Cambria. 

REV. REES EVAXS, See. 6; P. O. Cambria; was born Oct. 24, 1817; in Cardigan- 
.shire, South Wales ; sou of Roderick and Catherine (Jones) Evans ; Mr. Evans spent his early life on 
his father's farm, except when at school, till he was 24 years of age; in the fall of 1842, he came to 
America and settled in Racine, Wis.; he spent the first few years of his residence there in the mercan- 
tile business, in the hardware line; in the fall of 1848, he entered the ministry in the Welsh Calvinistic 
Methodist Church, but was not ordained till October, 1852 ; he removed to Chicago in 185H, and for four 
years w.-is Pastor of the only Welsh church in that city ; he then accepted a call from the Welsh Church 
of Cambria, and remained with them till July. 1879, being their first and only Pastor up to that time; 
he then resigned, for the purpose of visiting Europe, but, on account of sickness in his family, postponed 
the trip. Mr. Evans was married, in October. 1843, to Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Owen and Eleanor 
Jones, who came from Carnarvonshire, North Wales, in 1842, when she was about 20 years of age; have 
had seven children in all five of whom are still living — Mary J., Nellie, Katie (now Mrs. Richard D. 
Jones), of Courtland, Lizzie and Maggie; have lost two boys — Robert, died in 1852, aged 1 year, and 
Roderick, who died in August, 1847, at Yirginia City, Nov., aged 32 years, leaving a wife to whom he had 
been married only (me year ; her maiden name was Jennie Evans. The daughters are all living at liome, 
except the one married. 

€OKRAI> ElTHRlN<i}. farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Randolph ; was born July 28, 1808, in West- 
phalia, Prussia, village of Bovnenburg; came to America in the summer of 185ti, and settled on the farm 
h" now owns, and where he has since resided ; has 80 acres of land, worth about §2,000. Was married in 
1836, in Prussia, to Gertrude Puska, who was born same place as her husband. May 14, 1811 ; daughter 
of Conrad Ruska ; have five children — Margaret (now Mrs. Jacob Heidtj, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Anton 
lives in Humboldt Co., C'll.; Bcrndina (now Mrs. Fred Bickelhaupt), of the town of Ranc'olph, Colum- 
bia Co.; Joseph, living on the homestead with his parents, and Helen (now Mrs. August BischoflF). of 
Portage Cu., Wis.: have lost four — Ludwig, Caroline, John and Sophia. Catholics ; Republican. 

JOHN a'. GII^9I0RE, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. O. Randolph ; born in Washington Co., N. Y., 
March 3, 1817 ; was married in 1840, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., to Rachel Livingston, who was born March 
12, 1823, in Jefferson Co., N. Y.; daughter of Daniel Livingston. Mr. Gilmore came West with his 
family in the fall of 1843, and lived in Waukesha Co. till 1847, then came to Columbia Co., and has 
lived in the town of Courtland ever since; has 154 acres of land, valued at about $6,000. Has five chil- 
dren — Abram L., lives in Randolph Village ; Hiram, in the town of Courtland ; Jane (now Mrs. Hiram 
Willard), of Courtland ; Alice ( now Mrs. Charles Toby), living on the homestead, and Charles Henry, 
at home with his parents. Members of the M. E. Church ; Republican. Mr. Gilmore was one of the 
earliest settlers in the town of Courtland, there being only about a dozen families in the town when he 
came. 

NATHAN <]rRIFFIN (deceased), one of the earliest settlers of the town of Courtland, was 
born in November, 1788, in East Haddam, Conn.; son of John and Huldah Griffin. He was married 
Nov. 17, 1813, in his native town, to Sarah B. Gallup, who was born Feb. 6, 1794, in New London Co., 



TOWN OF C'OURTLAND. 1025 

Conn., daughter of Capt. Gardner Gallup. Mr. GriflBn came to Wi-sconsio in 1845, and settled in what 
is now the town of Courtland, where he resided till his death, which occurred Aug. 28, 18(5(t, leaving ten 
children living at the time of his death — John Gardner, Sarah Ann, Edwin B., Betsey B., He'nry C, 
Albert N., Carlos, Phebe S., Wallace F., George C. and Theodore. Mr. Griffin was one of the first Com- 
missioners of Columbia Co., and was Supervisor and Chairman of his town ; was a Major in an enlisted 
military company in Connecticut and a soldier in the war of 1812, for which his widow now receives a 
pension. John G. Griffin was born Oct. 30, 1815, in East Haddam, Conn.; was married March 27, 1841, 
to Ursula Mack, who was born Oct. 15, 1824 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1857, and now resides on the farm 
formerly owned by his father ; his mother, at the age of 86, is now living with him. He was a member 
of the Assembly in the Legislature of 1876, in Wisconsin, and was once a candidate for the same office in 
Connecticut, on the Free-soil ticket ; has also been a Justice of the Peace in Connecticut. He has three 
children — Kate, Jane and Edith ; Kate was born in Connecticut, on the same farm where her fiither, 
grandfather and great-grandfather were born. He has 320 acres of land ; is a Republican ; both are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church. 

ALiLE]V GOULiD (^deceased); was born Dec. 12, 1825, in the town of Clayton, St Law- 
rence Co., N. Y.; .son of Henry and Elizabeth Gould. He was first married, Oct. 27, 1847, to Jane Lee, 
who died Dec 4, 1849, aged 22, leaving one child, Henrietta, who is now Mrs. Thomas C. Kune, of Wau- 
kefha Co., Wis. He was married the second time, Nov. 25, 1852, to Mrs. Alma Sheffer, daughter of 
Hiram and Betsy Channel ; she was born April 2. 1825, in Richland Co., Ohio, and was married Oct. 5, 
1843, to Henry Shefler, who died Ju]y 12, 1857, aged 32, leaving one daughter, Samantha (now Mrs. 
Geurge M. Bennett), of the town of Courtland. Mr. Gould came to Wisconsin with his mother and step- 
father, James Bennett, who settled in the town of Courtland, in July, 1847 ; in the tall of 1855, he went 
on the farm now occupied by his widow and son, Charles W., on Sees. 13 and 14, and resided there till 
his death, which occurred April 11, 1863, of smallpox; ho left four children by the second marriage^ 
Charles W., who was born Sept. 5, 1854, and married Jan. 27, 1879, to Anna L. Link, born March 17, 
1855, living on the homestead ; Mary M. (now Mrs. W. J. Chapman), of Davidson Co., Dakota; Frank 
Herbert, died April 22, 1863, aged nearly 2 years, and Jennie Luella, the 28th of the same month, aged 
11 years, both of smallpox; William Henry died Sept. 3, 1853, in infancy. Mr. Gould had been an 
active member of the Methodist Church since 1850, and had been Steward a number of years; was for 
a long time Sabbath -school Superintendent, and took a lively interest in all educational matters. He lived 
a consistent Christian life, and enjoyed the full confidence of his neighbors and associates. The homestead 
consists of 100 acres of land, occupied by Charles W. and his mother; P. 0. Randolph. 

G. ii. HOPKINS, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. O. Randolph ; born Jan. 29, 1821, in Wind.sor Co., Vt. 
Was married, Dec. 3, 1843, to Alzina M, Boyden, who was born Jan. 13, 1818, in Porafret, Vt., 
daughter of Otis Boyden. Mr. Hopkins learned the carpenter's trade before he attained his majority, and 
worked at it about twenty years in Vermont; came to VVisconsin in 1862; located on the farm he now 
owns, and has followed farming ever since ; has 140 acres of land, with good buildings and well stocked. 
Has two children— Squire E. (who married Mary Bergman, of Galena, 111., and now lives in Wichita, 
Kan.), and Alphon W. (who married Flora Beebe, of Courtland, and lives on the homestead). Republi- 
can, first, last and all the time. 

J AlflES I. HOPKIIVS, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Cambria ; was born in Gloucestershire, 
England, i^ov. 12, 1843 ; his father, Thomas 0. Hopkins, came to America in the spring of 1851, and his 
family came the next fall ; they came direct to Columbia Co., Wis., and lived in the town of Scott one 
winter; then in Randolph two or three years; then two years in Courtland, and back to Scott two years, 
and three years in Springvale ; in 1861, c^ime to the town of Courtland, and has lived there since. James 
I. was married March 9, 1871, to Anna Cornfoid, who was born Jan. 9, 1850, in Columbia Co., daughter 
of John and Mary Ann Cornford, natives of England, who came to America in 1840. Mr. Hopkins has 
three children — James Eugene, Robert Nel.son and Henrietta. He has 80 acres of land ; is a Republican. 

THOMAS O. HOPKIIVS, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Cambria ; was a son of William and Ann 
Hopkins, natives of England, who had been staying a short time in Wales, and he. was born at a hotel in 
Wales, while on their return trip to England ; his parents were born and lived in Wiltshire, and he was 
christened in Lee Church. Was married in Brinkworth Church in March, 1842, to Ann Collingborn, 
who was born Nov. 18, 1818, in the parish of Brinkworth, in Wiltshire, England, daughter of Isaac Col- 
lingborn ; her mother's name was Mary (Dyer) Clark. Mr. Hopkins came to America in the spring of 
1851, and his family came the next foil, and has lived in Columbia Co., Wis., ever since. Have eight 
children, of whom four, viz., William Thomas, James Isaac, John Nathaniel and Thomas Cornelius, were 
born in Edgeworth, Gloucestershire, England ; Mary Elizabeth (now Mrs. Wm. R. Jones, of CourtlandJ, 



1026 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

was born in Brinkworth, England, soon after her father came to America ; Ann P. (now Mrs. Ennis Huff, 
of Courtland I and Robert Caleb were born in Randolph, Wis.; and Leonard Washington, born in Spring- 
vale, Wis., and named Washington after the vessel in which his father came to America; lost three chil- 
dren, one in England and two in America^ all died in infancy ; John N. and Robert C. went to England 
in December, 1876; Robert came back in Ma}-, 1877, and John the next August. Mr. Hopkins was a 
'•master farmer" in England and in good circumstances, but lost his property by a dry summer and a 
distemper that carried off bis stock, and when he arrived in Wisconsin had but four dollars and fifty cents 
left ; he now owns 592 acres of good farm land, which, with the stock, is worth from 810,000 to $12,000 ; 
when he first came to America, he thought it a disgrace to work on the highway, as none but paupers did 
that kind of work in England, but became reconciled to it when he learned it was the custom here. His 
family came over on the Queen of the West, he came on the Washington, both American vessels; the 
Washington bad 1 ,010 passengers on board when she left Liverpool ; had three deaths and three births on the 
passage, and was .si.x weeks and two days making the trip to New York. Mr. Hopkins is a Republican. 

DAVID G. HOWELLS, farmer, Sec. 19; P.O. Cambria; born Feb. 15, 1820, in Mont- 
gomeryshire, North Wales ; came to America in 1845, and lived near Utiea, N. Y., a couple of months, 
then came to Wisconsin in the fall and settled in Columbus, lived there two years, then one year in Dodge- 
ville, Iowa Co., wh^rc he was married, Sept. 17, 1848, to Margaret Owens, a native of Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales, daughter of Owen Owens, who came to America in 1846, and settled in Springvale. Imme- 
diately after marriage Mr. Howells returned to Columbus, lived there six months, then came to Columbia. 
Co. and lived in Springvale four years. In the spring of 1852, he came to Courtland, where he has since 
resided; has eight cbildren — Kate (now Mrs. Hugh Owens, of Springvale ) ; Griffith D., Robert R,. 
David R., John R., Ben R , Jennie W. and Maggie Ellen (all living at home except Kate and Robert, who 
live in Minneapolis.) Both are members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church, of which he has been a 
Deacon eight vears. He has 410 acres of land in his farm ; he is a Republican. 

MILO'HrFF, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Randolph; born June 2, 1821, in Orleans Co., N. Y.: 
son of Richard and Hannah Huff; he spent his early life on his father's farm, and was educated at the 
district school, except one term at the Albion Academy. At the age of 22, he spent one winter in Can- 
ada, then back to Orleans Co., one summer ; then to Michigan and Indiana, then back to New York a few 
months and then to Illinois ; in December, 1846, he came to Wisconsin and stayed a few weeks, in what is 
now the town of Courtland, then returned to Illinois and .spent one summer, and in the fall of 1847, again 
came to Wisconsin and bought the land he now owns and where he has since resided. He married Nov. 
15. 1850, Caroline M. Kenfield, who was born Oct. 13, 1830, in Windham Co., Vt., daughter of Ellas 
and Susannah (Streeter) Kenfield. Mr. Huff, has four children — Ennis E., Estella E., Chauneey Alonzo 
and Irwin E. ( all at home except Ennis E., who is married ). He has a farm of 200 acres ; has been raising 
grain mostly, but is now working into stock. The first school in District No. 4. was taught in his old log 
house, and Elizabeth Alwood was the teacher. Mrs. Hufl' is a member of the M. E. Church ; he is a 
Republican. 

JAiHES IN<wIiEHART, retired farmer, Cambria; was born Oct. 16, 18 — , in the town of 
Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., removed to Ohio in 1835, and lived in that State (most of the time in Ashta- 
bula Co.) till the f;ill of 1845, then went to Boone Co., 111., and in the spring of 1846, came to Wisconsin 
and settled in the town of Scott, where he now owns a 160-acre farm on Sec. 12. He resided on the 
farm till December, 1877, then came to Cambria and went into business with his son Alnion, in a grocery 
and restaurant. When he came from Illinois, he moved with ox teams and was a week on the road ; there 
was then only one house in what is now Cambria, and a saw-mill just started ; there were only about half 
a dozen families in the town of Scott. He was married, June 16, 1836. in Lake Co., Ohio, to Rosina 
Streeter, a daughter of Truman Streeter, a native of Massachusetts; has six children — Clarissa (now Mrs. 
William Bullock, of Chickasaw Co., Iowa) ; Almon (living in Cambria) ; Edward (married and living en 
the homestead in the town of Scottl ; Mary, Almina, and Susan (living with parents in Cambria). Mr. 
Inglehart was a son of Henry Inglehart, whose father came from Germany, as (lovernor of the province of 
New Jersey ; served through the Revolutionary war, and was accompanied by his son Henry, during the 
last four years of the war ; Henry was only 14 years old when the war closed ; he was in Washington's 
army most of the time. Mr. Inglehart was Justice of the Peace four years, Assessor, three or four years. 
and has been Treasurer and Collector; Republican in politics. Almon Inglehart was born Aug. 24, 1848, 
in the town of Scott, Columbia Co., Wis., and remained on his fathers farm till 21 years of age, then 
went to farming for himself which he followed till the spring of 1877 ; Feb. 1, 1878, went into business 
in Cambria, in restaurant and fancy groceries ; was burned out April 26, 1879, but rebuilt in the fall fol- 
lowing, and in January, 1880, took his father (James Inglehart) in with him as a partner; their place of 



TOWN OF COURTLAND. 



1027 



business is on the south side of Main street, in Cambria. He was married in 1872, to Mary Lovell, of 
Marcellon, daughter of Barney Lovell. 

JOB A. JESS (^deceased) was one of the first settlers in the town of Courtland ; he was a 
native of Nova Scotia, and came to Wisconsin in 1836 or '37 ; lived in Walworth Co. till 1845, then came 
to Columbia Co. and settled in the town of Courtland, but, being unmarried, spent a good deal of his time 
away, being in California from 1852 till 1858. June 8, 1872, he was married in Columbus, Wis., to 
Eliza Goodwin, daughter of Thomas and Jane Goodwin, who were among the oldest settlers of Dodge Co. 
After marriage, Mr. Jess resided on his farm on Sec. 11, till his death, which occurred Jan. 7, 1878, from 
injuries received a few days previous, by his team taking fright and running away with a load of lumber, 
while he was driving them. He was a son of J. L. P. Jess, who came from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin in 
1845, and died in the town of Courtland, in January, 1879, in the 93d year of his age. Job Jess left a 
widow and one child, Albert A., born March 7, 187G. Mrs. Jess occupies the homestead, 240 acres. P. 
0. Randolph. 

DAVID D. JOXES, merchant, Cambria; was born July 29, 1836, in Cardiganshire, South 
Wales; son of David Jones, of Waukesha, Wis., who came to America and Wisconsin in 1846, when 
David D. was only 9 or 10 years of a^e, and has lived in Waukesha since that time ; David D. remained 
on the farm with his father till he was 20 years old, then went sailing on the lakes one year ; in July, 
1860, he came to Cambria, and engaged in buying wheat, in which bu.siness he continued till 1868, then 
went into the mercantile business, which he still follows. Was married Oct. 22, 1866, in Milwaukee, to 
Miss Maggie Roberts, daughter of Rev. Wm. E. Roberts, now living in the villasie of Randolph ; has 
three children— Minnie, Willie D. and Kittle B. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Congregational Church, 
and Mr. Jones Presbyterian, and is a Republican. 

EVAN O. JONES, general agent for Minneapolis Harvester Works, Cambria; was born March 
24, 1830, in Denbishshire. Nortii Wales; son of Richard Jones, of whom mention is made in the biog- 
raphy of Elias B. Williams; he was 15 years of age when his father came to Cambria, where his early 
life was spent ; in 1852, he went across the plains to California, being three and half months making the 
trip from the Missouri River to Sacramento ; he spent about two years in the mine.s then clerked a short 
time, and finally went into business for himself, keeping a general store till the spring of 1856 ; he then 
came home and engaged in selling lumber and farm machinery, which he continued about ten years; the 
next ten years he spent in several different kinds of business, fiirming included, and for the last four years 
has been traveling as general assent for farm machinery. Was married in January, 1857, to Mary Ann 
Roberts, daughter of Robert ap^Roberts, a native of Denbighshire, North Wales; has three children — 
Richard E. 6., Sarah A. and Mary R. Has held the office of Chairman of Supervisors and Clerk of the 
Town several years, was President of the village five years, and has been Village Clerk, Justice of the 
Peace and Police Justice; was a member of the Assembly in 1866-67, and of the Senate in 1873-74 ; 
he drafted the village charter of Cambria, and introduced it in the Assembly of 1866, and was the first 
President of the villase. In politics, is Republican. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian Church ; 
Mr. Jones has one sister in Cambria, Mrs. E. B. Williams; has had four brothers, of whom three are 
living— John R., in town of Cumberland ; Daniel R., is an architect in Madison, Wis., and Owen E., iu 
Minneapolis ; Wm. R. died in Neenah, Wis. 

GRIFFITH S. JONES, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Randolph; was born in Anglesey, Wales, in 
the village of Llanerch-y-medd ; came to America in 1858, from Liverpool, England, where he had resided 
for twenty-four years ; arrived in New York May 24, and came direct to Wisconsin ; lived first in Spring- 
vale, Fond du Lac Co., and in the fall of 1860 removed to Courtland, Columbia Co., where he still resides. 
Was married, Jan. 28, 1842. in Liverpool. England, to Jane Williams, who was born May 6, 1810, in the 
same county as her husband in the parish of B.idedeyrn, daughter of Joseph Williams. xMr. and Mrs. 
Jones have five children — Joseph S., born in Liverpool, England, now lives in Milwaukee, Wis.; Jane S., 
now Mrs. Richard Griffiths, of Randolph ; Samuel, Griffith and William S.; the last four born in Birken- 
head, Cheshire, England ; Griffith is married and lives in Randolph Village ; Samuel and Wm. S. on 
the homestead with parents ; in 1878, Wm. S. took a trip to Europe, leaving New York Sept. 26, arrived 
in Liverpool Oct. 5, spent the winter in traveling through England and Wales, left Liverpool for home 
May 20, 1879, and arrived in New York May 30. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Welsh Con- 
gregational Church. Mr. Jones and all his sons are Republicans. 

^ JOHN D. JONES, farmer, Cambria; was born Sept. 7, 1836, in Carnarvonshire, North 
Wales, near Conwery ; son of David Jones (whose father's name was John Rowlands) ; his father died 
when he was only 7 or 8 years of age, and his mother (Sydnah Jones") came to America with her three 
children in 1848, and soon after she came, settled in Springvale, Columbia Co., Wis.; she is now living 



1028 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

with hor son John D., at the advanced age of "8 years, and in good health ; her daughter Catharine died 
Dec. G, 1861, in Sprinjrvale, aged 23; and David died Jan. 20, 1866, aged 31. John D. was married 
July 2, 1878, in Cambria, lo Mary Bree.se, daughter of Edward Breese, and sister of Lieut. Breese, Ex- 
Secretary of State; has one child — David Breese, born Oct. 5, 1S79 (and named March 17, 1S80, while 
this biography was being written up). Mr. Jones held the oflBces of Treasurer, Side Supervisor and 
Chairman of the town of Springvale. Has a 16(l-acre farm in Springvale, on Sec. 27 ; 160 acres in the 
the town of Arlington, Sec. 10, and 120 acres in Macon Co., Mo. Both are members of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, and he is a Rejiubliean. 

•fOHN AP JOXES, farmer and p-rain dealer, Cambria ; residence and farm on Sec. 5; was 
born Oct. 15. 1822, in Merionethshire, North Wales; son of John Daniel Jones; he came to America in 
1846, and arrived in Racine about the 1st of September ; was in the mercantile business there two years ; 
he then returned to Wales, being gone about a year ; in the fall of 1 849, went into the mercantile business 
in Cambria (then called Florence!, continued in that about a year, then went into the milling business, 
and, since 1860, has been engaged in buyin.' grain, stock, &c. Was married in 1849, in the town of 
Springvale, to Miss Ellen Evans, daughter of Robert Evans, who died in Wales ; her mother died in 
Cambria. Mr. Jones ha.s six children — Robert E. (in company with his father in the grain business); 
John D. (buying wheat in Randolph); Richard ap (at home); Mary, Susan and Ellen; has lost four — 
John died when 1 ■< years old ; Jane died same age; David died at the a'.ie of 13, and one die! in infancy. 
Mrs. Jones is a Calvinistic Methodist, and he is a Presbyterian and Republican. 

ROBERT J. JOIVE)^, firmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Randolph ; born in North Wales in 1820; 
came to Ameiica in 1849 and settled in Lewis Co., N. Y.; lived there until 1859, then came to Wisconsin, 
and .settled in the town of Courtland, where he his since resided. Was married, Oct. 10, 1862, to Ann 
Hughe.s, who was born in 1834, in Wales ; daughter of Charles and Barbara Hughes. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jones have five children — ^Barbara, John, (!harles. Margaret and Robert, all living with parents. Has 80 
acres of land, and in polities, Independent. 

RI<JHARI> O. JOXE^J, jfl. D., Cambria; was born July 14, 1850. in the town of 
Springvale, Columbia Co., Wis.; son of Owen G. and Ann (Roberts) Jones, natives of Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales. Tiie name of his farm in Wales and Springvale is " Hendref." Richard read medicine 
with Dr. O. W. Blanehard, of Delavan, Wis., after being in the drug business in Cambria for six years 
as clerk in the store of his brother Griffith 0. Jones ; was a'so clerk in the store of Dr. G. W. Brigg's in 
Delavan, for about a year and a half; he then went inti the drug business on his own account in Dodge- 
ville, Iowa Co., Wis., in company with James Roberts, firm name " Roberts & Jones ;" also practiced 
there about two years; he then attended Ann Arbor University, Mich , one full term, and went from there 
to the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated June 19, 1876, and commenced practice 
at Cambria the July following, where he still continues. Dr. Jones has been awarded prizes by the 
" Eisteddfod," (a Welsh literary society), for the following poems: " Paul in the presence of Agrippa." 
" Solomon," ■• Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah." and several other poems; his nom de plume is 
'• Elewinfard, " which is the Welsh fir "Western Poet." 

WIIjlilAlI AP JOXES, depot agent, telegraph operator and express agent, Cambria, and 
a member of the firm of " \Villiams &, Jones," who own the only grist-mill in Cambria; was born in 
Carnarvonshire, North Wales, June 26, 1833, son of Rev. William J. Jones, who came to America in 
1845, and lived in the State of New York, near Utioa, one year : in the fall of 1846 he came to Wiscon- 
sin, and located on Government land, on what is now the town of Courtland; has 360 acres in his farm, 
which he has owned thirty-four years, and never had a mortgage on it; he is now living on the farm at 
the age of 79, and his wife 74, both in good health. William ap Jones remained on the farm with his 
parents till his marriage, which took place Jan. 31, 1862, in Cambria, to Miss Ann Williams, daughter of 
Gabriel and Jane Williams, old residents of Cambria; has two children living — John D. and Willie G. ; 
has lost two (twins'), died in infancy. Afier marriage, he worked one year, buying wheat for John ap 
Jones, and since that time (for .seventeen years), has been ticket agent at Cambria for the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. Republican, and himself and wife both members of the Calvinistic 
Methodist Church. 

REV. \VILL.IA:!I J. JOi\E8 (Snowden) farmer and preacher. Sec. 19, P. 0. Cambria; 
was born Aug. 15, 1801, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, in the parish of Dalyddelen, son of John and 
Ellen Jones ; worked at farming some when young, was foreman in a quarry for some time and was in the 
mercantile business twelve years in Wales. He came to America in the fall of 1845, and lived in Rome, 
N Y., till July, 1846; then came to Wisconsin and settled on the farm he now occupies; he has been in 
the ministry in the Calvinistic Methodist Church for fifty-five years, and has preached regularly during 



TOWN OF COUKTLAND. 1029 

that time, in addition to his other business; still preaches in Welsh, as he has never learned the English 
language. He is cmo of the four brothers mentioned in the biography of Elias B. Williams ; has preached 
in Courtland ever since he settled here, and held meetings in his own house till 1860, when Carmel Church 
was built on his land. He was married in Wales, Dec. 24, 1827, to Ann Griffith, of Carnarvonshire; 
have had eight children, of whom three only are now living — William ap (whose biography is given in 
another place), Ellen, born Jan. 7, 1838 (living with her parents), and Richard D., who was born Jan. 25. 
3852, on the homestead where he now lives; was married May 2, 1878, to Kate B. Evar;s, daughter of 
Rev. Rees Evans of Columbia (see his biography) ; had one child, born March 21, 1879, and died March 
3, 1880 (not named). Both members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church ; he is a Republican. Will- 
iam J. Jones has lost five children : John J., was born Dec. 25, 1828 ; he enlisted at Fulton, 111., in the 
46th 111. V. I., and went tut as Colonel of the regiment; was in the service fcur and a half years, and 
when the war clofjed was a Brigadier General ; he died in Chicago Feb. 13, 1868 ; Ellis Fj. was born Jan. 
13, 1831, and died March 11. 1865 ; Jane was born Nov. 28, 1841, and died Sept. 10, 1869 ; Ann wi.s 
born July 3, 1835 and died March 2, 1855 ; Mary M. was born May 6, 1847, and died in Wales, Aug. 
15, 1872 ; all the children were born in Wales, except the two youngest. Mr. Jones has 365 acres of land 
and is a Republican. His brother John Jones (Tal-y-sarn ) was considered the most eloquent pulpit 
orator in Wales, and is known wherever the Welsh language is spoken ; another brother, David Jones, 
(Carnarvon) was also a celebrated preacher, and widely known ; both died in Wales. 

WILLIAM R. JONES, ftrmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. Randolph; was born Jan. 20, 1844, [n 
North Wales; son of Robert and Martha Jones, who came to America when he was only 6 years old ; 
lived two years in Lewis Co., N. Y.; then came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Courtland ; his 
mother died in September, 1859, and his father is living with him on the farm, which consists of 120 
acres of land. Was married Nov. 19, 1872, to Mary Hopkins, who was born in England, daughter of 
Thomas 0. Hopkins, who now lives in the town of Courtland ; has three children — Thomas 0., Robert 
M. and William. Is a Republican. 

JAMES W. KELLY, merchant, Cambria; was born July 24, 1821, in Jeflerson Co., N. Y.; 
came West in 1854 and lived in Du Page Co., 111., about a year and a half; then came to Wisconsin and 
settled in Cambria in the spring of 1856 ; the next fall, he bought out the general store of Daniel Post. 
and has carried on the business most of the time since ; previous to his moving here, he came to Cambria 
(in 1855), and bought 40 acres of land on Sec. 31, in Randolph, adjoining the village, and platted about 
30aoresof it, which isknown as " Kelly s Addition to Cambria." He was appointed Postmaster at Cambria 
in the fall of 1856, and held the office until the spring of 1863. Was married, Nov. 5, 1844, in Jeff- 
erson Co , N. Y., to Isabel Jane Welch, who died Nov. 4, 1863, aged 38, leaving six children — Emma 
Jane, Mary Ameliji, Frances E.. Clark W., Ida B. and Minnie H.; had lost two — Charles J. and Carrie 
H. Was married second time June 17, 1866, in Dekorra, Wis., to Mrs. Fannie W. Irons, daughter of 
Luther Calvin Eastman, of Indiana, and widow of Francis W. Irons, who died March 28, 1863, in 
Dekorra, leaving two children — Violettie and F. C. Irons; have had one child by the second marriase — 
Maud S., died Jan. 21, 1870, aged 4 years. His store is on south side of Main street, and he keeps a 
general stock of dry soods, groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, glassware and notions. Is a Republican. 

NATHANIEL KETCHLM, farmer. Sec. 20 ; born Feb. 18. 1816, in Steuben Co., N. Y.; 
son of James Ketchum, who removed to Orleans Co., N. Y., when he (Nathaniel) was a boy. He was 
married, Jan. 1, 1845, to Jane Penney, who was born Jan. 20, 1826, in Westmoreland, England ; came to 
America with her parents when 5 years of age. Mr. Ketchum came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1851. 
and settled in the town of Courtland, on the farm he now owns ; has five children, all boys, all voters, and 
all Republicans; his eldest .son, George, was married to Edith Griffin, Nov. 26, 1874, and has one child 
living — Roy Elwood, and lost one ; Lena Alfred (the second son) was married Feb. 27, 1877. to Eliza- 
beth Rust, and has one child — Henry; John (the third .son) was married Nov, 27, 1878, to Lizzie Evans ; 
Wellington and Orson Phelps, both living with their parents on the homestead, and those married all liv- 
ing in the town of Courtland. 

EVON W. LIjOYD, merchant and member of the firm of Thomas & Lloyd, Cambria; was 
born in Racine, Wis., Jan. 1, 1844 ; son of John E. Lloyd, a native of Merionethshire, North Wales, 
who came to America in 1841 or 1842, and lived in Racine till 1846 ; then came to Caledonia, Columbia 
Co., and is now living in Howard Co., Iowa. Mr. Lloyd remained on his father's farm in Caledonia till 
1860, then engaged as clerk in the dry-goods house of N. H. Wood & Co., of Portage City, till March, 
1865 ; he then went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and clerked for C. J. Pettibone till the last of August, when 
he returned to Cambria, and, on the 31st of August, 1865, formed a partnership in general merehandisinc, 
with H. W. Thomas, which business connection he still continues. He was married in November. 1 865, 



1030 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in Bangor, La Crosse Co., Wis., to Maggie Thomas, daughter of William W. Thomas, and sister of his 
partner in business; have three children — John T., Willie W. and E. Omen. Mr. Lloyd has been a 
member of the Village Board several years, and is a Republican. Both members of the Welsh Calvin- 
istic Church. 

JOHN J. LEWIS, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Randolph ; is a native of the State of New York ; 
son of John and Laura Lewis, natives of Wales, who came to Wisconsin, from New York, when he was 
an infant ; his father died April 7, 1877 ; his mother is still living in Randolph Village. He was married, 
March 13, 1878, to Mary E. Thomas, daughter of William E. Thomas, who lives in the town of Ran- 
dolph. Mr. Lewis lived in Dodge Co., near Watertown, till the summer of 1876, then came to Columbia 
Co.; has 72 acres of land which he bought in 1878 ; has one child — Walter C., born May 10, 1879. 
Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Welsh Methodist Church. 

JOHN LLOYD, farmer. Sec. II ; P. 0. Randolph ; born Dec. 14, 1837, in Wales; son of Evon 
and Catherine (Jones i Lloyd ; his father died in Wales when he was 8 years old, and a year after, his mother, 
with her three children, John, Ann and Catherine, came to America and lived in the State of New York, near 
Utica, till the spring of lS5(i ; then came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Emmctt, Dodge Co., 
where he made it his home till the fall of 1875, then came to Columbia Co., and bought the farm he 
now owns in the town of Courtland (lliO acres'l. where he has since resided. Was married, in the fall of 
1860, to Catherine Lewis, daughter of John and Laura Lewis, natives of Wales. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted in the 29th W. V. I., Co. B, and was in the service three years, participating in fifteen or sixteen 
battles and skirmishes, being all in which his regiment was engaged during that time, except one, 
when he was prevented by a wound he had received at the battle of Port Gibson ; was mustered out of 
service at Shreveport, La., and paid off at Madison, Wis.; after his return from the army, he lived on 
his farm in the town of Clyman, Dodge Co., till 1875; was Supervisor of the Town and member of 
Assembly in the Legislature of 1875. Republican, and has nine children — Ann, Mary, John, Laura, 
Ellen, Evan, Esther, GrifBth and Catharine. Mrs. Lloyd is a member of the Methodist Church. 

WILLIAM LLOYD, farmer. Sec. 2; P. 0. Randolph ; was born May 5, 1848, in Lewis Co., 
N. Y., son of John and Sarah Lloyd, natives of Wales, who came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1866, and 
settled on Sec. 2, in the town of Courtland ; now living in the village of Randolph. Dec. 15, 1875, Mr. 
Lloyd was married to Miss Lizzie Roberts, who was born in New York City, Aug. 8, 1858, daughter of 
Joshua Roberts, now of Randolph, Wis., and whose biography appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lloyd are members of the Welsh Methodist Church. He has 62 acres of land which he bought in 1876. 
Republican. 

RAXSOJI H. MEAD, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Columbia; was born Feb. 14, 1821, in 
Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1846, to see the aountry, and settle 
up the estate of his brother, Henry Mead, who died in August, 1845, which was the first death in the 
town of Courtland ; was here a few weeks and then returned to the East : in the fall of 1848, he again 
came to Wisconsin, and has resided in the town of Courtland ever since, and followed farming most of the 
time. Feb. 14, 1865. he enlisted in the 46th W. V. I., Co. D, and remained in the service till October 
of the same year. Was married, Feb. 14, 1850, in the town of Courtland, to Hannah Conklin, who was 
born Oct. 18, 1828, in the town of Conklin, Broome Co., N. Y., daughter of Samuel Conklin who came 
to Wisconsin in 1846, and died in 1863, in Courtland. Mr. Mead is a Republican and has been Chairman 
of the town of Courtland ten or twelve years and has also been Side Supervisor, Treasurer and Justice 
of the Peace. Has five children — John F., Maggie C, Samuel C, George S. and Mariette, all living at 
home ; lost one child, Henry, died Dee. 18, 1860, aged 13 months. Mrs. Mean belongs to the M. E. Church. 

FREDERICK MILLER, dry-goods clerk, Cambria; was born Feb. 26, 1853, in the town 
of Lean, in Kreiswetzlar, son of Henry Miller, who came to America in about 1855, located in Columbia 
Co , and went into the butchering business in Portage City. His family came in 1857, and joined him in 
Portage. He died in 1859, and his family came to Cambria in 1862 ; lived here till fall of 1864 ; then 
went to Columbus and in the fiill of 1869 came back to Cambria; his mother (now Mrs. Christopher 
Heinz) is still living in the town of Randolph ; he has lived in Cambria ever since 1869, except one year 
in New Orleans, in boarding or coffee house. He was married, Oct. 11, 1877, in Randolph to Lizzie 
Weisel, who was born May 10, 1856, in Plover, Portage Co., Wis., daughter of George Weisel, a native 
of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; who came to America in about 1854, and now lives near Kingston, 
Green Lake Co., Wis. Mr. Miller is a Republican and has been clerking for Thomas & Lloyd, of Cambria, 
for the last four and a half years. 

DAVID D. MORRIS, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Cambria; born July 25. 1825, in Montgomery- 
shire, North Wales, son of Robert Davis. His mother's maiden name was Jane Morris, daughter of 



TOWN OF COURTLAND. 1031 

Davis Morris, and he was christened David Morris Davis, as shown by the records in the parish of Llan- 
wddyo, Montgomerj'shire ; he came to America in 1850, and lived near Utica, N. Y., about seven years ; 
came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1857 or 1858, and settled in the town of Courtland, where he now resides. 
Was married, March 21, I860, in Rome, N. Y., to Jane H. Jones, a daughter of Humphrey Jones, a 
native of Wales; has five children — John D., Margaret D., Jane D., Robert D. and Thomas D., all living 
at home ; has 539 acres in his farm and keeps about 200 head of sheep, 60 head of cattle and 9 horses. 
He is a Republican and is the present Chairman of the town ; was Side Supervisor fur about nine years 
previous to his election as Chairman ; both members of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church. 

G. D. MYERS, produce and lumber dealer, of the firm of Myers & Bickelhaupt, Cambria, was born 
Feb. 26, 1839, in Saratoga Co., N. Y. Was married in Troy, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1860, to Miss M. E. Kettell, 
daughter of John A. Kettell ; was engaged in farming in Saratoga Co. till the fall of 1858 ; then came to 
Wisconsin, and lived in Waupun, Dodge Co., eight years ; was engaged in the butchering business two 
years, and part of the time was buying wheat, in March, 1867, and has been engaged in the same business 
ever since ; was first a member of the firm of Fairbanks, Stanton & Co., then John ap Jones & Co., Myers & 
Jones, and now Myers & Bickelhaupt. Has two children — Fred and Daniel. He has been President of 
the village of Cambria several years, and is now one of the Village Board of Trustees, and in politics a 
Democrat. 

RICHARD E. OWENS, farmer and carpenter. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Cambria ; was born about 1821 , 
in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, son of Richard Owens; .came to America in 1842, and worked at his 
trade (that of carpenter and joiner) for ten years in the State of New York, in Utica ; in 1852, he came 
to Wisconsin, and lived a year and a half in Waukesha Co., then came to the town of Courtland, Col- 
umbia Co., a"d settled on the farm where he now resides. His first wife was Mary Davis, a native of 
Wales, to whom he was married in Utica, N. Y., and who died Sept. 5, 1857, aged 32 years, leaving four 
children — Charles R., Edward J., Eliza Ann (or Lizzie A.) and Mary Jane, who is now the wife of R. 
T. Thomas, of Milwaukee. Charles was accidentally killed by his team running away in July, 1868. He 
was married the second time July 8, 1871, in Cambria, to Mrs. Ann Jones, widow of Richard Jones, who 
left one child, Lizzie; she is living with her mother and step-father. By his second marriage he has one 
child, Richard Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Owens are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a 
Republican. 

J. liE ROY PARKINSON, photographer, Cambria, was born Jan. 26, 1851, in the town 
of Kingston, Marquette Co. (now Green Lake), son of Joseph Parkinson (see his biography). His mother 
died July 4, 1866. and soon after her death he went to live with Judge F. B. Hawes, of Ureen Lake Co., 
where he remained four years, attending school part of the time ; in 1869, he went to Missouri with 
Judge Hawes, and sta3'ed two winters and one summer, then came back to Wisconsin in company with the 
ague with which he had been acquainted for about eight months in Jlissouii ; in 1871, he went into the 
photograph business in company with T. Cross, of Marquette, continued with him about four months, 
and then dis.solved partnership, and went to Ripon, Wis., where he was employed as clerk in the dry-goods 
store of A. N^Anstaed for three or four months; in 1872, he went into the photograph business in 
Kingston for a short time ; then went to Princeton in same business for a year and a l|alf,then sold out 
and worked for William Lockwood, of Rijion, in the picture business two years ; in October, 1877, he 
came to Cambria and opened a gallery in the brick block, where he carried on business till Dec. 15, 1878, 
then removed to rooms in Williams' Block, where he still continues business. Jan. 1, 1879, he was mar- 
ried in Hersey, Wis., ti Carrie A. Smith, who was born Aug. 1, 1858, in Fond du Lac Co., Wis. 

ISAAC PARY, proprietor of the Cambria Hotel, was born in Denbighshire, North Wales, 
town of Llrlcthar ; son of John Pary, who was a farmer and tried to make an M. D. of his son Isaac, but 
only succeeded in making a horse doctor. He was married in Wales in May, 1850, to Mary Jane Edwards. 
dau>;hter of William Edwards; immediately after marriage, he came to America, and lived in Lewis Co., 
N. Y., between seven and eight years; his first labor there was at mason work, for which he received $11 
per month for four months, and took it in store pay; in the fall of 1857, he came to Wisconsin (a cripple 
from rheumatism), arriving in Cambria the 25th day of December with a wife and three children, and 25 
cents in his pocket; he moved into a cabin twelve feet square, and paid out his last 25 cents for an old 
log for fire wood ; after paying one man for it, another man (and a wealthy one at that time) came along 
and laid claim to the log, and actually unhitched his team from the wagon and hauled the log away, but 
was afterward obliged to return it; he then worked at mason work about three years (having learned the 
trade in the State of New York), and made about $4 per day; since that time he has been engaged in 
horse doctoring, dealing in stock, butchering, etc., and for the last eight years has kept the Cambria Hotel 
(in addition to his other business), which he has owned and occupied for the last nineteen years, but not 



10:32 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

kept as a hotel till the last eight years. He has held the offices of Marshal, Constable and Supervisor. 
Has seven children — William H., .Mary Jane, John D., Tillie, Homer, .Minnie and Frankie. He is a 
Republican in politics. Mrs. Pary died April 9, 1S75. 

JOSEPH PHIIiLIP.S, farmer, See. 34; P. 0. Randolph; was born June 6, 1821, in 
Vorksliiri', England, in the parish of Fewston ; son of Joseph Phillips. Was married April 28, 1845, in 
the Parish of Fewston, to Martha Phillips, daughter of James Phillips. Ho came to America in 1855 ; 
came direct to Wisconsin ; lived two years in Fountain Prairie, then removed to his present location, where 
he has since resided. Mrs. Phillips died in Courtland July 17, 1804, leaving four children — Elizabeth 
(now Mrs. Paul Hanson, of Hall Co., Neb.), Mary Hannah fnow Mrs. Augustus Denman, of Nebraska), 
Samuel (living with Mr. Denman in Nebraska), and Joseph Alfred Cat home). Was married the second 
time, Dec. 25, 1806. to Grace Waterworth, who was born Nov. 29, 1841, daughter of Thomas Water- 
worth, a native of Yorkshire, Enuland ; have three children by the second marriage — Sarah Jane, Andrew 
and Gracie. Mr. Phillips' mother's name was Mary Dagget, and his grandfather was a '.Welshman, named 
Jonathan Phillips; his great-grandmother lived to be over 1 00 years old. He is a Democrat, and has 
been Treasurer of the school district nine years. Has 398 acres of land. 

JOH9f <|UIXX, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Doylestown ; was born Feb. 16, 1835, in County Wex- 
ford, Ireland, Parish of Gorey. His father died when he was a child, and his mother married Mathew 
Shiilock ; they came to America in 1851. He was married in November, 1855, in Utica, N. Y., to Har- 
riet A. Welter, who was born Sept 12, 183S, in Herkimer Co., N. Y ; came to Wisconsin immediately 
after marriage, and .settled in Columbia Co.; lived in Lowville throe years, and eleven years in Otsego; in 
the fall uf 1S09, came to Courtland and bought his present farm ; has eight children living — John, James, 
Dorothy, Mary, Eliza, Kate, Julia and Ellen; have lost two — Martin died in 1868, aged 4, and one died 
in 1855, in infancy. Has 93 acres of land, and although a Democrat, has been elected Assessor in a town 
where the Republicans outnumber the Democrats 7 to 1. 

JOHN S. RAX^DAIjIj (deceased), one of the first settlers of the town of Courtland; was 
born May 17, 1799, in (lerman Flats, Herkimer Co., N. Y. His parents came to Orleans Co., N. Y., 
when he was about 17; his father died soon after; John S., being the youngest child, remained on the 
farm with his widowed mother. Was married, May 13, 1821, to Almira Fanning, who was born in Che- 
nango Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1804, daughter of Joshua Fanning. Mr. Randall came to Wisconsin in the 
fall of 1844, and lived in Walworth Co. two years; then came to Columbia Co. and settled in what is 
now the town of Courtland, in the spring of 1846, and resided in the same town till his death, which 
occurred July 29, 1878, in the 80th year of his age. He was for years a Deacon in the Baptist Church, 
of which himself and wife had been consisteiit members for upward of fifty-five years. He was an earnest, 
conscientious, public-spirited man, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and as^ociates. 
Was Republican in politics, and held several town offices. Mrs. Randall survives him, and, although in 
her 77th year, her mind seems as active, and her memory as good, as ever. Mr. and Mrs. Randall had 
ten children, three of whom died in childhood, and seven are still living — Allen W., lives in Winona Co , 
Minn.; Adalinc, is now Mrs. J. W. Peck, of Walworth Co., Wis.; Mary, is now Mrs. Jeremiah Williams, 
of Carroll Co., Mo.; Harriet R, is now Mrs. R. C. Penney, of Courtland; John Jay, lives in Washington 
Co., Kan.; Caroline, is now Mrs. Joseph Patton, of Walworth Co., Wis., and Joseph H., who was mar- 
ried in 1804 to Amanda, daughter of George Bliss, of Fountain Prairie; she died in 1868, leaving one 
daughter, Mattie A., born Aug. 13, 1800. He was married the second time, March 22, 1871, to Anna 
E. Conklin, who was born in Ohio City ( now Cleveland), Ohio, Sept. 8, 1842, daughter of Joshua Conk- 
lin, a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y.; her mother (Rachel) was from Oswego Co., N. Y.; by the second 
marriage he has three boys. Both members of the Baptist Church. Has 100 acres of land, and is 
Republican 

WILLIAM RKES (deceased); he was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales ; a son of 
Kichard Rees, who died in Wales at the advanced age of 104 years; Wm. Rees went to Liverpool, 
Hngland, before his marriage, and worked at carpenter work, which trade he had learned in Wales. He 
was married, in Liverpool, to Hannah Williams, a native of Flintshire, North Wales. Mr. Rees came to 
America in 1850, and lived in Utica, N. Y., till the fall of 1856, then went to Dubuque, Iowa, and lived 
there till the fall of 1861, working at his trade up to this time; he then came to Cambria, and wei-t into 
the furniture business, in which he continued till his death, June 1, 1878, of heart disease. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rees had in all four children, of whom two are still living ; one died in infancy in Liverpool, and 
Richard died in Cambria in 1874, aged about 35 ; Thomas is living in Oshkosh, Wis.; William was born 
November 30, 1848, in Liverpool, England, and is now in the drug business, and has been about fourteen 
years in a store on north side Main street. Mrs. Rees is still living with her son William, aged 68 years. 



TOWX OF COURTLAND. 1033 

DAVID RICHARDS, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Randolph; was bcirn Aus. U, 1816, in the 
town of Radnor, Radnorshire. South Wales ; he is a son of Evan and Elizabeth Richards, who came to 
America ia 1819, as stated in the biography of Seaman Richards, a brother of David ; he was engagjd in 
farming and lumbering in Susquehanna Co., Penn., till Christmas, 1854; then started West, and arrived 
at the house of his brother Evan in Oak Grove, Dodge Co., Wis., Jan. 1, 1855; he soon after 
came to Columbia Co., and has resided in the town of Courtland ever since. He was married, Dec. 28, 
1859, in Beaver Dam, Wis., to Ruth Bentley, who was born Jan. 23, 1826, in Kings Co., Nova Scotia, 
daughter of D ivid and Abigail Bentley, who came to \Viscnnsin in the spring of 1848 ; Mr. Bentley 
died in Courtland May 13, 1852, aged 62, and Mrs. Bentley is still living in the village of Cambria, in 
the 90th year of her age. Mr. Richards has two children living — John Scott, born May 30, 1861, and 
Martha Ann. born April 21, 1866; Lucy Maud was born Oct. 3, 1862, and died July 28, 1864. Has 
80 acres of land, and is a Republican. 

GRIFFITH RICHARDS, farmer and stock-breeder. Sec. 19; P. 0. Canbria ; was born 
Nov. 13, 1844, in Racine Co., Wis. ; son of Richard Richards, of Racine, one of the oldest stock-raisers 
in the State; he is a native of Merionethshire, North Wales, and was a member of Assembly from 
Racine in 1873. Mr. Richards was married, Jan. 4, 1871, in Courtland, to Laura A. Williams, daughtei 
of William R. Williams ; she was born July 24, 1850, in Courtland, on the farm now owned by her hus- 
band ; has one son — William B. Has 264 acres in the farm, which is known as the " Sunnyside Stock 
Farm ; " the Welsh name of the farm is " Fronhaulog; " he is breeding short-horn cattle, draft and trot- 
ting horses, Berkshire hogs and Spanish sheep. Is First Vice President of the County Agricultural 
Society, and was last year Second Vice President. He is a Republican ; is now a member of the County 
Commissioners, and takes an active part in politics; has held the office of Supervisor. Mrs. Richards is a 
member of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. 

JOSEPH li. RICHARDS, farmer. Sec. 2; P. 0. Randolph ; was born Feb. 4, 1845, in 
Merionethshire, Wal(?s ; came to America in the summer of 1869, and stayed a few weeks on the Hudson 
River, a few miles below Albany; then came to Columbia Co., Wis., and lived in the tuwn of Courtland 
till the fall of 1872, when he went to Milwaukee and worked at the carpenter's trade till January, 1874 ; 
he then returned to Courtland, and, on the 9th of that month (January, 1874), was married to Ann Jane, 
daughter of William R. and Ann Roberts, of Portage Prairie, Columbia Co., Wis., natives of Wales, and 
born in the same place as Joseph L. Richards, as were also his father, Edmund Richards, and his m'jther, 
Ellen Lloyd. Mrs. Richards was born in the town of Clyman, Dodge Co., Wis., March 22, 1849. Mr. 
Richards spent his early life on a farm, and the last six years before leiving Wales, worked in a slate 
quarry. Purchased his farm of 120 acres in the fall of 1874, and went on it in the spriug of 1876. Has 
four children — AVillie E., Ellen Ann, Maggie and Laura. He is a Republican, and both members of the 
Welsh Methodist Church. 

THOMAS RICHARDS, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Cambria; born Dec. 13. 1822, in Great 
Bend. Susquehanna Co., Penn. ; son of Evan and Elizabeth Richards, natives of South Wales, who came 
to America in 1819, and settled in Great Bend, Penn. He was married, in Great Bend, Sept. 7, 1848, 
to Catharine M. Smith, who was born Dec. 25, 1829, in Orange Co., N. Y. ; daughter of Samuel and 
Martha Smith ; immediately after his marriage, Mr. Richards came to Wisconsin and settled in the town 
of Courtland, in which town he has resided ever since; has eight children, all living, and seven of them 
boys — Theodore S., Edward J.. Maggie Jane (now Mrs. Thomas Bradley, of the town of Courtland), 
Frank L., George W., Charles J., Thomas L. and Fayette; all the boys are living at home, and all are 
Republicans who are old enough to vote. Has 100 acres of land, 80 in his home farm and 20 acres in 
timber. 

SEAMAN RICHARDS, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Randolph ; one of the pioneers of Colum- 
bia Co.; was a son of Evan and Elizabeth Richards, natives of South VVales, who came to America in 

1819, taking passage on the sailing-vessel Importer, from Livurpool, England — Capt. Lee; when within 
three days' sail of New York, on the 20th day of July, 1819, a son was born, and the first mate, who was 
also born on the ocean, named the new arrival Seaman, after himself, and gave his mother a guinea to be 
invested for his benefit; on landing in New York City, they went to Broome Co., N. Y., and lived about 
a year with Richard W. Lewis, of the town of Conklin ; they then went to Great Bend, Susquehanna 
Co., Penn., where Mrs. Richards died when he was about 17 years old. Seaman worked out by the month 
in that vicinity till June 1, 1839, when he was married to Hannah M. Aekerman, who was burn Sept. 18, 

1820, in the town of Franklin, Susquehanna Co., Penn., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Aekerman, 
natives of Westchester Co., N. Y.; after marriage, he worked at farming and lumbering most of the time 
for several years, but for the past year and a half of his residence there, was employed as foreman on the 



1034 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

N. Y. & E. R. R., on the Summit section, east of Deposit ; in the fall of 1848, bavins a severe attack of 
Western fever, he started with his family for Wisconsin, coming by canal from Binghamton to Buffalo, 
then by steamer Henry Hudson, from Buffalo to Milwaukee : he came direct to the town of Courtland, 
and, in the spring of 1849, bought the farm he now own-', and where he has since resided; has 260 acres 
all under cultivation, with good farm buildings and well stocked; in the fall of 1849, he left his wife at 
home with their three children and worked in the pinery on the Eau Claire River, in Wisconsin, during 
the winter, and in the spring, ran the Wisconsin River and down the Mississippi to (jalena. III., where he 
■was paid oft', and came home on foot, after being away five months, with $160 in gold in his pocket as the 
result of his winter's work. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have had ten children, of whom eight are still living 
— Mortimer F., lives in Worth Co., Iowa; Charles Henry, lives in McLeod Co., Minn.; Julia Jane, is 
now Mrs. Charles F. Chapman, of the town of Courtland ; Carrie M., now Mrs. Owen F. Jones, of tlu' 
village of Randolph; Seaman, Jr., living at home with his parents; Susan E., now Mrs. John Seckersoii. 
of the village of Randolph ; Melissa A., now Mrs. Wm. Tompkins, of the town of Randolph; and Gram 
1j.", the youngest son, living with his parents; have lost two — Julia Jane, died Oct. 11, 1843, aged 7 
months, and Hannah Elizabeth, died Jan. 11, 1851, aged nearly 2 years. Mr. Richards cast his first 
vote for Gen. Harrison, and has voted the Republican ticket eversince the party was organized. 

THOMAS R. ROBERTS(Tunddarmen), farmer. Sec. IS; P.O.Cambria; was born Jan. 
9, 1840, in Merionethshire, North Wales; son of Robert Roberts; Thomas R. came to America in the spring 
of 1865, and lived the first year in Oshkosh, Wis.; then came to Cambria and worked a farm on shares till 
1874; then worked on a farm by the year for John ap Jones two years; in the spring of 1876. he bought 
tl'C farm he now owns (80 acres), for which he paid $3,000. Was married Nov. 20, 1869, in Cambria, to 
Miss Minnie Davis, daughter of James T. Davis, a native of South Wah's. Mr. Roberts has five children — 
Annie, Maggie, Robbie, Jennie and John. Both members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. He is a 
Republican. 

WILLIAM J. RORERTS, deceased, was born in North Wales in July, 1802 ; son of John 
Roberts. Was married in Seplcuiber, 1841, to Elizabeth Davis, daughter of William Davis; she was born 
Feb. 13, 1817, also in North Wales ; came to America in 1855, and lived in Utica, N. Y., one year ; then 
came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Courtland, where he followed farming till his death, June 3. 
1S77. He left one daughter, Maiy, born Dec. 31, 1842, in Wales, and married, Feb. 27, 1863, to GiilBth 
Gee Jones, and has three children — Ellen, Owen and William. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts lost three children on 
the passage to America, who died of cholera — Ellen, aged 11, Ann, aged 7, and John, aged 3 — and one in 
Utica ; William died in infancy. Mrs. Roberts is a member of the Congregational Church, as was her hus- 
band. Has 40 acres of land, and her daughter, Mrs. Jones, is living with her. 

HORACE RUST (deceased), one of the first settlers of Courtland, was born Feb. 20. 179S. 
ill Windsor Co., Vt., town of Rochester. His first wife was Lydia French, to whom he was married in 
1821 ; she lived only about two years after her marriage and left one child (a daughter") that survived lur 
but a short time. He was married the second time in Vermont to Roxana Mills, sister of Dr. J. C. Mill.>. 
of Walworth Co., who was a member of the First and Second Legislature of Wisconsin, and a State Sen 
ator in 1858. 5Ir. Rust came to Wisconsin in the fiiU of 1844, located land in what is now the town ol 
Courtland in September, 1845, and came on it with his family July 4, 1847 ; he resided on this farm till 
his death, April 7, 1879, being a little over 81 when he died. He was the first Postmaster, one of the 
first Supervisors, and the second A.ssossor in the- town of Courtland; the first caucus, first town meeting, 
first election and first school meeting were all held at his house in the fall of 1848 ; his first commission as 
Postmaster was from Andrew Jackson, and the office at Rochester, Vt.; he was also appointed Postmaster 
at Cambria in 1863, and held the office four years; was also appointed by Gov. Dewey as one of the 
Commissioners to lay out a State road from Columbus to Princeton. He was an old-time Jackson Demo- 
crat, but an earnest Republican ever since the party was organized ; he took an active part in politics up 
to the time of his death, and the last time he ever went outside his own yard was to attend a caucus. Mr. 
Rust had in all eleven children, five of whom died in childhood, and one, Harvey H., died in California. 
April 7, 1876, aged 41 ; there are five still living — Mills lives on a farm adjoining the old homestead, and 
Henry B. is living on the homestead, and his mother, now in her 74th year, is living with him in good 
health and, to all appearances, good for another ten years at least. Henry was married, in October, 1850, 
to Julia Cameron, of Walworth Co., Wis., and has five children living — Frank G., Elizabeth A. i now 
Mrs. J. A. Ketchum, of the town of Courtland), Harvey H. (now now in Milwaukee, a printer by trade:, 
Cameron R. and Flora L. He has been Chairman and Assessor, and is now Secretary of the town insur- 
ance company. In the spring of 1860, he removed to Missouri with his family, enlisted in the Home 
Guards and was elected First Lieutenant; afterward eulisted under Gov. Gamble's proclamation eallin.' 



TOWX OF COURTLAND. 1035 

for six-months men, and was elected Captain of Co. C, 1st Battalion Mounted Rifles ; was in the service 
about one year, then returned to Wisconsin and bought the homestead, where he still resides. Charles, 
the third son of Horace Rust, is now in Rochester, Minn., in the produce business ; Mary P. is now Mrs. 
Orlando Ralph, of Brookfield, Vt., and Lucelia is now the wife of Geo. C. Griffin, living in Colorado, six- 
teen miles north of Denver. 

ORANGE D. SCOFIEIjD, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Randolph ; born Oct. 25, 1827, in Sara- 
toga Co., N. Y. Was married Dec. 31, 1854, to Margaret McDonald, who was born June 9, 1829, daugh- 
ter of Alexander McDonald, of Scotch descent. Mr. Scofield came to Wisconsin in 185fi, and settled in 
the town of Richford, Waushara Co., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued in that 
place about five years; came to Pardeeville, Columbia Co., in the fall of 1861, and carried on the same 
business till the spring of 18(5(5, then sold out his store and spent one year traveling with his family; in 
the spring of 1867, he returned to Columbia Co. and bought the farm he now owns in the town of Court- 
land; has 70 acres only three-quarters of a mile from the village of Randolp'>, which, with the buildings 
he put up himself, cost about $5,000. Has no children. Mr. Scofield and family are Congregationalists ; 
Republican. His father, Harry Scofield, was born March 12, 1789, in the town of Stamford, Conn., and 
died Jan. 10, 1875, at Hadley. Saratoga Co., N. Y. 

JIYROT^ A, SHAW, JH. D., Cambria; was born in Fairle^^ Orange Co., Vt., March 11, 
1837 ; migrated to Wisconsin with his parents when 18 years of age, making a temporary residence in 
Leon, Monroe Co.; he then entered as an apprentice in the printing office of the Sparta Watchman, com- 
mencing work on the fourth number of that journal ; in the spring of 1856, he went to work on the first 
number of the Eau Claire Times; the following year he went to Oneida Co., N. Y., to study medicine 
with Dr. E. I Baker, where he stayed one year, when Dr. Baker went to Eau Claire Co., Wis., and was 
soon followed to that place by Mr. Shaw, who continued his studies for a short time; but in 1861, went 
to Durand, Wis., and commenced the publication of the Home Mirror : the paper, though a success, as 
far as the paper was concerned, did not prove a very profitable financial venture; after a year's experience 
in this enterprise, he sold out and retired from journalism ; his health much broken down by hard work, 
but enlisted soon after in Eau Claire, under the call for hundred-day men, but which order was counter- 
manded before any of the troops were mustered into service; in 1863, he enlisted from Eau Claire in the 
16th W. V. I., Co. C, then commanded by Col. Cassius Fairchild ; he participated in the battle before 
Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, Lovejoy's Station, etc.; voted for Lincoln at Marietta, Ga.. went through on 
the " march to the sea," and was severely wounded near Savannah ; got his discharge in 1865 ; he then 
edited the Durand Times one year ; after that, he resumed the study of medicine and took a course of 
lectures in Rush Medical College in 1868-69, and in 1870, located in Fall River, where he practiced med- 
icine five years, then removed to Cambria, where he still resides. In 1866, he married Miss Blanche E. 
Dyer, daughter of Wayne B. and Ursula Dyer, residents of Durand, Wis., formerly early settlers in 
Columbia Co.; has three children — Paul Francis, Herbert W. and Edgar M. A. Shaw. In religion, lib- 
eral, and still holds a membership in the Eau Claire Universalist Society. Voted for Horace Greeley in 
1862, and has since acted with the Democratic party. His parents, Josiah and Elizabeth Shaw, are now 
living in retirement in Eau Claire, at an advanced age. 

HlKirll W.THOMAS, merchant, Cambria; was born Aug. 11, 1836, in Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales ; came to America with his father, Wm. W., in the spring of 1843, located in Oneida Co., 
N. Y., and lived there till 1858 ; Hugh W. left home at 18 years of age, and went to Utica, N. Y., where 
he lived two years, then in the fall of 1857 came to Wisconsin and lived in La Crosse Co. a year and a 
half, then in Sparta, Monroe Co., about four years, clerking in a dry-goods store; in 1863, he went into 
the mercantile business in Bangor, Wis., which he followed one year, and then again went to clerking in 
Portage City, Wis., till 1865; then came to Cambria and formed a partnership with Evan W. Lloyd 
(firm Thomas & Lloyd) in the mercantile busine.ss, keeping a general stock, where they are still doing a 
flourishing busine.ss. Was married May 14, 1859, in Bangor, Wis., to Jane P. Mann, daughter of Abram 
Mann, of Montpelier, Vt.; has two children — Hermie and Laura ; has lost four — Carrie, Allie, Willie 
and Frankie. Is a Republican, and has been a member of the Village Board several years at different 
times ; both Presbyterians. 

PETER THOMAS, farmer. Sec. 10; P. O. Randolph; born in Flintshire, North Wales; 
son of Abel and Ellen Thomas; came to America in 1841 ; lived in Upper Canada till fall of 1843, then 
returned to Wales and stayed till the spring of 1844, when he again came to Canada and followed farming 
till 1854 ; then came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Courtland, where he has since resided ; 
came on the farm he now occupies in August, 1854. Was married in Canada, July 7, 1851, to Ellen 
Williams, a native of Wales, daughter of Owen Williams; she died July 27, 1879, of pneumonia, aged 

pp 



1036 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

57, leaving two children — Edward and Ezra, both livinfi on the homestead ; lost five children — Owen, 
Abel and Ellen, all died within a weefs time, of diphtheria, in June, 1863, aged respectively 8, 6, and 2 ; 
in 1865, another one, Ellen, died, 15 months old, and one died in infancy in 1863. Although having 
lived in Wisconsin over twenty-five years, Mr. Thomas has never ridden a mile on a railroad since he came 
here, and has never stayed over night away from his own house but once during that time, then stayed 
in Portage because it stormed so he could not get home. Is a member of the Congregational Church, and 
a Republican. 

ROBERT B. THOMAS, farmer. See. 21 ; P. O. Randolph; was born Sept. 31, 1816, in 
Addison Co., Vt.; son of Isaac and Arathusa Matilda Thomas. He was married, in Vermont, May 31, 
1848, to Julia Elizabeth Wells, who was born June 10, 1822, in Hinesburg, Chittenden Co., Vt. ; daugh- 
ter of Manton Wells. Mr. Thomas came to Wisconsin first in April, 1854, and bought a farm in the 
town of Courtland ; he then returned to Vermont for his family ; came on in June of the same year, and 
has resided on the same farm ever since. Mrs. Thomas died Aug. 29, 1879, of cancer, after an illness of 
seven months, leaving five children ; Julia Elizabeth, Frances R. (now Mrs. Wm. R. Owen, of Randolph 
Village), Hannibal H., Isabell I'la and James Eugene, all at home with their father, except the one mar- 
ried. Mr. Thomas' ancestors came from Wales at ao early day, and his father's uncle, Isaiah Thomas, 
founded the Boston Spy, a paper which was suppressed by King George III for disloyal sentiments, in 
1772; it was afterward removed to Worcester, Mass., and is still published as the Worcester Spy: 
he also founded the Antiquarian Library of Worcester ; his father's brother John was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier; he was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was afterward killed in the service. Mrs. Thomas (whose 
mother's name was Clarissa Boothe) was a direct descendant of the Earl of Marl, England. Mr. Thomas 
has been Chairman of the town one year. Supervisor three years, Justice of the Peace, and was Treasurer 
six years. Has 223 acres of land, and is a Republican ; Mrs. Thomas has been a member of the Meth- 
odist Church ever since she was 18 years old. 

WII^LIAjH THOMAS. JR., fiirmer. Sec. 12 ; P. O. Randolph ; born in Anglesea, Wales, 
Feb. 12, 1847 ; son of William and Elizabeth Thomas, who came to America with their family in 1849, and 
settled in Waukesha Co., Wis., where they lived till December, 1874, then sold out, came to Columbia 
Co., and lived in the village of Cambria a few months, and then bought a farm in Courtland, on Sec. 12, 
where they still reside. William, Jr., was married, March 24, 1870, in Oconomowoc, Wis., to Phebe 
Gudger, who was born in 1846, in Waukesha Co., Wis. ; daughter of John and Lydia Gudger, natives of 
England; Mr, Thomas has two children — Willie and Frankie. Has 125 acres of land, worth $5,000. 
Republican. 

JESSE P. TOBEY, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Randolph; born July 28, 1821, in Rodman, 
Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; son of Philo and Polly Tobey; came to Wisconsin in 1849, and settled on the farm 
he now owns and occupies. Was married, Feb. 4, 1847, in Jefierson Co., N. Y,, to Mary Kenfield, who 
was born June 16, 1821, in Whitingham, Vt. ; daughter of Aseph and Susannah (Streeter) Kenfield; 
have had three children — Carlton D., born Oct. 1, 1851, married Athalia A. Smith Jan. 1, 1871 ; Louisa 
Medura, born March 13, 1855, died Sept. 1, 1858, and Milon J., born Sept. 26, 1859, still at home, 
Mr, Tobey is in his 59th year, and has never been sick a day in his life. Has 130 acres of land, and is 
Republican in politics; Mrs. Tobey is a member of the M. E. Church. Charles F. Chapman, son of a 
sister of Mr. Tobey, came to live with him when he was 8 or 9 years old ; remained with him till he was 
19, and then enlisted. 

JOHN TrRNER, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P, 0. Fall River; was born Feb. 16, 1848, in Yorkshire, 
England ; his father, William T. Turner, came to America in 1849, and entered land in Fountain Prairie, 
Columbia Co., Wis. ; his family remained in England till the fall of 1852, when they joined him in his 
Western home; he remained on the same farm, working at mason work part of the time, till 1872, then 
removed to Columbus, where he now resides ; John remained on his father's farm till he was 21 years 
old; March 16, 1869, he w:is married to Alice Boxandall, who was born Sept. 12, 1846, in Yorkshire, 
England ; daughter of Phineas Parkinson Boxandall, who came to America in 1860, and is now liviuir in 
Fountain Prairie; Mr. and Mrs. Turner have three children — William John, born May 30, 1872 ; Eva- 
line Jennette, Oct. 17, 1874, and Joseph Parkinson, Nov. 8, 1879. In politics, mixed. 

GEORGE WILLARD, farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Cambria; was born Dec. 6, 1811. in 
Lewis, county of Sussex, England; son of Richard and Sarah Willard ; came to America m 1832, and 
traveled through a part of Canada to Toronto ; crossed over to Rochester, N. Y., in July, 1833, and set- 
tled in West Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He lived there until 1846, then went to the town of 
Schodack (same county), and followed farming eight years. In the spring of 1854, he came to Wisconsin, 
lived in the town of Fox Lake, Dodge Co., and in the spring of 1857, came to the town of Courtland, where 



TOWN OF COUHTJ.AND. 1037 

he has since resided. He learned the tailor's trade in England before he was 20 years old, and worked 
at it till 1846 — -when he left Sand Lake, N. Y. — and has followed farming since. In addition to his 
farming, he is now, and has been for tho last twenty-three years, loaning money in Wisconsin for Eastern 
capitalists. He was married in 1834, to Lydia C. Allendorf, daughter of Henry H. AUendorf, wlio is still 
living in Nassau, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., at the age of 95, still strong and in good health ; she died, Feb. 
24, 1877, aged 68 years 1 month and 24 days, leaving five children — Henry G., lives in Mower Co., 
Minn.; Cordelia E., now Mrs. Ebenezer Jones, of Dodge Co., Minn.; Sarah Jane; Hiram and George 
A., living on the homestead (Sarah and George, with their f;»ther). Mr. Willard was married the second 
time, Oct. 12. 1879, to Mary Jane Severance, daughter of Herman and Sabrina (Durkee) Blodgett, of 
Vermont. He has 218 acres of land, 20 acres of it at the village of Randolph. Is a Republican, and 
has been Justice of the Peace two terms in the town of Courtland. His son, Hiram Willard, enlisted 
Aug. 20, 1864. in the 1st W. H. A., Battery M, and served till discharged at the close of the war. 

THOMAS WATEKWORTH, former. Sec. 35; P. 0. Randolph; was born in Yorkshire, 
England, Feb. 2, 1815; son of John Waterwurth. He was married, in Keighley Church, in Yorkshire, 
in 1837, to Sarah Greenwood, who was born in the same county he was; daughter of Wright Green- 
wood. Mr. Waterworth was a farmer in England ; came to America in 1855, and settled on the farm he 
now owns, in Courtlind. He- has ten children living — Mary, Grace, Hannah, Wright, Thomas, Sarah, 
Susannah, John, William and Jane Elizabeth. He has been Treasurer and Director in the school district, 
and Pathmaster, and is a Democrat. Has only two children living at home. Has 200 acres of land. 

DAVID a, WIIiLIAMS, miller, of the firm of Williams & Jones, Cambria; was born 
Nov. 25, 1841, in Denbighshire. North Wales; came to America with his parents in the spring of 
1850; lived in Delafield, Waukesha Co., till the fall of 1851; then came to Cambria and has resided 
here since. His father, Gabriel \yilliams, has retired from business, and is living in Cambria ; Mr. 
Williams enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in the 32d W. V. I., Co. F., and remained in the service till 1865, 
participating in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged during that time, and went with Sher- 
man on his famous "march to the sea;" July 8, 1865, he was married, in Dodge Co., Minn., to Emma 
L. Williams, of Waushara Co., Wis., who died in 1870, leaving one child — Eliza L.; was again married in 
1871. on June 21, in i'ortland. Dodge Co., Wis., to Sarah Picket, and has four children by the second 
marriage — Frank G., George David, Jennie and Floyd Evan. Mr. Williams is a Republican. 

DANIKL Iv. WILLIAMS ( Glyn), farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Cambria ; born Nov. 29, 1819, in Car- 
narvonshire, North Wales ; son of Daniel Williams ; came to America in 1846, and settled in the town of 
Courtland, on the farm he now owns. Was married in 1849, to Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Owen 
Jones, a native of Anglesea, Wales; have five children — Eliza Ann, Owen J., Jepthah, Mary A., and 
Daniel, all living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Williams aramembers of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. He 
is a Republican. 

ELIAS B. WILLIAMS, deceased, was born In Llangernyn, North Wales, Sept. 26, 1818. 
His father, John Williams, was a freeholdor, and he remained on the farm with his father till he was 28 
years old. In the summer of 1845, he came to America in company with seven other Welshmen — most 
of them with families — who came direct to Wisconsin, left their families in Milwaukee, and came up to 
Columbia Co. to '• spy out the promi.-ied land;'' they were pleased with the country, selected their land, 
built their cabins, and returned to Milwaukee for their families. They were the first Welsh that settled 
in this part of the county, and their names were as follows: David D. Roberts, John R. Rowlands, 
Robert Closs, Evan Edw uds, John Edwards, Elias B. Williams, Wm. R, Williams and Robert Lloyd, 
and they came Sept. 25, 1845. Some of them are still living in the county. They were Calvinistic 
Methodists, and, as the Sabbath" drew near, before they had any of their cabins built, they improvised a 
" temple of worship '' by putting up four posts, with poles laid across the tops, and covering the building 
with brushes and marsh grass : on Sabbath morning, they held a " prayer meeting " and " Bible service " 
in this, the first church edifice in the town of Courtland. June 13, 1848, Mr. Williams was married to 
Mary A. Jones, daughter of Richard Jones (Tarrycastell), a native of Dolydclen, North Wales. He was 
one of four brothers who were all noted for their prominence in the Calvinistic Methodist Church ; he 
was a Deacon, and his three brothers were ministers; he came to America in the fall of 1845, and settled 
in Columbia Co., town of Courtland ; he took an active part in organizing and sustaining the church in 
this county ; he bought a section of land and divided it up among his six children ; he died in Courtland 
ill 1850, aged 51 years, and his wife died in 1863, aged 59. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were the first Welsh 
couple married in the town of Courtland, if not in the county ; they were married at her father's home, 
and the parlor in which the ceremony was performed was about half full of wheat, which had been stored 
there for want of a better place ; this important event occurred about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and 



1038 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

immediately after the ceremony, sie accompanied her husband to his home, and helped about milkins; the 
cows and taking care of the stock the first night — plunging at once into the stern realities of married life 
on a farm in a new tountry ; he owned a farm of 370 acres in the town of Counland, on Sec. 8, which 
he occupied until his death, which occurred April 4, 1876, of pneumonia, after an illness of only four 
days ; he was 58 years of age at the time of his death, and left no children. Mr. Williams was a prom- 
inent musician, a thorough teacher and leader of the choir in the Calvinistic Methodist Church at Welsh 
Prairie and in Cambria for years ; he was also a compo.ser of considerable note, and published several of 
his pieces, which were well received by the public; the last two years of his life his leisure time was de- 
voted almost entirely to writing poetry. Mr. and Mrs. Williams spent several years in Europe, being 
there from 1863 to 1868. Mrs. Williams is now living in Cambria, managing the estate of her late hus- 
band, which consists of 800 acres of land divided into fine farms. 

JOHN Lil. WIIjLIAMS, M. D., Cambria; was born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, July 
15, 1826, son of William S. Williams ; his mother's maiden name was Jane Owens. His parents started 
for America May 24, 1847, and his father died on Lake Michigan, on the way to Wisconsin, July 7, 1847 ; 
his mother died about a montli after arriving in Springvale. John LI. first read medicine in Llanrwst, 
North Wales, in the office of Dr. William Hughes ; attended one course of lectures in (jlasgow, Scotland, 
and received a licenie to practice ; when he was 20 years of age, he commenced practice, in Cambria, in 
1847, when it was called Langdon's Mills, and only three persons in the village ; after coming to Wiscon- 
sin, he attended lectures in Chicago, and is a graduate of Kush Medical ColleL,e. Feb 28, 1854, he 
was married, in I'ortage City, Wis., to Elizabeth Evans, who was born Jan. 8, 1833, in the same county 
as her husband, in North Wales, daughter of Robert Evans. Has three children — Jane E., William E. 
and Mary Ann, all living at home. He was Town Superintendent of Schools several years, under the old 
system, and Justice of the Peace. After the battle of Pittsburg Landing, the Doctor, with forty-seven 
others, visited Chicago, to go down and attend the wounded, and in 1864, went to Vick.«burg, and had charge 
of all the hospitals in the post, for four months. He also taught the first school in Springvale, in a " dug- 
out," three nights in a wi-ek, in the fall of 1847. 

OWKX^ WIIiI.ilAMS, carpenter, Cambria; was born Dec. 20, 1836, in Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales, parish of Penmanmawr ; son of Owen Williams ; his mother's maiden name was Margaret 
Roberts. Came to America in fall of 1856, and lived in Chicago about six mimths ; then, in May, 1857, 
went to Portage City and lived there almost five months, then, in La Crosse till the spring of 1859, when 
he went to St. Louis, Mo.; resided there a little over a year, then back to Wisconsin, and lived in Cam- 
bria, four years. He then went on to a farm, near Lake Emily, in the town of Fox Lake, Dodge Co., 
Wis., where he resided fourteen years, still working at his trade, which he had learned in Wales. In June, 
1878, he removed to the village of Cambria, where he still resides. Was first married. May 6, 1864, 
in Fox Lake, to Mary Morris, daughter of Henry Morris, of that place ; she died May 8, 1868, leaving 
one child, Richard 0. Williams, born June 11, 1865, and now living at home. Was married again in 
Milwaukee, April 3, 1871, to Ellen Thomas, of Milwaukee, daughter of Richard Roberts and widow of 
Joseph Thomas, who died, in Randolph, of sunstroke. Mr. Williams owns a farm of 240 acres, in the 
town of Machford, Green Lake Co., Wis.; one of 156 acres, in Fox Lake, Dodge Co., and twenty 
acres in the town of Courtland, Columbia Co. — 116 acres in all. Independent in politics. 

MRtli. PERRY WILLjIAIIS ( widow) ; is a native of North Wales; came to America 
in 1843 ; lived in New York City till 1SG5, then came to Cambria, and since 1869, has been 
carrying on her present business ; has a book, stationery and toy store on north side of Main street, in 
Cambria. Has one daughter, Perrie. Her husband, Morris Williams, died in New York City, in Febru- 
ary, 1865. Mrs. Williams and daughter are members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. 

PKTER WIIiLIAMN, Postmaster, Cambria; was born Dec. 17, 1831, in Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales; he learned the tailor's trade in Wales, and came to America in the spring of 1849: he 
came to Courtland, where his stepfather, Owen Richards, had located in 1847, and worked two and one- 
half yt^ars on the farm, when they had to haul wheat to Milwaukee with ox teams, taking ten to twelve 
days to make the round trip, and were only able to haul about thirty bushels to a load ; in the fall of 1851, 
he went to Beaver Dam to get employment, and arrived there with only 25 cents in his pocket, and Sat- 
urday night at that ; he soon engaged to work for Hiram Booth at his trade for $8 per month ; he stayed 
there about six weeks, then worked in Fox Lake till the next July, at SIO per month ; the next move 
was to Dodgeville, Wis., to drive team in the lead mines, but, felling to get employment, only stayed 
eight days, and returned home penniless ; he then worked for his stepfather through harvest without pay, 
and soon after started for Beaver Dam again without a cent ; he worked on a farm for Judge Green seven 
weeks at $10 per mouth, then worked for Booth again till March 25, 1853 ; he then came back to Columbia 



TOWN OF RANDOLPH. 1039 

Co., and opened the first tailor-shop in Cambria, and has carried on the business most of the time 
since, except one year in Beaver Dam and one year in Berlin, eleriiing for Forbes. He was married in 
Cambria in 185(5, to Ellen Owens ; has two children living — Jennie M,, now Mrs. R. A. Sanderson, of 
Columbus, and Owen C, at home ; have lost six — Grace Ellen, Clara, Thomas Grant, and three died in 
infancy. Methodist and Republican ; has been Postmaster at Cambria since Jan. 1, 1879 ; cast his first 
Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. 

WIIiLIAM AP WILiLIAMS, pumpmaker, Cambria Village ; was born in November, 
1824, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales; son of William Williams, who came to America in 1847, settled 
in Springvale, Columbia Co., Wis., and died there in 1863, aged 75; Mrs. Williams died in Wales in 1837, 
aged 55. William ap was married in Wales in 1845, to Margaret Owens, daughter of Owen Pritchard 
(Beddgelert) of Carnarvonshire; came to America in 1849, two years after his father came, lived in 
Oneida Co., N. Y., two years, «nd came to Wisconsin in 1851 ; settled in Springvale, rented a farm six 
years, then bought a farm of 240 acres on Sec. 9, and lived there till the summer of 1867, then sold out 
and removed to Cambria Village, where he has carried on the business of pumpmaking and drilling wells 
ever since Sept. 3, 1861 ; his first wife died aged 37, leaving eight children (having previously lost two, 
one named Gaing and one infant, unnamed) ; of those living— Ann is now Mrs. John Williams, of Empo- 
ria, Kan.; Catharine is Mrs. James Pritchard, of Oakland, Cal.; William lives in Emporia, Kan.; Gaing 
is the wife of Thomas James, a molder living in Honululu, Sandwich Islands; Maggie, single, living 
near Oakland, Cal.; Robert in the Sandwich Islands, on a sugar plantation, and Richard and Rowland at 
home in Cambria. Mr. Williams was married the second time, June 7, 1867, to Wright, a native of Scot- 
land, who died in 1874 ; was married the third time, Dec. 25, 1879, to Mrs. Jane James, a native of Wales 
and widow of E. James, of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Methodist Church, 
and he is a Republican. When his father, William Williams, arrived in Milwaukee, he was obliged to 
stop at the hospital at that place, with his son Rowland, who was taken sick on the Lake ; another son, 
Robert, was taken sick on the road after leaving Milwaukee, and died a few days after they arrived in Cam- 
bria in July, 1847, aged 25, and was the first one buried in the Cambria cemetery ; Mr. Williams is one 
of the company engaged in mining for silver in the town of Courtland, just south of Cambria. 



TOWN OF RANDOLPH. 

ADA^I BLOCHWITZ, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Cambria; was born June 22, 1834, in Bava- 
ria; son of Jacob Blochwitz, who came to America in 1839, or 1840, and settled in Westchester Co., N. 
Y., near Sing Sing; came to Wisconsin in 1850, and is now living in Green Lake Co., aged 79 ; Adam 
remained with his father till 1852, except about six months in Milwaukee, trying to learn the shoemaker's 
trade, without success, however, as the business did not agree with him ; in September, 1852, he 
went to Portage City and engaged as clerk in the dry-goods and grocery business, at which he con- 
tinued three years ; he then went into partnership with George Rapp in the first bakery established in 
Portage, but which was run the past year by Rapp, then leased by Hutcher & Ranson for two years, 
before he bought an interest ; they carried on business together one year, when he bought out the whole 
concern and continued the business alone till 1862, then sold out to A. F. Greene, and July 25, 1862, 
came to the town of Randolph, where he now resides. Was married, March 28, 1858, to Willhelmiene 
Burbach, who died May 4, 1871, aged 33 years 10 months and 13 days, leaving five children — Eliza, 
Phcebe, Jacob, Margaret and Peter, all living at home ; was married the second time, March 16, 1872, to 
Sophia Keller, by whom he has two children — ^John C. and Henry A.; she was born May 12, 1837, in 
Prussia, daughter of Conrad Keller, who came to America in 1868, and now lives on Sec. 17 in Ran- 
dolph ; Mr. Blochwitz has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, and in politics is conservative ; has 
147 acres of land. Both members of the Reformed Lutheran Church. 

FREDERICK BICKELHAUPT, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Randolph Center; born Jan. 
21, 1836, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; son of Peter Bickelhaupt; came to America in 1 842, with his pareqts, 
and lived in New York City about twenty years ; worked a part of the time in a soda-water factory and 
some in a window-shade factory; in 1863 came to Wisconsin and lived in Cambria until 1865, then went 
to Fox Lake and manufactured soda water for two years ; then back to Cambria and kept saloon until 
1872 ; he then took a trip through Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico, and returned to Cambria in 
1874 ; stayed there until the spring of 1879, then came to the town of Randolph, where he now resides. 



1040 15I0GRAFHICAL SKETCHES: 

VVa* first married in New York City in 1862, to Mar<;aret Shoffer, who died in 1875 aged 37, leaving three 
children — Fred, Kmma and Peter ; in October. lS7li, he was married to Mrs. John Heidt. whose maiden 
name wius Beraadina Furing, daughter of Conrad Furing, of Courtland. (See his biography.) Mr. 
Heidt died in 1874, aged 86, leaving four children^Frank, I'aulina, Joseph and Henry ; had lost three- 
John M., Mary and Georgie. Mr. Bickelhaupt lost four children by his first wife — William, Charles 
George and an infant not named ; has one child by the second marriage — Matilda. Mrs. Bickelhaupt is 
a Catholic, and he is a Democrat. 

EDWARD J. BREEZE, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Randolph ; was born in Montgomeryshire, 
North Wales, August ,1831 ; son of Edward Breese, who came to America in the spring of 184(), and settled 
in the town of Randolph ; he is still living and in god health at the age of 83, Mrs. Breese (mother of Edward 
J. 1, died in April, 1872, or 1873, aged 66. Mr. Breese has alwiiys followed farming ; was married in the 
fall of 1867, to Sarah Jones, daughter of John W. Jones, of Randolph;, she died Oct. 1-4, 1874, of 
apoplexy, aged 35 years and 8 months, leaving two children — John, born July 14, 1868, and E Iward. 
born May 19, 1873. Mrs. Breese was a member of the Calvinistic Methodist Church; Mr. Beesc is also 
a member of the same church, and is a Republican. Mr. Breese is a brother of LI. Br.;ese, of Portage. 

DAVID CARSON, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Cambria; was born Dec. 9, 1823, near Montreal, 
Canada; son of George and Mary Carson; when about 1 1 years old, David was thrown on his own 
resources, and commenced the battle of life on his own hook Jan. 10, 1843. He was married in Vermont, 
to Polly Allen, who was born Nov. 29, 1826, in Goshen, Vt., daughter of Reuben and Polly Allen, natives 
of Vermont, who came to Wisconsin in 1854. Mr. Carson came from \'ermont to Wisconsin in Septem- 
ber, 1855, and settled in the town of Randolph, where he has since resided; has four children living — 
James 11., lives in Grand Meadow: Julius A., at High Forest, Minn.; George and Bell, at home with 
parents; lost one child — Polly died April 4, 1872, aged 14 years. Mr. Carson is a member of the M. E. 
Church. He has 270 acres of land, all improved but 80 acres of timber. He is a Republican. 

JAMES P. CHAPMAN, farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Cambria; born March 9, 1836, in Tioga 
Co., Penn.; came to Wisconsin in 1853, and settled in Plaintield, Waushara Co. Was married in 1856, 
to Julia Chapman, who died in 1863, leaving three children — Joh'i Earl, Melis.sa and Louisa. Oct. 6, 
1865, was married to Mrs. Cornelia Austin, daughter of Stephen A. Cromwell, a native of Montgomery Co., 
N. Y.; she came to Wisconsin in 1848 ; have one child by the second marriage — Rose H. Mr. Chapman 
enlisted in 1862, in the 32d W. V. L, Co. C, and was in the service about three years. He i-i paying 
considerable attention to raising small fruits, and was almost the first one in the county to take any interest 
in raspberry culture. Mr. Chapman has a great variety of floral plants, and they have purchased the 
material and are about to build a large conservatory. They are members of the Seventh-Day Adventist 
Church, and he is Republican. 

SAMUEL. CLARK, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Randolph Center; born Aug. 13, 1816, in 
Go.shen, Addison Co., Vt.; son of William and Betsy Clark. Was married in Goshen May 14, 1850, to 
Julia House, who was born Feb. 7, 1830, in same place ; came to Wisconsin in 1856, and has lived in the 
town of Randolph ever since ; lived first summer on Sec. 14, at AUen'.s Corners, in a room 12x16, over a 
blacksmith-shop, and used a chest for a table until his goods came; lived six years near Cambria; and in 
spring of 1861, bought the farm he now owns of William Richardson of New York, (being the only farm 
left on the prairie not fenced and improved); came on the farm with his family in the summer of 1862. 
ILis five children — Nellie R.. Samuel B., Mary J., William T., and Mattie M., all at home except Samuel B. 
who is married and lives at Randolph Center. (Sec his biography.) Mr. Clark was Chairman of his town 
three years, and Side Supervisor one year. Is a Republican, and has 190 acres of land ; 160 acres 
improved and 30 acres timber. 

SAMUEL B. CLARK, wagon-maker, Randolph Center; was born July 23, 1854, in Rut- 
land Co., Vt.; son of Sam Clark of Randolph. (See his biography.) Samuel B. lived with his father on the 
farm till the spring he was 21, then went to learn the wagon-maker's trade of John Chamberlain, of Ran- 
dolph Center; worked with him till the fall of 1879, then bought the shop where he learned his trade, 
and is now in partnership with Archibald Murray, who owns a blacksmith shop at the Center. He was 
married, Ajiril 9, 1878, to Mary A. Williams, who was born Dec. 5, 1859, in the town of Randolph, 
daughter of John Williams, a native of Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Clark arc members of the M. E. Church, 
and he is a Republican. 

LEVI DEXTER, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. Cambria; was born in Massachusetts, town of 
Stone, May 22, 1809 ; son of John Dexter, who went to Vermont and died there when Levi was only 10 
years old. He was married, Nov. 18, 1833, in Vermont, to Phebe Pratt, who died July 12, 1846, aged 
30 years, leaving five children — Alman, lives in Grant Co., Wis.; Levi, in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa; Joseph 



TOWN OF RANDOLPH. 1041 

and Myron, are in Rockwell, Cerro Gordo, in the dry-goods business together; Freelove, the oldest child, 
is now the widow of Jonas Adams, and lives in Minnesota. Mr. Dexter came to Wisconsin in the fall of 
1854, and June 8, 1856, was married in the town of Randolph to Susannah Miller, and has since lived on 
the farm he now occupies ; had six children by the second marriage ; five of them living — John, Lucy, 
Phebe, Henry and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Dexter are Presbyterians and he is a Republican. His son 
Myron enli^ted in the army during the rebellion and served about a year, toward the close of the war was 
in the 45th W. V. I., Co. B. 

LiEVI B. EAGER, farmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Randolph; was born April 17, 1821, in Derby, 
Orleans Co., Vt.; son of Luther Eager. Was married in Burke, Caledonia Co., Vt., in 1850, to Ann 
Ward, who died Aug. 2, 1862, at Fox Lake, Wis., aged 38, leaving one son, Henry L., now living in Mil- 
waukee, who is a telegraph operator. Mr. Eager came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1851, and set- 
tled in the town of Fox Lake; lived there till 1866, then went to Randolph Village, and lived there 
about five years ; in the fall of 1870, he removed to his present location ; has 170 acres of land which he 
purchased in 1866, and rented till 1870. Was married the second time, March 21, 1863, at Fox Lake, 
to Calista C. Preston, who was born May 28, 1840, in Goshen, Addison Co., Vt., daughter of Charles 
Preston; has two children by the second marriage^Mabelle, born Feb. 18, 1867, and Carlos, born Feb. 
27, 1871 ; one daughter, Annie, was born Feb. 19, 1865, and died Sept. 1, 1865. Republican. 

WILLIAM HARRIS, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Randolph Center; was born Feb. 13, 1820, 
in Monmouthshire, North Wales ; son of John Harris. Was married in Wales, Sept. 15, 1839, to Alice 
Thompson, daughter of William Thomp.son ; she was born March 15, 1820, in same place; he came to 
America in 1842, and lived one and one-half years in Monongalia Co., Va.; then went to Maryland and 
lived three and one-half years in Alleghany Co.; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1847, and settled in 
the town of Randolph, on Sec. 15, and removed to his present location in 1855 ; has 320 s.cres of land 
with good buildings ; Sarah (now Mrs. Hugh Williams, of Chicago), John lives in Dexter, Mower Co., 
Minn., and Martha, now Mrs. James Carson, of Grand Meadow, Mower Co., Minn., and William T., 
unmarried and living at home ; Mr. Harris worked in a tin factory when a boy, but worked at mining 
five or six years before he left Wales ; also followed mining in Virginia and Maryland ; after he came to 
Wisconsin he followed farming except five winters he worked at mining, two winters in Missouri, two in 
Illinois and one in Kentucky ; on three of his trips to the mines he went on foot to Galena, 111., his wife 
remaining at home, with her three children, doing her own work and hauling her wood with an ox team ; 
in the fall of 1861, he made a trip to Wales to visit his parents and was gone about three months ; has had 
two birthdays on the ocean, in 1822 and 1842, both times on his way to America. Himself and son are 
Republicans. 

AMOS A. HARTSON, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Randolph; born Dec. 23, 1819, in Mans- 
field, Conn.; son of Elijah and Sabrina (Utley ) Hartson ; when 18 years old, his parents removed to 
Luzerne Co., Penn., town of Scott ; he remained with his parents till he was 21 years old ; at the age of 
22, he bought a piece of timber land and commenced clearing it up for a farm. March 29, 1842, he was 
married, in Luzerne Co., to Artemissa Fellows, who was born Oct. 31, 1819, in Luzerne Co., Penn.; 
daughter of Benjamin Fellows; she died June 16, 1867. Mr. Hartson came to Wisconsin in the fall of 
1849, and the next winter bought the farm he now owns, and where he has resided since the spring of 
1850 ; has 193 acres of land ; his second wife, with whom he is now living, was Mrs. Mary Duley, daugh- 
ter of Michael Roach, to whom he was married in Portage City, Wis., in the fall of 1871 ; has three chil- 
dren living — Amos E., lives in Butler Co., Iowa; Martha, now Mrs. Ray Beddow, of Minnesota, and 
Alfred H., living in Minneapolis, Minn.; lost three — Harriet (Mrs. Frank Gale), Mary and Sarah. Mr. 
Hartson is a Democrat, but votes for the best man. 

HEIVRY HENSIIi, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Salemville, Green Lake Co.; was born June 26, 
1824, in the city of Marienwerder, West Prussia; son of August Hensil ; came to America in the fall of 
1848 ; came direct to Wisconsin and located some land in what is now the town of Randolph ; he then 
went to Portage City (then called Gougeville), and worked three years at carpenter work, then returned 
to his farm in Randolph, where he has since resided. He was married, Oct. 22, 1855, to Phebe Hedrig, 
who was born in the city of Braunfels, Prussia, in the Province of Rhine, and came to America with 
her parents in 1855 ; daughter of Conrad Hedrig; Mr. Hensil has four children Jiving — Mina, Lottie, 
Ellie and Sophia, all at home ; has lost one — Frances, died in 1863, only a year old. Mr. Hensil learned 
the millwright's trade in Prussia, but has followed farming since he came to America, except the three 
years he lived in Portage ; has held the office of Constable and several school district offices ; in politics a 
Reformer, and has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity for the last ten years ; himself and wife both 
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hensil and Charles W. Arch were the first German settlers in 



1042 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the town of Randolph, and located their land at the same time; the first nisjht they stayed on their land, 
they turned a wagon box bottom up, setting a stick under one end to hold it up; they slept on the ground 
under the box ; during the night, Mr. Arch, in turning over, knocked the stick out and let the box 
down on the ground, catching them in the trap, where they lay till morning. Next day, they built a 
cabin, by setting sticks on end in a circle and bringing them together at the top, like an Indian wigwam, 
and covering it with sods; in this they lived about four weeks. The first winter, snow fell about four feet 
deep. 

ELA9I D. HEWITT (deceased) ; was a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y.; son of William Hewit, 
and was born March 1, 1811:!. Was married, March 29, 1840, to Almeda B. Holcomb, who was born 
Jan. 14, 1817, in Vermont; daughter of Isaac and Hannah Holcomb, who removed to Saratoga Co. 
when she was only 5 or 6 years old. Mr. Hewit came to Wisconsin with his family in July, 1846, and 
lived in Cottage Grove, Dane Co., till the next December, then came to Columbia Co. and located in 
what is now the town of Randolph, when there were but few families in the town ; in March, 1847, he 
entered IGO acres in Sec. 34, and built a cabin 10x14 feet, in which they lived about a year, then drew 
lumber from Milwaukee with ox teams, and built a home in which he spent the remainder of his days. 
He worked at carpenter work for fourteen or fifteen years after he came to Wisconsin, hiring the work 
done on his farm; he died March 21, 1869, after an illness of only three days, leaving a widow and nine 
children — Mary F. (now Mrs. Henry Bradshaw),of Cookston, Polk Co., Minn.; Jerome B., Hannah A. 
(Mrs. William H. Hughes), died Dec. 3, 1879, leaving one child (HughieE.); Albert E., in Black Hills, 
Dak.; George W., William W. lives in the town of Randolph ; Cecil A., Henry S. and Allie L.; Cecil 
A. and Allie L. are living on the homestead with their mother. P. 0. Randolph Center. 

ELOX HOLiCOMB, farmer. Sec. 34; P. Cambria; born Feb. 17, 1833, in the State of 
New York ; son of Isaac and Hannah Holcomb, who came to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled in the town 
of Randolph ; his mother died June 23, 1873, aged 85, and his fether July 8, 1876, aged 88 ; both died 
on the farm which they settled in 1849, where they lived with their son, Elon, who is still unmarried and 
occupies the homestead. Has 40 acres of land; attends the M. E. Church and is a Republican. 

EDWARD J. Hll^GHES, dentist, Randolph ; has been practicing dentistry for the last 
two years, and still continues to practice in Randolph and vicinity ; he was born Feb. 20, 1846, in Car- 
narvonshire, North Wales ; son of Thomas Hughes, who came to America in August, 1846, and settled 
on the farm now occupied by his widow and two sons ; he died June 30, 1879, aged 64, leaving eight 
children — John, Jane (now Mrs. R. S. Richmond, of Randolph Village), Mary (now Mrs. S. W. Hart- 
well, of Dexter, Mower Co., Minn.), Edward J. (subject of this sketch ), Sarah ( now Mrs. J. K. Salisbury, 
of Renville Co., Minn.), Catharine (now Mrs. A. W. Thornhill, of Mower Co., Minn.), Anna (now Mrs. 
Crippin, resides in the town of Randolph) and Oswald R., on the homestead with his mother, a native of 
North Wales, and 65 years old; have 160 acres of land. Edward J. was married, Oct. 23, 1876, to 
Lettie C. Edwards, who died Oct. 14, 1878, leaving one child — William T., born Oct. 12, 1878; she was 
a daughter of Daniel Edwards, of Doylestown, Columbia Co., Wis., now of McMinnville, Tenn. 

JOHX W. HrCirHE^i, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Cambria ; born in Denbighshire, North Wales. 
April 28, 1812 : son of William Hughes. Was married, in Wales in 1840, to Mary Jones, daughter of 
John Jones ; followed butchering in Wales; came to America in spring of 1857, and lived in Rosendale 
and Eldorado, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., thirteen years, and, in 1870, came to Columbia Co., to his present 
location ; has eight children — John, Elizabeth, Sarah, William, Robert, Mary, Ann Margaret and Ezra, 
four of them, Robert, Mary, Margaret and Ezra, at home ; both members of the Calvinistic Methodist 
Church. He is a Republican ; has 120 acres of land. 

JOHX K. JOl^ES ( Penllyn ), farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Cambria; was born in Montgomeryshire, 
North Wales, parish of Cemmaes, June 10, 1822 ; son of Rowland Jones (Gwaliau) ; came to America 
in 1848 ; stopped in Utica, N. Y., about three months, then went to Pittston Ferry, Penn, where he 
resided till the spring of 1851 ; he then went to California, and worked at mining till 1854, when he 
returned East, and was married, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., by James Griffith, to Sarah Parry, a native of 
Merionethshire, North Wales ; he then came to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Randolph, near 
Cambria, and in the spring of 18(i7, removed to his present location ; has two children — Rowland Henry 
Jones and David Oliver Jones, both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Welsh Congre- 
gational Church ; he has 160 acres of land. Republican. 

JOHN R. JONES, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Cambria; born Dec. 29, 1825, in Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales; son of Richard J. Jones, who came to America in the fall of 1845, and entered 240 acres 
of land in Sees. 4 and 5, in the town of Courtland, Columbia Co., Wis., the same fall ; lived in Columbus 
till the next spring, and then came on his land with his family, and remained on the same farm till his 



TOWN OF RANDOLPH. 1043 

death, in 1850; his mother's name was Ann Owens. Mr. Jones was first married in May, 1853, to 
Hannah Elias, who died Jan. 29, 1877, leaving six children — Hannah, now Mrs. David Evans, of Minne- 
apolis ; Richard, also in Minneapolis ; Hugh lives in Eau Claire Co., Wis.; Evan, in Minneapolis ; Annie and 
John, at home. His second wife, to whom he was married April 8, 1879, was Mrs. Mary Hughes, daughter 
of Hugh R. Hughes, and widow of Benjamin R. Hughes, who died Dec. 9, 1873, in Cambria, leaving two 
children— Hugh R. and Jennie ; both living with parents. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the 
Welsh Calvinistic Church. He owns 127 acres of land in his farm, and is a Republican. 

THOMAS F. JONES, former ; Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Randolph ; was born in Carnarvonshire, 
North Wales, in 1830 ; son of John Thomas, who came to America in 1848, and died within a week after 
reaching New York, and Mrs. Thomas died about two weeks after her husband ; Thomas F. stayed a few 
months with a brother, in the northern part of the State of New York ; then lived in TJtica about three 
years ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1856 ; lived at Fox Lake five months ; then in and around 
Cambria till 1866 ; he then bought the farm he now owns, and where he has since resided. Was married 
in 1865, in Cambria, to Margaret Jones, of Rome, N. Y. ; has no children. Owns 160 acres of land, and 
is a Republican. Both are members of Calvinistic Methodist Church. 

ROBERT E. KELLOGG (deceased); was among the first settlers in the town of Ran- 
dolph ; he was born Feb. 2, 1822, in Sheffield, Mass.; he worked'on his father's farm till he was 21 years 
old ; then engaged in the mercantile business in the city of Hudson. N. Y., where he remained two years ; 
then came West, and followed the same business in Racine, Wis., about a year and a half; in the spring 
of 1847, he came to Columbia Co., and took up 120 acres of Government land in the town of Randolph, 
on Sec. 26, where he resided and followed farming till his death, which occurred Oct. 27, 1864, of con- 
sumption. May 2, 1846, he was married, in Racine, to Elizabeth Hoffman, who was born Jan. 11, 1824, 
in Columbia Co., N.Y., town of Claverick ; she was a daughter of Jacob D. and Maria Hoffman, natives of New 
York, who emigrated to Wisconsin in 1848, and both died in the town of Randolph — Mrs. Hofi'man, 
May 12, 1854, and Mr. Hoffman, May 21, 1878 ; Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have had four children, of whom 
two are living — Alfred, born Nov. 57, 1847, and Anna, born Nov. 5, 1863; both unmarried, and living 
on the homestead with their mother; Sylvester was born Jan. 9, 1850, and died Oct. 27, 1853, and 
Charles, born Feb. 24, 1861, died June 10, 1862. Have 120 acres of land on Sees. 26 and 35. P. 0. 
Randolph. 

WM. KING, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Cambria; was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, about 1820 ; 
came to America in 1840, and to Caledonia, Columbia Co., Wis. in 1843; lived there four years ; 
then removed to Portage Prairie, town of Scott, on Sec. 23, and lived there till 1857 ; then sold out and 
went to Portage ; lived two years near Portage ; then came to Cambria, and bought the farm he now owns 
in Randolph. Was married in 1354, in Marcellon, to Janet Weir, a native of Scotland ; have five chil- 
dren — Janet, now Mrs. Matthew Kerr, of the town of Scott; Agnes; Wm.; Robert and George; lost one 
— Marion, died at the age of 13. In the fall of 1852, Wm. King went to California, via Panama; 
remained there four years ; most of the time in the mines ; was successful, and is now enjoying the fruit 
of his labors. 

PHILLIP KITMBA, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Salemville, Green Lake Co.; born April 29, 
1821, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany; son of Phillip Kumba; came to America in 1842, and lived in 
Westchester Co., N. Y., till 1850. Was married in New York City, Nov. 30, 1845, to Phebe Bloch- 
witz, daughter of Jacob Biochwitz ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1850, and settled in Green Lake 
Co. ( then Marquette), town of Manchester (then called Albany) ; removed to Columbia Co., town of 
Randolph, in about 1858, and has since lived on the farm he now occupies ; has eight children now 
living — Magdalena, now Mrs. Ferdinand Heidt, of the town of Randolph ; Catharine, now Mrs. Geo. 
Sackman, also of Randolph ; Peter, married to Catharine Biochwitz, and living on the homestead ; Jacob, 
married to Eliza Scharf, and lives in Manchester, Green Lake Co., Wis.; Margaret; Phillip; John and 
Joseph ; last four at home. Mr. Kumba has been Supervisor two years, and Justice of the Peace ; is a 
Democrat, and belongs to the Catholic (Jhurch. Has 348 acres of land. Mrs. Kumba was born Nov. 21, • 
1826, in Bavaria, and is a Presbyterian. 

JOHN B. LLOYD, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Cambria ; born Aug. 11, 1850, in North Wales- 
in the parish of Dolyddelen, Carnarvonshire, son of Bleddyn Lloyd ; his mother's maiden name was Ann 
Owens. His father is a farmer, and is still living in Wales ; he also has one sister and four brothers, al 
living in Wales. John B. came to America in the spring of 1870, coming direct to Wisconsin, and has 
since made this his home. He attended school in Cambria, the first two winters. Oct. 11, 1879, he wag 
married to Miss Jennie Williams, who was born S<.pt. 5, 1852, in the village of Cambria, daughter o 
Owen and Ellen (Jones) Williams, who were the first settlers in the village of Cambria. Mr. Lloyd 



1044 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

bought the farm he now owns in the spring of 1874, and came on to it in November, 1879 ; has 130 
acres, worth abi)ut $4,500, and has about $1,000 worth of stock. In politics he is Republican, and both 
members of the Welsh Methodist Church. 

GEOK<i}K ii. MARVIN, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Randolph; was born April 18, 1824, in 
the town of Lyme, New London Co., Conn.; in the fall of 1846, he left home, taking a trip through 
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and back, via Washinsr- 
ton, to Philadelphia ; then went to Indiana, and spent most of the winter in that Siate and Michigan ; in 
the latter part of the winter, he came to Wisconsin, and lived about two years in Beaver Dam, and spent 
some time in Walworth Co. In 1848, he located the land on which he now lives, and came to Ran- 
dolph, with his family, in the spring of 1851, built a house on his land and moved into it in August of 
the same year. Was married in Beaver Dam. March 29, 1849, to Harriet J. Stultz, who was born Oct. 
26, J832, in Rockland Co., N. Y., daughter of Henry and Sally Ann Stultz, who emigrated to Wisconsin 
in 1841 ; lived at Fox Lake till the spring of 1842, then located in Beaver Dam, when there was only one 
family there besides his own ; he resided there till 1875, then removed to Hastings, Minn., where he still 
resides. Mr. Marvin held the office of Chairman of his town for four years ; was Treasurer, Superintend- 
ent of Schools, and Side Supervisor, and Member of the Assembly, in 1871, and is Republican in politics. 
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin have five children — Sarah S. (now Mrs. W. B. Shepard, of Randolph); Frank S. 
(lives in Zumbrota, Minn. ) ; Henry S. (lives in Green Bay, Wis. ) ; William D. (in Zumbrota), and Hattie 
L. (now Mrs. S. S. Lockhart, of Portage City, Wis.) Mrs. Marvin is a member of the M. E. Church. 
He has 160 acres of land, just outside the village ol Randolph. 

JUNIUS MARVIN (deceaaed), was born in the town of Lyme, Conn., Oct. 2, 1820, where he 
spent the early part of his life. He was a son of William and Sophia (Griffin) Marvin. Was married to 
Miss Adaline Raymond, of the .same place, in the fall of 1849, and soon after removed to Wisconsin ; he 
selected at that time the farm in the town of Randolph which he occupied at the time of his death. His 
wife died in 1862, leaving four children — -Nellie L., James R. and Jennie R. (twins) and Addie, all living 
on the homestead. He was again married in 1864, to Miss Ellen L. Bennett, who was born July 31, 
1832, in Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y., daughter of Isaac and Lucretia Bennett, who came to Wisconsin in 
1846. Mr. Bennett died May 27, 1879. Mrs. Bennett is still living, in Eau Claire Co., Wis. By his 
second wife, Mr. Bennett had one daughter, Clara E., who is also on the homestead with her mother. 
Mr. Marvin was highly esteemed by his acquaintances ; was an earnest, untiring, whole-hearted temper- 
ance worker ; a charter member of the Temple of Honor of Randolph ; had passed the chairs once, been 
Temple Deputy one year, and held the office of W. C. T. at the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 
21, 1S79, at his home in Randolph, of a lung difficulty of long standing. He had held the office of 
Chairman of the town. President of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Randolph, and wa." 
President of the Old Settlers Club of Fox Lake, at the time of his death. 

HENRY and WILLIAM MORRIS, farmers. Sec. 21; P. O. Cambria; Henry was 
born March 28, 1847, in the town of Manchester, Green Lake Co., Wis.; William was born Jan. 12, 
1849, in same place; sons of William Morris, a native of Carnarvonshire, North Wales, who came to 
America in 1846 ; settled in Manchester, and remained on the .same from then till his death, Jan. 5, 1849. 
He left seven children- — Mary (living at Ripon, Wis.), Nellie (now Mrs. John Grant, of Ripon ), Jennie 
(living in Manchester), Libbie (now Mrs. J. Barrett, of Fond du Lac, Wis.), Catharine (now Mrs.Ben- 
jamin Evans, of Courtland ), Henry and William. About two years after the death of Mr. Morris, the 
family removed to the town of Randolph, Columbia Co. Mrs. Morris married, for her second husband, 
Rees D. Price, a native of South Wales, with whom she lived until his death, Sept. 19, 1874, aged 63. 
Henry and William are unmarried, and came to their present location in the spring of 1877 ; have 2(MI 
acres of land. Their mother is living with theui, and has an adopted daughter (Ellen) 15 years 
old. Mother and sons are members of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, and the sons are Repub- 
licans. 

JOHN J. OWENS (Coedmor), farmer. Sees. 28 and i8 ; P. 0. Columbia; was born in Car- 
narvonshire, North Wales, in November, 1820 ; was a quarryman in Wales; went to Liverpool, England, 
and was married there, March 3, 1845, to Jane Roberts, a native of the same place he was from, in 
Wales. He came to America immediately after marriage ; landed in New Orleans in June ; came direct 
to Wisconsin, and lived in the town of Berry, Dane Co., till June, 1855, then came to Columbia Co., and 
lived eight years in the town of Springvale, and ever since in the town of Randolph. Has seven children 
— John H. (lives in Mazo Manie, Dane Co.), Thomas J. (lives in Cass Co., Dak.), Maggie A., Sarah E., 
Willie J., Ira and Clara Jane (last five at home). Both members of the Congregational Church. 
Republican. Has 200 acres of land. 



TOWN OF RANDOLPH. 1045 

JOSEPH PARKINSON, farmer and groceryman, Randolph Center; was born Nov. 7, 
1826, in Walcott, Schoharie Co., N. Y.; son of Joseph Parkinson, who moved to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., 
and died of cholera in Canada when Joseph was about 4 years old ; his mother, whose maiden name was 
Catharine Slaght, was married, about three years after the death of her first husband, to Joseph Marshall, 
and removed to Greene Co., Penn., soon after. Joseph went to Erie, Penn., and attended school till he 
was 16 years old, and then worked in a printing office three years ; he then came to Wisconsin and located 
some land in Kingston, Marquette Co.; "then returned to Erie and worked another year in a printing office, 
and, in 1846, again came to Wisconsin and lived in Kingston a few years; then came to Columbia and 
lived in the town cf Scott four years ; he then worked at wagon-making in Randolph Center two years ; 
then went to Marquette and worked three years at the same business, and, in the fall of 1S69, came again 
to Randolph Center aud has resided there since. He was married, in Kingston in October, 1847, to 
Elizabeth Squier, who died July 4, 1866, leaving eight children — Elizabeth A. (now Mrs. John Harris, 
of Randolph), Le Roy (married and living in Columbia), Mary E. (now Mrs. Andrew Sargent, of Mar- 
quette, Green Lake Co., Wis.), Jerry E., Effie C. (now Mrs. Charles J. Newsberry, of Erie, Penn.), 
Squier C, Margaret E. (now Mrs. Richard Jenkins, of Green Lake Co., Wis.), and Susie T., at home. 
His second wife was Mrs. Almira M. Plank, to whom he was married April 19, 1870, in Marquette; her 
first husband, George L. Plank, died in the army at Uniontown, Ala., Aug. 22, 1865, of fever, two hours 
before the arrival of his discharge, having been in the service two years and two months ; he left one son, 
Charles A. Plank, who is living with his stepfather. Mr. Parkinson has two children by his second wife 
— Harry Oliver and Carrie Maude. Mrs. Parkinson was born Aug. 18, 1842, in the town of Orleans, 
Jeff'erson Co., N. Y.; daughter of Zenas and Polly Oliver, who came to Wisconsin in 1849, and settled in 
Columbia Co.; he died Nov. 17, 1864, aged 54 years. .Mrs. Oliver is now living at Randolph Center, 
aged 65 ; has had in all thirteen children, and Mrs. Parkinson is the only one now living. Mr. and Mrs. 
Parkinson are both members of the M. E. Church, and he is a Republican. 

EDWARD PUdJH, farmer. Sec. 18; P. O. Cambria; born March 22, 1845, near Utica, N. 
Y.; son of Hugh E. Pugh, who came from Merionethshire, North Wales, in the summer of 1842, and 
settled in New York ; came to Wisconsin in July, 1846, and located in Clyman, Dodge Co., near Water- 
town, and died March 1, 1858, leaving five children — Hugh (living near Lake Emily, Dodge Co.), Ann 
(now Mrs. William M. Williams, of the town of Randolph), Mary (now Mrs. Edward Owen, of the town of 
Scott), and Edward, who is unmarried, and with whom his mother is now living; her maiden name was 
Jane Peters ; she was born in the same place as her husband, and was a daughter of Richard Peters. 
One daughter, Catharine, died in the fall of 1871, aged 21 years and 8 months. Mr. Pugh and his 
mother are members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. He has 200 acres of land, and is a Repub- 
lican. 

FOULK ROBERTS (Blaen-y-Cae), farmer Sec. 12; P. 0. Randolph; was bor" in Febru- 
ary, 1820, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales; son of Robert Roberts; came to America in 1844, and set- 
tled on the farm he now owns Oct. 1 of that year. Was married in Wales Aug. 20, 1844, the day 
before he started for America, to Catharine, daughter of Griffith Owens; his mother and two brothers 
came at the same time ; one brother, David, died in California, arid Thomas went to California, but 
returned and is now living at Lake Emily, Dodge Co., Wis. Mr. Roberts was Supervisor of his town for 
several years, and helped lay out most of the roads in the town ; was the first Welsh settler in Randolph 
that still lives in the town, aud, he thinks, in the county ; he started the first Welsh Sabbath-school, and 
was a member of the first Church Synod in the county ; went to Madison with an ox-team for the first 
barrel of flour he had after settling here, and took a week for the trip. Has five children — Catharine 
(now Mrs. Wm. Parry, of Milwaukee), Elizabeth F. (also in Milwaukee), Sarah (at home), Ellen (in 
Milwaukee) and Robert F., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the (Calvinistic Methodist 
Church ; he is a Republican, and has 200 acres of hind. 

JOHN J. ROBERTS (deceased), was born Feb. 10, 1808, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales; 
son of John Roberts. Was married in Wales to Catharine Thomas, daughter of David Thomas. Mr. 
Roberts was a farmer and hotel-keeper in Wales; came to America in 1845, and settled in the town of 
Randolph, on Sec. 11, where his family has since resided. In 1850, he started for California, and died 
on the road, at Carson Valley, leaving seven children — Ann (now Mrs. Robert T. Price, of Blue Earth 
Co., Minn.), David J., John J. (living in Randolph), Robert J. (who died Jan. 30, 1877), Catharine 
(now Mrs. Albert Stranch, of Chicago), Ellen (also in Chicago), and Jane, who died Jan. 8, 1877 ; had 
lost five children before the death of Mr. Roberts ; two, named Robert William and an infant not named, 
died in Wales, and Hugh died in America. David J. went to California in 1859 ; went on foot and drove 
an ox-team all the way, being nearly six months on the journey; he worked at mining about five years, 



10-i6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and came home via the Isthmus of Panama, making the journey in twenty-eight days ; he now owns the 
homestead, 180 acres, and his mother is living with him, and is able to read without glasses at the age of 
71 ; David J. is unmarried; John is married, and living on his brother's farm. Both of them Repub- 
licans. 

ROBERT O. ROBERTS, farmer, Sees. 18, 19; P. O. Cambria; was born in Anglesey, 
North Wales, in the town of Llanddausant ; son of Owen E. Roberts; came to America in the spring of 
1855, and settled in Columbia Co., Wis.; has lived there ever since, except a short time in Milwaukee. 
Was married March 17, 1860, to Jane Hughes, daughter of Hugh Hughes, who came from Carnarvon- 
shire, Wales, and was one of the first settlers in the town of Randolph ; he died Sept. 29, 1870, at the 
age of 70, on the farm now occupied by Mr. Roberts. Mrs. Roberts had only two sisters when 
they came to America (having lost four in Wales); one of them, Margaret, married William Owens, and 
died in the town of Scott, and Ellen married Hugh J. Hughes, and died in Randolph ; after her death, 
William Hughes went to Patagonia; came hoaoe once for a visit, and died at sea on his return trip to 
Patagonia. Mrs. Roberts' father held meetings in his log house till the church was built on the east line 
of Scott. Mr. Roberts has six children — Thomas H., Maggie Ann, Samuel H., Mary Ellen, Lizzie and 
Johnnie H.; lost one, Mary, died Jan. 4, 1870, aged 1 year and 10 months. Both belong to Calvinistic 
Methodist Church. He has 540 acres of land, and is Republican. 

REV. THOMAS H. ROBERTS, farm on Sec. 4, north line of Randolph, 60 acres and 
90 acres, with residence opposite, in Manchester, Green Lake Co.; P. 0. Cambria; was born May 12, 
1825, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales; son of Hugh R. Roberts; his mother's maiden name was Mary 
Jones. In the spring of 1844 (when 19 years old), he, in company with a sister (Gwen Roberts"), came 
to America and located in Wisconsin ; he stayed in Racine about two months, and the next December 
(1844) came to Columbia Co., and located land in what is now the town of Randolph, on Sec. 4 (^ItiO 
acres, 40 acres of which he still owns); his uncle, David R. Roberts, located land adjoining his, and they 
built a home on the line between them, which they occupied together till May, 1845 ; he then went t<i 
Beloit and stayed there till the next fall, when he- returned to Randolph and built a log house on his land. 
His parents came from Wales the same fall ( 1845), and all lived on the same farm till the death of his 
father, Feb. 23, 1865, at the age of 78 ; his mother died in 0.shkosh, Wis., at the home of a daughter, 
in March, 1875, aged 87. Mr. Roberts was first married Jan. 7, 1851, in Marquette, to Mary Parry, 
daughter of Griffith Parry, a native of Wabs; she died May 7, 1856, leaving two children — Robert and 
Benjamin, the latter only 6 days old at her death; he is now living at hotne with his father; Robert has 
been in school for the last eight year.s ; is a graduate of Ripon College, of the Class of 1879 ; is now at 
Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, preparing for the ministry ; has been licensed to preach about five years, but 
not yet ordained. Mr. Roberts was married the second time, June 30, 1858, to Jane Hughes, a native 
of Wales, daughter of John Hughes, who is now living in Blue Earth Co., Minn. ; she died Oct. 19, 
1869, in her 30th year, leaving three children — Mary Ellen, who died Dec. 22, 1874, aged 13 years; 
Jennie and Hugh (both at home); had lost three previous to her death — Mary Jane died in Racine at 
the age of 2 years ; Hannah, aged 7 months, and Johnnie, aged 5 months. His third wife was Mrs. 
Mary Hughes, widow of Thomas Hughes, and daughter of Thomas Rowlands, of Springvaie ; she died 
April 3, 1878, aged 47, leaving four children by her first husband, but none by the second. Mr. Roberts 
was licensed to preach Dec. 25, 1845, by the Calvinistic Methodist or Welsh Presbyterian Church, but 
not ordained till June, 1850. In the fall of 1853, he went to Lehigh Co., Penn., and taught school about 
two years, preaching at the same time ; he preached in the vicinity of his home, in Dodge and Colum- 
bia Cos., several years before there was any church organization there, holding meetings at private 
houses, his father's home being one of them ; Proscairon Church was organized in 1848, and the church 
building put up in 1851 ; Berea Church was organized soon after the other, and the house built in 1852 ; 
Mr. Roberts has been in charge of both churches ever since their organization, but preached in Racine in 
1861 and a part of 1862, still having charge of the home churches. 

IVlIiLIAM R. ROBERTS, farmer. Sec. 18; P. O. Cambria; was born in Merionethshire, 
North Wales, Nov. 13, 1811 ; son of Robert Richards, whose children all took their father's given name 
for their surname, and go by the name of Roberts; he came to America in 1840, and lived six years in 
Utica, N. Y. Was married there in 1846, to Ann Davis, daughter of Hugh Davis; she was born in 
Merionethshire, Wales, in 1818. Mr. Roberts came to Wiscon.sin in 1846 ; lived ten years in Dodge Co., 
near Watertown, and in March, 1856, came to Columbia Co., and settled in his present locati in ; has fmr 
children — Catharine ( now Mrs. John Roberts, of Fillmore Co., Minn.), Ann Jane (^now Mrs. Joseph 
Richards, of Courtland), Elizabeth and William H. (^both at home) ; William H. was married in January, 
1872, to Mary Morris, daughter of Owen Morris, who lives near Columbus, Wis. Mr. Roberts is a 



TOWN OF RAKDOLPH. 1047 

Republican, and himself and wife are members of the Calvinisdc Methodist Church ; they have an adopted 
son named Owen. 

JOSEPH SANDERSON, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Cambria ; was born March 11, 1841, in 
Slaidburn, Yorkshire, England; son of Thomas Sanderson, who came to America in 1851, and settled on 
the fiirm now occupied by Joseph ; he died Sept. 14, 1878, and Mrs. Sanderson died in 1853. Joseph 
was married March 3, 1869, in Poynette, Wis., to Jane Stevenson, daughter of James Stevenson, a native 
of Scotland, who came to America in 1854 or 1855 ; Mr. Sanderson has five children living, viz. : James 
B., Frances B., Joseph A., Jennie B. and Thomas. He is now a Justice of the Peace and is a Republican. 
Mrs. Sanderson is a Presbyterian. The Thomas Sanderson estate, on which Joseph lives, consists of 440 
acres. 

JACOB SCHARP, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Cambria ; was born Jan. 24, 1825, in the Province 
of Rhine, Prussia; son of William Scharf, who came to America in 1851, and settled in the town of Ran- 
dolph on the farm now owned by his son ; he died in September, 18G7, aged 75 ; his wife died in 
June, 1855, aged 66. Jacob Scharf was married, Feb. 7, 1855, to Kve Blockwitz, daughter of Jacob 
Blockwitz ; she was born in Bavaria, and died Jan. 20, 1874, aged 36 years 10 months and 5 days, leav- 
ing nine children — Catharine (now Mrs. Edward Walslegel, of the town of Randolph), Henry, Jacob 
(working at blacksmithing in Cambria), Mina, Charles, William, Phebe, Maggie and Franklin ; all at home 
except Catharine and Jacob. Mr. Scharf learned the blacksmith's trade in Prussia, and has worked at it 
most of the time since coming to America, in addition to his farming ; from 1846 to 1849, he was in the 
Prussian cavalry service, in the 4th Co., 1st Regiment of Lancers, of the " King's Guard ;" the present 
Emperor, William, was then General of the Guard ; Prince Frederick Charles was then a Captain, and 
the Crown Prince Frederick William a Lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of Infantry. Mr. Scharf is a 
Director in the town insurance company, of Randolph, and has been in it since it was organized, and is 
now Side Supervisor of the town. Is a member of the United Reformed and Lutheran Church, and in 
poHtios a Democrat, but always votes for the best man, regardless of party. Has 197 acres of land — 130 
acres improved, 10 acres of marsh and balance timber. 

JOHN B. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Randolph Center ; was born in the town of Ogden, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., July 21, 1830; son of Francis Smith. Was married in Ogden Oct. 23, 1853, to 
Clarissa Richmond, who was born March 6, 1831, daughter of Joshua Richmond. They came to Wis- 
consin in November, 1853, and settled in the town of Randolph in which town he has since resided. Has 
one child, Emma A., born July 12, 1859, now living at home. Mr. Smith has held the office of Super- 
visor, Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace, and is the present Chairman of the town, although he is a 
Democrat and the town of Randolph is a Republican town. Has 80 acres of land in Randolph. 

THOMAS W. THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Cambria ; born Feb. 23, 1853, in Holly- 
head, Anglesea, North Wales ; came to America with his parents, William and Elizabeth Thomas, in 1850 ; 
they settled in Waukesha; lived there till 1874, and now live in the town of Courtland. Thomas W. 
was married Feb. 15, 1871, in Waukesha, to Clara Gauthier, who was born in Waukesha Oct. 22, 1848, 
daughter of Joseph and Mary Gauthier. Mr. Thomas came to Columbia Co. in May, 1875, and lived 
with his father till October, 1878, in Courtland; then came on the farm where he now resides. Has 160 
acres. Has one child, Joseph, born Nov. 9, 1875 ; lost two, who died in infancy. Republican. 

SAMUEL. S. TORBERT, former. Sec. 15; P. 0. Randolph Center; born March 16, 1821, 
in Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Peun.; son of Isaac K. Torbert, who removed to Ohio in 1838 ; lived iu 
Pickaway Co. two and one-half years, then went to McHenry Co., 111., where he died in 1845, and his wife in 
1848. Samuel S. was married in Boone Co., 111., Sept. 23, 1845, to Eliza M. Streeter, who was born Sept. 5, 
1821, in Potter Co., Perm., daughter of Truman Streeter, who removed to Ohio, then to Illinois, where the 
young people became acquainted and concluded to make the balance of the journey of life together. He came 
to Wisconsin March 16, 1844, and located on the southwest quarter, and the southwest quarter of 
the southeast quarter of Sec. 15 in what is now the town of Randolph, which was the first land 
located in the town. He lived there two summers, teaching in Illinois during the winters, and, in Decem- 
ber, 1845, came on with his wife and has lived on the same place ever since, except one and one-half years in 
Illinois and two and one-half years in Iowa, having rented his farm. At the time of his settlement in Ran- 
dolph, there was only one house beside his own between Fox Lake and Ft. Winnebago, and that was a log 
house called " Powderly's." His first house was of logs, 11x14 feet inside, and, soon after he came, three 
other families moved into the place, and with true Western hospitality, " he took them in " and entertained 
them till they could build for themselves. While the four families (seventeen persons) were living 
together in this house, a daughter was born to one of the families (James Inglehart's), making eighteen 
persons living in a house 11x14, and all happy. Mr. and Mrs. Torbert have four children living — Isaac 



1048 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

J. (married to Chloe A. Ross, of Randolph, and living in Baraboo, Wis.>, Theresa M. (now Mrs. E. A 
Price, of Baraboo); Willie E. and Elmer E., both living with their parents. Mr. Torbert has been in 
office of some kind most of the time since he has lived in Randolph, having held at one time and another 
all the different town offices. Mr. and Mrs. Torbert are both members of the M. E. Church, and he has 
been Superintendent of Sabbath .school for nearly twenty years, and is a Republican. 

1»AVID D. WILLIAIVIS (Tan-y-bwlch), former, Sec. 31; P. O. Cambria; was born Dec. 
25, ISl'J, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, in the parish of Dolyddelen ; son of William Davis (^of the 
same place), whose father was David Williams, but himself and brothers all went by the name of Davis. 
The subject of this sketch chose to take his grandfather's name, and is known as David D. Williams ; he 
came to America in 185G, and settled in Columbia Co., Wis.; lived one year in the town of Springvale, 
and since that time in Randolph in his pre-sent location ; was a farmer in Wales, and was married, in 
November, 1840 (in Wales), to Ann Evans, who was born in Denbighshire, North Wales, May 14, 1818, 
daughter of Robert Evans and sister of Mrs. LI. Williams and Mrs. John ap. Jones ; have had in all 
nine children, of whom six are now living— William B. (lives in Berlin, Wis.); Robert E. (at home); 
David D. (in Fox Lake, Wis.); Mary A. (now Mrs. Thomas Davis, of Minneapolis, Minn.); Griffith D, 
(lives in Hutchinson Co., Dakota), and Ellen (now Mrs. A. H. Potts, of Fox Lake, Wis.); Anna died in 
Wales about a year old; Margaret was married to Owen E. Jones, of Cambria, and died Jan. 1, 1876, 
aged 34 years and 3 months, leaving two children — Charles Lincoln and Frederick W.; John D. Will- 
iams died Feb. 10, 1879, aged 23 years 5 months and 22 days. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Cal- 
vinistic Methodist Church. He has 191 acres of land, and is a Republican; has made two trips to 
Wales since he came to America, and, in 1859, was away nine months, and one in 1867, gone only five 
weeks. 

RDIVARI) Ij. WILiIjIAMS, farmer. Sec. 33; P.O. Cambria; was born in Carnarvon- 
shire, North Wales; sou of Thomas Edwards, but takes his grandfather's name, Edward Williams; came 
to America in 1846 and settled in the town of Courtland, and has resided there and in the town of Ran- 
dolph ever since. Was married, in 1855, to Mary Jones, daughter of Owen Jones, of Springvale ; has 
seven children — Thomas E , Owen J., John T., Margaret E., Elizabeth J., Edward L. and Mary. His 
first wife died in 1867, aged 35 years. He was married again, in 1869, to Maria Jones, daughter of David 
R. Morris, of Utica, Winnebago Co., Wis; she is the mother of the youngest child (Mary). Has 310 
acres of land with good buildings nicely located ; has been Treasurer of the town, and was Assessor for 
about ten years in Courtland and two years in Randolph, and is a Rejiublican ; both are members of the 
Welsh Calvinistic Church. 

ElilAS R. WILiIilAMS, harness-maker, Cambria; was born in March, 1829, in Merioneth- 
shire, North Wales; son of Robert Williams, who came to America in 1845, and lived in Racine till the 
next spring ( 1846); he then .settled in Courtland (then called Portage Prairie), and died in 1853; Elias 
R. remained in Racine (where he learned his trade), till 1848 ; then went to Louisiana and lived in Bayou 
Sara about six mouths; then a year and a half in Natchez, Miss., working at his trade; then in 185(1, 
came back to Wisconsin and stayed on his father's farm till the spring of 1854, then went to Waupun and 
worked at his trade one summer; then went to Watertown, and in 1845, was married to Ann E. Jones, 
daughter of Nathaniel Jones, a native of Wales ; soon after marriage, he went into business for himself, 
and continued there till 1864 ; then came to Cambria and still continues the business; was a member of 
the first Village Board ever elected in Cambria, and has been President of the village ; is now leader of 
the choir of tbe Calvinistic Methodist Church, and has about thirty singers, had at one time forty, and it 
had the reputation of being the best choir in the State ; he also gives instructions in vocal music ; has throe 
children — John E., Laurie Ann and Sarah Jane. Republican. 

JIOKKIS WILLIAMS, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Cambria; was born Dec. 2, 1823, in Car- 
narvons^hire. North Wales ; son of Wm. Morris, whose father's name was Morris Williams ; he came to 
.\merica in the spring of 1845 ; lived in Northampton Co., Penn., three and a half years; in the full of 
1848 came to Wisconsin and setth^d on the farm he now owns. Was married in October, 1845, in Easton, 
Penn., to Mary Jones, a native of Carnarvonshire, North Wales, daughter of Griffith Jones; she died 
April 30, 1879, in Randolph, leaving one child, George Washington Williams, born Feb. 22, 1858, now 
attending school in Milwaukee. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Calvinistic Methodist Church, and 
Mr. Williams and his son also belong to the same church. Both Republicans. Owners of 240 acres of 
land. 

SAJIUEL l\ WILLIAMS, farmer, Sec. 21; P. 0. Randolph Center; was born in the 
Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 19, 1818 ; son of Alexander Williams. Was married in Oneida Co., Jan. 
1, 1845, to Mary J. Kingsbury, who was born Oct. 2, 1819, in Hebron Co., Conn.; came to Wisconsin 



TOWN OF SCOTT. 1049 

in June, 1849 ; lived in Kingston, Green Lake Co., till .spring of 1850 ; then removed to Caledonia, Colum- 
bia Co. where he lived till Januarj', 1852, and from that time till April, 1854, he lived in Ft. Winnebago, 
there being no garrison there at the time, and the buildings left in charge of Capt. Wra. Weir when he 
left the fort; he went on a farm three miles away, and lived there till 1863, then in December of that year 
came to the town of Randolph on Sec. 24, where he resided till ftlafch, 1870, then sold out and removed 
to his present location. Has 170 acres of land; has four children — Charles S. at home; H. W., who is 
married and in the hardware business in Waupaca, Wis., a partner of J. E. Wells & Co., of Portage City, 
Wis.; George H. and Bugenis H. Mr. Williams and sons are Democrats, and Mrs. Williams is a Repub- 
lican. 

WIL,L,IAMM. WILLI A:VIS, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Randolph Center; was born Feb. 
27, 1832 or 1833, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales ; son of William Morris ; Mr. Williams came to America 
when 16 years old, and lived a couple of years with his brother Morris Williams, and then made his home 
in the town of Scott till 1876 ; then removed to his present location. His first wife was Mary Jones, 
daughter of Robert Jones, of the town of Scott ; she lived only about two years after her marriage, and 
died in 1861, aged 22 years, leaving no children; he remained single till June 20, 1879, when he was 
married to Ann Pugh, daughter of H^enry Pugh ; she was born in Utioa, N. Y., March 22, 1843. Both 
are members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church. He has 175 acres of land. Republican. 

CHARLES M. WILLIS, JH. D., Randolph ; is the son of Anthony and Sabrina Willis ; 
born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Dec. 7, 1849 ; his father was a cabinet-maker of Massena, St. Lawrence 
Co., whence he removed to Green Lake Co. and settled on a farm near Ripon, Wis., in the fall of 1871 ; 
Charles received his early education in the district school of Green Lake Co. after which he attended 
Ripon College for about four years, teaching part of the time during the winters so as to have money 
enough to meet his expenses at college through the summer term ; in 1874, he began the study of medi- 
cine with Dr. Everhard, of Ripon, and attended lectures at Rush Medical College, of Chicago, where he 
graduated with the Class of 1877 ; he at once began the practice of medicine at Randolph, Dodge Co., 
where he has now an extensive practice in this and Columbia Cos. ; as a citizen, he is highly respected, 
and as a physician, he enjoys the confidence of all who know him. In July, 1876, he married Miss Anna 
L. Harrison, of Ringwood, McHenry Co., 111.; they have one son, Roy. Mrs. W. is a member of the 
Congregational Church. 



TOWN OF SCOTT. 



LOREXZO M. ALDRICH, fiirmer. Sees. 5 and 6 ; P. 0. Bellefountain ; born March 4, 
1827, Allegany Co., N. Y. Was married, Aug. 28, in same county, to Miami Specs, who died in Colum- 
bia Co., Wis., May 14, 1864, leaving six children — Mary Ellen, now Mrs. Edward Lee, of Plainfield, 
Wis.; Isaac Monroe, lives at Eau Claire, Wis.; Harriet, now Mrs. C. Behm, of the town of Randolph ; 
Alice Jane, now Mrs. Eugene Chapman, also of Randolph ; Anna and Ida, at home. Was married the 
second time, July 3, 1865, to Mary Lee, widow of John Lee, who died in the army; has five children 
by the second marriage — Carrol, Myron and Myra (twins), Frank and Gertrude. Mr. Aldrich came to 
Wisconsin in the fall of 1850, and located on the farm he now owns and occupies. Is a Democrat, and 
has 230 acres of land. 

MARCUS BARDEX, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Pardeeville ; was born Aug. 12, 1822, in 
Chenango Co., N. Y.; son of Samuel Barden, who removed to Michigan with his family in 1842, and 
lived in Cass Co., till the fall of 1849; he then came to Wisconsin and settled in Columbia Co., town of 
Scott, where he died March 23, 1858. Marcus Barden came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1849, and 
has resided in the town of Scott ever since. He was married first in Michigan, July 5, 1846, to Lora 
C. Loomis, who died Nov. 5, 1847, aged 18 years and 4 months; was married the second time, in 1854, 
in the town of Scott, to Miss E. R. Cook, who died April 23, 1858, leaving two children — Virgil (living 
in Marcellon), and Jacob (living at home). March 23, 1859, he was married to Mrs. Olive Maginnis, 
who was born Feb. 12, 1S32, in Livingston Co., N. Y., daughter of Daniel Jerome, and widow of Will- 
iam Maginnis; has three children by the second marriage — Marcus, Jr., Frank and Clarence, all at home. 
Mr. Barden was Chairman of his town fifteen years in succession, was also Justice of the Peace and Town 
Clerk, and Town Superintendent of Schools, and was a member of the Legislature in 1860-61 and 
1874-75. He is a Republican, and has 494 acres of land, 240 acres of it in the town of Scott, and 254 
acres in Marcellon. Mrs. Barden is a member of the Free- Will Baptist Church. 



1050 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

DAVID CLARK, farmer, Sec. S ; P. O. Pardeeville ; born Dec. 29. 1819, in Geauga Co., 
Ohio ; son of Freeman Clark, a native of Massachusetts ; David came to Wisconsin in 1841, and lived 
in Walworth Co. till the fiill of 1847 ; then came to Columbia Co.; located land in the town of Scot', 
where he now lives, and came with his family in 184S, He was married, June 27, 1844, to Marietti 
Barber, daughter of Timothy E. Barber ; have six children — Martha, now .Mrs. S. Dodjre, of Scott ; 
James K., lives in Boone Co., Neb.; Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Breneman, of Clark Co., Wis.; Ida A., now 
Mrs. A. Holloway, of Minnesota, near Rochester; Viola and David Eufiene, both at home. Vlr. Clark 
has been Supervisor of his town, and is a Republican. His first wife died June 20, 1874, aged 49, and 
he was married again Dec. 30, 1S74. to Mrs. R. A. Horton, widow of Joseph Horton and daughter of 
Daniel Smith, of Washington Co., Wis.; has 240 acres of land. Mrs. Clark is a member of the M. E. 
Church. 

JOHN DODGE, farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Cambria; was born Dec. 16, 1816, in Hillsboro Co.. 
N. H., son of William and Lydia Dodge; came West in 1842; lived six months in Iowa, and three or 
four months in Rockford, 111.; then came to Wisconsin and lived in Milwaukee, working in a livery-stable ; 
in October, 1844, he came to Columbia Co., and located on the southeast quirter of Sec. 35, and has 
resided on it ever since ; he thinks this was the first land located in the town of Scott. Was married, in 
June, 1859, in Fox Lake, to Mary Bliss, who was born Feb. 25, 1841, in New York City, daughter of 
John Bliss, who now lives in the town of Springvale ; has twelve children living — Fannie A. and Lydia 
J., twins; Lydia, now Mrs. William Andrews, of Cambria; Wm. W., John P., Mary Louisa, Samuel 

C, Rosella, Jacob B., Cora A., Rachel J. and Willard A.; has lost two — Myron F. died at 6 months old, 
and one infant unnamed ; has 550 acres of land in Springvale and Scott. Democrat. 

JOH\ D. EVAXS, fitrmer. Sec. 22 ; P. O. Cambria ; was born Aug. 26, 1853, in the town 
of Courtland ; son of Evan J. Evans, who came to America about 1850, and lived in the town of Court- 
land about six years, then removed to the town of Scott, Sec. 22, where his wife died Oct. 19, 1876, aged 
48, leaving three children — John D. (the subject of this sketch), Mary Jane, who was born Feb. 18, 
1858, in the town of Scott, and Lizzie M., who was born Oct. 0, 1868, and died Jan. 13, 1879. John 

D. and Mary Jane are unmarried and living on the homestead (120 afresj, and their father is in Wales. 
All three members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church, and John D. and his father are Republicans. 
Mrs. Evans' maiden name was Jane Davis, and she was born in Wales. 

MELVIX FULLER, fiirmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Marcellon ; born July 22, 1840, in Greene Co., 
N. Y.; son of Amos Fuller, who was born and raised in Greene Co., in the Catskill Mountains. Mr. 
Fuller came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1855, and settled in Beaver Dam, lived there one year, then came 
to Columbia Co., and has resided in this county ever since ; came to his present location in the fall of 1879. 
Was married, Sept. 20, 1864, to Mary Payne, who was born in Dec. 9, 1848, in the town of Scott, 
daughter of George Payne (see his biography in this work); have five children ^Henry, Amos, Alma, 
George and Frank ; one daughter, Ruth, died Feb. 22, 1872, aired 5 years. April 29, 1861, Mr. Fuller 
enlisted in the 1st Minn. V. I., Co. A, for three years, and served three years and four days; his regi- 
ment went out with l,<(10men,and when mustered out had ( nly 104 men left of the original enlistment. Mr. 
Fuller was in the first battle of Bull Run, and the day after the battle, while •' humping it ' for Wash- 
ington, to the best of their ability, it occurred to him that it was his 21 st birthday ; he said to his com- 
rades in misfortune: " Boys, today I am 21 years old. I am a man, and running for dear life." He 
was never wounded, and never sick a day wliil-^ in the service. In the fall of 1875, Mr. Fuller went to 
Nevada and worked in a quartz-mill, near Carson, about twenty months, then returned to Wisconsin on 
his farm, four miles east of Portage, in the town of Ft. Winnebago, where he lived about ten years before 
he removed to his present location, and still owns a farm there of 236 acres, on Sees. 1 and 36, and 200 
acres in town of Scott. In politics. Democrat 

JOH]y HAIMILTOIV, farmer. Sec. 34; P. 0. Cambria; was born May 7, 1801, in the parish, 
of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland; .sun of John and Margaret (Stewart) Hamilton; learned the weaver's 
trade when young, and worked at it seventeen vears ; commenced when not quite 11 years old, and was 
foreman in a Paisley shawl manufactory fur about twenty-two years in the same house. Was married, 
July 8, 1825, to Ann Poison, daughter of John Poison, uf Paisley; came to America in 1849, leaving 
Glasgow on the 18th of August ; came to Milwaukee, where he fell in with Robert McConojhie, who 
induced him to come to Columbia Co.; he then located the land he now owns, and where he has since 
resided. His first wife died July 8, 1833, in Scotland, leaving one child — Elizabeth, now Mrs. Thomas 
Baillies, of Scott, Sec. 33. Mr. and Mrs. Baillies have seven children living — Ann P. (now Mrs. Henry 
Sawyer, of Scott), Jane (now Mrs. J. C. Thomas, of Scott), Thomas (married and living in Scott), John 
(married and lives in Springvale), Maggie. Pulson and Jessie S. — the last three at home. He was married, 



TOWN OF SCOTT. 1051 

the second time, April 13, 1842, just before he started for America, to Margaret Rueside, daughter of 
James Rueside, a native of Ayrshire, but who resided in Paisley at the time she was born ; her mother's 
name was Margaret Andrew, daughter of Robert Andrew, a landlord in Paisley ; had no children by the 
second marriage ; lost one child of the first wife — Margaret, died when only 1 year old. Mrs. Hamilton 
is now in her 8-lth year. Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat; has held the office of Town Treasurer two 
years and was Assessor at the same time; has also been Justice of the Peace, and was School Superin- 
tendent several years ; has 255 acres of land. 

JAIHEi^ HAMMOND, farmer. Sec. 27; P. O. Cambria; was born Oct. 9, 182U, in Stafford- 
shire, England, son of John Hammond, a potter, who brought up his son to the same business. James 
Was married in October, 1844, to Martha Floyd, daughter of Henry Floyd. In 1843, an emigration 
.■■ociety was organized among the potters of Staffordshire, which afterward extended through England and 
Scotland ; Mr. Hammond was one of a committee of three appointed to visit Ameri. a, and select a loca- 
tion for those of the society who wished to emigrate ; the other members of the committee were John 
Sawyer and Hamlet Copeland; they came to America in the spring of 1846, visited Iowa, and then 
came to Wisconsin, and decided to locate in Columbia Co.; they purchased about 1,700 acres of land in 
what is now the town of Scott, and commenced making improvements ; each emigrant was to have 20 
acres of land, and have a log house built, and 5 acres broken, with the funds of the society ; the next sum- 
mer, about a dozen families came over and others kept coming for a number of years. Mr. Hammond 
retained his official position in the society till the spring of 1848, and has resided on the land then located 
ever since. He now owns 40 acres in Sec. 27. Has six children living — John, living in Watonwan <'o., 
Minn.; Rachel, married and living in Minnesota; George, in Leadville, Colo.; Mary, now Mrs. Charles Rat- 
liff, of Minnesota ; Henry and Elijah, in Leadville. Has lost four — James, Anna and Elizabeth, and one 
child in infancy. In politics, a Democrat. ' 

BENJAMIN HOPKINS, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Cambria; was born ii Staffordshire, 
England, May 28. 1806, son of Isaac Hopkins, who died from a wound received while at work in a pottery 
in 1811, and was buried the day that Benjamin was 5 years old; his mother died in November, 1841, in 
England. He was married June 21, 1828, to Elizabeth Whitmoro, daughter of George and Elizabeth 
(Burrett) Whitmore. Mr. Hopkins served an apprenticeship at glass-blowing, at Long Port, England, 
and at earthenware printing at Wood & Chalener's, in Staffordshire pottery, and then at pawnbroking in 
the same place ; in 1838, he commenced to do business for himself as a merchant, and failed in 1845, 
through sickness of himself and family ; in 1 847, he sold the homestead left him by his father, where he was 
born, and where his eight children were all born ; came to America with the Potter Emigration Society, and 
settled on the farm where he now resides ; when he first came he hoed corn for a neighbor, and was to 
have 1 acre of the corn for hoeing 11 acres ; when he came to harvest and market his corn he found he 
had earned just 6'i cents a day; being discouraged by his failure in business in England, he commenced 
drinking, and continued his dissipation till 1865, when one night about midnight he was suddenly aroused 
to a sense of his degradation by a dream or vision; he arose in his half intoxicated condition and went into 
the cellar where he had a whisky jug, which he called " Black Bet;" he picked up the jug, and address- 
ing it said, " Black Bet. thou hasi deceived me, and been leading me on to ruin, and now I will banish 
thee from the lace of the earth, and will never again touch, taste, or handle the accursed poison so long as 
1 live, so help me God ;" he then dashed the jug on the cellar bottom, shivering it to atoms, and let 
mother earth drink the contents ; he has been a strong temperance man ever since, and was the means of 
organizing a Good Templars lodge in his neighborhood, called Rosedale Lodge, No. 481, and has been 
Lodge Deputy, and Representative to the Grand Lodge ever since it was instituted ; he is now, at the age 
of 74, an active temperance worki.T, and member of the Baptist Church at Wyocena. Mrs. Hopkins 
died; they have five children living — Isaac (lives in the South), Mary Ann (now the widow of Charles 
Weyener, living on the homestead), Richard (lives in Leeds, Columbia Co.), Hannah (now Mrs. Samuel 
Smith, of Scott), and John, living in town; have lost throe — Aaron, Benjamin and Elizabeth. 

ISAAC HOPKINS, farmer. Sec. 28; P. O. Cambria; was born Jan. 31, 1833, in Stafford- 
shire, England, son of Benjamin Hopkins, who came to America in 1847. (See his biography.) Was mar- 
riod July 19, 1856, to Dorlisca Connor, who was born May 19, 1832, in Ira, Cayuga Co., N. Y.,' daugh- 
ter of Josiah and Sally (Fox) Connor, natives of Washington Co., N. Y. Mr. Connor died in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., April 17, 1863, aged 68 years 7 months and 12 days; Mrs. Connor died Dec. 6, 1844, aged 
45 years 11 months and 24 days. Mr. Hopkins has five children living — Sarah L. (now Mrs. William 
Ross, of the town of Scott), iieorge Whitmore, Charles Joynson, Hettie Maria and Luelbert ; have lost 
two — Mary Elizabeth died Nov. 19, 1863, aged 6 years 1 m,onth and 16 days, and an infant son. May 5, 
1866. Is a Republican, and has been Justice of the Peace and Town Treasurer. He has 80 acres of land. 

QQ 



1052 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

EVAN JONES, farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Cambria; was born March 29, 1826, in Merioneth- 
shire, Wales, son of John Daniel Jones, who came to America in the spring of 1849 ; came to Columbia 
Co., Wis., and located in Scott, where he died in 1858. Evan was married, May 21, 1859, to Eliza Will- 
iams, who was born in the same place he was Nov. 13, 1827 ; they have four children— John D., Susan 
Jane, Morgan and Jane. Both are members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church ; he is a Republican, 
and has about 30(t acres of land. 

UUCirH R. JONES, fiirmer. Sec. 36; P. 0. Cambria; was born March 14, -1836, in Angle- 
sea, North Wales; son of Richard Jones; came to America in 1857, and settled first in Kane Co., 111.; 
lived there three years, then came to Wisconsin, and was married, Dec. 29, 1860, to Laura Williams, who 
was born Feb. 24, 1840, daughter of William W. Williams, from Carnarvonshire, Wales, where she was 
born. Mr. Jones lived near Cambria four years, then removed to Colorado and lived in Denver three or 
four months ; then went to Central City and worked at the trade of stonemason, which he had learned of 
his father in Wales, till the fall of 1869, then returned to Wisconsin and bought the farm he now owns. 
Has three children — Richard R., Mary Jane and Emma, all at home. Both members of the Welsh Cal- 
vinistic Methodist Church ; he is a Republican, and has 100 acres of land. 

Ci}EOR<]}E C. KEITH, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. O. Pardeeville, born April 24, 1830, in Geauga 
Co., Ohio; his father, Charles Keith, a native of Massachusetts, died in January, 1830, before George 
was born ; his mother married Joseph Hewitt, and came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1841 ; lived in Wal- 
worth Co. till 1847, then came to Columbia Co.; now living in Juneau Co. Mr. Keith was married, Oct 
16, 1852, in Walworth Co., to Ann Turner, who was born May 20,1832, in New York City; daughter of 
William Turner, a native of Ensrland, who came to America in 1829, and died Oct. 13, 1876, aged 86; he had 
been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since April 28, 1826, when he joined Philanthropic Lodge, No. 
568, at Leeds, and Mrs. Keith now has in her possession hi diploma, granted by the Duke of Ulster, Grand 
Master. Mr. Keith lived in the town of Scott three years after his marriage, then went to Marquette Co. 
and lived in the town of Buffalo till March, 1868; then bought his present farm, and has resided on it 
since. Has six children — William and Willard (twinsj, George E., Henry, Espa and Mary, all at home. 
Mrs. Keith is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Keith was drafted in 1861, and assigned to the 34th 
W. V. L,Co.A, and was in the service eleven months, and discharged at the expiration of his term ; Nov. 18, 
1864, he enlisted in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, Co. G, for one year, and was discharged at the close 
of the war, June 26, 1865 ; held the office of Corporal. His first child, Marinette, was born Nov. 10, 
1863, and died when 10 months old. He is a Republican, and has I'll acres of land. 

UIL.es LANtJDON, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Marcellon ; born in Geauga Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 
1825 ; son of Martin Langdon, a native of Massachusetts, who removed to Ohio in 1813 or 1814, and 
from there to Illinois in 1839 ; in May, 1844, Giles Langdon came to Wisconsin in company with his 
uncle, John Langdon, for whom he worked some time, helping to build a house for him, and one for S. S. 
Torber ; the one they built for Mr. Langdon was covered with ba.sswood bark ; he took up a claim of 80 
acres, where Cambria now stands ; he then went to Dodge Co., and worked awhile putting up hay, then 
oame back and made a bargain to sell his claim to his cousin Samuel Langdon; then worked in Walworth 
Co. two months ; then went to Portage and worked for Carpenter and Capt. Low, before there was a house 
built where Portage now stands ; then, for about three years, he worked in the pinery winters and ran on the 
river summers; in the summer of 1848, he bought a part of the land he now owns, and has added to it 
till he has now 180 acres; in the spring of 1853, he started across the Plains for California, fell in with 
several others on the way to St. Louis, who were bound for the same point, and all together fitted out a 
team, near Jjeavenworth, Kan., of five yoke of oxen and cows, and arrived in California on the (llh day of 
September ; remained there till 1862; worked at farming and mining alternately with varied success; 
would lay up money working by the month at farming, then go to mining and lose it. After he returned 
to Wisconsin, he was married, in October, 1863, to Mary E. Stancer, daughter of Charles Stancer, a native 
of England, who came from Onondaga Co., N. Y., to Wisconsin in 1848, settled in the town of Sco t, and 
died in May, 1870, aged 56 years. Mr. Langdon has lived on his farm ever since he was married ; has 
seven children— Niley, Jessie, Milo, Frank, Harvey, Dora and Alice, all at home. In politics, Repub- 
lican. 

ROBERT IflcCONOCHIE, farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0. Cambria; was born in Ayrshire, Scot- 
land, March 7, 1821, in the parish of Dalrymple ; son of Robert McConochie, who emigrated to Canada 
in 1831 or 1832 ; located in the township of Pickering, Canada West, and followed farming till his death. 
Robert, Jr., remained on his father's farm till April 28, 1847, then came to Wisconsin in company with 
George Lang and James Allison, young men about his own age, to look at the country and visit his two 
brothers, Samuel and John, who came to Wisconsin two years before, and located in the town of Scott, 



TOWN or SCOTT. 1053 

Culumbia Co., and kept what was known as the " Blue Tavern;" soon after his arrival, he located 80 acres 
of the form on which he now lives, and loaned money to Allison to locate another 80 near his ; Lang 
returned to Canada, and never came back ; Mr. McConoehie broke 10 acres on his 80, and bought another 
80 adjoining his, of John Dodge, for which he paid $3 per acre; he also located another 120 
near by; he then returned to Canada and worked through harvest, coming back to Wisconsin in Septem- 
ber, 1817 ; he boarded with his brothers about two years and worked his own land ; has resided in the 
town of Scott ever since, but made several visits to Canada during the time. Feb. 8, 1856, he was married 
in Portage City to Marijaret Robinson, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland. She was born March 21, 1832, 
daughter of Robert Robinson, who now lives in Canada ; Mr. McConoehie has six children — Elizabeth 
(now Mrs. Stewart Pasley, of Oiitario, Canada), M.irgaret, John, Marian, William and Hugh; lost one, 
Robert' — was born Oct. 11, 13tl2, and died when 4 years and 2 weeks old. He has 600 acres of land, in 
three farms ; once sold the home farm for $.i0 per acre, and traveled through Iowa, Illinois, 
Kansas and Canada, and, being unable to suit himself, returned to Wisconsin, bought back his old farm at 
$10 per acre more than he got for it, and since that has been satisfied with his first love ; he raises grain 
principally, but keeps some stock ; has been successful in business ; is now 59 years old ; has never had a 
lawsuit. Is a Democrat, but not a politician, preferring to devote his time and energies to his own per- 
sonal affiiirs, and never accepting office except in the school district, when he considered it his duty ; has 
been Clerk of District No. 3 for the last ten years. Both members of the Presbyterian Church. 

JAIIEIS MACKI\, farmer. Sec. 18; P. O. Pardeeville ; born Oct. 9, 1827, in Syracuse, N. 
Y.; son of Eugene Mackin, who died in Syracuse when James was 7 years old; his mother then married 
John Smith, and they came to Wisconsin in 1855 or 1856, and settled in Columbia Co.; he died in 1879. 
James was married in 1862 to Rebecca Jerome, daughter of Daniel Jerome, of Marcellon ; has two chil- 
dren — Frances Winona and Ella Susan. Republican ; and owns 80 acres of land. 

V. W. ^tllLLEK, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Cambria; born March 23, 1831, in Steuben Co., N. Y.; 
son of VVm. D. Miller; c.ime to Wisconsin in the spring after he was 21 years old, landing in Milwaukee 
on the 1st day of June, 1852, with two cents in his pocket; he settled at that time in the town of Scott, 
whore he has resided ever since. Was married in Steuben Co., N. Y., when he was 18 years old, to 
Ema'ine Egbert, who died Dec. 19, 1874, aged 48, leaving three children — Jainey (now Mrs. George 
Whitman, of Barron Co., Wis.), bora March 19, 1853 ; Alfred and Elbert (twins), born May 31, 1858, 
and living at home. Mrs. Miller was a member of the M. E. Church. He has 720 acres of land. In 
politics, Independent. 

C. J. ]lHUIiL.EXCUP, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Marcellon ; he was born in Hohenhaslach, 
Gheramt Vaihingen Koningreich, Wurtemburg, Germany, Sept. 14, 1829 ; came to America in 1848, and 
settled in Huntington Co., [nd. ; lived there two years, then went to Ohio and lived in Preble Co. three 
years, then back to Indi.ma ; went to work in Wabash Co., and, Oct. 25, 1825, was married, in Columbia 
City, Ind., to Cynthia Ann Wells, who was born March 23, 1836, in Marion Co., Ind. ; daughter of 
Hugh Wells, a native of Ohio. After his marriage, he lived in Whitley Co. eight years, then came to 
Wisconsin, and located July 17, 1867, on the farm he now occupies. He has ten children living — Emma 
A., Ellen B. (now .Mrs. Margaret Thomas, of Scott), Nancy E., Dillie H., L. V. D. May, Tolalind Viola 
(twins), Alzoa A., Ida L. and Otto W. ; lost one child — Hugh W., died Sept. 28, 1864, aged 1 year and 
5 months. Both are members of the M. E. Church ; he is a Republican, and has a farm of 140 acres. 

WlIiLIAifl OWEN^, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Cambria; he was born June 4, 1822, in 
Anirlesea. Wales; son of Robert Owen; he worked in a slate quarry in Wales; came to America in 
1846, and located in the town of Scott, Columbia Co., and has resided in the town ever since. He was 
■married, Sept. 1, 1848, in the town of Scott, to Margaret Hughes, of Randolph; he thinks he was the 
first one married in the town of Scott, and this was the third marriage recorded in Columbia Co. ; Mrs. 
Owen died Sept. 3, 1866, leaving five children — William (lives in Dakota), Maggie (is now Mrs. Richard 
Williams, of Dodge Co., Wis.), Ellen (lives in Cambria), Robert and Richard (at home) ; had lost three 
— Evan died at the age of 3 months; Mary Ann died in her 17th year, and Hugh in his 12th year, both 
in February, 1866: was married the second time, June 29, 1859, to Mrs. Hannah Edmunds, of Milwau- 
kee; dau.'hter of John Roberts, from Anglesea, Wales, where she was born in September, 1821. Both 
are members of the Welsh Presbyterian Church. He has 320 acres of land, and is a Republican. 

GEORGE PAYIVE, farmer. See. 19; P. 0. Marcellon; he was born Dec. 4, 1818, in Madi- 
.son Co., [II.; son of Christopher Payne, a native of Somerset Co., Penn., born in 1786; he lived in 
Ohio, Ld'ana, Illinois and Wisconsin while they were Territories; he came to Geneva Lake in February, 
1836; had land deeded at the first land sale in Wisconsin ; he died Feb. 18, 1872, in his 85th year. 
George Payne remained at home till he was 22 years old. He was married, at Duck Lake, Walworth 



1054 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Co., June 2, 1842, to Arvilla Langdon, who was born July 15, 1825, in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio; daughter 
of Sylvanus Laugdou, who came to Wisconsin from Ohio in the fall of 1835, and settled in Walworth 
Co.; he died May 1, 18G3, at about 61. Mr. Payne remained in Walworth Co. about four years after 
his marriage, and in August, 1846, came to Columbia Co., and located on the farm he now owns and occu- 
pies. Has had three children, two of whom are living — Elizabeth ( is now Mrs. Stephen Woodard, of 
the town of JlarccUon) and Mary ( now Mrs. Melvin Fuller, of Scott) ; his son William was born May 4, 
1845; enlisted Jan. 5, 1864, in the 2d W. V. C, Co. K, and was killed April 21, 1864, in a skirmish 
with the rebels near Red Bone, Miss. Mr. Payne is a Democrat, and has held the office of Side Super- 
visor, and is now one of the Directors in the town insurance company of Randolph and Scott. His sister, 
Mrs. Abigail Utter, was killed by the Indians on her way to Oregon in 1860 or 1861, in what was known 
as the Salmon Falls massacre. Mr. Payne has 382 acres in his farm. He drove team to break the first 
furrow ever turned where Ruckford and Uelvidere now stand in Illinois. 

CHAUNCY V. ROBl!}KTS, farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0. Bellefountain ; was bom in the town 
of Springwater, Livingston Co., N. Y., March 21, 1831 ; son of William Roberts, who came to Wiscon- 
sin in 1845, and settled in Walworth Co.; lived there two years, and then came to Columbia Co. and set- 
tled in the town of Scott, on the farm now owned by Chauncy F.; he died about 1863, aged 76. Mr. 
Roberts was married, April 30, 1853, to Alma S. Barber, who was born June 5, 1836, in Genesee Co., 
N. Y., town of Byron, daughter of Hugh Barber, who came to Wisconsin in 1844, and settled in Wal- 
worth Co., and died in Packwaukee, Mar(|uelte Co., about 1860; her mother died Oct. 17, 1854, aged 
52. Mr. Roberts' mother died in August, 1864, aged 75. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children — 
Mary (now Mrs. John Jarvis, living near Portage) and Mark W. (single and living at home, and now 
holds the office of Town Clerk). Mr. Roberts has been Supervisor and Assessor two or three years each; 
himself and son are Republicans. Mrs. Roberts and Mark W. are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. 
Mr. Roberts has 233'. acres of land in two farms. 

FREKMAN Jfl. KOSS, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Cambria; was born Aug. 27, 1828, in Yates 
Co., N. Y.; son of Morris and Mary Ross; came to Wisconsin in 1838, and settled in Walworth Co., 
at Geneva, and lived there till 1855. He was married, the first time, on Jan. 15, 1850, to Phoebe 
Herrick, a native of Yates Co., N. Y.; daugliter of Jacob Herrick ; she died Nov. 6, 1853, aged 
23 years, leaving two children — Eunice A., born July 6, 1851, and is now Mrs. J. W. Gorsuch, of 
the town of Scott ; Mary Alice, born July 26, 1853, and died March 2, 1854. He was married 
the second time Nov. 14, 1854, to Mary Louisa Powell, who was born Feb. 3, 1824, in Chautauqua Co., 
N. Y., town of Sheridan; have four children by the second marriage — William H., born Feb. 6, 1857, 
and now lives on Sec. 17 in the town of Scott ; George A., was born July 25, 1858 ; Ella L., born May 
21, 1862; the last two are living with their parents. Mr. Ross is a Republican, and held the office of 
Town Clerk from 1857 to 1868 — eleven years; then Chairman two years, and since that has been Town 
Clerk five years; was a member of the Legislature of 1868-69. Mr. and Mrs. Ross and children all 
belong to the M. E. Church ; has 360 acres of laud, 40 acres of it timber, 120 acres under the plow, and 
the balance meadow and pasture. 

JAMRS A. STKBBINS, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. Marcellon; was born Feb. 24, 1823, in 
Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y.; son of James Stebbins, a native of Massachusetts ; his mother's maiden 
name was Eunice Field. Mr. Stebbins commenced working at the carpenter and joiner's trade when 18 
years old, and followed it till he was 25 ; worked at Cortland Village some time and in Syracuse, N. Y., 
one year. In the fall of 1845, he started West " to grow up with the country; " worked at Racine, Wis., 
about three weeks ; then went about twenty-five miles west of Racine, and stayed till the spring of 1846, 
when he came to Columbia Co., and located on Sec. 32, in the town of Scott, where he has since resided. 
At that time there wore only three dwellings between Fos Lake and Portage. He worked at his trade, 
after locating his laud, until the fall of 1849 ; then went to Massachusetts, and spent the winter, and, 
March 5, 1850, was married in Massachusetts to Mary B. Sherman, daughter of Benjamin Sherman; she 
was born Aug. 11, 1823, in Brimfield, Hampden Co., Mass. Soon after marriage, came and seitled on his 
farm, having built a house some time before. Have no children of their own, but adopted two boys and 
one girl. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican, and has been Town Clerk 
and Justice of the Peace. Has 200 acres of land. 

WILLI AjU STKBBIIVN, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Marcellon ; was born Sept. 29, 1826, in 
Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y.; son of James and Eunice (Field) Stebbins; came to Wisconsin in the fall 
of 1850, and bought the land he now owns, and has resided on it ever since, except two years in Pardee- 
ville ( 1870 and 1871). He was married, April 16, 1854, to Sabrina Beach, who was born Oct. 10, 1829, 
in Luzerne, Warren Co. N. Y., daughter of Nathan Beach, now living in California. They have two 



TOWN OF SCOTT. 1055 

children — Joseph Wayland, born Feb. 12, 1S55 (married to Katie Elizabeth Bezer, of the town of Scott, 
and living in Davidson Co., Dakota; P. 0. Alexander, Hanson Co.), and Nellie Eunice, born Dec. 3, 
1864, and living at home. Mr. Stebbins is a Republican, and has been Supervisor one term. He has 
130 acres of land. 

HENRY SL.Iiy(;;ER, farmer. Sec. 33; P. O. Cambria; was born in Lancashire, Eng., Feb. 
14, 1844; son of Andrew Slinger, who came to America in the spring of 1849 and settled in Springvale, 
Columbia Co., Wis., where he died, Nov. 19, 1849. His mother is still living on Sec. 4 in Springvale, 
at the age of 67. They .came into the county with a family of eight children and lived in a board 
shanty, 12x16, till fall, when they built a good frame house. They bought a cookstove soon after they 
came, but not knowing how to use it, set it one side, and did their cooking through the summer in the 
open air, over a fireplace, made between two stumps. Mr. Slinger was married Oct. 10, 1S63, to Rachel 
Smith, who was born July 2, 1841, in Staffordshire, Eng., daughter of William Smith, who came to 
America in the fall of 1848, and died March 1, 1851 : have two children — Andrew R., born Jan. 8, 
1869, and Tempest Hurry, born May 26, 1879. He is a Republican, and has been As.sessor two years, 
and is now elected for the third term. Has 155 acres of land. 

THEODORE THOMAS, farmer. Sec 34; P.O.Cambria; was born in Ottawa, Canada, 
Dec. 4, 1825, son of Solomon Thomas, a native of Woodstock, Vt., who came from Canada to Wisconsin 
in 1843, and settled in Walworth Co., and died March 20, 1854; Theodore came to Columbia Co. in the 
fall of 1845, and bought 120 acres of land, on Sec. 34, in the town of Scott, which was the second piece 
of land bought on the road between Portage City and two and a half miles this side of Fox Lake. He 
then returned to Walworth Co. and remained there the spring of 1848, then come back to Scott and broke 
10 acres for himself and 87 acres for his neighbors; he then returned to Walworth Co. for the winter, and 
in the spring of 1849 came up and broke another 10 acres for himself and about 60 or 65 acres for others, 
running a breaking team with Robert McConochie. In the fall, he .went back to Walworth Co., and Sept. 
7, 1849, was married to Elizabeth Connor, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., town of Ira; she was born 
June 18, 1827 ; daughter of Josiah Connor. The following spring he came on his farm (having built a 
house the fall previous) and has lived on it ever since ; has four children living — Maynard (on the home- 
stead) ; J. C. (on Sec. 35 in Scott) ; Mary E. (now Mrs. Thomas Baillies of Scott, on south line of Sec. 
34) ; and Lillie (at home) ; he was four days making the trip from Walworth Co. to Columbia Co., with 
an ox team, and $5 in his pocket, for a journey of seventy-five miles, got here and paid -$1.50 for two 
bushels of potatoes ; 50 cents for three pecks of oats, and had money left. Has been Supervisor two or 
three terms, and is a Republican with strong Greenback tendencies. He has 151 acres of land. 

JONATHAN N. TRIPP (deceased) was born Jan. 17, 1820, in the town of Windsor, 
Ashtabula Co., Ohio, son of Thomas Tripp, a native of the State of New York. Was married in Bristol, 
Trumbull Co , Ohio, June 12, 1844, to Mary L. Parish, who was born Feb. 4, 1817, in Orleans Co., Vt.; 
daughter of John Parish, who removed to Ohio in 1834 and died in 1845. Mr. Tripp lived in Trumbull 
Co., Ohio, and worked at wagon-making, (lo which trade he had been apprenticed when 17 years old) till 
June, 1853, then came with his family to Wisconsin and located on the farm now occupied by his widow, 
on Sec. 29, in the town of Scott, where he resided till his death, Dec. 30, 1867, of consumption, with 
which he had been alBicted for several years ; he had been able to work, however, till the last two years 
of his life. He left four children — Julia, Cornelia E. (now Mrs. Charles Richards of Packwaukee, Wis), 
Charles Parish and Ida Adelle ; all at home except the one married ; Charles is a carpenter aud joiner and 
follows that business, Julia is a dressmaker, and Ida a teacher. Mr. Tripp was a Republican, and once 
held the oflSce of Justice of the Peace. He left a farm of 120 acres, which now has good buildings and 
is occupied by the family ; P. 0. Marcellon. 

JOSEPH W. TURNER, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. O. Pardeeville ; born May 6, 1849, in Wal- 
worth Co., Wis.; son of John Turner (now of Portage City). Joseph W. was married Dec. 31, 1874, to 
Lida Elwood, who was born Aug. 28, 1854, in Fairwater, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; daughter of John 
Elwood. a native of the State of New York, now living in Markesan, Wis. Mr. Turner remained with 
his father till ho was 21 years old, then worked for his father four years, for 40 acres of land, and bought 
60 acres more the fall before his marriage; has two children — Edith, born Jan, 3, 1876, and Robert, born 
April 29, 1877. He is a Republican and has 100 acres of land. 

JOSEPH TURNER, farmer. Sees. 4,5 and 8 ; P.O. Pardeeville ; born March 24, 1819, in 
Yorkshire, Eng., town of Leeds; son of William Turner, who came to America in 1829, and died Oct. 
13, 1876. (See biography of George C. Kietb.) Mr. Turner was married in 1837, to Mary Ann Brier, 
who died Aug. 20, 1875, leaving five children — Josephine, Henrietta, Frances Amelia, Viola and John 
Grant; Josephine is now Mrs. C. 0. Hubbell, of Lanesboro, Minn.; Henrietta lives with her sister in 



1056 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Minnesota; Frances Amelia is now Mis. D. J. Albee, of La Crnsse ; Mr. Albce is a conductor on tlie 
Cliit-ago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; Viola is Mr.*. John Keefe. of Waujiun ; John G lives at home. 
Was married the second time, Oct. 1, 1879, to Mrs. Mary Clark, widow of Almon Chirk. Her maiden 
name was Sawyer, and she was a native of England ; she had four children by )iit first liusband — Adelbert, 
Alvah, Nettie and Martha. In the fall of 1878, he wont to the southern part of Minnesota and spent the 
winter there, and again the next fall and spent the winter; he has 940 acres of land ; is a Republican. 



TOWN OF CALEDONIA. 

%VII^L.IA]!II BLACK, farmer, Sec. 8; P. 0. Alloa; born May 9, 1830, in Argylcshire, 
Scotland ; son of James Black, who came to America in 18l55 and settled in Caledonia, Sec. 10, and died 
Nov. 18, 1875, in the 80th year of his a^e ; Mrs. Black, whose maiden name was Janet Conk, is still liv- 
ing in Caledonia at the age of 82. William was married in Scotland. May 4, 1854, to Catharine White, 
who was born July 15, 1833, in Renfrewshire, Scotland; daughter of Peter White, who died in Scotland 
when she was only 5 years old ; her mother, whose maiden name was Jessie McN'air. died in 1854, also in 
Scotland. Mr. Black followed the life of a sailor on the '' briny deep " from April, 1848, till June, 1856, 
then came to Wisconsin and settled in Caledonia, where he has since resided, though he has sailed on the 
lakes several seasons- since ; has eleven children — James W., Jessie, Sarah Catharine, Minerva, Isabella, 
Flora, Mary, William C, Maggie, Katie and Violet Ann. Has held the offices of Chairman of the town. 
Assessor and Town Clerk, and was Justice of the Peace several terms ; he is a Democrat ; owns 170 acres 
of land ; none of the children are married. 

JOHN DOHiJLiAS, blacksmith, Sec. 3; P. 0. Alloa; came to Wisconsin in 1868 from the 
village of Crosshouse, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was born Aug. 18, 1846 ; son of William Douglas, 
also a blacksmith, of whom John learned the trade; he was born, lived all his life and died in the village 
of Crosshouse. John was married, July 18, 1869, in Caledonia, to Mary Hoyt, daughter of John Hoyt; 
she was born in Ochiltree, Ayrshire, Scotland, March 25, 1838. Mr Douglas has three children — Will- 
iam, born June 5, 1870 ; John, born March, 1875, and Anne, born Nov. 14, 1878. He is a Republican, 
and owns his shop and residence with six-tenths of an acre of land. Both are members of the Baptist 
Church. 

JOHN GRAVES, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Merrimack, Sauk Co.; born in 1817 in Hunting- 
tonshire, England ; son of William Graves ; came to America in the fall of 1841 and lived near Rahway, 
N. J., about three years. He was married there, in 1844, to Margaret Fitzgerald, who was a native of 
County Watcrlord, Ireland, daughter of Patrick Fitzgerald. Immediately after his marriage, he went to 
Canada, and lived in the county of Oxford till the s])ring of 1856; then came to Wisconsin and settled 
on the farm he now occupies in Caledonia. Has four children — Thomas, Sarah, William P. and Maggie. 
Mr. Graves is a Democrat in politics, and all the family are members of the Catholic Church. He owns 
226 acres of land. 

HKBfRY HAMIIiTON, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Alloa; was born April 23, 1829, in County 
Down, Ireland; son of George Hamilton; he came to America in 1851, arriving in New York on the 
11th day of June; lived in Dunkirk awhile, then went back to New York City, and from there to Con- 
necticut, where he was married in Stamford, in 1856, to Elizabeth Egan, a native of Kings Co., Ireland. 
Hi) came to Wisconsin in 1858, and has lived in the town of Caledonia ever since; has eight children — 
Mary Elizabeth, Margaret, Ellen, Sarah Jane, Isabell, James Henry, Lucy and Theresa, all at home; has 
been Supervisor three years, and School Director and Treasurer; he is a Democrat, and has 200 acres of 
land, 160 acns in his farm and 40 acres of timber. 

ALIjKIV J0H\S0N, farmer, Sees. 25 and 36; P. 0. Portage ; came to Wisconsin in July, 
1841, from Galena, 111., and made a claim in Caledonia (same land be now owns) in the spring of 1842 ; 
then went into the pinery at Grand Rapids^ and remained till the spring of 1 843 ; he then returned to 
Caledonia, built a cabin on his land, and lived there till the fall of 1853, when he rented his farm, and 
bought property in Dekorra, where he resided till November, 1800; then returned to his farm, and has 
lived there since ; about the time he went to Dekorra, he purchased a quarter-section of pine land in 
Juneau Co., and followed lumbering in winters, till he returned to the farm ; he was born in Ontario, 
Canada, Nov. 9, 1820; son of Kufus Johnson; went from there to Illinois in 1837; drove stage about 
fourteen months from Joliet to Ottawa, Spriugfield and Chicago ; then followed steamboating on the 



TOWN OF CALEDONIA. 1057 

Mississippi about four months. Was married, Nov. 27, 1843, in Dekorra, to Mary Chalfant, and were the 
first couple married in that town; she was born May 11, 1826, ia Hif^hland Co., Ohio; daughter of 
Aaron and Sarah Chalfant. Mr. Johnson has eisjhc children living — Mary Virginia, Alice, Ann Eliza, 
Charles, Jlmma, William, James and Lewis; lost three — Edward, Henry and Edwin. He is a Democrat, 
and has 240 acres of land. Mrs. Johnson's brother, Ansalem Chalfant, was born in Dekorra, Oct. 26, 
1842, and was the first white child born in that town, and was also the first death in the town, being 
drowned June 11, 1845. 

EVAN E. JONES, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Portage ; born Oct. 17, 1818, in Merionethshire, 
North Wales; son of Edward Jones, who came to America in 1842, and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., 
where he died a few years after, and two years after the death of his wife. ' Mr. Jones was married in 

1847, in Utiea, N. Y., to Margaret Roberts, who was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, May 7, 1818; 
daughter of Thomas Roberts, who died in Wales. Mr. Jones came to Wisconsin in July, 1849, and has 
lived in Caledonia ever since ; his wife died Jan. 19, 1879, about 60 years of age; she was the mother of 
seven children, only two of whom were living at the time of her death — Margaret, born June 16, 1850, 
now Mrs. Richard , Owen, of Caledonia, and Thomas E., born Sept. 16, 1858, who is married to Lizzie 
Jones, daughter of David Jones, and living in the homestead with his father; Catharine was born Aug. 3, 

1848, and died Dec. 31, 1869; Mary, born June 25, 1852, died Nov. 18, 1862; Ellen, born June 16, 

1854, died Dec. 20, 1862; Edward, born Aug. 30, 1856, died Dec. 13, 1862, and Evan, born Aug. 2, 
1864, died Jan. 14, 1866 ; the last four of diphtheria. Mr. Jones is a Deacon in the Calvinist Church, 
of which he is a member, and a member of the Bible Society of New York ; is a Republican, and has 185 
acres of land in his farm. His father was a Deacon in the same church to which he belongs upward of 
twenty years. 

ROBERT H. JONEN, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Portage; was born Dec. 27, 1830, in Merion- 
ethshire, North Wales; son of Hugh Jones; came to America in 1851 ; lived in Rock Co., near Janes- 
ville, two years; then in the village of Union, same county, about two years, and in December, 1855, 
came to Caledonia, where he has since resided. Was married, Aug. 26, 1860, to Catharine, daughter of 
Robert Ellis, who came from Wales to New York, and from there to Columbia Co., Wis., where he 
remained till his death ; she was born in July, 1842, near Utica, N. Y. Mr. Jones has nine children- 
Hugh, David, Mary Jane, John, Robert, Winnie, Maria, Catharine and Ruth ; all at home. Is a Repub- 
lican, and has 378 acres of land in his farm. Both members of the M. E. Church of Portage. 

JOHN LOCKHART, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Alloa; born June 22, 1828, in Ayrshire, Scot- 
land, parish of Tarbolton ; son of Samuel Lockhart. Was married in Scotland in 1850, to Agnes Gray, 
who was born in the same shire, parish of Kirkeswald, daughter of William Gray ; came to America in 

1855, landing in New York on the 1st day of June; resided there till September, 1856, then came to 
Wisconsin, and has since lived in the town of Caledonia. Was two years Supervisor, during the war, in 
1863 and 1864, and has held several minor ofiBces. The nine children are as follows : Samuel S., of 
Portage, William, John, James, Janet, Andrew, Robert, Maggie and Thomas — all unmarried but Samuel 
S. ; have lost but one — Maggie, died March 9, 1862, aged 9 months. Republican and Presbyterian. 
Has 259 acres of land. 

CHARLES McLEISH, farmer, Sec. 20 : P. 0. Merrimack, Sauk Co., Wis.; was born Dec. 8, 
1832, in Perthshire, Scotland ; son of William McLeish, who came to America in 1851 and died in 1854, 
in Wisconsin ; Charles arrived in Wisconsin in June, 1851, and stayed till the spring of 1852 ; then went 
to New York, and worked in the town of York, Livingston Co., till the fall of 1855 ; then came back to 
Wisconsin and bought 160 acres of land in Sec. 21, and has since lived in this town. Was married, 
March 9, 1859, in Portage, to Margaret Roberts, who was born Dec. 2, 1842, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, 
daughter of David Roberts, who came to America in 1857, and died Jan. 22, 1876 ; Mr. McLeish has 
nine children — Jennie, Maggie, Willie, Mary, David, Charles, Alexander, John and Isabella — all at home. 
Ha.s been Chairman of the town, and was School Superintendent under the old system. Democrat; and 
has 595 acres of land all in Sees. 20 and 21, except one 40 of timber in Sauk Co. 

DAVID MARSHALL, farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0. Alloa; born Dec. 5, 1841, in Lanarkshire, 
Scotland ; son of John Marshall, who came to America in 1850, settled in Caledonia, and died Nov. 2, 
1864; the family came over in 1851, and David has lived in Caledonia ever since he was 10 years old. 
Was married, Nov. 21, 1862, to Isabel Tennant, who was born Aug. 9, 1842, in Canada, daughter of 
Robert Tennant, a native of Roxburyshire, Scotland. Mr. Marshall has six children living — Mary, John 
D., Robert, William, David and Janet, all at home. Attends the Presbyterian Church, but is not a mem- 
ber ; Republican ; has 162 acres of land. Mr. Tennant came to Wisconsin in 1846 or 1847, and settled in 
Caledonia, on what was known as the "Indian farm;" he died Aug. 22, 1879, in Missouri, where he had 



1058 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

removed in 1868 or 1869; Mrs. Tenaant is still living in Missouri, and Mrs. Marshall lives in Cale- 
donia. 

C. F. MOHR, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Portage; born Dec. 31, 1846, near Hesse-Cassel, Ger- 
many; son of William Mohr, who came to America in 1853, lived in Buffalo, N. Y., four years, and in 
1857 came to Wisconsin, settled in Caledonia, and died July 6, 1874, aged 67 ; Mrs. Mohr is still living 
on the homestead. Mr. Mohr was married, June 30, 1873, to Mary Eikey, a native of Sauk Co., born 
June 11, 1851, daughter of William Eikey, one of the first settlers of Sauk Co. Mr. Mohr has two 
children— Musa A.,' born May 22, 1874, and Maud, born Oct. 26, 1876. Was Town Clerk in 1877 and 
1878, and is the present Chairman of the town and Justice of the Peace. Is a Republican, and a member 
of the M. K. Church. Has a 120-acre farm and a store in Portage, which he owns in partnership with 
his two brothers, Charles and August. 

DAVID OWEX, farmer. Sec. 21; P. 0. Portage City ; born May 13, 1828, in Merioneth- 
shire, North Wales ; son of John Owen, who came to America in the spring of 1846, settled in Caledonia 
in September of the same year, and died in 1865, aged 42. David came to Caledonia with his father, and 
has resided in the town ever since. He was married Dec. 25, 1850, to Jane Roberts, daughter of Hugh 
Roberts, who came to Caledonia in 1847 ; she was born in 1832, in Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. Owen has 
seven children — John A. (living on Sec. 17, Caledonia), Winnie, Roger, Maggie, Sarah, Owen and Anna; 
Roger and Winnie live in Howard Co., Iowa, where Mr. Owen has a 240 acre farm ; lost three children 
died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Owens are members of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church ; he is a 
Republican, and has held the offices of Supervisor, Treasurer, Assessor, Justice of the Peace, and several 
minor offices, and represented his district in the Assembly in 1877 ; has 480 acres of land in his home 
farm, and a 240 acre farm in Iowa. When his father came to Caledonia, he moved from Racine with ox 
teams ; had a covered wagon and lived in that till they had time to build a house. 

JOHX OWEN, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Portage ; was born in August, 1836, in Merionethshire, 
North Wales; son of John Owen (see biography of William Owen, of Caledonia) ; came to America with 
his father in 1846, and has lived in the town of Caledonia ever since. He was married, May^ 29, 1863, in 
Caledonia, to Ellen Lloyd, who was born in Merionethshire, Wales, May 29, 1836, daughter of John 
Lloyd, who came to America in 1842, lived in Racine till 1848, then came to Caledonia, where Mrs. Lloyd 
died a few months after their arrival; Mr. Lloyd is still living in Howard Co., Iowa; Mrs. Owen is 
a .sister of E. W. Lloyd, of Cambria. Mr. Owen has four children — Jennie, Edward C, John L. 
and Catherine Ellen, all at home. He is a Republican ; has 400 acres of land in his farm ; has for years 
been a Deacon and Trustee in the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, of which himself and families are 
members. 

JOHN A. OWEN, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Portage;' was born in November, 1852, in the 
town of Caledonia, on the farm he now owns; son of David Owen of the same town. (See his biography.) 
He was married, March 22, 1876, to Mary Ann Jones, who was born May 31, 1854, in Sauk Co., Wis., 
daughter of Thomas and Ann Jones, natives of South Wales, who came to America in 1847, and now 
live in Sauk Co. They have three children — Ellen Ann., born Dec. 22, 1876; David, born July 26,1878; 
Jane, born March 3, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Owen are members of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, 
and he is a Republican ; has 167 acres of land. 

JOHN T. OWENS, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Portage; was born April 30, 1827, in Merioneth- 
shire, North Wales ; son of Thomas Owens, who came to America when John T. was only 4 or 5 years 
old; lived in Herkimer Co., N. Y., till 1857 ; then came to Wisconsin and died in Caledonia in 1863, 
aged 62. Mr. Owens' first wife was Mary Ann Parish, and his second was Ida R. Cappler, who died 
Feb. 20, 1878, leaving two children — Friend Augustus, born May 3, 1872; and, Jemima J., born Sept. 1, 
1873. Mr. Owen came from Herkimer Co., N. Y., to Caledonia in 1860, and has made his home in that 
town ever since, except two years that he was railroading in Minnesota ; while living in New York State, 
he followed farming, butchering, and dealing in stock. In politics, he is Republican. Has 160 acres of 
land. 

ROBERT OWEN, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Portage; was born in Merionethshire, North 
Wales, May 13, 1803; came to America in 1841 ; lived in Racine Co. nine years, and in 1850 removed 
to Columbia Co., and settled in his present location. He was married in Wales, in 1829, to Jane Evans, 
who was born in the same shire March 25, 1806, daughter of Rees Evans. They have had nine children, 
of whom only four are living — Ellen, is the wife of Thomas Jones, of Sauk Co., Wis.; Margaret, is Mrs. 
Hugh Williams, of Caledonia ; Jane, is now Mrs. Thomas Morris, of Caledonia. The only son, Evan R. 
Owen, was born March 3, 1848, in Racine, Wis., and was married May 4, 1874, to Kate Humphrey, who 
was bom Sept. 16, 1852, in York Co., Penn., daughter of John Humphrey, a native of Merionethshire, 



TOWN OF CALEDONIA. 1059 

Wales, who came to America in 1849, and settled in York Co., Penn., where he is still livino; ; her mother, 
whose niiiden name was Jane Morris, died when Kate was only 3 years old, and when 4 years old she 
was brought to Caledonia, where she lived with her grandfather, Morgan Morris. Mr. and Mrs. Robert 
Owen are members of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, and he and his son Evan R. are Republi- 
cans, and have 200 acres of land. 

WILLIA^I OWEN, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Portage ; was born in the village of Llanelltyd, 
Merionethshire, North Wales, Sept. 10, 182.5; son of John and Margaret Owen, who came to America 
in 1846, and settled in Caledonia in September of that year, being the first Welsh settler in the town ; he 
died in 1865, aged 42 years. Wm. Owen made his home with his parents till he was 27 years old, then, 
Jan. 1, 1853, was married to Margaret, daughter of John and Laura Jones, who came to America in 
1851, and settled in Randolph, Columbia Co., Wis.; she was born Feb. 24, 1829, in Bronyfoel, Parish of 
Llangelynin, Merionethshire, North Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have ten children — John Gwylym, 
Edwena Esellt and Edwyn Caradoy (twins), Aneurin, Wm. Salsbury, David G-aronwy, Owen Jones, 
Meirion Rhydderch, Liura Maggie and Edward Grerat. Mr. Owen was the first School Superintendent in 
the town, and has been Justice of the Peace; was elected Register of Deeds in 1852 for 1853 and 1854, 
and re-elected in 1854 for 1855 and 1856, and was a member of Assembly in the Legislature of 1865 ; 
was appointed to take the census in four towns in 1870, and has the appointment again for the same bus- 
iness in 1880. The first six years aft^r his marriage, he lived in Portage, and, in the fall of 1858, 
removed to Cambria, where he was engaged in buying wheat in compiny with John ap Jones, also deal- 
ing in lumber at the same time, and was d^pit agent at Cambria about four years. In 1867, he removed 
to the town of Randolph and went to farming on Sec. 10 ; sold out in 1873, and removed to his present 
location. He is a Republican in politics, aad has 637 acres of land in his farm. Both are members 
nf the Calvinistic Methodist Church. 

JOHN PATE (deceased) was one of the oldest residents of Caledonia, and of the pioneers who 
buffeted the hardships of a new country, when a man had to sacrifice all the comforts of civilization in order 
to start a home iu the Far West. Mr. Pate was born Feb. 17, 1802, at Brown Castle, Parish of Cul- 
bride, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Was married to Agnes Stewart, April 25, 1837, and emigrated to America 
in the spring of 1842, sailing from Glasgow on the 26th of April in the ship Perthshire, Capt. Simpson, 
being seven weeks making the voyage across the Atlantic to the United States. He went to Albany by 
steamboat, thence by canal to Buffalo, then by steamboat again to Chicago, and from there to Columbia 
Co., Wis., by team ; he settled oo unsurveyed land in what was then Dekorra, Portage Co., Territory of 
Wisconsin, now Sec. 30, town of Caledonia, Columbia Co., Wis. Roads and bridges were then unknown 
in this region ; the nearest grist-mill was ten miles west of Madison, and their nearest market was Mil- 
waukee. When the town of Caledonia was organized from Dekorra, Mr. Pate was its first Chairman ; was 
Supervisor in 1852 ; was afterward Assessor and Town Clerk, and also held several minor ofiBces. On his 
farm of 200 acres in Sees. 30. 31 and 36, he resided from 1845 till his death, which occurred Dec. 19, 
1879, of cancer in the face. He had been a member of the Presbyterian Church from his youth up ; was 
a great lover of music, and composed several pieces, one of whicti entitled " Caledonia," is frequently sung 
in the Presbyterian Church in Caledonia. He left five children — John S., Marian, Robert, Samuel J. 
and William. Samuel J. Pate was born April 22, 1850, in Caledonia, on Sec. 30, and was married, Feb. 
8, 1875, to Elizabeth Pearson, who was born Nov. 4, 1856, in Carlisle, England, daughter of George 
Pearson, who came to America in the spring of 1871, and lives in Caledonia; has two children — Mary 
Elizabeth, born Nov. 18, 1876, and John George, born Nov. 9, 1878. Mr. Pate is a Republican, and is 
the present Town Treasurer, which office he has held two years ; has been District Treasurer five years ; 
is a Presbyterian, and has 140 acres of land. ' 

MOSES PAQUETTE, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Portage; was born March 4, 1828, at the 
old trading-post, about one-quarter mile from Ft. Winnebago ; he is the only surviving son of Pierre, or 
Peter Paquette, who was employed by the American Fur Company at Ft. Winnebago in trading with the 
Indians, and also in the transportation of their Mackinaw boats between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers at 
the " portage," and who was shot and killed in 1 836 by an Indian named Mazomanie, which event has 
already become a matter of history. After the death of his father, Moses was taken to the Catholic Mis- 
sion School on the Yellow River, and afterward to the mission on Turkey River, Iowa, where he remained 
till the fall of 1845, and was then sent to Lebanon, Tenn., where he remained in school two years ; he 
then came back to Wisconsin, was employed in the store of the American Fur Co. at Prairie du Chien 
about a year, and then returned to Columbia Co., and lived about a year with his mother near Portage ; he 
then worked another year for the American Fur Co., this time at Long Prairie, Minn.; he was then 
engaged one season in assisting H. M. Rice in removing the Indians from Wisconsin to Long Prairie, 



1060 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Minn., then traded with the Indians till 1857. He then came back to Columbia Co., and, in 1858, was 
married to Madaline Brisbois, who wa.s born in 1835 in Prairie du Chien. Since his marriage, he has 
followed farming in Caledonia on the farm he now occupies. His mother died in 1804, aged about 70 
years, leavinji a quarter-section of land in Sees. 27 and 28, which was divided between him and his only 
surviving .sister, Mrs. Thomas Prescott. Mr. Paquette has seven children — Domitille, St. Clair, Solomon 
J., Peter, Daniel, Mary Ann and Moses. Has 80 acres of land. Republican in politics, and a member 
of the Catholic Church. 

REV. TlIOMA^i PHILililPS, deceased; was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales, 
July 17, 1802; sun of William and Jijaiia Phillips. Was married in Wales in 1839, to Miss Gwenllian 
Thomas (who was born in the same county as Mr Pliillips ), daughter of Howelis and Margaret Thomas; came 
to America in 1846; first preached in Danville, Penn., and then in Pottsville ; and in 1851, removed to 
Wisconsin and settled in Caledonia, where he continued in the ministry until his death, Dec. 11, 1871 ; he 
was a self-made man, zealous and energetic in his work, and at the time of his death had been in the min- 
istry of Welsh Methodist Church upward of forty years ; he had accumulated quite a library, and had 
some very ancient works ; among them, was a large Bible, printed in old English, which was in use in 
Wales when Bibles were so scarce that only one could be afforded to each parish, and this one was hung 
by a chain so it could be used by all, but not removed from the church. He left six children— Howell, 
(living in Lake Crystal, Minn.) ; David (living in Milwaukee) ; George (living in Hudson, Wis.) ; Will- 
iam, Thomas and Mary (living on the homestead with their mother). Have 120 acres of land; P. 0. 
Portage. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips buried five children — Mary in Wales ; William and David in Pennsyl- 
vania, and Joseph and John in Wisconsin. 

THOMAS PRESCOTT, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Portage; born in Canada Oct. 13, 1834; 
came to Marathon Co., Wis., in May, 1856 ; lived there until January, 18G2 ; then came to Columbia Co., 
and has lived in Caledonia since. Was married, Nov. 25, 1866, to Mrs. Theresa Brisbois, widow of Mitch- 
ell J. Brisbois; she was born May 5, 1826, at the old trading-post, opposite of, and about a quarter of 
a mile from Ft. Winnebago ; she is the only surviving daughter of Peter Pauquette, a native of St. Louis, 
(see biography of Moses Pauquette, of Caledonia). Mrs. Prescott is a grand- daughter of Joseph Criee, 
who died at her house the 1st of February, 1867, supposed to be in 141st year of his age at the time of 
his death ; he had lived in the Pauquette family the last sixty years of his life, and from his statements and 
the best information they could get, his age as given is supposed to be correct. Mrs. Prescott had six 
children by the first husband ( Mr. Brisbois), four of whom are now living — Peter Pauquette Brisbois, Julia 
Josephine, Theodore O'Neely Brisbois and Abraham Lincoln Brisbois; Solomon Edwin died in 1851, aged 
18 months, and Pauline Theresa died in 1857, aged 8 months; she has three children by the second mar- 
riage- — Mary L., Lewis Pauquette and Emma Theresa. Mrs. Prescott says her father seemed to have a 
presentiment that he was not going to die a natural death, and told his family that in case he should be 
killed (as he expected he should be sooner or later), he wished to have H. L. Dansman appointed as the 
guardian of his children; this was done in accordance with his wishes; soon after her father's death she 
was taken by the " i'ellow River " Mission School, in Iowa, where she stayed some time; then worked for 
a family named McDowell in Iowa, about two years, not knowing that she had any property, and suppos- 
ing herself to be a subject of charity while at the school ; she was found in this situation by Henry Rice, 
of Minnesota, who knew her family and reported ; she was then sent to school three years in St. Louis, 
when she returned to Wisconsin, and has lived in this State since ; she says that her father, at his death, 
left thirteen sections of land, and that the heirs have received but little benefit from it as yet ; she was 
brought up a Catholic, and Mr. Prescott an Episcopalian. He is a Republican, and they have 120 acres 
of land. 

ROBERT PlIGH, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Portage ; born March 28, 1832, in Merionethshire, 
North Wales; .son of Hugh Pugh ; came to America in the spring of 1852 ; lived in Oneida Co., N. Y., 
about four years ; in the spring of 1856, came to Wisconsin ; he lived in Cambria two years, and in the 
spring of 1858, came to the town of Caledonia, where he has since resided; he learned the carpenter 
trade in Oneida Co., N. Y., and has followed that business since, in addition to his farming. Was married 
in Utica, N. Y.. Feb. 26, 1855, to Mary Lloyd, who was a native of Montgomeryshire, Wales, daughter 
of Watkin Lloyd ; has eight children living — Watkin, Hugh, Ellis, Ann, John, Ida, Ellen and Jane; one 
son, David died in 1875, 2^. years old. Republican, and has 320 acres of land in his farm. Mrs. Pugh 
is a member of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church. 

REV. THOMAS J. RICE, ministor of the First Welsh Church of Caledonia; farm of 80 
acres in Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Portage ; was born March 4, 1833, in Cardiganshire, South Wales; son of Rode- 
rick Rice, who came to America in 1846, and now lives on the farm on which he then settled, seven miles 



TOWN OF CALEDONIA. 1061 

•west of Waukesha, Wis.; Mr. Eice was educated at Carroll College in Waukesha, and entered the ministry 
before he was 20 years old, but was not ordained till 1869 ; was first stationed at Waukesha, and preached 
in tliat vicinity about seven or eight years ; in 1859, he went to Milwaukee and engaged in the mercantile 
business, in which he continued till 1865, preaching every Sabbath during the time; then removed to 
Portage and carried on the same business, still preaching nearly every Sabbath at that place and 
vicinity ; he left Portage and bought a, farm near Bangor, La Crosse Co., on which he lived till July 
5 of that year, when his house was struck by lightning and totally destroyed, with all its contents, includ- 
ing his library, clothing, etc., the family barely escaping with their lives; Mr. Rice was struck on the 
shoulder, burning a place the size of a man's hand ; the fluid passed down his right limb clear to his foot ; 
they were carried out of the house in an insensible state, by a friend who happened to be staying with 
them over night, who was not injured ; after being burned out he lived one year with his father, at Wau- 
kesha; then returned to Bangor Village, and remained till March, 1873 ; then removed to Columbia Co., 
and has been connected with the First Welsh Church of that place ever since. Was married, Feb. 12, 1862, 
in Caledonia, to Anna Owen, daughter of John Owen (see biography of William Owen ) ; .she was born 
in Merionethshire, North Wales, Sept. 25, 1832 ; they have five children living, all boys— Edward Owen, 
GriflBth Roderick, John Hugh, George T. and William James ; lost one— David, died March 28, 1873, 
7 months old. In politics, Mr. Rice acts with the Republican party. 

JOHN S. KICHMOXD, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Alloa; was born June 10, 1813, in Ayrshire, 
Scotland; son of James Richmond, who died in Scotland; came to Canada in 1830, and was appointed 
District Judge when only 19 years old ; was afterward engaged in the Canada rebellion ; was at the battle 
of Prescott and was taken, and tried several times for treason, but managed to escape the penalty ; after 
the rebellion, he went to the State oi New York, and lived two years at Alexander Bay ; then in Water- 
town two years ; then traveled five or six years, lecturing on phrenology ; in 1842, he rt;turned to Scotland, 
■where he remained till 1844, then came to America agam, and lived two years at Eagle Prairie, in Wau- 
kesha Co., thirty miles west of Milwaukee; spent the time there jhunting, lecturing and working a little, 
bein'.; in poor health ; in the summer of 1847, he came to Caledonia, entered a quarter-section of land on 
Sec. 9, and Dec. 1 of that year moved in with his family ; in 1851, while he was at work in the pinery, 
his house was burned ; he rebuilt, and has lived on the same premises ever since. His first wife, to whom 
he was married in 1829, was Jane Wallace, a descendant of Sir William Wallace; she died in 1839, leav- 
ing four children— Sarah, William, Henry and Mary— all living in the State of New York, except Williain, 
who lives in Illinois; his second wife was Mary Young, of Paisley, Scotland, to whom he was married in 
1843; she died June 11, 1869, in Caledonia, leaving'four children— Mary (now Mrs. John Wilson, of 
Dekorra), Emily (now Mrs. William Muir, living on the Indian farm, in Caledonia), Lucy ( now Mrs. 
Rung, of Chippewa Falls) ; Loveuie was the first wife of Mr. Rung, and died iu 1877 ; his third wife, to 
whom he was married May 1, 1872, was Miss Urrle Fuller, of Dekorra, by whom he has three children-— 
John, Nettie and Jessie. He is Republican; has been Chairman of the town several years, and Justice 
of the Peace. He lost about $10,000 in money and lands by the Canada rebellion ; has now 120 acres in 
his farm. 

HUGH ROBERTS, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Portage; born Feb. 7, 1838, in Oneida Co., N. 
Y.; son of Hugh Roberts, who came to America in 1830 and settled in New York ; came to Wisconsin 
June 7, 1847 ; lived in Caledonia till 1870, then removed to Howard Co., Iowa, and died there in 18(39. 
Mr. Roberts was married, Nov. 10, 1858, to Margaret Jones, daughter of John Jones, who came to America 
in 1842, lived a few years in New York, two years in Racine, Wis , and came to Columbia Co. in 1848, and 
settled in Caledonia. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have sis children — John, Winnie, William, Sarah, Edward 
and David ; have lost three — Roger, Hugh and one unnamed. Is a Republican , and has been Supervisor 
two terms. Has 690 acres of land on his farm. Are both members of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist 
Church. His brother, William Roberts, enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. C, 23d W. V. I., and died in 
May, 18(i3, near Vicksburg. 

THOMAS ROBERTSON, Jr., farmer, Sec. 36; p. 0. Alloa; was born in Renfrew- 
shire, Scotland, in 1839 ; son of Thomas Robertson, Sr.; came to America with the family in 1842, and 
has resided in Caledonia ever since, except from the fall of 1871 to the fall of 1872 in Faribault Co., Minn. 
Was married, June 3, 1868. to Janet Dunlop, who was born in Scotland and came to America with her 
parents while yet a mere child ; she was born near Paisley, Aug. 26, 1849. Mr. Robertson has six children — 
Thomas Davis, William James, Jane Alice, Janet Mary, Robert Dunlop and John McCulloch — all at home. 
He is a Republican, and has been Town Treasurer one year; was brought up a Presbyterian, but is not a 
member of the church. Has 4472 acres of land in Caledonia, and a 160-acre farm in Faribault Co., 
Minn. Thomas Robertson, Sr. (deceased), better known in Columbia Co. as " Daddy Robertson," was born 



1062 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in December, 1800, in Renfrewshire, Scotland, parish of Neilston, and his wife was born in the same par- 
ish, in August, 1800 ; her maiden name was Janet Robertson, dauj^hter of Robert Robertson, and they were 
married in 1823; he came to America in 1840, and with his son-in-law, Alex. McDonald, now of Portage, 
were the first settlers in what is now the town of Caledonia ; he made a claim on unsurveyed land, in what 
was then the town of Dekorra, Portage Co., Territory of Wisconsin (now Sec. 32, Caledonia) ; this was in 
the summer of 1840 ; he did some breaking and built a house, and in 1842 his family came from Scotland 
to join him in his new home; they sailed from Glasgow in the ship Perthshire, Capt. Simpson, April 26, 
in company with the families of James Wilson and John Pate, being seven weeks on the voyage to New 
York ; Mr. Pate went to Chicago to meet them, and when he returned to Caledonia, found the prairie fire 
had swept away his homf , so his own family, and those of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Pate, making in all twenly- 
one persons, lived in a " dug-out," which he had made for a sort of home till he could build again ; the 
other families left, and he lived in the "dug-out" all winter, and it was called "the castle;" the next 
spring he built on Sec. 32, and lived there till 1851, when they were again deprived of a home by the 
prairie fire, which made a clean sweep of all his buildings ; he then built on Sec. 36, where he resided till his 
death, in November, 1872, his wife having died in April, 1870. He was a leading politician of the Repub- 
lican faith, and held the oflBce of Justice of the Peace, and was several years Chairman of the town. Him- 
self and wife were life-long members of the Presbyterian Church. He left seven children — James, Robert, 
Janet. Margaret, Thomas, Elizabeth and George — all born in Scotland, except the last two. He left 500 
acres of land. 

JOHBf ROWIjEY, Sr. (deceased) : was a native of Connecticut, and his parents removed 
to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., when he was a boy. He was married, in Chautauqua Co., Oct. 28, 1824, to 
Sophia Kllithorp, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Deo. 11, 1807; daughter of Henry Ellithorp. 
Mr. Rowley followed farming in Chautauqua Co. till 1838, then removed to Caldwell Co., Mo , wherf he 
lived one year; then three years in Kane'Co., 111., and five years in Hancock Co., same State; in July, 
1847, he came to Wisconsin, and settled in Caledonia, on Sec. 26, where he resided till his death, March 
4, 1874, in his 75th year; he left a widow and the following children : Celestina (now Mrs. Harvey Mar- 
ble), of Arizona ; Asa, living in Freeborn Co., Minn.; Sophia (now Mrs. B. Johnson), of Caledonia ; 
John, Emily (now Mrs. Harley T. Hoskin), of Sauk Co.; Henry and George W., living in California. 
John was married. May 7, 1879, to Martha Farnsworth. and is living on the homestead, as is Mrs. Rowley 
and Henry, who is unmarried. Have 200 acres of land between them. P. 0. Alloa. John and his wife 
belong to the Free Methodist Church, and he and Henry are Republicans. 

WILLiIA^I M. SHAXKS, farmer and Postmaster at Alloa ; was born Sept. 17, 1827, iu 
Lanarkshire, Scotland, parish of Shotts : son of David Shanks, who died when William was only 5 years 
old. Mrs. Shanks then married John Marshall, who came to America in 1850, leaving his family in Scot- 
land till 1851; he settled in Caledonia, and died in November, 1864. Mr. Shanks has lived in Caledonia 
since 1851, except about six months in Summit Co., Ohio, in 1852. Was married, Nov. 28, 1856, to 
Agnes Robb, who was born Nov. 16, 1829, in Stirlingshire, Scotland, parish of St. Ninians, daughter of 
Ralph Robb, who died when she was 3 years old ; her mother then married Duncan Stewart, who came to 
America with his family in 1852; lived awhile in New York, then in Ohio, and came to Caledonia in the 
spring of 1856 ; he Wiis the first Postmaster at Alloa, and kept the oflBce till his death, Sept. 15, 1876; 
Mrs. Stewart died Nov. 30, 1870. Mr. Shanks has eight children^David John, Jessie R., John S., 
Maggie, Agnes Lincoln, Christianna, Mary and Sarah Maud. He held the office of Supervisor two 
years, and is the present Postmaster at Alloa, which office he has held since November, 1876 ; both mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church ; he is a Republican, and has 240 acres of land. 

WIIiLIAiV NHA:KKS, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Alloa; born Oct. 26, 1838, in Renfrewshire, 
Scotland ; son of William Shanks, who came to America in the summer of 1846, settled in Caledonia, on 
Sec. 3, and died there in December, 1855. William, Jr., was married, Feb. 18, 1873, to Elizabeth Robert- 
son, who was born Aug. 19, 1843. and was the first white child born in the town of Caledonia ; daughter 
of Thomiis Robert.son, Sr. ( " Daddy " Robertson " |. [See biography of Thomas Robertson, Jr., of Cale- 
donia]. Mr. and Mrs. Shanks have only one child — Jennie Louise, born May 23, 1874. He is a Repub- 
lican, and has 187^ acres of land. When his father came to Caledonia, he made the trip from Milwaukee 
with an ox team, taking about three weeks for the journey, Mrs. Shanks walking nearly half the way, aud 
carrying her daughter fsabella, then 2 years old, on her back, being afraid to ride over the rough roads 
with a heavy load ; the first summer they were afflicted with the ague, there being fifteen down with it at 
one time at the house of James Wilson. They built a log house in the fall, b>it did not get it finished 
before winter set in, and lived without windows the first winter ; lived on salt beef, corn bread and tea, 
without any change ; the snow fell at one time about three feet deep on a level, and they went six weeka 



TOWN OF CALEDONIA. 1063 

at a time without seeing a person outside their own family ; Mr. Shanks was taken down with rheumatism 
during the winter, and the first five acres they got cleared Mrs. Shanks did the grubbing and the boy Will- 
iam (then 8 years old), hoed it up with an old Scotch hoe. 

JOHN G. STAUDENMAYER, farmer, Sec. 8, 9 and 17; P. 0. Alloa; born April 21, 
1826, in Wurtemberg, Germany; son of John Leonard Staudenmayer ; came to America, in the summer 
ol' 1853 and located in Caledonia, on Sec. 10, and has resided in that town ever since. Was married May 
29, 1855, in Caledonia, to Margaret Naser, from his native place in Germany ; has .seven children living 
— Theresa ( now the wife of Jacob Joss, who is manufacturing Swiss cheese at Woodland, Dodge Co.. Wis.) ; 
George, Sophia, John, William, Edward and Mary, all at home, except the oldest ; lost one boy, William, 
who died at 11 months of age. He held the office of Chairman of his town, five years in succession. 
Town Clerk, eight years in succession. Supervisor, one year, Justjce of the Peace, five years, and is at 
present holding that ofiice. In politics, Independent, was formerly a Democrat, but for the last five or six 
years nat acted with the Republican party. Has 350 acres of land in his farm. 

JAjflES STEWART, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Alloa; born May 16, 1822, in Perthshire, 
Scotland; son of Alexander Stewart, who came to America in 1852; lived in Wyoming Co., N. Y., till 
the fall of 1856, then came to Wisconsin and settled in Caledonia, where he died in the fall of 1872. Mrs. 
Stewart died in April, 1863. Mr. Stewart was married Jan. 5, 1871, to Elizabeth King, who was born on 
the same farm as Mr. Stewart, in 1840. Mr. Stewart has three children — Ellen, James and Margaret. 
Has been Supervisor one year; Republican and member of the Presbyterian Church. Has 193J acres of 
land. 

GEORGE STliEMPFIG, farmer. Sec. 35; P. O. Alloa; was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, March 26, 1817. Was married in Germany, in 18-48, to Barbara Naserin ; came to America in 
1852 and settled in Caledonia, where he has since resided; was a farmer in Germany and has followed the 
same business since coming to America. Has five children living — George, born July 28, 1852; Jacob, 
April 4, 1855; Maggie, Nov. 30, 1857 ; John, July 14, 1860, and Mary, born Jan. 21, 1867 ; have lost 
three, Maggie and Barbara died in Germany, and Jacob in America. Mr. and Mrs. Stuempfig are mem- 
bers of the " Evangelical Association." He is a Democrat and has 177 acres of land. 

JOHN TOWERS, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. O. Merrimack, Sauk Co., Wis.; born March 17, 1827, 
in Stirlingshire, Scotland, son of Walter Towers. Was married in Scotland, March 22, 1850, to Marion 
Shanks, who was born July 1, 1830, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, daughter of David Shanks. (See biography 
of William M. Shanks. ) Mr. Towers came to America in the spring of 1850, his wife remaining in Scot- 
land till 1852. He worked in Columbia Co. till May, 1852, then went to Ohio and remained till the next 
fall, when he returned to Wisconsin to meet his wife ; he returned to Ohio the same fall, and lived there 
till the spring of 1855, then came back to Wisconsin and bought land in Caledonia, where he has since 
resided. Has six children— Walter, James, Sarah, Maggie, John and Robert; all at home, except the 
oldest son, Walter, who is married and lives in the same town. Mr. Towers is a Republican and has held 
the office of Assessor several years, and also that of School Director, which office he now holds. Has 320 
acres of land in his farm and 40 acres of timber near it. Mrs. Towers is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

THOMAS WALKER, Sr., farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Portage ; born in London, England, 
March 27, 1806 ; son of William George and Bennett Walker ; when 13 years old, he apprenticed to learn 
the making of " britannia metal" goods ; paid 100 guineas, and worked five years to learn the trade ; after 
that he worked at making tinfoil, five years in London ; in 1836, went to Canada, where he worked at 
farming three or four years ; then returned to London and worked five years more at tinfoil making ; in 
1845, he came again to America; lived in Boston a few months; then in Rochester, N. Y., about two 
years, manufacturing britannia metal goods ; he then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he got the fever and 
ague, which he says, •' shook all the Johnny Bull out of him and made a Yankee of him ;" from Cleveland 
he came to Wisconsin and settled in his present location, in May, 1851, where he has since resided and 
followed farming. Was married in London, in the Parish of St. Mary's, March 14, 1836, to Rebecca 
Hurley, who was born Dec. 18, 1813, in London, where she lived within a quarter of a mile of her future 
husband, and never made his acquaintance until she was 20 years old ; have eight children living — Eliza, 
Ellen, Rebecca, Henry, Richard, Thomas, John and Sarah ; have buried four^Thomas, William, George 
and Ann. Is a Republican, and has held the office of Supervisor. Has 80 acres of land in his farm. 

ROBERT WHITELAW, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Alloa; was born March 26, 1819, in 
Ayrshire, Scotland ; son of James VVhitelaw. Was married in Scotland, Feb. 5, 1847, to Isabella Reid, 
daughter of William Reid ; she was born July 8, 1823, in Lanarkshire, Scotland ; came to America in 
1848, and settled in Caledonia, where he has since resided. Has ten children living — Jane, Isabella, 



1064 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

James and William (twins), Mary, Susan, Robert, Julia, Asnes and John ; Margaret died in 1864, at the 
age of 16; William is attending college at Ann Arbor, Mich., and James at Beloit College; Jane and 
Susan are teaching, and Isabella at Ann Arbor, Mich. Mr. Whitelaw has been Chairman of the town the 
last two years, and President of the Caledonia Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, ever since it was organ- 
ized, which is about six yeisrs. Republican, and has 175 acres of land. Were members of the Congrega- 
tional Church in Scotland, but have never joined here. 

HUGH T. WILL.IA.IK, farmer, Sees. 18 and 19 ; P. 0. Portage; born in Anglesea, South 
Wales, in 1840 ; son of David Williams, who died in Wales in 1863. Mr. Williams cime to America in 
1858; settled in Caledonia, and has resided in the same town ever since. He enlisted in August, 1862, 
in the 23d W. V. I., Co. C, and was in the service three years; was wounded May 23, 1803, at the battle 
of Vicksburg, while on board a monitor boat, by a piece of shell, which disabled him for some time ; he 
was afterward transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps; was stationed in Milwaukee from November, 1864, 
until .March, 1865 ; from that time until the next July, was at Mudison, Wis., and then went to Indiana, 
where he remained until discharged ; was employed a good deal of the time while stationed iu Indiana, in 
escorting prisoners from one point to another. Was married, March 17, 1866, to Margaret Owens, who 
was born in Wales in 1841 ; daughter of Robert Owens, who came to America in 1841, and is now living 
in Caledonia. Mr. Williams has seven children — David, Robert, Sarah, Evan, Ellen, John and Thomas, 
Republican, and has 135 acres of land. 



TOWN OF FOUNTAIN PRAIRIE. 

EDWARD BARXETT, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Doylestown ; 118 acres, 70 acres cultivated; 
40 years of age ; born in Ireland ; son of William and Julia Griffin Barnett ; been in America twenty- 
five years. Married at Elba, Dodge Co., Wis., by Father Edward McGurke, to Bridget Conners, who was 
born in 1847, daughter of John and Ann Johnson Conners ; had six children, first one died very youns; — • 
William, born May 10, 1868; John, April 13, 1870; Julia Ann, Aug. 7, 1872; Mary, May 24, 1875, 
died May 24, 1877, of diphtheria; Katie, Jan. 15, 1878. Mr. Barnett is a Democrat and member of 
Father Murphy's Church ; was drafted into the army; paid commutation money and remained at home ; 
parents of Mrs. Barnett are still living at Elba. 

WILL.IAM BARXETT, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O. Doylestown; 220 acres, 200 cultivated; 
born in county of Waterford, Ireland ; son of William and Julia Griffin Barnett; came to America thirtj- 
years ago; about 41) years of age (family record was lost); been in this county twenty-five years. Mar- 
ried, Jan. 10, 1859, at Beaver Dam, to Ann Kane, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Kane ) Kane ; had 
no children ; has adopted three, one girl and two boys, to whom he is uncle and guardian. Democrat and 
Catholic; rather liberal; parents .still living in this town ; parents of wife dead. 

SAMFORD L. BATCHELDER, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Fall River; born Sept. 20, 1822, 
at Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., son of Hillard and Nancy Stiles Batchelder ; settled in this town October, 
1866. Married, November, 1849, at Stafford, by Elder'Weeks, to Dolly, daughter of Elias Watson ; had 
three children — Cara M., wife of Wyman Fisk, has four girls, Maudie, Lottie, Annie and Helen ; Edgir 
Willis, single, at Springfield, III., telegraph operator on Wabash R. R; Frink C, operator in general office 
of C M. & St. P. R. R. Democratic in principle; was in Co. B, 7th W. V. I. until JMarch 23, 1862, 
resigned and came home; was Fir.st Lieutenant; then organized Co. K, and in August, 1862, went into 
32d W. V. I ; was at Memphis on provost duty a year, then with Sherman to Meridian, February, 1863; 
thence to Cairo, Paducah, Ky., and Decatur, Ala.; about one year guarding bridges and supplies; then to 
Chattanooga, Atlanta and Savannah, and to gi'and review at Washington, May, 1865; was elected Justice 
of the Peace just as he was starting for United States service. 

ElilHH A A. DEAN, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. O. Doylestown ; 80 acres ; born March 7, 1835, in 
town of Vernon, Oneida Co., N. Y.; son of Ezra and Mary A. Yule Dean; his father was from Massachu- 
setts, and his mother from New York ; came to Elba, Dodge Co., 1855 ; farming five years ; then to this 
town. Married Dec. 26, 1859, by Elder F. S. Brown, in this town, to Josephine, dauirhter of Joseph 
Millick, of Baden-Baden, where she was born March 18, 1838; has three children — Hattie Viola, born 
Feb. 11, 1861 ; Charles Stimner, July 11, 1867 ; Carrie Jcsephine, Deo. 27, 1869. Liberal Republican, 
and attends the Methodist Church ; has been five years a magistrate, and was member of Co. B, 7th W, 
V. I., enlisted June, 1861, in State service, and sworn into United States service, September after; last 
two years of time served at Fifth Corps headquarters and was present when R. E. Lee sent in flag of 



TOWN OF FOUNTAIN PRAIRIE. 1065 

jtruce ; discharged July, 1865. Mr. Dean's mother lives at Columbus, and is the wife of A. L. Hath- 
away ; parents of Mrs. Dean are both dead. 

WILLIAM J. EVAIVS, farmer, Sees. 20 and 21 ; P. 0. Fall River; 120 acre.s, 70 culti- 
vated; born Deo. 15, 1820, at Shropshire, England; son of Jonadab and Margaret (Jonesj Evans; came 
to Waterbury in 1844, and in the fall of 1845, to Fond du Lac, on Sec. 30 in Byron, and to this farm in 
1874. Married, April 18, 1852, at Byron, by Elder Benjamin Harrington, to Delia Simons, who was 
born Sept. 29, 1828, daughter of Orville and Emeline (Welch) Simons ; had six children — Margaret 
Emeline, born March 5, 1853, and wife of Joseph North, in town of Trenton, Dodge Co., and has four 
children; William Benjamin, born Sept. 24, 1854; John Orville, born March 4, 1858; Robert Deloss, 
born July 23, 1864; Clara Delia, born Aug. 2, 1866; one son died young, no name; Mr. Evans was 
several years Director of School District, and two years Magistrate; Republican, and himself and wife 
members of Methodist Church thirty-five years. Only brother of Mrs. Evans, Delos Simons, was in 1st 
W. C, and now living in Idaho, as also her father; Mr. Evans' father died in Iowa; his mother in Byron, 
of cancer ; has one brother living in Iowa, one in Fond du Lac ; two sisters in Byron and one in Fox Lake. 

O. W. FIELD, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Fall River; 280 acres, 170 acres cultivated; born in 
Onondaga Co., N. Y.; son of Stephen and Charlotte (Berry) Fields; went to Michigan, Kalamazoo Co., 
at the age of 5 years, with parents, remained there sixteen years and then came here. Married in this 
town, October, 1863, to Maria N. Smith, daughter of Lewis and Sylvina (_Webb) Smith ; had .six children 
—Mary E., born Sept. 26, 1864 ; Maud E., born April 6, 1866 ; George S., born Dec. 8, 1868 ; Oliver 
West, born Feb. 20, 1871 ; Edwin P., born April 25, 1873 ; Lewis G., born Sept. 10, 1877. Mr. Fields 
is a Republican ; seven years Supervisor, one year Chairman and fourteen years Treasurer of his School 
District ; his father was in Springfield armory during war of 1812. 

WILLI Alfl E. FIELD, farmer by trade and doctor by profession ; P. O. Fall River ; born 
March 4, 1825, in town and county of Onondaga, N. Y.; son of Stephen and Charlotte (Berry) Field ; 
immigrated in 1832 to Kalamazoo Co., Mich., where he lived sixteen years; settled herein 1848. Mar- 
ried at Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Co., Nov. 27, 1841, by Rev. William Taylor (Baptist), to Josephine, 
daughter of Abram I. and Sarah (Bishop) Shaver, of New York and Pennsylvania; wife born in 1831, 
June 23, at Prairie Ronde; had five children — Sarah and Eliza, twins, born Jan. 17, 1851 ( Eliza wife of 
John Pearson, a broker and capitalist at Ripon, Wis.); Jerome E., born Feb. 16, 1852; Mary E., born 
Sept. 5, 1854, died Aug. 2, 1876, of consumption ; William H., born March 10, 1857, clerking fur Pear- 
son. Republican in politics; Universalist in religion ; has held office of Supervisor, Constable and Com- 
missioner of highway ; parents of Mr. Field broke the first ground, and sowed the first grain in Kalamazoo 
Co., Mich. (1828), and a sister of Mr. Field, Celista, now on old homestead, wife of T. B. Hicks, was the 
first white child born in that county ; when a child, she used to play with the Indians, and one day, Sam- 
uel Houston, of Texas, saw her and supposed they had stolen her; he went in and told them (Mrs. Field) 
he saw the prettiest child he ever saw in the Indian camp, and wanted to go and recapture it ; they soon 
brought her home and all had a good laugh at the expense of the old General ; in April, after the twins 
were born, they were living in a shanty about 16x18 feet and had the babies in a box tied to the rafters, 
so as to make a swing cradle, and during the night a hurricane took the roof, rafters, babies and all lOO 
feet into a grove ; one struck on the ground and the other in a tree, where she was still hanging when 
found, with a small limb of the tree sticking in her head; a brother of Mr. Field, John S., and two 
brothers of Mrs. Field, were in the army, one of the latter died of the measles, and the other was wounded 
in the shoulder ; her father was in the Black Hawk war with her uncle, William A. Bishop ; the grand- 
mother of Mrs. Field died at Green Lake, Wis., June 11, 1878, aged 99 years 11 months and 15 days, and 
five years previous to her death, there were at her table at one time, representatives of five generations. 
Mr. Field is a successful cancer doctor, having practiced a long time and never lost a case ; he does not 
advertise, but has a large number of testimonials as to efficiency; he doctors on the "no cure, no pay" plan, 
and always gets his pay ; he studied under Judge Bazil Harrison, a cousin uf William Henry Harrison, 
who was believed to be the most learned and successful doctor (of cancer) in the United States; he died 
at the age of 103 years and 6 months at Prairie Ronde, Mich., Aug. 30, 1874. 

JAMES HATTON, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0. Fall River; 300 acres, all fenced; born at Brad- 
ford, England, July 19, 1830; son of Joseph and Mary (Robertshaw) Hatton ; settled here in August, 
thirty years ago. Married, April 3, 1867, at Coui-tlani, by Rev. William Lithrop, to Hannah, daughter 
of Thomas and Sarah (Greenwood) Waterworth ; Mrs. Hatton was born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 10, 
1844; had five children— Mary Jane, born March 9, 1868; Sarah Elizabeth, born March 12, 1870; 
Joseph, born March 8, 1873; Grace Annise, born April 19, 1875, died March 9, 1879; Nettie Rebecci, 
born April 1, 1878. 



1066 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

NHELDEN E. HE WIIVS, farmer, Sec 29; P. 0. Fall River ; born in Massachusetts in, 
1834; son of Elijah and Sabia A. (Wooster) Hewins ; went to Lorain Co., Ohio, with parents at 18 
months of age, where he lived 10 years; then to Byron, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and, at 14 years of age, 
came to this town. Married, Jan. 15, 1856, at Byron, by Elder Harrington, to AJolia A., daughter of 
Chestes and Olive (Ingals) Thomas; wife born March 13, 1839; had four children — Frank K., born Oct. 
0, 1850 ; Wilbur F., Dec, 21, 1863 ; Mjrtie A., March 4, 1871 ; Homer E., Dec. 5, 1872. Republican 
in politics; Baptist in religion. Has a well-cultivated farm of 216 acres. His brother, George W., wa.s 
in Go. E, 3d W. V. I., and had his arm shot off at the shoulder-joint at the battle of Beverly's Ford ; be 
came home, and, while boarding with Mr. McCoy, in the Lower Town in the city of Fond du Lac, Wis., 
was accidentally burned to death on the night of Sept. 8, 1878, the house being totally destroyed with its 
contents; all the inmates escaped except Hewins, and he, being disabled, perished in the flames; strong 
suspicion.s of foul play were generally entertained at that time ( he having lately drawn his pension), but 
the case was never fully investigated. Hi.s brother, Edwin M., wa.s in the 2d Kan. V. C.; was wounded, 
now lives in Chautau(|ua Co., Kan. Edwin M. and Eliza Shepard, now the wife of Mr. Sweet, were, 
about July, 1847, lost in the woods in Fond du Lac Co., and remained three dajs with nothing to eat, 
except the few berries they could find ; they were discovered only six miles from home, nearly famished. 
The father of Mr. Hewins kept the Crescent House at Appleton three years, and went to California April 
5, 1853; returned March 11, five years later, and died at Pickett's Station three days after, being uncon- 
sciou.s, as reported, from the effect of apoplexy ; it was strongly suspected, however, that his death was the 
result of other causes, as he was in po.ssession of considerable money when he left. 

JOHN HICKS, hotel-keeper. Fall River; born Nov. 27, 1817, at Dresden, Seneca Co., N. Y.; 
son of Asa and Mercy (Robbins) Hicks; settled in this town in 1847, and followed farming twelve 
years; then came to the village, and, five years ago, purchased the Fall River House, where he devotes 
his time and talent to the entertaining of his numerous friends and the public; the e.stimation in which, 
his house is held by the public is ample evidence that he is a square man and knows how to keep a hotel. 
He was married, March 1(1, 1840, in Kalamazoo Co., Mich., 1840, by William Taylor, to Eliza Field (see 
Wm. E. Field); had four children ; none now living ; has one adopted daughtt-r, 15 years of age. Was 
in Co. R, 11th W. V. I.; was out from October, 1861, to Feb. 27, 1863,; was discharged for dis- 
ability. He was one of the first Constables in the town, and occupied the position for many years; was 
Supervisor, etc. He voted for the constiiutiun of Michigan in 1835, and of Wisconsin also. His son, 
Asa Dallas, enlisted and died at Milwaukee in the United States Hopital. 

COL. MARTIN C. HOBART, farmer; P. 0. Fall River; was born in Niagara Co., N. 
Y., in 1835 ; when about a year old, he, with his parents, John S. and Enice Hobart, removed to 
Addison Co., Vt., where they resided on a farm till 1852; emigrating thence to Wisconsin, he located on 
a farm in the town of Fountain Prairie, Columbia Co. Mr. Hobart received a common-school education. 
He enlisted as private in Company B, 7th VV. V, I., at Fall River in 1861, under Col. Van Dore ; was elected 
Orderly Serireant at the organiza'ion of the company; was commissioned First Lieutenant in June, 1862, 
and, Aug. 28 following, was commissioned Captain of his company; he was taken prisoner at the battle 
of the Wilderness in May, 1864, and, while he was held as a prisoner, he was commissioned Major and 
Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment; he was paroled Feb. 22, 1865, exchanged in April following, and 
rejoined his regiment at Blacks and Whites Station, Va., and remained with it till mustered out at Jeffer- 
sonville, Ind., July 2, 1865. Returning then to his home in Fountain Prairie, he has since devoted his 
time to agriculture and stock-raising; he now (jwns a farm of 120 acres in Fountain Prairie and 20 acres 
on Sec. 3, town of Columbus. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Wayne B. Dyrc, 
of Pepin Co., Wis.; their children are Frances M., Mary V. and Burr E. 

JAMES H. HOYT, farnur. Sec. 19; P. O. Fall River; born in Ithaca, N. Y., March 6, 
1841 ; son of Peter B. and Glorane (Malhews) Hoyt; came here at 4 years of age with p^irents ; at 
Columbus some time; then six years in Hampden ; then here. Married, Dec. 22, 1864, by Elder Fish 
(Baptist), at Fox Lake, to Julia, daughter of John and Clarrissa (Lackey) Bliss; Mrs. H. was born at 
Owego, N. Y., April 23, 1845 ; had one daughter who died at 3 weeks of age; has two living — Harvey, 
born Jan. 21, 1869; Myrta Idella, Oct. 2, 1872. Mr. Hoyt's parents were born in New York; wife's 
father died July 16, 1873, of consumption, aged 71 years : her mother is living with her, at the age of 
82 years — a smart, active, jileasant lady (apparently about 65). Mr. Hoyt is Republican; attends Meth- 
odist and Baptist Churches (Ids wife is a Baptist) ; Clerk of district. His father started the first black- 
sinithshop in the t jwnship cif Columbus; set anvil undor a tree and than built a shed over it; when he 
came here, there were only three log houses and an unfisished grist-mill at the village of Columbus. Owns 
80 acres. 



TOWN OF FOUNTAIN PRAIRIE. 1067 

AUGUST FRRDI!VA\D KIBTZKE, farmer, Sec. 17 ; p. 0. Fall River; born Aug. 
29, 184t>; son of William and Amelia (Kunn) Kietzke ; came to America in 1874. Married, Nov. 5, 
1875, to Albertina Johanna, daughter of Fred and Louisa (Gariie) Gann ; Mra. Kietzke was born Nov. 
5, 1852 ; had one child — Louisa, born April 28, 1877. Was member of Co. 8, 2l8t Regiment, under 
Frederick William, in Gernianj-, Owns 140 acres. 

SAMUEL LASHIEK, wagon-maker and mechanic; P. 0. Fall River; born at Union, 
Broome Co., N. Y., April 22, ISll); son of Aaron and Mary (Roe) Lashier (from Germany and Con- 
necticut); settled in town of Columbus June 12, 1846 ; farming four years; was one of the first Super- 
visors in the town of Columbus, and has held all the ofiBces in town at different times since; was eight 
years Treasurer, and several years Supervisor. Married, April 22, forty-eight years ago (then 22 years 
of age), at Union, N. Y., by Rev. Oliver Hill, to Mary A., daughter of John and Mary (Peck) Durfee ; 
had five children — Harvey F., now in Todd Co., Minn., where he has been County Auditor for eight 
years (he married a widow (formerly Kate Barr\), and has five children — Fred, Ida, Walter, Sam and 
Clara); Ellen L., wife of Walter Slawso.i, whi owns a job printing office in St. Louis, Mo.; Angeline E., 
wife of W. H. Proctor, has six cliildrcn— Nettie, John, Willie, Walter, Clara and Freddie; Nettie, the 
eldest, died at 17 years of age; Mary S., wife of John E. Stittman, died March 31, 1879, left five chil- 
dren — Eddie, John, Arthur, Mary, Martha (died at Orange City, Fla.) ; George S., single, in store at 
Fall River, where he keeps a uencral stock of groceries, etc. 

THEOnORE AUGUST CHARLES MILLER, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Fall River; 
born July 25, 1849, in Germany ; son of Charles and Rosina (Shultze) Miller; came here eleven years 
ago. Married, Jan. 16, 1873, to Minnie Hine, daughter of Michael and Anna (Pralap) Hine ; three 
children— Emma Louisa, born Dee. 31, 1876; Theodore William, Feb. 14, 1877; Elizabeth Mary, Oct. 
10, 1878. Owns 100 acres. 

WILLIAM C. IVASHOLD, former. Sec. 9; P. 0. Fall River; born in Schoharie Co., N. 
Y., in 1818; son of William and GertruJe Nashold ; came to Wisconsin May 3 — twenty-three years 
ago. Was married, Oct. 19, 1846, in Albany Co., N. Y., by Rev. Mr. Leffler, to Eva, daughter of Philip 
and Mary (Sigsbie) Christler, born Oct. 16, 1822. They have had thirteen children — one, Sarah M.,died 
twenty years ago ; Demosthenes D., 37 years of age Feb. 28, 1880, married Sarah Waterworth, living at 
Otsego, has one child. Myrtle ; Jerome R., 35 years of age Feb. 2, 1880, married Clara Tyng, and lives 
on Sec 8 ; Egbert D , 33 years old June 14, 1880, married Malvina Linderman, lives at Solomon City, 
Idaho, and has two children ; Martha E., 31 years of age July 25, 1880, wife of Asbury Kellogg, of 
Moore Co., Iowa, has one child ; William Mason, 29 years of age Dec. 2, 1879 ; Orpha G., 28 years old 
July 11, 1879, wife of John J. Keeley, of Columbus ; OrsivilleH., 26 years old May 15, 1880, wife of John 
F. Rockwell, of Minnesota, has one child ; Emma J., 24 years old July 20, 1880, wife of William J. 
Doherty, of Rio, has two children ; George W., 22 years old May 2, 1880 ; Charles D., 20 years old 
May 2, 1880 ; Ida J., 18 years old Sept. 11, 1879 ; Homer C, 17 years old Feb. 20, 1880. Egbert was 
Corporal in Co. D, 53d W. V. I., and is Sheriff in Idaho, where he also has two hundred miles of mail 
route, by contract ; also succeeded in getting a military post established at Fort Lemhi (two companies), 
after repeated attempts had failed; Keeley I son-in-law) is a teacher; four of the brothers constitute a 
band, of which George W. is the leader, and they play all over the State. Mr. Nashold was a Lutheran 
and a Republican, as are the whole family ; was a teacher thirty-two terms ; he was killed by the accidental 
discharge of his gun, at Cambria, Sept. 4, 1864, he having taken it along to shoot ducks, on his way to 
mill with his son, Jerome, holding it with one hand and driving with the other ; the dog jumped into the 
wagon and so discharged it, the charge entering at his throat and lodging in the brain. He owned 40 
acres of land. 

HEXRY NEWl^HAM. telegraph, station and express agent; P. 0. Fall River; born at 
Summit, Waukesha Co., Wis,, April 25, 1844 ;• son of James and Eliza (Prior) Newnham, of Bexhill, 
Chathiini, Sussex Co., England ; came to this town in 1875 ; was night operator fifteen months at (Lowell) 
Reesville. Enlisted, Sept. 1, 1864, in Co. C, 43d W. V. I.; was discharged Aug. 5, 1865, on general 
order, although at the time he was in hospital at Prairie Du Chien, with lung fever. Mr. Newnfam's 
father was ten years a sailor, and five or six years of that time was a signal man in the English navy; he 
is still liviiii;- at Oeonomowoc, AVis, 

GEORGE IVOLLER, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Doylestown ; born in 1821, at Wurtemberg; 
came here in 1847. Was married at Milwaukee, Wis., to Julia Frey ; they have four children — 
Fred G., born Oct, 1, 1856 ; Charles, born March 3, 1858; Sophia, born March 3, 1860; Julia Louisa, 
born Feb 3, 1864; Fred has been three years in the office of the Columbus Democrat, and has just quit 
to work on the farm for a holiday. Mr. NoUer sent to the Province of Alsace, France, for seed wheat 

BB 



1068 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

three years ago, and from one (|iuirt raised three bushels, the next year forty-five bushels, and last year 
sold two hundred and fifty bushels at 84 per bushel (a bushel weighed sixty-four pounds). Mr. Noller 
owns 120 acres of land. 

WILLI AJI H. PROCTOK, farmer. Sec. 30; P. 0. Fall River; was born in Windsor Co., 
Vt., in 1827 ; his father, Capt. Asa Proctor, was also a native of Wind.sor Co., and obtained his title by 
being Captain of a State militia company there in his younger days ; his mother, Lorena Proctor, was boru 
at Mount Holly, Rutland Co., Vt.; Mr. Proctor is the second of a family of five children, one of whom 
died in Vermont in infancy; two were born in the West; in 1836, his father, with his wife and two chil- 
dren, emigrated to Michigan, and located on a farm in Kalaiuazoo Co.; eight years later, they removed to 
the town of Fountain Prairie, Columbia ( then Portage) Co., and located on a farm on Sec. 30, where his 
father died in 1848, his mother in 1855; his father. Col. J. Drake and James C. Carr, were the first 
inspectors of the first election of the Columbus Precinct of Portage Co., in the fall of 1845 ; William H., 
our present subject, made his home with his parents till their death, and now lives on a portion of the 
homestead; he owns 1(50 acres in Sees. 19 and 30. He has been a member of the Town Boarji, and 
Chairman of the same for four terms. He was married in 1857, to Miss Angeline E.. daughter of Samuel 
and Mary Lashier : a native of Broome Co., N. Y., born in 1838, and emigrated to Columbia Co., Wis., 
with her parents, in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Proctor have sjven children — Ellen L., John S., Willie R., 
Mary E., Walter A., Clara M. and Alfred H. 

THOMAS M. ROBERTS, miller, Fall River; born May 24, 1S58, at Oshkosh, Wis.; son 
of David A. and Anna (Morgan) Rol)irts ; was clerking three years and milling three years; employed 
by E. Evans. 

FRAIVKLIN RUSSELL, farmer; P. 0. Fall River; was born in the town of Windsor, in 
Windsor Co., Vt., Aug. 28, 1805 ; son of John and Elizabeth (Hartwell) Russell, of Massachusetts ; 
settled in Dodge Co. in 1855. made a farm and ran it about thirteen years, then came to Fall River. He 
was married in the town of Stowe. Washington Co., Vt., by Daniel Moody, Esq., July 6, 1828, to Sylvia, 
daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Bigf)rd) Parcher; they have had twelve children — two died young, and 
ten are living, as follows : Cordelia M.. wife of F. H. Coon, of Fall River, who has twochddren — Ada, wife 
of Charles Taylor, an 1 Nina, wife of Arthur Haughton, of Dodge Co., Wis.; Susan J., wife of David Ash, 
of Dakota, who has six children — Adelaide, Edward, Clarence, Lily, Burt and Dora (Adelaide is the wife of 
Charles Wells, of St. Lawrence, N. Y.; Edward's wife was a Martin, and Lily is the wife of W. H. Blanchard ) ; 
A. H., married Mary A Brayton, of Portage, and has three children — May, Jay and Inez; R. P., mar- 
ried Delia Gilson, now at Wrightstown, Wis., and has six children — -Betsey, Ella, Wilbur and Willard 
(twins), Minnie and Rena ; Z. B., married Nov. 20, 181)5, at Fox Lake, to Lizzie Simpson, formerly from 
Ohio, they have two children, Julia and Mattie (Z. B. is a Republican and a Methodist ; was several years 
Treasurer of the town ; lost a leg at South Mountain, and is drawing a pension ; runs a cigar factory and 
restaurant, and also keeps a stock of groceries, flour, etc.; the parents of Mrs. Z. B. Rus.sell were R. C. 
and Matilda (Culver) Simpson, he being a native of New York and she of Pennsylvania ; Mrs. Matilda 
Simpson died at Wyocena in April, 1873, aged 66 years, and R. C. Simpson is living, at the age of 77, 
with his daughter, .Mrs. Z. B. Russell, at Fall River; Mrs. Z. B. Russell was 37 years old Dec. 25,1879, 
and has three brothers and two sisters living; one of them (Henry) was in the army ; Mr. Simpson came 
here in 1849) ; Betsy A., wife of E. F. Russell, of Dakota, has one child, Sylvia (she (Betsey) was the 
widow of (iilman Eno, by whom she had two children, Reuel and Derell) ; Philura, wife of Charles Thomp- 
son, of Dakota, she has two children, Jennie and Irving ; Franklin, married in Minnesota, and has one 
girl, Cora; Ezra W., is single, and runs a barber shop and notion store at Ashland, Wis.; Priscilla A., died 
Sept. 8, 1864, aged 16 years. Mr. Russell has seven great-grandchildren — two in Adelaide's family, in 
New York, and one in Edward's family, at the same place* Ada Taylor has one ; Nina Haughton has one; 
Betsey has one ; R. P.'s daughter, Ella Bradley, has one. Mr. R. had four sons and three sons-in-law in 
the army ; some of his bro'hers were in the war of 1812 ; Mrs. R.'s father was a captain in the war of 
1812, and her brother a soldier ; she had four brothers and five sisters. Mr. Russell was a seventh son, a 
Republican, a Methodist, and a radical total abstinence man, but never signed a pledge ; he used tobacco 
five years, and then quit both smoking and chewing. 

JAMES RAIVDALL, farmer. Sec. 34; P. 0. Fall River; born in Stafford, Genesee Co., N. 
Y., July 17, 1844. [See Spencer Randall.] Married in Stafford by Rev. Ambrose Burlington, to Mary, 
daughter of Frank and Lucy ( Deming) Cash ; had one son, died five years ago at 3 years of age ; he came 
to this place in 1862, and has been farming ever since; he owns 40 acres and works homestead of 200 
acres. Is a Republican ; Baptist in religion ; prominent temperance and Temple of Honor man. 



TOWN OF FOUNTAIN PRAIRIE. 1069 

SPENCER RANDALL, farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0. Fall River; born iq Stafford, Genesee 
Co., N. Y., March 31, 1837 ; son of Israel and Celia (Watson) Randall, of Vermont ; came to this town 
Oct. )iS, 1860. Married, June 25, 1862, at Stafford by Rev. Aaron Parker, to Jane E. Kellogg, who 
was born in October, 1836, daughter of Russell and Harriet ( Miller) Kellogg ; had five children — Fred- 
die E., died in fijll of 1864; Charles, Hobart, Orrin W., all at home. Mr. Randall is a Republican ; 
attends the Baptist Church, and is at present Chairman of the Town Board (brother of James Randall) 
also a temperance man ; owns 80 acres. 

BENJAJHIIV A. SAGE, blacksmith. Fall River; born Jan. 17, 1834, in Rutland, Vt.; son 
of Benjamin and Margaret (Bassford) Sage; settled at Fall River in spring of 1844 ; followed farming 
about twelve years, and then worked at this trade until, nine years ago, he purchased the shop he now 
owns, where he runs a general wagon and blacksmith repair-shop. Married, Jan. 1, 1859, by Rev. Rosen- 
cranz, of Columbus, to Mary L., daughter of Jonathan and Sally A. (Gale) Chase, of New Hampshire 
had eleven children — Mary, died young; Frances A., born Feb. 4, 1860 ; Elmer E., born Oct. 29, 1861 
Benjamin A., born March 7, 1864; George G., born Dec. 28, 1865; William E., bore Nov. 19, 18G7 
Susan M., born Feb. 4, 1870 ; Edgar, twin to one that died, born Aug. 20, 1872; Herbert, born Oct 
21, 1S73; Mary L., born Oct. 11, 1875; Claude, born Aug. 18, 1879. Mr. Sage is a Democrat 
Baptist, and ultra temperance man ; was United States blacksmith in the army until he had smallpox 
and was discharged (he was stationed at Memphis, Tenn.) ; was several years Town Clerk, and from 1868 
to present time Di-trict Clerk, and for nine years a Justice of the Peace, in a Republican town ; we are 
indebted to Mr. Sage for assistance rendered while engaged on this work. 

ANTHONY SNOWI>EN, fiirmer. Sec. 17 ; P. O. Columbus; born in Yorkshire, England, 
in 1830 ; son of Anthony and Betsey (Atchison) Snowden ; came here in 1847 ; had three brothers and 
three sisters, all dead but Thomas, who is now in England, raising cattle, sheep, butter, etc.; lived with 
Mr. Pearson and Whitfield until he built a house two years later, traded at Columbus where there was a 
mill, tavern, .store and one house ; only four of those living at Columbus at that time are now living ; 
never married ; 160 acres, 100 cultivated. 

WILLIAM SUGDEN, farmer. Sec. 2; P. 0. Fall River; born Nov. 28, 1824, at Lidget, 
Yorkshire, England; son of Abraham and Ann (Riley) Sugden ; came from birthplace April 28, 1858, 
landed May 12, and got to Wisconsin May 19 ; twenty years on Sec. 36 in Courtlaud, then here. Mar- 
ried at Yorkshire in 1846, by Rev. Mr. Smith, to Ann Appleyard ; had two children, both died in 
England. Married second time at same place, to Susanna, daughter of Joseph and Sally Bancroft ; had five 
children, all dead but one, John, who is now at Edgar, Clay Co., Neb , and married to Emily Dann, of 
Cuurtland. Married third tiine Jan. 26, 1866, by Rev. J. T. Woodhead at Fond du Lac, to Hannah, 
daughter of Peter and Henrietta Wright ; had one child, which died youu<r. Married fourth time, March 
16, 1868, by Elder Brown, of Fountain Prairie, to Ellen Baxendall, daughter of P. P. and Jenny (Thorn- 
burg) Baxendal! ; had six children, four of them living — William Robert, born Oct. 27, 1869; Phineas 
Ralph, born June 11, 1871 ; Angenette, born Nov. 20, 1872 ; Hannah Ann Alice, born Nov. 10, 1879. 
Owns 260 acres, 90 acres of which are ctaltivated. 

JACOB SWARTHOUT, "farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Fall River; born in Chenango Co., N. 
Y.; son of Thomas and Mary (Schumaker) Swarthout, of Pennsylvania ; settled on the farm he now owns 
in the fall of 1843. Was married at Dundee, Yates Co., N. Y., by P]lder Martin to Rachel Smaully, 
Sept. 20, 1839; had two children — Mary, born, 1840 (now wife of Lewis Birdsey, of Columbus), 
Josephine, 1850 (now wife of William Conger, an engineer of Brookfield, Mo.); married- a second time, 
Dec. 9, 1852, at home of the bride, by Elder Rosencrans, to Caroline A daughter of Joseph and Mary 
(Ward) Ma'hews; had six children — Andrew H. born Jan. 31, 1855; Ella B., Dec. 11, 1857; Carrie, 
Feb. 24, 1859 ; Eddie M., Jan. 1, 1861, died Feb. 20, 1880 ; John Jacob, born June 30, 1862; Willie, 
Oct. 11, 1866. Mr. S. is a straight-out temperance man ; Republican in politics; Methodist in religion. 
Was some years Treasurer and Supervisor. His grandfather, John Swarthout, was a New Jersey man, 
and held a commission as Captain under Giorge Washington in the Revolutionary war ; his uncle, Daniel 
Swarthout, was a non-commissioned officer in the war of 1812 ; Mr. S. relates that soon after they settled 
here, a severe wind took the roof off the house, carrying with it his sister Mary (since wife of F. .M. Black, 
of Columbus, and died in August, two years ago), about eighty rods into a grove of small timber ; himself 
and mother and Wiliard Grant were in the lower part of the house, and were uninjured except a slight 
bruise on his mother's arm by a falling joist; Mary received no permanent injury ; he also states that in 
July, 1858, a gale of wind completely divested some farms of their crops and fences, and wrecked the 
dwellings of Mr. Hurd and Morey, and that a stranger stopping at the time with Mr. Morey received 



lOrO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

injuries from the eflFect of which he subsequently died. Mr. Conger, the husband of Josephine, was in 
the 3d W. V. C. about three years. 

MARVIN R. THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Fall River; born Nov. 12, 1823, at 
Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio, son of B. C. and Abigal (Sauger) Thomas, formerly of Connecticut 
and later of New York, came to Columbus and commenced blacksmithing in lS-t6, built the second 
fire ever started in Columbus, (out of doors and then built a shop over it), settled here in 1857. 
Married, Dec. 24, 1852, on Sec. 19, by Rev. Mr. Green, Methodist minister, to Lorinda E. M. 
Tripp, who was born April 6, 1824. at Oswego, N. Y., daughter of Elisha and Polly E. ( Beebee) Tripp ; 
have two children — George Clarence, born June 24, 1855 ; Heleo L., Oct. 5, 1857, now at Augusta, 
Wis., in milliner's trade, formerly a teacher. Mr. Thomas is Liberal in politics and religion, and often 
splits the tickets in both cases; his son, George C., has been a t«acher three years; his wife nine years a 
teacher in New York and Wisconsin. The father of Mrs. Thomas died Jan. 15, 1856, of heart disease, 
and it was often said of him that he was never heard to utter an oath. When Mr. Thomas settled here, 
it was sparsely settled and times hard, and he relates that a Mr. Proctor living near by once invited a 
neighbor to take supper with him, which they did; they had break and milk, and he afterward discovered 
that his wife went without, as there was not enough to " go round." Mr. Proctor afterward became 
somewhat noted for his liberality, and acquired a competency. They had to go to Jeiferson Co. for 
provisions, and Mr. Thomas took his plowshare on his back, and went on foot to that place, over thirty 
miles, to get it repaired. Mrs. Thomas taught the first school in this part of the town in a board 
shanty, where the cemetery is now located ; her father's father, Calvin Tripp, was a soldier at Valley 
Forge, and died at the age of 88 years in 1846. Mr. Thomas was the youngest of a family of thirteen 
children ; the mother of Mrs. Thomas — Mrs. Tripp — was the eldest of twelve children, and the only one 
living ;. she is now with Mrs. Thomas, 88 years of age, in possession of her faculties, a pleasant, sprightly 
lady, with good memory, and a " conversationalist " in all that the name implies. Owns 100 acres. 

JOHN WATERWORTH, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Fall River; born July 10, 1852; son 
of Thomas and Sarah ( Greenwood ) Waterworth. Married April 9, 1 878, to Christina, daughter of Fred- 
erick and Sophia (Baker) Brightendorf ; no children. The father of Mrs. Brightendorf came here in 
1853 with a capital of $300, and has by industry and judicious investments accumulated a comfortable 
fortune. Owns 80 acres. 

JOSEPH WOODHEAD, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Fall River; boru Sept. 10, 1818, near 
Bradford, in Yorkshire, England; son of Benjamin and Elisabeth (Roper) Woodhead, who settled in this 
town in 1848, Married, Aug. 10, 1846, at Town Church, near Leeds, Sarah Haley, daughter of 
Thomas and Susan (Taylor) Haley ; she was born Dec. 15, 1822, in the same town as her husband ; have 
ten children — Susan, boru Dec, 14, 1848; Benjamin F,, July 2, 185 i, married to Sarah Jane Hardy, 
Webster Co., Neb.; Emma Jane, Aug. 3, 1853, died at 15 months of age; Ida, born April 10, 1855, 
wife of Geo. W. Harrison, of Bradford, England — now in Rush Medical College — some time a teacher 
(has three children — Bruce, David C, and Wallace Earll); Thomas E., May 24, 1857; Salina A., July 
17, 1859, wife of Lewis Robinson — one child, Mabel M.; Charles F., Deo. 29, 1861, at home unmarried; 
Newton H., Nov. 14, 1864 ; Joseph, Oct. 25,1866; Herbert H., Dec. 30, 1868. Mr. Woodhead is 
Democratic and Free Trade; worked in a coal mine from 62 years of age to 25, then struck for wages 
with about 300, all went back but three, of whom he was one, the other two went in three months ; he 
then went to shoemaking in Lancaster for his uncle Joseph 'VVoodhead, and for himself there and since 
coming here, fifteen years at trade at Columbus, most of the time for Thomas Swarthout, then two years 
at Doylestowu,»and now at his trade and farming. Owns 129 acres. 



TOWN OF WYOCENA. 

WILLIAM BRITTONALLEGAR, farmer, Sec. 33; P.CWyocena; born July 5, 1846, 
in Columbia Co., Penn.; son of Henry Allegar, who removed to Livingston Co., N. Y , when he was 8 
years old, and went to Iowa in 1875, and now lives in Clinton Co., that State. William B. came to Wis- 
consin in 1867, and lived in Leeds, Columbia Co., one year, then in Randolph one year, where he was 
married, Dec. 4, 1870, to Maritta Be.ssac, who was born June 30, 1847, in the city of Hudson, N. Y. ; 
daughter of Henri L. and Amanda (^Mosier) Bessac, who came to Wiscon.«n in the fall of 1850 aad settled 
in Randolph, where he died in May, 1853. Mrs. Bessac aflerw.ird married Dr. N. D. Satterlee, and died 
Jan. 30, 1861, in her 36th year. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Allegar went to Iowa ; lived in Hardin 
Co. four years and in Clinton Co. two years ; in the fall of 1876, he came back to Wisconsin and bought 



TOWN OF WYOCENA. 1071 

the farm he now owns. Has three children — Frank, born Nov. 22, 1871 ; C. L. G. (a girl), Sept. 6, 1873, 
and Maud, Aus;. 28, 1878. Is Treasurer of the School District, and in pilitics a Greenbacker. Has 160 
acres of land. When Mr. Bessac settled in Randolph, he moved into his house before the lower part was 
finished, and one night, while the family occupied the chamber, a pack of wolves came in and took posses- 
sion of the lower rooms, where they remained till morning without being disturbed. 

YATES ASHIiE Y, miller, and at present mail agent on the C, M. & St. P. R. R., Pardeeville ; 
was born Sept. 10, 1824, in West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y.; son of Daniel and Hetty (Cooper) Ash- 
ley, who removed to Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y., when he was 3-] years old ; he studied civil engineer- 
ing and surveying while at school, but spent his early life (after he left school), clerking in the mercantile 
business; in the spring of 1844, he went t) Madison, Ind., and ran a store there nearly a year, then 
came to Milwaukee, where he followed the same business till April, 1840, then came to Pardeeville to take 
charge of the business of John S. Pardee, not only selling goods but keeping his books and acting as his 
agent, having a s;eneral oversight of all his business in that place, where he remained till September, 1852, 
then went to Whitewater, Wis., and stayed one year, still clerking ; then spent two years in the engineer 
corps of the old Milwaukee & La Crosse R. R. Co.; in the spring of 1855, he purchased a quarter-interest 
in the flouring and grist-mill at Pardeeville, and has resided in that village ever since, though for the last 
eleven years he has been employed by the Post Office Department, first as route agent five years, then as 
postal clerk five and a half years, and, for the last six months, route agent again, on the C, M. & St. P. 
R. R.; was Postmaster two years in Pardeeville, and had charge of the office when first established, though 
not appointed as Postmaster till some time after. Was married, Oct. 4, 1855, to Virginia M. Pardee, who 
was born Jan. 25, 1835, in Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio; daughter of John and Eunice (Chamberlain) 
Pardee. (See biography of Charles J. Pardee, of Pardeeville. ) Mrs. Ashley's brother, John S. Pardee, 
in company with W. W. Haskin, made the first improvements in Pardeeville, and the village took its 
name from him. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley have four children — Jerry Stanley, born Sept. 12, 185(i ; Ernest 
P., Feb. 15, 1862 ; Lewis P., June 15, 1868, and Jessie Helen, Aug. 8, 1870 ; lost one daughter, Carrie 
Frances, who died in October, 1863, aged 3 J years. Mr. Ashley was an old-time Whig, and h as been a 
Republican ever since the party was organized ; he represented his district in the Assembly two successive 
terms, to wit, in 1863 and 1864, and was a member of the Board of the Hospital for the Insane, at Mad- 
ison for eight years ; has 50 acres of land connected with his home in Pardeeville, and still owns a half-inter- 
est in the flouring-mill at that place. 

A. BATES, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Wyocena ; born Sept. 5, 1822, in Preble Co., Ohio; son 
of John Bates, a native of Ireland, who removed to Carroll Co., Ind., in 1835, from Ohio. Mr. Bates 
was married in that county May 15, 1848, to Elizabeth Cline, who was born Jan. 7, 1824, in Mus- 
kingum Co., Ohio; daughter of Jacob Cline, a native of Ohio. Mr. Bates came to Wisconsin in 1849; 
lived in Springvale, Columbia Co., about five years, and in April, 1854, removed to his present location; 
has eight children — John W., Charles, Thomas, Michael W., Mary E., Amanda M., Robert B., Geo. R. 
and Sarah Ann. Is Republican ; has 147 acres of land, and himself and wife Universalists. 

JEREMIAH BliAISDELIi, farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Pardeeville; born Sept. 11, 1798, in 
Rockingham Co., N. H. Was married, Feb. 7, 1822, to Abigail Brown, who was born March 28, 1803, 
in Deerfield, Rockingham Co., N. H. Mr. Blaisdell came to Wisconsin in July, 1852, and settled on the 
farm he now occupies ; he learned the carpenter trade when young, commencing at the age of 1 6 ; worked 
in Boston seven years, and followed the business altogether about thirty years. Has five children living — 
Enoch B., lives in Iowa ; Abigail, now Mrs. R. M. Haynes, of the town of Wyocena ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
Daniel Marston, of Pacific ; Rosetta, now Mrs. A. W. Diefendorf, of Wyocena, and Warren, living on the 
homestead ; lost four — Alpheus J., died Oct. 15, 1834, aged 7 years; Ruth, died Aug. 21, 1831, aged 2 
years; John, died Jan. 12, 1835, 6 months old, and Alpheus S., died Jan. 21, 1875, in his 35th year. 
Mr. and Mrs. Blaisdell are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church; he is a Republican, and has 160 
acres of land. Warren Blaisdell was born Aug. 18, 1844, and was married Dec. 5, 1864, to Mrs. Mary 
Gibbs, daughter of John S. Diefendorf, a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y., who came to Wyocena in 
1846 ; she was the widow of B. F. Gibbs, who died May 19, 1861, aged 30 years ; she has two daughters 
living — Alice M., now Mrs. Albert Phillips, of Portage, and Emma F., now Mrs. 0. F. Harter, of 
Wyocena ; has no children by her second marriage. 

<^EOR4]rE BRIFFETT, hotel-keeper, Pardeeville; born May 31, 1.S25, in Somersetshire, 
England; his father died while he was a child, and, in 1839, he, with a brother two years older, came to 
America, and lived in Onondaga, N. Y., about a year ; he then came to Wisconsin, and worked at brick- 
making about seven years in Kenosha; enlisted in Milwaukee, in the fall of 1847, in the 4th U. S. 
Infantry, and was in the Mexican war, under Gen. Zach Taylor, about eighteen months ; after the close of 



1072 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the war, he went from Vera Cruz to Florida, about the 1st of June, and remained there till the last of 
August, and was then discharged ; he then came back to Wisconsin, and June 26, 1849, was married in 
Racine Co. (now Kenosha) to Theressa E. Dean, daughter of Jabez Dean, an old soldier of the war of 
1812; immediately after marriage, he came to Columbia Co., and put up a frame for a house, where 
Portage now stands, but failing to get lumber to inclose it, he became discouraged, and left it ; he then 
located on Sec. 12, in what is now the town of Wyocena, and has followed teaming and farming ever 
since (except when in the army), till November, 1879; then exchanged one of his farms for the hotel in 
Pardeevillo, known as '• Diamond Hall," and has kept it since that time ; in August, 1864, he enlisted in 
the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, and was in the service about eleven months, most of the time on the 
Potomac. Has six children — -Geo. and Charles, living in Wyocena ; Arthur; Sarah, now Mrs. John 
Brush, of Springvale; Mary, now Mrs. John Hepler, of Pardeeville, and Ella, at home. Has a farm of 
160 acres on Sec. 12, in Wyocena. 

JAIIES BRIFFETT, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Wyocena; born July 28, 1820, in Somerset- 
shire, England ; came to America in 1856 ; settled in the town of Wyocena, and has resided there ever 
since. Was married in England, in 1844, to Mary Ann, daughter of James Davis; has seven children — 
George, lives in Winona, Minn.; Henry, in Lincoln Co., Minn.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. G. V. Johnson, in 
Hennepin Co., Minn.; Nathaniel, born in England, now at home; Jane, is now Mrs. Ira Hall, of Poy- 
nette. Wis.; Frank, is iu Lincoln Co., Minn., and Ellen Mary, at home ; has lost four children ; three died 
in infancy in England, and James served three years in the 3rith W. V. L, Co. D, and died in Minnesota, 
in 1877- from disease contracted in the army; George served three years in the 2d W. V. I.; was 
wounded by a musket-ball through the right shoulder, in the first battle of Bull Run ; he was afterward 
taken prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg, and paroled on the field. Mr. Briffett is a Republican, and 
has 320 acres of land. 

AliANSOX A. BULL, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Wyocena; was born Feb. 8, 1804, in the 
town of Wallkill, Orange Co., N. Y. His father, Ebenezer Bull, had a set of blacksmith's tools on his 
farm to do his own work, and Alanson learned the trade at home before he was 21 years old ; when he 
first went out for him.self, he worked at blacksmithing for the Government two and a half years at West 
Point. He was married, Jan. 27, 1828, to Martha Jane, daughter of John Brooks; she was born in 
New York City Jan. 21, 1810. After his marriage, he worked at farming two and a half years; then 
worked at his trade again one winter; then kept a hotel in the town of Monroe, Orange Co., one year; 
then followed lumbering two years ; then sailed a sloop on the Hudson River one season, and then bought 
a blacksmith's shop at West Point and worked there two years. In the spring of 1840, he went to New 
York City, and engaged in the milk and butter business ; also had a slaughter-house in Hoboken, and u 
market in New York. He followed business there till the fall of 1848, then came to Wisconsin, and set- 
tled in Wyocena Village ; he kept a hotel there sixteen months, in a house commenced by Maj. Dicka- 
son before his death. In the spring of 1850, he sold his lease and removed to his farm, which he had 
located in August, 1848, and where he has since resided. He has but two children living — Benjamin 
Franklin, who lives in the town of Lowville, and John Alanson, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Have lost 
four children — Andrew Jackson, died in New York in 1840, aged 14 years ; Mary Ann, died in 1839, 
at West Point, aged 11 years; Stephen Decatur, died in New York in 1840, aged 4 years; Sarah Eliza- 
beth, married Samuel Barnett, of Cleveland, Ohio, and died in August, 1877, aged 44, leaving a family . 
of eight children. Mr. Bull is a Republican, and has 240 acres of land. 

HENKY S. CALVERLE Y, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. O. Portage City ; was born Dec. 7, 1855, 
in the town of Pacific, Columbia Co., Wis.; son of Stephen Calverley. (See his biography.) He was 
married, March 6, 1877, to Florence C. Meriton, who was born May 3, 1856, in Portage City, daughter 
of H. Meriton, a surveyor, and native of England, now living in Portage. Mr. and Mrs. Calverley have 
but one child — Margaret, born Oct. 12, 1878 ; have one adopted son — Andrew, about 10 years old. Mr. 
Calverley is a Republican ; has been Treasurer of the School District, and has 122; acres of land. Mrs. 
Calverley is a member of the Episcopal Church. 

STEPHEN CAL.VERLEY', Sr., farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Portage City; was born ^larch 
5, 1820, in Yorkshire, England ; son of Stephen and Mary (Wilson) Calverley. He was married Nov. 22, 
1844, in Slaidburn, England, to Ann Slioger, who was born Aug. 2, 1825, in Slaidburu, daughter of Henry 
Slinger. Mr. Calverley came to America in 1848, and settled in what is now the town of Pacific, being the 
first settler in the town except those belonging to the garrison of Fort Winnebago; lived on Sec. 13, in 
Pacific, till June, 1876 ; then removed to his present location. ' He is a Republican, straight, and was 
either Chairman or Side Supervisor most of the time he lived in Pacific; has also been Town Treasurer, 
and, when the town was first organized, was Assessor for nine years ; has been Chairman of Wyocena two 



I 



TOWN OF WYOCENA. 1073 

years. He has seven children living;- — Stephen, Henry, Mary (now Mrs. Orlo Patchen, of Wyocena), Ann 
(now Mrs. Daniel Smith, of Franklin Co., Neb. ), Lucy, Ellen and Elizabeth ; his oldest child, Margaret, 
died Jan. 15, 1874, aged 26 years ; Stephen was born May 4, 1850, and was the first white child born in 
the town of Pacific. Mr. Calverley has divided up 412 acres of land between his two boys and has 93 
acres left. 

KORHIAIV COAPMAN (deceased); was born in Hallsville, Montgomery Co., N. Y., July 26, 
1830 ; was married Jan. 13, 1852. in Arcadia, Wayne Co., N. Y., to Kate B. Smith, who was born May 

5, 1828. in Ghent, Columbia Co., N. Y., daughter of Jeremiah and Christiana (Van Valkenburgj Smith. 
Mr. Coapman came to Wisconsin with his family in March, 1855, being on the first passenger train that 
crossed the suspension bridge at Niagara Falls. They located at that time in the town of Wyocena ; lived 
on the Ellis farm one year, then removed to the village of Wyocena, and resided there till his death, April 

6, 1878. He left a widow and four children. The oldest daughter, Alice T., is the wife of Elmer Food, 
Principal of the high school at Lodi, Wis. ; Ida M. is the wife of F. W. Farrington (dentist), of Wyo- 
cena ; the two sons, W. J. and Lynn N., reside in Wyocena. Mr. Coapman enlisted Oct. 9, 1861, in the 
8th W. V. I., but the band, to which he belonged, was mustered out of service by special order, 
in 1862. After he returned from the army, he went into the grocery business, but sold out when 
the La Crosse Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was built, and was the first agent 
appointed by the company at Wyocena, and held the position till his death, except about eight months, 
while he was learning to telegraph. At his death, his son, W. J., was appointed in his place, and still 
retains the position. Mr. Coapland was a Republican in politics, and held several town offices during 
his residence in Wyocena ; was Chairman, Supervisor and Town Clerk a number of years. In religious 
belief, he was a Universalist. His ancestors were among the first settlers of the Mohawk Valley, in Now 
York, and the farm on which he was born and raised was in possession of the Coapman family over one 
hundred years. His great-grandfather, Abram Coapman, held a major's commission under Gen. Stark, in 
the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather, Jacob Coapman, held a captain's commission in the war of 
1812. His father, John Coapman, was a militia Captain in Montgomery Co., N. Y. Mr. Coapman had 
three brothers in Wisconsin — Anson lives in the town of Pacific, Columbia Co. ; Abram is station agent 
at Reesville, Dodge Co.; and James W. is District Attorney of Kewaunee Co. Had one sister — Mary E., 
no^ Mrs. Charlan Eastman, of Moravia, Cayuga Co., N. Y. Mrs. Coapman and the two sons occupy the 
homestead, 80 acres with a fine brick residence. 

RKV. JABEZ B. COLiE, Pastor of the Lamartine Methodist Church ; was born in Lin- 
colnshire, England, Feb. 12, 1845 ; he is the son of Rev. Thomas Cole and Elizabeth Brown, and with 
them, May 4, 1845, set sail from Liverpool for America, and landed in New York City in June following, 
they came thence to Sheboygan, Wis., where they arrived the 1st day of July; his father purcha.:ed a 
farm in the town of Green Bush, Sheboygan Co., Wis., where he devoted much of his time to farming, 
and was local minister to the First Methodist Episcopal Church of that town. The subject of this sketch 
spent the first nineteen years of his life on his father's farm, and attending the district school ; he united 
with the church at the age of 11, and when 19, he entered as a student of the clas.sical course at Lawrence 
University of Appleton, AVis. ; at the end of six years, on account of limited means and ill health, he was 
forced to leave oif his studies at college ; he soon joined the conference and was ordained local Deacon ; 
in October, 1871, he joined the conference at Milwaukee, and was assigned to the Clinton Circuit; while 
there he pursued the course of study prescribed by the canon ; in 1872, he was sent to the Wyocena 
circuit, in Columbia Co., Wis-., for two years; here, Oct. 13, 1873, he married Miss Cecelia E., daughter 
of A. A. and Ruth Cole, early settlers of WeKsh Prairie, Columbia Co. ; in October, 1874, he was assigned 
to Shawano, Shawano Co., Wis., where he remained in charge of the church for three years ; in 1877, he 
t(ok charge of the church at Markesan, Green Lake Co., and in 1878, came to the Lamartine charge. 
They have three children, as follows : Jessie E., born in 1874; Mary R.. born in 1876 ; Charles F., born 
in April, 1879. 

HENRY CONVERSE, retired farmer, Wyocena; born Dec. 28, 1813, in Randolph, Vt., 
son of Frederick Converse, a native of Connecticut. Mr. Converse left Vermont in March, 1835, stayed 
one year in New Hampshire , then went to Akron, Ohio, where he lived eleven years, working in a stove 
and tin shop. In September, 1847, he Cijme to Wisconsin, and lived in Milwaukee till April, 1851 ; then 
came to Wyocena, where he has since resided, working at farming and mechanical work. He was married 
the first time in Vermont, Dec. 39, 1828, to Charlotte Blodgett, who died Jan. 15, 1842, in Akron, Ohio, 
aged 38, leaving no children. April 23, 1843, at Akron, Ohio, he married Lucy Burnham, who was born 
July 14, 1814, in South Windsor, Conn, (then called East Windsor). She was a daughter of Elijah Burn- 
ham. In politics, Mr. Converse was Republican ; held the office of Chairman four terms, in 1853-54 



1074 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

—57-63 ; was Town Clerk several terms, and was a member of thi Assembly in the Lagishtuij of 1357. 
Mr. am) Mrs. Convcr.se both bolonj; to the Uuiver||jilist Societj'. 

PETER DALTOX, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0. Wyocena ; wis born in 1824 in County Meath, 

Ireland ; son of Thcitnas Dalton, who earn? to Ameriea when Peter was a child and settled in St. Law- 
rence Co., N. Y. Mr. D.ilton came to Wisconsin in 1842, lived in Ricine about eii^htecn years, and, in 
April, 1860, removed to his present location in Wyoeetia. \Va< married in Racine, in H5I), to Elizabeth 
Mack, who was born Feb. 14, 1840, in Vermont, near Rutland, dau^'hter of Patrick Mack; have had 
eleven children, nine of whom are livin<j — .Jane, Ida, Ellen, Sarah, Charles, Elizabeth, Daniel, Harry and 
Kate, all at home ; one died in infancy, and Frank died .Jan. 27, 1880, ai^id 18 years a-id 4 months. Mr. 
Dalton first came to Columbia Co. in 1847, and entered the north half of the southwest quarter of Sec. 25 
in Wyocena, on the 'Jth day of February of that year, and then returned t) Racme and lived there till 
1860. He is a Democrat, and has 280 acres of land in his farm ; both are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

BEN.FA11IX DEY, farmer. Sees. 17 and 28; residence Wyocena ; born Feb. 27, 180(5, in 
Seneca Co., N. Y.; son of David Dey, a native of New York City ; lived in his native county and followed 
farmin'.: till 24 years old, then went into the mercantile business and followed it six years ; then farmed it 
in Leriaweo Co., Mich., two years, and, in the fall of 1844, came to Wisconsin, settled in Wyocena, and 
has been engai^ed in farming and milling ever since, except when in the army. When the war broke out, 
he went to Missouri as wagonuiaster, and, on the 4th of March, 18l)3. enlisted at St. Louis in the 11th 
Mo. V. C, Co. D, and remained in the service till the close of the war; was wounded in the thigh bv a 
niinie ball in the battle of Jacksonport, Ark., and had his horse shot under him at the same time. Was 
married, Jan. 15, 1833, in the town of Romulus, Seneca Co., N. Y., to Margaret T., oldest daughter of 
John Sinclair, a prominent wheat speculator of that county ; has five children living — Thompson, lives in 
the city and State of Oregon, and is a miller by trade ; David M. and Robert P., live in Wyocena Village ; 
Margueretta, is the wife of Judge Harrison Blair, of Union Co., Dakota, and Scott S. attending school and 
about to enter the law office of Wm. M. Vilas; have lost two children — Catharine S., married Frederick 
Yale (see his biography), and died Nov. 10, 1878 ; Benny C, died at the age of 15, in 186(i. Mr. Dey 
is a Democrat, and has a farm of 240 acres. His father, David Dey, was an Orderly under Gen. La Fay- 
ette in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather had a colonel's commission, and furnished supplies for 
the army. His residence in Bergen Co., N. J., was the headquarters of Washington and La Fayette when 
they were in that vicinity. 

€. S. DOrD, farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0. Wyocena; birn May 15, 1824, in Essex Co,, N, Y.; son 
of Samuel Doud, a native of Rutland, Vt. (The name is some'imes incorrectly spelled Dowd.) When 
10 years old, his parents removed to Ohio, and lived in Trumbull Co. from 1834 till 1847, then came to 
Wisconsin and settled in Lowville, and died in 1859, aged (iO. Mrs. Doud (whose maiden name was 
Chloe Leonard) died April 1, 1875, aged 84. Mr. Doud v?as marriid in Ohio, Dec. 31, 1846, to Mary 
Jane Scott, who was born Jan. 10, 1829, in County Tyrone, Ireland, daughter of William Scott, who 
came to America in 1839 and settled in Ohio, In 1850, he came to Springvale, Columbia Co., Wis., and 
died in August, 1877, in bis 75th year. Mr. Doud first came to Wisconsin in 1844; stayed one year, 
and then returned to Ohio; he came again in the spring of 1847; lived the first 3'ear in Lowville, 
and, in December, 1848, removed to his present location, which has been his home since. He enlisted, 
Aug. 30, 1864, in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, Co. M, and remained in the service till the close of 
the war. Has five children — Helen M., Chloe Jane, Virginia, Wm. James and Augusta ; lost one son 
— Winfield, died Aug. 29, 1848, aged 10 months and 10 days. Mr. Doud built the first lime-kiln in 
the county on Sec. 6 in Otsego in 1847, and was the first Pathmaster in this precinct before the organiza- 
tion of the county; has since held the office of Supervisor, and is a Republican; has 120 acres of land. 
Wm. J. (the only .son) was married, Jan. 1, 1880, to Corintha Tillottson, who was born Sept. 17, 1860, 
daughter of Geo. S. Tillott,son, of Hampden, Columbia Co., Wis. 

JOHIV tJ. DUSE\BERY, merchant, Pardeeville ; born in the town of Schodack, 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Dec, 24, 1840; son of Morgan H. Dusenbery ; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 
1860, and settled in the town of Springvale, Columbia Co.; came to Pardeeville in the fall of 1865, and 
commenced sellinsi goods in November, 1873, which business he still continues. Was married Dec. 13, 1871, 
to Emily Hepler, daughter of Killian Hepler, an old resident of Pardeeville ; has two children — Guy, 
born Sept. 12, 1872, and Glen, born Aug. 16, 1876. Is Republican in politics. 

C. Li. EARRINWTOIW, merchant, Wyocena; born Sept. 30, 1818, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
town of La Fayette; came to Wisconsin in 1837 ; lived one year in Milwaukee; then went to Lenawee 
Co., Mich., and followed farming eleven years ; came back to Wisconsin in the fall of 1849, and located 



TOWN OF WYOCEKA. 1075 

on a farm two miles east, of Wyocena Village; lived there till the spring of 1851 ; he then removed to 
the village, and built a store in company with his brother, E. W. Farrington, now of Portage City, which 
was the third store in the place; sold goods there four years ; then went to Marquette Co , and built a 
grist mill at Harrisville, where he did business twenty-one years; then sold out, and, in January, 1876, 
came back to Wyocena, and again went into the mercantile business in company with his son, Willard ; 
firm name, C. L. Farrington & Son, where he still continues to do business. He was married, March 20, 
1853, in Wyocena, to Nancy, daughter of Darius and Lucena Lobdell, who came from St. Lawrence Co., 
N. Y.. to Wisconsin in 1849 ; she was born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y., Jan. 17, 1836 ; have 
two children — Willard C, born Jan. 26, 1856; married Nov. It), 1877, to Inez Huyck, and in company 
with his brother in the dry-goods business; Emerson L , the youngest son, was born Dec. 19, 1869. Mr.s. 
Farrington is a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Farrington is a Congregationalist, and Republican 
in polities. 

BKVAN GORMAN, farmer. Sec. 33; P. 0. Wyocena; was born in 182G in County 
Meath, Ireland ; son of Wm. and Catharine Gorman ; his mother died when he was about 2 years old, 
and his father came to this country in 1834; settled in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and died there; Mr. 
Gorman came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1848 ; lived in Racine one year, and in the fall of 1849, came 
to Columbia Co., and located in Wyocena, where he has since resided. Was married in Canada, in the 
summer of 1848, to Mary Williams, who was born in Wales; daughter of Evan Williams; have had 
eleven children, ten of whom are living — Wm. W., Catharine, Jane, Christopher, John C, Michael W., 
Mary Ann, Harriet E., Elizabeth A. and Lorena M.; one child died in infancy. All are members of the 
Catholic Church. He has 180 acres of land, and in politics votes for the best man. 

H. GL'NDERSON, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Wyocena; born Ocd. 15, 1830. in Norway; son 
of Gunder Halverson, who came to America in 1851, and now lives in Dakota; Mr. Gunderson went to 
sea when about 18 years of age, and followed that business till 1851 ; in 1850, while making a trip from 
Liverpool to New Orleans, on board the Leonidas, of Baltimore (which took three months"), they were 
driven from their course by a storm, and before they reached port, lost about one hundred passengers by 
yellow fever ; he was in the hospital at New Orleans about two weeks with the same disease ; after his 
recovery, he made another voyage to Europe, staying some time in France, and finally brought up in New 
York City in 1851 ; came to Wisconsin in July, 1852, and lived in Whitewater till the spring of 1869 ; 
worked the first five years in a warehouse for Marsh & Putrits ; then worked seven years in a paper-mill ; 
dealt in stock, and kept a meat market one year, and was four years in the Esterly Reaper Works; then, 
in the spring of 1869, removed to his present location. Was married in Whitewater, in 1855, to Cornelia 
Taigosan, a native of Norway, who came to America with her parents in 1852 ; has seven children — 
('arrie A., Annie C, Amelia G., Halbert M., Louisa M., Henry A. and Thomas 6. Has 160 acres of 
land ; Lutheran and Republican. 

W. W. HASKIIV, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Pardeeville; born Jan. 8, 1815, in Castleton, Vt.; 
left there in 1837 ; went to Rochester, N. Y., and tended bar at the " Eagle Tavern " one year ; then went to 
Lyons, Wayne Co., and went to clerking in a dry-goods store ; in 1840, engaged with Gerdon Merrell to 
come to Wisconsin, and clerked for his brother, Henry Merrell, at Ft. Winnebago, from September, 
1840, till January, 1842, and, in the mean time, was appointed Sheriff by Gov. Doty, which ofiice he held 
two years; after he left the fort, he clerked for Finch & Blanchard, of Madison, about one jear and a 
half, at the same time acting as Deputy Sheriff, under A. A. Bird, two years, being employed as clerk in the 
store of the " American Fur Co.," at Ft. Winnebago, the last six months of the time. In July, 1845, 
he returned to New York, and was married in Lyons, Wayne Co., in September, 1845, to Miss Rosette 
Carpenter, daughter of Samuel Carpenter ; he then came back to Wisconsin, tended bar in Milwaukee, 
one winter at the " Cottage Inn ; " then went back to Ft. Winnebago, and clerked another year for Mr. 
Merrill ; in May, 1847, he entered 40 acres of land on Sec. 3, where Pardeeville now stands, in com- 
pany with J. C. Pardee, and afterward bought 160 acres more, and built the first house in Pardeeville, 
into which he moved in January, 1848, and has resided in the village ever since ; has four children liv- 
ing — Julia, now Mrs. A. B. Wheeler, of Pardeeville ; Ella, now Mrs. W. K. Rogers, of Leon, Monroe 
Co., Wis.; Don and Frank, both at home ; lost two — Etta died April 15, 1853, aged 11 years, and Lillian 
died April 13, 1852, aged 2 years and 7 months. Mr. Haskin is a Republican, and held the office of 
Justice of the Peace one year ; has about 100 acres of land, most of it in the village corporation of Par- 
deeville ; his father, T. K. Haskin, came to Wisconsin in 1845; lived at Fox Lake two years; then 
moved into Ft. Winnebago, and kept a boarding-house there about seven years; then came to Pardeeville, 
and died in 1852, aged 72 years. Mrs. Haskin, whose maiden name was Fanny Willis, is still living at 
Pardeeville, keeping house by herself, and doing her own work ; when she was a little over 75 years old, 



1076 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

she walked from Portage City to Pardeeville.a distance of ten miles, making the trip in about three hours ; 
she takes several newspapers, and spends a good deal of her time iu reading, and is very fond of reading 
history ; she was born iu Old Deerfield, Mass., and lier father, Ebenezer Willis, was an old Revolutionary 
soldier. 

KIL.IAN HEPLEK, hotel-keeper, Pardeeviile ; born Aug. 14, 1811, in Columbia Co., Penu.; 
son of George Hepler ; went to Medina Co., Ohio, in 1832, and worked at cabinet-making and manuliict- 
uring fanning-mills till the spring of 1850, then came to Wisconsin and bought some land, in the town of 
Wyocena, then returned to Ohio, stayed through the winter and in the spring of 1851 came on with his 
family and settled in Pardeeviile, where he has since resided ; he was engaged in manufacturing fanning- 
mills and dealing in lumber, till the spring of 1863, then went into the " Hepler House " and has kept it 
ever since. Was married. Nov. 14, 1841, in Ohio, to Elizabeth Renshimer, and has had seventeen chil- 
dren, eight of whom are still living — Margaret, Sarah Ann, Maria, George, John, Emily E., Adam and 
Catherine; those that died were, Mary, Killian, Charles, Frank, William Henry, Rachel Ann, Daniel, 
Samuel and Jacob ; the first and second died in Ohio, Mr. Hepler is a Democrat and owns 40 acres of 
land, the " Hepler House," and .some other village property in Pardeeviile. 

WlLI.iIA]fI JOHIVS (deceased) was born Aug. 12, 1802, in Glamorganshire, South Wales. 
Was married in St. Andrew's Church, Wales, March 8, 1827, to Alice Yorath, who was born about six 
miles from where her husband was born, in the same shire, March 6, 1806 ; came to America in 1841, 
arriving in Boston on the 1st day T)f July, lived there till the fall of 1852; in the butchering and milk 
business ; came from there to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Springvale, Columbia County ; 
lived there till 1868, then sold his form and bought a gristmill in Wyocena. known as the " Bisbee Mill," 
located on Sec. 23, with 40 acres of land on the same section. Here he remained till his death. May 19, 
1875, leaving a widow and six children — David, born June 6, 1828, lives in Tomah, Wis.; Thomas, born 
Sept. 30, 1830, lives in Mitchell Co., Iowa; Shadrach, born Nov. 12, 1832, is a blacksmith in Waupun ; 
Daniel, born Feb. 11, 1836, lives in Harrison Co., Mo. He was a Lieutenant in Co. H, of the 12th Mo. 
V. C, and was in the service during the whole of the war of the rebellion except about a year while he 
was disabled from a gunshot wound in the face, received in action ; the first four boys were born in Wales ; 
Meshack was born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 1, 1843, and was married Nov. 18, 1877, to Anna Margaret 
Farrington, who was born Sept. 12, 1858, in Harrisville, Marquette Co., Wis., daughter of William Albert 
Farrington, who now lives in Dane Co., Wis.; they have one child, Jessie Alice, born March 16, 1879, in 
Saline Co., Neb., where he moved in April, 1878, and where he still owns 160 acres of land; he returned 
to Wisconsin in December, 1879. Is a Republican. The youngest child and only daughter of William 
Johns, Alice, was married to J. L. Lobdell. (See biography of Darius Lobdell. ) Mrs. Johnsand herson 
Meshack occupy the homestead of 40 acres and grist-mill, on Sec. 23, P. 0. Wyocena. 

DARIUS L.OBDELL (deceased) was born Aug. 3, 1808, in Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y. 
Was married in 1832, to Lucena Moxley, who was born in Eden, Vt., Feb. 20, 1814 ; came to Wisconsin 
in November, 1849, and settled on a firm, three miles west of Wyocena, on Sec. 18. He died Aug. 20, 
1852, and Mrs. Lobdell died Feb. 17, 1880, leaving eight children — Nancy (now Mrs. C. L. Farringtnn, 
of Wyocena) ; Augustus (living in Benton Co., Minn. ) ; John L., lives in Wyocena ; William H., in Par- 
deeviile ; Darius, in Wyocena; Ellen, is now Mrs. David B. Johnson, of Richmond, Ind.; Richard, lives 
in Wyocena, and Emma, is Mrs. Hiram King of Dorchester, Wis. Augustus was in ihe navy three years 
during the war of the rebellion ; Darius was in the 16th W. V. I. about two years, and William H. was 
in the 3d Regulars, Co. K, during the whole of the war. John L. was married, Feb. 6, 1878, to Alice C. 
Johns, daughter of William Johns. (See his biography.) She died July 4, 1879, aged 28 years 6 months 
and 24 days, leaving no children. He is a Republican and has 160 acres of land, that his father first loca- 
ted, on Sec. 18 P. 0. Wyocena. 

(wEORGE MUGGLETON, farmer. Sec. 27, and steward at the county house, at Wyocenae 
born Sept. 25,1826, in Leicestershire, Eng., son of Edward Muggleton. Was married in his nativ ; 
place, Aug. 20, 1855, to Harriet, daughter of Isaac Taylor ; she was born March 26, 1827, in the same 
County ; came to America soon after marriage, arriving in New York Oct. 1, 1855 ; came direct to Columbus 
Co., Wis., and lived seven years in Lowville ; in 1862, returned to England and stayed three and a half 
years; came back to Wisconsin in June, 1865, and bought a farm in Wyocena, where they resided till 
April, 1875, when he was appointed to his present position in the county house, and has resided there 
since ; they have three children — Edith A., Ernest E. and Bertha F.; have also one adopted daughter, 
Maria Jane. He has 140 acres of land ; is a Republican, and himself and wife are members of the Bap- 
tist Church. 



TOWN OF WYOCENA. 1077 

ISA.AC OVIATT, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0. Wyocena ; born Nov. 27, 1809, in CamSridge, 
Washington Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled on the farm he now owns. Was married 
in Ohio, Sept. 22, 1836, to Elizabeth McNish, who was born Nov. 4, 1810, in Schenectady Co., N. Y.; 
daughter of James McNish, who went to Ohio in 1832 and .settled in Geauga Co. Mr. and Mrs. Oviatt 
have had eight children, six of whom are living — ^Mary Ann, is now the wife of Henry O. Thrall, of Waseca 
Co., Minn.; Henry M., lives in Wyocena ; James C, lives in Berlin, Wis.; Sarah and Isaac, are living at 
home, and Agnes is the wife of Charles Ellis, of the town of Wyocena ; Elizabeth married Theodore 
Crow, removed to Minnesota and died April 2U, 1875 ; Adaline married Bruce White, and died in 
Dekorra Sept. 9, 1876. Mr. Oviatt is Republican to the backbone, and has 80 acres of land. 

CHARLIjS J. PARDBli, conveyancer, Pardeeville ; born in Wadsworth, Medina Co., 
Ohio, Sept. 5, 1829; son of John Pardee and brother of John S. Pardee, the founder of Pardeeville; 
his early life was spent in his father's store, where he learned the dry-goods business, but carried on busi- 
ness for himself about five years in Ohio before coming to Wisconsin ; he cime to Pardeeville to reside 
iu the spring of 1860, and has made that his home ever since ; was Justice of the Peace several years in 
Ohio and Postmaster three years ; in Wisconsin, he has been Justice of the Peace twelve years. Chairman 
five years, and is the present Town Clerk, although a Democrat in a strong Republican town ; since living 
in Pardeeville, in addition to his official business, .has been engaged in clerking, conveyancing, etc. Was 
married July 15, 1851, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Antoinette, daughter of Reuben Stevens, of Connecticut; 
have three children — Cora E., John Charles and Malcolm Ives, all at home. His brother, John S. Par- 
dee, was born in Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1819 ; when he was 5 years old, his father 
removed to Medina Co., Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business ; he clerked for his father till 1842, 
then carried on business for himself in the same place till 1845, then removed to Milwaukee and opened 
a store, where he continued in busine-s till 1850 ; from Milwaukee, he went to Pardeeville, where he 
already owned property and had been carrying on business for some time; in the spring of 1854, he 
received the appointment of United States Consul to San Juan Del Sur, the Pacific terminus of the 
Nicaraugua route to Calif irnia, where he died about a month after his arrival. Mr. Pardee's father, John 
Pardee, was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1796 ; removed, with his parents, to Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
where he remained and followed farming till 1824 ; then removed to Medina Co., Ohio, and engaged in 
the mercantile business, in which he continued till 1856, then came to Wisconsin and followed the mill- 
ing business in Pardeeville till bis death, June 26, 1873. 

HICKS W. PHELPS, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Wyocena; born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., April 
14, 1808. Was married in 1830, to Harriet Kellogg, of his native county, who died in November, 1861, 
aged 52 ; was again married the same year to Nancy Bloom, whose first husband, Charles P. Bloom, 
enlisted in the commencement of the war of the rebellion, in the 2d W. V. I., Co. G, and was killed in 
the second battle of Bull Run ; he left one daughter — Hattie H., who is now the wife of George M. 
Dallas Wright, a hardware merchant of De Kalb Co., 111. Mr. Phelps came to Wisconsin in 1840, and 
lived in Racine Co., near where the city of Racine now is, till the fall of 1849; then came to Columbia 
Co. and has lived in Wyocena ever since; has only two children ; his oldest child, Cornelia, was married, 
first, to Volney Carpenter, who enlisted in the 19th W. V. I., Co. D, and was killed in action on the 27th 
day of October, 1864; she afterward married a man named McEwen and now lives in Milwaukee; his 
son, Roldun Phelps, is married and lives in Wyocena. Mr. Phelps has no children by the second mar- 
riage ; is a Greenbacker, and has 40 acres of land. His father was Samuel Phelps, one of the first set- 
tlers in Cayuga Co., N. Y. Mrs. Phelps was a daughter of William Dunham, a native of Vermont, who 
was in the war of 1812, and died Jan. 24, 1877, aged 88. Although 72 years of age, Mr. Phelps is 
able to earn .^2.50 a day laying stone. 

CORNELIUS PHILLIPS, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. Wyocena; born in County Louth, 
Province of Leinster, Ireland; son of Patrick and Mary (Skelley ) Phillips ; came to America in 1843 ; 
lived in Kings Co., N. Y., on Long Island, five years, and, in October, 1848, came to Wisconsin ; lived 
in Racine two years, then came to Columbia Co. in September, 1850, and located in Wyocena, where he 
has since resided. Was married. May 21, 1848, in the State of New York, to Mary Heelley, who died 
in Wyocena Sept. 15, 1851, leaving no children; was married the second time, Sept. 4, 1853, to Mary 
Ann Halpin, who was born in County Meath, Ireland; daughter of John Halpin, who came to America 
and died Jan. 28, 1860, aged 68 ; Mr. Phillips has eight children — Edward, James, Cornelius, Eleanor, 
Theressa, Nicholas and Marcella and Mary (twins); the four first mentioned are teachers. Mr. Phillips 
has held the office of Supervisor several terms and has been Clerk and Collector of the school district for 
the last eight years. Is a Greenbacker, and all members of the Catholic Church. Has 180 acres of 
land. 



1078 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

(liKORGE PURVIS, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Wyoceoa ; born April 28, 1826, in Edinburgh. 
Scotland ; son of James I. Purvis. (See his biography.) He remained with his father till 1851, when he 
was married in VVaddington, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., to Margaret Hodg, who died in 1859, leaving one 
daughter — Jane, now Mrs. William Salisbury, of Olmsted Co., Minn. Wa.s married the second time 
Doc. 19, 1865, to Rebecca Babcook, who was born July 22, 1845, in New York, daughter of Daniel 
Babcook, who emigrated to Wisconsin and now lives in Pardceville ; has five children by the second 
marriage — James, Charles, Thomas, Margaret May and George. . He is a Democrat and has been a Super- 
visor three terras. Has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity about eighteen years ; has 240 acres ot 
hind in his home farm and ;{20-acre farm in Olmsted Co., Minn., where he lived about a year and a half 
and then returned to his first love in Wyocena. 

JAMKS I. PURVIS, flirmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Wyocena; born June 4, 1801, in Berwick- 
shire, Scotland; .son of George and Isabel! (Ingalls) Purvis; he was bound out to learn the tailor's trade 
when 10 years old and served till he was 17 ; when 20 years of a.:e, he obtained the position of foreman 
in one of the principal establishments in the city of Edinburgh, where he remained till March 18, 1828. 
Was married in Edinburgh in 1824 to Rebecca, daughter of Walter Wear, a portrait painter or "limner ' 
(as they are called there); she was born Feb. 16, 1802; they started for America on the 4th of March,, 
1828, and landed in New York City on the 2d of May; he lived in New York about six months, then 
Went to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and went into business for himself in the town of Waddington ; three 
years after, he bought a farm of 70 acres in an adjoining town and carried that on in addition to his other 
business till the summer of 1844, when he sold out both and started for Wisconsin, arriving at Racine, on 
the 5th of August; he lived in Racine Co. till Nov. 3, 1847, 'hen came with his family to Columbia Co. 
and settled on the farm he now owns in Wyocena, having purcha.sed about a year previous to that time. 
Mr. and Mrs. Purvis have had ten children, five of whom are still living; George lives on Sec. 13, 
Wyocena; Thomas lives in Olmsted Co., Minn.; John lives on the homestead; Elizarah is now Mrs. B. 
S. Vradenburg, of Sec. 4. Wyocena, and Jane is the wife of Royal Hawkins, of Olmstoad Co., Minn ; 
three children died in infancy ; Rebecca died when 3 years old, and Walter W. died in the army soon 
after the battle of Pittsburg Lauding, in which he was engaged ; was in the 18th W. V. I., Co. F. Mr. 
Purvis is a Republican and has been Town Treasurer three terms and Supervisor several terms ; has thirty- 
four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Purvis are members of the First Congre- 
gational Church of Wyocena. He has 300 acres of land in company with his son John, who was married 
in 1866 to Emma Price and has seven children — Rebecca, Prank, Sarah, James, Walter, Olive and Mary, 
all at hiimo. 

HIRAM W. ROBLIER, farmer, Sec. 15 ; resides at Wyocena; was born May 7, 1824, in 
Big Flats, Chemung Co., N. Y. Was married at Horseheads, same county, in May, 1855, to Deborah 
Rowley, daughter of Judah Rowley; she was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Oct. 7, 1831. Mr. Roblier 
came to Wisconsin in 1853 and lived in Lowville one year ; then removed to Wyocena and has resided 
there since. In polities. Republican ; ha:? held various local ofiices ; was Chairman of the Town Board 
three years, and, in 1858, was elected Superintendent of the Poor of Columbia Co. and re-elected at each 
successive election of the Board and still retains the position ; was Superintendent of Schools two years 
in New York, two years in Pennsylvania, one year in Michigan and two years in Wisconsin ; taught 
school twenty-one terms in the four States above mentioned, and represented his A.ssembly District in the 
Wisconsin Legislature of 1874, receiving 719 votes, against 367 for J. W. Robinson, and received every 
vote except two in his own town. Has no children of his own, but has an adopted son (^ William j about 
10 years old; has 235 acres of land. 

R. O. SPEAR, merchant, grain and stock dealer, and member of the firm of Falkner & Spear, 
of Pardceville ; was born March 1 1 , 1841, in the town of Friendship, Allegany Co., N. Y.; son of Charles 
.(see his biography); remained on the farm with his father till he w.as 21 years old, and, in September, 
1864, enlisted in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, Co. F, and remained in the service till the close of the 
war, as Sergeant of Co. F ; after he returned from the army, was engaged in the grain, stock and produce 
business in Rio, Wis., about four years, in company with 0. D. Van Dusen, firm of Van Dusen & Spear. 
In the summer of 1878, he went to Iowa, and biught 480 acres of land in Lyon Co., which he still owns. 
The next fall he returned to Wisconsin and bought the warehouse at Pardeeville, and engaged in business 
there, which he still continues, buying grain, stock and all kinds of produce. March 8, 1880, he bought 
a one-half interest in the principal dry-goods store of Pardeeville, Mr. Lawton retiring from the firm nf 
Lawton & Falkner, and Mr. Spear taking his place — firm of Falkner & Spear ; keep a general assort- 
ment of dry goods, groceries, hardware, clothing, boots and shoes, Yankee notions, etc. Was married Sept. 
11, 1869, to Sabra B. Rowley, who was born in Chemung Co., N. Y. — daughter of Judah Rowley. Mr. 



TOWN OF WYOCENA. 1079 

and Mrs. Spear have four children — Hiram B., Alice, Eva May and Edith. Has 480 acres of land in 
Iowa, and a residence in the village of Wyocena. 

CHARLES SPEAR, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Wyocena; born in Redding, Windsor Co., Vt., 
May 31, 1812 ; son of Elijah Spear, who emigrated to Allegany Co., N. Y., when he was 10 years old. Mr. 
Spear was married in Cuba, Allegany Co., Nov. 3, 183G, to Electa Talcott, who was born Nov, 4, 1818, 
in Manchester, Conn., eight miles from Hartford — daughter of Rodolphus and Anna Talcott. Mr. Spear 
came to Wisconsin in May, 1845, and lived in Racine Co. till the next February ; in October, 1845, he 
came to Columbia Co., and located some land in Wyocena, on Sec. 22, and came up with a part of his 
goods the next March, and his family came on in June, 1846, and have since made this their home. Has 
seven children — Priscilla (now Mrs. Jesse Seaver, of Milton, Rook Co., Wis.), R. 0. Spear (now resides 
in Wyocefla, and is in the dry-goods business at Pardeeville), Amerett (now Mrs. Hugh Hill, of Saline 
Co., Neb.), Eliza (now Mrs. James Patchen, of Olmsted Co., Minn.), M. W. Spear (living on the home- 
stead), Americus (living in Moody Co., Dakota), and F. N. Spear, the youngest son, 17 years old, at 
home. Mr. Spear is a Republican, and was the first Justice of the Peace in this precinct, before the town 
was organized. He married the seeond, third and fourth couples married in the town, but not the first ; 
has 163 acres of land. Mr. Spear is a member of the Baptist Church. 

HEIirRY C. STANLEY, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Wyocena; born April 22, 1842, in Ran- 
dolph, Orange Co., Vt ; son of Theodore S. Stanley, who came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled in Wyo- 
cena, where he still resides. Henry C. was married, Oct. 1, 1867, to Ada E. Twitchell, who was bora 
Sept. 12, 1848, being the third white child born in the town of Wyocena ; she was a daughter of Moses 
W. Twitchell, a native of New Hampshire, who came to Wisconsin about 1846, and is now living in the town 
of Wyocena. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley have two children — Belle, born May 10, 1870, and Guy, born April 
11, 1879. Mrs. Stanley is a member of the Congregational Church ; he is a Republican, and has held 
the offices of Town Treasurer, Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace; has 220 acres of land in his farm. 
Enlisted in the 23d W. V. I., Co. F, in August, 1862, and was mustered out July 4, 1865 ; was in six- 
teen battles, and received a flesh wound in the arm in a skirmish at Carrion Crow Bayou, in Western 
Louisiana. 

JAUES W. STEELE (deceased) was born Oct. 11, 1837, in Oneida Co., N. Y.; his father, 
James Steele, died when he was 6 years old, and his mother came to Wisconsin in 1845, when he was 
8 years old, and lived in Madison a few years; then went to Elkhorn, Walworth Co., and when he was 
14 years old came to Wyocena ; about two years after she removed to Newark, N. J., where she died when 
he was about 16 years old ; he learned the cabinet-maker's trade in Newark, and worked in that place till 
he was 20 years old ; then came back to Wyocena, and worked at his trade till his marriage, Nov. 8, 1859, 
to Louisa M., daughter of Linus and Nancy Blair, who came from Erie Co., N. Y., to Wisconsin in 1845, 
and came to Wyocena in the fall of 1848, and settled on Sec. 34, two miles south of Wyocena Village, 
where they spent the remainder of their days; he died Deo. 7, 1862, aged 70, and Mrs. Blair died Nov. 
28, 1864, aged 62, leaving four children — William M., Eliza J., Louisa M. and Harrison. Mr. Blair was 
a Deacon in the Congregational Church of Wyocena from its organization till his death Mr. Steele com- 
menced farming in Lowville the spring after his marriage, and in March, 1864, enlisted in the 36th W. V. L, 
Co. H, and was in the service fourteen months ; soon after returning from the army he sold his farm in Lowville 
and bought in See. 34, in Wyocena, lived there three years, and then removed to the village of Wyo- 
cena, and worked at his trade till about two weeks before his death ; then returned to the farm and 
died Nov. 6, 1875, from disease contracted in the army; he left a widow and four children, but was soon 
followed by his two little daughters, who died of diphtheria — Agnes L., on the 9th of November, 1875, 
being the day after her father was buried, nearly 12 years old, and Emma E., the 12th of December fol- 
lowing, aged 9 years; the oldest son, J. Willie, and the youngest, Charlie H., are living on the home- 
stead with their mother. P. 0. Wyocena ; have 120 acres of land. Mrs. Steele is a member of the Con- 
gregational Church. 

W. J. TOWSfER, blacksmith, Wyocena; born Dec. 1, 1823. in St. John's, Lower Canada; 
came to Wisconsin about 1846, and lived in Burlington and Vienna, Walworth Co., till the spring of 
1848 ; then tame to the village of Wyocena, and built the second blacksmith-shop in the village ; lived 
there about three years; then went on a farm three miles east of the village, and lived there till 1870, 
then sold the farm, came to the village, and has worked at his trade ever since ; he is now build- 
ing a hotel which is nearly completed, to be called the " Towner House," a neat two-story frame build- 
ing, 22x22 feet, well located. Mr. Towner was married in Genesee, Walworlh Co., about 1847, to Miss 
A. C. Wood, of Vienna ; has six children living — Thomas, George, Ada, Louisa, Etta and Lottie ; have 



1080 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

lost two — John and Lovina. He enlisted in October, 1864, in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, Co. F, and 
was discharged at the close of the war. 

M. W. TWITCHELt., farmer, Sees. 14 and 23; P. 0. Wyocena ; born March 21, 1810, 
in Sullivan Co., N. H. He was married in Cheshire Co., N. H., Oct. 18, 1842, to Mary M. Mann, who 
was born May 22, 1819, in that county, on the farm formerly owned by her grandfather ; Mr. Twitchell first 
came to Wisconsin in 1846. located land in Springvale, Columbia Co., and then returned to New Hampshire 
for his family ; he arrived in Springvale in June, 1847, and the next October removed to his present loca- 
tion in the town of Wyocena. Have two children — Ada K., now Mrs. H. C. Stanley, of Wyocena (see his 
biography), and Mendelson K., who was born Sept. 30, 1850, and married July 27, 1875, to Miss Mar- 
anda Salsbury, daughter of S. H. Salsbury, one of the first settlers of Wyocena ; they have one child, 
Jesse, born Oct. 8, 1877. Mr. Twitchell is a Republican, and has held the office of Supervisor one year. 
Chairman one year. Town Treasurer and Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds ; owns land; Mrs. 
Twitchell is a Congregationalist. ' 

ISAAC VALEXTIl^E, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Wyocena; was born Aug. 13, 1818, in 
Saratoga Co., N. Y., town of Charlton ; son of John C. Valentine; learned the miller's trade when young ; 
came West in the fall of 1843, and lived in Lake Co., 111., till the spring of 1844 ; then went to Milwau- 
kee, and remained there till the next August ; then lived in Beloit a few months, and went from there to 
Delavan, where he remained three years. He was married while living at Delavan, Jan. 27, 1847, in the 
town of Libertyville, Lake Co., 111., to Lucy Ann, daughter of Parker and Emma Piorson, natives of New 
Hampshire, who came to Illinois in 1839 ; in the spring of 1847, he went to Waupun, and lived there 
till February ,,1851, then went to De Pere, Brown Co., and from there came in June, 1852, to his present 
location, and has followed farming since. Enlisted Sept. 1, 1864, in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, Co. M, 
and was in the service till the close of the war. Has only one child, P. P. Valentine, born Aug. 17, 
1851. He is a Republican, and has held the office of Supervisor one year in Wyocena; both are mem- 
bers of the Episcopal Church. 

O. D. VAX DUSE.^, grain and lumber dealer. Pardeeville; was born March 31, 1832, in 
Gene.see Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1850 and located in the town of Marcellon ; lived 
there till 1858 on Sec. 9 ; then went to Marcellon Village, and lived there two years, and in tlie fall of 
1860, removed to Pardeeville, where he has been engaged in his present business ever sine;. Was mar- 
ried, in 1854, to Emeline Ensign, daughter of Wm. J. Ensign; has six children — Leona E., Emily E., 
Cornelia, Grant Bertha and Floy, all at home. Is a Republican, and has been Supervisor two terms. 
Mrs. Van Dusen is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOH\ B. VAN !!$CHAICK, retired farmer, Pardeeville; born February, 1818, in Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y.; son of Josiah Van Schnick, who removed to Onondaga Co. when he was 7 years old. 
He was married in that county, in 1847 to Sophronia Adams, who died April 30, 1877 ; he came to 
Wisconsin in the fall of 1855 and settled in the town of Springvale, Columbia Cj., and lived there till 
September, 1879, on his farm, which he still owns; has 151 acres on Sees. 8 and 17 ; has six children- 
Mary (now Mrs. J. H. Delany, of Minnesota); Harriet Adelia (now Mrs. E. P. Upham, of Springvale); 
Sarah Louisa (now Mrs. James Cowley, of Springvale); Charles J. (living at Black lliver Falls); Thomas 
D. (lives at Eau Claire) and Rose Josephine ; they lost three, not married. Was married the second time, 
Sept. 21, 1878, to Mrs. Susan Falconer, who was born in the citv of Norwich, England, Feb. 22, 1826, 
daughter of Thomas Wicks, who came to New York City in 1830, where she afterward married John W. 
Falconer and lived in the city till 1855. Mr. Falconer died June 12, 1878, in Columbia Co., Wis., leav- 
ing six children — Russell C. (living in Pardeeville); Mary H. (now Mrs. S. W. Briggs, of Dunn Co., 
Wis.); Elizabeth, John S., Frank and Henry. Mrs. Van Schaick was appointed Postmistress in the fall 
of 1877, and still holds the office, also keeps a drug-store in connection with it. Mr. V. still owns a farm 
of 151 acres on Sees. 8 and 17 in Springvale, and is running a meat-market in Pardeeville. He is a 
Republican, and both are members of the M. E. Church. 

JOHN WATERS, f..rmer. Sees. 24 and 25; P. 0. Wyocena; born the 15th day of April, 
1823 or 1824, in County Cork, Ireland ; son of Daniel Waters, who came to America when he was only 10 
years old ; stayed in Upper Canada one winter, then went to S'. Lawrence Co., N. 'Y., and died Nov 8, 
1855, aged 62 years. Mrs. Waters died in Portage City about 1872, aged 65. Mr. Waters was married 
in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 17, 1352, to Margaret Jane Bacon, who died Sept. 24, 1877. in Wyo- 
cena, aged 41 J leaving seven children — Daniel J, ( working on the C. & N.-W. R. R. >; William Charles 
(railroading in Iowa); John J., Michael, Edward, Thomis, George and Mary Agnes (the last five at 
home). Mr. Waters came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1856, and settled on the farm he now owns, and 



TOWN OF WINNEBAGO. 1081 

has occupied it ever since. In politics, Independent, and a member of the Catholic Church. Has 120 
acres of land. 

FREDERICK YALE, farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0. Wyocena; born July 24, 1824, in Augusta, 
Oneida Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1849, and settled on the farm he now occupies. 
W-As married, July 4, 1855, in Kingston, Green Lake Co., M^is., to Catharine S. Dey, who died Aug. 13, 
1879, aged 44, leaving two children — Kent, who lives in Dakota, and Freddie, at home. Was married the 
second time, Feb. 24, 1880. to Hannah, daughter of Geo. VV. Willard, a native of Vermont, who died in 
Springvale March 23, 1878. Mrs. Yale is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Yale started the first 
lumber-yard in Pardeeville, when the railroad was first completed to that place, and was a member of the 
first agricultural society in the county. Has a farm of 440 acres ; is a Democrat, and one of the heaviest 
taxpayers in the town of Wyocena. In 1877, he found a piece of native copper on his farm, which 
weighed 120 pounds. 



TOWN OF WINNEBAGO. 

GEORl^E BAIN, farmer, Sec. 15 , P. 0. Portage City ; born March 9, 1845, at Koslin, 
Scotland, six miles from Edinburgh ; son of George and Margaret (Longmuirj Bain, who came to America 
in 1850 (with the old Potter Society) ; settled in Moundville, Marquette Co., Wis.; Mr. Bain died Feb. 
3, 1880, aged 77 years ; Mrs. Bain is still living, at the age of 70 ; George spent his early life on his father's 
/arm, and was married, June 25, 1874, to Eliza Ann, daughter of Thomas and Fanny (Bonell) Moss, 
natives of Crewe, England, who came to America in 1849, and, in the fall of that year, settled in Mar- 
quette Co., Wis.; Mr. Moss enlisted, in October, 1864, in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, Co. I, and 
remained in the service till the close of the war ; he died Aug. 5, 1865, of chronic diarrhoea, contracted 
in the army; Mrs. Miss is still living in Marquette Co., aged 50 years. Mrs. Bain was born Dec. 19, 
1851, in Moundville, Marquette Co., Wis.; she is an Episcopalian, and Mr. Bain a Presbyterian; he 
came to Columbia Co. in 1871, and bought his farm in March of that year ; fr im that time till he was 
married, he worked on the farm summers (" keeping bach.") and spending his winters in Marquette Co., 
in his old home. He is a Republican; has been Supervisor of the town, and has 120 acres of land. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bain have one little daughter — Fannie Margaret, born Sept. 10, 1876, a " Centennial rosebud." 

CHARL.E!$ BAKER, farmer. Sec. 2; P. O. Portage City; was born June 14, 1823, in 
Somersetshire, England ; when 3 years old, his father, William Baker, died. He remained in England 
until 1839, then came to America ; lived in Canada about six years; then returned to England and lived 
there about about a year, during which time he was married, June 7, 1847, to Priscilla Stubbins, and in 
August following, came to America; came to Wisconsin April 15, 1848, and lived in Kenosha (then 
Southport) until the next May; then he came to Columbia Co., located the land he now owns in Fort 
Winnebago, and then returned for his family ; came on the June following, and has resided in the town 
and on the same farm ever since. His first wife died in September, 1862, aged 55 ; he was then married 
the second time, Jan. 21, 1863, to Clarissa Halloway, who was born Feb. 22, 1841, and died Dec. 14, 
1867 ; was married to the third wife March 12, 1868, with whom he is now living ; her maiden name 
was Lura Hall, daughter of Daniel Hall, and a widow of Jessie Howe, who died in August, 1875. Mr. 
Baker has seven children living, five by the first wife and two by the second — Edmund S., Charles Wm., 
Priscilla Ruth, George W., Robert Ralph, Andrew Johnson and Joanna Emery ; lost three children — 
Albert J., Henry E. and Caroline E. Mr. Baker joined the Odd Fellows in Canada in ] 845, and he is the 
oldest Odd Fellow and the oldest settler in the town of Fort Winnebago. His oldest son, Edmund S., 
was born Oct. 27, 1848, and was the first white child born in the town outside of the garrison of the fort. 
Mr. Baker has been Chairman, Assessor, Treasurer, and Justice of the Peace several terms, and he iias 
500 acres of land in his farm. 

WIlililAM CIjARK, retired, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. O. Portage City ; was born in Saratoga 
Co.,N. Y.,at Ballston Spa, June 13. 1797. He learned the tanner's trade when young, and worked at it till 
17 years old; then enlLsted in the army during the war of 1812, under Col. David Rogers; was in the 
service about four months; then he returned home, and soon after went to Otsego Co., N. Y., where he 
was married, Jan. 20, 1820, to Nancy Campbell, who died in 1833, aged 40. He was married again in March, 
1835, to Polly Standish, who died in October, 1862, aged 63. He was married the third time, April 5, 
1863, in Fort Winnebago, to Damaris Murray, who died Feb. 15, 1873. Soon after his first marriage. 
Mr. Clark went to Cortland Co., N. Y., and lived in the town of Willett until 1851 ; then came to Wis- 
consin, and lived in Marcellon till 1861 ; then he sold out and removed to his present location. Mr. 



1082 BIOaRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Clark has seven children living, the first four by his first wife — Eliza (now Mrs. Henry Mowers, of Big 
Sprinj;, Adams Co., Wis. ), George C, William (also in Big Spring), and Henrietta (now the widnw of 
Rev. Almon Rounds, a Baptist minister, lately deceased J ; the children of his second wife were John W. 
and R. D. (who is practicing medicine in Plymouth Co., Iowa), and Catharine Laura (who died when H 
years old). John W. Clark was born July 6, 1838, in Cortland Co., N. Y., town of Willett, and was 
married, Sept. 1, 1865, to Ella E. Keeder, who was born April 20, 1840 ; they have five children — Judith 
A., \Vm. Arthur, Wesley Eugene, Laura Evaline and Alfred, all at home. He enlisted Jan, 30, 
1862, in the 16th U. S. I., Co. A., 2d Battery, and was in the service three years, participated in eii;ht 
■ battles, and skirmishes too numerous to mention. He is a Republican, and lives on the old homestead of 
120 acres, and his father lives with him. 

JAIMEN CLITHERO, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Portage; was born in July, 1812, in Lanca- 
shire, England, son of Henry Clithero. He was married in England in May, 1835, to Mary, daughter of 
Richard Chiphendle ; she was born in Lancashire in 1808; Mr. Clithero came to America in 18411, and 
settled in Furt Winnebago, on the farm he now occupies, and where he has since resided ; has five chil- 
dren living — Jane (now Mrs. John Turner, of Portage City), Henry (lives in Lowville), James (lives in 
Kansas), Thomas i^lives at Geneva Lake, Wis.), and George (lives at Be Pere. Wis.) ; have lost two — 
Alice married David Wiseman, of Indiana, and died in February, 1876, aged 42, and Elizabeth married 
William Elliott, of Moundville, Marquette Co., Wis., and died Nov. 9, 1878, aged 40. Mr. Clithero is a 
Republican in politics, and has been Supervisor, and was School District Treasurer three times in succes- 
sion ; has also been Postmaster most of the time since he lived in the town ; both are members ot the 
Episcopal Church, and he has 173 acres of land ; he is still carrying on his farm, and Mrs. Clithero, 
although nearly 72 years of age, does all of her housework, and takes care of the milk of seven cows, and 
not a gray hair in her head. 

JOH\ B. COOK, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Portage ; was born in the town and county of 
Schoharie, N. Y., son of Richard and Lanina ( Butler) Cook, natives of Connecticut. He was first married in 
Schoharie Co. in 1836 to Anna Maria Zea, a cousin of Gen. Banck of that Stale ; she died in 18311, 
leaving no children. He was again married in the same county in 1840 to Sarah Ann Anthony, with whi,m 
he is still living. Mr. Cook learned the carpenter's trade while a boy, commencing at the age of 16, and 
worked at it over fifty years; came to Wisconsin in 1841, and lived in Walworth Co. till the fall of 1850, 
then removed to his present location in Columbia Co.; has five children^Kneeland B., Elbert F., Anna 
Maria, Scth C. and Clara E., the first three teachers. Kneeland was in the army a few months durinj; the 
last part of the war in the 52d W. V. I., Co. B. Mr. Cook is a Democrat, and has 100 acres of land, 
and himself and wife are Universalists. 

ABRADl DATES (deceased) was a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., and was married in that 
county in 18 — to Polly C. Henry, who was born in the same county in 18 — , daughter of Levi Henry. 
Mr. Dates was a miller in his younger days, but after his marriage he went to farming ; came to Wiscon- 
sin in 1845, landing in Racine on the 18th day of May, lived in that county seven years; came to Col- 
umbia Co. in the spring of 1852, and settled in Fort Winnebago on Sec. 1, where he resided till his death 
Oct. 23, 1875, in the 60th year of his age ; in January, 1863, he purchased what was known as French's 
mill in Sec. 1, and ran that in addition to his farming while he lived. During his residence in Columbia 
Co.,, he was called upon to fill many oflnces of public trust, and always discharged his duties with marked 
fidelity ; in all the relations of lifa, both public and private, he maintained an unsullied reputation, and his 
name will be held in cherished remembrance by all old settlers; he left a widow and four children — Levi 
H., William W. and George D., his only daughter, Mary A , born May 18, 1843, was married Jan. 12, 
1868, to Kneeland B. Cook, who was born Oct. 30, 1841, lives on Sec. 24, and has 140 acres of land, 
and two children — Caroline L., born June 12, 1869, and Jay B., born Nov. 6, 1878. Mr. Cook was tha 
oldest .son of John B. Cook, of Fort Winnebago. 

MRS. POLLY BATES (widow), Sec. 1 ; P. O. Portage City; was the wife of Abram Bates, 
one of the old settlers of Fort Winnebago. [See his biography.] She was born Dec. 17, 1821, in Cay- 
uga Co., N. Y., daughter of Levi and Arela (Bowkerj Henry, both natives of Cayuga Co.; Mr. Henry 
was a farmer and spent his whole life in his native county ; he was born March 22, 1800, and died Oct 1 1, 
1860. Mrs. Henry is still living at the age of 75. Mrs. Dates and her son George, who is unmarried, 
are living on the homestead, which consists of a 100-acre farm, and the grist-mill known as Dates' Mill; 
which was built in 1857, by the Chapman brothers, on the site of the old saw-mill known as French's 
mill, built in 1847 ; have 3 acres of land with the mill, and also 40 acres in Marcellon. 

CALVIN EASTMAN, farmer. Sec. 10; P. O. Portage City; born in Chittenlen Co., Vl., 
Dec. 27, 1827 ; when he was 5 years old, his father, Calvin Eastman, removed with his family to Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., town of Brutus ; lived there three years ; then five years in JeflFerson Co., N. Y., and, in 1844, came to 



TOWN OF WINNEBAGO. 1083 

"Wisconsin and lived in Kenosha Co. till the spring of 1850 ; then came to Columbia Co. and settled on 
Sec. 10, in the town of Fort Winnebago, where he resided till his death, May 8, 1871, aged 71. His 
mother, whose maiden name was Ardela Grain, is still living on the old homestead, at the age of 77, and 
still able to weave four yards a day, beside doing her housework and taking care of the milk of two 
cows ; she has been a member of the M. E. Church over sixty years, and Mr. Eastman was a member 
the last forty years of his life, and his house was a " minister's home," without regard to the denomination 
to which they belonged. Calvin, Jr., was married in November, 1853, to Charlotte V. Baldwin, who was born 
Sept. 27, 1820, in Genesee Co., N. Y., daughter of Asa Btldwin, who came to Wisconsin in 1847, and to 
Fort Winnebago in the fall of 1849 ; she taught the first organized school in what was then District No. 
1, in Portage, and taught nine terms in the same sahool. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman have but one child, 
Hiram C, Feb. 22, 1858 ; he had one sister, Laura, who married A. T. Spicer; he died May 14, 185S, 
and she died April 12, 1874, leaving one daughter, Carrie Ardella, who is living with her grandmother. 
Mr. Eastman is a Republican, and has 220 acres of land in his farm. May 26, 1850, the first Sabbath 
after the arrival of his parents in Columbia Co., they held the first religious services, and organized the 
first Sabbath school in the town at the log house of Avery T. Spicer, their son-in-law. 

JAMES M. FORREST, farmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Portage City; born June 13, 1812, in 
Merrimack Co., N. H. Has been married four times ; his first wife was Almira T. Ames, who died in 
1847, after a married life of seven years, leaving three children — Adaline E. (now Mrs. Joseph E. Wells, 
of Portage City) and G. A. Forrest, who is now a lawyer in Manitowoc; Susan was married to James 
Oviat, and died in March, 1876. His second wife was Laura F. Waters, who died after three years of 
married life, leaving no children. The third wife was Matilda Abbott, who lived four years after marriage, 
and died without issue. His fourth wife, with whom he is now living, was Susan H. Sargent, who was 
born Sept. 24, 1828, in Stratford, Belknap Co., N. H., daughter of Challis Sargent. Mr. Forrest came 
to Wisconsin in 1850, and settled on the farm he now owns. Has been Chairman of the town and School 
Superintendent. Is Republican. Has 217 acres of land. Both are members of the M. E. Church, 

D. ai. (jrALLiOWAY, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Port Hope ; was born June 28, 1828, in Fifeshire, 
Scotland; son of George and Jane (Miller) Galloway; came to America in the spring of 1851 ; came 
direct to Wisconsin ; lived in Waupun the first summer, and the next fall located land in the town of Buf- 
falo, Marquette Co.; remained there three years, and in the fall of 1854 returned to Scotland and remained 
one year; in the fall of 1855 came again to America, bringing with him his parents and five sisters fhe 
being the only son) ; his mother died in December, 1876, aged 87 years, and his father is still living in 
Marquette Co., at the age of 79. Mr. Galloway was married, Dec. 9, 1856, to Sarah Muir, who was born 
Feb. 19, 1836, in Dunbar, Scotland, in the shire of East Lothian, daughter of Daniel and Anna (Gilrie) 
Muir, who came to America in 1849 and settled in Buffalo, Marquette Co., Wis., and are living there still. 
Mr. Galloway has three children living — Anna G.,^J. Cecelia and S. V. Gracie — all at home ; his only son, 
George E., was accidentally drowned in the Fox River while bathing, June 8, 1879, on his 19th birthday. 
In politics, Mr. Galloway is Republican, and himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He 
has 173 acres of land. 

JAUES UtAMBLiE, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Portage City; born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
in 1816; son of David and Margaret Gamble, both of whom died in Ireland; they had one son in 
America at the time of their death, and soon after a daughter, who was married to Isaac Cochran, came 
over with her huseband, bringing James, who was then about 122 years old, with them; they 
settled in the State of Maine, where James was married when he was 21, to Margaret Donnel, who died 
Sept. 29, 1877, in Fort Winnebago, aged about 60 ; soon after his marriage, he went to Providence, R. I.; 
lived there twelve and a half years ; then, in 1853, came to Wisconsin and located on his present farm. 
Has eight children living — Mary, David, Eliza, James, John, Robert, William and Nellie ; lost two, one died 
in infancy, and Peter died at the age of 17 ; his youngest daughter, Nellie, lives at home, and keeps house 
for her father. He is not a member of any church. Has about 200 acres of land. 

JAMES HUME, Sr. (retired); Sec. 3; P. 0. Post Hope; born Feb. 17, 1811, in Linlith- 
gowshire, Scotland, Parish of Bathgate ; son of James and Janet Hume. Was married the first time in 
his native place, in February, 1831, to Ann Walker, who died Sept. 14, 1875; he was married again, 
Sept. 14, 1876, to Alvira Perkins, who was born Oct. 20, 1823, in Newtown, N. H., daughter of Samuel 
Eastman, and widow of Wyatt Perkins, who died in the army in 1865, was in Co. I, 37th W. V. I.; Mr. 
Hume has four children living — James, Robert; Janet, now Mrs. Edward Bennett, of Butler Co., Iowa, 
and Margaret, now Mrs. John Ellis, of Marquette Co., Wis.; Mrs. Hume has three children by the first 
husband — Charles E., Frank, and Mary, now Mrs. George Cuff of Marcellon. Mr. Hume is a Republican ; 
has been Supervisor three terms, and is a Presbyterian ; Mrs. Hume is a Methodist ; he has 105-acre farm 

ss 



1084 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in Buffalo, Marfjuette Co., and 2* acres with his residence on Sec. 31, in Fort Winnebago ; Mr. Perkins 
came to Wisconsin in 1847, and lived in Dane Co. ten years, then in Richland Co., five or six years, then 
came to ColuraKia Co., and lived two years in Dekorra, and she lived after that in Marquette Co. till her 
marriage with Mr. Hume ; Mr. Hume came to America in 1850. 

A. Z. JIALTBY, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Portage City; born March 5, 1833, in Cayuga 
Co., N. Y. Was married in Cortland Co. N. Y., at Cincinnatus, in 1852, to Lois Rogers, who died in 
June, 1857, leaving three children — Herman, Belle and Ada; Herman died in 1872, aged 19 ; Belle is 
now Mrs. E. S. Baker, of Portage City, and Ada lives at home and is unmarried. Mr. Maltby was mar- 
ried the second time in Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1857, to Deborah Bangs, who was born Feb. 27, 1825, 
in that county ; came West in 1867, and settled in his present location ; has three children by the second 
marriage — Elisha, Mary and George ; lost one child, Adolphus, died in 1S6G, at the age of 6 months. In 
politics, Republican, and is the present Asse.s.«or of the town; has 85 acres of land ; Mr.s. Maltby is mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church ; he learned the cabinet-maker's trade when young, commencing it at the age of 
14, and followed that business till he came to Wisconsin. 

AAROi\ SAXDFORD (deceased), was born Aug. 21, 1832, in Oneida Co., N. Y., in the 
town of Dalton ; son of Aaron and Sarah Sandford ; came to Wisconsin in 1850 and located in the town 
of Ft. Winnebago. Was married June 2, 185'j, to Sarah L. Eastman, daughter of Calvin Eastman, Sr., 
whose biography is given in connection with that of his son, Calvin, Jr.; she was born Aug. 11, 1833, in 
Poultney, Vt. Mr. Sandford enlisted in iMarch, 1863, in the 3d W. V. C, Co. B, and died on the 23d of 
the next August, at Little Rock, Ark.; he left two children — Calvin Irving, born April 7, 1861, and 
Charles Gilbert, Sept. 20, 1862. Mrs. Sandford and the two boys are living on the homestead; own 30 
acres of land ; P. 0. Portage City. Mrs. Sandford is guardian for Miss Carrie A. Spicer, daughter of 
Avery T. and Laura C. f Eastman) Spicer. 

RUSSKL SPICEK, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0. Portage City; born Nov. 6, 1814, Otsego Co. N., 
Yc; son of Shubol and Sally (Coates) Spicer; when 6 years old, his parents removed to Allegany Co. 
N. Y., where he spent his early life, and was married there, July 12, 1S40, to Christiana Wright, who died 
Dec. 16, 1859, aged 39 years ; was married again, Feb. 6, 1861, to Catharine Collins, who was born 
March 26, 1820, in Tyrone, North of Ireland, and came to America with her parents when 2^ years old. 
Mr. Spicer came to Wiscon.«in in September, 1849, and settled on the farm he now owns, and has resided 
there ever since ; has eight children — Amos, lives in Monroe Co., Wis.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ross 
Gamble, of Nebraska; Christiana, now Mrs. John W. Chase, also of Nebraska; Tacey, at home; Wm. 
S. in Nebraska ; Mary A., Joseph R. and Clinton R. at home, the last two by the second wife. lie is a 
Republican, and has 160 acres of land. Both are members of the Baptist Church. 

JOHN SWKANEY (deceased), was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and his wife was a 
native of the same county; came to America in 1842; lived temporarily in Clinton Co., N. Y., near 
Plattsburg ; also in St. John's, Canada East, and New Hampshire, near Concord ; came to Wisconsin in 
June, 1849, and about the 1st of the nest September settled on Sec. 26, in the town of Fort Winnebago', 
where he resided until his death, Dec. 3, 1874, aged 82 ; leaving eight children — Lawrence (now in Texas); 
John i in Pittsburgh, Penn.) ; Charles (in Fort Winnebago) ; Isabella C, James A. and Michael A., are 
all living on the homestead, which con.sists of 600 acres of land ; their mother, at the age of 70, is living 
with them ; the youngest daughter, Mary J., is a member of the Dominican Order, and known in the order 
as " Sister Mary Philip," living in Galena, 111., at present. Had lost one son before his death — Barnard 
J., who died May 26, 1S65, in his 20th year; Andrew, died March 20, 1873, aged 44. For the last few 
years of his life, he had been studying with a view of entering the priesthood of the Catholic Church, and 
had nearly completed his studies, having attended St. Francis' Seminary, in Milwaukee, Wis., Seminary of 
the Holy Angels, at Niagara Falls, N. Y., and spent .'ome time at East St. Louis, Mo. Are members of 
Catholic Church, and Democrats. P. O. Portage City. 

JONATHAN WHITNEY, farmer, Sec. 3, and Postmaster at Port Hope; was born July 
29, 1820, in Windsor Co., Vt.; came to Wisconsin in 1844 ; taught school two winters, making his home in 
Milwaukee, and being engaged in buying wheat during the summer and fall of each year. In May. 1846, 
he bought some land in Machford, Green Lake Co., then went East and stayed till September, when he 
returned to Wisconsin and settled on his land ; lived there two years, and, in September, 1848, came to 
Columbia Co., and settled in his present location. He was married. May 7, 1848, to Ellen R. Rood, who 
was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 7, 1829 ; has seven children — Ellen M., Mary L., Guy, Cooper, 
Clara L., Hattie E. and George M., all at home except the first two; Ellen is Mrs. F. Bloom, of Fort 
Winnebago, and Mary L. is Airs. Charles E.Perkins, of Colby. Marathon Co., Wis. ; has lost three children : 
Almeron W. was in the 37th W. V. I., Co. A, and was killed in the three-days battle before Petersburg, 
Ya., June 18, 1864, aged 16; Culver died in 1854, at the age of 10 months, and one died in infancy. 



TOWN OF LOWVILLE. 1085 

Mr. Whitney is a surveyor, and was engaged in that business from 1850 till 1863 ; was afterward County 
Surveyor two years ; was Chairman two terms, 1850 and 1851 ; was Justice of the Peace two years, and has 
96 acres of land ; is a Republican, and has been Postmaster ever since 1849, except three years of the time. 

ALFRED \HLLCOX, ftirmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Portage City; was born in Somersetshire, 
England, June 24, 1812. Was married in England, May 23, 1840, to Ann, daughter of William and 
Sarah A. Savage, born in the same county he was ; he was hired as a farmer ; came to America in 1855, 
and settled on the farm he now owns ; first bought 120 acres with only 8 acres cleared ; had heavy 
timber, but has kept adding to it till he now owns 532 acres, 150 acres of it under improvement, and has 
good farm buildings ; 160 acres of his land is in Sec. 8, in Maroellon, adjoining the farm of William 
Goodman, where they are mining for silver ; has the west half of the east half of section ; has three 
children — John Alfred, Albert and Sarah Ann, the last two at home. Mr. Willcox is a Republican, and 
has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace ; both members of the Baptist Church. 

J. B. WOOD, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Portage City ; born Dec. 20, 1831, in Windsor Co., Vt.; 
came to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled in Marcellon Village, where he followed teaching three years. 
Was married, June 14, 1855, to Almeda C. Kincaid, who was born in Berks Co., Penn., Feb. 14, 1832 ; 
daughter of Usebius Kincaid, who came to Wisconsin in 1851. Mr. Wood was Town Clerk in I860, 
and Town Superintendent in 1861, being the last one in the town to hold that office ; was also Town Clerk 
in 1862 and 1865, and has been Justice of the Peace the last two years. Is a Republican ; has 120 acres 
of land; was enrolling and drilling officer in his town from the beginning of the war in 1861, till 1864; 
his first wife died March 9, 1874, leaving two children — Emma Eugenia, born Nov. 26, 1857, and Edna 
Lillian, born Aug. 25, 1861. Was married again, March 13, 1878, to Margaret C. Davis, who was born 
in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 19, 1833, daughter of William Denny, and widow of John N. Davis, of Port- 
age City. 



TOWN OF LOWVILLE. 

ELrBRIDGE CURTIS, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Poynette ; born Nov. 2, 1826, in the town 
of Maine, Broome Co., N. Y., son of John C. Curtis; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1849, and settled 
in the town of Lowville, the next winter, where he made his home with his brother. Was married, in 
1857, to Mary E. Bennett, who was born in 1841, in Chemung Co., N: Y.; has seven children living- 
Irene (now Mrs. Harrison Cutsworth, of the town of Pacific), Alma, John C, Tinie, Lewis B., Harry 
and Edgar, all at home except ihe one married ; lost one daughter, Sarah, 15 months old. He is a 
Republican, and has been Supervisor and Assessor, and has been Pathmaster for the last twenty years ; 
has 180 acres of land. 

F. C. CURTIS, farmer; P. 0. Rocky Run; was born Sept. 3, 1819, in the town of Stock- 
bridge, Berkshire Co., Mass.; his father's name was Harvey Curtis, who was a descendant of Miles 
Standish, of the Mayflower Pilgrims, of the seventh remove from that somewhat distinguished personage ; 
his mother's name was Fannie Warner, of Canaan, N. Y. His father removed to Canaan, N. Y., when he 
was 4 years old. At the age of 7 years, the subject of this sketch went to live with his grandfather, 
Lupton Warner, who was a farmer, where he remained until he was 15, attending school winters and 
working upon the farm the rest of the year. He was then apprenticed to F. B. Walbridge, of Pittsfield, 
Mass., to learn the saddlery and harness trade. At the end of about two years, his employer removed to 
Ohio, and he was left upon his own resources ; he hid made such good use of his time that he was master 
of his trade, or at least a pretty good workman. His compensation was $35 a year and board, with some 
opportunity for overwork when trade was good. He was very industrious, and, when not otherwise occu- 
pied, studied his books. These spare hours and the winter's school were all the opportunity he had for 
acquiring an education. When his employer left Pittsfield, he gave him his time ; he was to have remained 
with him until he was 21 ; he then went to Hudson, N. Y., and engaged work with Conklin Terry for six 
months ; this was extended for one year longer, which carried him over the depressed times of 1837 In 
the spring of 1838, trade was still dull, and he found his old employer, Walbridge, was at Cleveland, Ohio; 
he went there and worked for him about six months, and should have remained longer, but the fever and 
ague greatly impaired his health, and he returned to Canaan, where he worked at his trade until the flxU of 
1839, when he went out to Columbia, S. C, upon a contract with Levi Hanley, in whose employ he 
remained near eight years. During those eight years, he spent three summers at the North to recuperate his 
health. Although his business was of a mechanical nature, he never lost sight of the farm, and was known 
or considered as an agriculturist, and was often consulted by planters. J. S. Preston used often to con- 
sult him, and made him a very lucrative ofi'er to go on to his Louisiana sugar plantation as manager, and 



1086 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

many other flatterin<; offers were miidehim to induce him to settle permanently at the South, all of which 
he declined, mainly for the reasons that he thought the slavery question was bound to make trouble, and 
he had become tired of the competition in trade. He left South Carolina in the spring of 1847, and 
Canaan July 3 of that year for Wisconsin, designing to purchase land and improve it with his own labor. 
He went to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he purchased a horse, which he rode to his present home, arriving 
here July 28. He was acquainted with Jacob Low, with whom he had had correspondence, and came to 
his house, where a hearty welcome awaited him. At that time, there were considerable many settlers who 
had settled upon and claimed the land, but had not purchased it from the Government, holding under a 
higher law. Mr. C. purchased the land upon which he now resides and has resided since ; he erected a 
house, and expended all the funds he had with him ; expecting a remittance from New York to enable 
him to return East, but, not arriving, he started for Milwaukee, with only 35 cents in his pocket; put up 
the first night with Mr. Alfred Toplotf, of Fountain Prairie, who made him welcome, and walked the bal- 
ance of the distance in two days. At Milwaukee he shipped for Buffalo as an employe at $14 per month; 
received $2 and borrowed $5 from an acquaintance, and thus he was supplied with funds for the balance 
of his journey, and arrived in Columbia Co., N. Y., the latter part of September. He was married at 
Canaan Four Corners, Columbia Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1847, t) Miss Elizabeth Lea, daughter of George 
Lea and Ellen Hallanbeck, of Richmond, Mass., who was born at Athens, Greene Co., N. Y., April 7, 
1828 ; they left for Wisconsin on the same day, and arrived at Milwaukee Nov. 1, after a very boisterous 
passage around the lakes of eleven days. Their children are Mary Anna, now Mrs. 0. D. Orvis, of San 
Francisco, Cal.; Emma, now Mrs. A. H. Carman, of Morgan Park, Cook Co., III.; Ella C. Curtis and 
Lizzie, residing at home; George L., who died Dec. 20, 18G0. Mr. Curtis is a Democrat; has been 
Chairman of Lowville quite a number of times, and was nominated for the Assembly in 1853 ; in 185(5, 
he was nominated for State Senator, twice for Sheriff and again for Senator in 1868. He was elected 
Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors in 1856 and 1857, when the members of the bo:ird were 
strongly in the majority, and were opposed to him politically. Mr. Curtis' business has been mainly 
farming ; has taken an active part in the Columbia County Agricultural Society, and was one of the gentlemen 
who helped to establish it in 1851 ; was President of it for four years, and has been one of its Executive 
Board ever since ; has attended every executive meeting and fair of said society, which has been held 
yearly since its organizition. His farm consists of 270 acres; his buildings are mainly of stone, made in 
a substantial manner, which have the appearance of lasting as long as they are well roofed. 

JOHN CURTIS, farmer; P. 0. Poynette; born in the town of Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y., 
July 19, 1830, son of Harvey Curtis. He was married Sept. 14, 1854, in Berkshire Co., Mass., to Sta- 
tira Davis, who was born June 26, 1834, in the same county in which she was married ; Mr. Curtis resided 
in his native county till the spring of 1864 ; then came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Lowville, 
where he still lives, and has 140 acres of land ; has two children — Anna, born Feb. 16, 1855, and Edith, 
born Sept. 23, 1867. In politics, a Democrat. 

PETER DRAKE, farmer. Sees. 8 and 17 ; P. 0. Rocky Run ; was born in the town of Rox- 
bury, Morris Co., N. J., July 10, 1818, son of Peter D. and Charity (Wilkerso'n) Drake ; came to Wis- 
consin in September, 1S48, and located on the farm he now owns ; he first built a cabin of poles, in which 
he " kept bach " about six years ; then built his present residence ; his parents afterward came to Wiscon- 
sin and resided awhile in the town of Lowville, and his mother died at his home. He was married in the 
town of Pacific to Martha A. Porter, daughter of Amasa Porter; she was born Nov. 3, 18^8, in Catta- 
raugus Co., N. Y.; they have four children— Earl W., born Sept. 1, 1867 ; Carl A., born Nov. 10, 1868 ; 
Mark L., born Oct. 3, 1870, and Kitty May, born Jan. 14, 1878 ; lost an infant son Jan. 14, 1875. He 
has 447 acres of land, and is a Republican every time. 

SAMUEL, DUNN, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. O. Rocky Run ; born in 1821 in County Tyrone, Ire- 
land, son of Samuel and Lattia (Campbell) Dunn ; came to America in 1840, and in December of that 
year he settled in Portage, and has lived in Columbia Co. ever since, except about one and a half years he 
spent in the pinery. He was married Nov. 20, 1856, to Sarah Campbell, daughter of Robert Campbell, 
who was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland ; they have three children — Samuel C, born July 28, 1860 ; 
Mary L., born Sept. 25, 1865, and Sarah, born Nov. 25, 1872. He has 480 acres of land. He is a 
Democrat and has held the office of Chairman about seven years, and Town Clerk eighteen or twenty 
years. In 1855, he made a visit to the old country, leaving home in November and returning in April, 
1856 ; he visited his parents in Ireland, who were both living at that time. He now holds the office of 
Town Clerk. 

WARREN (GILBERT, farmer, residence on Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Rio; was born June 22, 1827, 
in Herkimer Co., N. Y. ; son of Erastus and Nancy Gilbert. When he was only 3 years old, his father 
was accidentally killed by a fall in his barn. After the death of his father, he went to live with his 



TOWN OF LOWVILLE. 1087 

grandmother, where he lived till he was 14 years old, then went out to work by the month, and continued at 
that till 1848, making his home with his grandmother during that time, and taking her advice in all his 
business operations. Having saved up about 8500 from his earnings, he concluded (still taking his grand- 
mother's advice), to come West and "grow up with the country." With that end iu view, he came to 
Wisconsin in 1848, bought 60 acres of his present farm, for which he paid $250, then pre-empted 160 acres 
more, which cost him S200, and settled down to business. In 1849, he married Miss Mary Widrich, of 
the State of New York, by whom he has five children — George Henry (living in Lowville), Albert (in 
Minnesota), James W. (at home), Charles L., (in Iowa), and Eugene. Mr. Gilbert is one of the largest 
farmers in Columbia Co., having in his home farm 2,500 acres of land, all in a body, all improved, and 300 
acres more, near enough so he works it all together. He also has about 2,300 acre* in Freeborn Co., 
Minn., with about 1,400 acr;s under the plow, and 1,200 acres in Martin Co., Minn., 800 acres of which 
are under the plow. He considers his real estate alone worth upward of $100,000; sold $10,000 worth 
of produce in one year during the war, from his home farm, his wool amounting to $3,300 of it ; sold 
$3,000 worth of timothy seed in 1839, but which was a part of three years' crops. Keeps twenty-five 
horses, about sixty head of cattle and 400 head of sheep. He has never followed any other business but 
farming, and never had a dollar given him by friend or foe. His motio has always been to " never go in 
debt," and always " live within your means." He gives his personal attention to all the details of his business, 
and keeps a diary, in which he records all his business transactions. He finds but little time to devote to 
politics, but is of the Democratic persuasion. 

JOHN B. HAIiPIX, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Rocky Run; born May 10, 1832, in County 
Meath, Ireland ; son of Bartholomew and Mary M. Halpin ; came to America in 1851 ; lived about a year 
in Onondaga Co.. N. Y., then came to Wisconsin, and lived in the town of Pacific till 1860, since which 
time he has been in his present location. He was married in 1857, in Portage, to Marcella Timmons, 
daughter of Phillip Timmons. Has ten children — Mary, Catherine, Lucy, Marcella, Charlotte, Nellie, 
Ambrose, Bartholomew, John and Philip, all at home. All members of the Catholic Church. He is a 
Democrat and has 120 acres of land. 

OLIVER CUMMISTGS HOWE (deceased) was among the first settlers of the town of 
Lowville, and one of the most prominent men in the town; he was a native of Attica, Wyoming Co., N. 
Y., and was born Dec. 18, 1813; his father's name was Jacob Howe, and his mother's maiden name was 
Azuba Sprout; in early life, he was engaged in the mercantile business in his native town, and afterward 
carried on the same business in South St. Paul street, Rochester, N. Y.; failing in business there, he con- 
eluded to seek his fortune among strangers, in a strange land ; he accordingly left that State, and came to 
Wisconsin in the spring of 1846, landing at Sheboygan, from which place he made his way on foot to 
Columbia Co., arriving in what is now the town of Lowville, with only $0 in his pocket ; he at once 
located some land on Sec. 36, and commenced breaking; the next fall, he built a cabin in which himself 
and brother, James N. Howe, who joined him about that time, resided, and kept house by tlieiuselves till 
the death of Ja nes, which occurred in July, 1845, being struck by lightning and instantly killed while 
going from his own home to one of his neighbors ; his father (who had been living with them two or three 
years) died the next April, leaving him entirely alone. His first wife, Lydia Tobias, to whom he was 
married in 1841, having died about a year after marriage, before he left Attica. March 31, 1857, he 
was married to his second wife, Juliette Barber, who was born April 6, 1826, in Greene Co., N. Y., 
town of Durham, daughter of John and Clarrissa (Virgil) Curtis, and widow of Brazilla Barber, who 
died in New York in 1854 ; her mother, Mrs. Curtis, is still living with her in Lowville, at the age of 94. 
Mr. Howe left two daughters — Jeanette C, who is now Mrs. Elliott Scott, of the town of Leeds, and 
Julia F., who is living on the homestead with her mother. His death occurred April 21, 1879, of apo- 
plexy. In addition to his farming, Mr. Howe practiced law, the last twenty-five years of his life, having 
been admitted to the bar April 13, 1854 ; he figured conspicuously in politics in the early history of the 
State, and represented his district in the Assembly three successive terms, being in the Legislature of 
1856-57, during the celebrated " Barstow administration." He made a public profession of religion and 
joined the Congregational Church of Leeds in 1863, but afterward severed his connection with this 
church and joined at Rio, where he held at different times the offices of Deacon, Clerk and Trustee, and 
contributed about $1,100 toward building the Congregational Church at that place; he left an estate of 
about 1,000 acres improved land, which i-i occupied by his widow and daughter, Julia V. ; P. 0. Rio. 

JESSIE F. HAND, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Rocky Run ; was born in New Lebanon, Colum- 
bia Co., N. Y., on the 24th day of March, 1816; went to Akron, Summit Co., Ohio, in 1840. Was 
married to Mary Wheeler on the 8th of November, 1841 ; removed to Lyons, Walworth Co., Wis., in 1845 ■ 
thence to Lowville, Columbia Co., on to the quarter section of land he now lives on, purchased from the 
Government in 1846 in 1849 ; in politics was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party • 



1088 BIOGRAPHICAL .SKETCHES: 

since that time has been a Republican ; was a member of the Methodist Church about twenty years, and 
for the last twenty-seven years has been a member of the Episcopal Church ; was the first Town Clerk of 
Lowville ; elected a Justice of the Peace at the same time, and now holding that oflBce for the third or 
fourth time ; was three years Town Superintendent of Schools ; was Chairman of Supervisors often ; two 
years was Enrolling Officer in 1861 ; was Postmaster of Rocky Run Post Office nearly twenty-six years; was 
elected Member of the Assembly in 1864, and voted in favor of the ratification of the Thirteenth Amend- 
ment of the Constitution of the United States, abolishing slavery. His oldest son, George, died at Ander- 
sonville, Ga., January, 186.5 ; the names of the others are Antoinette, Martha, Willis, Harper, Mary Alice, 
Isabel! and Edwin Wheeler, all living in Wisconsin but Martha. 

F. L.. HKNRY, farmer. Sec. 3-1; P. 0. Lowville; born Sept. 22, 1823, in Lewis Co., N. Y., 
town of Martinsburg ; son of William and Anna Henry, who were among the first settlers in that town ; 
Mr. Henry came to Wisconsin in May, 1846, located a part of his present farm in October of that year, 
but made his home in La Grange, Walworth Co., for about two years. Was married there, April 2, 1848, 
to Eliza W., daughter of Elisha Cronk ; she was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., July 22, 1825 ; immediately 
after marriage he came to live on his farm, and has been there ever since; has three children — Margaret 
A. (now Mrs. Wm. H. Evarts, of Lowville); Florence Louisa and Frederick William; he lost two at 
home. Mr. Henry is a Republican, and has been Town Clerk and Town Superintendent several terms ; 
he has a receipt for the tax of 1847, which he thinks was one of the tax receipts issued in the town ; 
him.self and wife both belong to the Presbyterian Church, and he has been a member twenty-two years ; 
has 270 acres of land in his farm, with first-class farm buildings ; keeps 400 head of sheep and thirty 
head of cattle. 

SII.AS \\. HERRIX<J, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Lowville; born April 23, 1821, in Low- 
ville, Lewis Co., N. Y. ; son of Henry and Polly Herring; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1844 ; 
lived in York, Dane Co., till the fall of 1845, then came to Columbia Co. and settled on the farm he now 
owns; at that time there was only four other settlers in what is now the town of Lowville; he helped to 
organize the town, was its first Treasurer, and since that has held the office of Chairman and Assessor, two 
terms each. Was married, Dec. 28, 1855, in Wyocena, to Miss T. M. Webb, daughter of Sylvester P. 
Webb; she was born in New Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y., Dec. 12, 1829 ; has two children — Hubert 
C , born Oct. 30, 1859, and Carl E., born Aug. 28, 1863, both at home. When he was 12 years old, 
his parents removed to Chautauqua Co., N. Y.,town of Cherry Creek, where he lived till he came to Wis- 
consin. Mrs. Herring is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was an old-time Abolitionist, and has 
been a Republican over since the party was organized ; has 295 acres of land. 

JAMES PRICE, former, Sec. 18; P. 0. Poynette; born Sept. 12, 1832, in Albany, N. Y. 
His fither, John Price, died when he (James) was an infant ; came to Wisconsin in 1851, and settled in 
Lowville, where he has since resided. Was married in 1855 to Emily S. Mason, who was born Nov. 5, 
1838, in Rutland, Vt.; has nine children — James C, living in Montana; Maria E., J]llen A., Sarah, 
Mary, Frederick C., Charles, Albert and Nettie; all at home, except the oldest ; lost one son — Lewis, 
2 years old. Mr. Price enlisted, Sept. 9, 1861, in the 2d W. V. C, Co. E, and was discharged Dec. 15, 
1865 ; came on his farm in 1866. Is a Democrat ; has held the office of Town Clerk, and is the present 
Chairman of the town ; while in the army, held the office of Corporal, Quartermaster Sergeant, Orderly 
Sergeant and Second Lieutenant. Has 200 acres of land. 

JttATHIAS TROUT, farmer, Sees. 10 and 15; P. 0. Rio; born Oct. 18, 1818, in 
Harixhieni by LauJen, in Bavaria, Germany ; son of Theodore Trout, who died in Germany, when 45 or 
46 years old ; Mr. Trout come to America in 1850, arriving in New York April 7 ; came direct to 
AVisconsin; lived in Ft. Atkinson till the spring of 1851 ; then came to Lowville, and has lived there 
ever since. Was married, Feb. 8, 1830, in Germany, to Helena Flick; has nine children — Kate, now 
Mrs. Wra. Verhalen, of Jefi'erson, Wis.; John, living in Lowville; Lane, living in Chicago; Valentine; 
Mary, now Mrs. Justin Clear, of Mazeppa Co., Minn.; Willie, Rosa, Josephine and George, all four at 
home. Mr. Trout is at present one of the Side Supervisors of the town, and has held the office several 
terms. Is a Democrat, and member of the Catholic Church ; has been School District Treasurer several 
years, and Treasurer in the church ; has 170 acres of land. 

<i}EOR<;E W. WEBR, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Poynette; born May 18, 1827, in Columbia 
Co., N. Y., town of New Lebanon ; son of Sylvester P. and Harriet P. Webb, who came to Wisconsin in 1846, 
and settled in what is now the town of Lowville, on Sec. 20. Was married, Jan. 30, 1853, to Eliza Blair, 
daughter of Deacon Linus Blair, of Wyocena (see his biography) ; has three children — Harry A., 
Genevieve L. and Albert W. Mrs. Webb is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has 120 acres 
of land, and is a Republican. 



TOWN OF DEKORRA. 1089 



TOWN OF DEKORRA. 

G. ACKERMAN, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Poynette ; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
in 1832 ; he removed with his parents to Waukesha Co., Wis., June, 18-17 ; in the fall of that year, the 
family removed to Walworth Co.; they lived in Walworth and Racine Cos. about four years; in 1851, 
his father removed to Columbia Co., and settled on a part of the flirm which his son now owns, where he 
resided till his death in December, 1877 ; his mother died in Walworth Co. Mr. Ackerman was married 
in 1857 to Miss Maria Todd, born in the State of New York. He enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in the 23d 
W. V. I.; except while a prisoner of war, he participated in all the battles and campaigns in which the 
23d took part; he was taken prisoner at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, October, 1863, but was exchanged 
after a few weeks ; was again taken prisoner the following spring, at the battle of Mansfield, and kept a 
prisoner till the close of the war. He has four children — -Jennie, Emmett C, Maria and Herman F. His 
farm contains 200 acres. 

JOHN BROWN, farmer and gardener. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Dekorra ; was born in Scotland in 
1808 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1840, and settled at Fort Atkinson, where he lived two years; thence to 
Cambridge, Dane Co.; he came to the village of Dekorra in 1851, where he kept a store till 1868, when 
he settled on his present farm, which he had purchased in 1859. He was married in Scotland to Marga- 
ret Geddes ; she died in 1871. Miss Jenny G. Brown, a niece of Mr. Brown's, born in 1854, has resided 
•with him since her early childhood. 

BENJAMIN S. BUCK, farmer. Sec. 36; P. O. Poynette; was born in Troy, N. Y., in 
1818, where before removing West, he was engaged in cotton manufacturing for many years. He was 
married to Hannah Strackan, born in Scotland ; her parents removed to Troy, N. Y., when she was a child. 
Mr. Buck came to Wisconsin and settled on his farm in the fall of 1857, but he had owned the land 
about fourteen years previous to that time ; in 1862, he left his farm and removed to St. Louis, where he 
was enj;aged as receiving clerk for the Excelsior Manufacturing Co. for fourteen years, when he returned 
to his farm. Mr. Buck has had two children, neither of whom are living ; the older child, Henry M., 
was born in Troy, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1843; he enlisted in the 7th W. V. I., in the spring of 1861 ; at the 
expiration of his term of service he re-enlisted ; after participating in all the battles of the war in which 
his regiment was engaged, he was mortally wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. His second child, 
Mary I., was born in Troy, April 22, 1845, and died May 22, 1846. When Mr. Buck took possession 
of his farm, it was entirely unimproved ; he has now 40 acres improved ; the farm contains 80 acres. He 
has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors one term, also Town Clerk one term. 

JOHN BINNIE, M. D., Poynette. Dr. Binnie was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland, Sept. 16, 
1844; he came to the United States with his parents in 1851; they settled in McDonough Co., 111., 
where they lived ten years ; thence to the town of Caledonia, Columbia Co., in 1861 ; be began the study 
of medicine in 1866. with Dr. Waterhouse, of Portage ; he passed an examination before the State Board 
of Censors of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, June 17, 1870 ; attended his first course of lectures at 
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in the winter of 1868-69, second course in 1869-70, third in 1874-75, 
graduating Feb. 16, 1875; practiced medicine in Poynette before and since graduating. His first wife 
was Miss Josephine E. Axon, who died Jan. 9, 1876 ; his present wife was Miss Bridgetta A. Walters; 
has one child by his second marriage, Mary J. 

SAmUEL. CARR, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Dekorra; was born in East Virginia in 1808; his 
parents removed to Western Virginia when he was 12 years of age, and thence to Washington Co., Penn., 
where the family lived for a number of years, when they went to Morgan Co., Ohio, where Mr. Carr was 
married to Miss Sarah R. Shannon ; he removed to Highland Co., Ohio, in 1846 ; he came to Columbia 
Co. in the spring of 1852, and settled where he now lives. Mr. Carr has followed the occupation of farm- 
ing the greater part of his life ; for about sixteen years, he owned the Dekorra Mill, during which time 
he followed the occupation of milling; was appointed, in 1868, one of seven Farm Mortgage Land Com- 
missioners, whose duty it is to sell certain lands deeded to them by the railroad companies to indemnify, 
in part, what was lost by farmers in mortgaging their lands; this office, which he received from the Govern- 
ment of the State of Wisconsin, he still holds. His wife died Dec. 7, 1879; he has four children — -Ruth 
A., wife of Rev. Newel Griffith ; Joseph S., George and James M.; Temperance, who married Mr. W. C. 
Allen, died April 7, 1876; two other children died in infancy; Joseph S., lawyer by profession, resides 
at San Antonio, Tex.; James M., also a lawyer, lives at Chippewa Falls, Wis. 

FRANK A. DOLE, proprietor of Lower Mills, Poynette ; born in Greenfield, Mass., Nov. 21, 
1855; he was the son of Augustus 0. Dole, who was born in Franklin Co., Mass., Feb. 11, 1816; he 



1090 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

was a miller and millwright by trade; came to Wisconsin in 185(i, and settled in the town of Arlington, 
Columbia Co., whence he removed to Poynette, in 1866. He was married to Sarah E. Bush, of Spring- 
field, Mass., born Oct. 6, 1820 ; they had three children— Nellie, now Mrs. S. F. Joseph, of Neillsville, 
and Frank A.; lost second child — Florence E., who died in 1873, in her 22d year. Mr. Dole has been a 
member of the Legislature and held various town offices ; he died Dec. 7, 1876. Frank A. assumed the 
ownership and control of the mill property on the death of his father. 

JESSE FISH, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Poynette ; was born in Canada in February, 1828. He 
was married to i^Iary York, born in the State of New York ; he came to Columbia Co. in 1859, and set- 
tled where he now lives; his farm contains 160 acres; he has four children — Samuel, Elias, Harry and 
Deborah. 

JOHN FORSYTHE, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Poynette ; born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 
about 1817. He was married to Margaret Simpson ; they came to the United States in 1853; lived in 
Buffalo, N. Y., about two years ; then came to Columbia Co., and settled on Sec. 35, Dekorra, where tliey 
lived three years ; then removed to the town of Arlington, where they lived about three years ; then 
returned to the town of Dekorra and settled on present farm ; they have one son — John ; farm contains 80 
acres. 

JOHN FFLTOX, merchant and firmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Dekorra ; was born in Scotland in 
1820; he came to the United States in the fall of 1849; has resided in Columbia Co. since that time. 
He purchased land in what is now the town of Caledonia, soon after he came to the county ; he was for 
twelve years engaged in the mercantile business in Portage City ; he now resides in what was once the 
thriving village of Dekorra, where he is engaged as merchant and farmer, and where he owns considerable 
property. His first wife was Elizabeth McMillan, a sister of James R. McMillan; his present wife was 
Mrs. Catherine Church. 

THOMAS HACJAN, boot and shoe dealer, Poynette ; was born in Canada in February, 1848. 
He came to Portage with his parents about 1850 ; his father now resides in the town of Arlington. Mr. 
Hagan engaged iu business in Poynette in 1868. He was married to Bridget O'Shaughnessy, born in 
Vermont ; they have three children — Milo C, Mary C. and Joseph T. 

HEXRV HALL, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. H;irtman ; was born in Canada in 1834. He came 
to Columbia Co. in 1857; has resided where he now lives since that time. He was married to Mrs. 
Mary S. Cook ; she was born in Attica, N. Y., in 1815; her first husband was Christopher Randall, with 
whom she came to Columbia Co. in 1842; Mr. Randall died in March, 1856; she afterward married 
Samuel Cook, who died in 1860; she was married to Mr. Hall in 1862. Mrs. Hall has three children 
by her first marriage— Margaret, Jane and Susan. Lost two children, the eldest and youngest. Farm 
contains 175 acres. 

JOSEPH HARTMAX, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Hartman ; was born in West Virginia; his 
parents renjuved to Ohio when he was a boy. He was married to Mary Ann Grier, a native of Ireland. 
He removed to Carroll Co., Ind., in l8oS, where he purchased a farm, and worked at his trade, that of a 
blacksmith ; he came to Columbia Co. in the fall of 1849, and settled where he now lives ; his farm con- 
tains 180 acres. Mr. Hartman has been Postmaster of Hartman Post Office for nine years; has been 
Justice of the Peace for twenty-six years. He has six children — Alvanus, Melvin W., Zilpha, Anna J., 
Ella and Evert. 

J. R. HASTIE, former. Sec. IS ; P. 0. Dekorra ; the son of Mr. Archibald Hastie, of the 
town of Dekorra ; the family came from Vermont in 1856. Mr. J. S. Hastie was born in the town of 
Barnet, Vt., in 1843. He was married to Miss Sarah Reedal, daughter of Henry Reedal. He has 
taught thirteen terms of school in Columbia Co. ; is Chairman of Board of Supervisors ; his farm eon- 
tains SO acres; has one child — (Jrace. 

Hl'CwH JAMIESON, capitali^t, Poynette; was born in Scotland, May, 1829; he came to 
Wisconsin fmni Scotland in the spring of 1848; came to Columbia Co. in the spring of 1849, and, with 
his brother-iii-law, Robert Wilson, purchased one quarter of Sec. 34, Dekorra. He was married to Lucy 
Thomas, whose parents. Samuel and B. Thomas, came to Columbia Co., from Pennsylvania, in 1848 ; 
they have had nine children, seven of whom are living — Hugh P., William W., Addison J., Janet, John, 
Samuel and Alice. Mr. Jamieson has always been actively and extensively engaged in business ; for the 
first fifteen years of his residence here, he kept hotel in connection with his farming business; he built 
the Poynette House in 1858, which he conducted for about ten years ; he built the elevator in 1871 ; has 
been engaged in the grain and lumber trade since 1871. Mr. Jamieson has been very successful in his 
business relations and the village of Poynette owes much of its growth and prosperity to his energy and 
ability as a business man. 



TOWN OF DEKORRA. 1091 

lu:)!*'^'*'*'* L.UTHER, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Hartman ; was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 
1821. ; his parents, William and Mary Luther, natives of Rhode Island, removed to the State of New 

10°^.' '"T iT '° ^""^ ^°' ^*^"°-' ^''®" ^'^ "^^^ ^^°^^ ■* y^*^^ of 'iSe ; he came to Columbia Co. in 
QcT' ^1- °° ^* present farm in 1855. His first wife was Miss Alfreda Fish, who died March 31, 

1861 ; his present wife was Mrs. Betsey Marsh, a sister of his former wife ; he had six children by first 
marriage, four of whom are now living— Annetta, Lovina, Lester and George P.; the two lost died in 
infancy ; has three children by present marriage— Lovilla, William and Caroline I. Mr. Luther has 185 
acres of land ; was a member of the Board of Supervisors for five years. 

^*w* I^l^THER, farmer, P. 0. Poynette ; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., March, 1825 ; he 
came to Wisconsin in 1847, but went to Illinois, where he resided five years, when he came to Columbia 
Co., settled m Sec. 2o, town of Dekorra ; he resided where he first settled about sixteen years, when he 
purchased his present farm of 100 acres, adjoining the village of Poynette; he still owns his farm in Sec. 
-5, which contains 240 acres. Mr. Luther was married to Miss R. Ackerman, born in Jefi-erson Co., N. 

' wA«»T m"" °'»''dren— Madora, Oliver C, Loda, Charles, Alida, Clarence and George. 
M n L McCARTAN, farmer and teacher. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Poynette ; is the son of Dani,;! 

McLartaD, who emigrated from Ireland to Canada about 1834, where he was enuaged in teaching ; he 
came to Columbia in 1846, and settled on a part of the farm which his son John now owns; he was 
accidentally killed in 1863. John was born on the farm where he now lives July 6, 1850. He was married 
to Harriet Hagan, daughter of John Hagan ; has one child— Daniel. Has taught eight winter terms of 
school in Columbia Co., five in the town of Dekorra ; his farm contains about 500 acres. 

•1 /^iT, rn^'*'*®^''*^^''*' f''™*""' ^<^'^- ^^' P- ^- Poynette. Mr. McDonald has been a 

resident of Dekorra Township since 1838 ; he was born in Scotland, in June, 1803; he emigrated to 
Canada in 1832 ; went to New York City in 1836, to Detroit the following winter, and to Green Bay in 
1837, where he remained till March, 1838, when ho came to Columbia Co., and located in the village of 
Uekorra, where he built a store, the first in the town ; he went to Madison in the fall of that year, where 
he worked at his trade, that of a carpenter ; he exchanged his store at Dekorra for 160 acres of land, ,1 
part ot the farm of 400 acres which he now owns. He was married to Ann Patterson, born in Norway ; 
they have seven children— William, James, Elisabeth, Martha, Hector, John and Ronald. 

V \r' , t^*«KEXZIE, proprietor of Dekorra Mills; was born in Scotland in 1832; he came 
to iNew York with his parents, Peter and Christina Burgess McKenzie, in 1844; his father settled in 
Kacine Co., Wis., where he lived five years, then came to Dekorra and entered a farm in See. 6, where he 
now resides. Mr. John McKenzie remained in the city of New York and vicinity till April, 1846, when 
he came to Dekorra; in 1857, he bought a farm in Sec. 23 ; purchased a mill of Mr. Samuel Carr in 
T ivM-"''''^ married to Mary Wilson, daughter of James Wilson ; have eight children— Mary, Peter, 

dames, \V illiam, John, Christina, Kenneth and Janet. Mr. James Wilson, father of Mrs. McKenzie, was 
among the early prominent settlers of Columbia Co.; he was born in Scotland in 1802. Married to Mary 
Robertson, sister of Thomas Robertson ; they had four sons and six dau<?hters, all of whom are livin.' 
except one son, William, who died in June, 1866. Mr. McKenzie came fiom Scotland to Columbia Co. 
in 1842 and settled there in what is now the town of Caledonia; he settled in the town of Dekorra 
in I80O, and died Aug. 5, 1878. 

JAMES REEDAL, farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0. Dekorra; .son of Henry and Sarah Reedal. Mr. 

Keedal owns the homestead left by his father, where, with his family and his mother, he resides. He 

vas married to Elisabeth Buckley ; they have two children— Blanche and May. His farm contains 160 

acres. 

JOHN REEDAL, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Dekorra; is a native of Yorkshire, England, born 
a)out 18..0 ; his flither emigrated to this country about 1831 ; resided in Michigan about six years ; thence 
to Illinois, where he lived about thirteen years ; came to Columbia Co. in June, 1849; in the fall of that 
y«ar the family settled in Sec. 17, Dekorra ; afterward settled where his son James now lives. Mr. John 
Reedal was married to Miss Mary McKenzie ; has three children— Peter E., George B. and Sarah S Farm 
cojtains 110 acres. 

k ^^J*"*^'"^'' REEDAL, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Dekorra; is a son of Henry Reedal; he was 
fi?'" '°u >j °" '?„J^^^- "® "'"* marned to Rose B. Hastie, daughter of Archibald Hastie ; they have 
thi^ediildren— Ellen, Edna and Horace. Farm contains 217 acres, where he settled in November, 1S65. 
,. y**^*^fAIi ijr. ROBINSOBf, harness-maker, Poynette; was born in Milwaukee in 1845- 
his father was born in the State of New York ; his mother was a native of England ; his father died in 
Milwaukee in 1848 ; his mother, with her family, removed to Waukesha Co., abo^ut 1854 ; thence to Sauk 
Co.,and to Columbia Co., in 1861. Mr. Robinson began his apprenticeship to the trade of harness-maker 



1092 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

at Pardeeville, with Noah Benedict in 1863, but enlisted February, 1864, in the 36th W. V. I., and served 
until the close of the war; he participated in the battle* of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Hatch's Run, 
and in all the battles which his regiment took part in ; after his enlistment at the close of the war, he 
returned to Pardeeville, and resumed his apprenticeship ; he located in Poynette, September, 1867. He 
was married to Miss W. M. Dusenburry ; they have one child — Hattie E.; lost one child. 

DR. E. FRED RUSSELL, merchant, Poynette ; born in 1834, in Eaton, Canada East ; 
his parents removed to Addison, Vt., when he was 4 years of age, where he lived until he was 18 years of 
age ; he was then engaged on the Rutland & Burlington R. R., for about two years ; he came to Colum- 
bia Co. in 1854, on a visit to his parents, who had preceded him to Wisconsin ; he then went to Madison, 
where he was engaged as book-keeper and ticket agent for one year; in the spring of 1856, he went to 
McGregor, Iowa, where he was engaged in the commission and forwarding business until August, 1857 ; 
he then returned to Columbia Co., and engaged in the study of medicine with Dr. L. A. Squires, of Lodi ; 
attended a course of lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1859, and graduated at Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, in 1861 ; he settled in Poynette in June of that year, and engaged in the practice of medicine, 
until 1870, when, on account of failing health, he discontinued the practice of his profession. Dr. Russell 
opened the pioneer drug store in Poynette in 1857 ; sold his interest therein in 1869, and engaged in the 
general merchandise business, which he has followed since that time. He was married to Estella L. 
Waldron, formerly from Vermont; they have one son — Harry L., born March, 1866. 

ISAAC C. SARtrEXT, Postmaster, Poynette ; was born in Saratoga, N. Y., in 1821 ; he 
came to Dane Co., Wis., in 1851 ; he removed to the town of Leeds, Columbia Co., in the spring of 1851, 
and engaged in farming on Sec. 16 ; he came to Poynette in the fall of 1862, purchased a farm adjoining 
the village of Poynette, which he sold in 1877 ; has been Postmaster since 1871 ; Mr. Sargent is a painter 
by trade, which business he followed for many years. His first wife was Eliza J. Dodge, born in New 
Hampshire. His present wife was Mrs. Isabella C. Rice, daughter of Adam Van Slyck, native of New 
York. Mr. Sargent has four children by first marriage — Abba J. (now Mrs. Joseph Townsend), Julia 
B. (now Mrs. R. R. Lloyd), Charles W. and Arthur. 

jflATHIAS SCOFIELD, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Poynette; was born in Walworth Co.. 
Wis., in 1847 ; he is the son of Sands R. Scofield ; he located where he now lives in the spring of 1874- 
He was married to Mary E. Rhoades ; they have four children — Joshua B., Mary A. Orpha D. and 
Eugene R. Mr. Scofield has 60 acres of land. He was elected Town Treasurer in the spring of 1879. 

SANDS L. SCOFIELD, farmer. Sec. 23; P. 0. Poynette; was born in Westchester Co.. 
N. Y., in 1835. His parents. Sands R. and Mahala Scofield, removed to Racine Co., Wis., in 1844, and 
to Columbia Co. May, 1850 ; his parents settled on the farm where he now lives, where his father died, 
April, 1859 ; his mother died in 1867. He was married to Vesta L. Packard, whose parents came to 
Columbia Co. in the fall of 1849; they have five children — Ida, Vesta, Lewis, Sanford J. and Ella L. 
Mr. Scofield enlisted Sept. 1, 1864, in 42d W. V. I.; served till close of the war. He has been Town 
Clerk for five years. His farm contains 135 acres. 

LUCIUS A. SQUIRE, physician and druggist, Poynette ; was born in New Haven, Addisoc 
Co., Vt., April 8, 1825; his father was also a physician, and native of Vermont. Dr. Squire was a stu 
dent of Prof. W. Goldsmith, of Castleton, Vt.; he graduated at Castleton Medical College in the fivU of 
1851; he practiced medicine at Clarendon Springs, Vt., for two years; in 1854. he came West, ani 
formed a copartnership with Dr. R. K. Bell, of Token Creek, Dane Co., Wis., where he remained one yea-; 
he then located at Leeds Center, Columbia Co., where he remained till 1876, when he came to Poynetta. 
He was married in the spring of 1856, to Miss Louisa J. Howard, also born in Addison Co., Vt.; one son, 
Mally, born June, 1866. Dr. S((uire belongs to that cla.ss of men generally known as self-made men, and has 
not only attained to considerable eminence in his profession, but has also been one of the foremost in entir- 
prises of public interest ; he was Town Superintendent of Schools for the town of Leeds for several yea's ; 
was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for several terms ; started the first store in Leeds in 1856 ; secured 
the post ofiice at Leeds Center and was the first Postmaster, being appointed in 1857 ; he bought '.he 
farm known as the John C. Baker farm, at Leeds Center, in 1863; this farm contains 160 acres, anc is 
one of the best improved farms in the county. 

EDWIJV F. TILLOTSON, proprietor of " American House," Poynette; is the son of 
Stephen Tillotson, of the to'^n of Dekorra. He was born in Erie Co., Ohio, in 1849. His parents came 
to Columbia Co. in the fall of 1850, and settled in Sec. 13, town of Dekorra, where ho now lives. Mr. 
Tillotson was married to Anna Ellis, born in England in 1854. They have two children — Louisi and 
Sarah ; lost their first child — a daughter. 



TOWN OF PACIFIC. 1093 

E. B. THOMAS, carpenter and builder, Poynette ; was born in Canada East in 1829; his 
parents were natives of New Hampshire ; they removed to the State of New York when he was 7 years 
of age; he came to Columbia Co. in 1857, and settled in Arlington ; Mr. Thomas located in Poynette in 
1868. He was married to Miss Jane E. Philips, of New York State; they have five children — Cora, 
John, Mina, Roy and Ely. Mr. Thomas was engaged in farming while a resident of the town of Arling- 
ton, but is by trade a carpenter and builder, and has erected many of the best buildings in Poynette and 
elsewhere. 

JAMES TOMLINSON, farmer. Sec. 36, P. O. Poynette ; was born in Yorkshire, England, 
in May, 1831. His father's family emigrated to this country in the fall of 1842 ; they lived in Jefferson 
Co., N. Y., for two years ; then removed to Canada, where they lived five years ; they came to Columbia Co. 
in 1849. His father settled where his son James now lives; he afierward removed to Poynette, where he 
at one time owned most of the land now occupied by that village. He died in August, 1874. Mr. Tom- 
linson's mother died in February of the same year. He was married to Emma C. Bowles, born in Jeffer- 
son Co., N. Y. ; has five children — E. K., James S., Arthur B., Minnie and Alberta. " Farm contains 
110 acres. 

JOHN WIIiSOBf, farmer and stock-dealer, Poynette ; is a son of one of the early settlers of 
Columbia Co. His father was Mr. Robert Wilson, who came to Columbia Co. from Scotland in 1849, and 
settled in Sec. "34, town of Dekorra, where he lived about seven years: he then removed to the town of 
Buffalo, Marquette Co., where he lived about seven years ; then returned to Columbia Co., and settled in 
Arlington Township, where died about 1873. His mother still lives in the town of Arlington. John was 
born in Scotland in 1845 ; he has been a resident of Columbia Co. since his parents returned from Mar- 
quette Co. He was married to Louisa Calkins, daughter of H. Calkins, of the town of Arlington. Has 
four children — -Nellie, Vine, Edith and Robert. He owns a farm in the town of Leeds, of 133 acres ; is 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. 

PARKER YOUNGS, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Poynette ; was born in the State of New York 
in 1843 ; his father removed to Walworth Co., Wis., in the fall of 1 845, and to Columbia Co. in the spring 
of 1846; he now resides in Arlington Township. Mr. Youngs was married to Orvilla Wheeler, whose 
parents came to Columbia Co. when she was a child ; her father died in February, 1871, in the town of 
Leeds ; her mother resides at Poynette. Mr. Youngs has four children — Morris, Davis, Harry and Jennie ; 
his farm contains 80 acres. 



TOWN OF PACIFIC. 

WnLLlAM BATES, farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0. Portage City; born July 25, 1820. in Preble 
Co., Ohio ; son of John and Ann Bates, who removed to Rush Co., Ind., when he was about 4 or 5 years 
old. He was married July 24, 1845, in Carroll Co., Ind., to Elizabeth McKinney, who died Nov. 11. 
1859, aged 32 years, leaving four children — Minerva Jane (now Mrs. Benjamin Fish, of Dekorra) ; Sarah 
Emily (now Mrs. Charles Rhodes, of Dekorra) ; Zachary Taylor, married Miss B. A. Kane (lives in 
Green Bay) ; and Charles Sumner (in Minnesota). Mr. Bates was married the second time April 2, 
1861, in Caledonia, to Agnes Davidson, who was born in Galloway, Scotland, Oct. 29, 1832, daughter 
of John Duff, and widow of James Davidson, who died Aug. 17, 1856, on the ocean, off the Cape De 
Verde Islands, at the age of 24, leaving one son, James, who is now living in Pipestone Co., Minn. Mr. 
Bates by the second marriage has six children — Jane Ann, Mary Agnes, Ada Elizabeth, Margaret Luella, 
Rosella May and William Henry, all at home. Mr. Bates is a Republican, and has been Supervisor and 
Treasurer of the town of Pacific. Both are members of the Universalist Parish of Wyocena. He has 
140 acres of land. 

JHOSES BUMP, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P.O.Pacific; born Jan. 24, 1811, in Rutland, Vt.; his 
father, Edward Bump, removed to Western New York, and settled in Cattaraugus Co., where Moses was 
married, Jan. 1, 1834, in Yorkshire, to Phebe Daggett, who was born in 1814. Mr. Bump came to Wis- 
consin in August, 1850, and settled in Dodge Co., town of Lowell, and in March. 1852, removed to his 
present location. Have had eight children, five of them still living — Maria ( now Mrs. Erastus Porter, of 
Pacific), Emeliue (now Mrs. George Farbush, of Omro, Wis.); Jerusha (now Mrs. Riley Weeks, of 
Geneseo, N. Y.) ; Mianda (now Mrs. 0. Dow) ; Am., lives in Pacific and Lincoln at home ; Charles died 
at 3 years of age, in 1856, and Cyrus enlisted in the 36th W. V. I., Co. I; was taken prisoner at 
the battle before Petersburg, first confined in Libby prison, then taken to Andersonville, and finally to Salis- 
bury, N. C.; he died on the way home after the war closed, but his place of burial is unknown. Mr. 



1094 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Bump is a Republican and has been Supervisor several torms ; has 160 acres of land. He is a firm 
believer in what he calls the Spiritual Church of Christ, or what is known as Spiritualism. Claims to be 
living in the millenium and that the millenium comes to every man whenever his spirit is in harmony with 
the spirit of Christ. 

STEPHBtf CALVERLEY, Jr., farmer, Sec. 12; P. 0. Portage City; born May 4, 
1850, in the town of Pacific, and was the first white child born in the town ; son of Stephen Calverley, 
Sr. (See his biography.) He was married, Nov. 4. 1870, to Maggie Dickinson, who was born Oct. 30, 
1850, in the town of Wyocena, daughter of James Dickinson, a native of Dumfrees Co., Scotland, who 
came to Wyocena in 1848, enlisted in the 10th W. V. I., Co. D, in 1861, and was killed in action, at the 
battle of Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Calverley have three children — Ann, born July 31, 
1870; Sarah, Aug. 10, 1871, and Stephen, Dec. 16,1878; lost one daughter, Jennie, born April 11, 1874. 
He has a farm of 307 acres, and is a Republican. 

B. F. FI^OWER, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Portage City ; born Aug. 2, 1819, in Franklin Co., 
Mas.s, ; his parents removed to Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1835 ; his father, Phineas Flower, died in that county 
in the fall of lS56,at the age of 75, and Mrs. Flower in January, 1^63, aged 83. B. F. was married in the town 
of Phelps, OntarioCo.,Oct. 12, 1841,to Sarah J. Kanouse, who was born Feb.l, 1821 ; daughter of John C. 
and Sarah Kanvuse ; her father died in 1849 and her mother in 1862. Mr. Flower came to Wisconsin 
in October, 1855, settled in the town of Pacific, and has resided in the town ever since ; has two children — 
Winfield Scott, born July 2, 1852, and James Franklin, Feb. 9, 1855. He is married to Adella A. Por- 
ter, and lives in the town of Wyocena; has also an adopted daughter, Clara Bell, born April 15, 1866; 
has lost three children ; two died in infancy in New York, and Chester B., who was born July 23, 1842, 
enlisted in August, 1862, in the 23d W. V. I., Co. C, and died Feb. 16, 1863, at Young's Point, La., 
soon after the battle of Arkansas Post, in which he was engaged. Mr. Flower is a Republican of the 
strongest type, and has held the oflice of Chairman, Supervisor, Treasurer and Assessor. Has 260 acres of 
land. 

HENRY JEXNIN<]}$$, fiirmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Wyocena ; was born Dec. 1, 1816, in Brad- 
ford, Yorkshire, England ; youngest son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Jennings ; when 8 years of age, 
he went to work in a worsted factory, in which he continued till he was 25, being an overseer at the time 
he quit. In 1842, he came to America, landing in New Orleans, in the month of March ; came direct to 
Wisconsin and settled in the town of Raymond (then Yorkville), Racine Co., where he was married, on 
the 6th day of January, 1846, to Rebecca Bisbee, who was born Jan. 22, 1827, in the village of Perry- 
ville, Vermilion Co., Ind.; lived in Racine Co. till November, 1849, then came to Columbia Co. and set- 
tled in the town of Pacific, on the farm he now owns, having bought the land in 1848. In politics, a 
Republican ; he has been Chairman, Supervisor and Treasurer, and has been elected to all the other town 
oflSces, but never qualified ; has a farm of 500 acres ; has no children of his own, but has brought up three 
adopted children — Robert, Edith and Ellen ; Robert is married to Miss Ora Calkins, and lives on the 
hnmc farm ; Edith is the wife of Clark Bartholomew, of Lodi, Wis., and Ellen is still at home. Darius 
E. Bisbee (father of Mrs. Jennings), was a native of Massachusetts ; came from Ohio to Racine Co.. Wis., 
in 1843, and from there to Wyocena in 1847 ; built the Bisbee grist-mill twomiles east of Wyocena Village 
in 1853-54, and died in 1856, aged 57 ; he left two sons and five daughters — James died in Fillmore Co., 
Minn., in 1866, and Albert lives in Pueblo, Colo.; two of the daughters, Mary Jane and Margaret, live in 
Larned, Kan., Elizabeth S. at Colorado Springs; the youngest daughter, Amanda, died in JIarch, 1878, 
in Pueblo, Colo. Mrs. Bisbee was born in Preble Co., Ohio, and died in Rushford, Minn., in 1873, aged 
73 years. 

DANIEL MARSTON, farmer, Sec. ; 13 P. 0. Pardeeville ; born Feb. 17, 1833, in Rock- 
ingham Co., N. H.; son of John H. and Mary (Thompson) Marston ; came to Wisconsin in 1852, and 
stayed in Pardeeville about a year. Was married, Jan. 17, 1854, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah 
Blaisdell, who came from New Hampshire in 1852, and still lives in the town of Wyocena ; she was born 
Sejit. 26, 1832, in the same county as her husband, in New Hampshire. In 1855, he came on the farm 
he now occupies, stayed a short time, then spent mostof his time away till thelasttwelve years, which has been 
spent on the farm by his family, though he has been away some of the time himself. He is a miller by 
trade, and ran the Wyocena mill three years. Fort Winnebago mill three years, and was in Iowa one year, 
and has also worked in Beaver Dam, Poynette and Delton, Wis. Has sis children — John, Charles Annie, 
Juniatta and Dwight and May (twins) ; none of them home but the two youngest. Is a Republican, and 
has been Town Superintendent, Town Clerk and Assessor. Has 340 acres of land. 

J. L. PORTER, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Pacific ; born Sept. 14, 1828, in Seneca Co., N. Y. ; 
son of Amasa and Eliza Porter, who removed to Erie Co., N. Y., in 1830. Mr. Porter was married, in 



TOWN OF PACIFIC. 1095 

Erie Co., Nov. 1, 1819, to Artemesha Bates, who died in November, 1850, leaving one son — De Witt D., 
born July 21, 1850, and now lives in Portage City; May 12, 1851, he married Ann Boies, who was born 
Oct. 1, 1827, in Erie Co., N. i'., daughter of Warren Boies. Came to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled 
on the farm he now occupies. Has three children by the second marriage — Arthur A., born July 15, 
1857 ; Leslie L., June 20, 1859, and Frank D., Oct. 31, 1862 ; the last three are at home. Mr. Porter 
is a Republican ; has held various town ofiBces, and was a member of Assembly in the Legislature of 
1873. Has 400 acres of land. 

EDWARD SMITH, farmer. Sec. 21; P. 0. Portage City; born July 15, 1799, in Otsego 
Co., N. Y., town of Butternuts ; son of Griffin and Sophia Smith ; when 22 years of age, he went to 
Putnam Co., N. Y., and worked three years at farming, then at butchering till 1830, then went to Orange 
Co., N. Y., and followed the same business (butchering) at West Point till 1864 ; was under contract for 
Government supplies most of the time while there; came to Wisconsin in 1864, and .settled in the town 
of Pacific, in his present location. He was married, in 1838, to Rachel Rundell, of Poughkeepsie, N. 
Y., who was born in April, 1810, and died Jan. 23, 1880; has three children — Richard is a railroad 
engineer, and lives in La Crosse, Wis.; Eliphalet is an express messenger, and lives in Milwaukee, and 
Lewis lives at home. Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has been Chairman four terms, Town Clerk, Asses- 
sor and Treasurer. Has 160 acres of land. 

GRIFFIN S.1IITH (deceased); was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Jan. 15, 1808; he went to 
West Point, Orange Co., N. Y., soon after he attained his majority, and obtained a situation as steward in 
the cadet mess hall at that place; he afterward went in company with his brother Edward in the butcher- 
ing business, which he continued about fifteen years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bull, 
died Oct. 23, 1845, leaving three children. He came to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled on Sec. 27, in 
the town of Pacific, where he resided till his death, Sept. 14, 1877. His oldest son, Abner G., lives in 
Schuyler Co., N. Y. ; Edward E. and Mary are unmarried, and occupy the homestead of 200 acres ; P. 
O. Portage City. Mr. Smith never remarried, but his sister Sarah kept house for him after his wife's 
death ; she came West with him, and is still living on the homestead with Edward and Mary. 

REV. JOSEPH F. WARREX. farmer and M. E. minister. Sec. 15; P.O. Portage 
City; is a native of Franklin Co., Mass., and was born July 10, 1829; when he was 6 years of age, his 
parents removed to Allegany Co., N. Y., where he spent his early life on his father's farm till 18 years 
old, then took charge of a saw-mill his father built just previous to that, and, in addition to his other 
business, worked at carpenter and millwright work while living in that State. He was married Aug. 26, 
1857, in Allegany Co., to Mary Jane, youngest daughter of Rev. Daniel Woods, who was in the minis- 
try in the M. E. Church for over thirty years ; she was born July 5, 1833, and was the youngest of 
eleven children. Mr. Warren came to Wisconsin in 1864, and settled in his present location. He joined 
the M. E. Church in 1856, and the next year received license as a local preacher; he has sustained that 
relation to the church ever since, working on his farm during the week and preaching every Sabbath. Has 
three children — Eva, born Oct. 6, 1862, and Jason and Nathan (twins), Dec. 1, 1865; has also an 
adopted son, Frank Corwin, born July 25, 1859. Has 260 acres of land, and in politics acts with the 
Republicanparty. 





-^: 



PASSENQERS BOUND FOR 

CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEBRASKA, 

^I^TX) THE TEieieiTORIES^°'^^^^^' 
Should, if they would consult their interest, buy their tickets via the 

Chicago & North -Western Railway 

This is the LE^IDliTO- ^-A.ILTX7-^a.-y of the 

TF"_2i7^2^ ^iV7:> JSfORTHWJilST. 

S,390 MILES OK ROAD. 



Chicago, Council Bluffs & California Line. 
Chicago, Sioux City & Yankton Line. 
Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque & La Crosse Line. 
Chicago, Freeport & Dubuque Line. 



Chicago, Green Bay & Marquette Line 



Chicago, La Crosse & Winona Line. 
Chicago, Minnesota & Dakota Line. 
Chicago, St, Paul & Minneapolis Line. 
Chicago, Milwaukee & Lake Superior Line 



These Lines enable the "CHICAGO 4 NORTH.wrSTrijW" . i. ., . 

connections, the FAIt WEST. ^" WESTERN to reach all principal points in the WEST, NORTHWEST and through its 

II S "^ir "o^/::dt'fhV^;:sr:'„JS^™'ti^^^ •" !?^ ,'™"'" --o ee,ec.« .his aa hi, route. ' ' 

WESTERN BAILW.VY shall remain the LEADING Railway of To GREAT WEST '^ determined that the CHICAGO & NOBTH- 



ii 



TU 



Passengers should ask for and he certain their Tickets have a Coupon which reads over the 

CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RY." 

All Ticket Agents will be glad to sell them via this Line. 




any 



NO TRANSFER at ST. PAUL yiatScHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RY 

Paasenger, procuring tickets to points heyond ST. PAUL should use GREAT CARE to see that they read over the 

Chicago & North-western Railway, 



-OR THE — 



Chicago, St. Pawl & Minneapolis Line. 



And not over a route having a SIMILAR NAME, as this is 



«^THE ONLY ROUTE YOU CAN TAKE TO AVOID A CHANGE OF DEPOT AT ST. PAUL. 



2,?^.^',P"f.,?''^'^^No. 415 Broadway. 
BO.>T0N UFFIC1.>-X„.6 State .'ilr.et. 

V\\\-^vl\'7-,l\<^^,>^Ii.'^-rx'''''- '^'''"' ■""• J-'^kson Street*, 
pluil l-umc 11^.^,,^ OFFlCES-l:! Nicollet House, and St. 

'^^'li^^'i-^-'l'-'^'^Tj^'''^*",?*-"- f'"" Street, under Sherman 
;„!?•' ■■; ';"""'*"■'■>''; li'nz:e street Depot, corner West Kinzie 
^.e S?rSei "'"'• '"' =^""' »«?<". 'o™" Wells and Kii" 



'^''■'^'.wf'.?^Y^''?-^"^'Sff OFFICES-Corner Broadway and 
WeJt't K ••, "^"T •^'^ifi': Depot; and Chicag,. .t North 
*\e(.tern Railway Depot 

OMAH.V TICKET OFFICES-Cnion Pacific Depot, and 1324 Far- 
nani Street, corner 14th, •^.^i'"., «nu io« rar 

SAX FRANCISCO OFFICE-2 New Montgomery Street. 

^"''^r^a. ^'^^^^^^' OFFICES-449 Strand, and 3 Adelaide 



Lb'i'v 



/ 



4 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Hi: 11.1 III III I I I nil II, I I ; I I II llllJ II 

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